Wednesday, August 29, 2007

MBC Tree Frog

Another MBC Critter created to bring praise and glory to God, the creator.

Reflecting on two days of planning and dreaming

Today completed two days of meeting with our camp directors - planning, dreaming, prioritizing, etc. I can truly say that in all my years of ministry, I have never been involved with such an intense time of looking ahead at the big picture. I feel that there are many areas that we need to improve here at the camp, but I am excited to see the beginnings of a long range master plan in all areas.

I still can't believe that God has allowed me the privilege to be a part of this, and to be a leader in this ministry.

We were sitting on the Retreat Center deck last night in the dark, with the full moon shining on us, and I couldn't help but think of my life and ministry in analogy to the moon. I am to be a reflecting the glory of God to my family, my friends, my whole circle of influence - and it is not to be the light or wit or glory of myself, but the light and the glory of God.

I am reading a book called "Cat and Dog Theology" which has challenged me to make God famous in everything that I do and everything that I am a part of. That is hopefully what I will do more and more in my own family and in my ministry here at MBC.

I also love the quote from John Piper that says that if anything makes us more content than God, then we need to fast from it. That is exactly what we want people to do when they come to camp - to fast from the things that not only bring them more contentment than the Lord, but also all those things that distract them from listening to and obeying His Word.

Maybe we should start a class at church called the "Moonshiners" - maybe that would be misunderstood.

jc

Sunday, August 26, 2007

The Beginning of an Era of Blunderblogging

So, even though I am melancholy today - this post is a test to see how this blog imports into facebook. This is also the first day that I am able to blog at my home at Maranatha Bible Camp - our wireless internet seems to be working - the guy must have come to fix it yesterday, or it was miraculously resurrected. (The guy pronounced it dead!)

How wonderful to have internet access at home again after 11 months of exile - Jenette will be thrilled - she has been waiting for this!

jc

End of an Era

This has been a day that included a kind of emotional drain - not just for myself personally, but for our church, because this was our preacher's last Sunday. I guess I have never experienced this in my entire life - hearing the last sermon of a dear friend and mentor.

Being at the camp, I am sure that it won't be the last time I will hear him preach or get to spend time with him; in fact I asked him to speak at a retreat here at the camp next spring. Having said that, after working under him for the past 10 years (nine years actually working there under him as youth, children's and family minister), it is a little hard to take.

My kids have listened to so many of his sermons that they are very comfortable with him, and they listen well. While most of the other kids go off to children's church, all of ours age 5 and up sit and listen to the sermon.

The kids asked me this morning who would be preaching next week, and I had to tell them that I had no idea. I hope that it will be someone as honorable, and God honoring, as BA Austin.

jc

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Flash flood trashes MBC bridge!

The west end of the bridge got tossed downstream about 10 yards. It's crazy to think of the sheer force that would be required to make this happen. From looking at the ground around the creek, the water must have been at least 10-12 feet high.



This view is from the east looking back west toward the ampitheater. This end only moved a few feet downstream.

Looks like we have another MBC project to tackle this fall! Does anyone have a crane?

More Vacation Pictures

We saw some awesome sunsets!


Six kids - one banana - lots of fun!


The boys enjoyed wakeboarding.


A happy baby Josie in her playpen on the dock!

A few Vacation Pictures

Nice fish, Jason!

The tire swing was a big hit.


Three big boys, two little girls, all having fun together!


We spent a lot of time swimming off the dock!

Back on the Blunderblog

It's time to saddle up again and do more blogging. I know the rest of the world is using facebook, because they like the personal interaction and the size .02 fonts, but I am just a little bit old school sometimes and I kind of like blogger. I also like to see pictures that are bigger than a literal thumbnail.

I'm going to put on a few new pictures, and I am going to be blogging more on a regular basis, now that the camp schedule is not so hectic.

jc