Crazy Bible Story

right_in_the_eye_cdIt was -39 one morning this past winter and our vehicles wouldn’t start so we stayed home and watched Right in the Eye with Andy Stanley online. It was a great start to a new series. You should watch it. click here to watch! 

Have you ever heard or said, “It’s my life, I can do what I want, when I want, with whom I want… as long as nobody gets hurt.”

Andy talks about the crazy story in Judges 19 & 20 about how everyone does what is right in his own eyes. It leads to chaos and destruction as they move from disobedience to disaster to deliverance. People are offended, beat up, murdered, raped, killed, a war is started, cities burned & destroyed, wives stolen and more! Crazy right? 

What happens when I, or you, go our own way? Even if we seemingly only hurt ourselves, we’re hurting someone as well. 

What is Your Binge Watching Addiction?

10168067_10152061128949142_2793607234056701186_nWe recently finished 4 seasons of Last Man Standing. Before that it was Nashville (3 seasons) and 8 seasons Heartland only took us a couple months. 

By definition, binge watching is “the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television program in rapid succession, typically by means of DVDs or digital streaming”. Exactly! Oh Netflix… It’s SO easy to get addicted, I mean hooked, I mean obsessed, I mean captivated. Well, you get the idea. 

Of course, having the next episode start in just 15 seconds after the last one ends is brilliant on their part. We do this during the summer TV break, winter break and during big USA events like the run for the White House, State of the Union, the Superbowl, Leafs games, etc.

You know you’re binge watching when after 3-4 episodes the program stops to ask you if you’re still watching. Dah! Shouting of course at the TV doesn’t help. Just use the remote!

We kind of pay attention while multi-tasking on texts, WhatsApp, phone games, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc…

What is your binge watching addiction? 

Twitter vs Telegram

TelegramTwitter is like today’s version of the telegram. Both are short and to the point. Actually, at 140 characters Twitter gives us double the amount of characters to communicate as a telegram did, which averaged 10-12 words or about 80 spaces around 1900. 

As technology of the telephone and the creation of the internet telegrams have seen a study decline falling from 211,971,000 messages handled in 1870 to 69,679,000 messages handled in 1920

For more than 150 years, messages of joy, sorrow and success came in signature yellow envelopes hand delivered by a courier.

1The first telegram in the United States was sent by Morse on 11 January 1838, across two miles (3 km) of wire at Speedwell Ironworks near Morristown, New Jersey, although it was only later, in 1844, that he sent the message “WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT” from the Capitol in Washington to the old Mt. Clare Depot in Baltimore.

A courier doesn’t deliver your twitter messages and its a whole lot easier to share with and follow hundreds of people.

Follow @WidjiMoose and @CampWidjiitiwin. 

Inner Strength

Fresh BreadFrom A Slice of Fresh Bread by Dan Bolin, CCI/Worldwide, @CCIWorldwide

Several years ago I visited some missionary friends in Africa. To support their ministry and to provide employment for people in the area, my friends established a brick-making company.

One day, the workers loaded a trailer full of bricks, and the missionary and I headed for a home about 20 miles (roughly 30 kilometers) away where we would unload the delivery. The first half of the trip was on a wonderful major roadway, no problem. But when we turned onto the side road, things got pretty rough; we hit bump after bump, pothole after pothole.

Eventually, we arrived at the house, ready to start the hard work of unloading bricks. But when we pulled back the tarp, there was only a pile of rubble where the stacks of brick had been. We later discovered that to save money the workers had reduced the amount of cement used to manufacture the bricks. They looked fine lying in the sun and stacked on the trailer, but disintegrated when they hit the bumps in the road.

Paul understood the importance of inner strength. He also knew that inner strength comes through the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. Paul asked God to fortify his friends in Ephesus, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:16)

Don’t be satisfied looking like a person of strength. Allow God’s Spirit to truly strengthen your inner being. Trust God’s Spirit to keep you strong so that when you encounter the bumps of life, you do not crumble, but stay useful for him.

