As a believer in Jesus Christ, is it also possible to be a lover of country? Paul teaches in Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven. Is it possible that we are able to have duel citizenship, on earth and in heaven? Or are we to think of our nation as a type of Babylon in which we are held temporarily captive. When Joseph was sold into slavery, found living and even imprisoned in Egypt, what was his attitude toward his captors? Then, as fate would have it, he was raised up to be second in command over a great nation. How did Joseph understand his relationship as a citizen of Egypt? Did he see the faults of Egypt? Did he see that God had a purpose and a destiny for Egypt that would bless much of the known world? Did he understand also, that God had a purpose and destiny for his own life that was greater than Egypt or the sum measure of his own personal history? These are some of the questions to ponder as we consider how to identify as both a citizen of heaven and a citizen of an earthly nation.

Matthew 8:24

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea . . .

There is a fun song we liked to sing at camp “With Jesus in the boat you can smile through the storm”. It was based on the story of a storm that came up on the Sea of Galilee and the frightened disciples awakened the sleeping Jesus with their cries for help. Jesus calmed the storm and than rebuked His disciples for having such little faith. Was there lack of faith because they could not calm the storm or because they were afraid of the storm? Will Jesus always calm the storm or does He sometimes want us to go through the storm and learn to trust Him?

When I think about Jesus prayer regarding “unity” or “oneness” in John chapter 17, I am keenly aware of what must be a disconnect of my understanding of oneness, God’s truth regarding oneness and the reality on the ground amongst followers of Jesus. One principle in life I believe to be true and good is that of honoring others. This discipline of honoring parents, leaders, children and even cultures different than our own and a host of others is a way that values with weight the importance of another person, regardless of how they believe or even feel toward you or God. Instead of “canceling” another person because of the way they believe or behave, we embrace them as God’s creation, capable and lovable. Even God showed honor to every person in the world by sending His Son into the world, not to condemn but to save (John 3:17).

Looking Down, Looking Up

Psalm 40:12 “Innumerable evils have compassed me about . . .so that I am not able to look up . . .”

Hiking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) of northern Minnesota is almost always a rocky experience. In order to maintain your footing it is absolutely critical that you look down. At Camp du Nord, I helped develop two trails connecting a new property acquisition called Pine Pointe. One of the trails is affectionately referred to as the Goat Trail. It is the shortest distance between the properties, crossing rocky outcrops and shaky footholds. The second trail was carefully plotted out for it’s level terrain, and though longer, this trail can be enjoyed walking side by side with your companion. This is called the Pine Pointe Trail.

In 2001 I faced one of the biggest challenges of my working career in YMCA camping. I had been asked, against my better judgment to lead one of the largest and most successful YMCA camp in New England. I would follow in the footsteps of arguably the best camp leader in the country, inheriting his staff, his facilities, his program and the camps overall reputation. It was indeed the most difficult six years of my life. It was during this time that Lynn (my wife) lost both of her parents, I lost my father, two good friends who had come to help lead this camp, left after three years. It was a real day-to-day grind. So, of course, it was a great learning experience as well.