Meandering Moose

I Hate Waiting

I REALLY dislike waiting. And I think we wait way too much in our society. Of course that’s from my perspective. Where does my impatience come from? Partly it’s because we have become accustomed to getting instant service, drive through restaurants with “fast” food, a 1.7 second response time from Google searches and ever increasing internet download speeds. I still remember those crazy sounds when we used to connect to the internet through a phone line and we hoped we would connect at more than 14Kb/second so that we could download a 25 word email in under half an hour.

I have a few suggestions for those times when we have to wait. It could be in the doctor’s office, in line at the Tim Horton’s drive through, at the mall, at home waiting for dinner, for the movie to start, in the car waiting for a family member or friend. It really doesn’t matter where, here are a few suggestions for “those” times.

Read – I don’t do this enough, yet I see lots of people reading books, magazines, or something on a tablet. Occasionally I remember to take a woodworking magazine or book when I go out shopping with Elaine or the girls. Usually I find one of those benches for dads/husbands and watch the people go by. Reading would be a better investment of my time. Download a Bible app and read that or your emails that have piled up for a while.
Catch up on Facebook or Twitter – I do a lot of this one. I don’t have a lot of spare time in my work day, so this is good for waiting times. It can also be done while in the washroom. Just saying.
Engage – with the people around you – This one will mess with the people around you, especially in big cities where no one talks to each other. It doesn’t really matter what you talk about. The weather is easiest, but hopefully you can find something deeper, more meaningful. Of course, it means being vulnerable and taking a risk.
Write – I start blog ideas as I get them or a line for a letter I’ve been thinking about or a camp program idea. Get a program like Evernote that syncs with your smart phone and your computer. Write an encouragement note or email or text to a friend, your child, a friend, a parent or shut-in. Let someone know you’re thinking and praying for them.
Pray – I wish I thought of doing this one more. It would be a good discipline to get into. Pray for the people in your life, at work, home and friends. Pray for our country’s leaders, they certainly need it. Pray for your pastor, church and the staff. Pray for your kids! Pray for people’s health, families, direction, wisdom, etc.
Plan – what better time than when you’re stuck waiting to think about the future and lay down some plans or ideas. Make notes (paper or digital) or send yourself an email with the details.
Stare at the clock on the wall – I don’t really mean this one, but if you are just truly bored, I suppose you can count the seconds go by.
A nap is also an option, but you just might miss the appointment you’re waiting for.

With all these ideas, you would think I wouldn’t mind waiting so much. Maybe next time that will be true.

What are you waiting for? How could you best use the time you have been given while you wait?

You’re the Defender of the Week

As we sang Chris Tomlin’s song Everlasting God last Sunday, it got me thinking that not only is our God the defender of the weak, he is also our defender of the week. How does God defend our week? I’m glad you asked. He does it by protecting us from the enemy, providing a way out from sin, providing a hedge of protection (like in the time of Job); in the lonely times when there is no one else around us He is a comfort and companion.

A few verses with this promise:

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Isaiah 40:28b-31 The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Psalm 140:7 Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
1 Chronicles 16:36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Everlasting God by Chris Tomlin
I will never leave you or forsake you

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
As we wait upon the Lord
As we wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign for ever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God,
The everlasting God,
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need,
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord…

How is God the defender of your week? Find your strength in Him

Wandering With My Memories

I’ve been wandering with my memories; remembering my spiritual heritage at the site of the old Camp Ambassador. I got to spend time this week in a place I used to be very familiar with. I came to Word of Life Camp on the annual fall camp tour with CCI/Canada Ontario Region. The camp used to be run by Ambassadors for Christ Canada. It’s the first residential camp I attended as a 13 year. It’s where I heard that we needed to have a personal relationship with Christ and responded. Its where I learned to ride a horse, had my first job, my first kiss in the lounge between the guys and girl’s ends of the dorm, my first girlfriend. I learned to cook for groups here with Roman Kahoot. No I didn’t make that name up. My first job was as a stable hand and I mucked out a LOT of horse stalls, fed many horses, and drove the tractors. I was a cabin leader, horsemanship instructor (I even got to help with breaking in new horses) and finished as assistant director. I also helped cook, serve, do dishes and some maintenance.

