Quick Catch Up

Whew. Enjoyed the short break between junior high and senior high week. Actually not much of one, Saturday night "Collide" and I had the joy of attending a back yard barbecue for those interested in Bible quizzing; had great food, saw several old friends and met new ones, and the band led worship and I spoke. Senior highers arrived yesterday, small group; over half have been with me before, which makes for good, early connection.

The worship band is doing such a good job staying out of the way. By that I mean some "worship" bands (not just at camp) come across as performers in concert rather than facilitators of worship. Not "Collide." I've had the privilege of working with them for several years here at Crescent Lake...wish I could bring them to all the camps at which I speak.

On a light note, returning from church Sunday I stopped at a garage sale..nothing but junk. But as I left the seller said, "Why don't you take this thing..for free?" I thought that was a great price, knew that were I a counselor I'd have a great deal of fun with it...

Meet "Slasher" (Yes, I named it; and while I was introducing him to the staff and campers; God gave me a word (kidding!):  "Beware the Hare"...He is randomly appearing throughout the camp...this should be a good week...

Sex, Supremes, and Starts

Today is the final full day of junior high week at Crescent Lake Bible Camp.

Last night we addressed, strongly and clearly, the subject of sex outside of marriage.

"To junior highers?" 

If that is your reaction may I suggest you get your head out of the, ah, sand?

"That should be talked about at home!" Couldn't agree more...but guess what?  It isn't...in the vast majority of cases. Many youth pastors, volunteer or "professional," don't address the issue for fear they'll be run out of town.

Many of these young people indicated God spoke to them through His Word and we pray the impact will continue.

This morning I encouraged them to try the following in order to help ensure that they are able to continue to 2 Peter 3.18 (look it up if you don't know it; it summarizes our "mission statement")

Our theme has been "STAND" and thus I am hopeful they can remember to:

Study (no way any of us...of any age...can be effective for the Lord until and unless we develop a regular, systematic intake of the Word of God. Period. End of sentence. That's it.

Talk nag God..."pray without ceasing" perhaps means "pray without ceasing." Encouraged to develop a written prayer list so they don't lie too often..the first most stated lie of Christians is "Fine" (in response to "How are you doing?"). The second, probably unintentional, is "I'll be praying for you."

Assemble be part of a Bible-believing, Christ-exalting church. "Ask not what your church can do for you; ask what you can do for your church." Don't be like so many "I love Jesus but I hate the churchers"...spiritual adulterers having an affair with Jesus...

Notice Stay alert to people around you, "esteem others as better than yourselves". Be Jesus-with-skin-on to hurting people. Don't pray for opportunities to share Jesus, take advantage of the opportunities we have every day.

Do Yup, we are saved by grace through faith and that not of works, but Ephesians 2.10 is just as inspired (if too often ignored) as 8 and 9, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of bringing forth good works, which He has before ordained that we should practice them."
Genuine salvation works - no fruit, no shoot, no root.

Tonight I'll challenge them to go "all in" with the Lord Jesus, and tomorrow the camp ends.

No, by faith and through faith I pray the things they've learned in Bible study, preaching etc start as they go back to the war zone of real life 101.

And...tonight I tell them of the Supreme Court's decision, and remind them that the Supreme Court is NOT supreme...and that whatever they say does not negate God's Word. And though many Christians will be whining, we instead should be worshiping, because, after all....Speakers Up...Click Here

Putting Men in Prison Is Part of My Ministry

There are at least three men in prison because of me.

Well, not because of me, but because of their horrific sin.

But because I tell teens that if they are suffering abuse they need to talk to someone, several have responded, talked to me and the particular camp director; the authorities notified, police involved, arrests made, testimony taken, convictions decreed, and prison the result.

In my flesh prison is too good for them, and as an ex-con I know of what I speak.

Last night a young lady asked if she could speak to me following my message on the totality and extent of God's forgiveness.

With sobs she told me of the abuse she suffered, her near suicide (but for the intervention of an alert educator she'd be dead), her speaking out of the abuse, the arrest of the perp, the horribleness of having to describe the details, and the incarceration...

She has difficulty forgiving. Duh. But we spoke of the freedom that comes when we do forgive...and she is thinking about it...

