My experiences with the Space Shuttle have been vivid, if not a bit distant. I have been hooked with fascination for decades. In fifth grade I did my science project on this new vehicle for space exploration. For years I have studied the details of each mission. Seconds after every launch I run out into my driveway to watch the billowing trail (or the tiny orange flame at night) off in the distance. I sat by the side of Bayshore Blvd. in my TR-6 and watched Challenger’s plumes of exhaust corkscrew into tragedy in 1983. From Enterprise to Endeavour, I have promised myself, “One day I’ll see one up close and in person.” But various scheduling conflicts, the threat of scrubbed launches, and several weaker excuses kept it from happening – until Friday.
In the afternoon Aaron and I drove to Titusville, ate Chinese food and walked a half-mile to the point where Cheney Highway dead ends at US Hwy 1. From that vantage you can look directly across the water to see the mammoth Vehicle Assembly Building and both shuttle launch pads.
At 7:38 p.m. the Space Shuttle Atlantis left the earth right on time. With vi
deo rolling and the camera clicking, we cheered with thousands that stood along the shore. As my five-year-old and I witnessed our first launch together, I finally made good on a promise I made to myself a long time ago. Aaron turned to look up at me, smiled and said, “This is awesome, Dad.” He took the words right out of my mouth.
Finally!
Jun 9
Does it get any better?
Jun 9
The teenagers are at camp so I have had some opportunities to spend one-on-one time with Aaron, our five year old son. I’m seeking little ways to give him undivided attention. Sunday night we stayed up late and ate fruit and yogurt parfaits. Monday we did a “geocache” adventure – searching for hidden treasure in Tampa. Tuesday after work I took him to the causeway to fish for a few hours. We picked up some live shrimp and hit an outgoing tide. I spent a lot of time casting his line and getting it unsnagged. Nothing remarkable happened. The results of our evening consisted of a huge catfish, a blue crab, and several “thumps” from a school of ladyfish.
However, another perspective would show a greater catch for this dad and his son! We followed the fiddler crabs as they scampered into the crevices of the rocks along the seawall. We marveled at the aerobatics of brown pelicans as they plummeted out of the sky to scoop up their catch just below the water’s surface. We discovered how much a large catfish has in common with a shark. We observed a pair of prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs that we decided were playing tag. Finally, we ran out of names for all the colors in a sunset that would be considered spectacular in many parts of the world, but was rather common for the Suncoast.
During the ride home, out of the blue, he said, “Thanks, Dad.” These are the moments I clasp in the locket of my mind. Sharing the simple pleasures of the Mountain State Forest Festival with Maribeth. Camping and kayaking with Justin at Fort Desoto. Talking with Sarah as we drive to the east coast on the way to preach a Sunday evening service – and watching her sleep on the way home later that night. Trekking with the family through St. Augustine to discover secrets hidden for centuries (or just decades) in St. Augustine. Through the years I gaze at those pictures in my mind and smile a satisfied grin. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Summer Camp
Jun 6
Years ago the choices for summer camp were fairly limited. There were lots of church camps and maybe a few secular or scout-type camps. However, almost everybody went somewhere for at least a week. Church camps were opportunities to remove worldly distractions and focus attention on the spiritual lives of children and teenagers, especially through good preaching. Plus campers had a great time and were exposed to the great outdoors. Ask enough people in the ministry (older than 35) and you’ll find many that either trusted Christ at camp or committed their lives to full-time service. Perhaps one of the reasons that fewer young people consider “vocational ministry” these days is a decreased emphasis on summer camps or a change in the focus of such camps.
Along those lines there is a noticeable trend regarding summer camps: Fewer Christian parents view Christian summer camps as absolutely important for their children. Fewer children and teens attend church camps. Churches (pastors & staff) become discouraged in their efforts to recruit campers. Some churches give up and quit promoting these types of camps altogether. Camp ministries fade as tools for spiritual growth of young people.
Why has this happened? It is not because of time or money considerations. Young people are attending camps in record numbers. Dozens of specialty camps are offered to our children every summer. They promise to make your child a better hitter, kicker, actor, wrestler, musician or free throw shooter. They are anything but inexpensive. Before you jump to any conclusions about my limited perspective, consider that my children attend sports camps every summer. My daughter will attend two weeks of music academy in July. But these will never replace the value of Christian camp in my book.
Missionaries around the world continue to use summer camp as a prime method for reaching young people and helping them grow into mature believers. This week we sent approximately fifty teens to North Carolina for an exciting week at an awesome camp. I have spent a lot of time praying for a spiritual impact in the lives of our teenagers. Church leaders and parents should reconsider the value of this time-tested tool.
