Post Off the Cuff

Because it has been a time since my former post, I might as well shake a few minutes out of my busy schedule to let everyone know that I am still writing on my classic blog.

Yesterday, I had lunch with three former Northland Camp Counselors (Carla Mallory, Jenn Wetzel, and Clinton Van Dyne). It reminded me of how much I miss camp. I long for camp again for several reasons: the relationships, friends for life, the only people I consistently email are my northland friends. The atmoshere, Northland Camp has such an emphasis on openness, accountability and discipleship that I find at school I need some type of spiritual outlet because I miss that openness and accountability. The power groups, no other camp has such an amazing program in their ministry; God used it deeply in my heart . The place, the picture of the sidewalk is one of my favorite pictures. I do not know how many struggles or joys I have shared while walking on that sidewalk. Whether it was walks with staff members, or walks with campers.

So if you are reading this post, and you worked at Northland Camp either the summer of '05 or '06, post a comment. Please, let me know how you are doing!

Next post: School is boring, but I have random pictures.

Glorious Hope

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God." (Psalm 43:6)

May our prayer be to hope in God even when all earthly hope fades.

When we forget the matchless control of God,

Hope in God.

For God is our hope.

A Wave Tossed

Recently, I was considering the journey that is my life. Have you ever felt the pressure of time? Often I come to the realization that life is short and fleeting much like David did in the psalms (Psalm 39:4-6). I am growing up too quickly. It only feels like yesterday, I was a little kid at Camp Cobeac (where I grew up) engaged in a joke of a wrestling match with a counselor or riding my bike to the dining hall from my house on the hill. I remember “showing off” in front of the campers. I remember standing with my brother and watching a tree fly by our window and both of us proceeding to run for our lives. I remember: watching M*A*S*H with my dad, playing horse with my sister, breaking a window with a rock, and then breaking my hand with a window. Life is a vapor. “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14b, ESV) I recall moving to Wisconsin and the sadness it brought to my heart. I remember lying in bed and weeping while singing “Lord, I Need You.” I was young, but those nights have left an imprint on my heart. I am reminded of the trip out west with my Grandparents and Cara. Together, we made too many fond memories to mention. I think of all the friendships God has blessed me with over the years. Way too many names for me to mention. I recall the sad times. Where I was when the plane hit the World Trade Center. I remember where I was when Dan and Mike died. Too many tears. Life is short. Life is like a wave on the ocean. Now that I am grown and no longer a child, I wish I would have loved my family more and lived more for the moment instead of looking for the sunrise. Life is a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow! Still from this point on I can live life in joy and love. “Redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16, KJV) Thank God for my family and our memories; Memories of vacations, fights, arguments and just odd moments. Reminiscing the weddings, parties, graduations, ballgames, and camping trips. I love my family and I owe God thanks and gratitude. To my dad: You are my hero, and you are the man I ever wish to be. To my mom: You are the tenderness of our family. You have learned the art of listening like nobody else I know, and I relize you are always there when I am down. To Jonathan: You love by showing me areas of inconsistency in my life just by your life and your walk with God. To Christina: Your gentleness and kindness puts me to shame. I’ll miss our movie (Pride and Prejudice) nights that you never fell asleep during! To Cara: I adore you. Your spirit is always encouraging to me. I love your random hug in the hallway at school. To Karen: I cannot imagine our family without you. To Eric: I go to you often because I know your advice will be godly advice. All of you: I love you, and I miss you when I am away (even right now while you are all going to an Irish Tenor Concert without me). I love you all! I Praise God for you all. So now that I am in college, I pray for God to guide and enable me to live serving others. Expecting God to allow me to enjoy life and to live for the day, but always remembering...I am a wave tossed in the ocean.