2012-05-30T14:20:31Z http://blog.mydeercreekcamp.com/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-09-01:d00331f2-7d13-49d7-b4a7-63b3be575d02 mydeercreekcamp 2009-09-01T21:25:00Z 2009-09-01T21:25:00Z Abigail loves the water...I mean she LOVES it! Whether it’s bathtime with daddy or getting in the pool, she just can’t get enough. Lately she’s even been going to Wrigley’s bowl and hitting her hand in it just to make the water splash. Needless to say, a baby on the move is hard to keep up with. Her favorite thing in the pool is to float in her “baby floatie” thingy for lack of better terms. She can’t get out of it so sometimes I’ll just let it go and watch her drift. I never let her get too far of course, but she knows when I’m not right there. She can go from laughing and splashing to uncertainty and fussing in seconds and all it takes for me to get her happy again is just to get close. As much as she loves the water, she doesn’t like to drift away too far from daddy (or mommy) even though she is perfectly safe in her floatie. The “problem” is she doesn’t know how secure she is just yet. In her world, she still needs us. It’s also amazing to see her natural instinct in the water. She kicks her legs constantly and splashes her arms in a motion to stay afloat (even though she’s in a floatie). She doesn’t mind going under, but she still hasn’t figured out to close her mouth to keep from swallowing too much water when we do. But she’s learning by doing...and doing with us and not on her own. It is absolutely incredible how much a baby can take in and catch on just by experiencing something as simple as getting in the pool. It’s even more incredible how much she can teach me by something as simple as getting in the pool. The semester is under way and your classes already seem too long, too early, and too boring by now...especially compared to what you just experienced over the summer. I mean you LOVE camp! Whether it’s Outdoors vs Drama, Bear Competition, or dancing at the Barn, you just can’t get enough. Your favorite and least favorite thing about camp is that it moves on its own. The schedule and program are set up for you to just exist with your campers through the day. When the going gets tough you try to pull it off on your own (natural instinct) only to realize you can’t do it without God. In fact, you have nothing left to give when you truly think about it in the context of camp...you have to get closer to Him to get through the week. Then He shows up and you experience miracles and you understand that He was there all along (you’re in His floatie). Saturday shows up, you say bye through the tears, and then you start all over again on Sunday in a different pool. And you learned a lot by doing...doing with each other, doing with God, and doing/failing on your own. So the stories go at the end of each week. But now you’re trying to get back into the routine of the school year and camp is a glimmer in your eye and slowly fading from your memory. We challenged you to keep the stories going, to keep telling them, to find a way to take camp back with you...but you keep leaving your mouth open when you go under and you’re swallowing too much already. Your classes are already too demanding. Your organizations need too much attention. Your roommates are different people than you remember (it couldn’t be you that changed could it?). You’re doing everything you can to just stay afloat and you don’t even realize you’ve only “drifted” a few feet away. The plans you made to stay in touch with each other and with your campers, the goals you set to do something in ministry back at school, the Bible Study you were going to start, the commitment to stay connected through DCC on your campus, and the awe of what you experienced just a few weeks ago are now just one more thing on your plate. The JOYS of camp are slowing drifting into a “good summer.” The good news is you’re not the first or last group to experience this. In fact, there’s a good chance it happens every summer at every camp. It also happened to the Disciples in the passage (John 21) we taught from all summer. THEY WENT FISHING! And even though they had started to lose focus JESUS SHOWED UP and you know the rest of the story. Remember that only 1 of them realized who it was on the shore that morning and He told the rest of them so they could go ashore together. Or what about in Luke 8 when they were scared of the storm on the sea...JESUS SHOWED UP! Then in Matthew 14 they were afraid of a ghost walking on the sea...JESUS SHOWED UP and allowed Peter to walk on the sea as well...until he lost focus again. Then after He was crucified and they were all scattered and scared...JESUS SHOWED UP! So I want to encourage you in this way: No matter how busy you get JESUS SHOWED UP. Even if you forget about camp JESUS SHOWED UP. As you drift away JESUS SHOWED UP! Stay in touch and JESUS SHOWED UP. Start that Bible Study and JESUS SHOWED UP. Find yourself joyful and JESUS SHOWED UP. Tell someone a story and JESUS SHOWED UP. Call your campers and JESUS SHOWED UP. No matter what you do, how busy you get, how many calls you avoid, no matter how many hours you waste (or use) on Facebook, no matter how much class swamps you, no matter how frustrated your roommates make you...summer camp still happened and JESUS SHOWED UP! Don’t allow yourself to drift so far away that you forget that because hopefully in your world you still need Him. We’re going to be there to point back to what He is doing, but only because JESUS SHOWED UP.

Abigail loves the water...I mean she love it!

