Winter Snow

The valley received another fresh blanket of snow this last weekend. The snow really revitalizes the drab colors of winter and adds a sparkle to the landscape. Snow is a celebration of winter. Snow can also represent freshness and purity. Who hasn’t heard the saying pure as the new driven snow? Shakespeare used snow as a symbol for purity and whiteness in several plays. A hymn that was often sung in the churches I attended from early childhood through my High School years was the hymn, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”, written by Ro­bert Low­ry.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Truer words were never sung. The sacrificial gift Christ has given us through his death and resurrection has given us hope and made us pure. May every snow fall remind us of this beautiful sacrifice Christ undertook, to bring us close to God.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

There’s something about a blanket of snow that instills a sense of peace in me. It creates a quiet that covers the area. Often times we can get a glimpse of God through the nature he has created. Job 37 is one of those passages that describes God’s glory through his command of nature:

Job 37

1 "At this my heart pounds

and leaps from its place.

2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,

to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven

and sends it to the ends of the earth.

4 After that comes the sound of his roar;

he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,

he holds nothing back.

5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

he does great things beyond our understanding.

6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

7 So that all men he has made may know his work,

he stops every man from his labor.

8 The animals take cover;

they remain in their dens.

9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,

the cold from the driving winds.

10 The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen.

11 He loads the clouds with moisture;

he scatters his lightning through them.

12 At his direction they swirl around

over the face of the whole earth

to do whatever he commands them.

13 He brings the clouds to punish men,

or to water his earth and show his love.

14 "Listen to this, Job;

stop and consider God's wonders.

15 Do you know how God controls the clouds

and makes his lightning flash?

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,

those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 You who swelter in your clothes

when the land lies hushed under the south wind,

18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,

hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

19 "Tell us what we should say to him;

we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.

20 Should he be told that I want to speak?

Would any man ask to be swallowed up?

21 Now no one can look at the sun,

bright as it is in the skies

after the wind has swept them clean.

22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;

God comes in awesome majesty.

23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;

in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

24 Therefore, men revere him,

for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Home At Last

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and In King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and In King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

It’s been a week today since our little grandson was able to come home, after being discharged from the hospital. The doctors and nurses marveled throughout his stay there at the progress he made and how well he got on. We know that it was the Lord who brought him such good health and we know that we have had the prayer support of our good friends & family. I love visiting the little guy. It’s so amazing how he searches my face looking for the meaning of who I am. He looks so intently at my every feature and when I speak he seems to be taking in my voice as if to try and discern how I my fit into something with which he is familiar.

We have a heavenly father and King David in his Psalm of Thanks encourages the assembly to Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:10-12. They were celebrating and thanking God for return if the Ark of the Covenant.

Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. John 6:43-44

We have the unique advantage of being able to seek God’s face and listen to God’s voice through his scriptures and his Holy Spirit. How much God must love us to provide us with this opportunity. Please be sure to take a hold of this gift and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you study his words.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I count myself quite fortunate to have such good friends and family.

Happy New Year

So what’s your New Year’s resolution this year? Starting out the New Year allows us time for reflection of things we’d like to change for the better as well as the things we’d like to continue. Each year brings hope for a brighter future. We must place our hope in the right place.

In Psalm 119:114 we learn that “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”


… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, Isaiah 40:31

… guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

The world can be somewhat harsh and unyielding, place at times. Placing your hope in world leaders, TV hosts, your favorite university professor or Lucretia the Palm Reader around the corner can take the focus off of the true author of hope for the world, our heavenly father. May 2008 be a year of hope and focus on our Lord.

What Child Is This?

Sometimes the story of Mary can be lost in the Christmas narrative. While it is true that the focus of Christmas should be on Christ, we shouldn’t forget Mary’s role in God’s plan.

How difficult it must has been for Mary to say the words, “I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

Prior to Mary’s statement, an angel had appeared to Mary and announced, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." … “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 2:26-33

How frightening to have an angel appear and make the statement that your life will be changed forever. Certainly the neighbors would frown on the girl next door becoming pregnant regardless of the circumstances.

Most people are a familiar with the heralding angels singing praises to God for his first step in saving mankind from a fallen world. We read about it in Luke 2:15-19.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Surely the shepherds shared the story of the angels’ appearance with Mary and Joseph and in fact Luke states Mary remembered and reflected on this event.

Each year the family traveled to the temple for the Feast of the Passover. One time Jesus stayed behind to learn & share knowledge about his heavenly Father. His family had left without him and not realized it. They had to go back to Jerusalem to retrieve him. We learn in Luke 2:51-52:

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

When Mary looked upon this little baby, she knew he was to be used of God and that he would be given the throne of David. But for the short time he was a small child, Mary must have savored those moments with him as any new mother savors the time she has with her child.

Mary continued to collect and meditate on the words spoken to her by God through his angels and later on the various stages of Christ’s life. She would later on come to understand how God had provided a savior through her obedience to him.

Like Mary, I would encourage you to ponder the special circumstances and events of Christ’s life and the words of God and make that step towards making Christ a part of your life. Merry Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The decorations are up and the gifts are at the base of the tree. If we’re not careful, we can let the preparation and hustle and bustle of the season over shadow the celebration of the birth of Christ. One of the ways I combat that overwhelming feeling is to sit by the tree during the quiet of late evening and reflect on the years of ornaments we’ve collected over the past 28 years. Each ornament has a special memory tied to it that marks a special occasion in our lives together.

One of this year’s ornaments is a Baby’s First Christmas, which we’ve purchased to mark the birth of our little grandson. The Lord continues to bless our grandson with good health, which in turn has blessed our whole family. Our little guy continues to amaze the doctors and nurses with the great progress he is making. We know that this is due to the rich blessings the Lord is bestowing on him. For those keeping score, our grandson has been moved to a small crib and he’s maintaining his body temperature on his own. They also have him in a room with a window so he’ll be able to get his body clock in sync with day and night. He’s also beginning to understand how to eat from a bottle as well. All these accomplishments are steps closer to him coming home to be with his parents. We’re so thankful for everything the Lord is doing for our grandson.

This time of year we also celebrate the birth of another child, born in adverse conditions. Instead of beginning born in a warm bright room, this child was born in a dark and damp stable. Instead of a crib, a manger was his bed. Although this little baby was born in the humblest of situations, he also had choirs of angels announcing his birth and important visitors from a far off country come and worship at his feet, bringing expensive gifts for him.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:8-15

Let this Christmas season be a time where you seek out this thing which the Lord told he shepherds about so long ago. This Christmas season seek out Christ and understand the beautiful gift he has for you.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

We have much to be thankful for this year. As always the Lord has blessed our family and our home. He has provided far beyond what we need with additional gifts and blessings. In particular is the blessing he has given us in a new grandson. He has also blessed our grandson with remarkable health.

As mentioned in previous posts, our grandson was born prematurely at 29 weeks. He has quickly overcome many health hurdles over the past, almost three weeks. The doctors and nurses say how amazed they are at how well he is doing. We attribute this to the blessings from our Lord. As mentioned before we have family and friends around the world praying for our little guy, and although the doctors and nurses are truly amazed, we know that our Lord has the great power to heal and he is doing that for our grandson.

Beyond the power to heal is the gift of salivation our Lord has given us. Sometimes the cares of this world will distract me from remembering his great sacrifice and the blessing of salvation, which is above all else, the greatest blessing of all.

At this time of year when we are counting the many blessings he has given us, let’s not forget the greatest one of all. He died for our sins that we may be made acceptable to God and when this journey we care currently on is complete, will be allowed to join him in heaven.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Our Small Crown

We are so blessed. As I mentioned in my previous two posts, our little grandson was born prematurely at 29 weeks. I am pleased to say that he is doing very well and I believe that God's hand is upon. He does better each day. He has quickly warmed our hearts and has become the apple of his grandfather’s eye. I like the way Proverbs 17:6 puts it:

Children's children are a crown to the aged, ….

We are truly blessed. We thank those of you who have been praying for us so much for your prayers.

