Come Walk With Me
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Below are the 11 most recent journal entries recorded in the "rickoracoon" journal:
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08:12 am
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Harrison family update
Greetings from So-Cal! Life has been rather hectic the last few months getting ready for our move south, so please forgive the lack of communication.
I started my new job as President of PCCCI(Presbyterian Camps & Conference Centers Inc.) the first of Dec. For those of you who are not familiar with PCCCI it is a new non-profit corporation charged with the oversight and management of the three Southern California Presbyterian Camps, (Big Bear), (Wylie Woods), & (Rancho La Scherpa). The camps use to belong to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii. However, in April of last year the Synod reorganized, and the camping portion of the Synod was spun off into a new 501c3 corporation. To insure the highest quality of ministry all assets including land were transferred to the PCCCI. The down side is, prior to the formation of the PCCCI, two of the conference centers were shut down and all the administrative staff working with the camps were let go or transferred to other departments. As a result I am literally starting from scratch to build a new ministry. All three camps have incredible potential to do God's work, and the market in southern California for camping is absolutely huge. If by chance God is calling you to the camping ministry, this may be the perfect opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new and exciting ministry. You can email me at rick@pccci.org if you are interested.
Because I will be working with all three camps, Ginny and I decided to buy a home near Lake Arrowhead. This places us very close to Wylie Woods and about a forty five minute drive to Big Bear. Rancho La Scherpa is just north of Santa Barbara, a four hour drive (without traffic). Our house is located in the little community of Sky Forest about a mile from lake Arrowhead. We live at an elevation of nearly 6000 feet and have wonderful views of the San Bernardino Valley. Not much to look at during the day, but at night we see a sea of lights. We have not had the opportunity to meet many of our neighbors yet, the ones we have met seem nice and hospitable. Sunday we started our search for a new church to get involved with. I think is going to be difficult finding a church we like as much as Sierra Vista in Oakhurst. We miss our life in Oakhurst, but if you have to live in So-Cal this is not a bad place to be. It takes us about 25 minutes to drive down the hill to the city (compared to an hour drive in Oakhurst). And, if we go the other way we are only about 15 minutes from Snow Valley the closest of four ski resorts.
Josh is adjusting well to his new environment. Today he is starting his second week at "Rim of the World high school. That's right, his school is called "Rim of the World", and if you ever get a chance to see it you will know why. It virtually sits on the rim of the San Bernordino Mountains and looks directly down 5000 feet to the vally below. It is like going to school on top of Half Dome. He seems to like his teachers and is slowly making a few friends. We covet your prayers for Josh. All he has ever know is Calvin Crest and Oakhurst, so this is a really big change for him.
Ginny is slowly adjusting to her new home. She has been busy unpacking what seems like thousands of boxes and transforming our house into a home. She is very frustrated that our furniture does not fit into our new house. Our house in Sky Forest is smaller than the one we had in Oakhurst so she is having to make difficult decisions of what to keep and what to get rid of. This week she is back at Calvin Crest to work on closing the financial books for 2005. When Ginny gave notice to Calvin Crest she agreed to come back for few days to perform this vital task. Once she gets the books done for Calvin Crest and she feels settled into the new house she will start working as the financial administrator for PCCCI on part time bases.
Change of this magnitude is always difficult. But all things considered, we are doing really good. We covet your prayers and always enjoy hearing from you. Please stay in touch and if you are ever in the area look us up.
Blessings,
Rick Harrison
President PCCCI
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11:56 pm
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I am starting to get a big head!
I want to thank everyone for your kind words of late. Both Ginny and I feel your prayers and are encouraged by your support. Since we made the announcement that we are leave Calvin Crest many of you have said some very nice things about me. I am flattered by your words, but I feel I need to set the record straight when some give me more credit than I deserve. It would not be right for me to take credit for the accomplishments that have taken place at camp over the past 15 years. I was part of a team of individuals that God used for his purposes. I was glad to do my part but the truth is I could not have done much of anything on my own. Many Godly people have contributed to the success of the Calvin Crest ministry, and they deserve most of the credit. It is also important to note that the truly special things that have happened over the years (the events and experiences that set Calvin Crest apart) happened by the power of the Holy Spirit. What a privilege it has been for me and my family to witness the many God miracles that have taken place on the hill. I appreciate the support, but the ministry at Calvin Crest is much larger than one person. Thank God!