I remember some of the people like Ken Davis, who built a lot of the camp, grandpa and grandma Tuck (not sure their real names); living above the drive shed, the Fireside Lounge, the site if the old sugar shack with an old buck board seat; Smokey Hollow (where many camp outs happened), rock climbing at the cliffs on the back 40, the campfire pit-I can almost hear the songs, smell the smoke and see the cabin skits, the leaders, oh it’s like I’m 13 again and 18 all at the same time; reliving what was here and seeing what’s new.

My feet just seemed to find the road to the Gunge Hole (a dammed up spot in the river for swimming) the lower field and back up to the dining hall; the horses are long gone, the coral is all grown over, the barn isn’t empty, but it doesn’t feel the same either, the stalls are all gone and it’s full of storage now; the indoor riding arena now full of old stuff; the old roller rink, although there’s no skates anymore. I got to sit in the same hallway as I did when I accepted Christ as Saviour and show Nicole some of the places I used to go.

There are so many memories tied up in this place. These pictures are old ones from my past taken in the present day location. I started out as a camper for several years then was on summer staff from 16-19, spending 7 summers at Camp Ambassador.

Thankful

This weekend we have Thanksgiving. It’s the one day or weekend we pause long enough to remember all the things we are thankful for. It seems obvious that we should be thankful more than just one day a year. And we are. We give thank for meals, we thank people for holding a door, lending a hand, a nice compliment or some advice. I wonder though how often we thank the people that are important in our lives. I’m thankful for:

Family: my parents who brought me up to be honourable; my wife of 27 years who loves me; my girls who are growing up too fast; my brothers, who, well, you know
Friends: there are so many in this group and I don’t want to miss anyone. Sorry if I do; Paul & Sue, Paul & Tanya, Chris & Melissa, Steve & Heather, Michael, Keith & Shawn, Tim & Ellen, Shea & Ruth and so many more!
Camp: I started at camp as a day camper and I’m still at camp, now as the director. No doubt its in my blood or DNA. I’m thankful for the privilege of leading so many staff over thirty plus years. Camp is an amazing place for lives to be changed for eternity and here on earth too. It promotes growth and the taking of responsibility.
Leaders/Mentors: I’ll just use mostly first names and if they read this blog I trust that they will know who they are. They are in more or less order, but the neat thing about mentors is lots of times they are in your life through many stages. Thanks to Dad & Mom, Grandpas Greenfield & Copeland, Jack, Mr. Severn, Mr. Enns, Uncle Keith, Peter, Ad, Roman, Ken, John, Greg, Tim, Bruce, Bill, Dan & Dave, Don, Mike, Darrell, Neil, Paul, Peter, Bruce & John
God: for Jesus as my Saviour, for loving me/us unconditionally, for the Holy Spirit to guide us, for the Bible a book of revealing our creator and Lord; that my girls have God-fearing men in their lives.

There really is so much to be thankful for if we but pause to consider it.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Grandpa’s House

I have some amazing memories of life at my grandpa’s house. Driving back from a visit to Rocky Ridge Ranch last week I noticed that my grandpa’s old house is for sale. It’s in Speyside. It’s not an overwhelmingly large place. It’s one of those single gas station stops on the side of highway 25, just north of Milton in the Halton Hills. I just had to stop in and walk up the driveway to see it again. The house is different than I remember, but that’s excepted after almost 40 years.

I have some great memories of that house and spending time with grandpa and grandma Greenfield like making maple syrup, grandpa’s workshop, Christmas time and good family times.

Speyside is the first place I remember making maple syrup and it started a long hobby to make it at several camps and in my own backyards. It’s something that I have passed on to my girls and many friends. I remember walking along the line of tapped trees and collecting sap with grandpa and taking it back to the sugar shack to boil it down. The sugar shack stands out with all its steam and boiling sap smelled sweet, like wood smoke and maple. I don’t think it was very big. Maple “tea” is a nice drink when the sap is about 50% boiled down.

