God on the Mountains

It's easy to praise God when life is good. When we're looking at life from the top of a great mountain and we can see the beauty of creation all around, praise just seems to flow effortlessly. Maybe an awesome service at church blesses you and you are on top of a spiritual mountain basking in God's presence. Mountain top experiences bring such a great relief and refreshing. On top of that mountain Satan knows that you are too close to God for him to reach you, so he waits. Like King Ben-Hadad in the old testament, Satan thinks that God is only God on the mountain. He will wait until you are in the valley or on the plains. Surrounded by life's struggles and hindrances we find ourselves looking at circumstanses instead of praising God and we make our way off the mountain down to the valley and into the traps set by the enemy of our soul. But, just as King Ben-Hadad found out, God is still God in the valley and on the plains. And, God is with you in the valley like He is on the mountain. Sickness may bring you down, debt may bring you down, family difficulties may bring you down, but God is still God. When you call on his name he will deliver you from your enemies. Praise him when you are on the mountain and when you are in the valley because he is there.

Beauty For Ashes

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
How cool is that? God is good!

Broken Pieces

Jesus had been teaching a crowd of people and the time was getting late and there was no where for all the people to go. Being concerned that some might faint along the way home he decided to feed them. All the disciples could find was a few loaves of bread and some fish that a young boy had brought with him. But, Jesus knew that was enough. He had all the people to sit in the grass, he took the bread lifted it up to heaven and gave thanks for it and then he gave thanks for the fish. He broke the bread and gave the pieces, and the fish, to the disciples to distribute to the people. When it was over about five thousand men plus women and children had been fed and were satisfied. Then Jesus told the disciples to pick up the broken pieces and there was twelve baskets full left over.
1. Jesus broke the bread and made provision for the people. He took a little and met the whole need.
2. Jesus is the bread of life. His body was broken and through it He made provision for all of mankind to be saved.
3. Sometimes our lives are broken. Whether by life in general or by God trying to get our attention, we still feel fragmented. But, and get this good, Jesus does not leave broken pieces behind. We don't know what purpose Jesus had in gathering the fragments but he definately had one. He also has a purpose for every broken life, or broken spirit, or broken person. He can take a broken life, gather up all the pieces and use it.
I once had a very special person tell me that we minister out of our pain. The deeper our pain is the deeper we can reach down and touch some one elses life. God has a purpose for us, even the broken parts.

Focus

Some days it's hard to focus on the work at hand. I find myself doing the things that can wait and waiting on the things that need to get done. When I need for one of my children to really pay attention and get their work done I can look at them and make blinders with my hands and tell them "F O C U S"and it seems to help for a little bit. With school almost out for the summer it's getting harder and harder for them. Well, for me too. I would rather be outside, on the motorcycle, or anything other than sitting behind a desk. But my desk needs some serious attention. I'll do it later. lol.

Remember Nebuchadnezzar

I read Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 4 of the book of Daniel. It's the dream of a beautiful tree that was large enough for all the beasts and birds to come take shelter and be fed. And a voice called out and said "cut it down". Daniel explained to the king that he would be judged for his pride and lose everything for a time. About a year later the king was walking on the roof of his palace admiring his kingdom and all that he had accomplished and didn't give God credit for anything, immediately a voice spoke and all that God had proclaimed would happen, did. Nebuchadnezzar had several chances to change his ways and already on other occassions he had acknowledged Daniel's God as the highest, yet he allowed his pride to rise up and exalt himself. Judgement soon followed. Through out the history of The United States the people of this country have wavered on their faith. Yet each time they would venture away from God, he would some how show them their need for him and once again this would be one nation under God. The nation, our leaders, and the people would turn to God because they knew that he is the only way we can remain a strong nation. I see a new breed of pride rising up in our nation now. One that wants to eliminate God all together. A pride that says "look what we did", "look how great we are", and yet we are rapidly losing the respect of other countries who say that we are not so great. We are greatest in our own eyes. The solution? 2Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." So, christians need to be on their knees praying for this country and our leaders harder than ever. And then maybe God will give our nation another chance, again.

The Jesus Painter

Check this out. The artists name is Mike Lewis, he has a web page at, http://www.jesuspainter.com/ where you can find prints and originals also some you tube videos. It's really amazing to watch him work. I downloaded these images a while back and used them as a screen saver. Those eyes just pierce when they look at you. How can I not love him when I can see how much He loves me. I know it's a painting but I can see him looking at me through those eyes. I can't find the image of the crucifixion on the web site which is a pity because it may be my favorite. Jesus on the cross was not a neat and tidy scene, it was punishment for our sin, and I can see the suffering in this picture. A great artist and awesome pictures, check it out.

Christmas in Durango

For the past two years we have been blessed to be able to spend Christmas in the Rocky Mountains, just about 20 minutes from Durango, Co. This last year was incredible. It snowed over 3 feet the week we were there. It was beautiful, the kids loved playing in it, and we didn't have to go anywhere. For 5 days we stayed at the cabin and had the best time. The day came that we had to leave and come home. We kept checking the weather reports and although they said the snow would stop and the skies would clear it just kept snowing. We made it to Pagosa Springs but Wolf Creek Pass was closed. Hwy 550 out of Durango was closed. The only way to go was south to Chama, NM and even part of that road was reported closed. No available rooms in town and I really needed to get home so we made the choice to go south. What a trip. White out conditions and unfamiliar roads. It took several hours to get to Chama. The scenery was awesome, the road not so much. On south to Santa Fe and on to I-40, asphalt never looked so good. We made it home safely and looking back I know it was only by the hand of God that we did. Now, all the kids remember was the snow and how much fun they had. I like to keep it that way. Stacy and I remember the trip home and that's enough.