Daniel lesson intro

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Mount Gretna church camp was established in 1959. Today it is called Gretna Glen Camp and Retreat Center.

Gretna Heights in the village of Mount Gretna, Hershey Hall for the girls, closed about 1970 due to fire code issues.
Gretna Glen in the forest about 2 miles away. Still running today.

We are a space set apart for finding joy and reconnecting with nature, one another, and ourselves. We do this year-round by hosting summer camps, retreats, and outdoor experiences. This home away from home creates opportunities to make memories, explore in nature while growing to know yourself and the community you are here with in bolder ways. From their web site at https://gretnaglen.org/ (as of 2022-02-25).

More: Mount Gretna church camp

(Schofield Bible, Abram Gish, Mrs. Givens, Aunt Elsie)

Six years at church camp (plus one later as counselor in 1990). (Met Craig at last of the six)

West Point, July 8, 1974. Being away from home was hard, with all the work and things to do, knowing that we would not get to visit home for five months later at Christmas.

First or second week: Bible hand-out and meeting for new cadets at Cullum Hall.

Here is an except from a letter from mom written July 13, 1974.

We hope you are standing up well under all your training. We all miss you very much. After having someone around for 17 years it is very hard to see them leave but we want the best for you and we want what you want. The best way seems to be to live one day at a time and sooner or later we will realize that you had to grow up some time. Daddy really misses you too. Not just your work with the chickens.

Unlike Daniel, some weekend visits were allowed.

Early January 1975: going back to West Point after being home for first time since July 8, 1974 .

How did the Israelite mothers feel when their promising sons were deported to Babylon, knowing that they were most probably never coming home? One, Daniel, would become a top administrator in the government and be put in charge of a hereditary group called the Magi.

Think of the infants in Jerusalem killed by Herod after the visit of the Magi (from Babylon).

Matthew 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, [kjv]

τοτε επληρωθη το ρηθεν δια ιερεμιου του προφητου λεγοντος [gnt]

2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. [kjv]

φωνη εν ραμα ηκουσθη κλαυθμος και οδυρμος πολυς ραχηλ κλαιουσα τα τεκνα αυτης και ουκ ηθελεν παρακληθηναι οτι ουκ εισιν [gnt]

The Greek word translated as "comforted" is that of "beyond calling".

Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. [kjv]

Rama was one of the departure points for those deported to Babylon, the last place where mothers might see their sons.

For many, this exile was their new home. Most settled there and never returned. Eventually, everyone needs to depart this world.

[peaceful exportation - Daniel, friends, etc.]
[less peaceful exportation - general population]
[70 years, many never returned, Hebrew to Aramaic, Bethlehem of Ephrata]

For many, this exile was their new home. Most settled there and never returned.

More: Matthew 2:12-23 Flight to and return from Egypt

My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world Billy Graham (American evangelist)

More: Billy Graham

The hymn "This world is not my home" is from anonymous, published 1919, with many arrangements since.

Many associate this song with Billy Graham. See Billy Graham

More: Song: This world is not my home

Home is where you are.

I learned this at Mount Gretna church camp, Boy Scout camp, West Point, the Army, graduate school, professor at different schools, etc.

Paul learned this too.

Philippians 4:11

All

KJV: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Greek: ουχ οτι καθ υστερησιν λεγω εγω γαρ εμαθον εν οις ειμι αυταρκης ειναι

Do I fear death? No. I look forward to death with great anticipation. I am looking forward to seeing God face to face. And that could happen any day. Billy Graham (American evangelist)

Newsweek, July 4, 2005

More: Billy Graham

Mount Gretna Church Camp, July, 1966, first time away from home.

This part of the letter was read by Pastor Corbett on December 28, 1995.

We all miss you very much. After having someone around for 17 years it is very hard to see them leave but we want the best for you and we want what you want. The best way seems to be to live one day at a time and sooner or later we will realize that you had to grow up some time.

Meanwhile, in life, as with Daniel in Babylon, away from home, life went on.

Dream interpretation, Magi
Statue, fiery furnace
Prophecies
Susanna, Bel and the dragon
Writing on the wall
Lion's den