Well, summer camp at Ironwood is over for 2006. I've been home for three days and it feels like 35 brothers and sisters just died. I'll see them again though, no doubt, almost every day from now through eternity, if eternity has days. I can't express in words what I learned this summer. The classic answer would be "I've got a lot to learn," which is deffinately true. But about what? Here's an example: love. When I left for camp, I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the concept of love and I thought that I truly loved people. Little did I know. . .yah. I'm coming to learn that love is probably the deepest subject of all, and the most neglected by today's Christian. After all, Love God and Love neighbor are the two greatest commandments given by Christ. It makes sense to ignore it, right? I mean, humility is part of it, and that's just not cool. To give, or be willing to give, 100% of myself for someone else's welfare, "Lord, you don't understand!" To which the Lord responds, "I've shown you reality, will you live in it? I've revealed to you my heart, will you seek that it be your's as well?" Maybe it's just that we don't realize it's place of prominence in the reality of God. It took a summer of intense outpouring of self to give me a taste of it's importance. Here's a trap we usually fall in to: Marshal Mike gave us this example while trying to teach us this: God wants us to move to Philadelphia, not to just stay clear of Colorado. In other words, we see "don't hate people" and "love your neighbor" as the same thing. They are completely different ideas. How do I get to Philadelphia? "Stay clear of Colorado!" Dumb directions. You have 1 in a billion chance of finding Philly, where God's will resides. Don't just not hate people! Love them! That is evidenced in 100% service-from the heart, not from duty.

God's will has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly in relation to man's handling of it. We can either submit to it and walk lovingly in it moment by moment, or we can deny it, deceiving ourselves, and subject ourselves to fallen human strength which results in some measure of worry. I'd like to apply the first, but more often than not, I find myself losing a heated battle with the latter. Pride is really the foundation of it. Do I want to deny myself that the Father might be exalted at my expense? Fall in love with Him, with His will, and choosing to do His will becomes easy by His grace. It's often said, "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." His providence may not always sound all that great. Ignorance is one thing normal people can't stand having, and we let it get the best of us sometimes. But regardless of how "great" trusting His will may sound, if we love Him, the choice is a no-brainer. Worry is cast out by such faith. Who is going to take care of those I have been discipling over this summer? Are they not His first? He's got them covered. What does He want me to do, and in what location? The work is planned, the tickets paid for. God has our lives before Him, complete. We see pieces as He shows them to us. So what's the worry? Forget yourself. Acknowledge Him. Trust.

Been thinking a lot about death lately. Have heard of several instances in the past couple of weeks about loved ones dying or having certain deadly diseases, both the saved and the unsaved. I tryed to get into the mind of an unsaved person getting ready to die, and O how frightful, even not being in the situation. To consider one without hope passing out of life, not having received Christ in life, and dying twice, without Him. In life, they have nothing to look forward to, whether they believe in hell or not, the consideration of death is torment. But, why is death so bad for we who are redeemed? Why are we saddened at the thought? While we live, it is unto Chirst, to the Glory of the Holy. When we die, we should already be used to it, for in life we die daily for Christ's sake, so do we die physically, only the end being the casting off of this piece of filth and seeing His face, thereby being at last changed into His image. That is a day "when life's trials and torments are no more, and we may worship before His very feet forevermore, when His glory is proclaimed through the mighty works He has wrought, and at His hand His enemies to shame are brought; when the unashamed statnd hand-in-hand with their Lord in the glory-land. This is a day, a beginning, to which life has lead; the glory of man's Head, Who is risen, but for three days was dead. Glory be to the Holy Three-in-One, the battle is finished, the war won." Do not fret death, for to fret it is to claim earthly treasures. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." As Dr. J. stated today concerning one who had passed, "I'm jealous." Profound, really, concidering the heart of man. Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Been studying Paul's first letter to Timothy lately. Was smitten by 6:8 - "And having food and raiment let us therewith be content." One of my favorite journal entries by Jim Elliot applies: "I have been musing lately on the extremely dangerous cumulative effects of earthly things. One may have good reason, for example, to want a wife, and he may have one legitimately. But with a wife comes Peter the Pumpkin-Eaters proverbial dilemma---he must find a place to keep her. And most wives will not stay on such terms as Peter proposed. So a wife demands a house; a house in turn requires curtains, rugs, washing machines, et cetera. A house with these things must soon become a home, and children are the intended outcome. The needs multiply as they are met---a car demands a garage; a garage, land; land, a garden; a garden, tools; and tools need sharpening. Woe, woe, woe to the man who would live a disentangled life in my century. II. Timothy 2:4 is impossible in the United States, if one insists on a wife. I learn from this that the wisest life is the simplest one, lived in the fulfillment of only the basic requirements of life---shelter, food, covering, and a bed. And even these can become productive of other needs if one does not heed. Be on guard, my soul, of complicating your environment so that you have neither time nor room for growth!" Even though I am far from having a wife, the same principle that he presents applies to every area of life. Once you first "mind earthly things," however small a thing it might be, you start your fall on a slippery slope that ends in spiritual destruction for you and those you might have impacted for Christ. "But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." This statement according to the context is in direct relation to serving others, specifically others in authority to us, but the same heart attitude will serve those equal or subject to us. When we put others aside for however short a time, we become earthly minded and cannot be content with "food and raiment." "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. . ."

