2 9 (twenty-nine)

Psalms/Proverbs
Chapter 29
Verse 13: The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

Verse 11: The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace


That's all your getting tonite....want more, go read the entire chapters of each

O' Holy Nite

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.


IMAGINE-- The scene above is not the scene of the Chirst's birth. The Lord was born in a manger all pretty with hay and friendly barn animals just like when you go to the petting zoo....it's the picture I have, I doubt it is accurate.

I imagine much like His death, His birth was not in a plesant environment. Jesus was born dirt poor, literally.

And to think of the poor....think of them. They are so thankful for everything.

Tonite like all nites is holy. When you know Jesus, you know the poor and when you know the poor you know that every nite is holy.

Peace on earth comes from knowing Christ; may you know Him.

the world's greatest ride

Kingda Ka

Six Flags Great Adventure

Jackson Township, New Jersey

I have never experienced anything quite like this. Nervousness, a rush, fear, adrenaline, more fear and then a desire to experience it all again. Maybe I have experienced something like this Kingda Ka before and it's called LOVE.

Be it love or a roller coaster they tend to bring out those same emotions.

I'm sorry Jesus for the times I have let you down. I'm sorry when my roller coaster is headed to the ground. And then I read your word or am encouraged by a brother and my coaster is climbing to the top, reaching for my eternal dwelling place.

Jesus my life is like this roller coaster and I am thankful that you are the track my coaster is attached to...thankyou.

LONELY!

i am lonely, i have cried out to my brothers asking for prayers and no one responds?!

my parents seperated & divorced when I was 12 years old. we played Rummy 500, a family fave and then they said they had to explore if they "still" loved each other....they determined they didn't.

I have found NOTHING consistent in this world.

after my parents divorced my italian grandmother was "there" for me. I loved her, she loved me. she made me pop-corn and bologna and american cheese on white bread with butter and would always have Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer in in the fridge for me. i loved her. she loved me. it was consistent. she was always there....

till she wasn't
she died
she left
she left forever

and then i knew

God is forever....NOTHING ELSE, but Him.

Psalm 107

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
Let them give thanks to the Lord....
for He is good, His love endures forever, His unfailing love, His wonderful deeds for men,
For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.

ahhhh....the Psalms, sweetness!

ahhhhh the joys of camp

how I miss walking down the gravel road

headin' to the dining hall or Garrett

or whatabout walking "home" to the cabin after camp fire---isn't that the best?

the people in your cabin, and the relationships you build with everyone, and most of all the relationships you build with God

Giving to the poor

sorry....(not really, sorry that is)

YET another post about the homeless.

C'mon people WHERE was Jesus? Who was he with?
Where did He hang?

with the poor.

sure it's their fault right?
I mean why else are they poor in AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL? Huh? Why?
If they can't get rich here they must be sluggards.....right?
(read major sarcasm throughout this post)
STOP!
STOP!
No....really....stop-

the homeless, the fake homeless and the poor of the world.

Please, please start to see them...Our Saviour not only saw them, but lived with them can't we at least give to them?
please
just a little
for your sake?

HELP!

Camp Manatawny is looking for more then just a few good workers. We are looking for hard working diligent folks who can get it done!

If you can give Camp Manatawny one day a month or maybe even one day every two months then please submit your name to -- pepperplanet@yahoo.com so we can submit your name to the construction dudes.

Camp Manatawny has all kinds of handy man things that need to get done and the more hands....the lighter the work.

So if you or someone you know can help out once in a while;
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Get your name submitted before someone else takes that spot.

Enjoy the day(s) till we blog again!

What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?

it is possible- PEACE~LOVE~UNDERSTANDING

with God, all things are possible.

thereisnothingfunny about peace, love & understanding

look to the light

the light of Christ.

He is real

He is the Son of God

no joking
no kidding

seek Him

andyouwillfindHim

look
He's always been there
ALWAYS!

Tonite I sleep in lower Garrett

NOTICE THE WORLD SERIES PHILLIES HAT IN THE PIC??
I am up @ Manatawny with a fire going in lower Garrett. I am playing my guitar a little bit and reading my bible in preparation for tomorrow's board meeting. I brought my tent to sleep outside, but came in Garrett instead....I love sleeping in Garrett hall. There is something peaceful about it.
Tomorrow is part of the annual DVCC board meeting. We met tonight as well and did what you do at meetings---talk and listen.
I much prefer action then meetings, but I guess to some extent meetings are important to figure out what the action should be...as long as that's what we do, figure out the action and then do it I am fine with meetings.

Tomorrow I make a presentation-

1,000 CAMPERS

that is THE goal

ONE THOUSAND CAMPERS IN 2009

The truth of the matter is....I am counting on YOU!

Each and everyone of you to help.

Are you game?

Are you in?

then---

pray pray pray pray pray pray pray pray pray pray

and don't stop

till our prayer is answered

the WORD

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15

I recently visited a church far, far away in Pacific Grove, California and then I had recently visited another church two hours north of my home.

I get the same thing everywhere in these churches......they "talk the talk" of scripture---AMEN?
Sure AMEN!

But I think to myself....we all talk this talk of scripture, but do we walk the walk?

Do we actually and truly serve the Lord or do we just say we do?

It would be a no, no to accuse either of these churches or even my own church of being nothing, but words of the bible, but yet, this is what I think....they have the scripture down and they preach it aloud and they hold each other to it---

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Book of James

Church you cannot ever get enough scripture and we NEED the word of God in our lives constantly, but we also need to be doers. We need to put action behind the words of God.
God expects it and demands it of us....

