More Than Camping with the Clampetts

Camping is one of my favorite things, camping with friends, sharing meals, adventures, stuph, hanging out, being in the outdoors, campfires, late nites


Camping with those who bring it all is the best – anything you need they have – they show up a lot like the Clampetts – bringing everything from tools to fishing poles to umbrellas, bug spray, to bicycles, to twisty ties. BIG Caviot! - the guy bringing must know how to use. I am so jealous of those guys (Larry - you are awesome!  You have been that guy for many so, so many times). I have to surround my life with these types of people. (as you can tell I camp very lite and don’t have much to bring) They can construct it, troubleshoot, fix it, and always have the tools to do it - and they do it gladly - effortlessly- ugh... (I cannot, but I keep trying, normally I make it worse, however if I happen to get it right it takes 8 times as long and 8 times as expensive)

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him.  Psalms 34:7
This is awesome – The Lord is near
To me this means He is there to stay
He brings all and has all that is needed for any situation
He will not move, He is planted
He s there for us, to help us
He wants to be with us

For those who fear Him: To those guys that I must surround myself with to survive: I try to seek them out first, yield to their plans, give them the credit and praise, let them have the first word, (Here’s one I need to work on - quit trying on my own first and let them have control), I try to be appreciative, respectful, be available to help in any way, and not leave them by themselves fixing my mess or going to other invitations that claim quick fix, being just as good or having better toys.  With even more humility - shouldn't it be this way with God-Creator-King-Lion-Father-Savior-Only Hope-Life Giver?

I want to camp near the Lord, I want the help, I need the help, I can’t do it anyway else. I like the fact knowing that the Lord is near, and has all that I will ever need for any situation. He is the genuine, best, first, and truly desires the best for me and wants me to be near Him

Hey you angels of the Lord – invite your friends you are all welcome – bring all your stuph – let’s camp! Can you imagine the fire ( no big deal for a angel with a flaming sword! Gen 3:24) the singing around the camp fire(Luke 2), the wrestling matches (Genesis 32:23-34), the confusion of the enemy (2Kings 19)

Gesundheit

Ok – have you seen them – how to sneeze and cough into your arm pictures in the bathroom?  No the picture isn't it - that's my favorite of the seven dwarfs - Sneezy

According to internet searches when someone sneezes and someone says “God bless you”

It all began during the bubonic plague.  Pope Gregory called for ceaseless prayers, songs, chants  and processions for everything, everyone, at all times.  Sneezing was an early symptom that someone was about to get the plague so when they sneezed they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the plague.  (and that those sneezed upon would not get it either now that the germs were airborne) All that prayer apparently worked, judging by how quickly the plague diminished.

I was always told that people said it because your heart stopped when you sneezed.  Apparently that is not true – oops my bad – I’ve told lots of people that useless, false tidbit of trivia – Although I have also told people that you can sneeze over 100 mph that from what I’ve seen is true.

Another explanation of the term and sneezing is that when you sneeze everything spirit wise comes out so it is important to get at least all the good stuph back in so… “God bless you”

But why else ask God to bless someone? Why not?  Are we all not in need of a Savior, help, protection, direction, life and breath.  Why not ask the One who is the giver of all good gifts to help, come to, give gracious to, lavish some more on (more than He already has...)   More than manners, courtesy, or because it is common to say - why not do more than wish but as a prayer, concern, and love for people, Though not a big fan of the phrase “bless” (but I have no better phrase to offer – and good health or cheers sounds more like a toast) why not ask God to give more time for all people everywhere to know Him and share His plan and love with others, to help them be better, be holy, enjoy more from God and Life

Lump of Clay

I’d rather be a lump of clay
Than finished product on display

Soft and moist and pliable

A frame, a pitcher, or a bowl

Formed by the Master’s hand

Into any shape needed, desired, or planned

I don’t want to be a

Hard and brittle finished product

Easily chipped, broken then discarded

Limited, It’s all done, completed – it’s over

Nothing to look forward to

Cept on a shelf and simply mulled over