Into the Woods with Curio: Summer Bugs

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, …and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:25

Summer is the season for bugs. They are all around Beacon – deerflies and horseflies down at the waterfront, ants around the buildings, spiders in the washrooms, and mosquitoes everywhere. What a nuisance! What good are they, anyways?

Annoying as some of these bugs are, they all serve a purpose. Many are food for animals, especially birds, such as the vireos and whip-poor-wills and thrushes that we see and hear around camp. Frogs, salamanders, snakes, fish and even other bugs also eat bugs as a big part of their diet.

Some of the bugs that are found around camp are quite amazing, as well. One example is the ichneumon wasp, (pronounced ‘ick-NEW-monn’). Also known as the ‘stump stabber’ it is up to 8.5 cm long, with the female having an ovipositor that same length again. The female is usually seen on tree trunks or stumps, where she’ll circle around as if looking for something she dropped. What she is actually doing is drumming on the bark with her antennae to locate a wood-boring grub inside the tree. Once she has somehow figured out if one is there and where it is she bores into the wood with her ovipositor, right down into the wood-boring grub. Then she lays an egg on the grub through her ovipositor. Once that egg hatches it then feeds on the grub.

Another amazing bug is the whirligig beetle. You’ve seen these down in the shallows at the waterfront, where they race about on the surface of the water in dizzy circles. Their eyes are actually split it two, allowing them to see up into the air and down into the water at the same time! They are predators, and fast enough to catch a water strider, which is another bug that uses the surface of the water as its home.

Some bugs are also colourful and beautiful. These include the butterflies, of course, as well as many moths, and some of the iridescent beetles. The dragonflies and damselflies also fall into this category. Anytime you are down at the waterfront there is usually one or more species of dragonfly or damselfly zipping around the waterweeds or perched on a bare branch. They range in size from the diminutive, strikingly coloured bluets to the large ‘dragonhunter’, so called because it sometimes chases and eats other dragonflies. A bonus is that dragonflies and damselflies eat mosquitoes and other pesky bugs, as well.

While bugs can be a nuisance and even a concern, they are also amazing examples of God’s Creation. Bugs are also one of the animals found at camp that are easy to watch, and enjoy, all summer long.

Monk's Musings: Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well…”

JOHN 14:6-7

The banner over the entrance to our Lighthouse auditorium reminds us of the purpose of Beacon Bible Camp: to share the words of Jesus, the one who claimed to be “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. Those are pretty exclusive assertions! He claims to be the Son of God, the only one who opened the way for sinful humans, like me and like you, to be reconciled to God as our Eternal Father.

However, we must share these words with respect and humility! Jesus called many, but forced none to follow him. He dialogued humbly with women and men, powerful and outcasts, lepers and leaders, religious and pagans alike. He asked lots of tough questions. That is something we should also wish to emulate: encouraging all to “really know” Jesus, and by doing so to come to know God as Father as well.

We live in an increasingly polarized society. Paradoxically, one for whom the highest value is fast becoming that of “tolerance”. But the definition of “tolerance” is gradually changing into “intolerance” towards any truth claims or dissenting convictions which might clash with the secular humanistic worldview. Instead of a respectful dialogue between parties who have honest differences, we may feel coerced into a silence that acquiesces to the popular and politically correct opinions of the day. If this is our case, Jesus encourages us to brave and tactful at the same time!

We hope Beacon will be a part of your summer; but most of all, we hope the words of the Lord Jesus will be a part of your experience: that you may walk in His Way, that you may build your life on His Truth, and you may enjoy the Life that He came to offer us – a full life on earth, and eternal life with Him forever.

And we also hope that you will join with us in this delicate attempt to present the Truths of God’s Word clearly but respectfully; avoiding watering down God’s Truth, but sharing it with love and compassion and with sacrificial service that seeks to love our neighbour as ourselves.

