Camp Lurecrest

 Dorms and laundry room.

 Dorms

 Kitchen.

 Office.

 Snack hut

Philemon; one down 65 to go.

Philemon is an amazing epistle. Taking only a page of the new testament; this book is gospel soaked. At first read, it is easy to read past the richness and fullness of what is actually happening.
The letter is Paul appealing to Philemon, in love, on behalf of Onesimus (a run away slave  that has wronged Philemon), who Paul converted while in prison. He asked to free him from debt and accept as a brother. The implications of this is huge. Unfortunately everything I can and want to say, would take up way too much time and space. Excited to get into Philippians on Monday.

Hello North Carolina.

After  13 hours of commuting, Rylan and I have made it to Lake Lure North Carolina where we will be residing for the next ten months.  I am looking forward to this next season of life. Tomorrow classes begin and we dig into the word.

 Augers Workspace.

My Workspace.

Lecture Hall.

Fall Break - October 12-16, 2011
Thanksgiving - November, 23-27, 2011
Christmas - December 16, 2011 – January 2, 2012
Spring Recess - March 4-12, 2012
Easter Break - April 6-8, 2012
Graduation - June 2, 2012 (move out day is June 4)

207 Charlotte Dr, Lake Lure, NC 28746, USA 

God of Peace.

Third sermon preached at the Gathering.
Judges 6:1-24


click here to listen

90 day bible reading plan (Chronological order)

Dear Adam, Jason, Jennifer and Orlando:
I've created a chart for you that will help keep track exactly where you should be at in your commitment to reading the bible in three months. Because you are reading it in Chronological order, it does jump back and forth at different parts and can be confusing at times. I hope this helps you in your reading. Each section is broken into days.  Today is your 21st day of reading so go to #21 to find out what exactly needs to be read by the end of the day. This should also help if and when you fall behind.
Keep pressing through. Only 69 more days left.