It's A Boy

The call came in this morning. Our son told us that the doctor said that the baby needs to be born today. My daughter-in-law had been experiencing contractions throughout last night and into today. No amount of drugs could calm them and the baby’s birth could no longer be prolonged. My prayer has been, "Lord you know the best time for our little baby’s birth, we rely on you." Today was that day and I’m please to say we have a new grandson, 15 inches & not quite 3 lbs.

The birth of every child is important to the Lord & the blessing they bring to each family. He blessed Abraham and Sarah and the timing of their son. They were at an advanced age and having a baby at their age was very much against the odds. However, the Lord tells Abraham in
Genesis 18:14 :

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.


Our little grandson is doing very well. His nurse has warned us that the baby’s progress can go up and down as he stays in the hospital. We continue to rely on the Lord to have our little baby in the palm of his hand.

We continue to be thankful for the prayers of our family and friends throughout the world.

Love

Chapel

St. Lukes Hospital

We’ve had a bit of a family crisis. It’s actually a bit hard to write about. Our little grand baby has decided that it wants to be born much earlier than it should be. For now, our little baby is staying put and we are thankful to God for every day that it does so.

We’re thankful for the group of Christian believers that have surrounded our little family in prayer. What started as a quick text message to two of our friends asking for prayer for this little baby has blossomed to a prayer chain that spans oceans and continents. Pastors and church members are praying for our little baby, without knowing who we are, but knowing that fellow believers are in need of support. We read, in Galatians 2:6:

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

And Romans 12:10-13 encourages us to:

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

We thank those who are carrying our burdens in prayer and demonstrating their brotherly love. We pray that the Lord will help our little baby remain in place until the time He has appointed for its birth. We pray that the Lord will have his healing hand continually on my sweet little daughter-in-law as well.

The Wreck Of the Peter Iredale

We spent last weekend in Astoria where we had the opportunity to visit the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale. The Peter Iredale was a ship, 278 feet in length made steel plates on iron frames. The ship was named after its owner Peter Iredale, who owned several ships. The Peter Iredale had the homeport of Liverpool England. The Peter Iredale had sailed to Salina Cruz, Mexico and had been at sea 28 days with the next destination of the Columbia River, where it was suppose to pick up a load of wheat. On October 25, 1906, the ship’s captain H. Lawrence had sighted the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse around 2 a. m. and made the decision to wait for a pilot boat to lead them through the treacherous water of the mouth of the Columbia River. While waiting for the pilot boat, a heavy southwest wind came up, catching the ship and pushing it up on to Clatsop Beach. Luckily, no lives were lost. The locals were able to rescue everyone.
Acts 27:27-43 tells us of another shipwreck where all hands were saved. Paul had been put on trial because a riot had ensued when some Jews from the Asia Province spotted Paul in the temple. These Jews had heard Paul’s message of Christ’s salvation and were angry with his lectures. Paul was arrested since he seemed to be the cause of the riot. A couple of trials took place and since Paul was a Roman citizen, he had the option to appeal to Caesar himself (Acts 25:11) and he took this option. Paul was put in the custody of Centurion Julius of the Imperial Regiment who booked passage for them on a ship setting sail for Rome.
The ship caught a south wind and as they passed along the shore of the island of Crete, a northeaster blew off of the island with a hurricane force. The storm raged for fourteen days, blowing them across the Adriatic Sea. The sailors spotted the island of Malta with a smooth sandy beach and thought they would run the ship onto the soft sand. Before the ship reached the beach, it struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. All of the crew and passengers made it safely to shore. To add more pain to the dire situation, Paul was bitten by a poison snake but God spared his life.
While on the surface Paul’s situations seemed to be working against him, God used these situations to witness to the islanders. God used Paul to heal the father of Publius’, who was the chief official of the island. Once the news of what happened spread, the rest of the island’s who were ill came to Paul and were cured.
Our lives can be filled with shipwrecks of broken relationships, lost jobs, illness, death of loved ones and the list goes on. Just as with Paul’s situations, God can use the tragedies of life to speak to the people around us.
Earlier in our marriage, we lost a baby. One of my co-workers was amazed that my wife and I were able to work through our grief and it gave me an opportunity to talk with her about our assurance that our baby was with Christ in heaven. Years later my co-worker phoned and told me that she’d accepted Christ as her savior and knew I’d be happy for her. A few years later I lost my brother in helicopter accident. My son and I were able to talk about my brother’s faith and in turn my son put his faith in the Lord.
While no one wants to go through these trials and suffering and the grief we feel cannot be minimized, my hope is that we can find solace in knowing that God can use all things to draw others to him.