Found yet another problem with today's church in Pauls first letter to the Thessalonians. 4:13-18: v.13 Paul speaks of handling the loss of loved ones. He admonishes them that they not sorrow after their deceased as they which have not received the Gospel. For the unregenerate, deaths wail, whether it flow through the lips or curdle in the heart, is always existant, at least to those who care. For the redeemed of the Lord death is merely the doorway to Glory; in that we can rejoice. Why can we rejoice? "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Now, here is the problem with the church: V.18: "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Whether the believer be rejoicing or mourning, we are exhorted by the Word of God to channel this Truth to other believers. Who does that? On top of that, who is comforted by those words? Who cares what trial someone is going through: exhort one another with these words. I have been counceled in the past to not use this form of exhortation with the sorrowful because "that's not what they need." Bogus. Any true Christian who is truly God-fearing will rejoice at these words amidst whatever trial. One who doesn't has already taken his eyes off of the prize and has focused on a distraction, however good a reason. I may sound insensitive, but according to how I know God and what I know in His scriptures, this is truth. I could be wrong, but I don't think so, obviously, seeing that I have posted it. To sum everything up, there is way too little comforting with "these words" in the church, the body of Christ, and way too much earthly mindedness.

Here is a picture of the Maranatha renound Marshall Mike. Most can only picture him wearing a suit and a hiking bag twice the size he is. I sure can't wait to get to know this guy more this summer at Ironwood.

Recieved a blessing from I Thessalonians 2 today. Paul speaks to them, "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:" Why was in not in vain? "But. . .we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God. . .For our exhortation was not of. . ." fleshly motives. Today's subject can be summed up into one question: Why? Why do I do what I do; why do I speak what I speak? Paul gives several negative characteristics with which they could have spoken, and many had, a couple of which stick out. V.5: "For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others." Paul, Sylvanus, and Timotheus did not carefully strategize their sentences to be inticing and elegant. Nor did they pretend to be passionate about their God (which is what I believe "covetousness" represents in this passage). They were real with the Thessalonians because, as the rest of the book explains, they loved God and they loved the Thessalonians. Elegance in speach seems to be of none affect in the mind of the speaker when he is overcome by love. They also obstained from wrong motives because they realized V.4: "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, whcih trieth our hearts." This Gospel is mine as a gracious gift. It is not initially mine. It is God's property as it speaks of His Son. Therefore, as God trieth the hearts, God is jealous of my motives, my works, and my fruits, for they are rightfully His. If He is not the center of the previously stated, He is displeased with us. If we do are not in love with God and those He has sent us to, we will end up speaking with wrong motives. It's inevitable. God, try and purge my heart, and receive complete usefulness from me.