Grandpa had a workshop in the basement where he would build things, although not to the standard that grandma would have liked as I recall. The workshop held an allure of so many tools and of course the smell of wood shavings. I don’t actually remember any of the things we built. I think it was more about the time spent. I have some of those same tools in my own workshop including his journeyman’s box from the 1920’s. Pretty cool.

I remember grandma always said we had two options for dinner. If you’re thinking that meant two kinds of meat or an extra dessert you couldn’t be farther from the reality of it. The choice was usually 1. take it or 2. leave it. I do recall that she would feed us a peanut butter and jam sandwich later if we missed out.

Lots of memories. I’m glad I stopped.

Camp Withdrawal

This blog post is on the withdrawal feelings after leaving camp, going from community to loneliness where others just don’t understand why you’re always talking about camp and the people you met there. Earlier this fall, Jake Hildebrand coined the term PCDS or Post Camp Depression Syndrome. Its often called “camp-sickness” or camp withdrawal. Whatever you call it you just want to be back at Widji. Its totally understandable. Here are 25 suggestions you might try when you miss camp:

crab walk around your house for your mail
sing really loud before each meal, even in restaurants
go star spinning
do your own cabin devos after breakfast
bang out rhythms with a spoon during meals
refuse to have a shower
paint perma-tan onto your feet
use a weird utensil to eat dinner
write letters to staff or other campers
post camp pictures to your Facebook and tag Widji in them
write a guest blog for the Widji website and send it to Moose (mike@mycamp.ca)
dress up like one of the cabin leaders and post a picture to Facebook
dream scream your neighbours
do morning monkeys and words of wisdom for your family
shout freeze in the school cafeteria and see what happens
start a countdown to Widji 2014
watch the 2013 summer videos at https://vimeo.com/campwidjiitiwin
clean your room and ask for an ice cream party on Friday night
eat pudding without using a spoon
cheer for EVERYTHING!
have rest period after lunch, maybe not at school
bundle up for campfire, sing some crazy songs
try to be nice to those around you that just don’t understand missing camp
be ready when the camp applications go online in early December (both for campers and staff)
come to Widjiitiwin Snow camp January 31 – February 2, 2014 (Blast & older)

You can’t really live the camp life at home. That’s one of the things that makes camp so special. See you in 2014

Camp Widjiitiwin – the way camp was meant to be… relational, central, natural, reaching out, a loving community focused on Christ. It’s like coming home, it’s my camp!

Recently on Twitter & Facebook

Here are some camp staff posts seen recently on Facebook & Twitter:

