Camp Crew Update on... SHIMMER!

In today’s blog post, we get to have a virtual chat with another one of our Camp Crew 2021 members - our very own Shimmer! I am sure you will be super encouraged after reading her answers to our interview questions - God is good, and he is faithful!

Hi Julia! I mean, Shimmer! What are you up to these days?

Currently, I am finishing up my first year at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

What’s the best thing about your school right now?

The best thing about school right now is the people. My friends and I like to study together by drawing things out on whiteboards and teaching each other the concepts. Not only is it more fun to study with other people but we feel like teachers and ensure there’s time for a Second Cup coffee break between teaching each other complicated topics. Another thing that I enjoy about school these days is my anatomy lab – we get to work hands-on with specimens that are fascinating. I am always blown away by how incredibly intricate God has created our bodies to be; saying that they’re pretty cool is an understatement.

What is the last great book you've read and why?

Hmmm… good question! I’ve not had much time to do leisure reading these days but I have been making my way through reading “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist. Emily “Heaps” Shields suggested I read it. It is about letting go of the striving, hustling-and-bustling, busyness/success-focused lifestyle to embracing God’s calling for our lives to be present, focused in the moment, and with our eyes continually fixed on Him. I love this book because it has challenged me, convicted my heart, and helped me to critique the areas of my life where I get consumed in a worldly cycle of busyness, rather than pursuing a Jesus-focused life. Preferably enjoyed with a chai tea (or any tea of your choosing) and a seat by a window.

What is your favorite meal these days?

Being a student on a meal plan, I have to say that my favourite meal is anything homecooked! Moving away from home has made me appreciate my parents’ cooking so much more – I especially love my dad’s homemade pasta (my mouth is salivating as I am writing this).

What is a good piece of advice you've received lately, and from whom?

“Enjoy the journey” has been a piece of advice that I have received from my dad for so long and he has recently reminded me of this advice again. As much as there are times that I will take this piece of advice with an eye roll and a “I get it, Dad, you’ve told me this before,” this piece of advice is filled with so much truth that I need to be continually reminded of. It is about staying present and joyful in the journey that God has set before us and is about appreciating the blessings even in the moments that seem tough. This year has had its ups and downs but reflecting back, I see that even in the tough moments, there were beautiful moments too. More than ever, God has used those moments to show me so much love through the people He put into my life. So passing on this piece of advice to you (yes, you) reading this, enjoy the journey, stay present, and enjoy the process of God guiding your life!

What is your favourite memory from Summer 2021 at Beacon last year?

Suzie, you can’t ask this kind of question – there are too many memories to choose from! This questions should not be allowed. ;) If I had to choose one, I’d say that my favourite memory was singing and dancing in the rain to the "Power Shuffle" during the Rolling Thunder family camp. It was a spontaneous moment that involved taking life’s lemons (i.e. the bad weather) and making some lemonade (i.e. DANCING!). It is a memory I will hold into for my whole life.

Psalm 117

Today we have the special treat of listening in on some reflections by Rowan Fraser (the speaker at Forest Glade Family Camp back in 2021). He’s been meditating on Psalm 117, and this is what he has to say:

Pslam 117. This three-verse psalm has often been thought of as incomplete. It was thought to be the end of Psalm 116 and was sometimes added to Psalm 118. However, it is complete in that it has a call to praise, a cause for praise and a conclusion.

The psalm begins with “Praise the Lord, all nations” and expands to “Extol (praise enthusiastically, actively, willingly) Him, all peoples”. Not the few in the region or some of this nationality or many of this age, instead all people. It gives a collective, yet individual call to praise and worship the Lord.

It is a beautiful picture where one day, in essence, every knee is bowed and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.

But how do we get there?

I am one of the few people who loathe springtime. Most times when I share my dislike of this season, people react like I’m crazy. But, really, what’s to love?? The muddy terrain, soggy animal refuse, unpredictable weather and gray outlook of spring has bothered me for years. Spring restlessness is something I face each year as an educator with students and staff alike. The only saving grace of spring is Easter… literally! Spring is a season of transition where the ravages of winter are exposed and new life comes from the death of winter.

So, again, how do we get to the beautiful picture of praise?

To call people and nations to praise and extol the Lord, we have to pray for a kingdom of worshippers.

Think of some of the things that compete for our worship:

Online games and quick gratification

Food/Drink

Pleasure

Approval of peer groups

YouTube/TikTok influences

Athletic/Academic/Career success

Some of these, as Paul Tripp often says, are good things that have become bad things because they have become ruling things.

How much more focus should be on the prayer for hearts of this nation that are being bombarded by calls to praise other people and things.

Our goal must extend beyond seeing people saved, it must extend to them being enthusiastic, thoughtful, sincere, joyful and Spirit-empowered worshippers of the King.

We engage in mission work at Beacon, in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our workplaces and in our homes, but more is needed. We need to engaged in mission work on our knees for this generation (and the next) to be worshippers of the Living God.

One author says it this way:

“The proper end of missions is not the salvation of souls; the proper end of missions is the glory of God. The end of missions is more and more people who are happy in God”

You may find yourself in the Lighthouse this summer and notice the kids as they worship (or not). You’ll either be encouraged by those who are engaged or discouraged by those with limp arms and mouths barely moving, staring at the images on screen.

