Training

Week 1

Wow… This is not like anything I’ve ever done before. St. Christopher has such a range of events, activities, and work areas that it’s hard to even comprehend them all. There are 5 work groups: worship, teaching, activities, events, and administrative. These work groups are each focused on particular parts of the camp but the members of the group aren’t limited to doing just that part. For example, I’m on the worship team. I can, and should, spend as much time as possible preparing and getting ready for the worship sets and sessions we will have during camp. However, I will have the opportunity to lead an activity hear or help plan an event there many times during the summer. As of this moment, we are all focusing on our own work groups to ensure that we are prepared for the task at hand because this is quite the undertaking for the summer.

Beyond the work groups, we are being trained in every aspect of camp life. Each of us is being trained to carry out and execute every one of the events so that we might be comfortable doing them if and when we are asked to lead them. Thus far, we’ve been trained to use the rock wall and the low ropes course. We’ve also begun training in sailing, but that was cut short due to uncertainties in the weather (which ended up missing us but still presented significant threat of danger). Every morning we begin with breakfast, then a time for worship, prayer, and the teaching of the Bible. After this, we go through the logistics of camp life such as how registration day works, how to treat the children and parents, where supplies might be found, as well as many more things we have yet to learn.

Along with all this, we have been given time to study and experience God’s word on our own as well as with fellow staff members. We share a 16 bedroom house on the beach (don’t worry, strict rules about where we are and aren’t allowed are enforced), which presents great opportunity for fellowship, friendship, and relationship to occur. Thus far, I’ve heard people being built up, called out, and helped out. The staff team is growing together well and this summer looks to be a spirit filled and led occasion and I praise God with the greatness of his Love. I also thank Him daily for placing me here with all this opportunity to grow and pour out that which I have been given amongst the staff and the campers.

It’s off to church now, I hope you have a wonderful and blessed sunday.

In Christ,

Adam

Packing

I managed to sleep in till about 7:30 this morning. If you’re wondering, yes that is sleeping in, I usually wake at first light. Anyhow, I will be spending this day packing for my summer job. This summer I will be working as a staff member for a church camp in Charleston. The camp has been around for many many years (60?) and has developed many activities for the campers to enjoy. A typical day looks something like this: Wake up at 8, breakfast at nine, chapel, activity, lunch, activity, swim/sail, dinner, chapel, back to bed at 10.

This of course leads to a very fun, but also very exhausting summer. While we at the camp intend to give these kids a great time kayaking, climbing, playing games, and what not, our greatest goal is to share the gospel with them. We are setting out to raise up a new generation of those faithful to the cross and this is just a phase in the process. My role in this during the summer will likely involve playing drums for the worship team, leading small group bible studies, heading the prayer room, and when possible manning the climbing wall, helping with kayak trips, and almost any other possible activity.

With all that said, something has recently begun to concern me. It’s a long way off but there’s a chance that it could greatly effect the camp this summer. What I’m talking about is the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (recent article HERE). Last night while channel surfing, I came across the weather channel reporting on the directions that the plume is traveling. One of those directions is towards a gulf current that heads into the gulf, around the bottom of florida, and then up the southern atlantic coast of the US. If the oil reaches this current, it will be carried many miles along the current and could possibly end up going as far as virginia up the coast. This greatly concerns me because it will limit the activities that we at the camp will be able to do this summer. Atleast half of what we do involves some use of the ocean and tidal rivers. So, I’m asking that you begin praying for the camp to not lose functionality, and that solutions to the oil spill will be implemented quickly. From what I heard last, they have already stopped the flow, but that doesn’t get rid of what’s already leaked. Please be praying for this.

In Christ,

Adam

ps. Look for updates as this summer rolls by. I will be posting on the activities of the camp, and if necessary, what happens with the oil slick.

Fastfood

What is it? Where does it come from? and Why does it taste so darn good?

You’re probably wondering where I am coming from on this one. It seems pretty weird to start a discussion on fast food but there is a point to it.

Most of us can generally agree that fast food is tasty. It’s got everything necessary for basic tastiness. These are: Fat, lots of of fat; Salt, tasty little bits of rock; sugar, natures delightful energy source; and probably a little bit of crunch, more of a characteristic than an ingredient but essential none the less. Now these four bits of basic tastiness can be achieved with relatively little effort and when combined often exclude one element that we all need.

Nutrition.

However, it’s important to note that for a short time, one can survive on these elements alone and be perfectly happy. I know this from experience. The downside is that personal health starts to diminish quickly. Soon, more nutritious, less convenient, and slower options become necessary. This too is true for faith. More specifically, faith in Jesus.

Often times many of us rely on an hour of church on sunday to get us through the week. We get a little bit of substance and some entertainment, then we go about our lives as if none of it happened. I know this is true for many, because it has been true for me. The sermon on sunday counts as the only bit of nutrition we get per week and then we live the rest of it on thoughts and opinions otherwise known as fast food. Sometimes these things make us feel good, make us sit in awe for a moment, or just seem kinda right, but these tidbits we see are nothing more than fast food. Often time they are disguised as “christian” emails, websites, billboards, or commercials. These all have good intentions, but none will ever sustain you.

