C.P.A.T.

This past week my name ended up on a short list called, "Guaranteed people who would do anything to get into Heaven cuz their rep is so bad". My name came up because low-life parents at my old church backed out on their childrens middle school retreat. I got a phone call and I said, "Yes", without hesitating. I gotta get that golden ticket man. Anyhoo, I was quickly informed that in order to gain attendance as a counselor I would need to attend a C.P.A.T. class(video) to become certified according to new regulations. I have no idea what it stands for but I'm renaming it the Cuz Parents Aren't There certification. It doesn't matter that I was a counselor at last years camp(this year was WAY better, I think it has something to do with the counseling team ), along with many others in years previous. I went to watch the video and it turns out that it is a 45 min shock-you-mentary about ministers that violate children in youth groups. I was honestly perturbed by the video and insulted by the urgency to have me watch it. Make the jokes about this subject all you want (Joel) but I'm a goofball for laughs and not because I don't know how to handle myself with kids. I have been a part of this church for over a decade and certainly don't need some video to show me the ropes of Kumbayah and camp fires. Consider cal officially insulted (but not really). I reflected on my time with C.P.A.T. as I swirlied a young boy who refused to turn off his stupid MP3 player and go to bed. That being said, middle schoolers are smarter than you think and the girls were at about the same maturity level as me so I had some pretty meaningful conversations with the group I led. Great singing (ACCAPELLA STYLE FINALLY!!!) decent food (I didn't cook) and a really fun time realizing the church bus was busted 45 minutes before it was time to leave.

What a great weekend and it's not even over, does anybody else realize how blessed their life is? Take five minutes to sit back in your chair and praise God for all he's doing in your life right now. He's got his fingerprints all over you, just take a look and be thankful. Then read the book of Daniel and you'll see passages that haven't stuck out to you before.