The damage is done, the memories linger. Pray with me that she, and all the others, will accept the fact that they have no sin to be forgiven of, they are victims; they remain precious in His sight (and ours, I trust); they are not "damaged goods," and as they look to Jesus they can and will grow out of the pain and memories. Perhaps not totally, but as their minds are "washed by the renewing of His Word" healing comes.

This young lady is not a camper; but a worker at the camp. She is 17. She is your sister. Would you pray for her? Obviously I can't give her name, but God knows...

Biblical Illiteracy

Entering second full day at Crescent Lake Bible Camp Junior High week.

Great campers, great staff, great place.

But continually amazed, depressed, and furious at the Biblical ignorance of the majority of people...to include many of the campers this week.

Of course not all are churched, or, if churched, many go to the First Church of the Frigedare with Pastor Jack Frost preaching out of Psychology Today. But most come from evangelical churches...and, sadly, most can't find Ephesians.

Why?

Well, the buck stops with Mom and Dad. Then the local church.

If you are a parent, do your kids see you reading the Word? Do you pray with them as well as for them? What are they learning about the gospel and Christ interacting with you?

Is your church actively teaching or simply maintaining?

Why are there so many apathetic, ignorant professing Christians in our churches?

Because they weren't taught/challenged/edified during the days of their youth.

Some say "today's teens and preteens can't handle much. They are too tech savvy and can't sit under old-fashioned preaching."

That might be true if I was preaching my words; or my theories. But I am proclaiming the living, active Word of God; and His Spirit does things with His Word that are inexplicable.

So far this week we've touched on differing views of predestination, different ideas on the perseverance of the saints, and this morning I'll teach on "The Authority of Scripture." No tear jerker stories, no sleezy jokes, "just" the Word.

I'm not against stories...I am not against humor...

But if we focus on that stuff with little emphasis on the Word...may as well be 4H or YMCA.

And I can't do that.

Lasting Fruit?

Apparently 12 campers made public their professions of faith yesterday as SuperC Camp (week one) wrapped up yesterday.

The Spirit of God does the counting that counts, but these teens stood up in front of their peers to acknowledge their commitment, so we are cautiously trusting that the Lord genuinely brought them to repentance and faith.

I saw a couple of them at the Matthew West last night. Parenthetically, this was the best ministry/concert I've ever seen...it was a small crowd, but West poured it on with a mixture of raw energy, penetrating lyrics, great music (for me), spots of hilarity, and..most important...genuine ministry.

Too many concerts (like too many "church" services, are entertainment only. As far as concerts go, I have no problem with that, as long as the artists don't identify it as "ministry." Obviously a church service should be a whole lot more than "entertainment," but that's a topic for another discussion.

As potentially dangerous as the internet is, it serves and has served as a great ministry tool.

I left St Joseph around 11 last night, drove a few hours, napped for a half hour, drove a couple more, napped, etc...got here around 1pm in time for counselor meeting. Campers have been arriving all day here at Crescent Lake Bible Camp in Rhinelander, Wi. This is a junior high week; followed by a senior high week at which I'll also preach. CLBC is by far my favorite camp, for many reasons...

But during the drive up I was not able to check the net, so when I had a moment here I went on line to discover 14 "friend" requests from campers as well as several private messages thanking me as well as asking for ideas on Bible reading plans, how to interact with unsaved parents, etc.

So I thank God for the internet even as I pray He protects people from inadvertently stumbling across junk.

As an aside, one thing that gets me in trouble occurs when I tell teens and/or parents that it is idiotic to allow a teen to have a cabled tv or computer with internet access in their bedroom. "Oh, but I trust my son, Jack." With due respect, you are an idiot. It is not a "teen" thing, I don't have a computer in a private room; my office door has a window in it, our computer at home is in a public place. Can't fix stupid...

I'm rambling a bit...I shall continue posting for the next three weeks of camp ministry. May even continue it into August trip to PA and NJ (all Korean Kamp and an inner city camp).

Questions? Arguments? Fire away...it's how we grow...

The Last Night - and a Commentary on the Invitation "System"

Friday evening was the final full session with the campers of SuperC week number one.

Friday we had to send a camper home because of violation of tobacco standards and another issue. It is always difficult to make that decision, but "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" and sometimes discipline must be enacted for the sake of the rest (a lesson churches need to relearn, by the way).

