Monk's Musings: Be a good King or Queen

“Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him…”

1 Kings 16:30

“[Azariah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.”

2 Kings 15:3

During this Fall Season, as the leaves change color, and one by one, quietly fall from the trees, we have been reading our way through First and Second Kings. Hearing of Queen Elizabeth’s passing and King Charles III ascending the throne made these stories more real to us. As each king is mentioned in Scripture, the length of their reign is recorded, and also whether they did “what was right or evil in the eyes of the LORD”. Some reigns were short (7 days for Zimri), some were long (55 years for Manasseh); David and his son Solomon each reigned 40 years. But none made the record 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign over Great Britain! However, one fact is true for all sovereigns, past and present: Their reigns eventually come to an end, and all of them die.

Actually, the same is true for you and me: Our lives are fleeting, and this Fall Season reminds us that as happens to the leaves, we too will fall and return to dust. If a short paragraph were to be written of our lives, would it include the words “did right in the eyes of the LORD…”? Some good kings had good fathers, others had very bad ones. Some bad kings had bad fathers, others had good ones. Each had to choose their own way in life, and regardless of our own upbringing, we too are free to “choose whom we will serve”, the LORD or any of the “pagan gods” around us (success, riches, pleasure, popularity, academia, career…) or even setting up ourselves as the “supreme god” in our lives. Some kings of Israel and Judah tried syncretism: wanting to serve the True God AND other popular gods of their day – and it didn’t work for them, just as it won’t work for us.

So may God find us faithful, and whether we are a King or a Queen, may we “do what is right in the eyes of the LORD”, loving and joyfully serving Him alone. He deserves our loyalty. More than that, He deserves our love, because He first loved us, and paid on the cross what He thought we are worth. How much is He worth to us? That is the real question!

With a hug from us both and from all the Beacon Team,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Into the Woods with Curio: Things that go BUMP in the night!

“HOW MANY ARE YOUR WORKS, LORD! IN WISDOM YOU MADETHEM ALL; THE EARTH IS FULL OF YOUR CREATURES.”

PSALM 104:24

A few weeks ago, I was awakened by a scrambling noise on our roof, near our bedroom. Then it moved over to the porch roof above the front door. I knew it was too early for Santa Claus, so thought it might be a raccoon. But when I turned on the porch light and opened the door to have a look there was a flying squirrel, clinging half-way up on one of the balusters. We looked at each for about a minute before it moved down to the deck and then onto the ground to disappear into the night.

Flying squirrels are more common than we sometimes realize. Being almost completely nocturnal, they are not often seen. There are flying squirrels at camp. Beacon’s mature woods provide a great habitat. They need lots of trees to move about, flying, (actually gliding) from one tree to another. They do this by first climbing up a tree trunk to a certain height, then leaping into the air and stretching out the folds of furred skin between their front wrists and back ankles. Using these large membranes as sails and their flat tail as a rudder and brake, they maneuver themselves over to another tree, or to a building, or sometimes to the ground. They can cover up to 50 meters in one glide.

When they land on another tree they immediately scoot around to the other side of the trunk, in case an owl has followed them. Barred owls are their number one predator in Muskoka. If you are out hiking and come across just the tail of a flying squirrel laying on the path, it may have been the victim of a barred owl. Or the owl could have ended up with just the tail, as they do break off. If that happens the squirrel survives, but can’t grow another.

Flying squirrels are slightly smaller than the more familiar red squirrels, and weigh only half as much, for obvious reasons. There are actually two species of flying squirrel in Muskoka – the northern and the southern. Both are a soft brown or gray in color. The northern is the more common of the two, but the southern species sometimes irrupts north into the region, as Muskoka is part of the ‘Land Between’, where the northern boreal forest and southern deciduous woodlands meet. The last irruption was in 2003, but the southern species is moving further north, which means there are more chances of seeing either species now.

Both species live in tree cavities, and will sometimes move into larger birdhouses. In the winter they roost communally to stay warm, and safe. Their diet includes seeds such as maple keys, beech nuts and acorns, fungi, berries, and insects. Either species also visit bird feeders at night, which is often the best chance of seeing them.

These are just one of the many seldom seen and little-known animals living in and around Beacon. Isn’t our God so amazing - amazing as our Creator, and amazing as the Sustainer of all life! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him, all creatures here below!

Monk's Musings: Dare to be a Gideon!

“The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” JUDGES 6:14

Many centuries ago, in the dark ages of the Judges of Israel, God called Gideon and a very small army to carry out a daring campaign against a vast enemy. He was a fearful and reluctant leader, the youngest of his father’s house, which was the smallest of their clan. But God dealt patiently with Gideon, by turns challenging him and encouraging him, ultimately leading them to an amazing victory against all odds – to prove that it was God’s Power, and not man’s which got them the victory.

