“I’ve been watching the old man for over three years now,” Carlos says, leaning back putting his hands behind his head.  “He’s one of those rare cats who learned something profound about halfway through life.  Most never get it.  His failure gave him a great gift.  Got him off track long enough to start listening and seeing. He got to see life for real, after there’s not much to lose.  Changed his whole way of seeing the world, his friendship, his lifestyle.  Took a lot of his fears away.  Made him a lot more fun to be around.” 

John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicols, Bo’s Cafe

A Slice of Fresh Bread
The day we hiked out of the woods, my brother and I enjoyed a breakfast of freeze dried blueberry crumble and a few leftover chocolate chip cookies.  Lunch was an extended snack of raisins, beef jerky and peanuts. Not a bad start to the day.
At the trailhead my brother Paul reminded me that we had not seen a vegetable for several days and that we should probably eat a real meal.  I agreed so we stopped and had milkshakes for dinner!
Hey it was vacation!
We can only subsist on junk food for so long and then—if we want to remain strong and healthy—we need some real food.  A tasty blueberry dessert for breakfast, fistfuls of peanuts for lunch, and a creamy milkshake for dinner are ok from time to time, but we need a regular diet of healthy basics if we want to enjoy good health.
Peter tells us, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.  (I Peter 2:2a)
The writer of Hebrews takes this thought farther saying, But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
Don’t be a junk food Christian.  Make sure you eat a healthy portion of solid food every day.  Read God’s Word, chew on it, and let it provide the strength you need to serve God and walk with Him.

Prayer Requests 

1. Over 40 people have been killed in forest fires in Russia.  Three CCI member camps have been evacuated.  No campers or staff members have been injured at this time.  Please pray for the safety of all involved and that no other ministry would be disruptive.
2. Storms demolished two large tents erected to house the exhibitors at the Christian Venues Association (Australia) national conference earlier this week.  Fortunately no one was injured and the exhibitors had not yet moved into these tents.  Please pray for an effective time of training and fellowship at this conference despite the damage and disruption. (See before and after pictures at www.cciworldwide.org (Photos, CVA Australia Natl Conf 2010)
3. Christian Camping Southern Africa serves several countries in the southern portion of that continent and is currently holding its annual conference.  Please pray for the CCSA annual conference scheduled for July 30- August 6.  Please pray for a good time of fellowship, education, and inspiration for those who attend. 
4. CCI New Zealand is hosting The Gathering August 8-12.  Please pray that this meeting for the executive leadership of CCI member camps would provide the networking and strategic planning to grow Christian Camping throughout their country.
5. Several CCI associations are in financial difficulty.  Please pray for the operating resources for these associations to continue ministering effectively.

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