Technorati Profile

The Cross

What does this symbol mean to you?

This life sized wooden cross stands over the campfire ring near the lake. It was probably used during one session over the summer in a dramatic representation of the crucifixion of Christ. Summer camp events like this can serve to provide color and life to the story of God's redemption of his people.

At the same time, Christians can get too comfy with the cross. We must never forget that this is a tool of cruel death. The cross is just a tool. It was not the cross that did anything for us, but rather what Jesus did on that cross. He changed the course of history, brought hope, fulfilled the law of Moses, and provided opportunity for life to the full and life eternal.

Jesus was certainly concerned with our life after this life and that is important to dwell on. But we must not neglect that Jesus had a mission that was more than what happens after this life. Jesus invited into a life within this life. We becomes tools for the advancement of compassion in this life. We are to spread love and forgiveness and redemption. We must go about our lives as if the purpose of our lives were to love God and love people because that is just what it is.

Your thoughts?

Flaming Pine Men's Retreat

Click here to learn about the Fall Men's Retreat at Flaming Pine.

By Example

Al Ogren is one of my favorite people in the world. There are many reasons. This picture, however, symbolizes one of the top reasons I like Al.

If anyone could claim a certain elevated status at Flaming Pine Youth Camp it would be Al. I mean, he's certainly paid his dues. Not only that, he has been at camp since day one. And finally, let's just say he's a seasoned camper. If Al didn't want to wash another dish at camp, who would say anything?

And yet here he is in summer 2006 at the helm of the dishwasher.

This is the kind of example I need, mentor I need, leadership I need.

Here are the lessons contained within this picture:

1. Leadership means never requiring something of someone else you wouldn't require of yourself.

2. Service is for everyone.

3. Working across generations can be fun.

4. No one is too good for anything.

What do you see in this picture?

Yes, Kathy Can Sing

Brett and Kathy Osborne have been married 20 years. Once upon a time, early on in their romance, I was treated (as a teenager) to a duet by them called, "Surround Me With love." It was a song that resonated with my heart because I felt like camp was the only safe place on the face of the earth. It was camp that got me through the awkward teenage years, through difficulties at home, through my "I hate everyone and everything" days. Although I spent at most 3 weeks a year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp, songs like, "Surround Me With Love," lasted the other 49 weeks.

Kathy retired from camp performances years ago. A loss, in my opinion. Well, this year at the second family session, Kathy came out of retirement and treated us (with brett of course) to that same duet, "Surround Me With love."

Kathy, thanks for coming out of retirement to bless us (me) once again with that song. It triggers something deep within me.

And, if I can find a way, I might upload a recording of that song from 1986, I believe.

Ice Cream At Camp

One of the great treats every year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp is ice cream night. It happens every year, but it is the seldom remembered treat. So, it is like a new little surprise every year:"Oh yeah, ice cream night."

With, shall we say, generous portions of heat this year, ice cream night was extremely popular.

Don't you think that there is something special and innocent about a child enjoying an ice cream cone? The amount of happiness extracted from such a simple pleasure must be part of what the heart of a child is like. There is certainly something to learn from children who enjoy ice cream cones.

Another Great Year At FPYC

It was another terrific year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp. I attended the second Family Session at the end of July - yeah, the hot one. Besides the heat and the annoying splinter I received (flip-flops at camp is a bad idea), it was great.

Just like last year, I took a bunch pf pictures and will do my best to create camp cards. I would love to receive some pictures from you all. Please e-mail pictures that you would like to become enshrined eternally as camp cards.

Include name of person/people/scene with the session. If you ahve a caption that you think fits, send that along as well.

gonza181@umn.edu

Can't wait to see what you give me. And hey, if you don't send in the picture you want to be in a campo card, then don't gripe that it's not a camp card :-)

Finally, if you have old camp photos, send those, too. If I get enough from years gone by, I'll make some special "Turn Back The Clock" cards. I would especially like to see a photo of Al Ogren's twin brother Grizzly Ogren, I believe, with the full beard.