Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Location Change!

To all my loyal followers:

My Blog has moved!  I am now writing a blog through camp's new website!  How to get there?  Go to Camp's new homepage: www.camplebanon.org.  On the right hand column, there will be a link to my new blog!  Hope you find it! 

I am still working out some kinks, but hopefully all will soon be all worked out!

In His service, CrazyPete

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Reminders

Some of you know I keep a small Sheep ornament on my desk to remind me of an experience I had at camp as a counselor.  It has served to remind me of God's desire to find us no matter what!  I am reading a new book called A Closer Look at the Evidence and the author referenced a poem I want to share with you:

Remember the Rooster
The rooster is mentioned in God's holy book;
He was given a special part.
The Lord used him to remind a man
Of his terribly sinful heart.

Now Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
All wrote about this bird.
They said the rooster made his sound,
And by Peter it was heard.

Poor Peter was clearly told that he,
Like us, was prone to sin.
How often Christ said, "Without my help,
A sinful person can't win."

With a hear full of pride, Peter replied,
"Your side, I'll never leave."
Jesus then warned him to watch what he said,
For his words would make him grieve.

Late that night, Peter got his chance
To say, "Yes, Jesus I know."
But he failed three times and denied his Lord
When the rooster began to crow.

Let the rooster be both to you and me,
A warning to run from sin.
Let us seek the Lord's help and follow His book,
So the devil cannot win.

What has God put in your live to serve as a reminder of lessons learned?

In His service, CrazyPete

Friday, March 25, 2011

100th Post!

When I logged on this morning, I noticed this is my 100th time writing on this blog... This past year has seen a lot of changes!  I remember starting this blog just under a year ago and trying to think what it would feel like to be here after one year...

I have seen growth in myself and in how I lead camp.  I am excited as a another summer approaches, and the team which is being built is looking amazing!  I cannot wait to get into summer!

This year has me digging into a lot of Christ's claims about Himself and truth.  John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 8:32 says, "You will know the truth, and the truth with set you free."  John 18:37 says, "Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'"  John 10:10 says, "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Jesus made claims about truth and Himself which should shatter our ways of life.  Truth, freedom, and abundant life all roll into one.  The truth of Jesus brings freedom, and the freedom found in Christ leads to abundant life.  This is great news!  But I find myself not always living abundantly.  Whether I am at camp, on a promo, at church, or just sitting around at home, there are times when I don't feel free.  What does it mean to be free in Christ?  What does it mean to know Jesus as the Truth? 

Are these questions you struggle with?  Or am I the only one?

In His service, Crazy Pete

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ahh...The Simple Life

No, I am not referring to the Paris Hilton Reality TV Show...Sorry to dissapoint!

I am talking about this morning.  Our power went out at 1am.  Becca was up and reading when the event happened.  She woke me up and informed me it is my duty as a husband to find candles and the lighter, mind you, I have been asleep since 10pm.  If you are not currently in the state, we are getting hammered by a snow storm! (Which caused our power outage)

I woke up at 6 with no power still.  It is hard to make coffee with no electricity.  Only after a few unsuccessful attempts did I give up trying!  As I sat in darkness I was struck by the realization of how much I depend upon modern commodities.  Without certain commodities, like electricity and heat, life proves to be difficult; an interesting note though, life is not dependent upon having electricity or a propane powered boiler.  The thought continued this morning to my relationship with God.  Do I view my relationship with God as a commodity or a necessity?

Is the time I spend with God a sacrifice I make because I can do it, or is it something I do because I need to do it?  An honest answer to that question right now is: I do it because I know I should, not because I would fall apart if I did not do it. 

Believe me, I want to get to the point where my survival through the day is based upon the time I spend with Him.  But how do I get there?

What about you?  Is your relationship with God something you need every day?  Any advice on how to get there?

