Star Lake Camp, Greater New York Men's Camp 2013

I got to enjoy last weekend at Star Lake Camp in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, for The Salvation Army's 2013 Greater New York Men's Camp. It was a beautiful weekend, not only for the perfect weather but also for the worshiping, receptive spirit of the several hundred men who attended.
I spoke three times on the theme, "Choose This Day," and was inexpressibly blessed by the way everyone listened and responded. The final meeting on Saturday evening was off the charts, and an amazing end to a wonderful experience. 

Many thanks to those who invited me, and those who planned and prepared the events of the weekend. 

NEOSA Family Camp

The lovely Robin and I had the joy and privilege of participating in The Salvation Army's NEOSA (Northeast Ohio) division's family camp celebration this Labor Day weekend at Camp Neosa, near Carrolton, Ohio. 
The festivities started Friday evening with a rousing keynote meeting under a tent erected for the occasion. The band played, the people sang, the worship team led, the Scripture was read, I spoke, the people responded, and a blessed time was had by all.  
Saturday's schedule included a "Sunday School launch" meeting, a Bible study on Biblical Holiness (led by me), an installation service (of the new divisional commanders, Majors Evan and Suzanne Hickman) led by Commissioners Barry and Sue Swanson, and a farewell service for the Neosa cadets, in which I presented a monologue in the persona of Samuel Logan Brengle (above). 
I was also thrilled to make available the first copies of Take Time to Be Holy, my brand new one-year devotional drawn from Brengle's writings. What a joy to sign copies to so many dear friends. 
On Sunday morning, Robin and I joined the divisional staff for a ride on Leesville Lake that included a beautiful time of worship. 
On our return to terra firma, Robin and I walked past the Chapel in the Trees, which forms the dominant part of our twenty-year-old memories of what we think is our only other visit to Camp Neosa.
What a beautiful, blessed weekend we shared with soooo many friends, both old and new. Wish we could go back next weekend, too!