With all our best wishes for this exciting summer,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Into the Woods With Curio: June is Turtle Month

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

June is the month for turtles in Muskoka. This is the time when you’ll often see turtles trying to cross the road as they move to, and from, the place where they lay their eggs, which is usually a sandy location. It’s a dangerous journey for small, slow-moving turtles as they try to avoid large, fast-moving vehicles. Many die in the attempt each year. It is one of the main reasons why 7 of the 8 species of turtle found in Ontario are now endangered.

Because of this and other human-caused problems, such as the destruction of wetland habitat, environmental pollution and the trapping of some species for the pet trade, turtles can’t afford high rates of mortality. Each individual is important.

Then there are naturally occurring pressures. If the females make it across the road and are successful in laying their eggs, raccoons and other egg-loving predators often dig up the nests and eat the eggs. If the eggs aren’t found by such predators and do hatch, and the young turtles make it to the water they still have to avoid being eaten by herons, large fish and others predators.

If turtles can survive these hazards and make it to adulthood they can sometimes live a very long time. Researchers have discovered that some species, such as the Blanding’s turtle, can live over 80 years. The same could be true of snapping turtles. Throughout their adult life they reproduce, with females often laying dozens of eggs each summer. But at least two of those eggs have to hatch and those young turtles have to make it to adulthood for the species to survive.

So these turtles need lots of help from us. Slow down where you see turtle crossing signs along roadsides where you live. If you see a turtle on the road help it this way. Some organizations place wire cages over the nests to protect the eggs from being eaten them, though this requires a lot of volunteer help. Eco-passages under roads also protect turtles from having to cross busy roads, but these are expensive to build. All of these efforts are worth it to help these turtles survive and keep them from becoming extinct.

God values each one of us as individuals, and has done the ultimate by giving the Lord Jesus to die for our sins and make it possible for us to be saved from all the trouble in this world, and for eternity.

Monk's Musings: Learn to Live Joyfully!

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

PHILIPPIANS 1:4-6

Summer has arrived! We rejoice that in-person camps have already recommenced at Beacon. The ice and snow have gone, the lake is warming up, the woods are covered in green, the long evenings have arrived. Paul rejoiced as he prayed for the believers at Philippi, for he knew that God would complete the good work He had begun in their lives. In the same way we trust that the Lord will carry on to completion all the wonderful plans He has for Beacon and for each one of us who will serve as volunteer or be a camper here this summer.

Philippians is a wonderful short letter of joy. We are called to rejoice whatever our circumstances knowing that God is in control and He works everything for good in our lives. Our daughter-in-law Louisa and her sisters are putting the whole of Philippians to music, as a means to encourage memorizing this wonderful book. You may see the video of the first chapter at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cvTthxXac

It is our prayer that during this summer camp season, Beacon Bible Camp may be used by God to bring joy to your spiritual life and provide opportunities to serve and encourage others. We invite you to come as a camper, we invite you to come as a volunteer, we invite you to pray with joy for Beacon, we invite you to give generously of your time and resources. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… contending as one for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

All our best wishes for this summer season!

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Camp Crew Update on... CIRCUIT!

Today we get to share one final 2021 Camp Crew update with our Beacon community. Sit back and enjoy this catch-up with our very own Circuit!

So, Justin - I mean Circuit - what are you up to these days?

I just finished my second year of Computer Engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario. I have been exploring what job I want to do this summer, and I have decided to work at a boating company in Tobermory called Blue Heron. I will be helping to sell ticket for boats, keeping the company buildings clean, and I might even get to be crew on a few boats!

What is the best thing about your school right now?

The best thing about my school has definitely been Power to Change. It is a student lead Christian organization dedicated to helping students find a relationship with Jesus and helping students grow in their faith! I enjoyed my Bible study every week with my five guys, and I also loved the Connect events every Friday where we would just hang out and have fun with other Power to Change people! I have also been involved in another campus community called Geneva House. They are a similar organization to Power to Change, and they have had weekly socials on Sundays that I have also really enjoyed!

What is the last great book you’ve read and why?

