I ran across this post today on a random blog. He talks a little bit about how Christian Creativity has often consisted entirely of ripping off other people’s creativity (got jesus?). Of course this is not always true. Much of the great art of the world was produced by Christians (or at least by people hired by the church….). And without a doubt there are Christian artists, designers, musicians, poets, and creatives out there who are doing amazing, new and innovative work (see http://www.jeremycowart.com/). I think there is value in seeing other peoples work, ideas, and techniques and using and adapting them into something new, but I hope that I will never be one who simply hijacks other peoples ideas in my work for NLR, or anybody else.

…through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.”

I watched Elf last night. I was feeling a little “down” and it did just the trick.

And today….well, today I was reminded of how faithful the Lord is. Always….even when we forget it.

Well, to follow up on my last post about concerts I’ve seen…….

Dave Matthews is the concert I’ve seen twice. (in case anyone was dying to know).

Thanks for your guesses.

Many of you are NLR types, so here is an update on what is going on around camp right now. The one word to describe the last several months is change. As many of you know Scott Shaw became the new Director of Ministries when Tom moved to Tulsa to be the youth pastor at Tulsa Bible Church. This set off a small avalanche of changing positions. Rhett is now the Summer Camp Coordinator. He is also the Leadership Development Coordinator. John Blair moved from the position he had as the Outdoor Ministries Assistant and into the retreats area. His title is Guest Services Coordinator. We have made a shift in the way we are approaching retreats and guest services. The goal is to become even more service oriented in how we are serving our guests (everybody from Retreat guests, to Summer Camp guests, to Outdoor Ed guests, to Community Ministries guests). It will be John’s responsibility to manage and implement this change. John’s old position will be filled by Luke in the coming months. Throw into the mix a new Head Cook, a new Assistant Cook, a new Community Ministries Coordinator, and four new LEAD interns and there are lots of people doing new things around here! None of this is bad, it is just the normal evolution of a ministry as people move around to serve where their specific gifts fit best.

In other news, the new Wagon Inn project is coming along nicely. Check out the news section of www.newliferanch.com for some recent pictures. The two new buildings should be done in time for Summer Camp. If you are on the NLR mailing list you should be getting your copy of the latest New Life News soon, which Beth and I just completed (if you do not get the NLN and would like to let us know and we can make sure you get on that list!). I have also been working on setting out plans of how we are going to promote various areas of our ministry, as well as continually updating the web site. Obviously there is a lot going on! We are thankful for your prayers and for the interest you have all taken in our lives and in the Ranch!

Well, Ben is the only one who guessed it right.

The list was concerts I have been to.  I forgot to add Willie Nelson to the list.  How could I forget Willie?

Now…….can anyone guess which one of those on that list I have seen twice?

 Let the guessing begin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Ok. Any guesses about why I would have put these musicians all in the same list?

But, I did get better! No more kidney stone for me……. and hopefully never again. May you NEVER have to experience something like that. ever.

So I’ve added Dr. Pepper back into my diet. and coffee as well. But I WILL be drinking plenty of water from now on. I’m working on 2 nalgene’s a day. (double the recommended 8 glasses)

I am a little hurt though, that Heath would comment about lettuce, but not my illness.

*pout, pout*

I occasionally eat salad, and I have been trying to eat more salad so that I will grow up big and strong. But it seems really hard to buy small amounts of salad ingredients. Even if I eat salad every day I still feel like we waste a bunch of lettuce that goes bad before we eat it. I think the world needs small bags of salad that a couple people can eat all of before it goes bad.

We took a little trip this last weekend to Tulsa, and the Tulsa State Fair. I snapped some pictures while we were there…nothing great, but it proves we were there right? We had a good time hanging out with friends, eating funnel cakes, and not eating turkey legs…..