How do people know you are a Christian, a believer other then by your words?

Proverbs 6:30-32

do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;

The thief mentioned above is stealing; why?
Is he stealing out of greed or need?

The verse continues on....
But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.

Ok....makes sense...right?
The verse continues on saying that if "one" commits adultery that he is lacking sense and that he destroys himself.

I see a classic case here.....the poor who beg and steal to live and survive we pass judgment upon and the wealthy who hurt and steal and cause corruption do so out of greed, but I am not so sure we see them as much of a sinner as the one who steals to survive.

Jesus was with the poor quite a bit
There's a reason why

t w e n t y - f i v e c e n t s

1st let me say GO PHILLIES!!!

Gotta love this one!

2nd gas was 2.44 a gallon in good ole' NJ before I left for DC yesterday AM.

From the book of Proverbs chapter 24:

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

I once read in Proverbs and James to pray for wisdom and understanding. To ask for wisdom from heaven and then as I continued to grow in spirit I would read more of God's word and I kept seeing God's instruction to pray for wisdom and to pray for understanding and I started to follow that instruction and the Lord considers wisdom to be far more valuable then gold and rubies so I pursue wisdom and understanding and I pray that God should see fit to bestow these things upon me.

As should you-

I was in Pentagon City mall yesterday doing what I do (work) and I was approaching an escalator going down as I observed a young 8th grader from Ohio ( my stores cater to field trip tourists and this young man was one of them) take a coin and roll it down the escalator to cause chaos and confusion to those riding the escalator to which it did....as the escalator carried me down I could see the coin at the bottom step getting pushed back and forth stuck at the end of it's ride. I was impressed to see that the coin was silver in color. Wow, I thought this young man tossed a nickel or dime and as I got closer I could see that it was much more then 10 cents! It was 25 cents....I was awestruck as my foot pushed the quarter out of the clutches of the escalator and pocketed it. What has become of us to throw money as if it were a stick?!

We, Americans are rich. The bible says the rich will have a hard time getting in heaven...Luke 3 says; "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." do me a favor, k? just don't throw your possessions down the escalator.

Today....

It was great to be at camp this past weekend....lots and lots of brothers and sisters in Christ were present. At camp everyone has the same purpose, everyone is on course with God.
Then we get out in the world and start to lose touch.

Surround yourself with like-minded people. People who LOVE the LORD.

...and also do this:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3

SYG Stand Your Ground

Greetings!

This Sat @ Camp will be the annual Stand Your Ground rally.

SYG starts @ 10 AM and goes till 8 PM.

This will be ANOTHER amazing day @ camp.

Whenever we have a gathering at camp it is an amazing time and this is no exception.

I will be there breaking down the canteen for the winter and my lovely wife will be preparing the food. Looks like TACO nite will be in full force a camp fave!

The speaker is Adam Ellis....it's going to be good I just checked out his blog---some pretty cool stuff check it out at---http://adamellis.blogspot.com/

till then---peace

Ted is gone...

I started formal guitar lessons Tues nite. By formal that means I pay someone to teach me to learn. We talked more about music theory then anything else and I really enjoyed it. I had to trek my acoustic guitar all the way to W Philly for the lesson.
I have become a public transportation junkie of late so that's what I did...

went to work from SOUTH JERSEY to Old City Philly---Old City Philly is near the river--think geography. Then about an hour before my lesson I left work, guitar in hand....I ran into Yolonda the homeless lady whom I talk too and she was impressed I played (she hasn't heard me!) and we found conversation on Ted the homeless guitar guy, it was common conversation ground. Well....she said...."they took Ted away yesterday." A warrant had been out for him and now he's gone. No one knows if and when he will be back and all I could think about was that he would now have a clean bed and daily food. Apparently being on the street must be better then prison food and shelter. Freedom is precious. I digress....I had been wanting to play guitar with Ted for a long time and I just never got around to it---now Ted's gone.
My opportunity has been wasted.

I then took the the Frankford El to 52nd street and walked the six plus blocks to 50th & Pine.
WOW....was I ever out of place walking here. I would like to think I have no fears when around people etc...but I was definitely out of my element and sticking out like a sore thumb....when I asked for directions the fella giving me them advised me to stay on the MAIN ROAD and not digress....he was trying to say----you will be much safer white boy if you stay in the public areas.
And this was during brite shining sunlight!
I took his advice and found my place of lesson and when the lesson was completed I added a new train to my repertoire----the TROLLEY of which the best part is the 1st trolley just passed me by and let me tell you---he KNEW I wanted him to stop...he just kept on trolleying so I asked a passer-by what I had to do to get the trolley to stop and he said "sometimes the drivers are just like ignorant like that". No worries...I caught the next one.

Take advantage of time friend......who's your Ted? Mine's gone!

Thanks for reading.

Love, Tate

kids

kids, kids, kids---- w e n e e d y o u r kids!

Camp is about Christ and we need your kids this summer.


1,000 campers is the goal.


the tag line of "leave no kid behind" is easy.

we don't need no stinking tag line....we just need your kids, at camp.

send them
(it will change a life)

everybody----staff & board

get kids to camp.

steak & corn, corn & steak

it doesn't much matter....steak & corn or corn & steak. It's @ camp. The Booster Dinner starting @ 2:00, dinner @ 5:00 and ending at 8.

It's at camp....what else do you need to know.