This is where the Bible comes into play. On several occasions, the writers of the Bible refer to it as food and on atleast 2 occasions the word is literally eaten (Ezekiel 3:1-3 and Revelation 10:9-11). Both times the word was eaten, it went down sweet. However, on neither occasion was the resulting message well received. On another occasion, Paul speaks about spiritual food. He admonishes the church for needing to be retaught the basic lessons of God’s word and likens this to milk feeding them. This is quite simply unacceptable when mature christians live on a solid diet of righteousness which can be found deeper in God’s word.

Unfortunately for us, this often means that we can’t live off of the fast food sermonettes we are used to. Perhaps it is time we cook up a more nutritious helping of the Bible. Maybe, we should live off of more than just the words we hear for an hour on sunday and discover the words sitting on our shelves at home. Maybe then, we will become strong, healthy christians.

Then again, what’s wrong with a little fast food every now and then?

May Christ be glorified,

Adam

Mother’s Day

Hey guys,
I just attended church for the first time in a couple weeks (with school ending and moving out all happening at the same time, it’s hard to attend, cut me some slack) and it was great. All you mothers, soon to be mothers, and ladies thinking that it would be nice to have kids at some point, you are stinkin’ awesome! I love you a lot. Without people like you, God wouldn’t be able to bring cool people like me into the world (just kidding… but not really). I mean, God could just make people the old fashioned way. He could just get some dirt, mix a little water in it, and then blow on it and bam a person appears, but that’s not how He chose to do it these days. He chose you, and I’m thankful for that in every (healthy) way possible.

I changed my first diaper about 2 weeks ago (no the child wasn’t mine) and it gave me my first glimpse at what being a parent is like. I just want to say that it makes me respect you moms even more (I know dads clean the kids too, but moms still do it better). The process is fairly easy and it’s been expedited with all the fancy wipes and diapers and tables available, but it’s still not unlike what God does for us daily. We poop all over ourselves (sin) and then he comes in probably thinking, “didn’t I just clean you up?” and then patiently cleans us up again. What would it be like if your child messed himself (or herself) and you decided that you were done cleaning that stuff away and you just let it sit? I don’t know from experience, but I assume the kid would be upset. Not to mention they would probably suffer some health issues along with the discomfort. This represents what God does for us. He cleans us up.

Then, mothers, what about feeding your child? This too is symbolic of what God does for us. Constantly we cry out to be fed and constantly he feeds us. But, what if you didn’t feed your child? They would probably eat something (anything) and it would likely make them sick and eventually kill them. This is the way with us as well. If we were to try to find nourishment outside of what God provides then we too will likely choke, whither, and die. This food is His word, His love, and His mercy. Mothers, you provide each of these things in great supply to your children. In this way, you represent God. Thank you.

The list of things that make mothers awesome goes on, but if you are a child with a mother you should be spending time with your mom right now. If you are a mother reading this, thank you, but you too should be spending time with your children so they can honor you. I just want to say thanks to all you mothers again.

Christ be Glorified,

Adam

ps. I have a short list of new things to discuss so they will be coming out fast and furious over the next week.

Graduation Gang

I’ve been spending the last week or so with a group of my friends I like to call the graduation gang. They are all the people I started college with and now are graduating. The only hitch in the whole situation is that I’ve managed to extend my stay at my university without expanding the amount of degree I get.

I know I’m going to miss these guys so I’m enjoying their company while they are still all here. It seems this is the way of the world. You only get a season to share life with some people before that small period is over. Then, you move on and the scene shifts. There may be a few familiar faces amongst the seasons, but there are always going to be the ones that fade away and the ones that start to bloom.

My only thought on this is that God has a way of putting things together beyond imagination. I am amongst the generation that is about to be handed the keys to the world and we will soon shape it with all the might given us. I pray that it is in good hands. The friends I’ve made here and at other universities will soon become my business partners or my financial counselors. Many I will never see again, others will soon become daily accomplices.

I look forward to the coming years in which we minister, or trade, raise up, or tear down the world. I want to see what God is weaving in his tapestry of the future. But alas, it is for us to live today. Today, I hope you get to spend it with friends. I hope you get to know God as well.

the lights are now turning off in the library so I must go.

Christ be glorified,
Adam

Summer is today

Summer! Yes, it is finally here!

Friends, this summer I am going away to Charleston to work at the fabled Camp St. Christopher. This is a christian camp aimed to strengthen the relationship of young christians with their Lord. I know that the attention is going to be on making sure the kids get discipled but the ones who will be taught the most are those of us doing the leading. I will post weekly updates on the events of the camp and other things that I happen to think are awesome. This will start on the 18th. Until then, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.

In Christ,

Adam

Where did it all go?

It seems that the end of the semester has finally reached us here. Today is our final presentation and then class is all but done. There are still a few odds and ends to take care of like prepping our designs for competition as well as exams for other classes. It’s crazy to think that everything we’ve worked for this semester comes to a head today.

Where did all that time go? What happens to those days that I spent in lab making this project work? I can clearly see the results of all the work, but what else could I have been doing with my time? Who could I have been talking to? Perhaps all that time spent with my team had a positive effect on them. I certainly hope it did. But, after today, that’s all then and all that’s left is to step into tomorrow knowing that anything could happen.

This artist sums up these thoughts well:

Soon, I will be going to work as a camp counselor, teaching kids about Jesus and the amazing things He did. During that time, I will have less access to the internet to add posts but I will certainly try to provide updates about the awesome events going down this summer. I’m planning on touching the lives of a lot of people and teaching them a lot, but I know that I will be taught a great deal more.

In Christ,
Adam