Winnie – put my Widji shirt on before a beautiful 12 hour sleep last night #imisscamp & it’s nice to be home, but there’s always something about camp
Strudel – 19 hours of sleep later… #Imisscamp
Kirby – I MISS CAMP
Moose – The summer staff are gone, the gate is locked and #Widji13 is very quiet. Time for a nap and to turn my phone off for a while…
Defrost – Good bye camp, thank you for an incredible life-changing summer; Leaving camp is so difficult; And commence post camp crash sequence #sleep
@JHildebrand13 #PCDS (Post Camp Depression Syndrome)
Dwagon – Well, that was my favourite summer by far. From camp to Jamaica and back to camp. Getting a job also. Love all you Widji staff so much!; On the bright side, 291 more days until #widji2014
Ultra – thank you to all the Widji staff this summer for one of the most challenging yet eye opening summers of my life. going to miss you all.
Panic – Awed by the life changing ways God moved in my life and in the lives of all my beautiful campers this summer! God is astounding! #blownaway
I know this year alone will go by so fast, but I seriously need to get back to camp
so I’m just about unpacking from the best summer of my life. I’ve made some pretty unlikely friendships with people, furthered old ones, and had ridiculous amounts of fun! I can’t wait to go back as a cabin leader next summer, and to see everybody as much as possible this year!
After my 3rd summer at Widji, I realized that it was probably one of my favourite summers to date. Had crazy times with new friends, strengthened already strong bonds and found a couple of friends that I couldn’t really live without. While the summer may be over, I won’t forget the incredible moments, talks and times during the summer and I will keep on thinking about all of you for endless days to come.
it’s weird not having to worry about how cold my shower will be. it’s weird not having to wake up before 7. it’s weird going to bed in a room with nobody else there. it’s weird eating good salad. it’s weird being bored. it’s weird waking up in a warm house. Widji 2013, i loved everything about you. Lord, thank you for camp.
Just got home from the best summer of my life. Widjiitiwin it’s not only camp, it’s family, it’s where you find weird people you can make fun with, it’s where everything it’s perfect. I already miss all the staff, thanks for making this summer so memorable.
Back from a summer with so many laugh attacks, late nights, crazy experiences, awesome conversations, unforgettable memories and most of all amazing people. Our staff has become family and I don’t even know what I’ll do without seeing each of you every day. #Widji13 you were incredible and undeniably the best summer of my life. Only 10 more months till we do it all again!
Most memorable summer of my life. Definitely A summer that will never be forgotten. Although i will try not to be upset about camp ending, it will inevitably happen. But the good thing about camp though is that there is always next summer. So get ready everyone because Widji ’14 is in the works.
Absolutely incredible summer. I’m so happy and blessed to have worked at Camp Widjiitiwin this summer and to be able to go on a missions trip to Jamaica. I have made new friendships with so many people and will miss everyone so much! I’m excited to see what God has in store for me in this upcoming year!
I’m home now, and I couldn’t fathom having a better summer with a new community of friends & family. Thank you all for such an amazing, truly awesome summer.
feels as if I’m at camp now, because I left my actual home of Camp Widjiitiwin this morning. This summer was unbelievable and impossible to get through without each and every one of the fellow staff. So thank you for making my summer unforgettable, we rocked it.
Words can’t describe how amazing of a summer that was. Thank you so much Camp Widjiitiwin and all our staff. You made it so memorable! We kicked butt if I say so myself
Widjiitiwin is the best place on earth
miss my camp family already. its gonna be a long year.
Back now from an incredible summer. I’m back in the place where I live for ten months out of the year, but I think I just left home. Widji you were amazing and I miss you too much already.
Heading back into the “real world”. Going to miss the perma-dirt, no sleep, the loudness of meal times, the lack of cell reception, the laughing till you pee your pants, the mid-summer breakdowns, the mess of ten girls living in one cabin, the craziness of the out trips we went on, the energy and enthusiasm for anything and everything we had to do, and most of all, the constant prayer, genuine worship, and passion to live for Christ that I witnessed. Gunna miss every single staff member and SALTer that made my summer what it was. God is so good.
I’ll never forget the cold showers, early mornings, showering in the lake, being a part of Planet of the Babes, being a Beach Babe, late nights, countless chapels, the campers I loved, and the others… not so much, the staff, and the memories. Camp Widjiitiwin just happens to be the best place on Earth.

Leadership Books Resource List

What follows is not a definitive list of books on Leadership. Many are books in my library or that come recommended to me.