Camp, camp, camp, camp.

c-u there!!!!

don't be square....be there!

homeless part 29

I am not sure why I blog so much about the homeless...

So I have befriended Ted....a guitar player. I gave him some strings and I love contributing to anyone playing...hearing their music kinda hits home for me....besides Ted plays a mean Old Love....which is a great bluesy tune.

So today I see Ted and say hi and his eyes kinda lite-up as he stops playing and he says; "do you know a woman", sure I say, my wife. Well I have stuff here she might kinda like as he pulls various weird stuff from a bag....stuff like a plug in deodorizer and hands me the stuff with this amazing happiness....'cause he is GIVING to ME.

I say it all the time. GIVE TO GIVE

when you give----it is a beautiful Christ like thing....and isn't that who we want to be like?

a day @ camp

The Booster Dinner is this Sat.

Since you ALL LOVE CAMP....this is a chance, an opportunity if you will to love camp back.

It starts @ 2 and ends @ 8 with dinner starting @ 5.

Lots of choices--right?

Well let me say this.....there is only one choice!

Where and what will you be doing on Sat? If you can make it I implore you to do so.

If anyone wants to go and does not have transportation....email me. I will make sure you get there.

I look forward to hugs and prayers and love abounding as we gather in the name of Christ for this meal....it's a long time till summer sessions begin next year....this will help tide me over.

Join me.

the exciting topic of V-i-s-i-o-n

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
daniel 12:2

OKAY---not the "vision" you expected is it???

Here is vision---knowing that when your physical body dies---your real ife begins.

quite simple, but then again Jesus Christ is simple stuff it's us men ( & women) that complicate it!

:)

having v i s i o n

stay tuned for this exciting topic.....

(while you are waiting...think about YOUR vision)

staying balanced

Here we are up on the Challenge Course on Manatawny Mountain or Rabbit Hill whichever you best know it by. We were trying to stay balanced on a very wobbly platform. There were many things going on while we were balancing making it more and more difficult.

Today I need to stay balanced. This morning I could not find my pocket bible----so I felt like I was going to miss my reading....then, then I remembered that the Internet is a wonderful thing and I clicked over to www.biblegateway.com and completed my reading.

Now---I have some heavy duty meetings today in DC---things that have been weighing on my mind and it is time to confront them and deal with the consequences. Folks--this is not going to be fun. So my mind and mental state have been not as confident as I would like (life's like that sometimes).

But just like balancing on that big platform with all kinds of things going on---STOP & focus---I did, I read Proverbs and then I reread my reading....then I talked with God and thought about what I read and wow....I am in a much better place.
You can be too.

read His word!!!!!!!

splendor of a King

Wow!! That special, incredible time we call camp has ended for '08. AND what makes it special?? YOU---the camper!!!

Well....we miss you already, all of you campers, WE MISS YOU!!!

thank you for making 2008' Camping Sessions the

BEST

EVER!

Camper of the Week

The coveted award of Camper of the Week!!!

Funny how those who don't covet winning Camper of the Week seem to win....

Anyway this is the Girls Winner---I think you can see why she won....

see it in her eyes

the joy of the Lord

Fight the good fight

Consider it all joy, my brethren,

when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your

faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result,

so that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing.

Book of James

I have been known to fight the fight just to fight. These are photos from last week @ camp during the tug-o-war. It is no joke, people line up to watch and cheer....you really don't know to much during the tug except to tug and pull and P-U-L-L !

and when it's over/done, you are spent. You have given what you have to give. The battle does make you stronger. The trials DO make you more faithful.

this is not our world, this is not our time. that's where the joy of the Lord is found.

the moment

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

I am heading to DC to find out who stole some cash deposits from not just one store last wkend, but also from three stores this AM. The evidence is coming out as to who may have done this. My knees are infected from the Tug-O-War last week @ camp and my forearms are bruised from bellyflopping not too mention the countless bruises up and down my chest and arms from being involved in the picture above. I had to forgo my Radiohead ticket for tonite as I have no clue how long I ill be in DC today.

So what does it all mean??? NOTHING! The moment pictured above is as close to real life as you may get---living for the moment, nothing is guaranteed, nothing is forever except the love of Jesus. Will you die to yourself and live for Him? what else do you REALLY have?

Take the moment---right now! Thank Him!!! Talk to Him---He listens, He loves and He is real, really real.

Go ahead and chase the wind.....chase it OR stop chasing the wind and stop dead in your tracks and get on your knees and praise Him; for He is good!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

Inter II 8/2-8/9

This week we will be coming to you LIVE from Cabin 5 in Boy's Town

Check us out @ http://ourcampweek.blogspot.com/

See YOU there!!!

Love,

Tate

Here we COME!!!!!!!

okay so a good friend of mine from camp invited me to be her friend on facebook and sure I get the blogs, but I haven't really been able to figure out facebook and myspace----they don't seem to do anything ( I will get it). So Jocyln invites me to be her friend, but wait---I don't even have a facebook page and so link after link and question after question and I am on facebook and lo and behold like a gazillion of my contacts are somehow told and invited to by my friend on facebook....facebook will have to wait a bit....tomorrow is camp and today is crunch time in preparation.