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-05-05:89d295b3-3ffc-4a72-b1df-294ca8bddf10 mydeercreekcamp 2009-05-05T20:42:00Z 2009-05-05T20:42:00Z Finals Week dooms across college campuses every year about this time. The atmosphere changes from alive to dead, from carefree to stressful, from fun to boring...and why? Some colleges call the week before Finals “Dead Week,” but the reality is that Finals Week itself is the dead week. For an entire semester we work hard to create memories, go to formals, make all the “community events,” have fun, and live life while getting our work done and doing some studying along the way (ok, my disclaimer understands this doesn’t apply to everyone, but only to the atmosphere of a college campus). After 4 months of this lifestyle, we devote 1 week, a few tests, hours of cramming, and an abundance of stress to finish the semester...that’s why. And it doesn’t make sense. Finals Week marks the end of the semester which marks the beginning of something new. Even if that something new is summer school (God forbid) it’s still different and something worth looking forward to. We anticipate what’s next when the end comes. For some of you, that end means no more college and a real job so you can’t just cram to get by anymore...what you learned is about to be tested in the real world. For some of you that end marks the first year you’ve been away from home and you can’t wait to see mom. Cramming might get you by the first few times she asked what you learned this semester, but don’t count on it lasting too long. The answer that you learned how to “live life” doesn’t work either...at least let her think you had more than just fun last semester. For most of you, though, you are finishing up your sophomore or junior year and you’re just doing your thing until the next round of Finals pops up. You’re in a holding pattern where cramming is king and you can get by without questions from Mom or the boss. I struggle with the thought of what you all are experiencing right now or next week. Did I really learn the stuff or am I just getting by for the test? Am I really prepared to graduate and head out into the job market? Does mom really need to know everything I learned this semester? How bad do I want an “A” in that class? What was that professor’s name again? I can’t believe how late I stayed up/didn’t go to bed last night! The commonality in all of it is a lack of balance in our lives. "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking." Thomas said, "Master, we have no idea where you're going. How do you expect us to know the road?" Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" John 14:1-7 (The Message) There are a few things to look at in that passage in light of Finals Week and our lives in general. First, He has already gone to get a room ready specifically for you. So yes, we should live in anticipation of what’s to come...what’s next at the end of this. Even in the uncertainty or the holding pattern of life, we should live knowing that we have a room prepared by Christ Himself. The other thing I want to draw on is this...STOP CRAMMING! It doesn’t work longterm and we need to live our lives with an eternal perspective and cramming is very temporal. When push comes to shove, you might pass a few tests along the way, but when a “real world” job or test comes up, what are you going to do? There is no question that Jesus said “If you REALLY knew me...” on purpose. REALLY knowing something or somebody isn’t just getting by...it’s a relationship. In order to understand the importance of that relationship and continue to grow in it, we have to have balance. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God, and favor with man.” – Luke 2:52 Jesus said He is the Way (The Road in The Message) and in order to get to the place He’s prepared, we have to live in a balanced relationship with Him. We have to REALLY know Him.

Finals Week dooms across college campuses everywhere this week...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-04-03:8bcd4491-49b9-42ee-bd5f-fe2259617fb7 mydeercreekcamp 2009-04-03T22:51:00Z 2009-04-03T22:51:00Z I just had my Fantasy Baseball draft a few days ago. I’ve been playing Fantasy Baseball for 7 seasons now with the same group of guys...most of which are college buddies. This is a way (without Facebook) that we stay in touch and find commonality even though distance has separated most of us. Our league is just for fun so there’s no real money exchanged and we don’t pay for our players like in other leagues. We set a lineup for the week and play head to head against other teams and the best record wins. Draft day is always fun for me because I really spend time looking into who I’ll choose and how I can win the season come October. There are some guys I draft because they’re on the Cubs, there are some I draft because they are the best at their position, there are some I draft hoping they’ll be better than projected (sleepers), and there are some I draft knowing I can trade them away for someone better later in the season. All in all, there is a mad science to it all from my perspective and I love it. This year I had a great draft and I’m excited to get the season started. As I look at “my team” I started to wonder how good of a team I actually do have if you put them all on the field together. They would be unbeatable in real life and will probably do well in fantasy life also. If it was a real team the payroll would make the Yankees look like chump-change. If it was a real team there wouldn’t be a need to wait for October to see who is the best in baseball...there would be no contest. If it were a real team the manager would struggle with egos. If it were a real team fans would pay double to watch them. I could go on and on but the fact remains it is merely a fantasy...it only exists in my world as a team. But what if it were real? I find that every summer we struggle with the same concept at camp...especially at the end of camp. Well if I had this or that or this person or that person in the “real world” with me life would be a lot easier. If I could take the “camp bubble” with me back home there would be no contest...I would succeed in life. I could go on and on but the fact remains it is merely a fantasy...camp only exists in these gates. But what if it didn’t? In John 18:36 Jesus clearly says, “My kingdom doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did my followers would fight so I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king.” We are called to live in the world but not of the world. So which world is fantasy and which is reality? The Kingdom of God, where Christ is King, exists everywhere because you take that with you everywhere you go. Where we live is temporary but the way we live is eternal. The community of camp, the sense of the Holy Spirit, the power of commonality, the beauty of children, the wonder of creation, the awe of overcoming, the emotion of loving...they are all very real at camp. They are also all very real where you are right now...you just have to recognize it and accept it. Camp is not magical, you just get away from distraction and focus. You get away from the things that His Kingdom don’t consist of. His Kingdom always and forever consists of community, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the power of commonality, the beauty of children (they are the most important), the wonder of creation, the awe of overcoming (the world), the emotion of loving (so much to die). So find a way today and everyday to get away from distraction and focus. Live in the fantasy of belonging to Christ (He is King) because that’s the only reality worth chasing.

Live in the fantasy of belonging to Christ (He is King) because that’s the only reality worth chasing.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-03-11:f6649555-dcdb-405b-949b-a97f41e3186a mydeercreekcamp 2009-03-11T17:56:00Z 2009-03-11T17:56:00Z Because the initial battle for my soul has already been won by God 2000 years ago it has become a done deal in my life. There are many stories of fought battles over unbelief that were won in my life with the help of God. Now the battles have moves to secure the abundant life God has already given me. It is tempting to feel safe and secure in what God has done in our lives and to forget that we must continue to fight to gain the life he wants for us. Now that I have chosen Christ my choice aren’t as important any more. Joshua knew about that temptation to want to relax our stand for God. And he warned Israel to stay focused. Joshua presented Israel with a bold choice. And it's a choice we are asked to make every day: choose God or choose other gods. At DCC we teach the Choices have Consequences. The choice we make is played out in the hundreds of decisions we make on a daily basis. Those decisions determine the destiny of our stated priorities. And they ultimately determine which direction our lives will go. God give us the freedom to choose: whom will you serve? “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-03-07:d57ce7b5-47af-4a2c-a8dd-742c727baff2 mydeercreekcamp 2009-03-07T14:50:00Z 2009-03-07T14:50:00Z I have been in court this week testifying on a case that has been with me since 2004. The details of the case aren’t important nor are the details of what I testified, but the details of what God was teaching me in all of it might be. Matthew 6:31-34 says (The Message): “What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” If you don’t know God (or the TRUTH) testifying in court can be a very stressful time I would imagine. I know God (and the TRUTH) and testifying in court is still pretty stressful to be honest. The difference is that in the moment I walked out to be sworn in, the TRUTH set me free. As I raised my right hand and swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God I meant it...especially “SO HELP ME GOD!” When I said that, I had to release control of the situation...and so do you. When I say “release control” I mean fully. It is no longer mine to think about, worry about, second-guess, or hold on to...it is no longer mine...period! As I sat down in a state of peace to give my testimony I looked around and realized that in giving this up to God I also had to release immediate control to people. I had to allow the jury, the District Attorney, the Defense Attorney, and the Judge to take it also. In this case, I had to release control to another person (or people) that God had put in my life for such a time as this. I had to believe He had hand-selected and gifted these people in the appropriate manner for this situation in life. So giving this up to God meant giving it to another person. That “God-provision” was the first time I fully understood this “God-reality” and I had to give my “entire attention to what God is doing right now.” And in that moment, all HE wanted was for the TRUTH TO SET ME FREE! I was not on trial, but so many people feel that way when they are testifying because of the stress of that moment. I was only there to tell the TRUTH and then I was free. So today as you encounter a situation that you have NO CONTROL over but you try to manage it, don’t. Today when you run into something that usually creates stress in your life, don’t let it. Today when you hear of news that could cause distraction from what God is doing right now, focus. Today when your mind travels to what you could be getting, think about God’s giving. Today if you mind strays from Matthew 6:31-34 make sure you write it on your heart for tomorrow and God will help you deal with whatever comes up. Have no worries (Hakuna Matata) and life will be full.

Hakuna Matata means No Worries...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-03-06:b3cdfa2b-63b1-4aa2-afc0-f262a3adaec1 mydeercreekcamp 2009-03-06T22:47:00Z 2009-03-06T22:47:00Z Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 Bill Lacy, head of construction, tell the story of a Pastor who went to Wal Mart and had to wait over three to purchase a new set of tires. When he returned home the pastor was unable to contain his rant and frustration regarding waist of his precious time. Bill in turn asked the pastor if he had used the time to share God’s good news. The apostle Paul also taught that we are to make the most of every opportunity. The phrase "be very careful" carries the idea of caution. And our goal should be to take the exact step God desires for us in every opportunity. We choose this kind of precision because there are consequences to our choices. "The days are evil" is not just a petty threat. There are pitfalls ready to swallow us whole if we make a move without seeking God's direction first. God desires us to be careful with the time we've been given. And our exact steps should be chosen with the goal of "making the most of every opportunity."

