“I thank my God every time I remember you…”  Philippians 1:3

 Lately, my memory has revisited my Grandpa Keith’s woodshop on the upper flat in Westbrook Maine. I have also returned to my Grandpa Ray’s workbench in the basement of their home on North Avenue in Hartland Wisconsin.  Oh, all those trays and drawers filled with moments of exploration.  I can smell the cedar wood shavings on the porch, the wild onions and marigolds in my Grandma’s backyard.   I notice a burning barrel on the corner of Skyline and Williams drive and picture my Grandpa in his green hat burning paper and leaves in the back yard.   While biking out at the State Park I watch kids jumping out of their boat into Lake Kegonsa and remember all the times swimming in Pewaukee or Okauchee Lakes while boating with my Grandparents and their friends.  All of these memories are pouring out as I prepare to be a Grandfather.  Pondering grandparenthood has opened a floodgate of thanksgiving for the love received from those key people in my life….

Grandma Euna frequently mentioned God’s blessings and Grandpa Keith taught me the importance of ringing the bells, ushering people into worship with humor and quality hospitality.  Grandpa Ray taught me the gift of kindness and gentleness to all people; while Grandma Myrtle taught me the gif of a devotional life.  My Great-grandpa Hans Peter taught me a love for creation and flowers and sometimes I think of him when caring for all the plants around our home.  My Great-grandma Annie Winther who I tenderly called “Nana” was the matriarch of the family and she taught me how important it is to pass on the gift of faith to the next generations to come.  

Oh, yes these memories are triggered by working through a grandparent book for our first granddaughter and the anticipation of the memories we will create with her.  I was blessed by generations of people who loved me and passed on the gift of faith.   I pray that I may model the treasures I’ve received.   In other words I want to be a grandpa that leaves a memory of love and faith to my grandchildren. 

The Apostle Paul wrote a note of thanksgiving and encouragement to Timothy and said:

“I am grateful to God- whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did – when I remember you constantly in my prayers day and night.  Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith a faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunia and now I am sure, lives in you…” – 2 Timothy 1:3-5

It has been a time of reminiscence and thanksgiving for those wonderful grandparents that I miss dearly! 

O Lord may we create a memory of faith for those precious children and grandchildren you place in our lives! 

Greetings! “Through the Spirit we are Guided!”

Thursday June 21…Last night three of our cabins were on campout but were called back when the storm came through. But thankfully they got in a nature hike, cooked their food over open fire, and enjoyed marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. We walked out to visit them last night and they were having a blast. Telling stories, working through mystery riddles and games you have to figure out! Two of the groups had us stumped in their games. The morning after the storm brought relief and cool temperatures – what a blessing. .

• Our bible study this morning lifted up the Holy Spirit as Advocate. Today we learned what:It means to have the Holy Spirit as an advocate and guide. 
• To recognize that the Holy Spirit is our advocate who loves us unconditionally. 
• To know the Holy Spirit cheers us on, mends relationships, and holds our hand. 
• And to respond to the gift of the Holy Spirit by choosing a way to be an advocate for others and loving them unconditionally

The Covenant kids worked hard together at bible study to figure out how to get across raging waters by finding the correct rocks and learning how to rely on others for guidance. Each of them named a number of advocates in their lives that included you as their parents - people who have taught them about Jesus. They also looked to their guides, counselors and special friends who have been there for them at special times in their life! There is something very pleasing when we hear that Covenant kids have lots of adults who love them, love God and want what is best for them; by simply loving them unconditionally. It was great time together. 

 

The next thing was the rock wall where we encouraged each one to climb wall while the others encouraged and became advocates in guiding them to the top! Every one of the 21 confirmation students gave it a try and I captured them on film. They were amazing. I stood in wow of their courage and strength. Lydia then captured her pastor on film – especially when I landed on my butt at the end safe and sound!


Tonight will include the grand jubilee, large group games against the counselors, a wonderful fire, and service of light with a closing worship. This is the climax of the week and it is always moves the hearts of those who participate.
That is enough for Thursday…I will not be back tomorrow; since we are closing up a week at camp for another year; To you I offer my sincere thanks for having such wonderful children to enjoy at Pine Lake Camp.

Pastor Mark

Loving advocate, we ask that you help us to love others the way you love us. Give us the guidance and strength we need to practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control so that we may be an advocate for others; I thank you for parents who model being an advocate for their children the way you do for each of us! Amen.

 

Greetings! “Through the Spirit we are Forgiven!”

Wednesday June 20…I just left our noon meal and our boys and their cabin were singing for broccoli from other tables. Brian Wendt rounded up 5 extra plates of the vegetable for their consumption – to say the least they have broccoli coming out of their ears. They have amazing voices to gather that much food from the other tables!

