In Loving Memory of Owen the Yellow Lab (2010-2023)

The little yellow house is sad to say goodbye to the irreplaceable yellow lab, Owen. Owen has been David’s sidekick for almost thirteen years. You could find Owen loving on families with his friendly, furry presence…endlessly fetching a tennis ball to help boys relax during deep discussions…but most often, you could find Owen napping the day away in David’s office as his easy going presence comforted hurting kids. 

He even kept busy in his days off. When Owen wasn’t at Daystar or playing with his beloved Thomas family, he often spent time at Vanderbilt Children’s hospital. This pet therapist made his mark at the Hematology/Oncology Clinic for children with cancer. Owen was also part of a research study with several other children’s hospitals across the country that confirmed the positive impact of dogs on kids newly diagnosed with cancer. 

We sure are grateful for the paw print Owen left on so many hearts at Daystar. 

Hopetown Highlights: Session #4

“Leap, Live, and Love.”

Our week with 9th and 10th graders was filled with memories that will last a lifetime. We played on the lake, tried out new experiences, listened to Melissa's teachings, and celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We started our week by watching the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty in the driveway. The movie centers around a man who constantly finds himself stuck in his daydreams. Walter’s life is more interesting in his daydreams and he is the hero of every story, but he never makes the effort to make these dreams his reality. Then one day, thanks to the words of a friend, he finds the courage to take a leap of faith and go on an adventure that rivals those of his daydreams.

The next morning we sat with Melissa and she brought up the point that, much like Walter Mitty and his daydreams, we sometimes wish our life or our past was different. We stuff it down and come up with ways to avoid it.

We learn to recognize that by going over it and not through it is exactly how we get stuck.

This brought us to John chapter 5 where we would spend the rest of the week.

“Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, ‘Would you like to get well?’

‘I can’t, sir,’ the sick man said, ‘for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.’

Jesus told him, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!’

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!” - John 5:1-9

In this story the paralyzed man finds himself stuck for 38 years, waiting for someone to put him in the water. And yet when Jesus comes to him and asks him if he would like to get well. The man continues to make up excuses as to why he can’t.

This is where we so often find ourselves. Jesus is right there asking us if we want to get well and trust Him with our lives but instead of answering Him we make up excuses. Instead of getting up we…

• try to be in control

• wait for the “right moment”

• hope things will change on their own

• blame others for where we are

But Jesus isn’t telling us what we should have been doing all along. He is simply asking us what we want and if we want to get well.

One by one campers stood up as if telling Jesus they wished to get well.

Melissa talked about how often getting up is the hardest part of it all. It can be difficult to see how much better life can be with Christ when all we know is what it's like to be stuck. It feels easier to busy ourselves with things that take up all of our time or to find excuses for the position we’re in. Melissa shared with us a quote by C.S. Lewis.

“... like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

When Jesus tells us to stand up, pick up your mat, and walk it is because He knows that life with Him is far greater than a life we can imagine for ourselves. We were designed to long for God, want a purpose, and be fully known and loved. These are things only a life with Christ can give us.

Unfortunately, our thoughts often cloud this truth. Instead we start to believe lies about what God thinks of us. Melissa asked us to share these thoughts with one another. Campers answered with responses like…

• I will never be enough for Him.

• He purposefully does me harm.

• I will never make Him proud.

• He’s not real.

• He will constantly be disappointed with me.

We turned to the truth of who God is found in Romans 8.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” -Romans 8:38

As we reflected on the love of Christ, Melissa noted that there is only one place where your doubt can be taken away and your faith can be strengthened: at the foot of the cross.

That night we turned all of the lights off and spent the last half hour in prayer. As campers felt called they prayed out loud for the Lord to replace our lies with truth, knowing the overwhelming love that Christ has for us triumphs over all doubt.

On the third day of camp we celebrated Thanksgiving by cooking a meal for everyone to share. Melissa shared with us that Thanksgiving day is also the day of the year when the most walks are taken. To commemorate the holiday, we went on a gratitude walk that night. We had the opportunity to walk around Hopetown and thank the Lord for His goodness and the ways He has shown up in our lives.

The next morning Melissa had us reflect back on John 5 and the story of the paralyzed man.

As we had read earlier Jesus tells the man to “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk.” In the same way God called the man to “stand up,” He calls us to leap up from where we are and follow Him.