Rick Harrison
Former Executive Director
Calvin Crest Conferences
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01:17 am
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It Is Hard Saying Good-bye
I hate good-byes! I am much better at hellos. I always new that one day I would have to write this letter, I just didn't think it would be so soon. On September 16th I resigned from my position as Executive Director of Calvin Crest. This has to be one of the hardest decisions that I have ever had to make. Calvin Crest has been a major part of my live for nearly 35 years and the thought of leaving was hard to imagine. Never the less when God calls it is always a good idea to listen, even if you don't like what He is saying. God spoke to Ginny and I and made it very clear that it is time for us to move on to a new ministry. I have excepted the position of President for a new Corporation in Southern California called PCCCI. The corperation owns three christian camps in Southern California and has asked me to help them start a program ministry similar to Calvin Crest's. We are excited about this new challenge but are sad to be leaving so many of our good friends at Calvin Crest. Please pray for us as well as the Calvin Crest staff as we make this difficult transition. My last day on the job will November 4th and there will be a farewell celebration at Sierra Vista Church in Oakhurst on Nov. 6th at 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited and I hope you can come so I can say good-bye with a long and heart felt hug.
Blessing,
Rick & Ginny Harrison
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10:14 am
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Da Vinci Code
I recently read the book the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Even though it seemed a little harsh on Christianity it was a good read. I enjoyed the suspense and the story line held together fairly well. However, the best part of the book was the historical theology. Brown is way out on a limb with the plot of the story, however his historical research is right on the money. This is not a book for new Christians, but if you are secure in your faith I highly recommend it. It will cause you think about the history of our faith in away that is not usually discussed in Christian circles.
I find it interesting to note that on the market today the most popular book "The Da Vinci Code" and the most popular movie "The Passion of Christ" are both about Jesus. It is also very interesting to note that both are very controversial in the world. What does all this mean?
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12:12 am
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A Weekend Away
I just got back from a weekend with my wife Ginny in Cambria. (Cambria is a small town on the coast just north of Morro Bay. We had a wonderful time. Amy and Jim Smith took Josh for the weekend and Ginny and I were able to get away for a romantic two days together. We stayed in a beautiful little cottage with a fire place and a view of the ocean. On Saturday we got up and had breakfast in town and afterwords took a long walk on the beach. In the afternoon we drove up the coast about ten miles to see the Sea Lions. There were literally hundreds of them sun bathing on the beach. In the evening we went out to dinner at a local restaurant and eat so much that we could hardly move. After dinner we talked and talked and talked. We talked so much I was afraid the restaurant was going to ask us to leave.
Spending time alone with my wife is a wonderful experience, we need to do it more often. It is during times like this that I remember once again how much I love her.
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11:01 am
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I Am On A Diet
I just got done reading Tony's blog for the day(reimaginingcamp.blogspot.com) and now I am really hungry. I am currently on a diet trying to lose a few pounds, so thanks a lot Tony! Is there such a thing as a low fat, low carb sauce?
I may be over the top on this one but I could not help but think about Matt. 5:13 as I read Tony's comments. Just replace the word SALT with SAUCE and you have the New Calvin Crest Version of the bible. Are we not all called to be the sauce of the world? I find my self tempted to be the main entree, but NO, Christ calls me to be the sauce. So what does it mean to be the sauce? Is it possible that I am called to bring out the flavor in others and to enhance those around me? Is it not our calling as Christians to make the main dish POP? Nobody I know just eats sauce. Sauce has to be put on something, otherwise it is useless. The question is, am I pouring myself over others to bring out their flavor, or am I content to stay in the pot and keep on perfecting myself, hoping one day that I will be the perfect sauce?
Boy, this sounds preachy! I hope you don't take it that way, this is just a reflection of some thoughts that I am having concerning the greater church. I find myself asking a lot of question lately about the way we do things in the church. Such as; In what ways would the church look different if we saw ourselves as sauce? Which brings up the question who is the main entree?
I would enjoy your thoughts on this.
Rick
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11:11 pm
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What a Great Weekend!
I have had a wonderful weekend. I can't remember the last time I had three days off at home. I got to share a dinner and movie with Ginny and Josh on Friday night, (We saw the movie "Fifty First Dates"). On Saturday I played nine holes of golf with my good friend Ruben. Sunday I worked around the house and got to watch John Daly win the Buick open. Sunday evening I enjoyed a wonderful time of worship at Sierra Vista. Today Ginny, Josh and I went to visit Bonnie and Jake in Fresno and did some shopping. Life is good!
