Eric's Thoughts

I finished the carpet in Copper King today.  I’ll start on Mordor tomorrow.  It was an uneventful day.  My back is getting better quickly (which is a blessing).  Legacy camp started today.  I sat in for part of chapel and it is really neat to hear these older Christians testify to what God has done and is doing in their lives.  Oh yeah, we had our first thunderstorm of the year.  That was neat.  There was lightning strike very close to camp, and the thunder was awesome.

Psalm 92:1-2 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Proverbs 23:17-18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

That last part is so encouraging. There is an end. I will not have to fight this fight forever.

I Chronicles 18:14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among his people.

That is what a government is supposed to do. Execute judgment and justice. Anything past that really should be avoided.

So it finally happened.  I’ve been successfully avoiding counseling a camp since I got here in 2006, but last week I was volunteered, so I did it.  All the stuff that I had been dreading actually worked out very well.  My guys all got along, they all knew each other, none of them were particularly annoying (to me at least).  The week went well.  The weather was horrible (three days of snow and rain though we did get a day and a half at the end that was nice).  All that being said, I really don’t like counseling.  I found it boring.  Not that there wasn’t stuff to do I just don’t enjoy hanging out with campers that much.  I was really frustrated about it the first day and a half, but I think some one prayed for me, because after lunch on Tuesday I was ok.  It was still boring, but I wasn’t frustrated with it any more.    Any ways that is why I didn’t blog last week.

Today was good.  The weather was beautiful all weekend, and that continued.  I’m shampooing carpets again, but that should go fairly quickly.  I did however hurt my back doing that.  And not just a little hurt, more of a ” I want to go lay down but I can’t,” kind of hurt.  I’m hoping it’ll clear up tonight.  Then this evening Tyler C. and I helped Tiffany sort out tin for the siding on her house.  So it’s been a busy day.

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

My title says it all.  We spent the first half of the day do an Arrowhea debrief.  It was fairly uneventful.  I spent the rest of the afternoon going over Trading Post stuff with Donna.

Psalm 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

If only this were true all the time in my life instead of being so sporadic.

84:11-12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Boy have I found that to be true.  God has been slowly pointing out in my life thing I thought were clean but aren’t really.

I came to the realization this evening that I’ve been operating on the assumption that I will one day “make it.”  Living under the delusion that at some point I will arrive. I realize now that I will never “make it”, I will never “arrive.”  This race that I’m on, the goal that I’m striving for, cannot be attained this side of heaven. Yet Christ will have me pick up my cross daily. I must keep on keeping on. For it is by grace I have been saved, not by works so that I cannot boast. It is the gift of God. Father give me strength.

A quick side note, the wind went away, but we had a foot of snow on the ground this morning.

Psalm 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Father if this is what it takes to get me to chase You, please do it.

Proverbs 15:2-3 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

I Chronicles 10:13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

Ultimately all of the things Saul died for boil down to disobedience. That is a sobering thought.

I was informed today that it is our seventh strait day of wind.  Not like a gentle breeze wind, but more of a “Oh look the rabbit hutch just blew over (with a rabbit in it) and so did the Biffy (which was chained to a 4×4 post)…” kind of wind.  It has also been chilly.  This is the weather our first camp of the year (Trinity Lutheran School) has come to.  We’re hoping it clears up so tomorrow they can do some activities.  All else goes well.  I cleaned bathrooms today, helped Tom redo the bridge in the sporting clays, worked on one of the office computers, and did dishes.  All in all a day full of variety (which I happen to like).

I do have a prayer request though.  It is looking like I’m going to have to be a counselor for our Outdoor Education Camp, and I really don’t want to do that.  I guess I’m asking for patience, love, and understanding for whatever poor campers get stuck with me.

Proverbs 14:17 He that is son angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

14:29-30 He that is slow of wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Nothing really new.  All of the Arrowhead students have officially left.  I’ve downloaded and installed the new version of Ubuntu on two of my computers and I really like it.  I called home today and every one is doing well there.

Psalm 81:11-12 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth he word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Being unwilling to chasten people (when appropriate) shows a deficiency of love on our part. It appears kind, but is in fact the opposite of love.

So I’ve got nothing to say.  We staff guys spent the day just hanging out together in Billings.  It was good, we need to do more stuff together (NOT work related).  We were going to go gopher hunting, but the weather was terrible.  It was good not to work, though I’m tired any ways.

Psalms 80:19 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Proverbs 12:15-16 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

This blog will be short.  I’m tired.  It was a full day.  We had our meeting this morning, the I helped set up the shooting range, shampooed carpets, did a trash run, and helped set up for our volunteer fire fighter appreciation supper.  So I’m ready for bed.

Psalm 79:8-9 O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Arrowhead is officially done.  Graduation was on Friday.  I went up and gave my speech, and sat down.  Every one says it was good, so I’ll have to take their word for it.  I really hope I don’t have to do that again any time soon.  I moved from the dorm to the trailer this morning, and spent the rest of the day with Warren tearing the dorm apart.  This afternoon I got to start cleaning the carpets.  That is what I’ll be doing all day tomorrow as well.  Other than that I haven’t much to say.  I’m really tired.

Psalm 78:7-8 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation: a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

My prayer of all of us.

78:38-39 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yeah, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

I think this is both comforting and encouraging. God knows, He understands. He loves me, but His love is not content to leave me where I am.

78:72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

And He still does so today.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Take note Eric.

Again, another good day (except for the first part which was spent in meetings).  This afternoon Tom and I started getting camps sporting clay course set up so I got to be outside.  After supper we had a game of Ultimate Frisbee with the students and that was an absolute blast.  Best of all I didn’t twist and ankle.  This evening I’ve been trying to get my speech written for the Arrowhead graduation and it isn’t going as quickly as I would have hoped.  I now have two days to get it done.  Bummer.

Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

“In the day of my trouble.” I sometimes feel bad about always going to God when I feel my life is hard, yet David did it and God answered. I think that is encouraging.