Extreme Sports

One of my jobs here at Cedar Springs is to create new programming, so I'm looking around, doing some research.  I've noticed that extreme sports are very popular these days.  One camp in the Appalachian mountains has a zip line tour through the tops of trees and over deep canyons.  So, you are "flying" through the trees with a harness attached to your back, high above the ground.  They promote the "tour" as an "exhilarating experience."  I'll say!

Well, we have our own version of "extreme sports" at Cedar Springs.  Granted, it's not as thrilling as the zip line tour I just mentioned, but it isn't bad.  I've been working really hard on getting a good snow tubing run built here.  I may have mentioned previously that it has not been easy.  I could not get the tubes to zip down the hill like I envisioned.  Well, the temps warmed up and melted some of the snow, so much so that I didn't think we would be able to use the run any more.  I was wrong.  It melted just enough to give the run a nice icy covering.  The group of boys we had Friday/Sat morning had a blast, but the run was really "workin good" for the group that came Sat. night.  So good that we blew past the end of the run and we had to be careful not to run into the trees.  I don't know how fast we were going, but sitting low to the ground it felt like about 40 mph.  I had the run lit with spot-lights but in the darkness you weren't sure where you were going.  And, coming out of the first big bank, you're weren't sure if you would stay on the track or jump right over the protective berms I have along the sides of the run. 

It was awesome!

So why do some human beings love the thrill of living on the edge?  Experts tell us that in these situations the brain releases a chemical that stimulates our system.  It's kind of like getting high on drugs.

I once asked a guy why he liked to bungee jump.  (I think that's crazy!)  He said "There's nothing like the rush of bungee jumping."

The problem we have gotten ourselves into is that with every rush, we need something more, and now we have become a culture that is never satisfied. We feel empty inside.  People today chase after the next new and exciting activity or they chase after material wealth to find something to give their lives meaning. 

So I"m not a psychologist, but I believe for some, participating in extreme sports is a way for them to feel fulfilled.  I don't have that problem. In July of 1995 I experienced the most extreme moment anyone could ever have.  I met the Savior. 

It was at the PK event in Minneapolis.  I had been running from Him for years, I was lost and at the end of myself, and He came to me.  I felt His presence flow into me from my outstretched finger tips to the depths of my heart.  It was Him-Jesus-through the power of the Holy Spirit of God.  I was "born of the Spirit."  (John 3:1-21)

I have been forever changed because of that experience, and I am not in need of any other thrill.
Many of you who have not experienced this personal connection with God are thinking right now that I am a religious nut or you are thinking, "I'm happy for you!" but you don't know what you are missing out on.

I can not, scientifically or otherwise, define for you what is different about my experience and those who practice meditation and connect with their spirit guides, or Native Americans who connect with the "great spirit" through their rituals, or any other religious experience people might have-but it is different!
Jesus said that "you will know the Truth and the truth shall set you free."  This is the truth-"No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

I wonder, have you met this Jesus yet?  Meeting Him is the only "extreme" experience you will ever need!

Like a child

We had the pleasure of hosting a group of girls this past weekend.  They stayed overnight and had some fun on the sledding hill.  It was good to see people using the camp.  I had the opportunity to talk with them for a minute before they ate lunch.  I wanted to give them a sales pitch about upcoming events and helping us out at the camp.  The girls were elementary age and when I asked for questions I got the typical elementary questions.  It was really fun.  One girl asked if we would still have the sledding hill in the spring.  I was excited to see that she enjoyed the sledding hill!  I told here the snow would be gone but we will have other activities-that are just as much fun-for her to do when she comes in the spring.  After they left I was thinking about kids and how they are.  A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to be the kids camp speaker and this past weekend reminded me of how much fun it was, interacting with the kids and watching their simple faith.

Kids are different than adults.

When this group arrived I watched as they unloaded everything they needed for the weekend, and it occurred to me that the girls didn't have much to do with getting to camp, their leaders and parents took care of all the details for them.  The girls didn't need to worry about anything-they were taken care of by their leaders-their job was to have fun. 

Sometimes I wish adults had it so easy.  It would be nice if we didn't have to worry about putting food on the table, making sure our kids have everything they need,  keeping the house in order, and planning for the future.  Kids just have to decide what they are going to play next. 

I say I wish adults had it so easy, but don't they?

We spend a lot of time worrying and most of it is unnecessary.  We fret over every little detail in life as if it were the end of the world if it doesn't come out just they way we plan.  We run around like a chicken with its head cut off, and I wonder, is all of the effort really worth it?

Jesus asks the question "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" He says that in Matthew chapter 6 where He tells us not to trust in ourselves but to trust in God.  He tells us that The Father provides for us all that we need-much like the leaders took care of those girls this past weekend!  Those girls didn't worry about whether everything was going to turn out alright, and we should not worry either.  Our heavenly Father knows what we need, even before we ask. 

I have a statement from John MacArthur tucked into my bible in Matthew chapter 6.  He said "You can't change the past but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future." Too many of us ruin the present because we worry and fret too much. We need to learn how to slow down, trust God, and enjoy the life He has given us-just like kids do!

Prespective

Life is all about perspective isn't it?

My brother Joe and his family came up to camp over Christmas break.  We were forced to move into the dining hall, as most of you know, because the furnace went out in the house.  Well, while Joe was here we did some woodsplitting-it's what we do for fun!  For those of you who have been on the camp, you know the old picnic shelter that we used for stacking split wood.  Well, as you can see by the photo, it came crashing down under the weight of all the snow we had.  That is a very interesting story.  We were working there for a couple of hours in the morning and knocked off for lunch.  When we came back an hour later the building had collapsed right on our work.

Now, right away I had a brilliant idea.  I could take a photo and use it as a fund raising promo for the camp.  "Look, we need your money!"  But Joe, having a different perspective said "No, you'd better not do that!"  I thought it was a great idea but he got me thinking.  I had told him that some of our district leaders would like to close the camp, feeling God's resources would be better served elsewhere.  Joe said "They will see this and say the camp is in dis-repair, no sense in putting any more money into it."  And he is right, some folks will have that persective.  And then I thought, maybe others will see that the furnace just quit, and the roof of this shed collapsed (incidently, the furnace in the dining hall was acting up at the same time), maybe we hired the wrong guy and I'll get fired-"look at all the money you are costing us, Mark!"

Finally, I came to the right perspective:  God was watching over us, protecting us as He always does, and He sent us to lunch at just the right moment.  In doing so we were protected from injury when the roof collapsed!

God is so good to us!

So life is all about persective.

As a follower of Christ we should not have a negative persective on life.  We have a loving, heavenly Father watching over us.  Yes, difficult times will come.  Bad things happen to good people.  But God is with us through it all.  And He has prepared a place for us to be with Him for all eternity!
What more could we ask for! 

Psalm 139