September 2011 Newsletter

SUCCESS TO SUCCESS IN 2011

He may be the best known giant of all times because his name even today, some 3000 years later, engenders thoughts of magnitude or gigantic size. Standing in full armor and just under ten feet tall, the sight of him was enough to cause seasoned warriors to tremble in their boots! Ironically, this giant warrior is best known for his defeat and death at the hands of a young teenager named David. While his name and size are remembered, little else is recorded about the great giant, Goliath.

David, a young man –perhaps in his mid teens, had already proven himself in the responsibilities assigned to him. Jesse, the aging father, had entrusted to his youngest son the care of the family’s flock of sheep, perhaps a significant part of their wealth.

As a shepherd, he knew to search out green pastures and fresh water, providing for the physical needs of the sheep. He also protected them from the dangers inherent to their existence in the Judean wilderness. When confronted by a bear and later a lion he successfully dominated both beasts for the safety of his flock. David moved from success to success when faced with an even larger obstacle, the gargantuan Goliath.

Perhaps if he had not done well in confronting the lion and the bear, it would have been less likely that he would have had the courage and skill needed to confront the giant. Who could have imagined what lay ahead for a young teen that faithfully did his assigned chores? Along the way, God eventually chose David to be king over His people.

While many great accomplishments were credited to David, it is important to remember that he moved from success in the smaller areas of life to successes in bigger things. Jesus said that being faithful in small things is to be faithful in much –and faithfulness in those small things is what leads to greater opportunity (Luke 16:10-12).

In observing teenage boys, whom I have fostered, I have seen a pattern in which young men expect failure and may even move through life with each decision prompted by failure. Often they do not comprehend that success in small things (i.e. household chores, a first checking account, mowing and trimming a neighbor’s lawn, building good sibling relationships, even preparing for a test at school) lead to success in greater areas.

The British pastor, Charles Spurgeon, was once approached by a young man desiring to pursue a ministry career. When asked why he felt God was leading him to ministry, the young man replied that everything else he had tried had failed . . . To which Spurgeon replied, “then God is not leading you to ministry because God uses people who are working to make a success of every task in life.”

“Success” is not a bad word. On the other hand, “failure” may not be either if it leads to valuable lessons learned. A retiring bank executive was asked by the young man replacing him the secret of his long and successful career.

He said simply, “Two words – good decisions”. Somewhat puzzled, the younger man asked him to elaborate a little more and tell how he arrived at good decisions. Again the older gentleman said, “Two words – bad decisions.” Failure may be quite valuable when accompanied by a humble spirit willing to learn and change.

PARENTS-Encourage Kids to move from Success to Success

Parents may draw several valuable lessons in assisting their children to move from success to success:

1. Encourage your kids to finish tasks. Failure is sometimes the accumulation of unfinished

projects. Determination to finish each endeavor is a great step toward developing diligence.

2. Chores important to the household or family business may be building blocks to success of both the family corporately and the younger members individually. Assign them!

3. Teach your children to take responsibility for failure and use its lessons as stepping stones for success. Avoid the common tendency to blame others for every undesired outcome.

4. Always remember that a sovereign God is ultimately in control. The courage of David comes from unrelenting faith in His good purpose.

Camp Appanoose offers approximately twenty residential camp programs designed to help your son or daughter broaden their horizons and move from success to success. All programs are Christ centered and led by trained staff. For more information, go to www.campappanoose.org or call 641-649-2491.

REMEMBERING WES – “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Our counselor from the summer of 2010, Wes Lunsford, had hoped to serve this summer (2011) again on camp staff but the Lord had other plans for him. On the morning of July 14, Wes awakened in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after battling cancer for the past year and a half.

Those of us who knew Wes appreciated his quiet consistency and maturity. Whether as part of the worship team, as a youth counselor, or a friend and encourager, Wes anticipated God’s best. Even in his weakened condition when several of us visited with him a few months ago, Wes looked forward to another summer serving Christ at camp.

It became apparent early this summer that Wes would not be on summer staff. God had better things and gave Wes that ultimate victory over cancer and all of life’s afflictions. A graduate of the Mount Pleasant Christian School, Wes continued his education at Lee University in North Carolina.

While being treated for the cancer which eventually took his life, Wes returned home to Mount Pleasant where he attended the local community college. He leaves behind his parents, sisters and many friends.