{"id":541,"date":"2009-07-03T07:45:40","date_gmt":"2009-07-03T14:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/one-church.net\/crosseyedlife\/?p=541"},"modified":"2009-07-03T13:18:50","modified_gmt":"2009-07-03T20:18:50","slug":"growing-up-graduating-chuck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/2009\/07\/03\/growing-up-graduating-chuck\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing up, Graduating &#038; Chuck"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0<span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">I write this blog to you from the corner of the snack shop at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youthfrontzone.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">YouthFront Camp<\/a> in Edgerton, Ks. I&#8217;ve had the privilege of being the camp pastor here for the last four years and it&#8217;s starting to feel like a second home.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">They have great facilities, an excellent staff and some of the most unique programs I have every seen. But, probably the most ringing endorsement comes from my boys Noah and Nathan who say this is their &#8220;most favorite camp ever&#8221;, which is a huge statement because my boys&#8230; they&#8217;ve seen lot of camp.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">When I ask what their favorite part is, it&#8217;s hard for them to decide: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"MARGIN-TOP: 0in\" type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Is it the paramilitary game NIGHTSTRIKE played late at night when they cut all the lights at camp<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Is it the grossly enormous free standing water slide that has a 30 second drop<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Is it the 50s Pool Party, the Renaissance fair, the camp-wide shaving cream war, the daily HYPE sessions of dancing, goofy games and indoor dodgeball<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Is it the all access free pass they get to the snack shop as the camp pastor&#8217;s kids (I think this might be it, but that\u2019s just me)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Whatever it is, I love doing this camp, because my kids love it so much. And, this camp is really unusual because of its facilities and programming. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">However, there is one thing that makes this camp identical to the hundreds of other camps I have been to over the years\u2026 the kiddos.<!--more--><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">It doesn\u2019t matter how cool the staffers are, how impressive the facilities get, or how incredibly hilarious the speaker is (and he is amazing), none of it matters if real life change doesn\u2019t take place in the life of the students. If there isn\u2019t the planting of seeds, the watering of the work, or the harvesting\u2026. Then all these kids did was have a fun week, er, in Jesus name.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">And, the parents spent a whole lot of money.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">This is the danger. We live in a culture that is so event driven that we often substitute events\/programs\/calendar milemarkers for real change. But, going to camp doesn\u2019t guarantee spiritual maturity anymore than high school graduation guarantees people grow up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">On this issue I asked one of my mentors Dr. Chuck Stecker, the founder of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.achosengeneration.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">A Chosen Generation Ministries <\/a>to be a guest blogger on the subject of graduations and growing up. He has an incredible ministry of leading individuals and churches through \u2018real\u2019 rites of passage to true biblical maturity and adulthood.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">This issue is too important to leave to chance, so, I introduce to you my friend and mentor Chuck Stecker:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Celebrating Graduations&#8211;Not Adulthood<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Dr. Chuck Stecker<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">President\/Founder<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">A Chosen Generation<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">For many graduation from high school serves as a ceremonial Rite of Passage into adulthood. It <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-549\" title=\"chuckbiopic2006\" src=\"http:\/\/one-church.net\/crosseyedlife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/chuckbiopic2006.jpg\" alt=\"chuckbiopic2006\" width=\"189\" height=\"265\" \/>is a time for young men and women to leave the home in which they have been raised. The idea that this marks adulthood is normally based on a vacuum being filled. When there has not been a clear marking of adulthood accompanied by a distinct separation of adulthood and maturity, many are left with graduation from high school as their only choice until something better comes along.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Graduation should be to celebrate the accomplishment of completing four years of study and launching into another season in our son\u2019s or daughter\u2019s life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/span>It is clearly a new season that should be marked with a greater level of \u201cSpiritual Maturity\u201d accompanied by a greater level of responsibility.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Regarding this issue of \u201cSpiritual Maturity\u201d there is a lack of understanding and ability of parents and leaders to present a clear and achievable definition for our sons and daughters.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">A study was released on May 11, 2009 by the Barna Group (<\/span><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.barna.org\/\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: blue\">www.barna.org<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">) that specifically addressed the problems we have in our families and churches in presenting a working definition of \u201cSpiritual Maturity\u201d that makes sense where we live, work, go to school and play. I was not shocked by the lack of understanding of this issue. As our ministry team has traveled this country sharing the importance of Rites of Passage into adulthood, the primary stumbling block for many parents and leaders has been that they cannot separate the issues of adulthood and spiritual maturity. As a result, adulthood is held hostage by many who feel that a person needs to be mature before they can be an adult.