Need to finish a window display @ work
tidy up a few last minute things at work
rent a wet vac from Home Depot and suck stuff out of my streetside cleanout and then flood my basement to suck out the muck from the other day
pack
pack
mentally prepare campfire devos especially tomorrows!
get bandanas---can't seem to find my bag full
make sure Nathaniel is able to go to camp ( I am so last minute)
try to convince Tony's grandmother that Tony should go.....this is MAJOR last minute
figure out lgoistics to get everything-everyone to camp
go to REI---don't ask it's real last minute
try to find some christmas lights
ahhhh......camp manatawny

the only thing I will really and truly need to bring----forget everything else---if it comes it comes, if it doesn't make it, it doesn't so the only thing I really and truly need to bring to camp is my..........B I B L E
and God will take care of the rest---AMEN?

10 Things you might not know

1. The reason we don't have a diving board anymore is that Jr II breaks it and replaces it every year and then it was determined it w/b safer w/o it.

2. The CLAW is a true story!

3. If you type in Camp Manatawny on Youtube there are videos

4. Camp now has it's own travel website CLICK HERE----http://www.ytbtravel.com/devcc

5. The new bathhouse will be built this fall ( let me add spring just in case :)

6. We are hoping to have a zip line installed with a high climbing wall in spring of '09

7. The frog toilet seat came from Carol Bailey's house

8. The totem pole is gone ( i think it's in storage)

9. Doug Edwards the new fundraiser guy has been around camp so long that----he is the one who designed the Indian Chief!

10. I am not going to go into the "whys" here, but bottom line is---Camp Manatawny needs your money to continue to grow and bless every single soul that walks onto the property and every single soul that ever hears those words.....CAMP MANATAWNY

opps I forgot one----whenever Little Red Wagon is sung God sings along!


c u there!!!

MADBLOGGER

Wow!!!

Wow!!!!

Wow!!!!!!

I heard from a good friend who was @ camp last nite that three sisters got baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.....wow, wow, wow & double wow!

I just spoke with Jeffrey----Jeffrey is my mailman. He is leaving for Jamaica and South Beach Miami---Jealous, want to go??? Jeffrey is going by himself. His girlfriend died this past April and his father died last August. I had talked to him after his dad died last year. I talked to Jeffrey about real life.....Life that lasts forever (and for those that read here, here's a treat---Sat's campfire Devo is about "forever"), I really didn't think my talk meant anything major to Jeff and I still don't...BUT, what do you say to someone who lost their girlfriend just FOUR months ago?!
1st.....I am sorry about your loss. You can have no words that will fit this situation, but your verbal expression of sorrow will suffice.
2nd....after some time I explained to Jeffrey a little of how I think....
a. this world is a horrible place it is Satan's domain
b. Heaven and forever and the path that leads there.

after doing this ever so gently, but not w/o boldness....you w/b surprised how receptive Jeffrey was and others have been.
people may not let you know they think about this stuff, but they do quite a bit, don't you?

So if they are thinking about it.....help 'em along.....

So Jeffrey's response?

Apparently after his dad died he had moved in with his girlfriend (that's a whole 'nother blog session---don't go there!!) and his girlfriend, before passing had introduced him the the church, where he was baptised!

The Holy Spirit is ALIVE people!!! The Spirit is hungry.......feed Him!!!!!!!

((((( if anyone is @ camp starting today little Alexia from Collingswood will be there--TAKE REAL GOOD CARE OF HER)))))

THANKS!!!

what's going on??????

so, today on may way to work, my ever so lovely wife puts on the local newsradio station KYW, Newsradio, 1060 (repetitive commercials really do work). AND get this....the weather, what we wanted to hear/know immediately comes on and sure enough the announcer says that right now we are experiencing "dappled sunlight", c'mon now---DAPPLED SUNLIGHT?!

God is at work in my heart.....He is showing me more and more as I

---- READ that clearly now----as "I", look for Him and pursue Him....."Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

so.....whatcha think....huh???? A fine, ultra fine, super fine, extra sweet, super bright PEARL....that's H E A V E N and what would you do to obtain it??
One man would SELL everything he had just to obtain it!!

For us.....it's simple----seek Him in ALL that you do and you will discover the cost He states.
Read His word
Pray to Him
Fellowship with other people who look for and know Him

then, if you do all that....you WILL see the "dappled sunlight" every single day and it is spectacular....truly, truly spectacular.

unreal

so, like I am checking the weather forecast for when I will be at camp for a week.....hey, it might be 10 days away, but technology rocks and they can forecast things like that these days! so, like I said...checking it out and making sure it is not going to be terribly humid---know what I mean?
AND, LO & BEHOLD

In my meager 45 years of existence I have never, ever heard a weather forecaster or a radio or a internet post describe an upcoming days like this---nope, not ever!

Wed. Aug. 6
Forecast

Brillant Sunshine

Brillant Sunshine, say it again with me....
B R I L L I A N T S U N S H I N E

hey like the SON always shines @ camp, and yes, He shines brillantly!!!
and now the world knows!!!!
Yowza!!!!!!!!!

Rock n Roll

The calm before the storm. The pool before the water is stirred up and shaken by TRUE LIFE. People deciding to repent and change their lives and be transformed by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The water lays dormant unmoved in the heat of the night. The hot and humid night without a breeze to stir the grasses let alone the water. The people who gather at camp are so amazing and loving...like Christ Himself.

Will you stir up the water?

Will you change your life??

Will you go underneath the cool stillness of the water and break free through the surface a forgiven person???

Everything the world has is temporary. It is all just a passing of the moment.

