Phew! Well, after spending my summer at Casowasco, I'm back here in Lansing. I loved being at camp, and I was really excited whenever I got to hang out with all of you from LUMC. As a refresher to those of you who came (and some top-notch knowledge for those of you who didn't), we spent our Bible Studies and Chapel time discussing how God has created you to be a HERO in the lives of everyone around you.

Two years ago at camp, we talked about how God has been telling an Epic story throughout history, and in this day and age, you get to be a part of that story. Last summer, we talked about what the Soundtrack to that story sounds like; what should our life sound like if we're involved in God's story? Well, this summer we delved even deeper and said, "If God is telling this epic story throughout history, don't all great stories have main characters? What do these heroes look like? What qualities has God placed in us to be HEROES?"

We started off with three main qualities: Heart, Eyes, and Resolve. Having Heart means to have the willingness to act, regardless of the situation. Using your Eyes means to see clearly what needs to be done, no matter how others try to confuse you. By having Resolve, you commit to seeing something through, no matter how long it takes. Finally, we talked about how all heroes have a source for their power. Our source, the One, is Jesus Christ, who has offered to us the very power He had. With Christ as the source of our power, we can do the amazing things that God wants us to do. In any given situation, He wants us to see the right thing to do, have the courage to do it, and have the commitment to seeing it through, even when it's hard. That's what God wants you to do, and He created you to be that way.

I hope that those of you who came to Casowasco or Aldersgate this summer heard that message loud and clear, because there's a lot of people out there who need a hero (even your parents and brothers and sisters). As Superman said in Superman Returns, "You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear people crying for one." People are waiting for someone, they're counting on someone, to step into their lives and do the right thing to help them- you can be that hero.


...and that's just a small portion of what we talked about this summer. I had a great time, but I'm so glad to be back here at LUMC, getting ready for the school-year. See all of you soon!

~Kevin