Let me encourage you to pray right in that moment. If you see…

joyless singing - pray for joyful worship in their hearts

boredom with lessons or the gospel - pray for excited engagement with the gospel and the Word of God

rebelliousness or disrespect - pray for obedience to the gospel and delight in holiness

selfishness - pray that they would actively seek to be living sacrifices whose worship is good and acceptable

So why is the King worthy of the nations’ worship and praise?

He is worthy of praise because of His steadfast love. It is dependable love that can you bank on. Other translations render this “merciful kindness”.

The key part is the directionality of God’s love. It is toward us; Gentiles, Israel, all peoples, all nations. The door is flung open wide by a transcendent God who in merciful kindness and steadfast love brings salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ and makes those who were not his people, his own. That is a huge reason to praise Him!

Furthermore, we don’t need to fear that the salvation won, the promises made or the relationship extended are going to ever be withdrawn because his faithfulness is true - it endures, it’s forever.

The Psalm ends with “Praise the Lord”, because it’s the only way to end a psalm where we are confronted with God’s global purpose to bring people to worship Him for who He is and what He has done. It is a divine and expected exclamation mark!

Knowing these things causes us to worship for sure – but should also spur us on to pray passionately for others. An author I read on prayer, said this: “All prayer pursued far enough becomes praise”. So pursue prayer for the young ones we teach, sing with and memorize verses with. Pray for these families – that they would become worshippers of the King who is worthy.

Pray that hearts would praise our great, faithful God together, knowing that He will bring about praise for His glory, now, but most certainly in eternity and even in Spring.

Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 117, NIV)

Rowan with his wife Joy and their family this spring. Look how much those kids have grown!

Into the Woods with Curio: Singing in the Snow

It must be April -- the other day a robin was out in the yard singing while it was snowing. The calendar says its spring and the robins are back. So why does it still feel like it’s winter?

Like almost all of Canada, (except Vancouver Island and Vancouver) spring rarely arrives early, or even on time in Muskoka, and at Beacon. There’s just too much winter to get rid of first. The layers of snow and ice, the frost in the ground and the many other effects from months of short winter days and sub-zero temperatures take time to go away.

This makes it feel like winter hasn’t left yet. Nights still dip below zero, and the daytime temperatures often don’t rise above single digits until the end of the month. There can even be more snow, which stays longer than is wanted.

None of this, however, stops the wildlife at camp from getting about their spring business. The bears are awake from their hibernation, and hungrier than we can imagine. Other hibernators, such as chipmunks and raccoons, are also scurrying and prowling about in search of something to eat. The robins on the Lighthouse lawn are joined by squeaking grackles and noisy red-winged blackbirds making territorial displays. A song sparrow’s sweet serenade is heard down at the waterfront, phoebes call from the porch at the upper washrooms, and the low rumbling noise, which sounds like someone is trying to start the tractor, is a ruffed grouse drumming from somewhere in the undergrowth.

By mid-month the ice should be gone from Beacon’s lake. Once that happens the beaver become more active, downing trees and making their presence known. Spring peepers start calling from any low, wet area of camp, filling the evenings with an almost deafening chorus of sound. Adding to the mix is the weird quacking of the wood frogs, and the long trills of toads.

The ‘ice-out’ event is followed by what is referred to locally as ‘green-up’, when the herbaceous plant growth re-emerges on the forest floor. This brings much anticipated nourishment for the ever-growing population of wildlife at camp, and finally ushers in the spring we are expecting.

Regardless of the weather I know that Spring will finally arrive at Beacon. But winter weather in April tests my faith to believe that things will be different than what they appear. Just like a robin singing when it is snowing, I have to believe that warmer days are ahead.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6

Monk's Musings: What Quenches Our Thirst?

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost… Listen to me, and eat what is good.”

ISAIAH 55:1-2

Eight centuries after the prophet wrote that invitation from God, Jesus came and said “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst… it will be a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). He changed water to wine at the wedding of Cana (John 2) and claimed “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). He alone can satisfy our soul’s deepest yearnings, because He created us to find our greatest satisfaction in Him alone. He offers us the water of eternal life through the Holy Spirit. He offers us the wine of true joy and lasting happiness. He offers us the milk of His Word that will help us grow spiritually. He offers us the bread of abundant life. May we accept His kind offers, and stop filling our minds and hearts with the fake substitutes that the world offers us!

Beacon Bible Camp exists for this alone: It was founded to “point eyes to creation and call hearts to God”, because even the beauty and glory of the Muskoka lake country will not ultimately satisfy our hearts. It is a beautiful gift that we hope you will choose to enjoy, but our hearts’ greatest desire, whether we acknowledge it or not, is for the Giver, more than for His gifts. So may we be encouraged to feed on the real food and drink, which is ultimately Jesus Christ himself. And yes, may we be encouraged to make Beacon a part of our plans for the summer, whether as a camper, or as a volunteer cabin leader, summer staff or cook; but most of all, may we find our deepest joy in knowing and loving the Lord Jesus.

With all our best wishes for the coming spring and summer,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn