Paul's Charge

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Acts 20:22-24

Plans

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

You will seek me and find me,
when you search for me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord.

Watching at a Bar

Tonight I watched Spain beat Honduras at a student bar near the University of Seville. It was my first time watching Spain with a bunch (and I mean packed house) of Spaniards there. It was intense. We got there about an hour before the game, and it was 2/3rds full already. About 10 minutes before people started singing. Then everyone put their arms around each other for the national anthem. The crowd was not happy with Torres (who got the start tonight) on his repeated misses, nor with the none call on a handball by Honduras in the Spanish box. But when an impressive shot just missed, hitting the cross bar, the people were excited. And when David Villa struck home a goal in the 1st half, bedlam ensued. Bartenders threw water, people jumped on toes, the cigarette machine shook, and fists pumped. After the first goal, the guy beside me, laid his beer in a protected place each time he thought there might be a goal, so it wouldn't get spilled. When we left, clothes smelled of smoke, sunflower seeds were stuck to my flip flops, but it was a feeling of satisfaction, to have experience a futbol game, the Spanish way.

Stat of the Day

Pryor to 2004, Willie McCovey held the record for most intentional walks in a Major League Baseball season, with 45. That year Barry Bonds was intentionally walked 120 times...Bonds has almost 400 more intentional passes in his career than Hank Aaron, who is second all time
...with 293

Some wisdom from Proverbs 15

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

A fool spurns his father's discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.

The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

Counted Worthy

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing,
because they had been counted worthy
of suffering disgrace for the Name.
Day after day, in the temple courts
and from house to house,
they never stopped teaching
and proclaiming the good news
that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 5:41-42

Being with Jesus

"Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name
under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved."

When they saw the courage of Peter and John
and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men,
they were astonished
and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:12-13

Have an answer to give...

Always be prepared
to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have...

Apostle Peter

Turn to God

Repent, then, and turn to God,
so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come
from the Lord.

Apostle Peter

My thoughts on the World Cup so far...

I've definitely enjoyed it so far. I've been looking forward to this since the Confederation Cup last summer. (Also I went to see an FC Tokyo match last spring in Japan, and liked it very much. The funniest part about that, was the team song was not only an English Premier League team's song, it was in English.) But I'm even more into it than I thought I would be.

Mexico had excellent passing, but South Africa should have won on that break away chance at the end. I'm a little tense right now. It's halftime of the England-US match, 1-1. The US defense has played pretty putridity. I feel like both teams' offenses are outplaying the opposing defenses. Gerrard is everywhere, and looks to be the best play on the pitch. Donovan is playing very well. Howard too, despite the cleats to the chest. I think Altidore, Findley, or a sub needs to make a play in the second half.

Jesus, whom you crucified

God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.

When the people heard this
they were cut to the heart
and said to Peter and the other apostles,
"Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The promise is for you and your children
and for all who are far off-
for all whom the Lord our God will call.

Acts 2:36-39

He is risen

Jesus said to them,
"How foolish you are,
and how slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things
and then enter his glory?"
And beginning with Moses
and all the Prophets,
he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself...

Then their eyes were opened
and they recognized him,
and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he talked with us on the road
and opened the Scriptures to us?"...

"It is true! The Lord has risen."

Luke 24

Our Team

Here is a picture of our team right before the hands-on students went back to the States.

Wisdom

The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;
I was appointed from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began...

Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

Prov 8:22-23,30-31

Proverbs 3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths...

Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down,
your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep you foot from being snared.

Eagle Lake Introduction

During my time at Eagle Lake (3 summers) it was tradition to write introductory emails to the other counselors. I came across this, my 3rd summer introduction just this past evening. I snickered a bit when I read it...


hello everyone,

this is dan pirkle. and as a service to eagle lake
camp i just wanted to clear the air about something. i
will refer to a stocking cap as a toboggan. this is
correct. let me refer you to the dictionary.

toboggan (to bog'en)n.
1. a long, narrow, flat sled with its front curved
upward and without runners.
(i am fully aware of this definition. but this next
one is were it gets serious.)
2. U.S. Dialect(um pretty sure thats what we will be
using at camp, i know i shall.) =a stocking cap.

thank you, thank you very much. for those of you that
are confused you obviously dont know me. for you
returners: in your face. this is for you katie. war
eagle.

dan pirkle

Proverbs are...

for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the saying and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

(Pr. 1:2-7)

The Angel That Troubled the Waters

Without your wounds where would your power be?
It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living.
In love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve.
Physician, draw back.

-Thornton Wilder

The Lost Son Returns

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, thew his arms around him and kissed him. The said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15