To break the surface of the water is to make the moment last forever, not a lifetime, but FOREVER.

what does it all mean?

when i step out of the car and into a week of when camp is in session it is the HOLY SPIRIT that engulfs me. time seems to be endless and have no meaning. the people everywhere are encouraging and loving. the people everywhere are forgiving and loving. the people everywhere are patient and loving. the people, the people, the people are like Christ.

it doesn't seem to end. the people are like servants and loving.



and so I sit in a hotel with people all around me that are dead to Christ and truly there is NO LIFE amongst these people. there is hurt and pain and most even don't know it. their hearts are hardened. they are living, but not. an impossiability???? NO! The life they have is temporary and the life I have been PROMISED is FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND WITHOUT END--EVER!



and so I sit and hear the people talking of pain and i don't see life and when i talk of life (JESUS) to them they gloss over.

please don't gloss over....please.

my joy comes in knowing the truth

which will last forever

and

ever

and

ever

and

ever

TOP TEN Things you love about camp fire

and today's TOP TEN list is (drum roll please) The TOP TEN things you love about CAMP FIRE I'll start:

1. Little Red Wagon

2. The walk back to the cabin in the dark with our trusty flashlights!

3. Hanging out with friends

4. Being scared out of your wits by the CLAW!!!!

favor please?!?!?!?!?

Hi,

I know a lot of you stop here even though there are not any comments. I need a favor today or whatever day you should read this---P L E A S E

I am pleading for this one...seriously. Okay here it is; today when you go about your business make eye contact with as many people as possible and smile.

Just walk around all day looking into others eyes and smile at them. No matter what you think of them or thought of them whether you know them or dont'

look in their eyes
smile

thanking you in advance for your cooperation

love ya'

tater

leaving camp

so on monday nite, after a meeting on camp, I had to leave camp. I was not working the week and I had work obligations etc. I ran into this bunch. Two of the boys had been in my cabin and I knew all of them. Their love abounded. Hugs and smiles and hugs and smiles and love, love, love.
No traffic lites, no billboards, no radios, nothing, but love.

Isn't that how God is? Nothing, but love (including tough love)?

How can we bring that love into the hardened hearts of the world?

How can we show the non-Camp Manatawny people the love of Christ? For isn't that the reason for the smiles and the hugs?

I know I must sound super repetitive on this blog.....honestly.....I can't help it. God is simple, not complicated.

I was talking with a good friend of mine today..."Jag" and during the conversation we started talking about the innocence of a child and how they don't question God or His existence. They are more receptive and accepting of God then us adults. Doesn't Jesus talk about that, the innocence of a child?

He does and for good reason.

Be like Mike.....NO, be like Christ.

Mike is divorcing his wife that he no longer loves. Jesus is forgiving us all.....all the time.

Love Him.
Know Him.
Be Him

3rd post of the nite

Dear God,

When I counsel at camp this year I want to have a cabin full. Each cabin has 9 bunks. I am going to have a co-counselor this year that means we will have 7 bunks available. God, please fill them for us and if you have more then seven campers for us...no worries Mark (co-counselor) or I will sleep on the floor. Lord God bring it on!!!!

Love,


Tate

brief

so my mtg @ camp went from 7-9:30ish. then we went to the pool for three baptisms! a w e s o m e stuff----yeah?!

then we went to garrett hall and sang songs of praise till Erin's parents arrived for the 4th batpism! it was an amazing spirit filled nite. let me say it loudly---camp is just a piece of land....I am at camp a LOT when there are next to no people there, getting canteen ready and mtgs and stuff and it IS NEVER the same as when it is filled with campers, because when it is filled with campers and staff that bring the Holy Spirit to life and you can feel it, touch it and most of all---KNOW IT or should I say ---KNOW HIM?!

camp is home, no camp is a glimpse a peek or a blink of an eye of just a touch of what heaven will be. I was reminisicing with a few campers about our past week together and then I brought up baptism and they grew silent. Sure it's BIG stuff, Huge decisions that impact a life and that is when I realized....our role here on earth. We are building a kingdom. How can anyone not want to build a kingdom or be a part of a kingdom??????

There is SO much MORE to life then this earth people!!! More then you can even begin to imagine. Seek Him out...just look for Him and He will show Himself to you....He is never faraway at all----only we are faraway; if we so choose.

what do you choose?

camp 2nite

arrived to camp @6:40 PM for a camp bored meeting.
topics of discussion included
budgets~~sewers~~camp travel site~~National Advancement Board to be formed~~camp registrations (612)~~camperships~~a new well and pump (currently we have two pumps that pump 12 gallons per minute and that is not enough)

It really wasn't that boring and the board consists of some amazing people!!
Christ-like people!!

the best part was walking onto the property and immediately being greeted by past campers---hugs were flying and high fives and love and love and love and I was walking on sunshine!!!

Camp IS Christ

oh yeah!!!
(baptism pics to be posted later)

Music & Roman Candles

lol....Happy 4th of July!!!!

I have been listening to a lot of Switchfoot lately. A really good rock band that is totally in love with God.
I have a live version of this song--- More Then Fine and during the intro to the song Jon Foreman reads this quote from Jack Kerouac...
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”

So---what are you? Are you part of the normal or like a fabulous yellow roman candle and are those around you saying Awww?

If you have Jesus Christ---my brother....you are ALIVE!!!!! Live it, give it....be desirous of everything at the same time....everything.

the light

God is the light, He is the truth---true that!

It's been a long week---which is better, much better then a short week!

I am always searching. Searching for a way to spread the news. The news of LIFE. Life not as we know it, but life after life. The life we can't imagine, can't fathom, can't comprehend....how do I tell others----the way to let others know is by living and breathing Christ. By allowing Him control of your life. When He has that control...when you've given it up to Him and only then....then others will see Him. His brightness through the life you live will be blinding. Those that meet you will not help, but to see Him....shine...go ahead and S H I N E !

a very good christian friend of mine....let me rephrase that...a true brother, a man who has impacted my faith like few have...well this friend writes music and YOU should check it out.

'nuff said::::: go chk the link http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=102388048

listen loud.....but listen.......



just check the link----thanks!

camp starts

On Sat. camp started with staff decked out in
C A R O L I N A B L U E.
There were newcomers to camp and the tried and true camp rats.
I was jealous---in attendance for the Challenge Course (formerly know as low ropes) and here were people ready to start living at camp for the next week! WOW! A solid week of camp---that is amazing! I am jealous in a good way.....happy for them, excited for staff and campers alike to be ready to experience a solid week of Jesus Christ!

Highlights of the 1st day of camp (for me)

a. A certain staff member biked 83 miles to get to camp. this person left their home @ around 5:30 AM and we seemed to hear a yell of accomplishment around 11:00ish.

b. Seeing a co-staffer that I have not seen in around 3+ years and hearing about a year spent abroad in Africa doing mission work.

c. Observing the most creative hairstyles at Senior High.....they wear their hair 'da BEST!

d. Eating lunch in the Dining Hall

e. Having a slushie on a hot day and getting serious brain freeze

hope you have planned a week of camp....if not what are you waiting for?

Name your all-time favorite campfire song....

what song is your absolute fave?

which one could you sing at every single campfire forever?????

First Look!

For all of you regular visitors to the blog----YOU get the first peek @ some new stuff!!

The fabled Carolina Blue w/Navy font staff shirt and a brand new never seen before ROCKIN' toddler tee.

Camp is ready.....canteen is ready....low ropes are ready....you of course are always ready for camp.....just like God is always ready for you.

<<>> for you tried and true let me say the carolina in the blue does not seem very true. the shirt appears to be more of a light blue and about the only thing we will get out of the color mishap if in fact it is a mishap are some dollar savings in canteen purchases.....not for you silly for camp....stop thinking about yourself all the time ;)

So....apologies to all the peeps who voted Carolina Blue---we got blue, and it's close.

(and for you real troopers---I chose the brightest pic)

things are coming together

the slushie machine is coming on friday....WOW!

i am thinking of the many people and the memories i have from camp--

Carl the older staff guy from Vineland
when one of my campers wrote ( i know) on the wall that
camp was F A M I L Y
giving a director the hardware from the flag we burned @ campfire
courtney telling me they made our shirt (God is Good---All the time) and me just smiling
all of my campers dressing up
Brandon the perfect surfer guy-----
saying heavy metal like it was meant to be said
my campers imitating me
hugs
lots and lots of hugs

did i say HUGS----Hugs,hugs hugs
and then more hugs
hugs that mean LIFE
because they are hugs of life
hugs of Christ
hugs of life
Karen---you not coming this year has broken my heart
Mary and Mike---1/2 a week!! What gives!!!
debo----Christ in the flesh if ever there was
and sarah----there are no words for you---YOU are that beautiful!!
Lynn Evans---Mark---Manny/Becky your week rocks

its about people---stop and see them---talk to them---KNOW them

givegivegivelovelovelovelove

and when you are done
give some more
and love some more

people are looking for purpose

the purpose is Jesus

I'm back

FINALLY


people
people
people
not things!

everyone....everyone

hearing you
seeing you
loving you
loving me
these are the highlights of camp manatawny

The begining of CAMP!

Camp starts on June 21st.

are YOU ready?

is CAMP ready?

there is nothing that compares to a week of Camp Manatawny!

see you there!

changing the world

How do you change the world?

Does the world need changing?

Do we need changing?

C-H-A-N-G-E

what...truly WHAT will you have done by the time your life is over?

How do we truly "get happy"?

GOD---listen closely....pssst.....shhhhh listen to the whispers.

God is really REAL---He really is! Jesus is the son of God! He really is!!!!
How do I know????? I have looked for Him.....and I found Him. He is right there.....see Him, feel Him, touch Him....love Him ....He already loves YOU......He already knows you....OPEN your eyes-ears and let Him show you the truth.
when your life is done....over what will you have really accomplished?

There is NOTHING---NOTHING you can do in this world that will stand the test of time other then inspiring others to love God.

N O T H I N G----Nothing you can do, but tell/show others the love of Jesus Christ.

absorbing the pain

this life....HERE----NOW

what is it's purpose---truly?

this week----what did you do for Jesus Christ---What did you do?

did you proclaim His name?

did you tell anyone about HEAVEN?

it is real....HEAVEN say it w/me

heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven, heaven

It is REAL---Heaven is REAL, it really is. See the "forever"

see FOREVER....FOREVER is REAL.

this life is nothing

nothing compared to HEAVEN

nothing compared to Jesus

Jesus a man

Jesus THE son of GOD

Jesus the truth, the light

the reason for life

my purpose is people

loving

caring

giving

showing

the truth

stop your desires

stop your pain

realize that He gives life

ETERNALLY

pushing

the envelope has been pushed

we are PUSHING forward to bring Christ to others

the letter has been written and will be sent to the churches

the GOAL is 1,000 campers

tell EVERYONE

we need campers!

know someone between the ages of 6-18 that are in school?

get them to camp

NO EXCUSES

PERIOD.