Of course by this time of the week campers are exhausted, and easily "moved". So I pray even more that not one person would make a "decision" if not provoked by God's Spirit rather than me, peer pressure, or raw emotions.

I'm not a big believer in the stereotypical "invitation" system. I made the mistake of reading the gospels; and noted that Jesus always made it easier to say "no" than to say "yes."

I can't see him ...or his preachers for the first 1900 years of His church...doing a stereotypical "heads bowed, eyes closed, is there one of you who would say, "preacher, pray for me"..." stuff.

Seems silly for us to so do (though it is the "method" I was taught in Bible school). On the one hand youth workers worth the title "minister of the gospel" want their teens to stand up and stand out from the crowd, to unashamedly proclaim Christ etc...yet we start them out with "eyes closed, no one looking around" secrecy? Dumb.

It is helpful to study the invitation "system" and realize what a newcomer it is to the church.

Is it always bad?

No. 

But it is always bad if we think our cleverly constructed invitation ("Jack, you need to ask them questions early on in your message and ask them to raise their hands for various reasons so they get used to raising their hands, then it will be easier for them when you get to the actual invitation" - yes, I have truly received "counsel" like that!) is helping God out.

"No one comes to the Son except the Father draws him."

Perhaps we should let the Bible say what it says?

Tonight I preached Luke 14.25ff, wherein Jesus says that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be His disciple without a:

• heart that loves
• life that dies
• hands that let go

As I walked to the platform God prompted me to open with Psalm 22; to remind the teens of the horrific price Jesus paid that we might be forgiven. Emotional? Yes...but not manipulative. The teens were tired, maxed out, drifting, and I begged God's Spirit to use His Word to impact the teens with the fact that "He who knew no sin became sin for us" and that "in my place He stood condemned."

At the conclusion of the message I opened the "altar" and said something like, "If you have business to do with the Lord there is no better place than here and no better time than now. (campers were looking at me; no "heads bowed, eyes closed") You can pray right where you sit, but there's something about humbling yourself, something about making a public stand, and here is your opportunity."

Several teens responded; and their counselors prayed with and for them.

I spoke with some afterward and asked them to keep me informed how it was going so I could pray specifically.

I'd ask you to pray also...that these young men and women would commit to 2 Peter 3.18, "Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

And may we do likewise.

Why Not Talk About What They Want To Talk About?

Most of the camps at which I speak allow me to have one session where I respond to questions posed by the campers, counselors, and staff.

This evening I'll open a box in which written questions have been placed and prayerfully, honestly, and directly respond.

It is probable I will say "I don't know" a lot.

I am sure I will say, "This is my opinion.." quite a bit.

I am also grateful that I'll be able to say "Thus says the Lord..." in response to most of the questions.

Because I have a piece of paper on the wall that says I be a "reverend"? Nope. Because of my (formal) education? Partially. Because I've been called to preach? Nope.

But because, by His grace, I study to show myself approved; I recognize that the more I know the more I know I don't know  a whole lot...

And I recognize the truth of Deut 29.29.

So why do it?

Tonight is SuperC camps "big event" (Mission Impossible) Most of the teens are really anticipating this great time and it is a tad hard to focus.

So why not talk about what they want to talk about?

Why don't we do this more often? Do we fear a controversial question? Truth be told, maybe some of us have a hard time saying "I don't know."

Since I know I don't know much, it's cool.

The Message I "Hate" To Preach...but must

I love preaching forgiveness; I love preaching of the beauty of Christ and the gospel, I love preaching God's standards for a variety of things; I hate preaching to teens about sex...but that's what I'm about to do...

"hate" is not really the word, dislike because of the age and relative innocence of some of the campers; anger because in any crowd I am sadly confident there will be victims of abuse who think they need forgiveness; aware that in any crowd (of any age) there will be those who profess Christ and at the very same time think it is okay to engage in pre/extra/homosexual sex...

My hope is built in nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; and a sanctified awareness that He has called me to this; I've studied and prepared as best I can, and begged His Spirit to control my mouth and grant me grace to speak as He gives the campers...and staff...the grace to hear. 

