My Latest Read

What a fascinating book. This is a trilogy of three books, Black, Red, and White. This trilogy will challenge you to consider the love of our Savior in a wonderful way. I had thought before that C.S. Lewis had done fiction about the redemptive work of Christ in a way that no one else could. Dekker has an "edgier" work here for sure, but he demonstrates God's great love and wisdom here in a powerful way.

Be warned, though, it's hard to put down!

jc

Out on the wild frontier

We went for a hike today at Talbot Conservation Area. Josie wouldn't cooperate for this picture, but we all had a good time in general!

Bill Gothard - General Teachings/Activities

Bill Gothard - General Teachings/Activities

It looks like good ole' Bill Gothard is still around.  Gothard has a lot of good in his teaching, with a focus on marriage and parenting. This is unfortunate because many Christians are following his "system" instead of following Christ.  I have been familiar with Gothard stuff for a long time, and it seems that little of it has changed. Read the article that I have linked to for a good review.

Here's another link to a good Gothard review.

The brother in humble circumstances & other things.

Things I have been thinking about:

1. James 1 (I finally finished memorizing James)

James 1 says that the brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position, but the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

It is amazing sometimes to think about the amazing depth and cultural relevance that just one small verse of Scripture can bring. Our family studied this verse tonight (Jenette had to take the two little ones out - they were howling like monkeys). Kids can think about such deep things when they are challenged to. Jason said that it was interesting that rich people are compared to a wild flower - not a flower in a garden that is cared for and is constantly tended to. I couldn't help but think of all the so called beautiful, and famous and popular people who bring so much attention to themselves by the fame, beauty, power or whatever. But each of them are nothing but a wild flower that will pass away even while they go about their business.

But James also says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. At the risk of being too "flowery," I would rather be a dandylion in God's garden than a daffodil in the world's ways.

As I look around and listen to the news about the government spending money it doesn't have to do things it shouldn't do, I also can't help but think that our country is very much like that wild flower. Maybe it used to be within God's garden - tended and cared for, but the forces of worldly freedom and worldly thinking have moved the flower out into the wild places of the world. Sadly, I think that sometime in the future, the blossom will fall and the beauty will be destroyed.

I have been studying Deuteronomy, and there is a constant call to the Israelite nations to either obey God and continue with God's blessing, or forget God and fall under curses. Not only have we forgotten God, but it seems like our country's leaders have gone past all wisdom and have gone straight to outright foolishness.

God, help me to continue to be a "brother in humble circumstances." I want to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him.

2. More "extreme gardening."

My project to actually have a back yard for the kids has been moving along - we actually can get to the creek now, and after another day out there, I think the kids will actually be able to get in the creek without fighting through a million rose vines. We have found the perfect tree for a tree house, although it is still in the uncleared area. We also transplanted six small pine trees from a forested area of the camp to our front yard.

3. Prayer for the Camp

I am praying that MBC will be blessed because of my efforts - like Joseph, whom God blessed because of his faithfulness. I am praying for 2000 campers and 200 decisions.

4. Being the Spiritual mentor and teacher that I need to be for the 8 J's

We have changed some of our routines to help make this work better. I am making progress in this area. I think this is an area that got kind of lost (at least in the regular practice) in our coming to work at MBC transition. After spending several hours praying the other day one of the conservation areas nearby (I'm glad there weren't any hunters there!) - I have seen the importance of getting this back into regular practice.

Fireproof Movie

What a great movie. I have not been too excited about movies recently, because there is so much garbage in them, but this was a real winner. Made by the same guys as Facing the Giants, this one was so much better. I liked that this movie demonstrated the sin of selfishness in all it's ugliness. Our culture is just so full of people like the couple they portray in this movie. I think the writers and directors did a great job of creating characters that people could identify with.
If you haven't seen it yet, you need to.

Duggars Book

My latest read - another great example about how God uses ordinary but faithful people to bring glory to Him. Everyone asks us if we have seen this family on TV - of course, only having 8 kids makes our family look, well, small in comparison. This book was a bit of a family history - I guess I would have liked to see it go a little deeper, but I liked the overview. I would really like to meet Jim Bob Duggar some day - just to talk about life and the importance of obedience. This family has taken lots of hits - lots of negative stuff. It's amazing how much vitriol one Godly family can produce. And isn't it great that the Discovery Channel is the one sending out their message? I pray that I will have the faith and obedience of Mr. Duggar.

Well, today was another day of "extreme gardening," as I like to call it. We pushed back toward the creek just a bit more today, cut up several more huge trees, and burned lots and lots and lots of thorns. I got a brush blade for the camp weedeater and it made the going really easy with those rose vines. Jenna enjoyed sitting on the log stacks. You can see Joel and Jon in the background working on burning rose vines. Our back yard has come a long way. We still have a long way to go.

A great book for Teens by Teens

I really liked this book - it blows away the cultural myth and expectations of that dreaded animal "the teenager." Joel liked this book too. I think he could relate to much of this book, being the oldest of eight and being in a family living and working at Camp.