I’ll be honest, I don’t often read books. I would like to, but whenever I’m reading, I always fly off in my own thoughts while continuing to read the words on the page. When I realize that I have been reading without actually paying attention to the book, I have to go back and re-read what I have already read. That being said, I have been really enjoying my Bible reading in the book of Acts. It is so interesting to read about the stories of the early church and about how God used the disciples and apostles to spread the word of Jesus all over the nation of Israel and beyond. I just read the part where Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement that caused them to go separate ways. They might have seen that as a bad thing, but I think it was a good thing for them to split up and go separate ways so that they could share the gospel with even more people!

What is your favorite meal these days?

As a university student who doesn’t have much time to make big elaborate meals, I would say it has to be spaghetti. It’s quick and easy to make, you can make a lot and have leftovers for the next few meals and if you make it right it tastes really good!

What is a good piece of advice you’ve received lately, and from whom?

“It hits you when you least expect it” – Sam

“Don’t sweat the small stuff” – Tim

“Worship is not about feeling” – Andrew

As you can see, I get a lot of advice from a lot of people, and I couldn’t choose only one. The first one is from my housemate Sam. He was talking about love when he gave me that advice, but it can be expanded to all kinds of things. One way to use that advice could be for someone looking for an answer from God. Maybe you keep asking him something and you feel like he isn’t answering, but maybe he is trying to answer it and you just aren’t listening. Make sure you are always listening and prepared to get an answer from him.

The second one is from my previous youth pastor. Tim has been a mentor to me for a long time, and he told me this advice when he was talking about the church. He was saying that so many churches divide over the smallest things that won’t matter at all when Jesus returns. It was interesting to reflect on the things that I have made a big deal of even though a lot of that stuff doesn’t matter that much.

The last one is from my friend Andrew that I met during Geneva house events. I was talking about that feeling you get when you’re worshipping God with all your heart. After I spoke about that, he gave me that advice. He meant that you could get a feeling, but that isn’t what worship is about. Worship is telling God that he is everything, and sometimes he will give you that feeling, and sometimes he won’t, but that feeling is not what worship is about.

What is your favourite memory from Summer 2021 at Beacon last year?

I don’t like this question because there are so many awesome memories, but I would have to say that it was when Shimmer and I did the “Getting ready” skit during the talent show at the first family camp! It was the funniest moment of my entire summer. I loved it so much because I love getting in front of a group of people and giving them a good laugh! I may have swallowed some toothpaste, and the clean up afterwards was not very fun but it was totally worth it!

Throwback Time!

This week on our blog we have a challenge for you: take a look at the pictures below and let us know what building you think this is at Beacon Bible Camp! Hint: these pics are from waaaaaaay back :D

Delight in the Lord!

This week’s blog post is a special treat, as we get to hear from Scott Vanderform (the teacher at Lofty Mountain Family Camp last summer). Enjoy!

Can I share with you a saying I heard from roughly 2000 years ago that is still true today? It is a saying that has been passed down for generations as something that families need to know. It was passed down to me from my Father and Mother and I am determined to pass it on to my kids as well. Are you ready for it……

“tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,

and the wonders that he has done.”

To be honest, this verse from Psalm 78 is not just a saying, it is an instruction coming directly from God himself to us and it is a reminder to all parents of what they are called to do by God. Do you regularly remind your Family of our good God almighty? (Check out Crowders song titled “Good God Almighty” to help get you started). Remember, we are talking about our one true God who has all might and power in His hand and has accomplished so many wonders that if we were paying attention we would constantly be in awe of Him. The point of this psalm is to instruct us to always remember the goodness of God to such a degree that it affects and informs the way our families live. Please hear me, this does not mean we must be doing two hour systematic theology bible studies every day as a family. What I think Asaph (the author of Psalm 78) is getting at when he writes these words is to encourage parents to make sure their families (parents and kids included) are regularly delighting in God.

