Wednesday, May 23, 2012    

Magness Adventure Camp 2009

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

This past week, Logan and I spent two and half days at Magness Adventure Camp for Cub Scouts. We had an absolute blast! Logan is now a Webelo…so we even got to sleep up on the Mesa in a tent with the other Webelos. The night hike they had planned was called on account of rain and wind but it was still fun.

Every day was full of activities perfect for keeping a young boy from getting bored (and keeping his Dad sore). o fewer than either times, Logan declared: “This is the best day of my life!” We had fun…and we did it together. I am looking forward to next year’s camp.

Here are all the pics…

We're Ready
We’re Ready to Roll!

Magness Camp Sign
The Entrance to the Camp

Catching a Few ZZZZZ
Catching Some Sleep Before We Get Started

Flag Ceremony
The Morning Flag Ceremony

Ice Cream
The Ice Cream Social

The Tent
Our Tent for the First Night

Campfire Skits
Campfire Skits at the end of the first day

Compass Course
The Compass Course on Day 2

Fierce!
Looks fierce…doesn’t he?

Testing the Catapult
Testing The Catapult…it works great!

Dad & Logan
My Favorite Pic!

He's Out!
He’s Out for the Count

Mesa Camp
The Mesa Camp Ground (Day 3)

The Hiker
He Looks Official

Archery
Archery…stay behind that line!

BB Guns
He loves shooting BB Guns

Swimming
Swimming at the Lake. We also took the boats out earlier in the day.

Dunking
A Chance to Cool Off from the Hot Weather

The View from the Mesa
The view from the Mesa of Magness Adventure Camp

Ouch

Friday, June 26th, 2009

I have mentioned before that I have been reading Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning as part of my morning routine, and couple weeks ago I read a statement he made that me say “OUCH!” (I even wrote that in the margin). It’s one of those truisms that hurts because it’s true. And it’s a statement I wish I had made myself…but I give credit where it’s due.

Here’s the statement (from page 129):

The number of people who have fled the church because it is too patient or compassionate is negligible; the number who have fled because they find it too unforgiving is tragic.

Like I said “Ouch!” It hurts because there is to much truth here. And I am sure I have contributed to the problem, but I am determined to do my part to be “too” patient and compassionate instead of too unforgiving. This is the same issue that Jesus confronted and it plagues the church yet today.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can all do our part to love one another and show compassion to a world that’s dying for a little love.

Chosen

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

I have taken a little hiatus from blogging this month as I tried to find a new “life equilibrium” once school let out. I have been trying to spend time with family and with God to be sure my priorities are right. Blogging paid that price (and that’s as it should be). Life is getting back to “normal” (whatever that is) and the blogging itch is slowly returning. It’s a creative outlet for me…and hopefully it gives back a little too.

This morning I was reading in Romans and had one of those “light-bulb” moments. Here is the passage I was reading and meditating on:

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…
he called them to come to him
he gave them right standing
with himself
he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:29-30, NLT

I have read this passage, and other like it, without much thought to this notion of being “chosen” by God. I have been in classes that explored the theological implications of us being “chosen” by God. I understand the theological concepts (and “controversies”) behind the word and the concept.

God gave me new insight this morning. It might not be new to you—I pray it isn’t—but it was fresh and new to me…my “light bulb”.

Here it is: God chose me! (I know…groundbreaking isn’t it?). I mean…he actually chose me. He made a conscious decision. God wants to know me.

This goes back to the adoption metaphor that Paul uses earlier in Romans chapter 8. I wasn’t born into God’s family (like my own children were born into our family)—God adopted me. He chose me. God wants me so much that He actually selected me—God picked me! I wasn’t the last kid left to be picked for kickball…He chose me to be His son…and to be like His Son.

That is mind boggling and life changing. The God of the universe…the God who spoke worlds into existence…chose me to be adopted into His family.

It feels good to be chosen.

Friday Fodder 06-05-09

Friday, June 5th, 2009

This guy clearly has too much tie on his hands, but at least he does something cool with it. This is one of those things I just wouldn’t have the vision or patience for…

Homemade Holograms

Happy Friday!!

Like Static Cling

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

I gotta tell you, I am getting way more out of my study of Jeremiah than I thought I would (I know, not much faith huh?). I am 13 chapters into the book and I must say that I am starting to feel…just a little…for Israel. God is putting the hammer down on them. They deserve it for turning to idols instead of turning to God, but He is really letting them have it.

Why? Because He loves them. And He’s a jealous God…very jealous. This morning’s reading gave a little insight into what is frustrating God so much. God has Jeremiah buy and then bury a loincloth. God waits (I am assuming for a looooong time) and then tells Jeremiah to go dig it back up. It’s completely ruined…”good for nothing” is what Jeremiah calls it. And that’s when God makes his real point:

As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist,
so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the Lord.
They were to be my people, my pride, my glory—
an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.
Jeremiah 13:11, NLT

God was frustrated because He had created Israel to cling to Him…but instead they turned from Him. It broke His heart (so to speak). He wanted relationship with His people and they walked away…they ignored God and turned to idols instead.

Ouch.

God created me…us…for that very same relationship. He wants me to cling to Him…to be His pride and glory. Too often I blow it and turn away from Him instead. I want to listen to Him. I want to walk with Him.

I want to cling to Him…like static cling!