I would encourage not just youth, but parents as well to read this. Here is a quote from the authors:

Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And even if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do. – Alex and Brett

I hope to see more in the future from these young writers.

jc

Eric's Blogosphere: The Economy & Our Opportunity

Eric's Blogosphere: The Economy & Our Opportunity

From the mind of my great friend, Eric Keller.

I think this is well said. Churches that are nervous about going out of business in this recession should be asking themselves if they are truly following God's plan for their Church. Is it possible that God will use this time of economic trouble to weed out Churches that are not faithful to Him and His Word?

Has anyone noticed that the Church of today is so unlike the New Testament Church that we don't even recognize it anymore?

jc

Fun with a box

North Carolina Ice Fishing

Well, it was supposed to be fly fishing, but it might as well have been ice fishing. The trout were as sluggish as my children are on a very cold day. But I enjoyed being out there.

Tim Tebow and John 3:16

Tim Tebow and John 3:16

John 3:16 -- Latest Bible Verse to Be Featured On Tim Tebow's Eye Black - NCAA Football FanHouse

John 3:16 -- Latest Bible Verse to Be Featured On Tim Tebow's Eye Black - NCAA Football FanHouse

BCS Aftermath and John 3:16

So the biggest suprise of the BCS championship game was not that OU lost. Disappointing, but not suprising. It was not that Florida won. It was not that both defenses played very well. It was not that my little girls had fun spreading popcorn all over the TV room. It was not that my mom made sure all my kids had an OU shirt for Christmas. It wasn't even that Tim Tebow wore "John 3:16" on his eye black.

It was that people freaked out about it.

My first reaction - three words -"Get over it." But then I started thinking more about it.

I was very interested to find that google hot trends had "john 3:16" at a medium level Friday morning that peaked just after the game ended.
Of course some people didn't make that big a deal about it - but how amazing that Tebow's eye black made the google hot trends light up. I guess it was that people thought is was a big deal is what surprised me.

One blog post (from a site I won't link to) said that his eye black caused "an unholy controversy."

Yep - just little ol' John 3:16 - how controversial is God's love? Maybe Tim should have put Romans 1:27 on his eye black. Boy, that would have caused some real excitement. Then, google hot trends would have had it as "volcanic" and not just "medium."

How often does John 3:16 show up on Google hot trends? That may never, ever happen again. Although Tebow spanked my team, I am amazed that God could use something as small and insignificant as Tebow's eye black to cause people to search for the Bible verse.

I can certainly handle another Sooner big game loss if it magnifies God's Glory.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

After Christmas - they all have OU shirts

My Winter Park Ski Buddies

Winter Park, CO

Jason & Jon in Limon, CO

Josie on Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Random Wierd Picture

Plastic Death heads fall into line - Is this what CPR instructors have nightmares about?

MBC Calendar - Experiment

Christian Worldview Network - Brannon Howse - Is Bernard Madoff Running the Federal Government?

Christian Worldview Network - Brannon Howse - Is Bernard Madoff Running the Federal Government?

This article makes an interesting point - that having congress lecture automakers about poor management, decline into debt, and ridiculous spending practices is a little like having the fox lecture the chickens about their lax security policies.

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it, and the are safe. Proverbs 18:10

College Without Compromise

I am very thankful to the authors of this fine book. The foreward by RC Sproul Jr. resounded with me - that many homeschoolers have fumbled when asked about the "college" thing - including myself.

I truthfully had not wanted to ... more » think about college for my kids, because I thought we could never afford it and I was not excited about sending my kids off to an environment that I knew would be negative for them.

I read this book and Accelerated Distance Learning at the same time (I bought them both from Global Learning Strategies.)

While the ADL book was very practical, and overwhelming at times, this book helped me see the big picture of a homeschool family using these principles to see their students through college - and it was more specific in it's practicality. While ADL exploded my vision of my kid's education, CWC refined it. Where were these books 20 years ago?

All the years of youth ministry I spent agonizing about the students I loved and cared for (and attempted to teach and disciple for the Lord) as they spritually withered away at college are bitter memories for me. I will be giving this book as a gift to all those I care about.

What a blessing it is that not only homeschool students but anyone can now receive a great education for a reasonable price in the best way possible - at home at your own pace.

I recommend this book to anyone!

What some others have said about the book:

http://servenclan.blogspot.com/2006/01/spotlight-college-without-compromise.html

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/missouri/135726/

Random posting about this that and the other thing

This is what I have been thinking about/praying about/studying/ and generally being obsessed with lately:

1. College for my children.

Two great books have held my attention lately:

Accelerated Distance Learning & College without Compromise

Click here to see these books at my Google Books library

I suppose it is beyond the scope of this blog to state how amazing these books are - I have written short reviews at the google site.

I had been really struggling with the whole idea of college for the 8 J's - too much money, too many bad influences, too much wasted time, too much opportunity to do all the wrong things.