Philippians 3 was a huge encouragement today. Learned again a basic principle of walking. "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." Paul states that he "suffered the loss of all things," most of which was because of imprisonment and other forms of persecution--against his will. But notice what he says next: "and do count them but dung." He didn't just lose everything physically, but he was purged of the desire to have those things that he was without, being content in whatsoever state he was in--part of learning how to be abased. He counts these things that he had and had done as loss that he may win Christ. Christ is not fully pleased with us when we still hold onto earthly ties; concerning a relationship attained thus far: "Not having mine own righteousness," "I count not myself having apprehended," etc. Concerning the tangible: "For many walk (look righteous),. . .and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things." What earthly things entice us? Ask for God's cleansing. Seek those things which are above. For Christ's sake, Paul learned how to abound and to be abased, that his heart might not be in want when that excellent knowlege of the Lord Jesus Christ was his, knowlege emphasizing familiarity with His person in a relationship. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body. . .He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."

Been far from God the last few days: I forgot Him. Could barely stand up this morning for longing of His presence: He sought me. The reason: 2 Timothy 2:4 - "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." I didn't just entagle myself, I forgot the war altogether. I became David instead of Uriah. Thank you Lord for showing me my folly before I shamed you before others. How did He show me? Ephesians 6:10-18 - "Put on the whole armour of God." We are in the midst of a hot battle right now; that is why we need the armour. "Of God" - it's His: we cannot stand without His grace and the "power of His might." "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Surely we wrestle with "spiritual wickedness in high places," but what are they when the Most High God is on our side to deliver us, to purify us? The high places of wickedness are truly higher than I, but cannot reign above my Deliverer. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. . .Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching. . ." We are called unto this battle; let us recognize it. Our enemy is detestable, for he detests God. Take heed, stand fast, lest ye fall.

"If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man. . .and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." - Ephesians 4:21-24
How do we glorify God? Truly, willingly, sincerely - how can we worship His Majesty? How can we be clothed in holiness and righteousness? "If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him." Some of the Ephesians could very well have heard Christ speak while He was yet on this earth. Most, however, probably did not, as the book was written 30 years after Christ's death and since Ephesus is over 500 miles away from anywhere Jesus preached. Thus, I am inclined to believe Paul is not speaking of audible teaching of Christ, but rather His illumination, that leads an unbeliever to salvation and a believer to "true holiness." Illumination, after salvation, is unfortunately foreign to many believers. It is, however, the avenue of grace that we become like Christ. I like to see it as the Spirit giving a man a greater, more complete picture of the Spirit Person of God, a vision from which a man can not come out of the same. Jim Berg states in Changed Into His Image, "No man can be proud of his level of spiritual maturity or theological understanding when he has been exposed to God's nature. . .Such are the impressions on the intellect of man when he sees God. He is at the same time taught, humbled, and made bold. How can it be otherwise--he has seen God!" Intellect is vain if it is not humble and dedicated. Dedication is not reserved to situations and objects, but to knowlege as well. When we dedicate our learning to Him, then greater is the Spirit's illumination in us, lest we be like the Gentiles in this passage: "Walk not as the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, becauseof the blindness of their heart" through apathy toward the spiritual (VV. 17-19). These Gentiles of which Paul writes were most likely those involved in gnosticism and other mind-exalting beliefs. They were intelligent people. But they listened not to the Spirit; therefore they are "darkened," "ignorant," and "blind." The Spirit's illumination gives true understanding. It gives you a taste of the Lord's goodness, of His person. Knowlege is not ours. It is God's. Seek the Spirit's illumination instead of head knowlege and be truly holy, as one cannot be the same when he has seen God.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." - Galatians 5:1
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" - 3:3
The Galations were saved by grace through faith, as all born again believers are, but false teachers, probably Jews in the religious sense, brought them to ignore, even deny salvation by grace through faith, and to trust in the keeping of the law to bring them salvation. These Galations are true Christians: "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ," "For ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (3:24,26). But, possibly in addition to their salvation, they have burdened themselves with the law that is dead to them, and they to it. "Are ye so foolish?" he replies. Are we so foolish? Why do fundamental Baptists have the reputation of being legalists? Sure we (in general) are more conservative by conviction, but sometimes we make up our own convictions, thereby burdening ourselves with a "yoke of bondage," and we then see ourselves as "spiritual." Oftentimes we forget the "unmerited favor" part of grace and try to be closer to God by intensifying our standards. "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." The best I understand "fallen from grace," it states that one has transferred his dependance from Christ onto his own works, transferred his avenue of strength to please God from Himself to himself. Since we cannot lose our salvation, this transfer robs God of sweet fellowship with His children and His glory is not seen by other people, or us. I could be wrong, but that's my observation. Who leads us in life? Why do our standards exist? Do we try to work out sanctification through vain standards that are not wrong, but lack a heart for God? "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Completely rely on God for sanctification, for we have no power over the spirit, to draw it unto God. "Grace upon Grace." Christ is our Standard, our shield from the enemy. Standards help in some instances, but to replace Christ with standards is to leave a well manned fort to hide behind a tree.