   1.    Gen 1-13
   2.    Gen 14-22, Job 1-4
   3.    Job 5-17
   4.    Job 18-30
   5.    Job 31-42, Gen 23
   6.    Gen 24-36
   7.    Gen 37-49,
   8.    Gen 50, Exodus 1-12
   9.    Exodus 13-25
   10.  Exodus 26-38
   11.  Exodus 39,40,Psalm 91, Lev 1-10
   12.  Lev 11- 23
   13.  Lev 24-27, Num 1-9
   14.  Num 10-22
   15.  Num 23-35
   16.  Num 36,Deut 1-12
   17.  Deut  13-25
   18.  Deut 26-34, Psalm 91, Joshua 1-3
   19.  Joshua 4-16
   20.  Joshua 17-24, Judges 1-5
   21.  Judges 6-18
   22.  Judges 19-21, Ruth 1-4, 1Sam 1-6,
   23.  1Sam 7-16:13, Psalm 23, 1Sam 16:14-17
   24.  1Sam 17-19:11, Psalm 59, 1Sam 19:12- 21, Psalm 34,56,1Sam 22:1,2,Psalm        57,142,1Sam 22:3-, Psalm 52
   25.   1Sam 23, Psalm 54, 63, 1Sam 24-31, Psalm 30, 2Sam 8:1-14, Psalm 60,         2Sam 8:15-
   26.    2Sam 9-12:14, Psalm 51, 32, 2Sam 12:15 -15:37, Psalm 3, 69, 2Sam 16,17
   27.    2Sam 18-22, Psalm 18, 2Sam 23, 24, Psalm 4-8,
   28.    Psalm 9, 11-17, 19-22, 24
   29.    Psalm 25-29, 31, 35-41,
   30.    Psalm 53, 55, 58, 61, 62, 65, 68, 72, 86, 101, 103, 108-109
   31.    Psalm 110, 138-141, 143-145, 1Kings 1-4, Proverbs 1
   32.    Proverbs 2-14
   33.    Proverbs 15-27
   34.    Proverbs 28- 31, Song of Solomon 1- 8, 1Kings 5
   35.    1Kings 6-11, Ecclesiastes 1- 7
   36.    Ecclesiastes 8- 12, 1Kings 12-19
   37.    1Kings 20-22, 2Kings 1-10
   38.    2Kings 11-14:25, Jonah 1-4, 2Kings 14:26-, Amos 1-5
   39.    Amos 6-9,  2Kings 15-23
   40.    2Kings 24-25, Psalm 1,2,10,33,43,66,67,71,89, 92,93
   41.    Psalm 94-100, 102, 104-106, 111, 112
   42.    Psalm 112- 124
   43.    Psalm 125, 127-136, 146, 147
   44.    Psalm 148-150,  IChr 1-10
   45.    1Chr 11-16, Psalm 42, 44-49
   46.    Psalm 50, 73-84
   47.    Psalm 85, 87,88, 1Chr 17-26
   48.    1Chr 27-29, 2Chr 1-10
   49.    2Chr 11-21, Obadiah 1, 2Chr 23
   50.    2Chr 24-26:8, Isaiah 1-5, 2Chr 26:9- 26:23, Isaiah 6, 2Chr 27-30
   51.    2Chr 30-32, Isaiah 7-16,
   52.    Isaiah 17-29
   53.    Isaiah 30-42
   54.    Isaiah 43-55
   55.    Isaiah 56-66, Hosea 1-2
   56.    Hosea 3-14, Micah 1
   57.    Micah 2-7, Nahum 1-3, 2Chr 33,34, Zephaniah 1,2
   58.    Zephaniah 3, 2Chr 35, Habakkuk 1-3, Jeremiah 1-6, 11, 12
   59.    Jeremiah 26, 7-10, 14-20, 35
   60.    Jeremiah 36, 45, 25, 46-49, 13, 22-24,27,28
   61.    Jeremiah 29, 50, 51, 30-33, 21, 34, 37-39, 52
   62.    Jeremiah 40-44, Lamentations 1-5, 2Chr 36:1-8, Daniel 1-3
   63.    Daniel 3-12, 2Chr 36:9-36:21, Psalm 137, Ezekiel 1,2
   64.    Ezekiel 3-15
   65.    Ezekiel 16-28
   66.    Ezekiel 29-41
   67.    Ezekiel 42-48, 2Chr 36:22,23, Ezra 1-5:1
   68.    Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1-11
   69.    Zechariah 12-14, Psalm 107,126, Esther 1-8
   70.    Esther 9,10, Ezra 7-10, Nehemiah 1-7
   71.    Nehemiah 8-13, Malachi 1-4, Matt 1-3
   72.    Matt 4-16
   73.    Matt 17-28, Mark 1
   74.    Mark 2-14
   75.    Mark 15, 16,  Luke 1-11
   76.    Luke 12-24
   77.    John 1-13
   78.    John 14-21, Acts 1-5
   79.    Acts 6-14, James 1-4
   80.    James 5, Acts 15, Galatians 1-6, Acts 16, Philippians 1-4
   81.    Acts 17- 18:11. 1Cor 1-12
   82.    1Cor 13-16, 2Cor 1-9
   83.    2Cor 10-13, Acts 18:12-20:1, Ephesians 1-6, Romans 1
   84.    Romans 2-14
   85.    Romans 15, 16, Acts 20:2-28:30, Colossians 1,2
   86.    Colossians 3, 4, Hebrews 1-11
   87.    Hebrews 12, 13, Titus 1-3, Philemon 1, 1Tim 1-6, 2Tim 1
   88.    2Tim 2-4, 1Pet 1-5, 2Pet 1-3,  1John 1,2
   89.    2John 1, 3John 1, Jude 1, Revelation 1-10
   90.    Revelation 11-22

Emmaus School of Biblical Studies.

In one month. Rylan Auger and I head to Lake Lure, North Carolina to Emmaus School of Biblical Studies; a nine month program,which will require digging deep and inductively studying Gods word in its entirety

I am excited for this next season in life, and even more excited to be journeying it with a good friend and brother. It's going to be challenging, require a ton of discipline and study. Nonetheless we are excited and ready for this opportunity.

We just ordered sick genuine Leather ESV's. Before next June, these new bibles will be well read and well marked up. These will probably be the bibles we use for the rest of our lives.

below is a exert from our acceptance letters.

"...Know that you are coming to a gospel focussed community, meaning that we really do try to live life understanding that what Jesus did for us is WAY more important then what WE do for him. Good deeds are done BECAUSE of Gods love for us in CHRIST, and not to earn his love. That's the tone of our community, its the focus of our discipleship and it permeates the culture you are coming into.

