The Spirit That Draws...

Day 18 Doxology: If you've been keeping score then you might be a bit disappointed at the lack of post for this year's Doxology Moments.  In truth, it has never been more difficult than it has been this year.

Speaking of this year, I have had the pleasure of assembling an amazing team to help with all the many needs that Camp demands, but with every great team there is a weakness.  Our weakness is the lack of team members.  We need assistants for our food services, our maintenance, and housekeeping.  We have great leaders in place, but need personal to handle the volume of needs.

Speaking of the volume of need, we serve a 1700 acre facility with 70 aging facility buildings along with an infrastructure of water and sewage that was established in the 50's and 60's.  We struggle with the discernment as to how to do this simple things like...cut water off at a certain location; and how to move water away from this buildings; and how to plan for future growth!  In short, growth will never happen without passionate people!

Today's doxology is about a person that has spent his personal time at Camp repairing, mending and shaping Camp for the future.  This person, like you and so many, have the means to be anywhere else on a Monday and Tuesday but decided to spend it here...at Camp!  My Doxology today is this man, and the reminder of the Spirit that draws people to Camp into service!  We could never provide Christ-like service without you!

You like apples?

Part 2!

 Day 15 Doxology: For sure...if you read yesterday's doxology then you were expecting a glorious "Day 2" at Camp when we at some point would reach a glowing crescendo to "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."  You know what?  It happened!

Today was a day that we learned about our new smoker -the hot spots and air flow.  As much as I could barely contain my excitement, EG was doubly excited.  We cooked all kinds of foods from sausage links to pizza and everything was better than amazing!  

So our praise God moment, our doxology, is the joy that comes from our senses being revived.  The look of the smoker brings excitement of what can be.  The smell of the smoker tells us that what we think could be...increases our excitement of what is coming.  The taste of the food that is produced helps us join hearts in fellowship of Christ-like hospitality and reminds us that the here and the now, as well as the future, is bright.  

There is a lot of unknown at Camp, but the one thing that this Camp team is certain of...there is a powerful future that we can see, smell, and taste!

Thank you for everyone that helped make this smoker a reality!

 You like apples?

Part 1!

 Day 14 Doxology: Ok!  Today's doxology is for better or for worse a part of my bucket list -A competition level smoker.

Today's doxology feels kind of weak, possibly insensitive. However, I've had the pleasure to serve many churches as a clergy person  in the North Alabama Conference, and a phrase that I've thrown around was "Nothing says I love you like pork!"  Your see, I come from a long line of cookers.  My mom was an amazing cook!  My grandmother was an unbelievable cook! My very best friend and I love to cook for our family!  At times I'm embarrassed at the amount of cookers, smokers and fryers that I've personally invested in! Everyone I know loves to eat, and I love to make them happy!

So, today I announce that Camp has a new smoker.  Our, mine and our Food Service Director's, plan is to love you through our food.  We think that the smell of the smoker and the taste of the product we've lovingly prepared will say you are home!  We believe it's all about the experience that adds to our Christ-like hospitality!  

So, today's doxology...today's Praise God moment... is clearly, powerfully, simply a smoker for you. Sure, it's just a smoker, but it's presence will be felt at Camp for a long time.  When I look at it I will process many things.  First, I will think about our mission of Christ-centered hospitality that I've already mentioned.  Secondly, I will think about Nina Reeves.  The Nina Reeves foundation provided the amazing funding to make this purchase possible.  Her love of camp and her trust of us is over whelming and drives continually! 

Today, we give thanks!  But, tomorrow we cook!   I bet tomorrow's doxology might just be a "Part 2!"

We have so much to be thankful for...are you keeping your list as we move closer to Easter?

You like apples? 

Connectedness

 Day 13 Doxology: I believe we are on uncharted waters!  Are we not?  

A friend sent word to me that she was looking for my post and was concerned that she wasn't searching in the correct place.  I was humbled!  In truth, it only took a weeks worth of days before someone noticed my absence.  I'm pretty clear that God knew a little quicker that I had retreated from may goal.  So I missed many days! I have reasons, but I never stop preparing for Easter!  You hear me LORD?

Today, I had the blessing of returning home before the sun set, or sunset.  This seemed to be a different perspective than weeks before!  

In my search for a Doxology moment to share,  and a time in the woods for a bit of a personal moment...I glanced toward the road from our wood hidden home to recognize something amazing.  What I saw was breath-taken!

In the image that I'm sharing, the details are not clearly visible. What prompted me to take the picture was that I was caught off guard by the flashes of light that reflected off of the strands of the many spider-webs.  It was like sparkles!  They were connecting branch to limb, leaf to stem.

It dawned on me the connections that we have are all around!  Today we are more connected than ever yet more isolated than at any point in history!  Have we taken the time to seek out our brother or sister?  Maybe not, because we don't know what to say...say this, I wanted to say I miss you; I care about you; I love you you; How is it with your soul?...regardless!

I am sharing with you a picture of the sunlight breaking through the woods.  What is not visible is the details of the picture.  I pray that you see the importance of the details of a person's life weather visible or not. There are potentially an interstate of connections that we might never see! 

You like apples?