Mark Beeson

"That Thing" Camp

For the last few years my friend, Stan Buck, has offered a "Leadership" workshop at That Thing Camp. (That Thing is a summer camp ministry for United Methodist High School students on the shores of Lake Webster.) This year Stan has a battle on his hands, so as he fights the cancer that attacked him, I'm helping out with his workshop. That way Stan doesn't need to worry about it, and the camp doesn't need to cancel the class. So I'm giving three Thursdays in a row to leading Stan's seminar.

This morning's workshop went well and I stuck around camp long enough to join my friend Nick Yarde for a part of the worship assembly (pictured above) and a tour of the new Deucker Lodge.  I had a good morning serving the kids at camp, helping out one friend in need, and catching up on old times with another. 

Now...it's back to the work at hand.

Philippians 2:3-4  -  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Uncle Jan and Aunt Michelle Are Awesome

   - Photo by Josh Hunter

Three of my four nephews are pictured here. (The bifurcated ungulate is the deer; all bipeds are nephews.)  Left to right: Joel (brilliant ophthalmologist), Buck, Isaac (incredible pastor and leader) and Josh (the managerial/business guru who is the brains behind the towering success of his two brothers).

There are plenty of hard times in life so these brothers schedule time together to share some good times too. Their family time is always good time.

You may wonder how three men from the south are able to hunt together every year in Ohio - where big bucks roam. I'll tell you how. It's because of the outrageous love and generosity of their Uncle Jan. He invites them to join him on his land. He and Aunt MIchelle feed them, house them and create an environment - year after year - where these brothers can reconnect with each other, their family and God. It's good times. Uncle Jan and Aunt Michelle are awesome.

2 Corinthians 1:5  -  We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.