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SRCFC Email Update - Volume 12, Number 6 (Issue #208) April 21, 2011 |
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Celebrate Easter with Well-reasoned Faith
by Calvin Landrus
Arguably, one of the greatest climbers of all time is Reinhold Messner. When speaking of the afterlife in a Rock and Ice (#194) interview, he said, "The afterlife is something we have no instruments for. We cannot understand it with our intelligence, nor can we see it with our eyes, or sense it with our nose. Our instruments are designed to comprehend this world. What is beyond is beyond. I don't think about it."
How can that be possible? Not even contemplating about the afterlife and the supernatural! As a Christian, I believe as we wrestle with the concept of the afterlife, the results will be a well-reasoned faith to stand upon. That said, if there are truth claims that can be shown to be untrustworthy and false, we should walk away from the Christian faith.
Lest one think that this is not biblical, let us explore the confronting words the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (ESV): "For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."
For Christ-followers "not to be pitied" or to have "a faith in vain" (vs. 14), what foundational realities need to be true? I would put forward two: the real bodily resurrection of Jesus and the reliability of the Bible. Fortunately, these realities have proven (more could be written on this but is beyond scope of this encouragement) to be a sure foundation for over two thousand years.
This weekend, Christ-followers around the world will be celebrating Easter, the resurrection of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Join in the certain reality and celebrate. "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT) |
East Coast National Conference Report
The Red Opens It's Heart...Again!
by Calvin Landrus
In 2003, I contacted the Red River Gorge Climbing Coalition and offered to sponsor and make the breakfast for one of the early Rocktoberfests. Perhaps local activist, Hugh Loeffler, was very trusting or maybe they were just desperate, but they seized upon the offer and I booked a flight. What began then continues to this day with The Red being a place where SRCFC has great freedom and opportunity to share the Good News.
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Some National Conference attendees before climbing at Roadside Cliff |
Our National Conference's highlight was the Saturday night program. In a very limited word-of-mouth means and a short announcement on a grease board hanging on Lago Linda's Café, we announced that Hugh would be sharing on the history of climbing in the area and that I was going to share about climbing in Mexico. It was clear that it was being put on by Christian climbers.
In all, fifty-five climbers squeezed in the space meant for far less. Of those, over thirty had no prior connection to SRCFC. Hugh's presentation was a spoken-word conversation that was totally riveting because he had such a rich depth of climbing development in the region. The spectacular climbing pictures from Mexico carried my presentation until I concluded with my "doing every move ascent" and Doug Englekirk's successful freeing of El Sendero Luminsco (Grade V with 8 of 12 pitches being 5.12). That led fantastically into Doug's video that shares the Good News in a strong but appropriate way to climbers.
From the comments on the response cards collected, God was at work. One wrote, "Pleasant blend of faith and climbing." And two indicated that they became Christ-followers. Let's give thanks to God.
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Christian on Skin Boat repoint 5.13a |
Other highlights from the weekend included the fun fellowship at the crag. Each day we picked a different crag and often found options for everyone in the group in the 5.8 to 5.13 range. Devotionals by Chapter Coordinator, Jed Johnson, and by Nate Moore were well received. We were inspired by Lexington Solid Rocker's, Christian Lablanc, onsight of Shiva, 5.13b. Ruffin Shackelford shared about his ministry at the Outdoor Mission Camp and their need for summer staff who are climbers.
We were to conclude the conference with a free breakfast at Miguel's. However, that didn't come together so we simply were going to end with a worship time. But God had different plans. In a last minute thought on Saturday, I asked Linda if we could pay for everyone's coffee on Sunday morning at her Café. As I enjoying my morning brew and having great conversations with climbers, the time came for our "holy huddle." Leaving all those climbers there, open to connecting, felt wrong, so we changed plans, had a short devotional instead and returned to the Café'.
Let's praise God for a great National Conference. Make plans now to attend the West Coast National Conference in Yosemite, September 20-25. More details on that in the next Email Update. |
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NEW SPONSOR: Bouldering.com Climbing Gear
 Bouldering.com Climbing Gear has become a sponsor of SRCFC by providing multiple copies of three great climbing DVDs. They are available only has thank-you gifts to donors of $50 or more. Click Here to donate through three available ways and note the DVD you desired in the comment field of the method you use.
Masters of Stone VI: Breakthrough: Hans Florine, Yuji Hirayama, Dean Potter, Alex Honnold, Kevin Jorgeson. Speed Record on El Capitan, First Ascents, Speed Free Solo Racing, World's Highest Slackline.
Rocklands: Scott Milton, Bernd Zangerl, Justin Hawkins, Mary Gabriel. lying deep within the mountains of Southern Africa, is considered one of the best bouldering areas in the world. Follow a troupe of world renowned climbers on a three month journey as they explore the magical landscape of Cederberg Mountains.
The Wadi Rum Expedition: Heidi Wirtz, Chris Kaous, Ben Firth, Aaron Black. Most climbers never experience putting up a new route on a big wall. Now you get a chance to see up close the techniques used and witness the level of commitment required. Watch as four climbers leave behind the comforts of the Western World, are forced to separate real fear from irrational fear in an environment constantly out to test them. Wadi Rum is located in Jordan near the lost city of Petra.
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Help Bring the Good News to Climbers with Your Giving!
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April 23
Dallas Kloke Memorial Event at Mt. Erie, WA
April 22-23***
Limestoner Weekend, Reimers Ranch near Austin, TX
May 5
9th Annual International Day of Prayer for Climbers
May 7***
The 19th Annual Spring thing at Smith Rock, OR
May 7
Gathering At Mineral Wells St Pk by Texoma Chapter
September 20-25
2011West Coast National Conf.
Yosemite, CA
Read More About Events!
*** Designates that SRCFC is participating as a Sponsor |
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SRCFC's 9th Annual International Day of Prayer for Climbers
On Thursday, May 5th, 2011, you are invited to pray for the climbing community and SRCFC's effectiveness in helping Christian climbers do outreach work. Generally, we have 80 to 100 Solid Rockers praying for hundreds of climbers by name as well as other requests. Our goal is to cover the entire 24 hour day from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm (Pacific Time or GMT minus 8:00) in 30 minute sessions. This happens the same day as the American National Day of Prayer which has the theme of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." (Psalm 91:2) Learn more and sign-up.
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This section allows us to give extra news about our community and/or to give members the opportunity to spread the word about something that is not directly related to SRCFC's mission - items like things for sale, job announcements, etc. Please email info@srcfc.org with your announcements. Click here to learn more.
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Editor of Updates
Calvin Landrus
SRCFC Director
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Donation Information If you would like to support the mission of Solid Rock with your financial resources, please send your donation to: SRCFC National Office, PO BOX 9831, Bend, OR 97708-9831. Visit Donate or Order for a response form to mail or email, and info on how to pay with check, credit card or PayPal. Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ is a California tax exempt, religious, non-profit corporation organized in accordance with IRS Sec. 501(c) (3). All donations in excess of the fair market of the goods and services you received (if any) are deductible.
WARNING!!!!!
Activities described and depicted within this update carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and all other outdoor activities are dangerous. Solid Rock/Climbers for Christ does not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless he or she understands the risks involved, is an expert, has qualified professional instruction, and is willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks. |
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