Yesterday the water was great and I think everyone of our kids (all 21) were either in the water or canoeing. Sam, Brian, Matt, Jack, Cade
and I were the Stoughton boys jumping off the raft with perfect canon balls! It was a hoot.

This morning as I returned from a walk around 7 am I heard the boys yelling from their polar bear plunge – it was so loud it woke several of the counselors out of a dead sleep.

Today we gather around the theme “Forgiveness” and how the Holy Spirit brings us new life in Jesus Christ. The spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words to express…oh! Sin creates distance between us and God. Luckily we have a bridge that was created through Jesus’ death and resurrection to bridge the gap between the two. In order to connect us with God once again, the Holy Spirit intercedes and carries
us back from our sin so that we may be forgiven. This is the wonderful gift that we get from the Spirit who chose us! There is nothing we can do and no choice we can make to prevent ourselves from being carried over the bridge by the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven by our Triune God no matter what! I had a little fun with them talking about “mind the gap” words you hear before entering the subway in London! “Mind the gap” of the sin that separates us from each other and God! One of the initiatives was a difficult challenge to move all the participants off their dots and it revealed the fact that we have a lot of very good leaders in this confirmation group. I was impressed…it took a while and with the challenges before them at sometimes widened the gap between each participant. Yet, when they figured it out on their own and made it through the process you heard a huge cheer! Our guides do a great job integrating each initiative into the bible study. At the end of our study we played resurrection tag and I was caught between Payton and Retta only to catch my foot in the root of a tree to fall in the soft needles of a pine tree. It brought a roar of laughter. It has been a while since I played tag – but resurrection tag has a renewing side to it! The young people loved the activity.

This afternoon all of the girls were excited about making tie-dyed t-shirts; that are very colorful. Tonight three of our cabins are out on “Camp Out” cooking their meals outside, roasting marshmallows and enjoying the beautiful grounds of Pine Lake. I will stop out at each site for a visit and a few pictures so that we can capture the memories.

As I mentioned to the kids, I remind each of you “mind the gap” and enjoy the wonderful gift of forgiveness that bridges the space between God and one another - That is enough for Wednesday…I will be back tomorrow; thanks for sharing your wonderful children with me and Pine Lake Camp. 

 

Precious God, thank you for the gift of the cross and resurrection that bridges the gap and reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! Amen

Greetings! “Through the Spirit we are Gathered!”

Tuesday June 19…Last night after supper two of our groups were on the “Camp Out” but they did not stay in tents overnight because of the rain and possible storms.  Yet they had a great time cooking their meals over open fire, roasting marshmallows, munching on graham crackers and Hershey bars.   They even shared a bit with their pastor.  How many people can Sam and Brian jump over lying side by side – the answer is 9 people (with no injuries!).  They had a great time.  The rest of our group stayed in camp and attacked the canteen for goodies after enduring one huge scavenger hunt that involved the whole camp.  We closed the evening with worship.  

This morning as I returned from a walk around 7 am I followed Retta, Shelby, Rachel and Rebecca all wrapped up in towels and coming back from their polar bear plunge; they looked awake!  Gathering for a breakfast of bagels, toast, cereal, banana bread, and coffee cake (a few grabbed a bit of fruit); we listened to the first word asking “What does it mean to live in community and in relationship with one another?”  And “The Holy Spirit connects us to all those around us.”  At morning worship a college student from South Africa named Evidence taught us one of her camp songs and a counselor named Chris who talked about a very special mentor he had named Jim who told him shortly before he died that “Confirmation is not the end of your faith journey but only the beginning.”  

I really take pleasure in how well our young people respond with bible study as we read and pondered Ephesians 4:1-6.  This lesson was about CommUNITY!   Many times we think that if we are working toward unity that means we all have to work toward being the same. That is, we’re willing to work with others who are different from us IF they agree to change to become more like us. But the Bible teaches us that God does not care about our differences. God does not prefer one group of kids at school over another group, one gender over another or one race over another. The Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of ALL believers. At our baptism we are adopted as children of God.  We began with a nature walk talking about how all of creation is interconnected; this led to how we are different and similar, followed by activities that addressed our unity without conformity.  Along the way I addressed the two teenagers Emma and Sydnie that died tragically in our community and the importance of support and interconnection their families and our community needs at this time.  Then we broke up into small groups and talked about all the various communities we are a part of.   It was a good day together.

I just left the mess hall where it is Taco Tuesday food which is a hit with the campers! That is enough for Tuesday…I will be back tomorrow; I am so thankful for the parents and families that share their precious gifts with me and Pine Lake Camp. Pastor Mark

Precious God, thank you for the communities for which we have been gathered; Pine Lake Camp, our families, Stoughton and Covenant. Please help us to always remember those things we have in common with one another so that we may live, love, and be in relationship with all of your creation. Amen  

Greetings! “Through the Spirit we are gifted!”

