these times r a changin'

Okay....since some of you are finally catching up to the blog world....this blog isn't going anywhere just yet!

We do have some wonderful NEW additions!

1. Twitter!!! Yes, Camp Manatawny is on twitter! search for Camp Manatawny or CampManatawny

2. Camp is now officially on Facebook as a person...I am not sure how that works, but search Camp Manatawny and JOIN!

Look for lot's of new fun stuff and links!

Be informed!

Subscribe to it all!

the last day

IF this were YOUR last day


would it matter?

time is short
life is shorter

Let the world KNOW what you KNOW!

DO YOU KNOW THE TRUTH?

the day is coming

i (almost) fear the sound of the trumpet

I know and yet I don't

will I be known?

I do know Him....I can see Him...I can hear Him

can you?

forever & ever

The ONE THING that you know.

I don't know if my beloved Philadelphia Eagles will ever win the Superbowl

I don't know if I will see Springsteen play at the end of the month.

I don't know if I will be at this same job in five years or even five months.

I do know ONE THING....for absolute sure.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that He loves every one and of that....I am certain.

STAFF SHIRT VOTE 2009

Time to vote from the above choices for your personal favorite staff shirt color.

Vote here or on Facebook.

Be sure to vote!!!

Psalm 4

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I have been reading this over and over and over and over all week long. So much of it rings true! I love- "when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent"
KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

and...."Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
God shows it all the time, but who helps him???

Peace, love & understanding,

Tater

actually I love the whole thing :)

the walk "home"

It has been a l-o-n-g day! It started with a wake-up call, a slow walk to the bathrooms with a toothbrush. Flag raising and a session with Mr. EXCERCISE. Then food, bible classes, activities, more food, more activities and most of all fellowship.

It was a night capped by "campfire".

Devotionals, stories, singing---fellowship & then....

the walk back to camp.

The campfire has been held in the orchard area for the past few years so the walk back is about as long as it can get. It's dark--Pitch black dark and yet there is light all around.
How can you describe the walk back to the cabin?

There are NO worries, no "real" fears and aside from an occasional shriek most of the walk is in laughter and joy!

Life is good.

that walk back is so simple and yet affirming.

affirming in the life of love, the life given to Him who gives real life---eternal life.

simple is good.

God is good---all the time

all the time---God is Good!

no apologies

just checking....30,000 people DIE (cease to live!!!) everysingleday due to simply not having food

30,000

think with me....30,000 people die every day due to the lack of food....30,000??????

really, they do.

FAIR WARNING....this post is a bit stronger then normal

42,000 people can attend a baseball game at Citizen's Bank Park.

everysingleday over 30,000 people die from the lack of food

EVERY DAY!

i honestly can't take it anymore

living a life of absolute riches

I spend money, like it grows from trees

We sponsor a Compassion Child

what difference am i really making?????

REALLY?

I don't know how much longer I can sit idle

It is to easy to ignore, but my heart won't let me anymore

...and what about you dear reader?

(go ahead and run from this negativity and cynicism!)

I for one need to make a difference by:

a. getting myself out of being a slave to debt

b. continuing to talk about global poverty

c. plan for the future, to find ways to utilize my valuable time and valuable energy

to "be the change in the world"

God said there would always be the poor

I have no grand illusion that that will ever change

BUT

to sit idle when commanded by God to do different is no longer an option for me

I promise to see the poor like Jesus sees them

I promise to use my wealth to better off the poor

I promise to throw pebble after pebble in the ocean to offset change with my every breath and to not be ignorant of the problems of this world due to the blessings God has and continues to bestow on me.

There are 960 million starving people in the world

The population of the United States is 300 million

Let's stop this charade of ignorance and force the change!

God loves everyone, everywhere

if ANY of our children were starving we would stand up and SCREAM and KICK and PUSH

imagine not having a choice or an option and for all the kicking and screaming you do...

no one seems to hear, not ever.

Will you do something?

Anything?

please pray with me....

Oh Lord, Father and creator of all

we cry out to You

we need guidance to do your will beyond our daily lives

we need you to teach us how to be good stewards with our

blessings for the poor and not for ourselves

we cry out to You

guide us Father

guide us to help and give and love and forgive and to continue to give and love and forgive and to love to love to love and to love

like you love us

we cry out for your guidance

O'Lord

guide us

through Jesus

amen

preparing to preach

a good friend gave me this advice; Don't just give good advice, but give good news.

My thoughts turn to Ephesians 6
keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

How can we continue to live this life and not speak truth w/o judgment?
I am tired of us seeing others as we see them and not as God sees them. This is the very thing that keeps people away from Christ. When they see Christians being people. God's word calls us to STAND APART from the world.

