Doggy Day Camp

I had to make my way to Atlanta today for another fun clergy meeting. On days like this I take Dallas with me to Atlanta and drop him off at Doggy Day Camp.

On the way to Atlanta this morning Dallas slept in the car. He woke up when we arrived at the Doggy Day Camp. He was so excited. I think he likes this place. He was ready to play with his friends.

I spent most of my scheduled day off in a meeting. Afterwards I helped my Aunt with her computer. She needed help installing a new printer. It wasn't as easy as I hoped it would be. Then I journeyed through Friday afternoon traffic while running errands around town.

I caught a quick dinner at a favorite Chinese place (Glad I had some extra Weight Watcher points to spend!) and made my way to the Doggy Day Camp. When I arrived Dallas was happy to see me. However, he wasn't ready to go home. He had a great day playing with friends and didn't want to leave.

On the way back home I got to thinking about Doggy Day Camp. The meeting I went to today was about strengthening clergy. Folks were talking about practices and programs that could make clergy more effective in their ministry. Some people mentioned learning from top notch clergy and innovators. Some folks mentioned the need for worship. Others mentioned the need for coaching. I wonder if we just need to spend some time a Doggy Day Camp.

Think about it-Clergy Day Camp. Spend a whole day or half the day in play with friends. We would be in a safe place where we couldn't get hurt by passing cars or other dangers. Our play friends would be other clergy who want to play and are good playing with others. There could be a Camp Counselor to lead play and stimulate recreation. When the day is over we would go home and get back into the routine of ministry.

At the end of the day we would be tired, but it would be a good tired. Not the tired from sitting in a meeting but the kind of tired you can only experience when chasing tennis balls and a Frisbee. The kind of tired that comes from fellowship with friends. The kind of tired from a day well spent in play and recreation. The kind of tired the tills the hard soil of the soul and mind and makes it ready for the planting of seeds.


Clergy Day Camp? I wonder if Dallas would let me go.

Home Alone

Over the past few weeks I've been letting Dallas, my four year old beagle, stay home alone. For the most part he has done very well. That doesn't mean he hasn't chewed up anything while left unattended; however, the damage list is short: his leash (Lupine Leash with a lifetime replacement warranty), a puppy house training pad (just in case he needs to go), and part of the table cloth on my breakfast table (I think he was trying to pull off the box of Wheat Thins I left on top of the table). So far so good. I hope and pray for continued success.
Leaving Dallas home alone has got me thinking theologically about life. First of all, God has not left us home alone. God has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. The Holy Spirit is God with us. It isn't a thing but the third person of the Trinity. Several years ago, Kenneth Kinghorn wrote "Fresh Wind of the Spirit." It is a great, approachable and sound book about the Holy Spirit. If you have questions about the Holy Spirit I suggest you read it.
So God has not left us home alone. We have the Holy Spirit to comfort us, guide us, and sustain us along life's journey. We have the Holy Spirit to bring us into intimacy and realness with God. We have the Holy Spirit to make the Christian life Christian.
I don't know if my dog is personally aware of the Holy Spirit. I know God created animals. I believe animals are part of God's redemption of creation. I wish I knew that Dallas was aware of the Holy Spirit. Then he would know that he is never actually home alone. Perhaps, then he would find that perfect peace that comes from sleeping soundly on the couch?