Widji News in the MBC Compass Spring 2016

unnamedCamp Widjiitiwin is pleased to announce our newest partnership with Ephraim’s Place Community Centre in the Jane/Sheppard neighbourhood of Toronto. We’ll be working closely with Kevin and Bill to bring 30 campers plus volunteers to Widjiitiwin the last week of the summer (August 28th to September 3rd). Like our other partners, Ephraim’s Place has a compelling story and mission. Read more here: www.widjiitiwin.ca/ephraims-place-partnership.

Our program themes for 2016 are Disney: Frozen to Neverland, Atlantis, and Olympics! Each theme will be repeated twice over the summer. Our NEW camp pastor cabin will allow our weekly pastors to stay right at camp this summer to be closer to the campers and staff.

We still have summer staff positions to fill including male and female cabin leaders (must be 17 or finished grade 11); 1 male SALT cabin leader (age 18+), one 15-16 year old male volunteer. Leadership positions needed (age 19+): Registrar and Ropes/Sports Area Head. If you know some great Christian youth/young adults please send them to www.widjiitiwin.ca/work-at-widji for more information.

Great opportunities for teens ages 14-17 in our SALT program. Our three week Skills And Leadership Training session seeks to train the next generation of young Christian leaders; providing experience in leading campers; to develop or improve their outdoor skills; for personal growth; development of group dynamics through teamwork & common experiences. Featuring a 4-day 3-night out trip in the Haliburton Highlands, rock climbing day, chapels, canoe trip to Huntsville, service day, Biblical leaders, ORCKA & Bronze Medallion certifications, leadership sessions, making lifelong friendships & more…

2016 Partnerships!!
Our now five partnership camps are growing strong and will soon be more than half our summer campers. We offer opportunities for kids to come to camp that they would never have otherwise. A great part about partnering with churches is that follow up ministry with the campers is built right in! Our partners are:
• Fresh Air Camp, our partnership with Toronto Police, 42 Division; in its 8th years targeting 115 campers making it our largest week of 2016!
• Escape Camp, our partnership week with Hughson Street Baptist Church in Hamilton; in its 5th year, targeting 70 campers.
• Royal City Camp our partnership with Church of the City in Guelph; in its 3rd year targeting 65 campers.
• Venture Camp our partnership with Capstone Community Bible Church in Toronto; in its 2nd year targeting 65 campers.
• Ephraim’s Camp, our partnership with Ephraim’s Place in Toronto, in its 1st year, targeting 30 campers.

This year we anticipate having 330 fully sponsored campers at Widji. It’s amazing to watch as God draws people in to be involved with His ministry to at-risk youth and kids. It takes a community to raise the funds needed to sponsor this many campers. Last year over 150 donors accomplished SO much! No amount is too small — every gift makes a difference! Would you consider becoming a monthly donor with us?

Please pray for the final staff positions we need to fill, for applications for campers and SALT, for donations to bring kids to camp, for the spring crew as we prepare camp and programs for the summer and for a great summer of Kingdom ministry to campers and staff. Pray too for our camp pastors as they prepare to teach each week this summer.

Serving Him together,

Mike (Moose) Greenfield
Director
Camp Widjiitiwin

www.widjiitiwin.ca
Being ambassadors for Christ to children and youth

If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be?

Grandpa Greenfield 1926If you could spend a day with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

Here are a few suggestions I thought of: Jesus, a prime minister or president, a famous actor or musician/composer or author, the guys who walked the Emmaus road with Jesus (Luke 24:13-35), Moses or Joseph or Joshua or David or Caleb from the Bible, Ben Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Mark Twain, Einstein, your past or future self maybe. 

