Ahh yes the old summer camp…summer camp has lots of great and not so great memories for me…the long drives getting there, camp food, practical jokes I played on my youth director…the paybacks from my own teens, the annual bus (van) breakdown on the way or coming home, singing “99 bottles of coke on the wall” for the 10,000th time cause we couldn’t say beer as good Baptists, (even though we did let it slip in on occasion), the campfire service on the last night…BUT one of the highlights of camp and my favorite memory was always swim time!
Before I was allowed to swim, I had to pass the dreaded swim test and receive the coveted chartreuse wrist band which I wore proudly during the week and for weeks after camp. The only other requirement during swim time was having a buddy for the “buddy check.” At random times the lifeguard would blow his whistle, at which time you had to find your buddy, hold your hands in the air so the lifeguard could make sure everyone was accounted for. “Buddy checks” promoted safety by making us accountable to someone else as well as the whole group. Every Pastor and every man needs a “buddy”…someone who on a very personal level provides accountability, safety and care in the busyness of life and ministry.
Remember men, we were created a relational being…one who needs partnership, accountability, and care. Genesis 2:18, God understands my need not to be left “ALONE.” I’m blessed with the greatest wife in the world…she completes me in every way…BUT guys, we also need each other because if the enemy can isolate us, get us alone, he can pick us off one man at a time…the battlefield is strewn with too many KIA’s.
If the whistle blew and the lifeguard called “buddy check,” whose arm could you immediately grab for accountability, encouragement, safety and care? Who is the one person you could turn to? Would anyone reach out for your arm…
Last night exceeded my expectations in so many ways!! 22 of us met for our first Men’s Fraternity…we found out some interesting things about each other…memorized the books of the Bible while working on a shrimp boat, flew a replica of the “Spirit of St. Louis” in 1977, proposed to my wife at a Troy University home football game, could not make a living delivering milk so joined the Army and became a Ranger, designed the first molds for the two liter Pepsi bottles, 0-36 in his varsity basketball career (thats no wins and 36 losses)…I could go on but you get the idea. You guys encouraged me last night more thn you will ever know. A special thanks to two of my friends in ministry, Craig and Greg…your desire to help men in their spiritual journey is contagious! Can’t wait for next Men’s Fraternity to see what God is up to…
That’s the way God made it…1+1=2. Have you ever noticed the strong friendships that blossom over shared labor? A small group from church goes overseas for a mission project, or they build a house for Habitat for Humanity, or complete a work project around the church. There is something about the environment of the hammers and the mortar that forces us to drop our unusal inhibitions and let people really know us. You can know someone for twenty years in an office or a church environment and hardly know them at all…but spend an afternoon of yardwork together and you may become inseparable friends for life. Loneliness is a warning light on an inner gauge that confirms we’re running short on a primary fuel we require to run efficiently. We were made for relationships…take the risk of letting someone know the real you…don’t be a loner…two are better than one…Ecclesiastes 4:8-12.
You will witness something during the AM service that has the potential to be life changing…see you Sunday…can’t wait!!
Those of my generation will remember this group of the late 60’s and early 70’s. A “3 Dog Night” is southern jargon for it being so cold at night that you need at least 3 of man’s best friends (dogs) in bed with you to keep you warm…they are calling for temps in the mid to lower 20’s around here tonight. My plan is to snuggle in with Cindy (wife) and not by my choice, Juliet (dog)…Juliet has a way of finding herself in our bed on a regular basis even though she has a nice comfy place of her own…better than most dogs. This post is not about a history lesson on “3 Dog Night.” They wrote many songs one of which is entitled “One Is The Loneliest Number.” Here’s what I’m thinking about especially when it comes to us men. The enemy would like to isolate me…get me by myself…separate me from my God, family, church, friendships…make me a ONE. He knows and I know if he can isolate me, he’s got me. God created man for relationships, that’s why he gave man the gift of Eve…Adam blew it and I blow it at times…just ask Cindy. Guys we need each other. There is strength in numbers. I need someone who on a very personal level provides me with accountability, honesty, fellowship, safety and care right in the busyness of life and ministry. Don’t be a ONE, it is the loneliest number…
Bama beats LS who in OT! Roll Tide!!!!! 10-0 with 3games left…
“I’ll keep my God, my Bible, my guns, and my freedom. You can keep the ‘change’!”
Yes, I am a huge fan… for those of you who don’t follow the Phillies, the “Phanatic” is the name of the official mascot of the 2008 baseball world champions, Philadelphia Phillies!!! If memory serves me correctly David Raymond, son of former University of Delaware head football coach, Tubby Raymond was the first “Phanatic.” Please correct me if I’m wrong. Here are some reasons why I am a FANATIC, feel free to add your own fanatic reasons and or memories:
- My wife Cindy grew up in a suburb of Phillie and has been a life-long fan, attending games since she was “knee high to a grasshopper.” She still measures in at 4′11″.
- When I fell in love with Cindy it was automatic…I love what she loves!!!! Eagles, Flyers, Sixers…
- Johnny Callison, Tony “God bless me” Taylor, Cookie Rojas, Jim Bunting, Chris Short, Clay Dalrymple, Richie Allen (you either loved him or hated him), Greg Luzinski, Larry Bowa, Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, Steve Carlton, Tim McCarver, Bob Boone, Dallas Greene, Tony Gonzalas, Richie Ashburn…
- “The Tugger” Tug McGraw…1980, bottom of the 9th, 2 out, Harry Kalas announcing, “here’s the signal from Boone, the stretch by McGraw, the pitch, strike 3, he struck him oooooooooooooout, Philidelphia Phillies 1980 baseball world champions”…thanks for the memories Harry…I’m gonna miss ya…
- On the way to the game stopping at E & M’s buying hoagies and cheese steaks, enjoying the pre-game meal with family and friends while watching batting practice…ummmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!
- Forget the peanuts, give me a made only in Phillie soft pretzel with mustard in the bottom of the 7th…can’t get that in Tampa Bay.
- Love their colors…red, white and blue…Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Declaration of Independence, Ben Franklin, City of Brotherly Love…any true American patriot has gotta love em…the original and still the only “America’s Team.”
- 7th inning stretch singing “take me out to the ballgame” with a mouth full of soft pretzel…can’t do that in Tampa Bay either…you can sing the song but…
- Driving the “cheesewagon” to the game with a load of our teens from Fairwinds Baptist Church, Bear Delaware…Craig, Mark, Dave, Dave, Eddie, Jerry, George, Chuck, Kenny, Keith, Tommy, Gary, Jim, Greg, Jack, Mary Beth, Marlene, Cindy, Mary, Becky, Terry, Rhonda, Sharon,… (too many to name)…ah, more wonderful memories
- Nothing like the victory parade in Phillie…can’t do that either in Tampa Bay.
- The ride home with family and friends after another Phillie win…priceless!
Here’s what I’m thinking…this Halloween (don’t care for the “holiday” for many reasons) you can get in practice for Obama’s tax plan…here goes…take candy from your kids and spread it out among kids who were too lazy to do their own trick-or-treating…
