If you Google square you will get a great deal of information about a little square device that can plug into your smart phone and take charges from credit cards. I have used this technology in selling items at craft shows and it works marvelously. However, that is not the square I was thinking about in the writing of this blog. When I was a youth we used the term “square” to mean that someone was old fashion or perhaps too conservative in their thinking. In construction projects, being square is certainly old fashion but not outdated. It is just as important to be square today as it was a thousand years ago.

In Luke’s account of the crucifixion, (Luke 23:26), Simon of Cyrene was seized to carry the cross behind Jesus. In both the gospel of Matthew and Mark, this same account is given. However, in John, 19:17, the writer says that Jesus carried His own cross. After watching many movies and documentaries about the crucifixion of Christ, I was under the assumption that Jesus, having been beaten and whipped, was unable to carry His cross, so the soldiers found someone in the crowd to carry it for him. Perhaps this is an accurate projection of what happened, considering the fact that Jesus was fully man and had suffered a great deal. But I find it interesting that John says He carried His own cross.

In my quest to be available to the Lord, I was wondering if I would one day find myself driving for the Amish. As you may be aware, the Amish people are a rather large group of families, living in about 17 different states in the US. Though there are many Amish, they live in small groups in rural communities. They have chosen an old fashion style of living and deprive themselves of many modern conveniences we take for granted. From a distance, folks may look at the Amish lifestyle and find it rather perplexing and odd. It is certainly not a lifestyle I would want to choose. Neither would I want to choose many other lifestyles. I enjoy being an American and embracing the many conveniences and opportunities presented.

With the recent news coming out of Korea, I feel inspired to reflect on some of my experiences in South Korea, all of which have been associated with my dear friend Kuk Jai Chun, the founder of the Institute of Light Finders. This morning, after checking on the news associated with last night’s summit between our president and the leader of North Korea, I went to my Facebook sight and was greeted with this lovely photograph of an event that took place exactly one year ago. These three Korean ladies were on staff at Camp Fitch eight years ago. They worked very hard in the dining hall serving our campers and at the end of the summer were counselors for the Korean children that attend Fitch through ILF (Institute of Light Finders). At the end of the summer, they were able to travel with me to northern Minnesota for the 50th anniversary celebration of Camp du Nord. My oldest son, Jachin, who lives in Minneapolis was able to come with us as well. Du Nord is the camp where our family lived and worked throughout the 90’s and where our Korean connection grew so strong. Needless to say, in spite of them not knowing English, and us not knowing Korean, we had a great time together.

The walks down to Lake Erie have become a great treasure. Some days are cloudy and windy; others are cool and quiet. One of the great pleasures of the walk is the anticipation of what the lake will look like upon arrival. This memory often takes me back to childhood trips to the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The highlight of the summer was the short drive to the Lake. Sometimes going with the immediate family, sometimes with aunts and uncles, other times with friends. Someone planted a seed of mystery and anticipation in my mind. On the drive to the lake I would look at the tree branches to see how much wind was blowing, knowing that this would determine the condition of the waves. A few miles from shore, I would begin to see signs of sand dunes and be reminded of the great pleasure derived from running up and down the enormous dunes. One of my favorite memories was driving up over a small incline and suddenly seeing the vast blue waters that blended together with the hazy blue sky. We have arrived and oh what a good time awaited.