More on Sagemace...

Here are some of my categorized thoughts after further reflection on the week at Sagemace.

1. Definition of self.

During my quiet time one morning I was very frustrated with myself, remembering too many times, this week included, where I have struggled with my pride throughout the year. Part of my morning reading from Romans 8:13b, "but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." I was reminded of dying to self a thousand deaths each day - the fight, the surrender. What freedom there was in confessing this and surrendering to God and allowing the power of the Spirit to direct. There is a much more beautiful person in each of us to be revealed when we get our selfish desires out of the way - choosing God.
I have to say I am thankful God allowed me to see it and deal with it while there and not after the fact.

2. Making the most of every opportunity

I knew this camp experience was from God as He answered prayers for it to all work out the way it did. What if each opportunity and interaction was treated as sacred and anointed by God to show his love? That was my prayer.

3. God moments

The theme for the week was God's story in our lives. How has He changed our story? Three Bible stories were shared, the thief on the cross, the woman at the well and Saul's conversion. Also 4 Counsellors shared their testimonies throughout the week. Then cabin assignments were given to further enforce the love of God in our lives.
On the way home I asked Megan if there was a speaker she resonated with the most. She shared her thoughts on that and was really struck by the explanation of God moments through one of the testimonies. She spent the next while remembering times that God had been especially real for her - showing His love, calling her to Himself. That was my God moment.

4. A symbol of Community

There is something completely beautiful about the godly passion surrounding our college aged leaders. They are fun - even silly, unashamed, boisterous at times and determined in their approach to leading. What I love about them is that they dream and they pursue their dreams. They radiated energy and their enthusiasm was contagious. They spoke boldly into one another's lives - after all they only have a week to do this! By the end of the week everyone was hugging their good-byes, exchanging emails and addresses, trying to figure out when they would meet again, offering final words of encouragement and prayers, promising to find a way back next year. Isn't this a microcosm of what our churches should look like? How are we encouraging one another? Are we enthusiastic? Are we narrowly focused on following Christ? Do we look for ways to keep in touch and stay in each others lives? Do we speak boldly both words of encouragement and words of wisdom? As much as I am not sure if I could handle the high energy camp experience as a way of life - the experience has a lot of offer to our everyday living.

Sagemace Bible Camp

Megan and I came back last night from being at Sagemace Bible Camp in Winnipegosis for the past week. We had such a good time and now are so glad to be home. Megan went as a camper and I went as kitchen help and resident camp photographer. It was fun to be at the camp and to be kept busy helping while waiting for my hugs from her. (Not sure who missed the other more.) I have such good memories of my own camp experiences growing up and am thankful for the impact of the leadership team and volunteer workers and counsellors who devoted their last two weeks to making this a memorable and impressionable experience for young people like my daughter.

Here are a some pictures of the week. I hope to write more another day.

A Daily Need!

I know how badly I need to stay in the Word of God, daily;my daily victories depend on the freedom of living and abiding in God's Word (John 8). My thoughts, my words, my attitudes, my actions all go incredibly wrong, incredibly fast without the saving reminders and life lessons of God through His Word and through His Holy Spirit.

I'm not asking this question to cause feelings of guilt because heaven knows that we produce enough of that on our own.

I hope simply to encourage you.

I need encouragement and I love to have people to keep me accountable in my relationship with God. So, in case you are looking for some resources to direct your studying in the Word of God these days I thought I would direct you to a few sights that could inspire. If any of you have other links or book ideas pass them along. If they have spoken to you then they will likely be an encouragement to others too.

There are of course a lot of studies in book format by all sorts of authors who love God. The girls and I are on week two of the Proverbs study I mentioned to you a bit back. It is challenging and a complete joy to go through an in depth study with your daughters. The questions are deep and personal and they see and know whether my walk and talk line up. I pray that I am real before them and passionate in growing in my love for God.

Here are a couple of online links to check out - free!!

My Utmost for His Highest

The Soul at Rest

Daily Light on a Daily Path

I also want to make you aware of the audio link at Eastview's site. I have really been enjoying the Joseph sermon series (a little biased I suppose!) You can listen to the first two weeks here.

http://www.eastview.org/media

First Fruits

It is very exciting to be enjoying some of the first fruits of the season. The other day we had our first salad of the season. It has been a few years since growing my own lettuce. After we had enjoyed a few bites of salad and homemade dressing we had a good laugh and then completely grossed out after my daughter said,
"Hey mom, what is this green thing on the lettuce...and this one...?"

"Mom, they're bugs!"

Needless to say I have triple washed the lettuce today for supper.

Some Celebration Pictures

A year end sleepover celebration for my girls. Really roughing it in our backyard.



Going home after a great block party with neighbours.





Max celebrating the end of a school year with a bowl full of lettuce "cores" - not sure what they are actually called? The kids enjoying a celebratory meal also with some lettuce involved!














Getting ready for Canada Day; tattoos.
Yes, they are temporary!
Dave was out with Alexander today and was stopped by a very distraught lady who asked if the tattoos were indeed temporary. She was relieved when Dave said "yes!"