I just got done watching the Mel Gibson interview on TV. He did a good job answering some very critical questions. The interview tended to focus on the fear that the movie could cause anti-jewish sentiments. Personally, it is not hard for me to understand why some Jews may be concerned. History teaches us that the Jew's have long been persecuted because of their involvement in the suffering and death of Jesus. What I struggle with is the need for some to point a finger at a particular group of people, and say you killed Jesus. The fact is we all killed Jesus! I am as much responsible for Christ's suffering and death as the next man or women. He sacrificed himself for my sins, and in doing so was able to show forth God's amazing grace and love for me. What is even more amazing to me is God did all this with no assurance that I would even recognize or take advantage of his sacrifice on my behalf. Jesus suffered, died and was resurrected simply to make it possible, that we his children could re-establish a relationship with God the Father.
We can not, and should not, blame the Jews for the death of Christ. I have little doubt, that if Christ were to come to earth as a human tomorrow that we would treat him any different. Don't mis-understand me, I don't think we would put him on a cross or even condemn him to death. We would crucify him in other ways that would be much more culturally acceptable for today.
My prayer is that we would not focus on WHO killed Jesus but WHY Jesus had to die.
Rick
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11:11 pm
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What a Great Weekend!
I have had a wonderful weekend. I can't remember the last time I had three days off at home. I got to share a dinner and movie with Ginny and Josh on Friday night, (We saw the movie "Fifty First Dates"). On Saturday I played nine holes of golf with my good friend Ruben. Sunday I worked around the house and got to watch John Daly win the Buick open. Sunday evening I enjoyed a wonderful time of worship at Sierra Vista. Today Ginny, Josh and I went to visit Bonnie and Jake in Fresno and did some shopping. Life is good!
I just got done watching the Mel Gibson interview on TV. He did a good job answering some very critical questions. The interview tended to focus on the fear that the movie could cause anti-jewish sentiments. Personally, it is not hard for me to understand why some Jews may be concerned. History teaches us that the Jew's have long been persecuted because of their involvement in the suffering and death of Jesus. What I struggle with is the need for some to point a finger at a particular group of people and say you killed Jesus. The fact is we all killed Jesus! I am as much responsible for Christ's suffering and death as the next man or women. He sacrificed himself for my sins and in doing so was able to show forth God's amazing grace and love for me. What is even more amazing to me is God did all this with no assurance that I would even recognize or take advantage his sacrifice on my behalf. Jesus suffered,died and was resurrected simply to make it possible that we his children could re-establish a relationship with God the Father.
We can not, and should not blame the Jews for the death of Christ. I have little doubt, that if Christ were to come to earth as a human tomorrow that we would treat him any different. Don't mis-understand me, I doubt we would put him on a cross or even condemn him to death. We would crucify him in other ways that would be much more culturally acceptable for today.
My prayer is that we would not focus on WHO killed Jesus but WHY Jesus had to die.
Rick
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01:07 am
[Link] | I enjoyed Pastor Rick Irish's message tonight at Sierra Vista. I was particularly moved by the idea that we can not experience God's grace until we recognize the sin in our lives. In other words, we have no need of grace unless we are guilty. If we have no sin in our lives then there is no need for God's grace. It is the person that fully comprehends their fallen nature and humbles themselves before God that is able to experience the richness of God's amazing grace.
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned!
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11:03 am
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Today is a good day!
Today while coming up the hill to Calvin Crest I got behind four buses going five miles an hour. What are the odds of that happening? Two of the school buses were coming to pick up O/E campers and the other two were dropping off guests for the weekend. At first I was all tense and very frustrated that my journey up the hill was going to be slowed down substantially. All I could think about is how late I was going to be and all the work I needed to get done when I got to my office. Because I was traveling up the hill so slow I had a chance to look around a bit and was taken back with the wonderful creation that God had surrounded me with. I have traveled this road thousands of time but this morning I saw things that I have never seen before. I am truly a fortunate man to live in such a beautiful place, forgive me God for not appreciating it.
Today is a good day and I will rejoice in it!
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04:10 pm
[Link] | < img src= http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dc31b3127cceb8042bb5e44b0000001010 alt=rick/>
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