Make the most of every opportunity...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-03-06:dc167efc-fc23-4c0b-bc2b-ea6ebe7f192a mydeercreekcamp 2009-03-06T22:45:00Z 2009-03-06T22:45:00Z I started down this road in January and left it vague as far as saying directly that this (Road Trip) is our theme for the summer. I did that for a few reasons and the fact that I wanted to spend two months talking about it is the most true I suppose. I want to spend this month thinking out loud (on paper) about the essentials of a great Road Trip and how they will or do apply to your time at camp and in community. I started down this road some in January, but I want to expand on some of these ideas. - Every Road Trip Needs Directions: o I was driving the church van down the mountain from the ski lodge and Joe was riding shotgun. Joe was a funny kid and had an even funnier voice if that makes sense. You could spot Joe by his voice from anywhere around because NO ONE sounded like him. Anyhow, Joe was looking down at my atlas and asked what highway we were on. I told him and he stared frantically looking up, down at the map, up, down at the map, and up again. After a few minutes of this I started laughing and asked him what he was looking at. He responded that on the map it looked like the highway was straight but the road was really winding around so he was confused and thought we were on the wrong road. Fortunately, I knew where we were and how to get down without looking directly at the map or listening to the “navigator” riding shotgun at the time. o Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you...” Sometimes the map can get confusing if we are looking up and down too much, but if the word of Christ is rich in your life you’ll be able to stay the course. Sometimes the map needs to be written on your heart rather than fumbling around for it while you drive. - Every Road Trip Needs Friends: o There is no question in my mind that the best road trips have happened in the company of great friends. I have traveled a lot by myself and value my time alone and with God, but when I get into the car (planned or unplanned) with friends something magical seems to happen. Fellowship and community are essential in my life and sometimes there is no better sense of community than when you travel with someone. o John 21:3 says, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will also come with you’...” Jesus had it figured out better than we do and he apparently taught His disciples something that we see in this verse (our theme verse). There is no doubt Jesus could have done this all on His own, but he chose to have fellowship and community along the way. In the same way, when Peter talks about this fishing trip the other guys want to come along because they knew the value in being together. Sometimes we need to put ourselves with people in order to receive the full blessing God is giving. - Every Road Needs Snacks: o There are few times in my travels where you won’t find a bag of Omas Choice Beef Jerky and a bag of Sunflower Seeds in my car. Once it gets dark outside my beverage will transform from Pepsi to coffee. If I happen to be traveling I35 (usually not) then I will almost always stop in West, TX, at the Czech Bakery for a few Spicy Hot Chubbies. There is something about snacking along the road that gets you through the trip no matter how tired you are. I’ve squeezed another 2 hours of drive time out of a Mountain Dew and an Alsups burrito on many a ski trip overnight drives. o Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” In our journey as Christ followers we need snacks along the way...little nuggets or pearls that encourage us and get us through the day. As we long for the righteousness of Christ in our lives we will be satisfied on our journey. - Every Road Tripee Needs Identification: o As I have traveled along in my life I have realized the importance of keeping identification handy. You can’t get through the airport without it. You can’t leave the country without it. You can get a ticket if you don’t have it. In the case of a passport you can get proof of where you have been. Identification is essential to our journey. o Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ...” We are identified as royalty, as children of the King, as children of God, as heirs with Christ. That is our true self and we deny that in the way that we live too often. As followers of Christ, our identity needs to stay handy because it not only can get us through situations, but it tells of where we have been and where our journey will end. You are a child of God. As you prepare your heart for this summer, for “Road Trip”, make sure you pack the essentials for the journey. We are excited about what else God will teach us together, through the campers and through each other, about our lives with Him. Blessings for the trip ahead and know we are praying for your safety between now and camp.

Every Road Trip Needs a few things...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-02-26:cd9b3156-2fd8-42ee-8f88-701426afac41 mydeercreekcamp 2009-02-26T17:15:00Z 2009-02-26T17:15:00Z My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight. Proverbs 3:21 At Deer Creek Camp, we utilize popular sayings like G.A.P. to point people to look for God in everyday viewing, and much - much more. When most people think of the “gap,” they think of the popular clothing store. But there is a gap in our society that is much more common than the clothing store. It’s the gap that exists between our priorities and our commitments. A gap between those who see and say and those who see, say, and follow through. At camp we adapted G.A.P. to represent God’s Available People and God Answers Prayer. Most Christ followers would agree that it’s important to spend time with God, but at the end of the day, we wonder where all the time went. We say that our family and friends are second only to God, yet at the end of the week we find our schedules are jam-packed with obligations that do not reflect our priorities. It’s time to close the gap between our priorities and our commitments and be the God’s Available People we have committed to be. As you sync your I-Phone this week, ask yourself: “Does this activity sync up with God’s priorities for my life?” If it does, then do it. If not, then don’t. It’s that simple. And begin to close the gap by saying yes only to the best.

Syncing your IPhone with God.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-02-20:38ac7854-0319-46ff-89c2-afca7c370d36 mydeercreekcamp 2009-02-20T17:04:00Z 2009-02-20T17:04:00Z The first thing I want to learn about someone when I meet them is their name. Names are important not only because they distinguish us from other people, but also because they identify who we are. Think about the nick names we give one another. Nick names add color to identify further the personality of friends...their character. Discovering all the names people have given God is a great study. I guess we could never uncover all the names it would take to identify His greatness. Names like Jehovah Rohi, which means "the Lord is my shephard," and Jehova Jireh, which means "the Lord is my provider" point to His ability to meet all of our needs and His desire to be our guide. So often in life we come to a crossroads and ask ourselves questions like: "Should I leave this job?" or "Should I build this project?" More often than not we rely on our own intuition and strength to make the decisions, but these are the times that we should turn to the names of God. When I look to the names of the Lord, I am reminded of His power and strength...His desire to guide you and me down the right path in life. So call on the name of the Lord whenever you have a question in life. Recognize the power of your guiding shephard to lead you down the right path. The Holy Spirit returned an echo to my heart "TrustandObey" all as one word and it was the voice of safety. "Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forever more"-Psalm 113:2.

Identity and strength in the name of the Lord.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-02-16:92536554-b09e-4127-8f98-a1749e6975a6 mydeercreekcamp 2009-02-16T19:22:00Z 2009-02-16T19:22:00Z Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 At camp we teach “if you don’t want to get pushed into the river, stay two steps away from the edge.” There is a line that separates everything we do. It separates the wise from the unwise. Yet, too many of us walk the edge and the ledge of that line trying to see how close we can get before we have to face the consequences of our decisions. It seems most of us walk that line to demonstrate our independence and the thrill of the appearance of being in control. God tells us, there is even a greater thrill. Our full and rich life along with the potential within us is not developed when we walk that line. Instead we need to get in line with His will and desire for us. And to be in line with God we must make wise, insightful decisions. We do that when we keep our feet on the sold bank of his word and at least two step closer to His will than the waters of Self Indulgent Nature. (SIN) When we fail to do that, we can end up spending an insane amount of time cleaning up after having fallen into the river of regret. The best way to avoid falling into the river of regret; is to stay two steps away from the banks edge. Step 1: What does God’s word say? Step 2: Based on my past experiences and looking at my life today, what is the best choice for my future? When you are purposeful about your decision making process, you will gain the insight needed to transform your life into all that God has in store for you.

If you don’t want to get pushed into the river, stay two steps away from the edge.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-02-06:9660f516-2be8-44a8-b2b6-6dce0db2912d mydeercreekcamp 2009-02-06T18:43:00Z 2009-02-06T18:43:00Z For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness… 2 Peter 1:5-6 Deer Creek Camp uses a maze to forces campers to make a series of choices in directions. Some of those choices can lead to a dead end, but you must continue on by making different choices if you want to get through the confusion. At camp, the maze also requires you to communicate with others. I want to just focus on CHOICES in this Pearl. Life, much like a maze, is all about choices. And there will be times when we will make some bad choices. But we can avoid some of those dead ends if we continue to look to Christ as our decision making example. Think of it like a funnel. First, ask some big, looming questions. Every time you are faced with a decision, ask yourself: 1. if your decision follows the guidelines of God’s written Word, 2. if your decision reflects God’s love, 3. if your decision is on God’s agenda. After you answer these big, macro questions, you can hone in and ask some more pointed, micro questions–is the decision the best possible choice considering your past decisions, present conditions and future aspirations. Because by asking and answering those macro and micro questions, you can be sure that you are making the right choices in the maze of life. That brings us full circle to one of our twelve foundations “CHOICE HAVE CONQUENCES”. Livin’ in Sonshine, Papa Bear

Choices have consequences...

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-01-27:fc2e5a9a-b7ea-4ebd-9238-6748924b4b2e mydeercreekcamp 2009-01-28T04:17:00Z 2009-01-28T04:17:00Z The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. Proverbs 26:22 Gossip is so big in our society that we have created an entire industry around it. The sole purpose of gossip magazines, newspapers and television shows is to air out people’s dirty laundry. I believe it has become a social ethic to outdo one another with negative talk. “Ya but, did you hear about…” Most of the things reported in those publications and television shows are about the negative things in people’s lives. The problem with the negativity we encounter, though, is that it stains other areas of our lives as well. It will show up in everything we do. We develop pessimistic views of life, and it infiltrates our thoughts. We begin to tear down others with our words instead of lifting them up. Looking for the bad becomes the motivation. And we stop believing in the possibility of the impossible. Too many of us have the stain of negativity on our lives. We need to come clean. But unlike a dirty shirt, stains of negativity can’t easily be removed with Tide in a cold rinse. It takes the cleansing power of the Good News. We will be faced with negative things in this society, but we don’t have to focus on them. Be intentionally optimistic. Livin’ in Sonshine, PapaBear