Sunday June 17…Twenty-one confirmation students arrived at Pine Lake Camp shortly after 3 pm.  Counselors greeted all of our children with gracious hospitality.  One thing the staff at Pine Lake does well is greet and make each one feel at home.  All of our confirmation students are now settled into their space, bunk and cabin.  Those with medications have made contact with the camp nurse and they are reminded before and after meals.  For the parents concerned about the canteen funds all of your monies were placed on your child’s account – no worries.  The evening meal was pizza and fresh salad.  While the staff prepared each of the leaders with expectations of the week our young people enjoyed some large outdoor games.  

 Later after the meal, each cabin including all of the adult members of Evergreen Cabin (this cabin includes my room) prepared a welcome and introduction before the whole camp in creative ways.  Skits, poems, songs, cheers, rap, you name it and it was tried last night.  The counselors wove it together around a Hunger Games theme.  After two cabins shared their creative introduction the counselors interrupted with a commercial about the rules of the camp.  It was down with humor – yet the message about safety, respect and boundaries were well set.  The evening concluded down by the lake around a campfire with songs and creative satire on the Idol.  You would have been so proud of your Covenant kids; they all stepped up and made the best of each introduction.  I was very proud to be their pastor!  We have such great kids…

 Monday June 18…Started down by the lake with first word.  Four support staff gathered on the beach singing their hearts out while youth lumber down the steps to begin singing and hearing a topic about the Holy Spirit and the gifts we have been given.  By the end of First Word all of the youth were singing, clapping and AWAKE!  Wow, the staff is amazing early in the morning!  Breakfast of waffles and sausage filled the plates and for those preferring a lighter fare grabbed fruit, yogurt or cereal.  Personally, I headed for the coffee. After breakfast it was back to the cabins do a bit of housekeeping. 

There has been a little change at Pine Lake since the last time I spent the week at camp - they moved the primary worship to the beginning of the morning followed by Confirmation Time.  This worship included high energy songs, one very creative invocation, a confessional paddle, the reading of scripture, a skit and a brief personal message by a counselor named Luke.  He addressed a topic all of the young people could connect with: self-confidence.  It was a great worship!  It is the type of worship that is so appealing to our young people and it reminds me how we need to take this concept to our worship and music team.  Corrine Olson said, “Pastor Mark, these are the songs we like from confirmation and Sunday School.”  Do you realize that they have already learned at least half-dozen songs that are new, since last night!   

Our first Confirmation Time included a conversation about our baptism, the gifts of the Spirit, and Jesus’ baptism.  Our morning focus question was: What is a triune God?  Our theme Statement is: We have been gifted with a loving God who comes to us in three different forms.  Olivia and Carl are the two counselors working with me during confirmation time and they are exceptional. Carl is the counselor to our boys and Olivia is guiding Rebecca, Retta, Shelby and Rachel.  Carl has been coming to Pine Lake since he was in third grade and Olivia was a camper here during her confirmation years.  Both love God, love kids and want to make a difference in their lives.  

I just left the mess hall where they are munching on biscuits and beef stew, yummy!  That is enough for Monday…I will be back tomorrow...  
 

Most precious and loving God, we are thankful you have gathered us here this week to learn about you. Help us throughout the week to never forget that you will always be a mystery to us. We are grateful for your love and grace. We pray for parents and families at home, may you bless them with new opportunities this week as they entrust their child to Pine Lake Camp.  Amen

God is Able

Coming back from Germany I was working on Ezekiel’s vision of “The Valley of Dry Bones” while on the airplane. One of the blessings of flying these days is the ability to watch a variety of movies so; I took a break and watched one of my favorites The Shawshank Redemption. Andy played by Tim Robbins is wrongly convicted of shooting his cheating wife and her lover.As the prison librarian he received LP records.Locking the warden in the bathroom, Andy boldly enters the prison office and plays a Mozart duet over the sound system.Prisoners inside rise from sleep those prisoners outside stand at attention.Red played by Morgan Freeman describes the music as “so beautiful it can’t be expressed in words and makes your heart ache because of it…it was like some beautiful bird flapped into your drab cage and made the walls dissolve away…and for the briefest of moments – every last man at Shawshank felt free.” Then Freeman’s voice announces that “Andy got two weeks in the hole for that stunt.” 

After the movie the moment Ezekiel announced life within the prison of a valley of lifeless bones came alive for me.It was like the startling slap on a newborn to begin a new rhythm of breathing in hope.

