We made it back. I'm sitting in a usually very familiar place (my desk in my office) that seems at this moment very unfamiliar. It is hard to leave the mountain - in more ways than one. Spiritually speaking, God met some great men on mountaintops and their lives were changed forever. I think we have had a very similar experience. And just like in Scripture part of our hearts cry out to say, "Can't we just stay up here - maybe we can pitch a tent and live here forever!" We will one day and that is why our hearts desire it so much. But we weren't created to live on the mountain, we are valley dwellers by nature and God's design.
The valley isn't a fun place to live. Pain, heartache, broken relationships and problems abound in the valley. But God prepares us for valley living by giving us glimpses of Himself on the mountain. But it is hard to come down when you've had such an incredible time in His presence.
That's camp. But more than camp is life in Christ. That's real life. My challenge and desire for you students is that you will take what God has done in your life and live it out in the valley. Share your heart with others. Share your story. Love like the Father God loves you. He's your Father, Abba, Daddy, Papa. Live in Him and His grace.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
ELEVATE :: DAY 5
Our camp is almost over. And I type this with very mixed emotions about that. I can honestly say in all my years in student ministry this has been one of the most unique camps I've ever done. And that is a good thing. The way in which God's Spirit worked was very unusual, surprising yet very well received. I've never seen more tears shed by high school students then the ones that have come from our students this week. Tonight was no exception, but more on that in a bit.
Today started early as we had to eat quickly and load the buses for the Ocoee to raft. We took nearly every student rafting and had an awesome time on the river. For many, this was their first whitewater experience. We all have a story to share, but I may have the best one from the river... I'll try to do it quickly. The short version is our guide wanted to bump us on a rock and then into the Class 2 rapids. The shorter version is that our raft "taco'd" on the rock. Meaning we wrapped it around the rock. The impact send two out and the look on their faces was priceless. One may need further counseling, however. For the rest of us, we clung to the raft that was half submerged as we heard our guide yell, "Pull me back in." After we got him in, he kicked us out. It took four guides about 20 minutes to get the raft off the rock. We all survived. Now I know why we sign waivers.
I could write alot about tonight. It was a similar night to last night, other than I gave Shawn the lead for our church huddle time after worship. It was his time to say goodbye to the students. You can guess how that went. We laughed and cried... laughed some more and then cried alot. He did a great job and I couldn't be more proud to be his friend and pastor. It was a hard night, but I think our students learned alot. And I think they realized what relationships that are centered in Christ are all about.
We are leaving camp changed - no doubt. Every single one of us. God has met us here on this mountain and because of that, we don't want to go. But we know He is going with us. To you parents, let me encourage you to ask good questions but be even better listeners. Your student is coming home with stories. Give them a safe environment to talk. Some of the things they tell you may be uncomfortable to hear, but they need to say them. Many will come home seeking forgiveness, resoration and understanding. I pray you will grant that and more. We learned tonight about God's grace to us. We all need it and He so richly showers us with it.
PS - Don't forget to check the hotline for updates on our arrival time.
Today started early as we had to eat quickly and load the buses for the Ocoee to raft. We took nearly every student rafting and had an awesome time on the river. For many, this was their first whitewater experience. We all have a story to share, but I may have the best one from the river... I'll try to do it quickly. The short version is our guide wanted to bump us on a rock and then into the Class 2 rapids. The shorter version is that our raft "taco'd" on the rock. Meaning we wrapped it around the rock. The impact send two out and the look on their faces was priceless. One may need further counseling, however. For the rest of us, we clung to the raft that was half submerged as we heard our guide yell, "Pull me back in." After we got him in, he kicked us out. It took four guides about 20 minutes to get the raft off the rock. We all survived. Now I know why we sign waivers.
I could write alot about tonight. It was a similar night to last night, other than I gave Shawn the lead for our church huddle time after worship. It was his time to say goodbye to the students. You can guess how that went. We laughed and cried... laughed some more and then cried alot. He did a great job and I couldn't be more proud to be his friend and pastor. It was a hard night, but I think our students learned alot. And I think they realized what relationships that are centered in Christ are all about.