Heard a song yesterday which had a line that went, "Where are you, Father where are you? You have promised you would always be near." I find myself crying this out sometimes, and the absurdity of the statement is great. When one would consider the second clause, the first seems unspiritual and illogical. Usually when a man cries out the first portion, at first he emotionally feels God has left him, and in the same heart he states the latter. Who is God? What are His promises to us? They are life. They cannot fail. Therefore, I'm not so sure someone who cries these two clauses really understands at the moment what he is saying. The question "Where are you?" in the sense that God has left us is usually born in a heart that seeks God for peace's sake, not for His own. Selfishness. Also, because of God's promise to "always be near," He will not leave us because God is not a liar. Asking "where are you?" in relation to His promise questions His infalability. On the other hand, one can ask "where are you" because he knows he is lost; he has stepped out of the lighted path and cannot see his Leader. Therefore, while recognizing His promise rightly, one can ask "where are you" in a God-honoring fashion, seeing that it is not God Who has left, but rather himself, but one must, by the grace of God, have clear, unselfish understanding; by the grace of God, because selfishness and pride are what cause us to step out of that Light in the first place. He will always provide the grace to return. Receive it. I'm not so sure one can be right in putting the two clauses together, for it seems that each would have to come with a different mindset, seperately, in order to be right, but I could be wrong. Lord, give me understanding.

"For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." Yes, God knows who we are. He remembers what He made us out of, our frailness. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him." How pitiful are we? This is our nature. Fear Him, and His grace will be strong in us. Humble is our estate, but not our heart. He remembers who we are. We forget, and few have ever come to some kind of understanding of ourselves, for we neglect/refuse to fear God. "Lord I surrender!" is the cry of many, but beneath the cry is contentedness, though often painful, with an imagination of personal strenth and orderliness. "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him." Return unto the Lord thy God, O man; fear Him and prostrate yourself before Him, being expendable.

Hear the decree and purpose: "And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the LORD." and again, "Recompense her [Babylon] according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel." How have we lifted up ourselves before our God? How easily are we deceived! O, to see His face! Only then will I give Him pure, unadulturated glory and fellowship. Pride. The most self-emptying prayer and fellowship that man can offer to the Lord still has a measure of pride intertwined within it, for until we see the face of the Christ and be like Him, this flesh deceives us. Free me from this bond of death! May I be mad over You, as Babylon was with it's idols, and more so, for in You is Truth and Life! Then will You be pleased. It's amazing how much grace we a dependant on. Can I love, serve, enjoy God without His grace? I believe the answer is obvious. He supplies for His own, ultimately for His own glory. He wants fellowship with us more than we want it with Him. He is more fervent about getting it; He deserves it. Therefore, if we will, He will, and it will happen. Where is the sweet fellowship? God is ready to have it. We deprive Him of it, if God can be deprived of any thing. What is pride? I gather that it is a lack of understanding of Who God is and who we are. God, give me understanding.

Read a tragic display of the human heart today in Jeremiah 44. Verse 16-17 says, "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the Name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth." Hear the words of these men before judgement is foretold: "Pray for us unto the Lord. . .that the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."(42:2-3) From what did such scorning and hate arise? The rebellious spirit overwhelmed them even in their statement of submission. I believe the answer is found in 45:5: "And seekest thou great things for thyself?" Why did Israel only turn to the Lord during trajedy? they sought great things for themselves. At this point (they knew their past) they expected God to "return" as He did in the past. But Jeremiah prophecied that they would be captives even if they turned back now. God knew they would only continue in the cycle, never taking thought for God's pleasure, but rather for their inhabiting a peaceful and prosperous land. Are we willing to live unto the pleasure of the Lord and still go to hell for it? God will not suffer that to happen, but would we be so overtaken by Him that we would suffer hell that He might have pleasure? Why do we exist, but for His pleasure? Is there any other Infinite? Behold, all things are His dominion; He is Ulitimate. Our pleasure and good matter not. He searches the hearts for one to please Him, to show HIMSELF strong. He is jealous. He deserves to be. "And seeketh thou great things for thyself? seek them not." "I am the Lord. There is none beside Me."

