Monday, June 18, 2007
Hi From ICYC
I didn't think that I would have time to write a blog note from camp, but here I am on Monday with a great staff and a good bunch of kids writing from good old Indian Creek Youth Camp. We have a group of 110 this week, which is a great size, though we would always love to have one more. No, the green ghost usually doesn't come anymore, but camp has lots of new traditions and it is great fun each year. New friends, old acquaintances, and a great time to recharge your spiritual batteries. There is not much news to tell yet, but I am sure there will be some blogworthy things that I will try to write about later. Happy camping!
Friday, June 15, 2007
On Vacation
Susan had a conference in Destin this week and I went along for a short vacation. It was great- weather, food, accomodations, etc. I went deep sea fishing on Monday and had great fun. Caught bunches of fish, but unlike most others on the boat, most of mine were small and had to be thrown back. Snapper have a 16 inch limit and I caught a bunch about 14 inches. Well, anyway. Next week is camp week at Indian Creek and I know it will be great. I have been working on lessons today. Paul(Kelsey) put together our class book and it looks like a great study on Example. While on that subject, maybe you would like to read my bulletin article for this week. Here it is-
When In Rome
David Courington
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” That may be good advice when it comes adapting to many customs of a foreign land. One hardly wants to drive on the right side of the road when everyone else is driving on the left.
But when it comes to our having Christ-like behavior, we need to be cautious. The Bible warns us that Christians and the world do not have much in common when it comes to morality. Paul said, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”(2 Cor 6:14-17). Paul also warned of allowing evil companions to corrupt us, saying, “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."(1 Cor 15:33) (NKJV).
The world that we live in has its way of doing things. Some people do not know what it is like not to drink alcoholic beverages. They have learned that way of life from their youth at home. If you speak of drunkenness as being sinful (See Gal 5:19-21), they will likely, first, look at you funny, and then either laugh at you or ridicule you. It is not their way to leave alcohol alone. That’s the way it is in “Rome!”
But you are a child of light, not darkness. Paul warned the Thessalonians, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”(1 Thess 5:5). When the “Romans” drink or curse or cheat in their worldly, customary way, you and I must be reminded that we are not “Romans”.
When you dress, you should dress as a Christian, not a “Roman.” Last Sunday night in Destin while we were waiting for church to start a family came in and sat down in front of us with 4 teenage girls. They were dressed properly and of course my thought was, “Here are some folks who have their priorities right. Even though they are in a place where hardly anyone seems to think about God, they are remembering Him by coming to church on Sunday night.” Then the girls started to look at pictures on their digital camera(again before the service started). Their “itsy bitsy, teensy, weensy bikinis” looked like anything but the dress of modesty, shamefacedness, and sobriety, with which Christians are to cover themselves. (See 1 Tim. 2:9-10). No, I doubt that anyone on the beach would think it was anything out of the ordinary, but remember, what is ordinary for the world, is not always what is right for the child of God. We are light, not darkness.
Next time you go to “Rome”, will you do as the “Romans” or as the Christians?
When In Rome
David Courington
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” That may be good advice when it comes adapting to many customs of a foreign land. One hardly wants to drive on the right side of the road when everyone else is driving on the left.
But when it comes to our having Christ-like behavior, we need to be cautious. The Bible warns us that Christians and the world do not have much in common when it comes to morality. Paul said, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”(2 Cor 6:14-17). Paul also warned of allowing evil companions to corrupt us, saying, “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."(1 Cor 15:33) (NKJV).
The world that we live in has its way of doing things. Some people do not know what it is like not to drink alcoholic beverages. They have learned that way of life from their youth at home. If you speak of drunkenness as being sinful (See Gal 5:19-21), they will likely, first, look at you funny, and then either laugh at you or ridicule you. It is not their way to leave alcohol alone. That’s the way it is in “Rome!”
But you are a child of light, not darkness. Paul warned the Thessalonians, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”(1 Thess 5:5). When the “Romans” drink or curse or cheat in their worldly, customary way, you and I must be reminded that we are not “Romans”.
When you dress, you should dress as a Christian, not a “Roman.” Last Sunday night in Destin while we were waiting for church to start a family came in and sat down in front of us with 4 teenage girls. They were dressed properly and of course my thought was, “Here are some folks who have their priorities right. Even though they are in a place where hardly anyone seems to think about God, they are remembering Him by coming to church on Sunday night.” Then the girls started to look at pictures on their digital camera(again before the service started). Their “itsy bitsy, teensy, weensy bikinis” looked like anything but the dress of modesty, shamefacedness, and sobriety, with which Christians are to cover themselves. (See 1 Tim. 2:9-10). No, I doubt that anyone on the beach would think it was anything out of the ordinary, but remember, what is ordinary for the world, is not always what is right for the child of God. We are light, not darkness.
Next time you go to “Rome”, will you do as the “Romans” or as the Christians?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Ned The Neighbor
For a picture of Ned aka Josh, check out Katie's blog at
http://www.katiebug1023.blogspot.com
http://www.katiebug1023.blogspot.com
VBS Week/Camp Week- Retirement?
Sorry I have been so long posting, but it is crunch time for VBS and Camp. This week is our VBS at Sylvan Springs. We had a good start of 125 Sunday night and 105 on Monday. Do you start your VBS on Monday night? Sunday works better for us. It is usually one of the largest nights in attendance. We are studying neighbors and a highlight has been Ned the Neighbor visiting each night. He is quite an interesting neighbor with his unusual looks and Bible insights. I am enjoying teaching the teens this time. They are a great group and very good to participate in class. In a few years I am going to retire from pulpit preaching and become a youth minister where I can really have some fun.
June 17 starts my camp week at Indian Creek Youth camp so today I am printing schedules, letters to parents, certificates. A lot of work goes into a camp week. This year I have tried to spread some of it out a bit and have some great guys helping me. Daniel C called and is working on our sports schdule. Paul K has worked hard to get our class material, teachers and speakers arranged. Clay C is in charge of night activities. I talked to Becky P. yesterday and she is working on crafts. Susan C. went to a cooks meeting a couple of weeks ago. I know the food will be too good, as we have come to expect. This is just some the things that have to be done. Why do we do it year after year for no pay and some degree of aggravation? Because we love the Lord, the kids, and the camp. My target date for retiring as a camp director is 2025. Lord willing, that is the year I will turn 70 and I hope to be just a camper that year. But I could change my mind!
June 17 starts my camp week at Indian Creek Youth camp so today I am printing schedules, letters to parents, certificates. A lot of work goes into a camp week. This year I have tried to spread some of it out a bit and have some great guys helping me. Daniel C called and is working on our sports schdule. Paul K has worked hard to get our class material, teachers and speakers arranged. Clay C is in charge of night activities. I talked to Becky P. yesterday and she is working on crafts. Susan C. went to a cooks meeting a couple of weeks ago. I know the food will be too good, as we have come to expect. This is just some the things that have to be done. Why do we do it year after year for no pay and some degree of aggravation? Because we love the Lord, the kids, and the camp. My target date for retiring as a camp director is 2025. Lord willing, that is the year I will turn 70 and I hope to be just a camper that year. But I could change my mind!
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