BAPTIZED!!!!!

boy oh boy, oh boy!!!! JB Ringler is going to be baptized tomorrow @ the Pitman coC!

I will try to get you some pics!!!!!

Acts 8
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

I just love the line----Why shouldn't I be baptized---

think about the gasp or the claps after a baptism---think about it, think about it---THINK!

Prince Caspian!

Wow! The Coll's church of Christ headed out to the local theatre for the showing of Caspian tonight! We musta had about 30+ people from church hit the show----it was great! SPOILER ALERT---sorry I am going to hit on some highlights of the show for me so if you don't want to know some of the movie things STOP HERE and move on!

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS!

My son Sean ( I seemed to miss this one) said when Aslan asked Lucy "why she didn't follow Him" she said "because the others didn't"

When Aslan made the call to people to start anew in a new world---Matthew 28. That was pure scripture for me.

When Peter left those who followed him to die because the gate crashed down and they were caught in the castle and left to die.......HEAVY METAL!

and then......when the foursome went back to the real world.....they were with Aslan and then back in the subway....just like real life.

it was a great movie due to the correlation with scripture and the movie--ENJOY!

if you died tonite....

would you go to heaven....or hell?

think about it.

hell scares me.

really, really scares me.

where will you go, where will you be?

will GOD know you when you die?

Only you and GOD know this answer.

there is no tomorrow, there is only today.

make the decision that will last for ETERNITY--- Meet God through His Son, Jesus.

search for Him and you will find Him.

the envelope

pushing the envelope

it's time to push the envelope
take the normal, the accepted and move it to the abnormal

dare I say....the unaccepted?

The question is...

ARE YOU READY?
ARE YOU GAME?
ARE YOU IN?

if so....stay tuned
we are about to change the world

o n e t h o u s a n d

this is a picture of 1,000 cars

imagine 1,000 CAMPERS

see the vision

articulate the vision

relentlessly drive it to completion

Sparkplugs!!

Hey if you bleed Manatawny green then I need your HELP!!!

We are looking for SPARKPLUGS you know 'em and MAYBE you are one!
The people who love and live for Camp Manatawny--- WHO ARE THEY?

We need to know who these SPARKPLUGS are so we connect church bodies into camp.
Go ahead and email me tate1963@gmail.com with the names of those who want to keep their church and Camp Manatawny connected!

The goal is 1,000 campers folks---- o n e t h o u s a n d c a m p e r s
last year we had only 700 :( and if camp is about any one thing it is campers!

Final Tally

and the winner is...

Carolina Blue w/Navy font by a landslide with twenty - one votes!

special thanks to Conestoga Valley coC for taking the vote over!


Road Crew Orange w/Black font - 10
Turquoise w/White font - 9
Lime Green w/Black font - 7
Navy Blue w/White font - 4
Chocolate Brown w/White font - 4
Brown w/Hot Pink font - 4
Black w/Neon Orange font - 3
Woodlands Camo w/Khaki font - 2
Hot Pink w/White font - 2
Blue w/Orange font -2
Light Purple w/White font - 2
Green w/White font - 1

FINAL DAYS

These are the final hours before the vote is over and 2008's staff shirt is decided. It really does not take a lot to make a color win. Figure Road Crew Orange is 11 votes down.....that's only 11 people voting and BOOM!!! Everyone a camp is in orange----or----- you can just sit back and chillax since who is EVER going to be able to get 11 people to vote??!!??

bLuE mOrNiNg

Blue is a beautiful color. It has many, many shades.

It is associated with boys. It's the color of the sky and the ocean

AND unless some Manatawny people create a coup.....

it looks like it will very well be the color of the

staff shirts for Summer Sessions 2008.

Tell everyone you know to vote,

unless of course you want blue on blue,

then just sit back comfortably.....or not.

Carolina Blue w/Navy font - 21

Road Crew Orange w/Black font - 10

Turquoise w/White font - 9

Lime Green w/Black font - 6

Navy Blue w/White font - 4

Chocolate Brown w/White font - 4

Brown w/Hot Pink font - 4

Black w/Neon Orange font - 3

Woodlands Camo w/Khaki font - 2

Hot Pink w/White font - 2

Blue w/Orange font -2

Light Purple w/White font - 2

Green w/White font - 1

Life in BLOOM

In the Sonora Desert

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,

in a dry and weary land where there is no water

Psalm 63:1

think of being so thirsty that you cannot handle it

think of desiring water so bad that when you finally drink of it you are refreshed

think of desiring God in that way

think of pursuing God as a man longs for a drink

cry out to Him

He will make you bloom as the flower in the desert

even admist pain and suffering

THE Grand Canyon

We hiked down South Kaibab Trail. The trail started with ice and snow. Only 1% of the GC's visitors venture below the rim--- We were part of the !%

Five men embarked on what was called Big Boy II.

Bill Ceraso optician NJ, Mark Finn preacher NJ, Warren Springer chemist NJ, Chet Churchill teacher NJ, Tate Perazzelli retail NJ, Matt Quigley fed govt Washington DC---- Our common ground-- Jesus Christ

There is not a photograph, painting nor narrative that can convey the visuals of the canyon

What can man say or do that God has not done?

The five of us camped and hiked in Sedona and the Grand Canyon

We also went to Tucson

We loved each other

We served each other

Where I will be....

I am leaving in the AM for the GRAND CANYON with five, count 'em FIVE christian brothers!!!
WOW!!!
Two years ago four of us did Yellowstone/Grand Teton now we are going to the big canyon....