"Is the distinction between living for Christ and dying for Him, after all so great? Is not the second a logical conclusion of the first?" - Elizabeth Elliott
This quote I acquired by my brother A. T. Pierson. If I do not desire to die a Christ-like death, do I really want to live a Christ-like life? I find it easy at times to admit that I would be willing to do anything, even die a miserable death, in and for the Name of the Beloved. But saying something, though one be convinced in his mind, is not proof of truth. Words are backed by actions. Without actions, assertions are vain. Would I give my life up to Death for Christ? I will know when I come to that bridge, whether I be willing to cross it. Today, I will give to Him all that He has given into my hands, for they be His anyway. I will plan to do so tomorrow. When the day of testing is come, by His grace - for I am lean, His great Name will be uplifted. Lord, will you privilege me so, that I should have opportunity to give my life in death for my Saviour? O, the unseen privilege it is to live in Christ unto His praise and maginification. Your Covenant and your cross, O Christ, are blessed, though brought because of our curse. I will die today as by Your strength, Your right hand, I walk.

The Lord reveived a sinner into His fold today at Ethan Allen. Praise be to God, He has chosen these stones to tell of His glory: the Lord Jesus. A soul, so deeply stained, cannot resist the saving power of the Majesty. What is sin but offence against the Holy One? if that Holy One will wash a soul, it is washed through faith according to the Word of God. If God will keep a soul, what can make it flee? This newborn is eternally Thine, O Lord, for you have saved his soul according to your hearts yearning. How is it that you groan in your spirit for such a soul as mine? have I attained your favour? No, you have freely given it. How, Lord God? I don't understand your heart, the depths of it, nor will I until I see your Express Image. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Rid me, for your pleasure's sake, of this body of death, of iniquity. I will be caught up to YOURSELF: I am yours and always will be, no matter how decieved I may be. You have glorified Yourself; I know you will do it again. Do it in me, for you are worthy to recieve of your own.

Read in Jeremiah today of the yoke of Babylon on the shoulders of Judah. This yoke, the chastisement of sin, was to be their cursed slavery. But my God gives me a yoke as well. This yoke is a slavery as well, but not cursed in any sense, for it sets me free from bondage from my Lord. I am free to commune with my God according to His lovingkindness. What sweet communion, for God is with me in this yoke, beside me, yet with His hands on the reigns. But how often do I kick against the pricks. Foolishness, for I know not the destruction into which I will lead myself. Who am I to direct my steps? He is infinite; in Him do I have my very being. My Lord will not suffer me, chosen in Christ, to lose His fellowship, for He wants the same. Only as I choose another god on which I will lay my passion will my Lord, for His eternal pleasure, strip me of His nearness. Thy Word, O Lord, and the promises thereof, shall be my guide. I can not stray when the eyes of my heart follow hard after Thee, for you have promised "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. You shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Amen, Lord God. I will rest in your promises.

Been having a dry spell lately concerning fellowship with my Lord. Feel that I'm becoming one of the dry-rot Christians that can sure keep the outward commandments, but the internal commandment of loving Him with all of the heart, soul and mind gets neglected. What is the purpose of man? Do we exist to experience joy, peace, love, and fellowship? All these things are products of fulfilling our true purpose: Giving God Glory in that He enjoys sweet fellowship with us. Lord, may I not fall into Israelite pride that claims your blessings as its own, lest you be compelled to turn against me, a stone chosen to praise Your name, the dearly beloved of Your Soul, for this is unpleasing to you. It greaves Your heart, your soul. This person that speaks to you is not who You meant him to be, and in that your soul is grieved, though perfect, just, loving, and righteous. You have given grace and strength to change and to do your bidding. I want to grasp you. Here am I.