I'll be speaking in less than an hour; prayers longed for and appreciated

What? Talking about the Bible at Bible Camp?

Last night I was directed by Spirit of God to use my chapel time to basically teach a class on "The Authority of Scripture."

My first point was "It is logically inconsistent to 'believe in Jesus' and deny the authority of the (entire) Word of God."

Basic?

Yeah.

And all too often forgotten/overlooked/ignored.

Perhaps we king-james-donkey-sume that all campers understand that the Bible is the inspired Word.

You know what happens when you assume...

It's like camp games...how much energy is spent on coming up with some "new" game that we think will capture the campers? I am not against creativity (I'm jealous of those creative types); but usually the campers delight in the "old" stuff...because to them it is not old; it's old to us because, well, we're old(er).

Same same topics to be discussed. We think we need "new" stuff; they need to be reminded (and in many cases told for the first time) the "basic" stuff.

"But you preached that message last year, Jack!"

Could well be...but if I pray seeking God's direction on what to preach, and He leads me that way, that is the way I roll. Besides, even if all the campers have been with me before (about 80percent of this weeks campers are retreads); they don't remember..and even if they do, they need the reminder. (Peter says that a couple times in his epistles, "I'm gonna tell you this although you know it...") 

Why? We leak; and there is that thing about the secret of repeated impression.

Yes, I preach new messages as part of my assignments, but it is not lazy or "force of habit" to repreach many messages (tweaked along the way).

And, God knows, most teens...like most adults...need to work on the foundation of their faith even as they strive to "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."( 2 Peter 3.18)

Remember this song? It remains true...oh, by the way, this song came out in 1992 (what ever happened to 4Him?)
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Our Times Are In His Hands - Prayers Requested TODAY

Megan Robie was a camper at Penn York Bible Camp last summer. Corning (NY) Area Bible Club has hosted two weeks of camp there for decades. I was the camp speaker that week (as I have been every other year or so for many years)

Megan's Mom was, as I remember, the camp nurse. I definitely remember she always had GREAT coffee early in the morning, causing many early visits by me.

Megan died last week. From what I know at this point...which is very little...she died from complications from a "routine" surgery.

Shocking. Sad. Heartbreaking.

But not a shock to God.

He is either sovereign in the affairs of man, or He is not.

And if He is not sovereign He is not much of a God. 

Obviously I don't "get" it.

But I do "get" that I can pray.

And I have been and am praying especially today as her funeral will take place at 7:00 eastern this evening.

Would you pray with me? Pray comfort for the family and friends who are believers; pray for those attending the funeral who are outside the family of God. I know the pastor who is officiating; I am confident the gospel will be proclaimed.

Pray with me that God would open hearts and minds tonight...that the Spirit would honor the proclaimed Word and draw teens and adults out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The prison mantra is simply: God is good; all the time; and all the time, God is good.

All the time.

All.

And I am thrilled that in our grief we can confidently look forward to seeing her again.

Day One...Done...Or Is It?

Two sermons preached, some significant conversations, campers are in bed.

Day one of SuperC camp is done.

No, it is not.

God's Word was cast forth in faith, it will accomplish much...some of its accomplishment we've seen, most we have not and may never.


We walk/live/preach by faith, not by sight.

It was and is neat to see God in action.

But "success" is not measured in "numbers," or "decisions," or response to "altar calls," or, in my case, the usual absence of "altar calls."

In fact, spiritual success can not be measured.

Our job is to be faithful in the tasks He has provided for us to accomplish.

His "job" is to add His blessing, His Spirit, to accomplish His will.

Amazingly...stunningly...we get to be involved.

Amazing. Stunning. So blessed to be able to do what I am able to do.

"Not unto us, not unto us..."

Number, Please...

Nah, I'm not a number guy.

Probably because of the idiocy of body counts in Vietnam.

But I sort of wish I knew how many weeks I've spent speaking at a youth camp.

I've done as many as nine weeks in a summer, and never less than 5..so let's low ball it at an average of six weeks...35 years...210 weeks? And that is a low ball guesstimate.

So for over four years of my life I've been a camp speaker?

What a privilege...what a joy...what a responsibility.

"Let not many of us become teachers, brothers, for as such we shall incur the stricter judgment." Scary verse...