In His service, CrazyPete

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A World Found


Many of you know I spent all of last week in the Caribbean on a Cruise.  Becca and I enjoyed a well-needed vacation!  While stopped in Cozumel, the opportunity arose for me to go scuba diving with my Father-in-Law and Brother-in-Law.  The picture above is us in the bed of the truck in the middle of Cozumel.  I found this situation pretty funny, three white guys in the back of a pick up while our guide was out helping someone find their scooter.  We were alone in the street for about 15 minutes, and we began to worry we were abandoned!  After those minutes passed, our guide returned and we set out to dive.

For my first time diving, I loved every minute of it!  I recommend this experience for anyone!

I was amazed by the world which greeted us!  So many colors, and so many different species of fish and aquatic life overwhelmed me.  I could not but help think about how God created each and every life form I saw.  He created their fins, their colors, their structure.  He created ways for them to live together in harmony.  We spent a full hour under the waves, and I was blown away by God's creativity. 

I returned home to gloomy weather and sleet falling, but I will always remember what I saw under the waves in Cozumel.  Those memories will always remind me of God's good creative powers.  What reminds you of God's power?  Think on it!  Reflect on it every day!  Don't forget Him!

In His service, Crazy Pete

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I Wanna Talk About ME!

I must confess, I am a country lover.  I hope your opinion of me does not change too much!  One song I hear on the radio which stands out to me is I Wanna Talk About Me by Toby Keith.  (It really is not a good song, but it was on, and has something to do what I read in scripture today)  The chorus of the song goes like this:

I wanna talk about me, Wanna talk about I, Wanna talk about number one, Oh my me my , What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see, I like talking about you you you you, usually, but occasionally,  I wanna talk about me!


I was reading in Luke 15 again today and I was struck by the selfishness of the Prodigal Son before he returns.  He gets this idea in verses 17-19, “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’"  His basic premise for returning is so he will not starve; not because he desires to restore the relationship with his father and older brother.

He comes back home to satisfy his need, not to truly make amends for his wrong doings.  How many times have I done that?  More than I can count.  I find myself in sin, and life not going the way I want it to.  I crawl back on my knees before God in a false repentance in order to gain something for myself; not out of a desire to turn from what I am doing.

Jesus never finishes the story.  He does not tell us how the older son, the community, or the father treats the son a week, a month, a year later.  I would like to assume the Prodigal was true in his repentance.  This story raises an issue with me though.  Do I repent to get something out of it or do I repent to truly be reconciled and restored with those around me?  I often find myself in the former as opposed to the later.  A true heart change comes when I realize this life is not about me.  I am nothing really special.  God working in a through me to help others is what makes me special.

What are your thoughts?

In His service, Crazy Pete

Monday, March 7, 2011

I have been a FOOL!

I have lived my life bound by a lie.  This lie permeated every ounce of my being!  Only yesterday did I become aware of the effect it had on my life. 

For those of you who are close to me, you know I have lost 40 pounds since Christmas.  Mainly due to watching what I am eating and exercising.  For you who know me really well, I have had body issues my entire life; always seeing myself as big and never believing I could live a healthy lifestyle.  I believed this because of a lie.  You may also know there are certain sins in my life which play a large factor in my faith journey.  The lie was this: I can maintain only one of those areas of life.

I can do well in one area, but I must sacrifice healthy living in the other area.  For years I have believed this lie.  Believing I would be stuck living in habitual sin, or I would be stuck being bigger for the rest of my life.  My self control was limited to one area. 

Not until yesterday morning was this lie revealed to me.  I have been meditating on Psalm 87:11 which says, "Teach me your holy ways Oh Lord, that I may walk in your truth."  Every day, John 10:10 came to mind and I never knew why until yesterday.  John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have abundant life." 

I was not living an abundant life.  I was not living life to the fullest.  I was satisfied with a mediocre relationship with God, with those around me, and with myself.  I now know I can live a pure life, and maintain a healthy diet.  I do not have to choose one over the other.  I can have both; that is the abundant life God has promised me!

What about you?  Are you allowing an area of your life to be stolen, killed, or destroyed?  Are you living abundantly?

In His service, Crazy Pete