Books by Title, Author(s) & Publisher

5 Leadership Essentials for Women: Developing Your Ability to Make Things Happen, Linda Clark, New Hope Publishers
A Pebble in the Pond: Leadership Skills Every Woman Can Achieve, Julie Baker, David C. Cook
Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, Aubrey Malphurs, Baker Books
Christ-Based Leadership: Applying the Bible and Today’s Best Leadership Models to Become an Effective Leader, David Stark, Bethany House
Coaching for Commitment, Dennis C. Kinlaw, Pfeiffer & Company
Contagious Leadership, John C. Maxwell
Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels, Zondervan
Developing the Leaders Around You, John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Developing the Leaders Within You, John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Equipping 101 John C. Maxwell
Good Book On Leadership: Case Studies From The Bible, John Borek, Danny Lovett & Elmer L. Towns, B&H Publishing Group
Great Leader, Great Teacher: Recovering the Biblical Vision for Leadership, Gary Bredfeldt, Moody Publishers
Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time, Ken Blanchard, Thomas Nelson
Leaders That Last: How Covenant Friendships Can Help Pastors Thrive, Gary D. Kinnaman & Alfred H. Ells, Baker Books
Leadership & the One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard, Patricia Zigarmi & Drea Zigarmi, William Morrow & Company
Leadership 101 John C. Maxwell
Leadership by the Book, Ken Blanchard, Bill Hybels & Phil Hodges, William Morrow & Company
Leadership Principles for Graduates, John C. Maxwell
Leading Lessons: Insights on Leadership from Women of the Bible, Jeanne Porter, Augsburg Fortress
Next Generation Leader: 5 Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future, Andy Stanley, Multnomah
Reality Leadership, John C. Maxwell
Servant Leader, Ken Blanchard, Thomas Nelson
Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness, Robert K. Greenleaf, Paulist Press
Seven Steps to Becoming a Healthy Christian Leader, Doug Munton, Vmi
Spiritual Leadership, J.Oswald Sanders, Victor
Spiritual Leadership: Moving People to God’s Agenda, Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby, B&H Publishing Group
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, John C. Maxwell
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C. Maxwell
The Best of Catalyst; CD set, Andy Stanley
The Bible, God, Various
The Book on Leadership, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson
The Character of Leadership, Jeff Iorg, B&H Publishing Group
The Christian Camp Counsellor, Jim Badke, Qwanoes Publishing
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, Harold Myra & Marshall Shelley, Zondervan
The Quest for Character, John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson
The Right to Lead, John C. Maxwell
You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader, Mark Sanborn
In Your Hands – the Behaviours of a World-Class Leader, Phil Geldart, Eagles Flight
Leaders on Leadership, George Barna
On Track Leadership, John Kramp
Mentoring Leaders, Carson Pue
Becoming a Healthy Team – 5 Traits of Vital Leadership, Stephen A. Macchia
The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, Patrick Lencioni, (Jossey-Bass, 2000)
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team ,Patrick Lencioni, (Jossey-Bass, 2002)
Jesus on Leadership, C. Gene Wilkes, Tyndale House, 1998
Intuitive Leadership, Tim Keel, Baker 2007
Today Matters – 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success, John Maxwell
Toy Box Leadership, Ron Hunter Jr. and Michael E. Waddell

Leadership Resource List

What follows is a list of Leadership resources that I have gathered. This first installment will include email newsletters, some websites and people to follow on Twitter. I will post book resources in the next installment. Try them out and use/keep what you find useful.

Tweeters to Follow

Email Newsletters

To The Point – Carson Pue; Arrow Leadership International Ministries, www.arrowleadership.org
Mentoring Questions – Carson Pue; Arrow Leadership International Ministries, www.arrowleadership.org
Leadership Wired – John C. Maxwell; INJOY, Inc., www.injoy.com/newsletters/leadership
Leadership Weekly – www.christianitytoday.com/leaders
William Powell Valve, and Gruen Watch. www.breakfastwithfred.com

Websites

www.leadershipjournal.net
www.arrowleadership.org
www.leadershipjournal.net
www.giftedforleadership.com
www.breakfastwithfred.com
www.buildingchurchleaders.com
www.learntolead.com – free to sign up for insider club

Pray for You vs. Psalm 35

In the Psalms, David often wrote about God taking revenge on David’s enemies. If David wrote that now, I think it would sound a lot like Pray for You by Jaron And Long Road To Love. Here I’m comparing Pray for You with Psalm 35 from David.

Pray For You

I haven’t been to church since I don’t remember when
Things were goin’ great ’til they fell apart again
So I listened to the preacher as he told me what to do
He said you can’t go hatin’ others who have done wrong to you
Sometimes we get angry, but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do His job and you just pray for them

I pray your brakes go out runnin’ down a hill
I pray a flowerpot falls from a window sill and knocks you in the head like I’d like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you’re flyin’ high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are honey, I pray for you

I’m really glad I found my way to church
‘Cause I’m already feelin’ better and I thank God for the words
Yeah I’m goin’ take the high road
And do what the preacher told me to do
You keep messin’ up and I’ll keep prayin’ for you

I pray your tire blows out at 110
I pray you pass out drunk with your best friend and wake up with his and her tattoos

Psalm 35

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise – may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.

When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.

How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat over me. Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.