And in a couple hours I'll speak for the first time for this week...

By His grace it is not routine. 

I'm amazed I get to do what I get to do.

God could use a donkey; there may be similarities.

But for now, it's me.

Leaning on Him, trusting in Him, bragging on Him.

Lock and load...

Let's get this started...

The Proverbial Hush...

It's Sunday night in Polo, Mo.

Week one of Super C Camp (run by Midland Ministries) begins, officially, in the morning.

Already more than 20 campers are here..along with several counselors, teen staff, and others.

Staff meeting in a few minutes...

Praying the Lord is preparing hearts even now.

Leaning on Him to provide wisdom, discernment, power, clarity, conviction, comfort...and all the other ingredients....

Yes, I "get" to preach several times; but very often the Lord opens doors for effective ministry just hanging with the teens.

Fishing, shooting hoops, listening to a teen quote Bible verses, playing football or volleyball, going on a paddle boat trip..whatever...it's all part of the deal...hanging with kids, loving on kids, enjoying them, earning credibility.

Ministry happens.

Prayers appreciated.

June 12, 2008

June 12, 2008 is when I wrote the following...my earliest blog post focused on camping. Seven years ago! Who is that little guy I'm holding front left? Jane and Janelle were there also and are pictured.

At that time Midland Ministries rented the camp for four weeks....now we own it (the former owners gave it to us), still run our own program for four weeks while renting it out the rest of the year.

So much has changed since this was written - some good, some not-so-good.

The observations I wrote are still held by me; and the prayer request in the last paragraph is still sought.

Though some campers will show up Sunday; camp "officially" starts Monday...the weatherman says we may be damp...but God is bigger!

What do you think about my "observations"? I'd ask you to comment with your insights....

On the Road - Again - And a Camp Observation

Janelle and I board a train this Thursday evening headed to Kansas City and ultimately Polo, Mo to speak at two teen weeks. I am amazed -

Amazed I'm in the family of God, redeemed, forgiven, justified...

Amazed I get to spend time bragging on Jesus to teens...almost three years of my life have been spent speaking at youth camps over the last 29 years...

Camp is an amazing thing.

The crucial ingredient is good, committed counselors. The best speaker with apathetic counselors is horrendous; an okay speaker with great counselors will work well.

Good food, good discipline, and good acoustics are key ingredients.

Notice I've not listed "programming" yet?

Doesn't matter what programming you have...if you don't have a good (meaning Bible-based) speaker, good counselors, and the other things listed doesn't matter what kind of programming you have...

I also think camp can be a dangerous thing; if everyone is pushing for "decisions" rather than asking the Spirit of God to work in His way and His timing. I am not against altar calls; I am against "easy" altar calls. Why?

I read the Bible. And I notice that Jesus always made it easier to say "no" than "yes."

Again...I am not diametrically opposed to "invitations," as long as the invitee is the Spirit and not someone doing "business as usual".

All too often, especially in camp situations, students are exhausted, emotionally drained, and a well-meaning but careless speaker can provoke "decisions" born of peer pressure, tiredness, and emotion rather than birthed by conviction and drawing of the Spirit of God.

So I ask prayer that I'd be bold in preaching, clear in communication, discerning in one-on-one counsel...and that the Wind of the Spirit would be pleased to change us during the coming two weeks of camp ministry. (the photo is Camp Polo two years ago)

What Are You Doing Now, Jack???

Glad you asked!

On Friday, June 5 I am traveling to beautiful Polo, Missouri in preparation for the first of four consecutive weeks of teen camp speaking ministry...in three different states.

I have spoken at between 5-9 weeks of teen camps since 1978.

I frequently send out email prayer and praise reports.

But this time I'm going to "blog" at least once daily and (probably) forego the emails.

Blog about what?

• Victories of the day
• Struggles of the day
• Memories of camp experiences
• Suggestions at how to make camp "better"
• Gripes about the way we typically "do" camp
• Praises for those who step out of the box
• Whatever else comes to my somewhat aged mind

Wanna come along?

Sign up for email alerts in the upper right corner, or subscribe in a reader.

Comments will be open and I value your insights.

It's gonna be fun (for me, anyway).

It's gonna be an adventure!

In fact, it just might be a:

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