Personally Speaking post.

G'day Everyone.

I took some time out to make a personal opinion and give some suggestions. Right now, it's nearing the peak of the Summer as July 4th (this coming Sunday, no less!) marks our unofficial mid-Summer point. Many of us are or will be in various vacation spots across the nation. Most of us may be going to deaf camps or some sort of a deaf events.

But whatever the deaf event it is for us to go to (like the upcoming NAD in Philly) and the people that we will meet, we need to be very cautious of WHO we talk to in these various places (camps, NAD, and bible conferences).

My friend, Samson, had gone to a particular deaf bible camp for many years as he has enjoyed it. But losing caution over the trust of who he meets at a deaf bible camp is no excuse. What has happened is pretty much unforgivable to the person who caused Samson to have too much hope in his life and then he lashed out in blind rage at the person closest to him. I can forgive Samson's error. But the person who caused Samson's problems in the first place? I'd like him to know and tell him that he'll face God for what he done to Samson.

In all my travels, I enjoy meeting new people in every place I've been to. But I take an abundance of caution in myself and say "you know, let's chat a little more in real life beyond these events (like a deaf bible camp) and get to know each other as friends" to the people I've meet. That way, I don't get swayed by personal opinions at the first meetings. Some times, those very same people don't follow up beyond those events. A very few do.

My friend, Samson, is going back to that Bible camp again. His friends, and myself, have begged him not to go again as to give himself time to heal a bit more. But he's already paid for the camp and they don't give refunds. So his friends and myself are setting up a prayer week for him. We have no choice. We want to protect him spiritually.

But, I also want to encourage Deaf Bible camps and conferences to please run a back ground check on all their "guest speakers", even if it means personally asking pointed questions along the way that may hurt them. The person, who Samson had a run-in with last year, has indeed a very checkered past with his previous deaf ministry pastor. That should be a big concern to Bible camp staff!

So as Summer 2010 continues, please have a safe and a enjoyable summer. And remember, packing for a summer event means to pack:
Safety,
Caution,
Good Nature,
and Common Sense.

Semper FI.