After my 'declaration' of leaving the 'official campgrounds' that have come into existence since the Independent Bible Baptist Church movement began, these are some personal 'observations' that I have made.

The Passion of the Christ movie has most certainly pushed me off more of the fence and now that I have publicly claimed to be out of any camps and 'back to nature,' I should not be surprised at all that God has shown me seen since then...

A.  It had better be the right reasons:
    a.  KJV (no greek, no hebrew, no "trimming thy way to seek love" market gospel);
    b.  Music (praise and worship - thinking with the right music and praising God in 'truth');
    c.  Rightly dividing being applied to the walk as well as the talk;
    d.  The effect and demands on the personal family wanting to 'do right!'

B.  People have been trained and "spoiled" to like all the 'hoopla' that is going on in our BBB churches these days:

It doesn't matter that there is:

• watered down 'salvation only' preaching;
• dress standards that are less than modest, let alone even close to any biblical standard;
• children and teens 'have what they want and do what they want' and that the adults cater to them, etc
• all young people's activities & programs geared to being fun with no Biblical 'air' about it all, but only that it brings in more friends;
• more and more pastors are preaching only 'positive' and 'encouraging' messages in an age of apostasy (because the people are already saved, there is no conviction, just satisfaction in their hearts that they are saved);
• no expectation for lives to really change all that much;
• a failure for the music to stay clean and to God's standard of acceptance;
• the new image that IBBBC's are a good 'campground' to be part of, in spite of the backwards direction being taken;
• a desire for the 'famous' and 'talented' dynamic preachers and pastors, ignoring and discounting what the little 'hard' preacher has been told by the Bible what to say!

The campgrounds have replaced the home family and have more influence than mom and dad do at home, and sadly, most parents want it that way!  They are all so willing to just let the church and the pastor raise their family, etc.

C. People just can't - or "won't" let go of the their personal 'campground' and all that goes with it...

Maybe it's that...

• ...they keep their old Music - and don't seek out music that pleases God!
• ...they keep their old unsaved 'culture' that represents a false God so they reject the new life where all things are become new!  WE HAVE NO PAST - it is all PASSED AWAY - we have only a temporary present and an eternal future!   II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• ...they keep their old Bibles - and reject the Book that has God's Holy Spirit!
• ...they keep their old Doctrines - and don't seek and study the new solid, confident doctrines that honestly rest on truth!
• ...they keep their old America - they just can't accept the way things are crumbling in America- no matter how obvious!
• ...they keep their old Family - and won't get close to their new family of God!
• ...they keep their old Friends - and reject their new 'friends' in the church of God!
• ...they keep their old Walk - even though Christ is put on the inside, they won't put Him on the outside!
• ...they keep their old things of this earth and don't set their affection on things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God!
• ...they keep their weekly 'salvation messages for someone else' instead of swallowing the food that they need for themselves!
• ...they keep their old modern preaching that is geared for itching ears - instead of the old days honest and to the point preaching of the word!  Bible preaching has almost become foolishness to our own folks unless it is some kind of entertaining sermon!  (drawings, famous 'old preachers,' powerpoint, etc.)

D.  We are not trying to cause problems within the campground!
...not at all, but instead of some doctrinal conversations, which is not only Scripturally permissible and necessary, it is required - and not debate - but just earnestly contending for the faith, suddenly our character as a person is attacked -- now THAT is NOT Scriptural!   II Thessalonians 3:13-15  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Hopefully, it isn't hatred and bitterness towards and from the brethren that is the issue that causes us to leave the campground.  We should be seeking God's face - the close fellowship that Christ seeks so much these last days.. as the Book preaches in Revelation 3:20

Or... you may just give-up from all the pressure and obstacles thrown in front of you!  Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

E.  It is hard at first, but then you do finally break free on "your" own - break free on "HIS" own!
Romans 7:15-20
Galatians 2:20

F. Most will just stay in the campground, and that certainly is their choice; but some will even go back to the "city," and that is their choice as well - a few may even go out on their own to be with God - a few may even go with you!  But it must be based on a desire to fellowship closer with the Lord, not cause any division!  We are to Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

II Timothy 2:21-26  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Revelation 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

A.  You will see all the other campgrounds
I can now see clearly the following camps that I have been directly involved in at one time or another in my Christian walk:
 

Man, I didn't even know there were so many camps until I got out of the biggest one I was in - and I suppose there are still more to become aware of...

B.  You will hear the noise from them all at once!
"God loves you!"   "God hates fags!"   "Repent or Burn"   "No church on Sunday"  "Wear a dress or pants?" Divorce or not to divorce, remarry or not to remarry, you can't pastor if you are divorced, you are a heretic, an immoral pirate, Queer priests in the news, religious bookstores and ALL their different books and writers, Left Behind book series, Hollywood religious movies, religious 'toys', CCM, 300+ Bibles, hundreds of denominations, banjo and southern gospel holler music... slander and name calling when any doctrinal issues are challenged, etc. etc,   Such noises plus more are coming from a number of Bible Believing camps!

 It is no wonder folks aren't interested in Biblical Christianity these days!  Schuller, Peale, Warren and Hybels are winning them ALL to the marketed positive fulfillment gospel camp!

C.  You will be able to finally see the differences in the overall big picture.  Some are tiny differences, some big; some are minor and some are very damaging!  Laodiceanism is being exposed in ALL the camps as more and more sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing...  ...but compare them to the Book, and they would see that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Jeremiah 22:15a  Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar?

Jeremiah 22:21 21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear.  This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.

IT IS THE BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH THAT IS THE LAST TO APOSTATIZE - THE REST ARE NOT EVEN PART OF THE CHURCH TODAY.  WE ARE GOING DOWN NOW WHILE BE BUILD AND GROW.

COME ON, OPEN OUR EYES!!!  BIBLE BELIEVERS ARE NOW THE LAODICEAN CHURCH THE BOOK IS TALKING ABOUT!

D.  You will see your own campground as possibly your own chain that is keeping you tied down from serving God!

    A.  Have these camps been chains?  Did they start out with the right intentions but had they turned into chains and bondage concerning the preaching & teaching of the truth? Acts 12:7-9  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.  And he went out, and followed him;

A.  Unless you bring someone with you, then that stuff is needful and required!  You may have the real needs of a wife and family!  You can't ignore their real needs nor does God expect you to!
I Corinthians 7:33-34  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.   There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.     P.S. - we are not looking for any nuns here, by the way!

B.  Your 'wants' are given over to your honest 'needs' - otherwise your 'wants' will again choke the Book!
Luke 8:15 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

C.  You are forced to 'clean house' or you will choke to death in your 'goods!'
Titus 2:4,5  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

I Timothy 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

II Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

A.  For personal judgment:I Peter 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  The fires of judgment now helps you deal with that sin that dwelleth within and the battles with the flesh - Romans 7:15-20;

Colossians 3:23-25  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

I Timothy 5:24,25  Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

B.  For warmth:  a working effectually in you - a warmth to the bone! - answered prayer, guidance, comfort; fellowship; will abide forever; understanding, uphold you , give you hope, prevail in your life and you will grow in confidence and boldness.

C.  For health:  for faith, endurance, a stirring, a working effectually in you, bearing fruit; deliverance; strength; mercy, for answers, hope fulfillment and personal growth!

D.  For Light...
Psalm 18:28  For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Psalm 36:9b  ...in thy light shall we see light.
Psalm 89:15  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 105:39  He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130a  The entrance of thy words giveth light;...

A.  You Will See the Right Path for you "personally" and for "your family!"

B.  When you slip off, or even attempt to stray, you can get right back on without a bunch of yaoughtta's, yashoulda's, toldyaso's!
Psalm 145:14  The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

II Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Ephesians 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Psalm 119:9  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

C.  You can shine the light where both YOU and GOD know where it needs to go, not just thost popish pastors!

D.  You have the liberty to do what God preaches, teaches and guides you as you GROW, not to just 'allow yourself to continue' using & abusing His grace thus standing stagnant in your own ways!

E.  God will guide the men willing to follow Him to the Book to learn to lead, the women can learn to follow and the kids can learn to obey!

They would have to learn those things as they would have fewer uncontrollable outside influences in this world of wickedness and darkness to distract their family away from God and & destroy the opportunities to meet the real Jesus Christ who is waiting for them!  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  John 17:15  It is our job as parents and pastors to keep their flocks from the evil!

Who IS your enemy?  Can you see him now?  Have you met him face to face yet?  Can you hide from him with earthly distractions?  Do you really think you are staying away from him in this busy world?  He is probably closer to you than you realize, but you just can't sense him without the right light!

A.  Yourself?
B.  The Campgrounds?
C.  The World?
D.  The Devil Himself?
E.  Your own local church & pastor?
F.  Your family?
G.  Your relatives?
H.  Your own job?
I.  Your debts?
J.  Your desires and flesh?
K.  The sin that dwelleth within?
L.  A wolf in sheep's clothing?
M.  Obvious Wolves?
N.  Money?
O.  Prestige?
P.  Pride?
Q.  Music?
R.  Your toys?
S.  The Economy?
T.  Welfare?
U.  Health
V.  Age