This does not mean it looks the same for every family. For some it may be a walk in the woods and delighting in God’s creation and allowing it to point our hearts to God. For others it will be singing together. For others still it can be traveling to see the marvels of the world and allowing it to humble us to realize how small we really are in comparison to a God who spoke this world into existence. It could be a regular prayer time where you record your prayers as a family and watch as God answers those prayers in ways only He can, or it could be reading through a book of the bible and listening as God speaks powerfully through his word. There is so much adventure to be had for those who would seek after God with all their heart!

Our problem is we don’t practice regularly reminding ourselves of who our great God is and as such we turn from God to all sorts of idols without even seeing the gradual decline. Again Asaph says families need to regularly keep their eyes on God “so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God,” (Psalm 78:7)

As summer time approaches we tend to give ourselves a bit of an unintentional vacation from our regular disciplines with our Lord and I wanted to send this thought out as a challenge to all of you - parents and young people out there - to find new and creative ways to delight in God this summer instead of putting him to the side while you relax and “enjoy life”. We need to believe with all our hearts that He is our joy and diligently seek Him. In seeking Him you will find true LIFE (John 10:10).

Go chase after God as a family this summer!

Here is a picture of Scott and his family, taken last Fall.

Into the Woods with Curio: Bird Calls Made Easy

“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.” Psalm 96:1

Spring is the time when the birds are singing. It’s breeding season and they call with an amazing assortment of songs and sounds from everywhere – around your neighborhood, and in the woods at camp – to claim territory and attract mates. But the volume and variety of sounds is confusing. How can you tell which bird is making what call?

Some calls are familiar – the caw of a crow, a robin’s cheery song, the chirping of house sparrows and the whistling of cardinals. The loon’s eerie call from the camp lake is unmistakable, as is the booming of the whip-poor-wills at night! But which bird is making that long trill from over in the bushes? What bird sounds a bit like a robin, but different? And who makes that hauntingly beautiful descant late in the evening at Family camp?

One way to know what bird is making which call is to find the bird, of course. When you hear an unfamiliar bird song or call go on a bird safari. Hunt down the bird making the song – maybe using some binoculars – until you find it and hear it calling. Once you associate the bird with its song, you’ll remember it the next time you hear that song. If you aren’t sure about the ID of the bird when you do see it, there is an app for that. Called Merlin, and available at merlin.allaboutbirds.org, it is designed to help identify bird sounds, as well as bird ID in general.

Putting words to a bird’s song also helps to identify some birds. The white throated sparrow’s beautiful melody sounds something like, “pure sweet Canada, Canada, Canada”. The ovenbird is a small warbler with a very loud song that sounds like ‘teacher, teacher, TEAcher, TEACHer, TEACHER! They are quite common at camp, but spend most of their time hidden on the forest floor, so are heard rather than seen. A red winged blackbird makes a loud ‘conkaree’ call down at the waterfront, (in Quebec it says ‘Aujourd hui’). Barred owls hoot their loud, ‘Who cooks for you, who cooks for you-AWL’ in the middle of the night.

Other birds, like the whip-poor-will, say their names. Chickadees say chickadee, with many variations, while phoebes repeat their name over and over. And catbirds really do meow like a cat.

So why should we care about the songs and sounds birds make? God has given us an incredible collection of birds – over 10,000 species worldwide. Each has its own unique song, but all tell of His greatness. And every one of us that is redeemed also has a unique song of praise for God.

Monk's Musings: New Life After the Winter

“So the elders of the Jews continued to build… They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel… Then the people celebrated the dedication of the House of God with joy.”

EZRA 6:14-16

These are the first two flowers to show their heads at Beacon this year! Beautiful crocuses signaling the end of the icy winter and the start of new life. A couple of weeks ago we had the joy of visiting one of our married sons in Holland, and they took us to see fields of tulips laid out in beautiful gardens. Spring arrived in Europe well before it reached Canada! Maybe the past year or two has been an emotional and even spiritual winter for you. Well, God is calling us back to Himself, to enjoy the Son-shine of his warmth, to renew our commitment to loving Him and serving in His Church and even at camp! Just as with flowers, God is calling each of us to live the new spiritual life He offers us in the Lord Jesus.