To symbolize what it looks like to “leap” out in faith each camper was encouraged to jump into the lake that morning with their clothes on and make the decision to trust in Jesus.

But life with Christ does not stop there. After we leap we are called to live with and for Christ, loving others in return.

As Melissa says, we are to “Leap, Live, and Love.”

To finish out the week we looked at the different ways that we can begin to walk just as the paralyzed man did. Jesus calls us to start walking in…

• Faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

• Humility (Micah 6:8)

• Steadiness (Ephesians 4:1-3)

• The Spirit (Galatians 5:25)

• Hope (Isaiah 40:31)

• The newness of life (Romans 6:4)

• Love (Ephesians 5:2)

• The light (1 John 1:7)

• His truth (Psalm 86:11)

One by one each camper had the opportunity to sit in Melissa’s chair and be told how they had been seen walking this week. It was an amazing way to reflect on the goodness of the Lord found in each person.

We do not have to be stuck for 38 years like the paralyzed man. Jesus is here now and longs to take our lives from a stagnant place to a life full of leaping and loving it, but only if you let Him.

What would it look like for you to take that risk and leap out in faith?

Hopetown Highlights: Session #3

Hello my name is… 

This week at Hopetown we had our all-boys camp. We enjoyed time on the lake, cooked meals together, played countless games of knockout, and made lasting memories.   

We started camp off by watching the movie Wreck it Ralph. In the film, Ralph is labeled as a bad guy who desperately wants to be good. He leaves his own game on a quest to earn a medal so he could return with a new identity and be loved by those around him. In the end, he learns to accept himself for who he is and learns the true value of friendship and sacrifice.  

The next morning, we talked about the names we give ourselves. Names that are untrue and based in lies we tell ourselves. Some included: 

• Unforgivable  

• Angry 

• Failure 

• Prideful 

• Not good enough 

We wrote these names down on nametags that read, “Hello my name is…” and wore them around for the whole day.   

That night, we gathered in the meeting room and worshiped together. We let the rich truth of “10,000 Reasons” and “Goodness of God” echo off the walls and into our hearts. Melissa came and sat in her chair and reminded us that these names we give ourselves are not who we truly are.  

The next morning, Don Logan continued in Melissa’s teaching and brought the goodness of the gospel. We looked at Hebrews 10:19-25 and talked about how Jesus is our great high priest who offered himself on our behalf so that we might have confidence to draw near to God. Because we are sprinkled clean by His blood, we can come boldly into His presence at any point. The veil has been torn from top to bottom and there is no more dividing wall between us and God.  

We then looked at 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” Don encouraged us that through Jesus, the false names that we try to stick on ourselves lose their stickiness. The only name that sticks is beloved child of God.  

That afternoon, the boys made wooden plaques with a new name they wished to give to a man who had a significant impact on their life as our act of service for the week. 

On the last night, the boys got to stand up around a fire and share about the name they chose and why they chose it. The staff then gave each boy a plaque of their own with a new name and a Bible verse relating to that name.  

We ended camp reminding each other of our new names and encouraging one another to go back living in light of the new creation we are in Christ. 

Hopetown Highlights: Session #2

“Lucy had her eyes on the Lion and the rest had their eyes on Lucy.”

This week at Hopetown we had our very first all-girls middle school camp. To say it was a success would be an understatement. Over the span of four days we laughed a lot, comforted each other through the tears, and learned what it looked like to be wholehearted.

Our first night of camp we gathered around the living room to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Although the film contained familiar characters and a compelling plot it seemed to be much darker than the first Narnia film. Melissa shared with us that she had gone to bed regretting the movie choice and upset that we hadn’t chosen a more lighthearted movie; however, when she woke up the Lord gave her a new perspective on it. It was one that would change the course of our discussions for the remainder of the week.

As much as we might have wished the film was upbeat and heartwarming the whole time, it held darkness and fighting and doubt. This is the reality of so much of our world today and it is important to be genuine with that truth.

But then Melissa shared with us an even greater truth: the darkness does not win.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - John 1:5

In the movie there is a scene where Lucy walks onto a bridge and faces an entire army trying to take control of Narnia. The odds look stacked against her as she pulls out her tiny blade. Then, out of the woods, Aslan the lion comes up beside her and it is clear that she has won the battle. In this moment Lucy has strength and courage and is truly wholehearted.