Martin Luther was a person through whom God breathed new life.During our short visit to Germany we visited WartburgCastle in EisenachGermany.This was the fortress that protected Martin during critical time in his life.

After he posted the 95 Theses on the Door of Wittenberg calling for reform in the Church he was asked to recant his words at the Diet of Worms in 1521.It was here where he said those famous words: “I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."

After this famous encounter Luther was declared an outlaw and his writings were proscribed. Excommunicated by the pope and outlawed by the emperor, he was now in mortal danger.On his way back to Wittenberg Frederick of Saxony created a make believe kidnapping and smuggled him away to Wartburg castle under the guise of Junker George – a knight.From May of 1521 to March of 1522 he was held in this castle.It was a dark time for Luther where he battled the dark night of the soul at Wartburg.Out of this chaos he translated the New Testament from Greek to German; placing the Word of God into the hands of the common people.He wrote hymns such as a“Mighty Fortress is our God” and a Psalm Prayer Book.Though Luther found himself in a valley of transition God breathed new life into the church through him and the gift of the Reformation.It was as if God began a new rhythm of breathing for the church, out of chaos.

At the heart of the valley of dry bones is the message “God is able.” For example:

When we are lost, God’s able to find us. When we’re crushed by guilt, God’s able to lift this burden. When we’re without vision, God’s able to inspire us. When we’re overwhelmed, God’s able to calm us. When we’re attacked, God’s able to deliver us. When we’re feeling disconnected, desiccated, and discouraged, God’s able to reconnect us, refresh us, and revive us.God can take death itself, and transform it into life. God is able.How are these dry bones — speaking to us as a congregation? Where do we need the Spirit of God to be at work among us?What will new life look like, after we open ourselves to the power of the Spirit?

God said to Ezekiel, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel.”Our church leaders have said to us today, “Friends, these bones are the church.” When our bones are dried up, our bones are scattered, our hope is lost, and we are feeling completely cut off, at that precise moment the challenge for us is to turn to God and ask him to fill us with his Spirit. The promise is that God will put his Spirit within us and we will live, and then we will know that the Lord has spoken and will act.

God can bring life to bones, and to us. God is able.

Blind Side

 The Blind Side

This week I watched the movie The Blind Side for the second time and noticed that it is more than a football movie—it is the story of a young man named Michael Oher who grew up in the slums of Memphis, Tennessee. For the first 17 years of his life, he went from foster home to foster home. Then one of his friend’s fathers convinced a local football coach to give Oher a chance. Due to his size and athleticism, “Big Mike” became an unlikely student at a private academy named Briarcliff Christian School.  Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy were prominent members of the community, and their children attended Briarcliff. One cold, rainy night they saw Michael walking down the road to the school gym where he planned to spend the night. When Leigh Ann learned about Michael’s situation, she took charge. Michael eventually became a part of the Tuohy family, and they adopted him as one of their own. 

There were a number of heartrending moments in the film.  One of my favorites is when Leigh Ann felt threatened in Michael’s old neighborhood, he gently assured her, and “I’ve got your back.  ”By the end of the movie, you realize that football was only the backdrop of the film. The real story was how the Tuohys protected Michael’s blind side . . . and how he in turn protected theirs. 

Who’s got your blindside?  When was the last time you were blind sided by someone and how did you respond?  Over the years I have led men’s retreats and one of my favorite retreats was with Prince of Peace in Loveland, Ohio.  The theme was from the Gospel of Mark Chapter 2.  It is the story of the paralytic carried by four friends who break through a roof and lower their friend down in front of Jesus for healing.  In that retreat I ask 40 men: “Who are the four friends you could call at 2:30 in the morning outside of your immediate family and ask for their help?”  Many could not name four people.  Can you think of a friend, a prayer partner, how about your congregation, or someone you work with?  There is joy when your blind side is protected and you have the opportunity with God to cover for another. 

You see it does not matter who you are: Michael Oher, The Touey’s, the People of Israel, or each one of us - we all have a blind side, we all need someone to help us on the backside and God ultimately has our backs.  One of my friends asked for prayer this week as he entered a tedious meeting.  He said, “I need a little bit of God’s protection before I enter that place, could you help me?”  Another person sitting close by said, “I’ll be there and I will have your back!”  Isn’t that beautiful?    

In a sermon about the parable of the Good Samaritan the Right Reverend Bishop Gene Robinson said:

The heart of the gospel is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself.  The Christian life is not about life after death it is about life before death. What God does for us after death – God will take care of…but what we do with life before death is up to you and me.

We all have a blind side, but God’s got our back. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that we might eternally have the blind side of God’s presence revealed to us one day.  In the mean time we are called to love one another—to look after one another’s blind side with love.  My prayer is that somewhere this week I can say: I’ve got your blind side, and you’ll have mine.