Reflection
Prayer
Fellowship

if I see a comment or two maybe you will get a pic!

54 Votes & counting!

VOTE!
What was once a close race is a runaway.
There is still time to overtake Carolina Blue.


Carolina Blue w/Navy font - 18
Turquoise w/White font - 7
Road Crew Orange w/Black font - 5
Navy Blue w/White font - 4
Chocolate Brown w/White font - 4
Brown w/Hot Pink font - 3
Black w/Neon Orange font - 3
Lime Green w/Black font - 2
Woodlands Camo w/Khaki font - 2
Hot Pink w/White font - 2
Blue w/Orange font -2
Light Purple w/White font - 1
Green w/White font - 1

the TRUTH about Camp

Camp Manatawny NEEDS campers

---you know 'em, you LOVE 'em---

Seek them out and get them to camp!

If you know ANYONE from 1st to 12th grade

they should be at camp this summer

Leave no school age child behind!

Tell them about camp, talk to their parents

and get them to camp

Someone may have done it for you,

now it's

YOUR TURN!

this message is brought to you by the Holy Spirit

blue on blue

Blue on Blue is winning by a landslide!!

What happened to PINK?!

Carolina Blue w/Navy font - 18
Turquoise w/White font - 6

Road Crew Orange w/Black font - 5

Navy Blue w/White font - 4

Chocolate Brown w/White font - 4
Brown w/Hot Pink font - 3
Black w/Neon Orange font - 3

Hot Pink w/White font - 2
Blue w/Orange font -2
Lime Green w/Black font -1
Woodlands Camo w/Khaki font - 1
Light Purple w/White font - 1

Green w/White font - 1

Romans Christians Soldiers

Remember playing Romans, Christians, Soldiers during Intermediate II? It has been a staple game for that week for many, many years. It's interesting when you are dubbed a Christian and if and when you get approached by a Roman you have a chance (you have nothing to lose) to tell them about Jesus Christ----and even should the Roman turn you into the Soldiers you still have nothing to lose to tell all about Christ----the Christians come together---they sing hymns in prison together and have no worries since collectively they have each other and it is by that encouragement they help maintain their faith in Him who gives eternal life.

As we all encourage one another to VOTE ( manatawnystaffshirt@yahoo.com ) for this years Staff shirt color it becomes apparent to me that we are networking each other to vote for certain colors----that's a beautiful thing.......Let's network the Holy Spirit huh??? I have come to the conclusion that when there is a public baptism there is generally shouts of joy with clapping----I have wondered why and have to my conclusion that is inclusion.....someone has joined the SAME BELIEF that we have and it causes joy when others, through baptism show faith in God.

Let's tell the world lovingly who is King----let's show them through love who God is!

Staff Shirt Update

WOW---the names of the colors are half the fun!
Once you vote you CANNOT change your vote (sorry)!
We may have to cap the colors---you people are insane with your color combinations!
DEADLINE to VOTE is 4/20/08 @ midnite

Here's where we stand~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Last updated 2/27 @ 11:40 PM

Carolina Blue w/Navy font - 8

Road Crew Orange w/Black font - 5

Chocolate Brown w/White font - 4

Brown w/Hot Pink font - 3

Navy Blue w/White font - 3

Turquoise w/White font - 3

Black w/Neon Orange font - 3

Blue w/Orange font -2

Lime Green w/Black font -1

Woodlands Camo w/Khaki font - 1

Light Purple w/White font - 1

Green w/White font - 1

Blue w/Orange font - 1

Hot Pink w/White font - 1

Conestoga Valley Makes some NOISE!

Well folks it seems like the good brothers and sisters of Conestoga Valley Church of Christ are making some NOISE.....some of the members of CV are seriously trying to sway the vote for Carolina Blue Tee with a Navy font. Some people have even tried to change their vote after casting it once and that's a no-no!

Some members of a church far, far away from Conestoga are plotting to vote @ the last minute and take everyone by suprise......time will tell.....

The trick is to network the color----get people involved, it's exactly like telling others about Christ---IMAGINE THAT!
Don't just tell them what color to vote for----tell them how to live forever!

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Road Crew Orange Tee - 4

Turquoise Tee w/White Font - 3

Chocolate Brown Tee w/White Font - 3

Carolina Blue w/Navy Font - 3

Black Tee w/Neon Orange Font - 3

Light Purple aka Lilac Tee - 1

Hot Pink Tee - 1

Green Tee w/White Font - 1

Blue Tee w/Orange Font - 1

Sway the vote--tell your friends!

on your mark

get set-----GO!

Voting so far.....

Chocolate Brown w/white font

Road Crew Orange w/no color specified!

Black w/neon orange font

Very interesting choices....keep the votes coming!

Staff Shirt Countdown...

Yes campers it's time to vote for 2008's STAFF SHIRT color! Last year for Camp's 40th Anniversary we broke new ground by having a Tye Dyed Tee!!! This year who knows what color(s) will win!!!

Voting will be conducted by email this year and we will give updates on this blog spot---be sure to check back often. Voting ends April 20th @ midnite. You can only vote once, but you can tell as many people to vote as you want!

Vote by emailing manatawnystaffshirt@yahoo.com

Vote for the color of the shirt and the color of the letters

Past colors have included...

Cardinal Red w/Cream font

Olive Green w/Dark Green font

Royal Blue w/Gold font

Yellow w/Black font

Just VOTE!!!

manatawnystaffshirt@yahoo.com