We are leaving camp changed - no doubt. Every single one of us. God has met us here on this mountain and because of that, we don't want to go. But we know He is going with us. To you parents, let me encourage you to ask good questions but be even better listeners. Your student is coming home with stories. Give them a safe environment to talk. Some of the things they tell you may be uncomfortable to hear, but they need to say them. Many will come home seeking forgiveness, resoration and understanding. I pray you will grant that and more. We learned tonight about God's grace to us. We all need it and He so richly showers us with it.
PS - Don't forget to check the hotline for updates on our arrival time.
Monday, July 9, 2007
ELEVATE :: DAY 4
All the days are starting to run together as camp is winding down. I had hoped to post late last night, but after talking with student after student, I didn't get back to my room until about 12:45 am.
It was a very full day, but also a restful Sabbath. We intentionally cut back the schedule to allow for some down time. So after our morning worship time, we took the time to meet as a whole student ministry and not break up into our family groups. This was a great chance for our students to just be with each other, share what God had been teaching them and to encourage each other. I've been amazed at what God has been doing in our student's hearts this week. Amazing. More on that in a bit.
Lunch finished and took us into free time where they had the opportunity to hang out at the pool, play paintball, tennis, soccer, ultimate frisbee and basketball. No sports competitions, so we could bring home another trophy (not that we would have).
After dinner we moved into our evening worship. I don't think I could really put into words what that time was like. It was a powerful time of worship as we lifted our voices in praise, but Tim, again, brought a powerful message from God's Word about our Father and the price His Son paid for our sin. He also presented a very clear, candid look at the enormity of our sin problem. After chapel, we went to our family group times, but I decided to keep our whole group together again. I felt that God had started something powerful in chapel that needed to continue. So I had some time to share my heart a bit and then moved into some individual time. Our staff was available and we were able to do alot of one-on-one talking, but it was exciting to see our students move toward each other for prayer and encouragement.
Alot of tough issues were confronted last night. God's Spirit was definitely at work convicting our hearts about our sin and need for Him. Like I mentioned earlier, this continued until the early hours of the morning. But our students were free to move from that into the evening activity which included DDR, Guitar Hero, Halo and Singstar competitions as well as some cool inflatable games.
It was an awesome day and finished in a powerful way. I'm not sure how it will finish on Monday night, but I'm anxious for God to meet us again up here on the mountain.
It was a very full day, but also a restful Sabbath. We intentionally cut back the schedule to allow for some down time. So after our morning worship time, we took the time to meet as a whole student ministry and not break up into our family groups. This was a great chance for our students to just be with each other, share what God had been teaching them and to encourage each other. I've been amazed at what God has been doing in our student's hearts this week. Amazing. More on that in a bit.
Lunch finished and took us into free time where they had the opportunity to hang out at the pool, play paintball, tennis, soccer, ultimate frisbee and basketball. No sports competitions, so we could bring home another trophy (not that we would have).
After dinner we moved into our evening worship. I don't think I could really put into words what that time was like. It was a powerful time of worship as we lifted our voices in praise, but Tim, again, brought a powerful message from God's Word about our Father and the price His Son paid for our sin. He also presented a very clear, candid look at the enormity of our sin problem. After chapel, we went to our family group times, but I decided to keep our whole group together again. I felt that God had started something powerful in chapel that needed to continue. So I had some time to share my heart a bit and then moved into some individual time. Our staff was available and we were able to do alot of one-on-one talking, but it was exciting to see our students move toward each other for prayer and encouragement.
Alot of tough issues were confronted last night. God's Spirit was definitely at work convicting our hearts about our sin and need for Him. Like I mentioned earlier, this continued until the early hours of the morning. But our students were free to move from that into the evening activity which included DDR, Guitar Hero, Halo and Singstar competitions as well as some cool inflatable games.
It was an awesome day and finished in a powerful way. I'm not sure how it will finish on Monday night, but I'm anxious for God to meet us again up here on the mountain.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
ELEVATE :: DAY 3
Let me start off by saying how grateful I am to have such an incredible staff and group of students that would allow me to be able to be away from camp and not have to worry about anything. It meant alot for me to be able to be with my family during a tough time. And thank you for your prayer support.