Every morn is anew

stand separate from the world for this world is not yours

see others as God sees them and not as the world sees them
that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
The mystery is simple...it is Jesus
PROCLAIM IT

Proverbs 8

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

It is from Proverbs 8:13

It really hits home.

good is good

seek good

seek GOD

He cares for you

quotes

Robert Louis Stevenson said...." For God's sake give me someone who has brains enough to make a fool of himself."

It made me think about STANDING UP for God in whom I believe. It made me think of this verse-

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 56

What can man do to you....or me??? REALLY?

What can God do :)

eternal life

a life of service
service brings joy
joy brings happiness
and God smiles

amen

URGENT- STAFF SHIRT ALERT

Hi!

We are in the process of getting ready to have our annual staff shirt color vote. If you have a choice get in to us now for consideration. Things are going to be run a little different this year. Keep in mind if you give a color suggestion that is not your vote. We arew going to offer the choices this year and have most of them picked, but wanted to give you, the reader a chance for input.

We will probably run the voting on Facebook this year....just a bit more traffic there :)

If you are not on facebook yet---get moving and be sure to request friendship w/ Tate Perazzelli to be included in the 1st rouind of voting coming to a PC screen near you!

love

stephen stills sang----love the one your with

ray lamontagne sang----love is the answer
and of course the BEATLES sang

love is all you need.

and U2 sang----how long, how long must we sing this song

they are no different

we are no different

we as people are all the same

we try to be different with our appearance, but we all have sin & shame

I know the non-christians love when we take that pity us approach, but it is true.

we all have sin

when we can GET His grace we have won

won eternal life, won TRUTH over the falsehood of this place we call home

me? I call heaven home....and He is calling me.

won't you join me?

How can they understand?

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1

Your friends, your co-workers, your classmates & your family....maybe they are in the dark? You are either in the light or the dark.....IF you or they are in the DARK they DO NOT UNDERSTAND the LIGHT.

It is up to you.....YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

can't get no--- a no, no, no

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

From the book of Ecclesiastes

Okay---F o c u s

the best a man can ever do is find satisfaction in his work
stay focused---- for without Him who can eat or find enjoyment

The BASE is GOD

make him your base, for everything else is meaningless


Credit to the Stones for the blog title :)

what the guitar player said

I love attending "live" music shows. Years ago I caught Jars of Clay out at Hershey and the lead singer said this...

"we as Christians need to stop bickering about the differences between our religions, all the non-Christians look over at us bickering and say....why do I want to be a part of that?"

The other night in Philly, Chris the guitar player had this to say....

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind & strength and let's not forget the second part...love your neighbor as yourself"

I just wanted to add to Chris' statement---Who's your neighbor?

Don't tell me....just think about it.

WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR?

is it everybody or just who you want it to be

A Solid Day of Worship

It's Sunday a day of rest folks....rest and thanks for what HE has done.

I cannot wait to sing out to Him and pray to Him in unision.

ahhh.....the splendor of the King
Robed in majesty
How Great, How Great is Our GOD!

Tonight is Chris Tomlin @ the Electric Factory in Philly.

We've got a total of 14 going.

We're going to sing, sing, sing

3 verses

The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.

The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

you pick the 3rd

DVCC Board Meeting

One of the agenda items for Tues nite's Delaware Valley Christian Camp meeting is "toothbrush"

Now what's that about????

just the word "toothbrush" on an camp board's agenda....lol!!!

God is good!!!!!

r u ready?

God is calling!

He is calling you!!

He is always there to LOVE you!!!

He does not ever fail....not ever.

The question is....

r u ready?

Are you ready to be loved by Him who gives love to all
To everyone!
Especially the corrupt, the hurt the lonely, the bored

He gives love to all, freely He gives.
All He wants is you.....all of you.
Every single ounce of you.
It is a lot He wants....I admit it.

If you give to Him you will never ever be disappointed....not ever.
No need to look to the skies....just read this-
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

Once you believe; continue to seek Him. Look for Him in others. Look for Him in the book called the Bible, look to Him and He will meet your needs....all of them.

....and if you need.....call me 267-236-3237 (Tate) and I will help you see Him.

amen

tattoos

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; Romans 12:3

I think I could read this every minute of every day and still struggle with it.

I have thought of time to time of getting a tat. My bro-in-law has a tat of the Steelers 'cause he loves them. I have thought of a chili pepper or an outline of New Jersey. Two things that identify me...but I would never do it, to permanent.

If I were to get a tattoo....I would have something like that verse tattooed on my hand or wrist to remind me.....to remind me, again and again.

I could look at my hand...."not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think" and then I would look at my hand again and read; "not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think" and again, and again, and again.

and maybe one day it would work.

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!