Taken from my journal:
distraction - what we do to avoid talking about what matters most.
vision - not being distracted!
I wonder which of the two definitions I identify with more? I'm reminded of the verse in Proverbs, Where there is no vision, the people perish (29:18a KJV). I suppose the same can be said of our faith...
July 25, 2007
Reignited
I am convinced that Camp Mack is sacred ground! Every time I'm there I encounter God's presence in a way that is often different than in my day-to-day circumstances. This past week only confirmed that sense.
I spent 8 days volunteering as a counselor for a group of 15 & 16 year olds who chose not to go to the typical "youth" camp. Instead they chose to dive deeper in their spiritual life through disciplines like prayer, meditation, journaling, Bible study and exercise while having a wilderness living experience in tents, cooking all their meals over an open fire and exploring nature. So right off the bat, these youth were already longing for a different experience.
As mentioned in an earlier post, I was looking forward to this time not only for the youth but for my own faith journey as well. Since I have been back to work full-time, I believe that it has diminished my devotional life. My longing is still there, it's just that so often the time isn't like I'd want it to be. So I came into the week feeling spiritually stagnant, wondering if what I had to offer the youth would be worthy. On the other hand, I had a chance to infuse the two things that I am most passionate about in my life right now: spirituality and nature. I was hoping that between the two, I could reignite the ember of my spiritual life.
I did.
The life of Christ reignited itself into my being. For the first time in months, I began to pray again. I began to breathe again. I began to commune with creation again. I was becoming alive again! I had retaken up the Quest for Life!
Maybe it was the intentionality of having to go get our food and water or getting comfortable in your tent each night. Maybe it was taking the time to get a fire ready so that you could eat. Maybe it was the worship times in the tipi or going creek stomping to observe animals, insects and birds. Maybe it was the quiet, away from all the noise that fills our heads day in and day out. Maybe it was doing without all the "technology" that permeates our existence. Maybe it was the one-on-one time spent with youth in which you heard their stories. Maybe...
Maybe it was everything...
I spent 8 days volunteering as a counselor for a group of 15 & 16 year olds who chose not to go to the typical "youth" camp. Instead they chose to dive deeper in their spiritual life through disciplines like prayer, meditation, journaling, Bible study and exercise while having a wilderness living experience in tents, cooking all their meals over an open fire and exploring nature. So right off the bat, these youth were already longing for a different experience.
As mentioned in an earlier post, I was looking forward to this time not only for the youth but for my own faith journey as well. Since I have been back to work full-time, I believe that it has diminished my devotional life. My longing is still there, it's just that so often the time isn't like I'd want it to be. So I came into the week feeling spiritually stagnant, wondering if what I had to offer the youth would be worthy. On the other hand, I had a chance to infuse the two things that I am most passionate about in my life right now: spirituality and nature. I was hoping that between the two, I could reignite the ember of my spiritual life.
I did.
The life of Christ reignited itself into my being. For the first time in months, I began to pray again. I began to breathe again. I began to commune with creation again. I was becoming alive again! I had retaken up the Quest for Life!
Maybe it was the intentionality of having to go get our food and water or getting comfortable in your tent each night. Maybe it was taking the time to get a fire ready so that you could eat. Maybe it was the worship times in the tipi or going creek stomping to observe animals, insects and birds. Maybe it was the quiet, away from all the noise that fills our heads day in and day out. Maybe it was doing without all the "technology" that permeates our existence. Maybe it was the one-on-one time spent with youth in which you heard their stories. Maybe...
Maybe it was everything...
July 13, 2007
Jesus-jitsu
This was more fun than I ought to be having with biblical characters. Click here to see if you can make Jesus can kick Satan's butt. It took me a couple of rounds but in the end... Satan went down! Have fun and let me know how it went for you.
July 12, 2007
Unplugging
This coming week I will be at camp serving as a counselor for high school youth in a wilderness/spiritual discipline camp.
The timing for this camp is perfect considering I've been neglecting my own spiritual journey these past few months. My passions can be found in the two-fold aspects of the camp. We'll be doing everything outdoors from sleeping in tents (or under the stars like me), cooking all of our food over a fire, canoeing etc... And all the while, we'll be doing the spiritual disciplines like Lectio, meditation, exercise, bible studies etc...
I am looking forward to turning the cell phone off, parking the car, being away from the computer, being nowhere near ice and getting the #@%% OUT OF THE CITY!
I pray that this will be a time for me to have some spiritual renewal in the midst of my crazy life right now. I look forward to sharing some faith reflections once I get back!
The timing for this camp is perfect considering I've been neglecting my own spiritual journey these past few months. My passions can be found in the two-fold aspects of the camp. We'll be doing everything outdoors from sleeping in tents (or under the stars like me), cooking all of our food over a fire, canoeing etc... And all the while, we'll be doing the spiritual disciplines like Lectio, meditation, exercise, bible studies etc...
I am looking forward to turning the cell phone off, parking the car, being away from the computer, being nowhere near ice and getting the #@%% OUT OF THE CITY!
I pray that this will be a time for me to have some spiritual renewal in the midst of my crazy life right now. I look forward to sharing some faith reflections once I get back!
July 07, 2007
A pacifist-kife-toting Dunkard
I just ordered my knife for Tracker School. A friend of mine recommended it to me and I even got to play with his for a week before I ordered mine.
Ok, I know there are those out there who think "Randall is Mr. Brethren Guy or a staunch pacifist" and this comes as a shock to you that I am interested (and always have been) in knives and bow & arrows. It was guns that I was never fond of nor was allowed to have growing up. Knives and bows however were a different story.
Man, this felt good to post again.... I need to be better at keeping up here instead of neglecting it so much. Much more to come.
Ok, I know there are those out there who think "Randall is Mr. Brethren Guy or a staunch pacifist" and this comes as a shock to you that I am interested (and always have been) in knives and bow & arrows. It was guns that I was never fond of nor was allowed to have growing up. Knives and bows however were a different story.
Man, this felt good to post again.... I need to be better at keeping up here instead of neglecting it so much. Much more to come.