Well, yesterday was an awesome day for the students. It started out with a morning session on the overlook (check out the pics below) and then interactives and free time. During free time, 15 of our students went out to climb a mountain. I've heard good stories, but don't have any pictures. We had alot of students go out and create some Rambo moments in a paintball match. They've got some good battle wounds, but unfortunately I don't have pictures of that either.
I made it back in time for our evening session and I am so glad I did. It was another emotional night as Tim continued his talk about God our Father and how we can know him and relate to him. Many of our students shared from some deep (and emotional) places in their heart about family and fathers. So be prepared as they return in a few days to hear what God has been teaching them and hopefully you will be seeing changed lives! We had some students make some life changing (and eternity changing) decisions last night and we praise God for that!
The night capped off with a relaxed movie and hang night. God is doing a good work. Please continue to pray for our students!
Well, yesterday was an awesome day for the students. It started out with a morning session on the overlook (check out the pics below) and then interactives and free time. During free time, 15 of our students went out to climb a mountain. I've heard good stories, but don't have any pictures. We had alot of students go out and create some Rambo moments in a paintball match. They've got some good battle wounds, but unfortunately I don't have pictures of that either.
I made it back in time for our evening session and I am so glad I did. It was another emotional night as Tim continued his talk about God our Father and how we can know him and relate to him. Many of our students shared from some deep (and emotional) places in their heart about family and fathers. So be prepared as they return in a few days to hear what God has been teaching them and hopefully you will be seeing changed lives! We had some students make some life changing (and eternity changing) decisions last night and we praise God for that!
The night capped off with a relaxed movie and hang night. God is doing a good work. Please continue to pray for our students!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
ELEVATE :: DAY 2
Our first full day of camp is under our belt. We had an awesome day here at Covenant. We had a pretty typical day that started out with breakfast, chapel, interactives and lunch. After lunch we headed down the mountain to downtown Chattanooga on the Riverbank. We took a stroll by the Tennessee Aquarium and then headed over the Walnut Bridge to Coolidge Park - home of the best ice cream around... Clumpies Ice Cream. They served all 51 of us and then we introduced the park to the Wildwood game of Buck Buck (no room to explain here). It was a great afternoon to spend together and we had some good bonding time. Downtown is a fun place and it was good to get away from "camp" for a bit.
Back for dinner and evening actvities: chapel, family group time and then the sports competitions. Just a little history here: Wildwood has started a sports dynasty at camp (I'd like to think it is their great student pastor coach) but anyhow, we have won Dodgeball 2 years in a row, and last year we added an Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer Championship. So there is a lot of other churches after us.
Tonight we competed in volleyball (we advanced to the 3rd round before losing) and basketball (went down hard in the first round). So we aren't off to a good start, but we did have fun. The students are off to bed now and I hope to be soon. I've uploaded some pics below so enjoy!
Back for dinner and evening actvities: chapel, family group time and then the sports competitions. Just a little history here: Wildwood has started a sports dynasty at camp (I'd like to think it is their great student pastor coach) but anyhow, we have won Dodgeball 2 years in a row, and last year we added an Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer Championship. So there is a lot of other churches after us.
Tonight we competed in volleyball (we advanced to the 3rd round before losing) and basketball (went down hard in the first round). So we aren't off to a good start, but we did have fun. The students are off to bed now and I hope to be soon. I've uploaded some pics below so enjoy!
Friday, July 6, 2007
ELEVATE :: DAY 1
Well we have made it to the mountain. I think there is a alot of symbolism in coming to the mountain for camp. Great men of God have had their lives changed radically on mountains where God met them. Jesus often withdrew to the mountain to be with His Father. We are praying the same for our students and leaders.
We had a rather uneventful bus ride - and that's a good thing. I don't miss the days of playing "Red Rover" with 200 students in a bus stop while a bus was being fixed! We managed to get a good night sleep and things have started off well. I don't have the camera with me right now to pst some pics, but I hope to later. Especially of the camp haircuts. I take no credit or responsiblity for that matter if your student comes back with a mowhawk! Unless you like it, then I charge $10 a cut. Some of them are pretty funny, but it is hair and it does grow back. I hope you don't have family pictures scheduled for next week.
