Rock 'N Roll

"But our bet is that you've never seen or heard a group quite like this, since Flame is the only touring band in the world made up entirely of disabled musicians."

- Bill Weir from Good Morning America

Check out this GREAT news story on the band Flame... our main stage guests at this year's Buddy Walk here in Binghamton. They were amazing and we already have them booked for the 2010 Buddy Walk!

Flame the band on Good Morning America

Scope & Sequence

Since I have started my grad degree, I have developed a new routine of getting up pretty early to spend time on my school work before the reset of the house is awake. The other morning Natalie woke up and came down to the computer room to see how I was doing. She walked in and asked me what I was up to. Deep in thought, I plainly responded, "I am working on a scope and sequence chart for one of the courses I am designing." As I stared intently at the screen Natalie thought for a moment and declared, "Well, I have to work on my chart too. You know, the one up stairs in my closet." She waited patiently and then said it again, "You know Dad, the one in my closet. I nee you to get it for me... so I can work on it." So, we ran up to her bedroom to check in the closet. The whole time I was trying to figure out what chart she was referring to but I could not place it. I dug around in her closet and there it was, her chore chart (which she pointed out for me). Then Natalie reacquainted herself with the chores she is suppose to be completing while I wrapped up some work on my scope and sequence chart.

Today Natalie, Kelly and I went outside to play soccer because that was one of the tasks on the chart, which Natalie pointed out was a requirement of the chart. It was a good excuse to get some exercise, so we did not mind. Today Natalie also tried to reason with Kelly that she needs two dogs and a cat to take care of... because the chart say so. We applauded her effort but explained that her chart was not a one-size-fits-all chart... especially when it comes to pets.

Just Another Monday

Yesterday, a friend of the camp (who also happens to be our Steiner dealer) came for a visit. He was eagerly looking for an excuse to fly and coming up to Arrowhead from southern PA for a service call on the Steiner seemed to fit the bill. This trip had been in the works for a few weeks before the weather became cooperative. Partly sunny with highs in the lower 60's was certainly cooperative.

The service call was extremely beneficial... seeing as how all I had to do was open the garage door, not to mention the decades of mechanical knowledge and expertise that personally drove our Steiner around and made a bunch of repairs, adjustments and recommendations. We are talking about some serious customer service.

A quick flight over camp to grab some pictures was also on the schedule. With a last minute change to the passenger list, Natalie was buckled in and hanging on tight for her first plane ride. We flew south out of the Tri-Cities Airport, parallel with Route 26 and turned east along the state line. We flew over the camp farm and circled around camp. I was surprised by the quality of the pictures from my little digital camera... shot through the Plexiglas cockpit. A 20 minute round trip and we were back on the ground.

Two things I noticed about flying in a small single-engine plane. First, you could easily develop and superiority complex. There's something exciting about flying in a straight line towards your destination at 100 plus mph with all the people in cars underneath you, who have to drive the speed limit... on roads. Second, you could really get addicted to the idea of getting your pilots license and flying in your own plane.

My Very First PTC

This fall Natalie started pre-school! She attends a great place just over the border in Endicott, NY. She only goes to school Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but that could possibly change soon... because Natalie really enjoys it and Kelly likes the break too.

Yesterday, Kelly, Natalie and I went out for breakfast at the Skylark. It was a fun family outing (we sat at the counter on the stools that spin) before we went to our very first Parent Teacher Conference. What a parental milestone. On the way in I chuckled at the flash-foward thought of report cards, field trips to NYC, sporting events and the occasional curriculum board meeting that requires passionate demands from an outspoken parent.

The conference with Natalie's teacher went well. We talked about Natalie's strengths and weaknesses. It was exciting to hear (from an adult) who Natalie is when she is away from Mom and Dad. We were glad to get a very positive report from Natalie's teacher. It is both exciting and unnerving to think that your kid is away from you, on her own, with other people, doing... stuff. It is a lot different from camp, where home and work run together and we have the opportunity to be together throughout the day.

In the car Kelly and I spent a few minutes relaying to Natalie all the great things her teacher said about her. As we drove home my mind was racing, reviewing the content of the conference with Natalie's teacher. I realized that surrounding this meeting I had been thinking about what would be said of Natalie. I wanted her to be the best. I wanted to hear that she was at the top of her class. I also wanted to hear about all the "super-spiritual" things she does that "Wow's!" her classmates and teachers. I was really hoping that Natalie would be someone special at school. It was subtle... but it was there. I wasn't running around with my nose in the air parading my kid. I wasn't crossing to the other side of street when other families walked by. It seemed to simply be what I was thinking. Of course, what we think is true affects our beliefs and our beliefs affect our actions.

God showed me that my desire for Natalie to be the best (however subtle it may be) was sin... the sin of pride. I spoke up to tell Kelly about my conviction and my thoughts. Then I talked again with Natalie about the meeting with had with her teacher... more accurately representing what I believe.

