Summer Anticipation

I must say that I love summer. There is so much to love about it. Time outdoors, with loved ones, the excitement of having the kids at home (most days, some days w/3 lil ones running around can get stressful - lol). One of the distinct things I love about summer is getting to go to a Camp I've been involved with for about ten years.

This Camp is different than others in certain ways. Many of the kids there are from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds, some are from backgrounds where abuse was a tragic part of their lives. This along with the fact that my friend's ministry pays the way for them to go to Camp, which is an amazing picture of God's provision and graciousness considering the economic climate we live in, make this week so refreshing. When asked the question is there one thing that you would not give up in an interview setting I say this Camp. Of course, when they hear of how God uses this week the church I serve always wants me to go and to bring others.

When it comes to bringing others each year is different. The one constant is that each year I bring some of our older youth to serve as what is called Junior Counselors. Each year the number of people varies yet what happens through the week does not. In youth culture few really serve others and at this camp they are forced to serve and in this service are put into some situations where they are stretched and have to fully trust in The Lord. In the midst of this God shapes and molds in beautiful ways.

This year will be quite different in that I'll be bringing my beautiful Chloe (our oldest) with me as a Camper. This will be her first Camp and it will be awesome getting to experience this with her. She is such a beautiful girl with a tender heart for Jesus! My hope is that over the years that each of our children will go and then as they get older serve at this Camp. Hopefully all five of us can serve together in this setting!

I love this Camp but that pales in comparison to my love for my Savior and King. It is through life with HIM that I see my desperate need for HIS continued graciousness and for HIS Gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity by which this Gospel finds a glorious expression. I'm so thankful to see expressions such this and to participate in it in settings such as this Camp. I can't wait until July 20-26! The anticipation is building!    

The Funeral of Peggy Lane

The Lord has been so good to Jill and I. We've met so many people that we've come to love and cherish while serving HIM in various places and capacities. One of those people was Mrs. Peggy Lane. We came to love and cherish her in many ways during our time in Sumter, SC. Though we've been gone since 2005 we've stayed in touch and I've been able to visit her and her husband Tony during his extended illness and eventual death. 

When we arrived in South Carolina in 2000 she took me under her wings, as she had for so many. Jill and I would come to truly love her son, Clinton, who was in our youth group. Clinton would be a big part of our lives (along with so many other youth who would be in and out of our home during that time). Clinton and his wife Ashley were part of our youth group, I performed their wedding. Now Clinton and his brother Josh are without parents. Josh found his Mom in bed on Friday May 31 gone from a heart attack, one week before his High School graduation. I was able to talk with Clinton and he asked if I would drive down and be part of the funeral, it was a difficult conversation as we both shed many tears. 

For the past three days I've been with Clinton, his wife Ashley, his brother Josh, and the family. There is nothing that prepares you for the questions and emotions that people ask as they grieve. As a Pastor there is one thing to do and that is to offer the Gospel as the balm needed for the soul that aches and grieves. Through many hours of talking and pointing to them Christ my prayer is that HE was glorified over these past few days.

The thing I find hard is to grieve myself because my heart aches for Clinton, Ashley, and Josh and wants to minister to them in such a way that HE is uplifted and to see HIM begin the healing process in their souls. So as I sit in my office and all is quiet my heart seeks that very balm of the Gospel to be applied to my heart. With tears I am thankful for HIS graciousness in giving us Mrs. Peggy and Clinton, along with the family. With tears I am thankful to have been able to serve them over our years together and especially over these past few days.