New Church Life September/October 2016 | Page 94

new church life: september/october 2016 of life that lies beyond it – just as the shadow of a tree on the ground testifies to the existence of the tree, and of the sun shining through it. The tree is real and substantial, alive and moving in the breeze, green and feasting on the sunlight. The shadow is really . . . nothing. The truth of the Lord’s Word -- that’s what is real, and living, and brings life to us that can never be taken away. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) “Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19) “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with Me.” (Psalm 23:4) (WEO) a certain trumpet The theme for this year’s Tools 4 Life Camp at the Academy of the New Church was Dare to Prepare Your Heart. Camp Director Ali S. Childs based the theme on the Parable of the Sower – the importance of preparing fertile ground in our minds so that dreams may grow to fruition. Part of taking charge of your life – which is what this camp for high school juniors and seniors is all about – is knowing how and when to lead, how and when to follow. Major General Walter Lord talks about Leadership and service were the primary leadership to Tools 4 Life campers focus of the camp. For one morning session Ali in the lounge of Glenn Hall. invited Major General Walter Lord of the United States Army to speak about leadership and to take part in a service project. Gen. Lord has been a friend and mentor of our son, Glen (who also has a long history with Tools 4 Life) since serving in a peacekeeping mission together in Bosnia in 2002-03. Glen arranged for him to come to Bryn Athyn with his wife, Grace, and they were thoroughly taken with the mission of the camp and the quality of our young people. Gen. Lord, who lectures on leadership all over the world, was pleasantly surprised when he asked if leaders are born or made. He said most groups he addresses assume leaders are born. But almost all of the campers agreed that leaders can be made. Of course, some people take more readily to leadership than others, but Gen. Lord is confident that leaders can be made with proper training. 500