You may not think it's a big deal or even worth thinking about. Is it really that bad to want your kid to be the best? Shouldn't they strive to write the best English papers, run the fastest at the track meet, out-do others in a debt or push to make it into the AP classes?

Here's what happens. When I think, act, believe that Natalie needs to be the best or if I am more satisfied as a dad when she is the best... then she has become an Idol. At that point I have put Natalie in a place of prominence and I will sacrifice to her. I will sacrifice my time, energy, money, etc... to help her be the best. I will dedicate myself to helping her learn more, do better, achieve faster and evaluate her to see if she measures up.

Two things happen when we idolize our kids. First, we place expectations on them concerning their performance. They quickly learn that they need to be the best or we will not be happy (or as they may interpret it, love them). Second, it dehumanizes other kids. If Natalie needs to be the best, if she has to outdo all the other kids... the standard of success is measured by other children. To raise Natalie up, I have to push other children down. My standards place a value on all children... which gives me value for my Natalie. All of a sudden my satisfaction in Natalie is dependent on her being the best (maybe you put the emphasis on being pretty, strong, smart, fast, clever, powerful, famous or whatever). What if she fails? What if she's not the best? Then where will I be... and where will that leave her?

God says that He is the one who puts the value on ALL people... and He says everyone is worth dying for... EVERYONE! (1 John 4:7-11)

God says that He is to be worshipped. If we dedicate ourselves or sacrifice ourselves to anyone or anything else... they are an idol. (Exod. 20:2-4; Rom. 12:1)

God never fails. When we worship Him instead of idols we are never disappointed, devastated or destroyed. (1 Cor. 15:56-58)

God says that kids are a blessing, a source of great pleasure. (Matt. 3:17)

So, it was a good first ever Parent Teacher Conference. Kelly and I made sure that Natalie knows that she is a blessing to us and that we are very pleased with who she is at school. We reaffirmed to her that we love her no matter what, just like God does. We also told her that we want her to always do her best... because God has great plans for her and to do her best is to be obedient.

I hope your kids are a blessing to you. I pray they bring you great pleasure as you disciple them from children to adults. I encourage you to worship God and keep yourself from idols.

Shepherds Fall Retreat 09

The Shepherds Fall Retreat was a blast! It was a great opportunity to reunite as staff to serve many of our local campers who are big time regular attenders. We had a full house with about 50 campers, 25 staff and a handful of volunteers.

Despite some warm daytime temperatures the wind was blowing and we stayed inside. On the bright side we had great Halloween and fall time crafts. Classic camps games were a must and the campers really enjoyed Alex on guitar during Bible & Music. Saturday afternoon our campers got to make stuffed-paper bag pumpkins, hang out at the activity tables and try on a silly hat for the fall photo shoot (with Jerry the Scary Scarecrow). One of the most exciting parts of the retreat was our special guests, Talking Hands (from Achieve). They put on a great show on Saturday night, signing to all sorts of songs from Johnny Cash to the Ghostbuster's theme song. Talking Hands did a great job. Overall it was a great week seeing so many familiar faces from the summer.

JP Weekends!

Fall is certainly here at Arrowhead. The leaves that are still on the trees are changing colors and the temperature is dropping. We have already served several guest groups and we have a few more to go before the fall retreat season is over. We are really excited for the Shepherds Fall Retreat at the end of October. The retreat is nearly full already and we almost have all the staff lined up. It should be a great weekend to reunite and reconnect.

Another exciting part of this fall has been the James Project which has spilled over to the retreat season. With such great success this summer we are now making the James Project available for weekend retreats. The fall is booked up and we are starting to accept James Project Weekend groups for our winter/spring retreat season. James Project Weekends are open to pastors, leaders, families, student ministries, college ministries and community groups. It's a great opportunity to steal away for a weekend to serve others as a small group. Weekends at Arrowhead provide James Project groups with the ability to focus on team dynamics, more intense discipleship, building & equipping and personal growth... besides just simply serving together.

We're excited about this new opportunity because of the huge impact it has on the our guests who are loved and served well by our James Project groups. Sign up now to get a James Project Weekend this winter/spring.

Ben Myers
Arrowhead Bible Camp
570.663.2419
abc@arrowheadministry.org

Pods

Today marks one year since we picked up cabin "E" and moved it to the farm... to become a place of solitude and silence. It was an epic trip down the road, over the bridge and through the woods... so to speak. Since the Cabin made that crazy journey we've added a front porch, standing stone structure and a wood stove. In the past year the Cabin has had visitors almost each week, ranging from early morning getaways to intentional space over the span of several days. The Cabin has seen individuals yearning for silence, eager to sing praises in solitude, looking for rest and renewal, contemplating the past, the present and the future... seeking to worship to God for no other reason than to glorify Him.