For me, I choose my Grandpa Greenfield. I would love to hear his voice again, to hear him repeat his stories, play a game of crib, go out and do some maple syrup. To relive my memories. My grandpa was a pharmacist (inspector and chief inspector), a Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), a journeyman carpenter (I have his journey man’s toolbox). In no particular order…

  • I remember his house at Speyside where we did maple syrup together. He inspired me to do it myself later in life and share it with my girls. And one day with Olivia and her cousins. 
  • I remember learning to play bridge and cribbage. After I knew how to play grandpa always wanted to play “cut throat”, that meant he got my points that I forgot to count.
  • I remember my cousin Ken & I staying with him in Meaford for a few weeks in the summers.
  • I remember Ken & I sneaking into grandpa’s liquor cupboard and trying a few of his beverages. I remember that sherry is sweet.
  • I remember him telling us stories about being the RCMP. Stories like, The Horses Et Em, where a horse east fish. He told it MUCH better. And other stories about his travels or working a case on the drug squad. He wrote a book, called Drugs Mostly about his adventures.
  • I remember visiting him out west in Penticton, BC in the Okanagan Valley for summer vacation.45db850b-c009-45b2-ad7a-116834434df3 (1)
  • I remember helping him make up TV dinners he could eat later. I remember they weren’t as good as I thought they would taste.
  • I remember him teaching me lessons in his shop. My first task was to round a piece of are stock. I remember using a piece of glass to make it smooth. 
  • I remember taking time off from camp to visit him in the hospital the year before he died.
  • I remember moving him into an old age home and him moving himself back to Meaford. 

I was just 20 when he died and I was very sad, but I remember!

True inheritance is found in the values, commitments and beliefs that are passed from one generation to the next, and the next, and the next. The significance of our lives will be seen in the values, commitments and beliefs that ripple from us into the generations that follow. 

How about you? Who would you want to spend a day with?

Medication Procedure Change

MOTBlisterPackNew for summer 2016 we are updating our medication procedures to include camper meds in a blister packs. This summer this procedure will be strongly encouraged and by next summer we plan to have all camper medications packaged this way.

This simplifies the process for our nurse/medic to dispense camper medications so that the right meds in the right amount get given out on the right day. 

Most pharmacies will provide this service for you at no additional charge. Medications should be separated by the day and time they need to be delivered. 

We appreciate you help and cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact camp director, Mike Greenfield, at mike@mycamp.ca. 

2016 Run of Exploding Colour!

12239865_1735994166635347_7076836540848407943_nMuskoka Bible Foundation presents…

The “Run of Exploding Colour“, a ridiculously fun 5k in Muskoka!

Join the MBC and Camp Widjiitiwin communities for an afternoon of fun and camaraderie. We are launching our first ever ‘Run of Exploding Colour!’

This event consists of a 5 km ‘fun run’ (some people like to walk too) through the beautiful Muskoka setting of MBC and Camp Widjiitiwin, followed by a delicious community BBQ.

The purpose of this event is to raise funds in support of the various Christ-centred ministries, including our Stepping Stones Youth Discipleship program, Summer Kids and Youth Ministry and especially our Camp Widjiitiwin outreach program taking place at MBC. Each year, these ministry initiatives have a significant impact for Christ as we share the gospel, teach the Bible and make disciples.

Date: Sunday, May 22, 2016

Schedule:
• Run: 2 pm to 4 pm
• Awards: 4 pm to 5 pm
• BBQ: 5 pm to 6 pm

Location: Muskoka Bible Centre and Camp Widjiitiwin, Huntsville, Ontario

You can participate in one of four ways.

  1. Sign up as a participant and raise funds for the ministry taking place at MBC. Click here to sign up now! There is a $40+tax registration fee that covers all the elements of the run, T-Shirt and sunglasses. The BBQ will also be included for all MBC participants.
  2. Financially support an existing participant to help reach his or her goal. Get the “donate now!” link from the person you’d like to support or register.explodingcolour.com/register. 
  3. Volunteer at the event in various support roles. Email Bev.Offner@mbc.on.ca for details
  4. Join us for the BBQ and closing ceremonies. Email or call the MBC office at 800.551.0168 or office@mbc.on.ca to sign up.

Really amazing prizes will be awarded for various fundraising achievements including:

  • Highest Total of Donations Raised:
    • 1st Prize: GoPro Hero4 Silver Edition
    • 2nd Prize:  (stay tuned)
  • Family Raising the Most Money: $100 MBC Gift Card
  • Highest Number of Donors: $100 MBC Gift Card
  • Biggest Individual Donation: $100 MBC Gift Card
  • Widji summer staff vs MBC summer staff highest per capita funds raised: trip to Kawartha Dairy for the whole winning team
  • ‘Door Prizes’ – stay tuned…

Won’t you join us in participating in this first ever event? Invite your family and friends too! Check out www.explodingcolour.com.

