GREENE STREET LETTERS: Brasher Springs Camp Ground

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Brasher Springs Camp Ground

David Finlayson and Florrie Noojin have both been writing lately about their experiences at Camp Bethlehem. Their family made the trek each years and many friendships and stories were made and came out of these family trips.

I didn't get to participate in such events until after Vicki and I started going to Central United Methodist Church and found out about Brasher Springs Camp Ground. Funny part was that I knew about Brasher Springs having grown up nearby in Gallant. Truth be told, I was Baptist and believe it or not, there was an unspoken "thing" between Baptist and Methodist back in the day. We Baptist viewed the Methodist as "out there"....."You know they don't immerce you they just kind of tickle you with water, they sprinkle" We would say. We baptist go whole hog....you're going under all the way if it breaks the ankles of every frog in Rocky Hollow (or Holler if you're really southern). As the years roll by I find such antics to be...well, I'm not going there.

Once Vicki and I joined Central Methodist we found out about the meetings each year at Brasher Springs. They are held in what is referred to as the Tabernacle. It is an open air meeting under a huge pavilion. There is something truly wonderful about going and singing the old hymns and hearing preaching and teaching that is not watered down or held back.

I first encountered Brother Lon Woodrum at Brasher Springs. By the time I met Bro. Lon, he was 83 years old and still going strong. Now if you referred to Bro. Lon as a Pastor or Preacher, he would be quick to let you know he wasn't any of those. He was an accomplished Journalist who loved God and talked about Him. I will tell you without reservation that I have never heard anyone share God like Bro. Lon could. Bro. Lon passed away a number of years ago and I do miss that man.

It was always good to meet up with friends at Brasher Springs. Gavin and Ellen Harris, Johnny and Connie Burttram and Jennifer. There was always a strong contingency from Central who attended each year. I haven't gone to Brasher Springs in a number of years, but you know what? I think I might this year.

God on you...

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Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Brasher Springs Camp Ground

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THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD