Camp

I love camp. Camp is a place where kids are forced to step away from the internet, texting, IM, facebook, myspace, youtube, video games, ipods, cell phones.....you get my drift. They walk away from a lot of noise and begin to hear God speak in their lives. This week God showed up huge! Wednesday night, I didn't even speak but went straight into the altar time. I love to see a kid get touched by God. There were a ton of testimonies of the cool things God did. I used to get real nervous before I would speak at a camp or convention. I have found the spiritual attack ramps up some as well. Once, I was behind the stage about to go up to speak and feeling inadequate. That what I had prepared wasn't that great and that there are several other "better" speakers. That's when God reminded me that I'm only the servant, and am responsible for only what I can do. God is the one who draws people to Himself, and He is responsible for the fruit. I never want to forget that I'm just the servant!

Dunkin Donuts

This morning myself, Tim Moen, Heath McCoy and Ralph Clark got to have coffee @ Dunkin Donuts (they own the NE) with District Supt. Bob Wise. I love asking questions and listening to someone who has wisdom. I could feel the Spirit of God in that donut shop. Pastor Bob oozed passion and strong Christian Leadership. He shared several gold nuggets, one of which was "don't just pastor a church, pastor a city." Before he got up to leave, I asked if he would pray for us, and he did. I walked away with a responsibility for my generation to take the torch and run faster and farther than ever before. I can honor men of God like him, by continuing to spread this life changing message of Jesus Christ.

New Hampshire

Last night was the first night of camp and it went well. God did some cool stuff in the lives of these students. The vast majority of the students came forward to make commitments to Christ or understanding their true identity is found in Jesus Christ. That it is not what they do, but who they are.....Children of God.
This morning I got a good 7-8 miles in running on some dirt trails through the mountain forests in the White Mountains. BE UA TI FUL! It was in the high 50's this morning. Anyway, I'm anxious to see what God does tonight. Pray that Jesus blows this place up with HIS presence.

heading northeast

Tomorrow I will wake up early and board a plane for New Hampshire. I get to be the speaker for a youth camp with my friend Tim Moen the DYD and my boy Heath McCoy (formerly from OHIO). Heath was my camp director for OH when I was the State Youth Director. He is the camp director there now. It will be like old times. It will be good to catch up with a good friend.
Today, we had a ton of guests at C3! It was a byproduct of our big community event the day before. Also, we started a series called WHYi. Today was "WHYi smile," and we talked about joy. My main point was, "our joy, or lack of, is determined by our focus." If we focus on circumstances, our happiness is all based on chance. If we focus on Christ, our joy is constant.

lemonade

Today was the day of our big, free, community event called "Summer Extreme." Our church body never ceases to amaze me. We have some amazing people that truly make the difference. Anyway, the anchor big events today were the free hot air balloon rides and the big inflatables. But as life would have it, it was too windy for the hot air balloon rides and for some reason the inflatable company was over an hour late. The only 2 things we had no control over, did not come through. In other words, we were delivered lemons. So what do you do? Make lemonade! Our C3'ers kept positive and it all worked out in the end. The inflatables did finally show and we had a good event. This is all part of life. If we allow our circumstances to decide our emotions and our outlook on life, it could be pretty miserable. On the other hand, if our joy is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ, we can make the best of any situation. So when life throws you a lemon, make lemonade!

conversation

Lisa Kirk said, "A gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about himself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself."
I have found I can get a good read on someone in a conversation by how much talking they do about themselves. The sharper people and leaders I have met, will answer my questions and then will try to turn the conversation back to me. Also, I can read a lot by how they make me feel by the end of the conversation. So personally, I want to be the person who is genuinely interested in the other person and leave with them feeling good about themselves.

power of a name

Last night before bed, I was reading to my boys from their Bible. I came across the story of the prophet Elisha. My son Kross's middle name is Elisha. I told him that we named him that believing that God is going to give him a double portion of God's blessing, favor and power. Then Kaden asked what his name meant. I told him it means "mighty warrior." (I think that is what it means...if not, it does now!) I said, "so every time I say "Kaden," I am calling you mighty warrior." To look in that kid's eyes at that moment, I could see a confidence welling in his heart. At that moment I could sense that he felt he could take on the world. I told him that he was going to be a "mighty warrior" for Jesus Christ and that he would change the world......and he went to sleep that night, actually believing he could. As a Dad, I will do my best to cultivate those words and pray that it comes to pass.