The other night I was at a fundraiser for Tall Oaks church camp.  While there was much hobnobbing and hand-shaking required of a young minister, there was an amazing moment in the evening that I will value even more than the tasty salmon filet.  It was when youth from Tall Oaks gave witness to why people should support the camp.  I've been all over and heard many stories of church camp fundraisers and read all sorts of testimonies from campers and there are two thoughts that come to mind when I am confronted by the overwhelming repetition of campers claiming that church is where they can be their authentic selves: that's great and why is it only at camp that people feel this?

Each time our families celebrate Thanksgiving, we are remembering the sharing and good will that the American Indians showed to the Pilgrim immigrants.  That part is easy to celebrate and to remember.  It's a great kids' story of cooperation and hospitality. 

            Despite popular notions, I believe most sermons are internal conversations spoken aloud.  Often, words of wisdom are not written by a minister to share some insight they've had that others need to hear, but instead are composed of inner turmoil and recognitions where we have all fallen short of God's desire for wholeness and passion in our lives.  So, while I hope you find comfort and challenge in these words, know that I'm really just writing down things that I need to read.

New Orleans-Days 6 and 7

Now that our group's responsibilities at the worksite were finished, we decided to spend the morning checking out the 9^th Ward, since we weren't able to see some things the day before.  Lori had never seen the Make-It-Right neighborhood (if you don't know, check it out at www.makeitrightnola.org ) so we HAD to do that.