Ride Report May 2011 “Work Weekend”
Thursday saw some Moore’s (“Smores”?) ;-), The Matson Clan, Sonny and others arrive to a rapidly filling camp spot at the buttes. Holiday Weekend crowds were expected but never really caused any problems.
That can’t be said for the WIND! Steady and growing Thursday Friday, and Saturday, then “NUTTY” Saturday night and into Sunday, I estimate sustained 35-40 mph (Sunday) with gusts well above that. Marty reported that his helmet BLEW out of the back of his truck. Most reported restless sleep as their campers bounced in the wind.awnings and ez ups were nowhere to be seen.
Now for the GOOD.
Despite the wind there were approximately 20 hearty RUTSters young and old ribboning the 2 signature “Dave K” courses. THANK YOU ALL WHO HELPED!! I would say that 90% of the ribboning was done, (thought some will be undone by race weekend) and more than half of the stakes if not all.
“Chicken, asada and ribs, Oh my!”
The potluck BBQ was fantastic, we savored some tasty meat and sides too. The Krenik’s trailer provided plenty of rotating seating for dinner and fellowship. Many thanks to Ann Marie for letting us escape the wind!
Due to the wind and cold I did not have the opportunity to lead devotions but if you are interested here’s my notes
I pray this would lead you into study and meditation with the goal of intentionally seeking opportunities to share the Good News!
jw
reach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.
*God reveales Himself in nature, both in the sky (universe) and in the world (earth)”
Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;…..
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. (knowledge is growing)
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Consider what the heavens have revealed and are revealing about God.
What knlowledge is being revealed?
What Glory is being declared?
Rom 1:19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Consider some of the things creation has revealed to you. Either before and or after you believed.
Invisible-eternal-divine, by Francis Assisi
“Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility. Amen.”
**The sacrifice,(death), (provides) atonement(payment) and (New life)resurrection of Jesus draws all men to Him, and the Holy Spirit reveals the Father to us.
John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.)
***WE are called to testify (preach) Pray for and be open to “sending”
Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
What are some ways to “preach”?
Lifestyle-Love- Joy—-etc
****The Message!
Rom 10:8 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Rom 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Consider how Jesus was “Preached” to you?
Rom1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.
Consider how the world/satan endeavors to make us weak and silent when it comes to
the gospel.
We r not perfect. We r not professional. We r not credible. etc. Does the “accuser” dampen your boldness? In his face! Turn it into an opportunity for humility and thereby turn accusation to opportunity.
*****The highest Calling!
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Phil 3:7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Consider the Christian’s calling as you understand it thru scripture. (Not culture)
What verses reveal these things.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Phil 4:8 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