The last thing I will mention by way of introduction to the program is this: The 9 month program is challenging and WILL REQUIRE COMMITMENT AND DISCIPLINE to keep studying. In some ways it is like turning a fire-hose full blast trying to take a sip. We are going to race through the entire bible in 9 months, which is a high bar to jump. Typically we see students studying a minimum of 6-8 hrs/day 6 days a week. That's a marathon, and not always easy, but SO worth it. Nonetheless it takes resolve, and a heart to press in and keep studying. in many ways its a year unlike any other year you'll ever experience, but the rewards for the hard work put in here pay dividends for a lifetime"

Remembering.

Adam, Jason, Jenn and Orlando; Hold fast and Endure for the sake of the promise.

To my brothers and sister in Christ; 

Adam Blanchfield, Jason Hunt, Jennifer Knight and Orlando Barrera,

Over a year ago, I was challenged to read the bible in its entirety in the short time of 90 days. I accepted and began to eat up the scriptures, reading relentlessly for hours  feasting on the word of God. As I read, His word started to become alive to me, in and through my life. Seventy days later, I had read the entire bible in chronological order; Genesis through to Revelation.  

I came away from that time a changed man; something significant happened: God had melted my cold, dead heart, given me a new regenerated heart and opened my eyes to see truth about His nature and character, the world, sin, His Son and of His Gospel. I realized that though I am more wicked and terrible then I could ever fear or know, God loves me more then I could ever hope or dream. I began to see the beauty of Christ.

It brings me joy that you also have begun your own journey. I am ecstatic that you are going to dedicate 90 days and commit to racing through to get the "big picture" of the most epic and beautiful story ever told; the Story of God.

I am excited to see and hear how God grows you in this next season of life.  I pray that God opens your heart for what he has for you. That he gives you a hunger and thirst for His word. I pray that he meets with you in a very real and transforming way.

This is WILL NOT be an easy task. It will require discipline and endurance.

There will be times when you are reading and just want to quit.There will be times where you just want to skip ahead, or procrastinate. There will be times that you will want to make up excuses to get out of your reading.

God has a gift for you. An infinitely valuable gift—his word. Receive it. Hold it fast. Give yourself to it.

Endure for the sake of the promise.

How he loves us. The Story

Dear Marie - Scripture (part one)

My first letter must be on Scripture. In part of our discussion you mentioned your hesitation to believe that scripture is truly Gods word, and that it is indeed inerrant. You said that there are many contradictions in the bible, and questioned the validity of it.  Before we go any further, this must be addressed. The reason it must be addressed is because if we don’t meet on the basis and agreement of God’s word, then we have no basis to agree for any of the other letters I will write.

First, you mentioned that it’s ok and if scripture isn’t completely god’s word because you just live to know, serve, and love Jesus and God. This statement alone is a very dangerous statement and actually is a contradictory statement or oxymoron. You can’t love God, know God, learn about God or be in relationship with God unless he has given us something in which teaches us how to love, serve know and be in relationship with him. You can’t know and love God unless having a foundation in which we know it to be true. If the bible is only partly God’s word and not entirely we cant be sure that we could ever even come close to knowing God.

Is it fair to say that if God is God who created everything he can do anything?

Is it fair to say, that if God is God who created all and can do all, that he can use his creation for his purposes? And if we are his creations can’t he use us to speak his truth?

Is it fair to say that if God is God then is he capable of giving us His word that is absolutely truthful and absolutely inerrant?

Is it fair to say that if God is God, who created all and wants to be in relationship with us, he would give us a means with which to know him?

Is it fair to say that if God is God, who created all and can do all and is the God who never changes, then would he not set a standard of knowing him that is equally unchanging?

…I hope so.

Before we dig into this together I want to set a few preliminary thoughts:

1. We have to agree on scriptures authority before we move any further. Though we cannot comprehend and understand every single thing in the bible that does not mean that it is not true. The bible tells us things about God that are gloriously true but way beyond our ability to understand.as we approach the bible, everything that we find has to be taken at face value, believe it because God has revealed it to be true and it’s in the bible, though we will never fully understand, we will be tempted to say I can’t embrace it or ill just dismiss it. If we don’t dismiss it but wrestle and take God at his word, we will grow and mature
2. We cannot put God in a box. God is God, and we are not. God is big, we are small. God is infinite,  we are finite, God is creator, we are creation. Though he is Knowable, we can never fully fathom and comprehend him.  Though God has broad shoulders and can more then handle our questions and concerns, I urge you not to Judge God.
3. I am going to do my best to try to prove to you evidence of scriptures authority, though the reality is that it is going to take some faith. Not blind faith, but faith none the less. One does not walk on the glass floor of the CN tower without first trusting that it is truthfully safe. However upon taking that step of faith one sees that what was claimed to be true is true. Though this analogy has its flaws and is not a perfect representation of scriptural truth. It serves the best that my huge head but tiny brain can come up with.