Since I have read these books, I have learned that there are opportunities to get a degree in and learn the kinds of computery things that Joel is interested in - in an affordable, distance learning system. Everyone needs to get these books and read them.

2. It's the economy, stupid.

Living at and working for a non-profit Christian camp is an interesting adventure. While the government seems to be having a wild spending party right before complete bankruptcy (bailing out this and that and the other thing with money they don't have), it seems like the proverbial light is at the end of the tunnel. The only problem is that the light is a freight train barreling towards us. Here is what I am resolved to do.

• Get out of debt. If anyone has followed my blog at all (Maybe my wife and Janet Stephens - thank you both) in the last few years, you know that I have said this before, but it is getting down to crunch time.

• Be wise in spending and investing. Below is a link to an interesting article. (disclaimer - I certainly do not agree with everything the Christian Worldview Network says) http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/4354/Brannon-Howse/By-Gary-Kah Perhaps if more people would take this guys simple advice (get out of debt, save, invest in hard assets, buy some land and learn how to live/survive without the gov't) -we might all be better off with or without an economic crisis.

• Learn more about how to live and survive independently - After making our "Great Transitions" to the camp over the last several years, we were able to finally reestablish our garden this last summer with some success - we need to do more and learn more.

While I am not scared- because I trust in the Lord - I am greatly concerned how this coming economy is going to cause great harm - with the potential of causing our nation to make even worse decisions than it has.

3. 2 Timothy 3 & 4

I have never read these before in light of family life - I had always thought of them strictly as a church life kind of thing. Read it - thinking about your family, kids, roles of parents, teaching them, etc. "How from infancy you have known the holy Scripture, which is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." As I memorize Scripture, it immerses me into the thinking and the process of understanding God's truth. Someone said that you can learn God's words by reading the Bible, but that you can learn God's thoughts by memorizing the Bible. That is so true.

4. Woeful Bible teaching and interpretation

I won't go into it too much on this public blog, but my older sons had an interesting Bible class experience (not at our home church - at a different church) - I am sick to death of churches who use secular psychology as a form of teaching -whenever I get to write one of my rants on the blog I will talk about this more.

See my latest sermon posted below for my humble attempt to address this. There has to be some solid answers - people should not be allowed to teach Church classes (especially JH & SH) who simply don't know their way around the Bible. Maybe there is a way to train people better. I guess the problem is that they don't know they need to be trained. I learned so well at Bible College, and I am thankful for that ministry, but Bible college is so expensive now that it is out of reach. I need to look into their distance learning options on interpretation!

5. Chain saw chains don't mix well with rocks.

I should have taken a before and after picture (well, after has still not occured), but I have been working through the "Roman Barricade" (as Jenette called it) behind our house. When the house was built, all the trees were just pushed up in a 60 yard long pile. I have been dismantling that pile, log by log, so that a friend can come and level it out for us. I have already done in several brain new chains by getting them into the rocks mixed up with the rootwads and piles.

In case you didn't know it about me - I am one of those "chainsaw guys" that loves cutting up trees. I even made a little bench for the girls with my chainsaw. Maybe I'll start doing chainsaw art.

6. Poop and pee are common daily central themes of life at our house.

Jenette is working on potty training both Jenna and Josie - it has been, well interesting. She bought them both potty chairs - they're pretty cute sitting together. Jenna has been doing pretty well. Josie, not so much. But hey, she's only one.

7. Thankfulness

I am so thankful to God, for my wife and children, for being able to work here at the camp, for the camp directors being so faithful and flexible, for the wonderful house they decided to build for us, for being able to see my family (especially my grandparents) again, for being able to learn about new educational options for the 8J's and for this, that, and the other thing.

jc

Another Sermon at Oakwood Christian

I guess that is maybe the third sermon I have done at Oakwood this year. This one is "The Sufficiency of Scripture" - and although delivered most imperfectly, is truly one of the dear passions of my heart.

Click on the title link above - then go down to Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. There is even an outline there.

I am working on reestablishing the wireless internet at the camp so that we can better access it at our house - then maybe more blogging will occur!

jc

My Job Description I created in XMind

Why the Election Results Don't Bother Me

1. God is ultimately in charge.
2. This is not my home. Heaven is.
3. I think it will help conservatives re-assess their message and messengers.
4. It gives us more reason to not put our trust in politicians to save us.
5. See #1.

Online Sermon

Here's a link to a sermon I preached at Oakwood Christian Church back in September. It was quite a reunion for us to be there, and it was such a blessing to hang out with Eric Keller as he has become the preaching minister there.

This sermon was my take on the legacy of Oakwood Christian Church, but it also is hopefully a good discussion of the purpose and legacy of any Bible teaching and believing Church.

Click on the title link above and go down to 9-23-08.

Vlog 5-16-08

2008 Promo Video

Self Portrait Holding the camera at arm's length

Silly Baby and Dad

Good looking woman in front of a NC waterfall!

More NC Pictures

Critters that greeted us at the Billy Graham Training Center