We have created an entire industry around gossip.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2009-01-02:e70d71c0-6d58-4f84-ab0b-78204537de23 mydeercreekcamp 2009-01-03T04:14:00Z 2009-01-03T04:14:00Z A great song can make a good day a great day...it becomes a soundtrack in a sense. You know what I mean? The background music in a movie can really make a good scene even better and can sometimes make the scene predictable. From the music you know when a couple is about to kiss or when the killer is about to strike, but imagine that same scene with no music...it changes completely. I say all that to say this: I used to really like to listen to music and especially on the road. Unfortunately for Sally, Abigail, and Wrigley I prefer no radio these days, but it wasn’t always that way. I was a road trip kinda guy in college and the few years after. I was known for taking dates to Texas for dinner (just across the border about 1 ½ hours from OKC) just for the trip of it. I was known for leaving dinner on campus and driving to the Kansas (2 hours) border to the biggest McDonalds ever. I took more than a few trips to Chicago (12 hours) during my time at SNU. I drove to Woodward, OK (my birth city) one night to get a drink at a gas station because I hadn’t been back since we moved when I was 5. Most of you have heard about my adventures in Europe for 6 weeks the summer after I graduated and many of you have seen me pull up to your campus in the brown suburban. Needless to say, I love to travel, I love to drive, and I love the road. When I used to travel you could be guaranteed to hear the sounds of Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Johnny Cash, and The Charlie Daniels Band banging around in my car. That was my road trip playlist and it never got old, but like I said, these days I travel in silence. There was a lot I used to do to prepare for a road trip besides getting together great music. As spontaneous as those trips sound, I was always prepared. I kept (still do) a large 50 State atlas in my car. If possible, I would find a route that would keep me off Interstates as often as possible. I love the beauty of the backroads during the day and darkness of them at night. The charm of a small town and the coffee in a family owned gas station is priceless to me. I also made sure I had my license and college id because you never know who would give you a student discount if you ask. Proof of who I was and that I was a student was essential. I almost always took friends (or someone I met) with me because it’s more fun to travel with people. You could usually find Beef Jerky in my glove box and sunflower seeds in the seat pocket for snacks if you traveled with me. Snacks are good to have, but I also had (still do) a knack for finding great eateries along my path that other people would usually drive straight past. What does all this mean? It means something’s change (no more music or snacks always in the car), but the foundation of a great road trip still stays the same. It means that sometimes it’s easier to fly to Chicago than drive (if your wife goes) and that it’s definitely ok to take Interstates (if your wife goes) rather than back roads. It means that if music is going to be on the familiar tunes aren’t always the best and that sometimes the familiar route isn’t always the right way to go...even if you know for sure it will get you there. It means that life can change, but the Giver of Life should stay consistent in our lives. In John 21 we see the makings of an awesome road trip...a fishing trip. This trip has every potential in the world to be one of the best trips we could ever imagine. The right people are there (familiar traveling friends), the boat’s in good shape (filled with snacks probably), they’re going to a familiar fishing hole (no map required), they’re better at fishing than anything else they do (they’re retired professionals), and there’s no question about catching fish...it’s gonna happen and this is going to a trip of a lifetime (I want the soundtrack). Can you imagine? Think about your favorite activity that you’re good at and the joy you get from taking a trip to do it. I love that Sally allows me to plan our vacations around baseball teams and golf courses because I love both those things. It makes a difference in my excitement level for that vacation without question. And that was the level on this trip...we’ve got the day off so lets go fishing. Peter actually says that in verse 3: “I am going fishing” and they said to him “We will also come with you.” Finally, we get back to what we love. Yes, something has changed but it’s still a fishing trip. We know right where to go and how to catch fish. If anything in life right now is familiar it’s this. Jesus is gone, we’re scared of what could happen, He’s not telling us where to go and we’re not real sure of anything right now...except fishing. We know how to fish and we don’t need help with that. It sounds spontaneous but they had everything they needed to go fishing. THEY CAUGHT NOTHING! That is until the foundation of the fishing trip came into the scene. Christ was on the shore (they didn’t know it was HIM) and told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. They did (I want that soundtrack also) and caught tons...literally sinking the boat kinda catch. Someone said it was Jesus and Peter, the organizer of the trip, realized he had forgotten an essential part of the trip. He had a plan, a place, friends, supplies, but he had forgotten his identification. He was a disciple of Christ...amongst all the familiarity of that trip he had forgotten what had changed. He forgot his new identity. He was back to fishing for fish and his new identity was fishing for men. Once he saw the foundation he remembered and he swam and he worshiped and he ate and then he walked with Christ. Christ reminded him...3 times...of his new identity and it stuck this time. That doesn’t mean that Peter never got on a boat again or that I can’t listen to Willie Nelson in the car, but it does mean that our foundation is solid. It means that things change and life may look different, but the Giver of Life must stay consistent in our lives and that creates a soundtrack that makes today a day the Lord has made.

