Summer Vacation

People often assume that summers are less busy than other times of the year in church life. This week our church is engaged in Vacation Bible School – something my wife and I have been active in since 1977 (yes, I remember film strips, mimeograph machines, the official VBS Stand Up and Sit Down chords, flannelgraphs and all sorts of amazing modern conveniences….) Later this week I will attend three days of training to keep up to date on my chaplain activities, then August is consumed by our regional network of churches (more than two dozen churches) annual STUDENT CAMP which my wife directs, leads, and writes much of the material. Sort of looking forward to late August when school resumes…maybe then I can slow down!

Honestly, though, I am anticipating our annual vacation. Cindy and I are driving cross country to see family in July. We enjoy the opportunity to see our magnificent country- even the plains (aka FLAT) of Nebraska and Kansas. Our ultimate destination is Washington DC where I have been given the privilege of opening the United States House of Representatives Session in prayer on JULY 13 (9:00am EDT – 6:00am PDT – catch me live (?) on CSPAN?) Our daughter arranged this opportunity for me and I am unable to articulate my feelings – standing where Presidents have stood, where so many memorable events have happened.

Though as readers of this rarely published post will remember I struggle with depression, it is truly a wonderful life! God continues to refresh me with His Word and through His people.

One other item – as the summer progresses I will be taking a more active roll in assisting churches in Southern Oregon (Creswell – California border; Cascade mountains on the East, the Pacific on the West) in connecting to create a vital church strengthening and church planting movement. So, am I busy this summer? Of course. Would I have it any other way? NO!

Steve