As we come to the end of this Summer Season of ten full camps, this story reminds me of our lives here at Beacon! Again and again we were “down to the wire”, with a small group of four summer staff, often feeling outnumbered, adjusting to the steep learning curve as we went along, dealing with the tail end of Covid, trusting God to bring sufficient staff for each camp, being by turns challenged and encouraged. But God has been faithful and kept each camp open and provided enough staff for each one – sometimes just enough! – so that God alone would get the glory. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit – says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

As Fall approaches, what task or challenge is God is calling you to? Remember, He delights to call the weak, lowly and despised to carry out His great plans! (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). So take courage, and trust in the Lord’s strength day by day. Take the next step of obedience in that which God is calling you to do, and have faith that He will strengthen you and show you the next step, one day at a time.

Perhaps God is calling you to do something in your family context, perhaps to become more active in your local church, perhaps to develop one of your gifts, or show generous hospitality to someone God has placed on your heart. Perhaps He is calling you to volunteer and serve at one of Beacon’s Fall Camps? Whatever it may be, be like Gideon, and in faith take up the challenge!

With our very warm greetings,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Into the Woods with Curio: Summer Sun

“Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun”

(Ecclesiastes 11:7)

One early morning this August we witnessed a family of turkeys sunning themselves on an embankment near our house. They settled themselves into an open area, fluffed out their feathers and then went into some strange contortions to expose their skin to the warming rays of the summer sun. It was funny to watch, though the turkeys had a good reason for their unusual behaviour. They were doing this to rid themselves of unwanted mites and other parasites on their skin. But they also seemed to be just relaxing in the warmth of the summer sun.

All year long Canadians eagerly await the summer season, looking forward to the warm weather, and ‘catching some rays’. Part of each camp day includes a scheduled time at the waterfront, including sunning on the dock. The animals at camp also look forward to the summer season, and soaking up some sun. Water snakes sun themselves on the dock at the waterfront, though hopefully leave once campers arrive. They do this to help them with their digestion, because they are ‘cold-blooded’, so need the warmth of the sun on their scaly skin to help their body function properly. The same is true of turtles. They warm their shells by climbing onto exposed logs in the shallows along the lakeshore on a sunny day, though fall off into the water at your approach.

Look around in these same shallows and you’ll see small fish ‘fry’ – young fish – also enjoying the sun’s warmth, even under the water. They do this for the same reason as the turtles and snakes. Because they are so small it is especially important for them, and also to be safe from larger, predatory fish.

Other animals at camp also enjoy basking in the summer sun. Just like the turkeys we saw, you can see sparrows taking dust baths and sun bathing. Some birds sit on an exposed perch to dry themselves and preen after taking a dip in a puddle or bathing along the lakeshore. Squirrels stretch out on a branch or even on a deck railing to get some sun, foxes lie out on a rocky outcrop to sunbathe, and even the butterflies in the Dining room’s garden bask in the sun’s warming rays while nectaring at the flowers.

Be sure take time to enjoy the warm summer sun at camp, while it is here, (though we do need to be careful to avoid a sunburn).

And be sure to absorb God’s word while at camp, soaking up the life-giving rays of the Son Himself. It is very healthy for us, spiritually, and can even help us get rid of some unwanted ‘pests’, figuratively speaking. And we can do it all year long.

Monk's Musings: Love God and your Neighbor!

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”; and “Love your neighbor as yourself”. There is no commandment greater than these. MARK 12:30-31

A while ago I was challenged with what God considers the most important thing we can do with our life. The quote above gives us Jesus’ clear answer to someone who asked him precisely that: We should love God (vertical relationship) and love our neighbours as ourselves (horizontal relationships). And the way I should love is extreme: with all our being! This is a very tall order… Actually, it is so impossible, that the only way we can do this is with the help of His Holy Spirit living within us!

Well, here at Beacon we also seek to live out this command. Loving God provides the motivation for why we are here. Loving campers is what we seek to do each week, as each of the summer camps come and go. But we also see this love being evident in how the volunteers of each camp interact with one another and with the rest of us who live and serve at camp. Cabin Leaders, Session Directors, Kitchen Staff, Summer Staff, we are all called on to grow in love. Jesus said: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35). What a challenge for all of us! May God help us carry this out, at camp, in our homes, with our church fellowship, at school and at work; especially with those we disagree with, or we find difficult to get along with.

May we all be encouraged, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to obey this “greatest commandment” and to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! To our modern ears it may sound strange to be ordered to love. We think love is something that happens, but cannot be commanded at will. However, the biblical view on love is that our will decides who and what we love, and the rest of our life accommodates itself to that first love. So, for example, Jesus warns us we cannot love and serve two masters, God and money: “Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24). But perhaps there is something else competing for the position of “first love” in your life. A career, a valued possession, a non-Christian boyfriend, or the selfish pursuit of your individualistic goals in life. What we love we will serve. So Jesus warns us to avoid those rabbit trails that ultimately end in disappointment and emptiness, and to love God at the center of our life; for as we do so everything else in our lives will fall into its proper orbit and become a blessing and not a curse. As we love God, we will learn to truly love our neighbor. Shall we trust Him? Shall we love Him? – It is our free choice, for all true love is freely given.

With all our best wishes for each one of you,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

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!