Marriage and lake trip ... Jim

Hey All! -

Today was classic and pleasant.  Following breakfast, we moved through small groups and large group from I Corinthians, chapter 7.  This included a talk on 'consumer' relationships, marketplace type ... and 'covenant' relationships, God's intent for marriage (along with parent/child and other).  The latter type is significant in two directions, horizontal (with our marriage partner) and vertical (commitment before God) ... ever notice at a Christian wedding how there are questions from the minister (will you take and will you care for?) and vows to the marriage partner?  The first is before God and the second to the spouse.  In the latter, the relationship is more important than the benefit to each individual.  We are called to maintain that relationship above any benefit to us.  The world has often turned marriage into a consumer relationship (see Cruise and Holmes, etc.), not at all what God intended, obviously.

We followed large group with lunch and an afternoon trip to a local lake, which every student seemed to enjoy thoroughly.  We are very blessed this year to have an awfully pleasant bunch of campers relationally.  God works through any circumstance (difficult campers, dating relationships, etc.), but this year I would emphasize the smooth relationships throughout camp (at least so far) ... and therefore solid relationships are being formed at a quick pace it seems to me.

Please continue to pray for the American campers to hold to an 'intentional' mindset.  It is easy to simply 'have fun' and not listen to the Spirit's lead that we use pleasant relationships and fun to further His Kingdom, and bring others to a saving knowledge and relationship with our Lord.  It really is a critical time, even though camp is going very well, imo.  I will tell you that I received a couple of nice comments from Champfleuri leaders about a couple of our students today ... in the area of reaching out and loving others.

Really appreciate the prayers (Kari is fast improving ... and is an excellent communicator with others in the meantime!)!

Blessings,
Jim Shack (for the team)