Celebrating Our Labor

Labor Day, a sign that summer is drawing to a close. The holiday was first celebrated in New York on September 5, 1882, in recognition of the laborers' contribution to society. In 1894, Congress passed a bill to make the day a national holiday. The writer of Ecclesiastes celebrates the labors of man as well , with the following words:

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:9-10

We are to find satisfaction in the work that God’s given us and we’re to do it with all of our might.

Happy Labor Day.

Faith Of Our Fathers

As I wrote in my August 2nd post, I have taken up some of my genealogical research again. I actually ran across a very, very distant relative who had some information on my family that spanned 5 previous generations. She asked that I check the family Bible for some information on my branch of our shared branch. While looking through the Bible, I came across a letter I’d not read for a long period of time and had actually forgotten was in the Bible. The letter was from my Great Great grandfather to his daughter, my great grandmother. It appears that my Great Great Grandmother had moved some distance away from him and she wasn’t able to see him often. I thought I post this beautiful letter written by Benjamin Franklin Layton. As you’ll read in the letter, he’s reached the end of his life and is in a great deal of pain. He’s bedridden for the most part and has a great deal of time to augment his letter with artwork and block letters resemble the Castellar font. Rather than writing the word “Cross” he’s drawn the cross and he has inserted a Bible and other books in various parts of the letter.

Stratford Dec. 30th, 1896

Dear Children: I feel as though it was my duty to write you a few lines. I hope when you receive them, you all will be well. We are usually well. Your mother suffers a great amount from overwork. My sickness has added a great deal more. The boys are busy about their work, and plenty of mud. My condition is on the decline very fast; I realise it very much and can hardly bear my weight on my feet. I keep my bed, and am very tired of it. O’ how sweet to pass away from this sufferings, and be forever at rest. My assurance has been my light. I see nothing now in death but the beginning of real life. No dread of an angry judge , but a sweet rest and peace which is of God.

New Year’s Day 1897.

The (cross) should be in view. Our faith must rest in him the victim of our sins. A large percent of mankind doubt and will not believe. But I do know the manifestation of himself to me, has satisfied, and is a reality. My peace is secure. I hope dear children, you will be ready at anytime you are called and not fail. Do meet me there. We never part again. Remember it is an eternity. This is New Year day, and I am feeling quite comfortable today. Jan 5th “/97. Since I began this letter I have suffered a great amount of pain. I am happy in soul, a feeling of readiness to go or stay as God sees fit. All the care for my comfort is manifested, I could ask for. All is done that can be done. I love my family, and I wish I could see all of them every week. I can hardly realise now that you was here last fall. Oh if it were possible to see you all again.

Grandfather Layton had a strong faith in Christ and an enviable peace in his heart as his life on this earth draws to a close. He died the following month, February 10, 1897, in Stratford, Hamilton County, Iowa. I feel a strong spiritual connection, through my faith in Christ, to this grandfather I’ve never met. In his New Year’s Day letter, he writes, “I hope dear children, you will be ready at anytime you are called and not fail.” Subsequent generations would drift slightly away from the Lord, but in his grace, the Father would draw them back and into the faith. His granddaughter, my grandmother, accepted Christ on her deathbed, and received the “Assurance” Grandfather Layton writes of in his December 30th letter. Attending church and Bible study were not encouraged or discourage in my mother’s family and yet, my mother, his great granddaughter, accepted Christ as a young girl, after she started attending church at the invitation of a classmate. I had the blessing of knowing Christ through my mother’s teaching and prayers. The Bible tells us that we do not teach our children the ways of our Lord in vain:

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. ~ Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD. ~ Psalm 34:11

I had fellow believers share their despair that their children have drifted away from their faith in Christ. To them I would offer the following encouragement, never give up, continue to pray for them, asking the Lord to continually called to their children and seek them out, draw them near, and encourage their hearts to return to him.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Picnic In The Park

Our church had our annual picnic last Sunday. There were plenty of activities for all ages. There were jump houses, games and face painting for the kids, & a concert featuring Jeff Anderson and Esterlyn in the Julia Davis Park Band Shell.

One of the highlights of the picnic is the water baptism that was conducted in the Boise River. The river banks were lined with hundreds of people, those who are being baptized and those who were there to support and cheer them on. Baptism is an outward sign of a decision that is made in the heart, a decision to accept the gift of salvation that Christ has offered to each one of us.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:3-5

Baptism is a picture of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Into the water is death & burial and coming out of the water represents Christ’s resurrection new body and new life.


You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28

Carpenter's Cross Ministries - 20 Years

The sign in the front of the chapel read “Congratulations”, and congratulations were definitely due. In 1987 God launched the next step in his plan for the world. He decided to send a clown to tell his children around the world of his love for them and his desire to save them. Sometimes this clown would wear a red wig, blue overalls and make up, sometimes not. 20 years ago Sue Carpenter accepted his call and left the security of her home, family and position as a Children’s Pastor to trek out into the unknown. She gave the name of Carpenter’s Cross Ministries to this work.

Since that time, God has sent Sue to many nations; Belarus, Cambodia, India, Australia, Mexico, to name a few, to teach the children, and children’s workers about God’s love, & Christ Salvation. Sometimes Sue has slept on dirt floors, sometimes soft beds, sometimes those beds included spiders. Throughout her travels the message God has given her to share is always the same, God loves you, Christ died for you, make him a part of your life, and accept the gift that has been offered to you.

As the work became greater, God sent Carolyn Boyd to help her with this work. Together they’ve spread God’s love and his message throughout the world. Sue and Carolyn remind me of another great missionary pair.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2&3

Many times throughout the past 20 years, Sue and Carolyn have been sent off to do the work that God has called them to do. Congratulations to Carpenter’s Cross Ministries for the impact and blessings you given the children of the world. May the next 20 years be filled with many more blessings and success.

The Acorn Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

We spent last weekend at a family reunion. It was nice to see family members who I’d not seen in a while and in some cases I’d never actually met. This was my grandma’s family and she used to go into great detail on the coming and going of her clan. This meant I knew all of the names, but not necessary the faces. My aunt is very into family history and I must admit that I’ve also some researching of the family tree; Any Stuarts or Laytons out there? My interest stems more from my love of history. History seems to come more to life for me when I connect my ancestors into it. That earthly lineage provides a connection for me that spans the centuries.

We also have a spiritual lineage that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:4-6 tells us:


In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

In love, God has adopted us through his grace, through his Son. This glorious gift is “freely given” to all us. Thanks you God, for this wonderful gift.

Spiritual Lawn Care

As I pulled into the driveway and looked across our front lawn, I thought wow, where did all of those weeds come from. Just before heading off toRoyal Family Kids’ Camp, I remember seeing a couple of weeds and thinking I really need to get some weed killer on the lawn when I get back. And before I know it, Crab grass has practically taken over. I headed off to the local garden center to see what they had in the way of remedies. The lawn expert there said that I had to spray the weeds individually or risk damaging the lawn.

Spraying the weeds individually definitely gives time to think about things. The weeds in my lawn reminded me of the weeds that can spring up in our spiritual life. Just as reluctance in maintaining the weeding and feeding of my lawn can result in weeds springing up everywhere, a reluctance to weed and feed, through self examination, Bible studying, and prayer, my spiritual life can develop sins that spring up in my life. Nothing that is really noticeable, but things like the pride of being offended by someone at work, talking about someone, or not reaching out to someone in Christian love, are weeds that certainly can spring up without my noticing them.