When we are wholehearted we are able to live well, love well, and be fully who God has made us to be, but the only way to do this is by keeping our eyes on Him.

Melissa then invited everyone to go outside and look for something that might be used to represent wholeheartedness. There in a tree, right outside the house, was a huge heart-shaped spot on the trunk. One-by-one each camper walked down the steps to the tree and placed their hand on the heart, desiring to be wholehearted.

This symbolized us fixing our eyes on Jesus and asking Him to make us whole. “... keep your eyes on Jesus who both began and finished this race we’re in. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed.” - Hebrews 12:1-2

As the day continued campers had the opportunity to be creative and grow, both in faith and community, as they rotated through dance, art, and small group discussion stations. These were followed by lunch at a restaurant on the lake and ended with us back in the living room as Melissa continued her teaching.

That night Melissa asked us to look for wholeheartedness, not just in ourselves but in each other. If someone saw a unique characteristic in someone else’s heart they were able to encourage them by giving them a heart bead to remember it by.

Red beads represent a courageous heart: Psalm 31:24

Orange beads represent a trusting heart: 1 Peter 1:8

Green beads represent a humble heart: Psalm 51:17

Pink beads represent an encouraging heart: Proverbs 11:25

Yellow beads represent a cheerful heart: Proverbs 17:22

White beads represent a wise heart: Proverbs 16:21

Blue beads represent a leader’s heart: Proverbs 22:11

After a night full of encouragement Melissa asked the campers what “heart” they wished they had more of. One-by-one each camper got to share the “heart” they struggled with and a counselor eagerly agreed to pray for them.

In the morning we continued to look at what it means to be wholehearted. Melissa confessed a mistake she had made while writing notes down during the movie. Instead of writing “wholehearted-ness,” she had written “wholehearted-mess.” As simple of a mistake this was, it truly represented who we are when it comes to our faith.

In The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian novel Lucy has a moment where she realizes she is a wholehearted-mess. In the midst of chaos around her Lucy finds herself face to face with Aslan the lion. Despite knowing that he was there to help her all along she never once came to him with her struggles. She was afraid that no one else would believe he was there, and she didn’t want to visit him alone.

In shame and guilt, “Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face... but there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up. ‘I’m sorry, Aslan,’ she said. ‘I’m ready now.’ ‘Now you are a lioness,’ said Aslan. ‘And now all Narnia will be renewed. But come. We have no time to lose.’ ”

In the depth of our shame and guilt all Jesus wants us to do is to come to Him. Like Lucy we can bury our head in his mane and confess to Him where we have messed up. And like Aslan, He gives us strength unimaginable and sends us out braver than before.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus and run to Him for our strength there is a difference in our lives, one that is noticeable to others and allows us to shine brighter in a darkened world.

“Lucy had her eyes on the Lion and the rest had their eyes on Lucy.”

Just like Lucy we can become the reflection of Christ that has others asking about the source of our light.

That night we gathered in small groups outside on quilts to pray over the Lord’s presence in our lives. We also discussed what it will look like to continue to stay wholehearted, keeping our eyes on Him, as we go home.

In Numbers 13 Moses sends spies out into the promised land to see what it is like. They report back that although it is beautiful and flowing with milk and honey, it is also filled with terrifying giants that they refuse to go up against. As they begin to discuss their worry one of the spies, Caleb, speaks up and urges the crowd that they can do it despite their fear. He encourages them to not be disheartened.

The Lord responds to this by saying, “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” - Numbers 14:24

For this reason the name Caleb means wholehearted and he serves as a great reminder of what it looks like to live fully for the Lord.

On the last night of camp Melissa led all of the campers outside and to a small bridge on the edge of Hopetown. One at a time each camper stood on the bridge, just like Lucy had when she faced off against the army with only Aslan at her side. As each girl stepped onto the bridge they answered two questions aloud:

What do you want to take home with you from Hopetown?

What do you want to leave behind?

The Lord longs to make us wholehearted and to be exactly who he has created us to be. He will take our wholehearted-mess and make us braver and stronger than ever before. All He asks of us is to keep our eyes on Him.

Hopetown Highlights: Session #1

“Get up. Go out. Give. Go back.”

This week we had our 11th-12th graders join us at Hopetown. We played on the lake, cooked meals together, celebrated Thanksgiving with a feast and Christmas with Secret Santa, and made lasting memories. Each morning and evening we came together in the living room to listen to Melissa share truth about who the Lord is and what He has invited us to do.