Too Many Chorus Repeats

img_5940Wrong. You have the wrong attitude. It’s not about you. It’s about God and your worship of Him. And clearly He deserves all our praises. The angels never get tired or bored of worshiping or praising God, never sick of the words, never!

We sing hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah and we don’t like it and some people even stop singing! As though it’s not important or relevant. 

Isaiah 6:1-4 when Isaiah is lifted up to heaven and sees the heavenly beings repeated these phrases praising God, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory! Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.” 

I recall from Bible college that in Hebrew writings, repetition demonstrated great importance. Twice is huge, three times almost unheard of and exponentially important!!

Look at the words of the Revelation Song written by Jennie Lee Riddle and made popular by Kari Jobe. All those words come from Revelation 4:1-5:14! And right in the middle verse 4:8, we have an interesting insight – these creatures all gathered around with the Heavenly hosts… and the Bible tells us that they NEVER cease to say: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

From a human perspective, I don’t want to sing endless choruses of just a couple songs. More songs allows for more people to be hit with the words in their hearts. I also have a caveat: we should be singing meaningful, praiseful words, not fluff. 

My granddaughter Olivia has a very cute pink lamb that sings Jesus loves me. Look at the chorus of this children’s song! This great truth is repeated 3 times.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Look now at the Lord’s prayer: thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Get ready for some mighty good praising God repeat songs. 

Inspired by Yeshua Cornejo on Easter Sunday at King Bible Church

The World is going to He.., Down the Drain

CRKvwt5VAAA2GZ_This world sucks some days. Some would say it’s going to hell. It is certainly going down the drain. At the very least people suck!

The news is FULL of horrific events around the world and many more don’t make the 11:00 pm news. We watch in horror, disgust and great sorrow as images and videos crossed our screen of the atrocities that have taken place.

  • 129 killed in Paris, 8 terrorists, well planned, multiple targets, identical bomb vests, ISIS takes responsibility
  • In response we changed our profile pictures to the French flag, used #prayforparis prayed, wept and thought about the French people. We even thanked God we lived in Canada or anywhere else
  • Over 1000 missing or murdered aboriginal women in Canada
  • In Pakistan, Taliban’s Easter bombing targets, kills scores of Christians, most victims were women and children,On Easter Sunday, a crisp spring day, some of the city’s Christian population mingled with their Muslim neighbors, celebrating in a neighborhood park — taking their kids on rides or pushing them on swings. Then, the sound of tragedy. Without warning, a blast tore through the park, killing indiscriminately.
  • 86 children burned alive in Nigeria by Boko Haram.
  • Bombings in Brussels last week 
  • And on and on it goes. 

Our question becomes, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”

It’s a problem of SIN, not sins. The heart is desperately wicked. Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (NLT)

We are free people free to make good and bad choices. Some make bad choices that affect many other people. I’m going to borrow from Andy Stanley as he addressed the problem of pain. 

Andy Stanley – The Problem of Pain!

1. Have you ever read anything on that topic? You’re not the first person to struggle with this.
2. If you could, would you remove everything bad from the world right now? Would you push that button right now?

Before you push that button, have you ever done anything bad? The only way for God to remove our chief problem is to remove all the complainers. If you would hesitate, is it possible that God has a reason too? 2 Peter 3:9

Assumptions

1. Some things ought not to be! CS Lewis – if ought and ought not exist and I didn’t make them up, then there must be a higher power, a moral law giver, who is the judge of the world.
2. The world is broken!

Christians Believe

1. The current world is not the final version.
2. The current world is the best possible path to the best possible world.
3. The best possible world, where we have the knowledge of good and evil and the freedom to sin, but choose not to sin. Romans 8:18-21

There is no emotional satisfying answer to the problem of pain.