A great song can make a good day a great day.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-12-08:53db760f-8496-4212-9968-9188a65378b1 mydeercreekcamp 2008-12-08T17:21:00Z 2008-12-08T17:21:00Z The way my mind thinks is definitely a little different now that we have our little Abigail. Today is the first day I’m back at work, but Sally is taking this week off as well still in recovery. This also marks the first day that I’ve been away from my baby and honestly it’s a little distracting. I want to be here and focused, but I also want Abigail here with me. Wrigley and I chilling in the office is great, but there is something missing now that can’t be explained...but I’ll try. All through the pregnancy people (other parents) kept saying that you just can’t understand the immediate love you feel for your child the moment they are born. You think you get it, but it’s so different than you can imagine. I was always told you “really understand” the love of God when you have your own kids. That put me (and you for that matter) behind the curve as far as I was concerned, but I bought it. As I went into the surgery with Sally those things kept running through my head and I couldn’t wait to hold her for the first time so I could experience this love you can’t even imagine. As Abigail was born and they brought her to me for the first time nothing happened. Well, a lot happened but not what I was expecting. Maybe I’m abnormal (yes I am) but I didn’t get a new meaning or revelation of the love of God in that moment...it was just confirmed. I really feel like if anyone can understand the immediate connection you get from having your own kid it’s you...it’s us. We are wired for immediate gratification and I think we understand that better than anyone that came before us. Like I said last month, we are creatures of TIME. We get it. We know how to love immediately. We know what that feels like. We can comprehend loving someone the second we meet them because we have lived our lives preparing for that moment in TIME. So when we meet someone for the first time (especially children) we love them because the love of God has been confirmed in us. There’s nothing new about that...we know how to love but do we really know how to live in preparation for those moments in TIME when love takes over? Do we really know how to experience the love of God in our lives? Those are the questions that are often overlooked in our immediate response of love for others. Living our lives in preparation for certain moments in TIME is significant to the thought of loving immediately. I fell in love with Abigail the day we found out Sally was pregnant, I did it again the day we found out she was a girl, I did it again the day we decided her name, and I did it again every time I prayed for her or talked to her inside the womb. I had 9 months to prepare for the moment she was handed to me so I could love her immediately and really understand love. The good news is we have our whole lives to prepare for the moments in TIME that someone is handed to us. People come into our lives and we realize we do know how to love and the love of God is confirmed. Campers steal our hearts and we realize we do know how to love and the love of God is confirmed. The needy fall in front of us and we can meet some of their needs (been on a mission trip?) and we realize we do know how to love and the love of God is confirmed. The lonely invite themselves in and we realize we can be their friend and we do know how to love and the love of God is confirmed. Our babies poop and pee on us and we realize we do know how to love and the love of God is confirmed. In all these moments in TIME we can choose to love or not to love. In the moments when we choose to love the love of God is confirmed...and the Father’s love is deeper than we can comprehend. So my revelations as a new father are just that...the father’s love is deeper than we can comprehend. Nothing magical happened in the moment they handed Abigail to me, but the process of living my life in preparation to love her fully is supernatural...and the love I feel for her can only come because the love of God is confirmed in the everyday moments in TIME. What are you doing this Christmas season, this finals week, this New Years Eve, and today that is confirming the depth of the love of the Father? How are you living your life in preparation to love someone immediately?

Abigail is finally with us.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-11-10:3eebfd29-727e-4b99-9c90-36621ae1916e mydeercreekcamp 2008-11-10T21:33:00Z 2008-11-10T21:33:00Z It is difficult finding something “valuable” to put under the tree for your child at Christmas. Trying to get in and out of the stores during the Holiday Rush is a struggle. We’ve sat in line at Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving at 4:00am and we’ve run around on Christmas Eve trying to find the perfect present. This year you don’t have to wait to get your shopping done. There is a VIRTUAL CAMP STORE (http://www.deercreekcamp.com/125.html) for Christmas specifically for Deer Creek Families. We would suggest checking it out at our website before leaving the house to go shopping. You will find a way to sign your camper up for 2009 as a gift, buy Mama Bear's famous cookies, and purchase most of the great "Deer Creek" items from the camp store you've grown to love every summer. If you have any questions about our online store feel free to call us at 830.589.7123.