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Spiritual maturity is when through constant use and training and the power of the Holy Spirit, one discerns good from evil; courageously acts on the good and takes responsibility for their decisions.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">The source for this definition is God\u2019s Word\u2014the Holy Bible. It is what we have called the Hebrews 5:14 principle and God uses the life of Jesus to clarify this issue. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">If we allow graduation from high school to serve as the entry into adulthood, we position our youth to believe that adulthood is earned; and it will not take them very long to need a truth that this flawed understanding does not provide. Would that mean that should they graduate from college they will be more of an adult? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">In conclusion, graduations are a wonderful time to celebrate the very important accomplishments of our young men and women. However, celebrations such as<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/span>graduations should not replace the very critical Rite of Passage into adulthood that should precede high school graduation. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 5pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Celebrate \u2026 absolutely yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yet, do not use graduation to serve a purpose for which it was not intended\u2014the Rite of Passage into adulthood.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Thanks Chuck. Whether its camp, graduation or some family experience unique to you and your clan I love what he says, &#8220;Celebrate \u2026 absolutely yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yet, do not use graduation to serve a purpose for which it was not intended\u2014the Rite of Passage into adulthood.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">Just because because you buy the ticket doesn&#8217;t mean you actually made the trip. It&#8217;s important that we help our kiddos make the real journey into spiritual maturity and celebrate each step along the way.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">At camp this week, Noah did something he had never done before, the ZIP LINE. Nathan had done it in the past, but it has loomed as something to be feared for Noah at every camp.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">He claimed he was afraid of heights and he put it off for 3 of our 4 days, but eventually we made it to the ropes course.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">He did it and I couldn&#8217;t be more proud. It was a moment of growth, a step forward, a celebration of bravery&#8230; I punched his man card.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"LINE-HEIGHT: 14.25pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">You see, he\u00a0just didn&#8217;t go to a camp\u00a0with a zip line, he did the zip line&#8230; he took the plunge. You go my son:<\/span><\/span><span style=\"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0______________________________________<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\u00a0On a side note, I want all the crosseyedlife readers to know about a resource.\u00a0I am a LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE\u00a0 user and they are doing a giveaway. I get asked about Bibles all the time and here is a chance at some good freebies.\u00a0I am including their link to the promotion below. Many blessings:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.logos.com\/\">Logos Bible Software<\/a> is celebrating the launch of their new <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.logos.com\/ \">online Bible<\/a> by giving away <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.logos.com\/content\/giveaway\">72 ultra-premium print Bibles<\/a> at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.logos.com\/content\/giveaway\">Bible giveaway<\/a> is being held at <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.logos.com\/content\/giveaway\">Bible.Logos.com<\/a> and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.logos.com\/\">Logos<\/a> and see how it can revolutionize your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.logos.com\/demo\">Bible study<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I write this blog to you from the corner of the snack shop at YouthFrontZone Camp in Edgerton, Ks. I&#8217;ve had the privilege of being the camp pastor here for the last four years and it&#8217;s starting to feel like a second home.<\/p>\n<p>They have great facilities, an excellent staff and some fo the most unique programs I have every seen. But, probably the most ringing endorsement comes from my boys Noah and Nathan who say this is their &#8220;most favorite camp ever&#8221;, which is a huge statement because my boys&#8230; they&#8217;ve seen lot of camp.<\/p>\n<p>When I ask what their favorite part is, it&#8217;s hard for them to decide: <\/p>\n<p>Is it the paramilitary game NIGHTSTRIKE played late at night when they cut all the lights at camp<br \/>\nIs it the grossly enormous free standing water slide that has a 30 second drop<br \/>\nIs it the 50s Pool Party, the Renaissance fair, the daily HYPE sessions of dancing, goofy games and indoor dodgeball<br \/>\nIs it the all access free pass they get to the snack shop as the camp pastor&#8217;s kids (I think this might be it, but that\u2019s just me)<\/p>\n<p>Whatever it is, I love doing this camp, because my kids love it so much. And, this camp is really unusual because of its facilities and programming. <\/p>\n<p>However, there is one thing that makes this camp identical to the hundreds of other camps I have been to over the years\u2026 the kiddos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,115,112,118,117,482,114,113],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":548,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541\/revisions\/548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crosseyedlife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}