Sweet Corn, Watermelon, and Summer Camp

Red Jeep Journal
July 7, 2017

 

Sweet Corn, Watermelon, and Summer Camp

It’s the season of watermelon and sweet corn and summer camp all over America. Have you ever thought that all over Canada and the U.S. during the summer young people gather under the preaching of the Word morning and evening–thousands upon thousands of them. After a day of swimming and horseback riding, paint-ball and high-ropes, swimming and diving, “octaball” and ping-pong, hand-crafts and snacks, good food and friends, they quiet their hearts and sing and listen to preaching prepared to help them face this beautiful but broken world and know that God is for them and not against them. Pray every day for campers all over this grand and beautiful land.

What’s Next?

This weekend I am in the area preaching on the Lord’s Day. Next week Hope America and I will be at Camp Barakel. This will be my third of four engagements this year at that “blessed place.”

Here are a couple faith-strengthening stories;

How Can I Help You?

Last week at Barakel I was preparing to speak when a got a call from Lois. She was paying the bills and needed me to handle some details. We talked for a while about financial matters and concerns, then we both agreed about how remarkable God’s provision has been since we set aside a regular church paycheck.

A text came in just as I ended the call. It was from a friend who was inquiring about how he could be a help to us. He said he wanted to help us financially. Immediately a monthly amount sprang into my mind. It was a generous amount so I set the thought aside as wishful thinking.

“How can I help financially,” he texted.

“You can share a one-time gift or a regular monthly amount,” I said, not mentioning the generous amount that had come to mind.

The next text shocked and delighted me. He wrote; “I was thinking …..” and he texted the exact generous amount that had been on my mind. In a couple days that pledge showed up in our missionary account as a monthly promise!

Another couple visited the Barakel chapel. When I checked my account early this week I saw that they had also given a generous gift to our ministry. I wish I could tell you more of the stories of God’s provision already this summer. It is remarkable and faith-building.

You can join the “Fellowship of the Red Jeep” by visiting here to be a monthly helper or give a one-time gift.

Let me tell you another story that will strengthen your faith.

Are You Willing to Die?

I had another amazing “providence-of-God” moment yesterday.

Yesterday I was out in the yard stretching the July 4th Holiday toward the end of the week. I was enjoying the cool breeze under the shade of a good leafy shade tree. I called a friend who is going through a dark trial.

I said to him; “Tom, you haven’t heard me preach for a while, why don’t I give you a little minute-message right now?”

“I’d like that,” he said.

I explained to him how according to Revelation the saints overcome Satan because of three things; the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and they were willing to die.

I explained that when we are ready to die with the praise of Christ on our lips there is no trial so dark and deep that it can defeat us. A believer who is ready for the slaughter for the glory of God is already “more than a conquerer…” in Christ. You cannot defeat him one who is willing to die.

Over and over again I emphasized; “Tom, if we are willing to die, nothing can defeat us.”

Just then a van pulled up and the son of a friend got out of the car with a package for me. I excused myself from my phone call. He handed me a package. I stood in the shade of the tree and opened the box.

In the box were two books. On the top was a book with this exact title: “Willing to Die.”

The shade under the tree in front of Granville Cottage was sacred ground yesterday afternoon when that book arrived.

I called my friend back and we both rejoiced in the encouragement that God had given to us. Before midnight I had read both books and I went to bed with a powerful assurance that God was at work even in the darkest trials we face.

Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage

 

Here are some photos from Barakel I though you might enjoy: