As a young 10 and a half year old boy,

I was dropped off at a boys camp up in the Adirondacks of New York, ,

It was a camp on the edge of lake Champlain of log cabins ringing two large baseball fields just behind tall shagbark hickory trees, .. . . . and bordered on the north side by a huge dining hall.

Then one day, Turning a corner at the far end of the campus,

I could smell it, A wonderful Smell

It was like incense to me, it drew me, it made me smile,

It was a familiar scent that I loved, a fragrance that I longed to be close to and dreamed frequently about.

It started a happy tingle in the middle of me,

This was my dream,

And I saw where it came from at the end of a long field, it was a tent of meeting, with a column of smoke rising up, I could tell it was a good rich clean oak fire, and joy, I could now see that it was actually 2 tents , each one being constructed around. . . . .

The edges of a large stone ringed fire,

one tent was a tarp held up with canoe paddles and bow lines to form a teepee

another was a lean-too slung over the back of a canoe so you could crawl under neath but be near the heat of the fire.

This was the, The Adventure Hut's Demonstration Day.

This was my desire, to be one of the chosen ones to go on these wilderness trips and setup tents around a camp fire, fish and watch the sunsets

BUT, In a sense,

I was not in the tribe of Levi,

I was not in the Chosen Tribe,

I was to young, I was a first year camper,

a cub

So I was in the tribe of the Cub, I could not go camping on wilderness adventures

It would be more years till I could

Carry the tent of meeting,
Burn the incense
Ignite the lights. . .

These were what I so desired to do

I share this because this is the same feelings, . . .

the same desire that I want to have about knowing God this year.

what ways can I come closer to Christ ?

here are 4, four initial thoughts to kindle and nurture a joy of being in God's presence

To Wonder and Honor,

For example, being a Cub, I came daily to the adventurer hut to speak with them,
So this year I am trying to remember to pray first thing, the Jewish morning prayer

I give thanks unto You, Adonai, that, in mercy, You have restored my soul within me.Endless is Your compassion; great is Your faithfulness. I thank You, Adonai, for the rest You have given me through the night and for the breath that renews my body and spirit.

I can study

as a Cub, I made time, to study and learn, there is so much to learn
Within my daily bible time, I open up the bible, read, and listen to what God is speaking to me.

For the word of God is alive and active. (from Hebrews)

Something the Camp Leaders said often echo what proverbs says

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (from Proverbs)

Serve others

As a small boy in the tribe of the Cub, we were told to help “the other fellow first”,
So I spent my time folding and cleaning the returning tents and sleeping bags
scrubbing the fire blackened pots (as the Levi's must have done to many of the tabernacle tools)

Jesus is recorded saying “A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another as I have loved you”

And lastly, especially, to Talk, to Share

As a small boy in the tribe of Cubs I'd talk with the leaders about my fears, about my desires, and about my friends wishes and needs.

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.” ‭‭(from Revelations)

And This year I hope to each night pray the Jewish evening prayer,

Adonai, may it be Your will that I lie down in peace and rise up in peace. Let not my thoughts, my dreams, or my daydreams disturb me. Watch over my family and those I love.
O Guardian of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps,
I entrust my spirit to You.

Amen