One result of diminished emphasis on Christian camps will be that churches will suffer from a lack of dedicated and trained ministers. But we should have plenty of excellent hitters for our church softball teams.
As previously stated, my morning coffee came in a cup with “The Way I See It #220” printed down the side. This is Starbucks’ effort to share “a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures” in order to spark discussion. This particular quote is from David Quammen, the author of The Song of the Dodo and The Reluctant Mr. Darwin. He states, “Evolution as described by Charles Darwin is a scientific theory, abundantly reconfirmed, explaining physical phenomena by physical causes. Intelligent Design is a faith-based initiative in rhetorical argument. Should we teach I.D. in America’s public schools? Yes, let’s do it – not as science, but alongside other spiritual beliefs, such as Islam, Zoroastrianism and the Hindu idea that the Earth rests on Chukwa, the giant turtle.”
First, let me state that I’m not a great fan of intelligent design as it is currently being presented. It is often a watered-down version of creationism that removes many essential biblical concepts. Sure, it’s closer to the truth than Darwinian evolution. However, during the past few generations Christians have compromised too many crucial standards. We certainly need to choose which battles to fight. Isn’t the creation of the universe by the word of almighty God a battle worth fighting?
Second, the author perpetuates fallacy by presenting it as fact. He claims that Darwinian evolution has been “abundantly reconfirmed.” The average citizen adds this printed claim to what he has been taught in science class and comfortably embraces evolutionary theory. After all, somebody important said it must be true. Some even claim that is has been “proven,” contradicting even the staunchest of evolutionary scholars. Even creationists sometimes clam up and back down because we are daunted by such “scientific claims.”
A modicum of research will uncover the fatal flaws of evolution as it fails every time the scientific method is applied to it. Richard Milton, geologist and science journalist, asserts in his book Shattering the Myths of Darwinism that evolution “totters atop a shambles of outdated and circumstantial evidence that in any less controversial field would have been questioned long ago.” It rests upon the concept that species developed through almost four billion years of natural selection and arbitrary genetic mutation. However, scientific evidence shows that natural selection produces only limited genetic changes. Modern dating methods do not reveal an earth old enough for single-celled organisms to become complex beings. Not one transitional species has ever been discovered. There are in fact more “missing links” than there are actual fossils. Milton summarizes that Darwinism is “an act of faith rather than a functioning science.”
I bristled at Quammen’s comparison of intelligent design (and no doubt the Genesis account of creation at its core) with the fanciful Hindu concept of the world riding on the shell of Chukwa, the giant turtle, as she swims through the primordial ocean of milk. Certainly, Christianity is built upon faith (Hebrews 11:6). However, following Christ does not require us to ignore or abandon our human reasoning. The records of time – historical, literary, scientific, archeological – have served to reiterate the truth of God’s Word. Likewise, human reasoning will not bring a soul to Christ, nor should it drive one away from faith.
Finally, Dr. Jonathan Wells, biologist and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design states, “Darwinism’s impact on traditional social values has not been as benign as its advocates would like us to believe. Despite the efforts of its modern defenders to distance themselves from its baleful social consequences, Darwinism’s connection with eugenics, abortion and racism is a matter of historical record. And the record is not pretty.” For the sake of full disclosure this final quote is “The Way I See It #224.” I was relieved when I found it on starbucks.com. I didn’t want to give up my non-fat caffé latte because of my principles!
Who? Why? What?
May 16
Who? I am a follower of Jesus Christ who has been blessed beyond measure. I have a family that I dearly love. I know a Savior that meets both my eternal and temporal needs. I serve in a community that is needy. At the same time, it is a privilege to live in a place that is so inviting that many families save up all year in order to spend just a week here. I pastor a church that consists of brothers and sisters who are striving to become more like Christ. If you care for more details, you can click my profile.
Why? I’m opinionated. Those that know me well may consider that a momentous understatement. This morning, while reading the side of my venti, non-fat caffe latte, I was compelled to interact with the statement in “The Way I See It #220.” Thus, a cup of coffee became the impetus for a personal blog.
What? This blog, as most others, is a medium that allows me to express my particular worldview. I am certainly an independent thinker with a theologically conservative perspective. More importantly, I hope to present a biblical perspective on whatever issues will be discussed. The name Trillseeker is obviously an adaptation of my surname. I have used it for some time as a username for geocaching and treasure hunting. In this setting, I hope to convey that all of us are seekers of some sort. Some search for fulfillment, satisfaction, or just peace and rest in a demanding world. Those answers are ultimately found in Christ. However, even as believers, we are on a journey and have not yet arrived. We are seeking those things that will make us more Christlike.