To combat the weeds in our spiritual life, Jude tells us, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20

Going To Camp

Wow, my last entry was June 9th, that’s been quite a while. The rest of June was extremely busy. We were changing our business model at the company for which I work, which spawned a lot of late nights and weekend work. I also was getting ready for Royal Family Kids’ Camp, which is an organization that provides a positive camping experience for children who are in the care of the state and may not have had many positive experiences in their lives. I have the privilege of working with another musician Jenn, to provide the music for the camp and to participate in the drama, as well as other camp logistical things such as transporting campers to and from the lake, etc. I can highly recommend this experience and guarantee you that you will not leave camp the same person.
If you’re interested in learning more about this organization and how you can possibly help, you can go to the RFKC Boise web site for information on the camp offered in Southwest Idaho, or to our parent organization, Royal Family Kids’ Camp Inc. If you’d like to see a summary of the this year’s camp. Check out the RFKC Boise Blog, by clicking here.




The RFKC Boise actors for the camp drama.
I am the second pirate from the left on the back row.



We read in the New Testiment:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress ... James 1:27

I humbly thank God for the opportunity to serve at this camp.

IPOD Add For June

The latest add to my IPod is the song I Need You, by The Swift. The melody is simple and yet beautiful, however the words make the impact of this song. The lyrics of I Need You are written below:

My heart is restless in me
My wings are all worn out
I'm walking in the wilderness
And I cannot get outI need
You, Oh, I need
YouBlessed Savior come
I need You, Oh, I need
YouFill the every longing in my soul
-------------------------------------

Chorus

Oh, how I need You, Lord

I need Your perfect Word

With tearful eyes to see

The sin that I afford

I need to weep and prayer

For all the thousand ways

That I have failed

------------------------------------

You just today

My bed is soaked with sadness

My sadness has no end

A downward spiral of despair

That I keep falling in

I need You, Oh, I need You

To You my soul shall fly

I need You, Oh,

I need You

Yaweh, how I love

You more than life

--------------------

CHORUS

Your silence is like death to me

So won't You hear my desperate plea

--------------------

Today my soul is soaring

Way over mountains high

Though I can see the valleys

They're all just passing by

It's not that I am stronger

Look at my feeble wings

But I've been lifted higher

Yaweh's lifted me in

His own strength

--------------------

Oh, how I love You, LordI love

Your perfect Word

With tearful eyes to see

The God who always will endure

Now I will celebrate

For all the thousand ways

That You have shown me grace

And made my heart in grace to stay

You've made my heart in grace to stay

Lord, make my heart in grace to stay

--------------------

I need You, Oh, I need You

I think these words speak so deeply to me because they reflect the sorrowful status of us as man (or woman) living in a world affected by the original fall of man, first described in Genesis 3 Paul writes in Romans 7:15

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

It’s this recognition that we’re not worthy to approach God and our faith in Christ is the only thing that allows us to be acceptable to God. As the chorus of the songs says,

Oh, how I need You, LordI need Your perfect WordWith tearful eyes to see The sin that I affordI need to weep and prayerFor all the thousand waysThat I have failed You just today

If you want to hear the song I Need You, click the link http://www.purevolume.com/theswift and click the words I Need You which will start the song.

Pomp & Circumstance

This last weekend was an eventful one. My daughter has been studying at Calvary Chapel Bible College and has attained her Theology Degree. Although she’s spent the last two semesters in York, England, we traveled to the main campus in Murrieta, California, where she spent her first year, to attend the graduation ceremony. The other big event was my daughter turned twenty, no longer a teenager. Two more milestones that say she’s heading out on a life of her own. I told her that she was supposed to stay four years old and not grow up on me. She laughed, probably not realizing that I meant it.

Part of the anxiety of my little girl growing up is she’ll be striking out on her own soon. It’s hard to let go of her and put her completely in God’s hands. I’m one of those fathers that would sit up and wait for her, when she was out with her friends, until she got home, regardless of the time. Just for the record, I’m not any better regarding my son. A married man of 24, in my mind he’s all of five years old. It’s been difficult to let go knowing that he and his wife need to strike out on their own.

I’m really going to have to put I Peter 5:7 to the test. You know the passage:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Solomon writes in I Psalm 127:3 that children are a reward from the Lord. I thank the Lord for rewarding me with such wonderful children. A reward that lives on regardless of age.