In a similar way, many centuries ago, after 70 years of “winter exile” as captives in Babylon, the Jews were finally allowed to return to Jerusalem, and in 537BC, soon after they arrived, they rebuilt the altar and offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord. It took them 21 years to rebuild the temple (516BC), and a further 71 years before the city walls were rebuilt under the direction of Nehemiah (completed in 445BC). So also, restored life and healthy growth are not quick fixes, they require time and perseverance and following the Lord faithfully and allowing Him to rekindle His Holy Spirit in us.

We hope that during this camp season, Beacon Bible Camp may be used by God to strengthen your spiritual life and provide opportunities to serve and give back to others. We trust this may be true for you and for those you care about; whether you come as a camper, and invite a friend along, or come as a family, or whether you have the courage and faith to volunteer as staff; our desire is that you grow and find abundant life in the Lord Jesus. Perhaps God is calling you to sponsor others to attend camp. There are many ways in which we can get involved: Have faith in God and step up!

With all our best wishes for your life!

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Camp Crew Update on... SHIMMER!

In today’s blog post, we get to have a virtual chat with another one of our Camp Crew 2021 members - our very own Shimmer! I am sure you will be super encouraged after reading her answers to our interview questions - God is good, and he is faithful!

Hi Julia! I mean, Shimmer! What are you up to these days?

Currently, I am finishing up my first year at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

What’s the best thing about your school right now?

The best thing about school right now is the people. My friends and I like to study together by drawing things out on whiteboards and teaching each other the concepts. Not only is it more fun to study with other people but we feel like teachers and ensure there’s time for a Second Cup coffee break between teaching each other complicated topics. Another thing that I enjoy about school these days is my anatomy lab – we get to work hands-on with specimens that are fascinating. I am always blown away by how incredibly intricate God has created our bodies to be; saying that they’re pretty cool is an understatement.

What is the last great book you've read and why?

Hmmm… good question! I’ve not had much time to do leisure reading these days but I have been making my way through reading “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist. Emily “Heaps” Shields suggested I read it. It is about letting go of the striving, hustling-and-bustling, busyness/success-focused lifestyle to embracing God’s calling for our lives to be present, focused in the moment, and with our eyes continually fixed on Him. I love this book because it has challenged me, convicted my heart, and helped me to critique the areas of my life where I get consumed in a worldly cycle of busyness, rather than pursuing a Jesus-focused life. Preferably enjoyed with a chai tea (or any tea of your choosing) and a seat by a window.

What is your favorite meal these days?

Being a student on a meal plan, I have to say that my favourite meal is anything homecooked! Moving away from home has made me appreciate my parents’ cooking so much more – I especially love my dad’s homemade pasta (my mouth is salivating as I am writing this).

What is a good piece of advice you've received lately, and from whom?

“Enjoy the journey” has been a piece of advice that I have received from my dad for so long and he has recently reminded me of this advice again. As much as there are times that I will take this piece of advice with an eye roll and a “I get it, Dad, you’ve told me this before,” this piece of advice is filled with so much truth that I need to be continually reminded of. It is about staying present and joyful in the journey that God has set before us and is about appreciating the blessings even in the moments that seem tough. This year has had its ups and downs but reflecting back, I see that even in the tough moments, there were beautiful moments too. More than ever, God has used those moments to show me so much love through the people He put into my life. So passing on this piece of advice to you (yes, you) reading this, enjoy the journey, stay present, and enjoy the process of God guiding your life!

What is your favourite memory from Summer 2021 at Beacon last year?

Suzie, you can’t ask this kind of question – there are too many memories to choose from! This questions should not be allowed. ;) If I had to choose one, I’d say that my favourite memory was singing and dancing in the rain to the "Power Shuffle" during the Rolling Thunder family camp. It was a spontaneous moment that involved taking life’s lemons (i.e. the bad weather) and making some lemonade (i.e. DANCING!). It is a memory I will hold into for my whole life.