Mount Up! Lock and Load!

In a couple hours we will head to Madison, Wi for the night; and then to Super C at Polo, Mo for another week.

It has been a fantastic two weeks. There is something indefinably blessed about Crescent Lake. I first came here in 1979 to do a winter retreat; and have been here just about every other year since.

I've spoken at somewhere around 40 - 50 camps; and CLBC is by far our favorite. Some camps have better "toys" and such; but CLBC has, well, a "Presence", a peace, an arena for ministry that is not matched.

Why? My guess is because 75 years ago two pastors knelt by the lakeside and asked God to enable them to build a camp that would reach lost youth and disciple teen Christians. Their pleas were heard and singularly answered...and that heavenly answer continues.

If you have ever been at CLBC, I imagine you know what I mean. If you haven't, and you are ever near Rhinelander, Wi; I urge you to visit. It's not the staff (or certainly the speaker), it's not the "administration" (I've been through four or five directors).....it is some fingerprint of God that I can't define.

Pray for the senior high campers as they return to "real life 101." Camp, any camp, is great; it is a taste of heaven; but it is not "real." Now the students go back to the war zone. "God our banner" goes before them, but I pray they "fix their eyes on Jesus" as they go.

A Comment on Gov Sanford

Speaking at camp these last three weeks, I've only got glimpses of the story; the tragic and ongoing tragic, of the governor of South Carolina. Al Mohler diagnoses accurately:

Al Mohler on the Gov. Sanford situation:

Put simply, Governor Sanford's most recent comments point to a worst-case scenario. His words make clear that his heart is still inclined toward his mistress, and not his wife. With tragic candor, the governor has spoken of trying to fall back in love with his wife. He refers to his mistress, not his wife, as his soul mate, and speaks wistfully of the affair as "a love story at the end of the day."

Governor Sanford may cite King David, and he may even suffer the illusion that his response is similar to that of Israel's King. Nevertheless, the difference is clear. David's adultery was mixed even with murder, but his own acknowledgment of sin came in a flood of contrition, remorse, broken heartedness, and humility. David acknowledged the reality of his sin, expressed his hatred of the sin, and became a model for us all of repentance. Governor Sanford, on the other hand, demonstrates the audacity to speak wistfully of his sin, longingly of his lover, and romantically of his descent into unfaithfulness.

Governor Sanford is no King David, and the people of South Carolina -- as well as the watching world -- now observe the sad spectacle of a man who, while admitting to wrongdoing, shows no genuine repentance. As the Christian church has long recognized, true repentance is reflected in the "detestation of sin." This is a far cry from what we've heard from Governor Sanford.

If the governor is really serious about demonstrating character to his four sons, he should resign his office and give himself unreservedly to his wife and family. He must show his sons -- and all who have eyes to see -- how a man is led by the grace and mercy of God to hate his sin, rather than to love it. Until then, the governor must be understood to indulge himself in wistfulness for his affair and in a desperate determination to maintain his office. His remaining days in office are like a Greek tragedy unfolding into farce. The whole picture is just unspeakably sad.

THINKABOUTIT

Here's a statement that will infuriate some, puzzle others, and perhaps cause a few to nod, knowingly:

“Perhaps Christians are leaving the church because it isn’t tolerant and open-minded. But perhaps the church-leavers have their own intolerance too—intolerant of tradition, intolerant of authority, intolerant of imperfection except their own. Are you open-minded enough to give the church a chance—a chance for the church to be the church, not a coffee shop, not a mall, not a variety show, not Chuck E. Cheese, not a U2 concert, not a nature walk, but a wonderfully ordinary, blood-bought, Spirit-driven church with pastors, sermons, budgets, hymns, bad carpet and worse coffee?”

-Church: Love It, Don’t Leave It - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

It's Free! It;s Free! Get this Fantastic Book FREE!

I've written about CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan. It is a marvelous, fresh, fantastic book. I showed a 15-minute Chan video to the senior high students last night; they were not only enthralled, they were ministered to...and great conversations took place afterward.

Now you can get the audio version of the book FREE. Just CLICK HERE and look for the download link and, when prompted, enter the code JUL2009. Sure, you need to open an account, but it is FREE...and the price is NOT right...this will bless your socks off, rock your world, and give you a unique insight into God's relentless love.

A Woman of God

In 1977 I was an excon on parole who had been converted in jail prior to prison. I wanted to get some Biblical education, and felt called to work primarily with youth.

Through a string of "coincidences" (miracles in which God chooses to remain anonymous) I found out about Christ Unlimited Bible Institute, run by Kansas City Youth For Christ, an independent YFC ministry started by Dr. Al Metsker.

I applied, to my surprise (me of little faith) was accepted, and thus began the vocational ministry to which God called me.

Later I found out that Doctor and Mrs. Metsker were directly involved in my acceptance. Al told me that he and Vidy were driving, with Vidy reading my application form. Al said they were perplexed...should they allow a recently-paroled felon to attend their school?

After discussing the pros and cons (no pun intended), they prayed and felt they should accept me.

Thank You, Jesus! And thank you Al (who is in heaven), and thank you, dear Vidy...

The photo was taken at a reunion of Kansas City Youth For Christ people last week. We couldn't go because we are preaching in northern Wisconsin at Crescent Lake Bible Camp.

But a friend posted her picture, and my heart wanted to post a tribute. (She is surrounded by Johnny Williams and part of his family...Johnny oversees God's Mountain camp in St Joseph and has been a dear friend for over thirty years...)

There are literally thousands of souls in heaven,and enroute, because God blessed the sacrificial work of Al and Vidy(though neither would ever take credit). And hundreds upon hundreds of vocational missionaries, both overseas and in the states, received training and experience, to include this writer, at a Bible Institute KCYFC used to run.

KCYFC has evolved into another organization. But the rich heritage of the KCYFC and CUBI days continues.

Double-dog Dare You

I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate Mark Batterson; and I am committed to joining him on this quest: CLICK HERE

A Rainy Day on the Upper Peninsula

A dear friend took Jane and CORRECTION Jacob (I musta been tired when I originally typed Janelle!) to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Saturday while Jacob and I closed out the first week of camp at Crescent Lake Bible. It was a dreary and on-again-off-again rainy day; but they saw some cool stuff and had a wondrous time: