Lasting Fruit?

Apparently 12 campers made public their professions of faith yesterday as SuperC Camp (week one) wrapped up yesterday.

The Spirit of God does the counting that counts, but these teens stood up in front of their peers to acknowledge their commitment, so we are cautiously trusting that the Lord genuinely brought them to repentance and faith.

I saw a couple of them at the Matthew West last night. Parenthetically, this was the best ministry/concert I've ever seen...it was a small crowd, but West poured it on with a mixture of raw energy, penetrating lyrics, great music (for me), spots of hilarity, and..most important...genuine ministry.

Too many concerts (like too many "church" services, are entertainment only. As far as concerts go, I have no problem with that, as long as the artists don't identify it as "ministry." Obviously a church service should be a whole lot more than "entertainment," but that's a topic for another discussion.

As potentially dangerous as the internet is, it serves and has served as a great ministry tool.

I left St Joseph around 11 last night, drove a few hours, napped for a half hour, drove a couple more, napped, etc...got here around 1pm in time for counselor meeting. Campers have been arriving all day here at Crescent Lake Bible Camp in Rhinelander, Wi. This is a junior high week; followed by a senior high week at which I'll also preach. CLBC is by far my favorite camp, for many reasons...

But during the drive up I was not able to check the net, so when I had a moment here I went on line to discover 14 "friend" requests from campers as well as several private messages thanking me as well as asking for ideas on Bible reading plans, how to interact with unsaved parents, etc.

So I thank God for the internet even as I pray He protects people from inadvertently stumbling across junk.

As an aside, one thing that gets me in trouble occurs when I tell teens and/or parents that it is idiotic to allow a teen to have a cabled tv or computer with internet access in their bedroom. "Oh, but I trust my son, Jack." With due respect, you are an idiot. It is not a "teen" thing, I don't have a computer in a private room; my office door has a window in it, our computer at home is in a public place. Can't fix stupid...

I'm rambling a bit...I shall continue posting for the next three weeks of camp ministry. May even continue it into August trip to PA and NJ (all Korean Kamp and an inner city camp).

Questions? Arguments? Fire away...it's how we grow...