It has been two weeks since I have been able to sit at my computer for an extended period of time to blog. First I was out at Rock Lake Christian Assembly for a most excellent Senior High Week, then out with my father and sister for a week of pop-up camping at Covenant Hills during Family Camp. A time of seeking, a lot of encouragment and a lot of praying would best describe the time that has passed. Onto the list:
1) For those not familiar with Covenant Hills and their Family Camp week, perhaps this will help. The Free Methodist Church is not independant like Restoration Movement Churches. Michigan is divided into 3 conferences. My home Church, Lansing Central Free Methodist, is part of the Eastern Free Methodist Conference, and Covenant Hills is our camp. To understand Family Camp, this of camping like at the Northman, except it is for all people (not just men) and each lot has an electric hookup. Don't worry hardcore campers, I was in a tent for the week.
2) Having had the experience of growing up at Central FM yet schooling at GLCC I've often heard the question "What is the difference between the two?" The biggest things I notice is that FM is based slightly on the holiness teachings of John Wesley, but not to the point that they are more authoritative than the Bible by any means. They also do not believe baptism is an essential part of salvation. Regardless of what that makes you think, I want to make one thing perfectly clear: God is moving and advancing his Kingdom through the Free Methodist Church. After a week at Covenant Hills hearing ministers share their testimonies and what they are doing for the kingdom that is clear. Now I might be stepping on toes here, but maybe if we focused more on serving God and not what separates us from the denominations we could all do that work together. (Note: I am not saying that God is not moving in the Christian Church/Church of Christ. Far from it. What I am suggesting is that maybe we are missing oppertunities to partner in ministry with other Churches.)
3) Hindsight truly is 20/20. I began this summer wondering where God would use me next and what I would be doing as I figured out the next part of life. With the main parts of summer nearly over I look back and see that God has continued to use me, a lot of it with me not realizing or admitting it. God did some great things at each week of camp I got to serve at. You don't have to be vocationally hired to do great ministry, you just have to be reading and willing. That makes a segueway into the next point better than I planned.
4) I'm back on the job hunt. With most of the summer oppertunities I had finished up, it is time to find a source of income. With some recent car troubles, a looming dentist visit and an Itunes music account it couldn't come at a better time. I am not closing the door to vocational ministry by any means, but I am no longer afraid to seek other means of employment that can utilize my gifts and passions just as well. Pray for this, that was a scary conclusion to admit to.
5) This post's verse of encouragement comes from a powerful part in Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Him strengthens me." Paul is talking about how he has been through times where he has had plenty and he's had times where he has had nothing. Well almost nothing. Nothing but Christ. And that's really the opposite of nothing isn't it. While I do not know what the future holds, I have no doubt that God will continue to use me and work through me while I find a way to make money that enables me to do that ministry. And that's really what it's all about.
6) Part #5 may become a regular feature in this blog. Well at the least the verse of encouragement part.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Random Thoughts on the 4th of July, on the 6th of July
Wow I slacked off! I usually make an annual post on the 4th talking about something significant and historical. I guess this year I opted for some muppets music which I ate up like the steak we had for lunch. All right, down to business.
1) One of the things I personally remember and honor the week of the 4th is a battle that occurred July 1st-3rd. That is the battle of Gettysburg. As part of an organization dedicated to remembering the sacrifice that the Union soldiers made during the Civil War it is a time that is especially important in my mind. Often overlooked is the battle of Vicksburg which ended a day later than Gettysburg. So many lives lost, so many who paid the ultimate price to unify our country. So many more fight and represent our country today. I thank, honor and pray for them. Regardless of how you feel about where they are or why they are there the fact is they are there and they deserve our gratitude and prayers.
2) This very entry was just suspended for a good 10 minutes? The reason? I was startled by a sudden snarling noise that repeated itself every few minutes. After watching outside very carefully my eyes chanced upon 3 rodents invading our driveway. I shined our trusty mag-light and revealed the critters to be 3 racoons up to no good. Two of them were sneaking across the town and being followed by a third. I say it this way because the snarling I heard was the first stopping, turning and attacking the third one every now and then. Only in Mason. A fun detour that could possibly derail this post.
3) Fun fact I should have known: Today, July 6th is a very special day. Not because of another historical event, at least not one that will go down in text books. Today is the anniversary of the wedding of my parents. That's right, they said their vows, traded rings and tied the knot on this day 34 years ago!
4) For those of you keeping track at home that means they were married 8 years before I came along. Lucky them right?
5) Visited Trinity Church today for my Sunday service attendance. Nice building, good children's safeguard measures. I went with Jason and Asia Sleight so they have to drop off their kid, and it's a good way to see how they do it. So those parts were nice. I didn't get to see the youth room so I will have to do that sometime. Otherwise to be honest it's not a place that I am desiring to visit again.
That's all I got tonight. Rock Lake's Senior High week is in a week. Looking forward to that! Have a great week.
1) One of the things I personally remember and honor the week of the 4th is a battle that occurred July 1st-3rd. That is the battle of Gettysburg. As part of an organization dedicated to remembering the sacrifice that the Union soldiers made during the Civil War it is a time that is especially important in my mind. Often overlooked is the battle of Vicksburg which ended a day later than Gettysburg. So many lives lost, so many who paid the ultimate price to unify our country. So many more fight and represent our country today. I thank, honor and pray for them. Regardless of how you feel about where they are or why they are there the fact is they are there and they deserve our gratitude and prayers.
2) This very entry was just suspended for a good 10 minutes? The reason? I was startled by a sudden snarling noise that repeated itself every few minutes. After watching outside very carefully my eyes chanced upon 3 rodents invading our driveway. I shined our trusty mag-light and revealed the critters to be 3 racoons up to no good. Two of them were sneaking across the town and being followed by a third. I say it this way because the snarling I heard was the first stopping, turning and attacking the third one every now and then. Only in Mason. A fun detour that could possibly derail this post.
3) Fun fact I should have known: Today, July 6th is a very special day. Not because of another historical event, at least not one that will go down in text books. Today is the anniversary of the wedding of my parents. That's right, they said their vows, traded rings and tied the knot on this day 34 years ago!
4) For those of you keeping track at home that means they were married 8 years before I came along. Lucky them right?
5) Visited Trinity Church today for my Sunday service attendance. Nice building, good children's safeguard measures. I went with Jason and Asia Sleight so they have to drop off their kid, and it's a good way to see how they do it. So those parts were nice. I didn't get to see the youth room so I will have to do that sometime. Otherwise to be honest it's not a place that I am desiring to visit again.
That's all I got tonight. Rock Lake's Senior High week is in a week. Looking forward to that! Have a great week.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Random Thoughts after Camp
Greetings to quite possibly a dozen people! How has your week been? As you may or may not recall I spent Sunday night, Monday and most of the day Tuesday at Rock Lake for Terry Strickler's 2nd-3rd grade week of camp.
It was a great experience and as I go into this edition of "Random Thoughts" I will be touching on that specifically.
1) Children are awesome. They are so cute and innocent. I am the worst disciplinarian when it comes to dealing with them. I can't punish them. Well eventually my nerves get worked and I can but it takes me a long time to get there. You learn a lot about God working with kids.
Children are an interesting part of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus rebukes his disciples for trying to stop parents from bringing their children to Jesus. He sternly says to them "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." The more I work with them the more I see this. From my year of playing with Hannah Lowman several times a week to the first few days of this week.
Everything a child does, he/she does whole heartedly. They are so passionate about everything they do, whether it's going down a twisty slide or shouting the "We Love Jesus" chant against the other trailer on the chariot. They strive to do everything (good and bad) to the best of their ability. When do we slip up and lose that? I'm not suggesting we are terrible people, but I know there are times in my life when I didn't do something as well as I could. I also know of times when I've done tasks assigned to me without passion.
2) For non-Rock Lake Campers, the chariot is an archaic truck towing two trailers that transports students and staff between the two main areas of camp.
3) An unexpected surprise visit from a friend always brightens any day. This brings about a new saying: A day can always get brighter even when you think it can't!
4) I have gotten more mosquito bites taking my dog outside for five minutes than I did in my combined time at camps this summer. What's up with that?
5) Do you really have to be skilled to do a job well? If I may backtrack for a moment (and I may, it's my blog!) I'm beginning to wonder if the simple truth is if you do anything whole-heartedly you will be good at it. Sure maybe computer networking takes skill, but if you passionately study it and work at it you will get good at it. I wonder if everything in our life, from how we work to how we relate to people could be based on how passionately we choose to live. Hmmmm...
That's all I got for now. Have a great weekend!
It was a great experience and as I go into this edition of "Random Thoughts" I will be touching on that specifically.
1) Children are awesome. They are so cute and innocent. I am the worst disciplinarian when it comes to dealing with them. I can't punish them. Well eventually my nerves get worked and I can but it takes me a long time to get there. You learn a lot about God working with kids.
Children are an interesting part of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus rebukes his disciples for trying to stop parents from bringing their children to Jesus. He sternly says to them "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." The more I work with them the more I see this. From my year of playing with Hannah Lowman several times a week to the first few days of this week.
Everything a child does, he/she does whole heartedly. They are so passionate about everything they do, whether it's going down a twisty slide or shouting the "We Love Jesus" chant against the other trailer on the chariot. They strive to do everything (good and bad) to the best of their ability. When do we slip up and lose that? I'm not suggesting we are terrible people, but I know there are times in my life when I didn't do something as well as I could. I also know of times when I've done tasks assigned to me without passion.
2) For non-Rock Lake Campers, the chariot is an archaic truck towing two trailers that transports students and staff between the two main areas of camp.
3) An unexpected surprise visit from a friend always brightens any day. This brings about a new saying: A day can always get brighter even when you think it can't!
4) I have gotten more mosquito bites taking my dog outside for five minutes than I did in my combined time at camps this summer. What's up with that?
5) Do you really have to be skilled to do a job well? If I may backtrack for a moment (and I may, it's my blog!) I'm beginning to wonder if the simple truth is if you do anything whole-heartedly you will be good at it. Sure maybe computer networking takes skill, but if you passionately study it and work at it you will get good at it. I wonder if everything in our life, from how we work to how we relate to people could be based on how passionately we choose to live. Hmmmm...
That's all I got for now. Have a great weekend!
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