Deer Creek Camp store is open for Christmas.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-11-03:0f4d0d5b-e212-4b04-ae71-c6ceb21c06a5 mydeercreekcamp 2008-11-04T04:46:00Z 2008-11-04T04:46:00Z It seems that TIME is the most precious thing we have these days. We “need” the newest technology because it will save us TIME. We “need” the best parking spot because we can get in and out of the store quicker to save TIME. We “need” credit cards because it takes too long to count cash so it saves TIME. We “need” wireless internet everywhere we go so we can constantly access our email (or Facebook) so we can be more efficient to save TIME. Our “needs” are so important and they are all there to save our TIME so we can do more in the 24 hour day...right? Unfortunately, we have a terrible view of TIME because of the technology that we’ve gotten so dependent upon. It’s frustrating when you don’t get an immediate answer from a text, voicemail, email, or post. We actually start wondering if that person is upset with us for some reason. We use more TIME wondering why they aren’t getting back to us. Yes, our TIME is precious. But what are we really doing with it? As Sally and I continue to wait (10 more days...maybe) for Abigail to arrive we keep hearing to “take advantage” of the last few days of life together because it’s going to change. Our TIME isn’t ours anymore. Our schedules are going to be run by our baby...she will take all our TIME. So what are we going to do with this precious commodity these last few days...nothing different than before. We went to Young Life tonight, we’ll do Campaigners with our students this week, we’ll spend time together, we’ll take Wrigley on walks everyday, we’ll fellowship with our friends, and we’ll continue living in TIME. Our lives...our TIME will be a reflection of Christ. And when we are blessed with Abigail in a few days we’ll continue to be a reflection of Christ. Our TIME might fluctuate some, but our lives...our TIME will stay consistent. Our lives...our TIME and the management thereof...should be a reflection of Christ. Are you using/wasting your life...your TIME...on issues that are temporary or eternal? Try putting your cell phone down this week for an hour a day...or an entire day...and just meditate on how you’re really using your TIME. Get away from distraction and get alone and spend some TIME with yourself and GOD. Find a passage of SCRIPTURE that you can ponder and just enjoy your TIME in His Word. If you want to look at TIME, Ecclesiastes 3 is on the next page. I have so many more thoughts running through my mind right now so if this makes no sense please start a conversation with me so I can get them all out. For now, I’m out of TIME. Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- 2A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. 5A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. 6A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. 8A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. 9What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. 11He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by. 16Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17I said to myself, "God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man," for a time for every matter and for every deed is there. 18I said to myself concerning the sons of men, "God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts." 19For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. 20All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust. 21Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? 22I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?

It seems that TIME is the most precious thing we have these days.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-11-03:e13eaedf-332b-4245-a777-0d878b45e134 mydeercreekcamp 2008-11-03T18:30:00Z 2008-11-03T18:30:00Z Over the past several years we have been so encouraged by how you campers are taking what you learn at Deer Creek Camp back into your homes. It sounds like you all have been getting involved for the first time or getting more involved in such positive things in your communities and churches. With that we've also noticed that families are much busier now than they have ever been before which makes it difficult for us to see you when we're in your area for Bear Picnics or Camp Fairs. With your help we think we can help solve some of this as well getting to see you shine in your involvement. From now until summer camp we want to come talk to your choir, youth group, baseball team, soccer team, basketball team, football team, or whatever you're involved in before an event and have the opportunity to stick around for your event and get to watch you in action. If you're interested in having us come to your events between now and summer camp get in touch with us today by emailing Josh at jsmithson@deercreekcamp.com or post a comment to this article letting us know and we'll get in touch with you soon.

Campers are taking what you learn at Deer Creek Camp back into your homes.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-11-03:d95e84cd-fe13-437e-b43e-bc9b902ddd7c mydeercreekcamp 2008-11-03T17:38:00Z 2008-11-03T17:38:00Z The Barn Swing at Deer Creek Camp is under a complete and total makeover. The only thing you might recognize next summer is the platform and the swing itself. Construction is well under way to make it look like a real barn, including painting it "barn red" with white trim...there are even barn style windows with shutters. There are also going to be some great surprises coming your way from the inside and outside of the barn. The only thing I am going to share with you right now is we do have a 12' covered deck on all 4 sides of it already. Now use your imagination to envision the rest until you're able to see it for yourself next summer.

The Barn Swing at Deer Creek Camp is under a complete and total makeover.

tag:blog.mydeercreekcamp.com,2008-10-29:64cc1ee8-9350-4e55-be9c-e660c62bc208 mydeercreekcamp 2008-10-29T14:30:38Z 2008-10-29T14:30:38Z Welcome to the blog at MyDeerCreekCamp where you can share your comments with other campers, counselors, the directors, or even Mama and Papa Bear from the posted articles. We hope you'll take time to check this out often. Make sure you "Subscribe" to this blog at the bottom of the page so you get updates when we post new articles. There will be a section for Campers, Parents, Questions, and Staff once we are running full speed. Check the "Category Archives" for posts in these categories. Although there isn't much to comment on from this "Welcome Post", go ahead and leave one with suggestions for our first articles as we get going. Thanks again for visiting and remember, this is YOUR Blog at MyDeerCreekCamp.com.

Welcome to the blog at MyDeerCreekCamp where you can share your comments with other campers, counselors, the directors, or even Mama and Papa Bear from the posted articles.