The haircut tradition started at my first camp I did with Wildwood, but I promise I didn't start it. Someone else brought the razor. But it has served as a really neat bonding experience (at least for the guys) and they other churches look on us with envy. Or maybe that is another look, I'm not quite sure.
Anyhow, everyone is well. Please be praying for us. And please be praying for my wife, Brooke and her family. We got a call right before camp that her grandfather died. I'm leaving in the morning (Sat) with a rental car to be at the funeral with my family and then I will drive back to Chattanooga that afternoon. I'm leaving the students in very capable hands with my staff. More updates and pics to come!
We had a rather uneventful bus ride - and that's a good thing. I don't miss the days of playing "Red Rover" with 200 students in a bus stop while a bus was being fixed! We managed to get a good night sleep and things have started off well. I don't have the camera with me right now to pst some pics, but I hope to later. Especially of the camp haircuts. I take no credit or responsiblity for that matter if your student comes back with a mowhawk! Unless you like it, then I charge $10 a cut. Some of them are pretty funny, but it is hair and it does grow back. I hope you don't have family pictures scheduled for next week.
The haircut tradition started at my first camp I did with Wildwood, but I promise I didn't start it. Someone else brought the razor. But it has served as a really neat bonding experience (at least for the guys) and they other churches look on us with envy. Or maybe that is another look, I'm not quite sure.
Anyhow, everyone is well. Please be praying for us. And please be praying for my wife, Brooke and her family. We got a call right before camp that her grandfather died. I'm leaving in the morning (Sat) with a rental car to be at the funeral with my family and then I will drive back to Chattanooga that afternoon. I'm leaving the students in very capable hands with my staff. More updates and pics to come!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Sacrificial Giving from a Tender Heart
Last night I had "Team Nicaragua" - the group of high school students I'm taking on our annual mission trip to Nicaragua over to my house for one of our training sessions. We were talking about cross cultural issues and going through a case study, as well as talking about being spiritually prepared and praying for the financial support to come in (each student has to raise about $900).
I noticed Brock would pop in and out from playing in his room to sit behind me on the floor in the family room (he loves to hang out with the "big kids"). At the end of the meeting, I was closing in prayer when I heard him scurry out of the room. I finished praying and he walked up behind me with a wad of money in his hand and said, "Dad, I just wanted to give some money to help this team go to Nicaragua and to help the children down there." I reached out my hand to receive the money and had to fight back the tears as I explained how his money would help and what it would be used for. He was beaming with a face of joy... to know that he was supporting God's work. It was in that moment the Scripture that tells us it is better to give than receive came to life. After he walked away, I looked down at my hand to see four $1 bills that he had taken out of his bank in his room.
I've been thinking alot about Brock's gift last night. I'm sitting in the office today processing some very large checks that have come in for our students. Every gift is important and every gift will have an immediate and eternal impact for the Kingdom of God. But one gift in particular gave me a great look into the heart of a child and served as a great reminder of what sacrificial giving looks like. I'm so very proud of Brock and the young man God is growing him to become.
I noticed Brock would pop in and out from playing in his room to sit behind me on the floor in the family room (he loves to hang out with the "big kids"). At the end of the meeting, I was closing in prayer when I heard him scurry out of the room. I finished praying and he walked up behind me with a wad of money in his hand and said, "Dad, I just wanted to give some money to help this team go to Nicaragua and to help the children down there." I reached out my hand to receive the money and had to fight back the tears as I explained how his money would help and what it would be used for. He was beaming with a face of joy... to know that he was supporting God's work. It was in that moment the Scripture that tells us it is better to give than receive came to life. After he walked away, I looked down at my hand to see four $1 bills that he had taken out of his bank in his room.
I've been thinking alot about Brock's gift last night. I'm sitting in the office today processing some very large checks that have come in for our students. Every gift is important and every gift will have an immediate and eternal impact for the Kingdom of God. But one gift in particular gave me a great look into the heart of a child and served as a great reminder of what sacrificial giving looks like. I'm so very proud of Brock and the young man God is growing him to become.
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