It was the second attempt to climb Spirit Mountain. The mountain is located in far southern Nevada. The mountain's peak is 5600'.
Here is the mountain viewed from the east.
Last April we attempted to climb from the east; after 6 hours of climbing and still hours from the peak, we turned back because of limited daylight. This time the plan was to start at first light. We chose the approach from the southwest. We were starting at 3700' elevation compared to 2500' the previous attempt. And without the 2 mile hike across the flats to where the ascent would begin, we were confident of making the peak by noon.
Well, we again were turned back. There is no trail up the mountain. The mountain has many canyons and sheer rock faces. This photo may give you an idea, as we hugged the side of the mountain attempting to find a way up. We were at 4800' at this point, and came to a dead end at the spacing between the rocks in this picture.
(sorry about the shadows)
So it was 9:30, and we realized that there are two separate peaks, and we were on the wrong mountain. You can't see this from the ground, nor do the satellite images show this. So a few more pics and down the mountain we descend.
The area is rather remote and rugged. Thankfully temps were on the cooler side, 55°-65°, so no worry about snakes.
The view from the higher elevations overlooks Lake Mohave and the Colorado River.
The next plan is to try the approach from the southeast. Will we make it next time?
Your first amendment rights will then be severely hindered. Yes, change was promised and change is being delivered.
But this is a matter of not believing what God said about change.
Romans 1
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Did you see the three references to change in those passages. The sodomites are all about change.
The Lord said In Prov 24:21,
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
America this passage is for you - (found in Daniel 5)
Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
It is prime time to ride the bicycle in our part of the world. The desert is cooling down, temps in the higher elevations of the desert are in the 60's and 70's. And the terrain in our area is certainly wilderness.
Deut 32
9 For the LORD's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness;
I have thought about that verse while riding in some very remote wilderness locations in this area.
The wilderness is a very dangerous place if you are not prepared to go in there. Yet the Lord was willing to venture out into the wilderness to find Jacob the text says.
This world is a wilderness of sin. Dangerous, dry, and destructive.
In the wilderness there are the serpents hissing, a lack of water, but also according to the Bible, a Baptist calling out to men to repent.
Isaiah 40
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
For those with a repentant heart, the gospel message rings out, "Christ died for us".
Are you still wandering in the wilderness of sin, or have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour?
Investments can be made in many different areas. They could be made in the stock market, real estate, a business start up, or even in a country. The greatest investment one can make is in the Kingdom of God. When you give above the tithe, and give to support New Testament missionary endeavors, you are investing in the Lord's work.
He has given some promises concerning this.
Luke 6
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
II Cor 9
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
And in II Cor 9 the Bible tells us giving is like an experiment.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
Many of you that read this do not know who I am, or anything about me. So I don't write this to bring attention to me, but rather to what the Lord has done this past year. I keep track of what our family gives above the tithe to support missions through the church we attend. I also keep track of what God gives back to us through other people, as Luke 6 speaks about. Thus far this year, the rate of return on what the Lord has given back to us is 63.5%. I was challenged at the beginning of this year to give much more than the past year, and at a time when our finances are tight. To God's glory, he has given back, and much more.
Are there any banks offering a return of 63.5%? How about the stock market? Real estate is certainly not giving you a return like that on your investment. But the Lord is showing that he is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think".
We don't give to get, but the Lord is always faithful to his word, and the reaping is bountiful on the bountiful sowing of money into his work.
If you are a Christian, how is your giving?
Do you tithe?
Do you give to support missionaries through your church?
Is your giving the largest part of your budget?
Or
Do you spend more on a automobile payment than on the Lord's work?
Do you spend more on groceries and going out to eat than you give to the Lord?
This is why the apostle Paul wrote,
Phil 3
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Perhaps you heard the news concerning the ELCA, (the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). They voted in Minneapolis to allow sodomites that are in "long term and monogamous relationships" to be pastors.
In the past they have affirmed their support of abortion.
The following quotation is taken from the denomination's website.
"A developing life in the womb does not have an absolute right to be born". And they add, "The church recognizes that there can be sound reasons for ending a pregnancy through induced abortion"
So this church has affirmed that they condone adultery, perversion, and murder.
Having rejected the Lord Jesus as the only way of salvation, they have turned to moral relativism. They are the blind leading the blind as our Lord said, and they truly have fallen into the ditch.
No, I am not serious about nailing 95 thesis on the door of any Lutheran church. It is better that you obey the scripture that says, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate."
And concerning what a scriptural church is, Jesus said I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Sorry, Mr. Luther was about 1500 years to late. And no need to reform Roman Catholicism, they were never the true church having always preached their false message that is connected to the Mass.
Stick with the scriptures!!! Believe what God said, adding nothing and taking nothing away, and keeping it in context.
It is not your responsibility to pay for my medical expenses nor my responsibility to pay yours.
There you have it.
There is nothing in the constitution that speaks about anyone's right to have a certain level of health care. Certainly nothing about the government having a responsibility to be involved in health care.
The Bible says nothing about the matter being a responsibility of those who rule over us.
Now we currently have a quite a mess on our hands. Many that are over 65 are receiving some sort of subsidized health insurance in what is called Medicare. I refer you to my opening statement.
What very few want to deal with is this. Many, from age 40 to 60, live a sedentary life. The result is much weight gain, which results in a much more stress on the body. So that those in their 60's and 70's find themselves facing many health issues. If you have the means to afford the health care, that is fine. It does not affect me if you spend a lot of time in doctors' offices. But don't make me pay for any of it through some type of government system.
So are you outraged at this new Obamacare because it won't be as good a system as is currently in place. Or are you against it because you are against the government having anything to do with healthcare?
James wrote, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
Recently I received word about a missionary I know that the Lord called home suddenly. He did not realize how little of life he had left. He was working for the Lord, and had great plans to do more.
God gives us an appointed time on this earth. Then he takes the soul from the body off to its eternal destination. All that are saved are taken to be with the Lord, those that die unrepentant in their sins find themselves immediately in the flames of hell. (Read Luke 16)
If you knew you had only 100 hours left, would you trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour? Well few are given advance notice that the clock is ticking down under 100 hours left.
If you have never been saved from the eternal punishment of your sins, read here what the Bible says so clearly about the matter.
Acts 16
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
On a non- schooling, Bible, or bicycle related matter; we are seeing if we will make it over 100 hours straight above 90 degrees. I realize some in our nation this summer are not seeing many days above 90 for the high temperature, but that is not the situation in the lower elevations of Arizona. So going back to approximately 7:00 am on Friday we have stayed above the 90 degree mark. So how warm are we during the day, you ask? 122° Friday. 118° Saturday and Sunday. If Tuesday morning can stay above 90° we will pass 100 hours late morning. Predicted low for tomorrow is 90°.
Check back in August and I will give you the electric bill for this month. I thank the Lord for a big powerful central air conditioner during the summer.
My dearest wife does a lot with the children concerning the indoor aspect of education. I am the outdoor instructor. Or what many would call the PE instructor.
Here is one of our favorite activities.
Even the youngest is able to go on a 5 mile ride, with the older ones doing rides upwards of 10 miles. I have no doubt with just a little effort we could do a 20 mile ride. (Of course when temps are more accommodating in the desert southwest.)
Dads, even if you don't home school, get off the couch and get outside with your children. They need some exercise, and you just might need some also.
There are many Baptist churches across our land. There are many types of Baptist churches across our land. Many are associated with various man made organizations. When the Lord Jesus started the first Baptist church in Jerusalem (if it was not a Baptist church, please feel free to comment on what type it was), it was independent of everything man had a part in. So now we are at the point that many churches will distinguish themselves as Independent Baptist versus the various conventions, associations, and fellowships that have been started. Now I am not writing this to deal with all the problems you get into by joining the various man made organizations, but simply want to ask how truly independent are the Lord's churches.
If you had to sign on the dotted line in agreement with anything man has in order to keep the Lord's church in operation, are you truly an independent Baptist? For instance, most Independent Baptists sent an application to the IRS so that they could be a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. And many of those churches also filled out the paper work with the state to become a corporation. By doing so, you have bound yourself to play by the rules of the state and the IRS. For you came to them seeking some advantages that they could give you. Just like other churches joined the convention to seek the advantages that could be given them.
Just asking, are you still as independent as you think you are?
But let it be known, that the Lord is just as powerful in 2009 as he was in 30 A.D. He did not need any help from Rome to start his church, or to keep it in existence. Therefore he certainly does not need the help of the IRS or the state to grant his church the permission to exist as a corporation. It already exists as the body of Christ.
Some may be asking, but how do we.....? Just read the Bible, walk by faith, and let the Lord take care of his church.
OK, so there was not a great response to our invitation for preachers to enter the Independent Baptist Preachers Mountain Bicycle Race (IBPMBR). So lets make some changes. The first course was 75 miles, I have shortened this one down to 35. All of it off road again. Starting elevation at 980' and peaks at 3210', but lots of ups and downs, think roller coaster. The race would run when the temps will stay under 80 at the finishing line, therefore most of the race in the 60's and 70's at the warmest. So for this area, some time between Nov. 1 - April 1. Where you ask, the hills just west of Bullhead City, AZ and Laughlin, NV.
So if interested, leave a comment and we will work with the entrants of setting a date, and enjoying some preaching.
For details from previous post concerning some of the details, see - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/monocogman/666153/
So last night there was a beautiful full moon rising over the mountains. They sun had faded out over the western mountains. The temperature had just dropped under 100 in the Arizona desert, and it was time for this preacher to ride up the mountain. Lights on, iced up water and gatorade, said good night to my girls, and off I went. Dusk quickly faded into night, and the lights were needed at full power. Little eyes look at you from the darkness, desert rodents scurry across the trail, and all sorts of creepy bugs have come out of their daytime hiding. They leave me alone, and I leave them alone.
After 8 miles of climbing, it was time to enjoy the twisting, fast descending trail. Trails take on a new challenge at night; even with powerful lights. The computer said the speed peaked at 30 mph. There was no need for sun screen, and the ice did not melt near as fast. 18 miles later safely back in the driveway with temps under 90. Now that is good, clean (morally) fun, that does not need to be confessed and forsaken. Thank the Lord.
So its that time of the year in the Arizona desert to ride under the stars. Any one interested in joining me?
We read in Hebrews 11:23
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment."
Men give commandments that are not in accord with God's commandments. At that time as a Christian, man's commandments are not to be followed.
In the news recently, we read this story from Reuters and One News Now -
"The U.S. military is confirming that it has destroyed some Bibles belonging to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan.
"Reuters News says the Bibles were confiscated and destroyed after Qatar-based Al Jazeera television showed soldiers at a Bible class on a base with a stack of Bibles translated into the local Pashto and Dari languages. The U.S. military forbids its members on active duty--including those based in places like Afghanistan--from trying to convert people to another religion.
"Reuters quotes Maj. Jennifer Willis at the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, who said 'I can now confirm that the Bibles shown on Al Jazeera's clip were, in fact, collected by the chaplains and later destroyed. They were never distributed.'"
If you are in active military duty, you have a decision to make. Will you obey the Lord, or man? God has given the orders to preach the gospel, and therefore try to convert people to Christianity. The U.S. military forbids this. They are wrong, and will face the wrath of the Lord for their position.
If you are considering serving in the military and are a Christian desiring to walk right with the Lord, you will have to purpose in your heart that you will obey God rather than men when orders are given contrary to the words of God. And knowing you also must face the consequences for your obedience to the Lord.
Do you notice that sometimes preachers react to preaching worse than others? Did you know preacher, that you are not above being preached to? Your education and knowledge has not raised you up to a level that exempts you from being preached to. You may think that preachers' meetings are only to be encouraged in, but you probably need to be preached at more than you realize. This is not the writing of a disgruntled church member, this is a fellow preacher trying to help you humble yourself before the Lord, and to receive preaching from even the younger preachers you find yourself listening to.
"For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Barack Obama, making his first visit to a Muslim nation as president, declared Monday the United States "is not and will never be at war with Islam."
Islam is at war with us. It was Muslims that flew those planes into the World Trade Towers. It is Muslims that are suicide bombers. It is Islam that calls the USA the great Satan.
Mr. Obama, are you that ignorant? Or is it because you are a Muslim?
Interesting report in the news that will be quoted below. The current administration is not friendly towards Israel. The Lord gave a promise to the man who is the father of the Jewish nation in Genesis 12:2,3;
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God had richly blessed the USA due to their blessing the Jewish people. They were given a place to live here free from persecution after this nation was formed. When the state of Israel was formed again in 1948, the USA stood with them. But now there is a change.
Please note the following -
General Ashkenazi reportedly attempted to arrange meetings with President Obama, Vice President Biden and intelligence czars Bob Gates, Dennis Blair or Michael Mullen. None of them would see him. He had valuable intelligence information about Iran to share with them.
Last year, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi had no problem setting up meetings with top officials in the U.S. government.
A statement to WorldTribune.com by the Israel Defense Forces spokesman attempted to downplay the snubs. But diplomatic sources said Ashkenazi failed to obtain access to any Cabinet member, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The Israeli military chief, who sought to discuss the Iranian nuclear threat, was also unable meet his counterpart, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Tribune quoted an unnamed diplomat who told them, "The administration is sending a very clear message to Israel, and this is we want to talk about Palestine and not Iran."
AND ALSO IN THE NEWS
A former top US intelligence official warns that the Obama Administration is about to break America's long ties of friendship with Israel, and maybe even take steps toward the dissolution of the Jewish state.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to Douglas Hagmann of the Northeast Intelligence Network, the source said:
"I have every reason to believe, based on what I’ve seen at my level of [security] clearance especially over the last several years, that Israel will soon be completely on their own… or worse."
He went on to note that the betrayal likely won't happen in one dramatic moment, but rather subtly, behind the scenes, and over the course of several years.
The Obama Administration is preparing to "provide more support to Arab countries [with] financial and military aid, undercutting Israel’s defense efforts all while pushing Israel to succumb to the pressure of unreasonable demands designed to end with their political annihilation as a nation," said the source.
Israeli officials have of late noted a marked increase in the pressure from Washington to more rapidly acquiesce to Arab land-for-peace demands, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has clarified that Washington is none too pleased with incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to commit to the creation of a sovereign Palestinian Arab state with Jerusalem as its capital.
None of this surprises me when the president has an Islamic name. Talk is cheap on the campaign trail, now we are watching the actions and seeing the true character of the president.
I don't know if the Lord's children are having as difficult a time as we hear reported in the news concerning finances. But the simple truth is still found in the scriptures.
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Now that is not the advice the financial planners will give you, but the Lord Jesus would never lead any of his children astray. But as many face difficulty, they want to keep what little they have. Rather treat your money as seed, for that is the Bible view of it.
II Corinthians 9
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
If a farmer desired a good crop, yet kept all his seed in the barn, and would not plant it, most would think him rather foolish. Are you like the foolish farmer or are you obedient to the Lord?
(sorry about the shadows)
The area is rather remote and rugged. Thankfully temps were on the cooler side, 55°-65°, so no worry about snakes.