Here we go.

spoke in 30 minutes what took me four years to "get".

http://www.ourgathering.ca/apps/podcast/podcast/89995

Dear Marie.

I have decided to write a series of blog posts concerning the discussions we had the other night. These Blogs will be lengthy and very detailed and perhaps overwhelming at times. A few other brothers and friends of mine, who are equally committed to truth and the Gospel, have willingly agreed to aid me in writing these posts. 

As you read the posting please be reminded that I am not writing out of pride or arrogance, or because I want to voice my opinion. To be honest I don't care for opinions; mine or anyone else’s. I don't care about what people think or what people feel. I care only about truth. Jesus said "I am the truth"(jn14:6) Truth is important. Truth is foundational. If we don't have truth, we have nothing.

I am writing this out of love, truth and grace. I would not commit long hours to studying and writing if I did not love you. I do love you and I do care for you. You are my sister. I would die for you.  You are my friend. You are the very precious daughter of a very great king; who has died for you. Therefore I will commit very long hours to studying and to writing.

The discussions we had fill me with many different emotions. I am filled with sadness, anger and drive. I am sad because you do not have a clear picture of the nature and character of your maker. To be honest, your theology is distorted and this places you in danger of falling astray. In order to love, trust, hope and believe and be in proper relationship with Christ, we must have a correct understanding of his nature, character and of his gospel.

 I am filled with anger because it upsets me when truth is not taught. We live in a society where the Gospel and the Nature and Character of God, is assumed; therefore it is not taught because it is not known. Because of my love for Christ and for his people, it frustrates me that his nature and character, his gospel, and his word is not preached and taught accurately and truthfully.

 It also fills me with drive because I refuse to let it endure. I refuse to let my maker, my God, and my savior’s truth not be proclaimed. It fills me with drive because I refuse to just sit around and watch false and bad teaching continue. It drives me to truth. I refuse do anything less than helping my sister see and come to that truth. I could be a passive coward like my father Adam; were you not my sister and were it not that I love you. However, I have a true and better father, Christ, who is neither passive nor a coward, and he calls me to be in likeness of himself. Therefore if Christ is of truth and gave his life, that his truth might be proclaimed, I must tell you the truth, as is. Because I love Christ, I love truth, and I love you.

Dear Rylan.

Paroi.

HUB.

Eight short months ago, I walked into the small, crowded residence of 251 Swanson ave. The flock in which for the next year I had the wonderful privilege to Sheppard.

My prayer and Vision for this Hub was that we could be:

-A place where, we could come as we are. Where ever we are at in life, that’s ok. It’s just not ok to stay where we are at.

-A place where relationships are formed, Community happens, and the crucified and risen Christ is glorified.

-A place where The Gospel is centered in all that we do. We never move beyond the Gospel; only get deeper into it.

-A place where we can live life together.  As brothers and as sisters in Christ.

-A place where we realize that we are more wicked and terrible than we could ever fear, Yet God loves us more then we could ever know.

... i'm confident to say I think we got it.

Lastnight, eight months later, we celebrated in community one last time before the Students went back home for the summer; some of them for a season and others for good. I am humbled, honored and blessed that I have been giving the opportunity to be a part of a community. A community which loves God deeply and passionately, a community of people whose lives I have seen radically transformed, a community that began small and has nearly tripled in size, a community which the Gospel of the Glory of Christ has taken root in so many lives. I thank God for this incredible year and all that he has done in this small community. I will miss serving and growing with these beautiful, Jesus saturated friends.

Roses.

Encouragement.

Laughter.

Tears.

Baptisms.

Growth.

Gospel.

Just a taste of what’s to come. Praise be to God.

The Gospel Coalition.

Five men who love the Gospel, One Civic, and ten hours later we are in Chicago Illinois. Jay Lehman, Jonny Ryttersgaard, Ben Pelts, Rylan Auger and myself. We are here for the the Gospel Coalition conference. Excited to see, hear and learn from faithful bible teachers who love God, and who love His Gospel.



http://thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2011/