We started our week by heading to the movie theater to watch the newly released Spider- Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The next morning Melissa asked us what our takeaways from the movie were. We got to hear as campers shared their different interpretations of what the movie meant to them. This opened up the conversation to how our own unique insight can spark thoughts in others hearts and minds. It was then that Melissa shared with us a poem by Nashville songwriter: Tom Douglas, on his own insight and interpretation of Hopetown.

“Hopetown is an antidote for the poison...”

This idea really stood out to Melissa and she asked us to think about what in our life is a poison and what is the antidote.

The first antidote to the poison is laughter, as mentioned in the poem. When we are laughing it is an invitation to enjoy God’s grace; however, it is so simple that we often miss it.

Melissa then asked us to open up our Bibles to 1 Kings 18-19 where we read about Elijah’s encounter with the Lord. This scripture would propel our conversation for the rest of the week.

In 1 Kings 18:43-36 we see that in the midst of a storm the Lord gave “special strength” to Elijah allowing him to run faster than a chariot into the entrance of Jezreel. It was imagined that he was laughing and praising God at this moment; however, in 1 King 19 we find Elijah on the run from Jezebel who has threatened to kill him. He is afraid and his fear turns to depression. “I have had enough, Lord... Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” So easily our feelings of happiness and laughter can take a turn and we find ourselves stuck with our loneliness and anxiety and depression. It is here though that the Lord meets us and longs to comfort us.

Following a day filled with tube rides and lunch at a restaurant on the lake, we picked back up in 1 Kings 19 later that night. As the scripture continues, in the middle of his depression an angel of the Lord wakes Elijah from sleep and tells him to, “Get up and eat!” After Elijah eats he goes back to sleep and again the angel comes and tells him to, “Get up and eat some more.” After this second encounter Elijah gets up and God gives him the strength to travel for forty days and forty nights.

In our struggles God longs to strengthen us. He says, “I see you and I want you to get up because you have purpose.” Elijah’s feelings don’t change. He doesn’t miraculously feel better, but he chooses to “get up” despite his circumstances. This is the first step in living life for and with the Lord.

After God tells Elijah to “get up” He tells him to “go out.” As Elijah stands there on the mountaintop a hurricane, earthquake, and fire pass him, but the Lord is nowhere to be found. It is in the gentle whisper that follows that we hear the Lord speak to Elijah. So often are we looking for God in the big areas of life that we miss Him in the seemingly mundane and ordinary moments. It is important for us to take the time to find and thank Him in our everyday life. And that is where we find the second antidote for the poison of this world: gratitude.

After the Lord tells Elijah to “go out” He commands him to “go back” to continue living for the Lord and doing good works for others. Melissa furthered this idea by encouraging us to “give.”

“Get up. Go out. Give. Go back.”

This phrase continued to be repeated throughout the week. It served as a reminder to the campers of the calling the Lord has for us and His willingness to help us in this calling. The Lord wants to strengthen us and send us out. And when we give we humble ourselves and find purpose. This allows us to go back and share the Lord’s goodness with others.

In the days that followed the girls and the guys took turns playing on the lake and going on a bike ride. On the bike ride we were given the opportunity to practice what we had learned that week by giving back. We cut down trees and pulled weeds on Melissa’s mom, Margaret’s farm. It was a great reminder of how practical giving can be.

As Melissa’s teaching continued we added to the list of antidotes that combat the poison of this world.

The antidotes of this world are:

• Laughter

• Gratitude

• Worship

• Giving

• And finally, Truth

The truth of the Gospel is an antidote to fight the lies this world tells us. In Scripture we see the phrase “one thing” used five times. Each of these five times the Lord asks us to focus in on a specific truth he wants us to hear.

1. John 9:25

2. Philippians 3:12-14

3. Luke 10:38-42

4. Mark 10:17-22

5. Psalm 27:4

We spent the morning praying these truths over our lives.

We ended the week with a Hopetown tradition known as The Chair. One at a time each camper had the opportunity to sit in Melissa’s teaching chair and ask the question, “What are some truths about me?” Three people then proceeded to speak truth over them and remind them of who they are in the Lord’s eyes.

The Lord wants us to take our seat at His table and “taste and see that He is good” and that He has good things in store for us... but first we have to “get up!”