Beautiful but dangerous

On monday & tuesday this week I spent time in the mountains in Wyoming with my dad Elk hunting. We had a great time in some beautiful back country. We started out at about 6300 feet and climbed to around 8000 feet. The sheer beauty of this landscape blows me away. It is something that I realized I took for granted as a kid growing up in Wyoming. I continue to realize the beauty of this part of the country and acknowledge the greatness of the creator who created it. While the beauty continues to overwhelem me, I also realize just how dangerous this part of the country is. The treacherous terrain, the elevation and the various wildlife that inhabit this area make it a place you never want to get lost in or hurt in.

This beautiful yet dangerous thought reminds me of what the world is really like. Beyond just the creation of the wilderness areas, the thought of this world is both beautiful and dangerous. Beautiful in the fact that God has created each and everything, but the dangers behind everything still exist. That is why God called us to reach out to those who are trapped in this beautifully dangerous world. We hvae the opportunity and are the chosen method to preach the gospel of love. Think of how God created such a wonderful masterpiece and yet He still loves and cares for people in a deeper more intimate matter. God's passion and desire for us as individuals is so strong that His sacrifice of His son was the perfect and final sacrifice given to offer hope in the face of danger to offer strength in the midst of weakness, all of which come in Christ.

I pray that I live the rest of my life aware of the beauty and excited to face the danger God has called me to face to show the llove of Christ to others.

You might be a redneck if...

Went to WNT at the Refuge on wednesday and shot a deer from the back porch. All I can think of now is how some will respond. "I went to youth group and our youth pastor shot a deer." someone then asks, " was he going to use it as a sacrifice?" another might say, " you might be a redneck if you go to youth group and help your youth pastor gut his deer." either way I am sure the stories are endless. We start vacation today.

Advent Conspiracy

Check out this video, that will challenge your money spending ability this year.



WOW! Can you believe it Christmas is right around the corner. The chaos of shopping and dealing with people who are grouchy because they can't find the gift that is going to bring significance and happiness to their loved ones life. What if Christmas stopped being about buying things that our consumer driven culture tells us to and actually meant giving gifts of significance to people who were really in need?

Every year now I am asked to send out my Christmas list. This is something I have been doing for years. I remember back in the day when I would get all the catalogs out and go through them to make a Christmas list that was going to bring excitement and joy to me on Christmas Day. What I have found over the years is a degree of selfishness and want. As the Christmas season is upon us, I want you to think about how you could make a difference in the life of someone who needs more than a material possession but has a need for something significant.

Inner Life

Today I went to the Lead Now conference at church and Todd Phillips spoke on investing in the inner life. I began to realize that my biggest struggle is that I don't invest in my life as I should. I don't spend the time I should investing my life in prayer, solitude and time with God. Not to say I don;t do these things, but to say that I don't invest enough time in these things.

I often find myself easily distracted with tasks and various ministries which are good and misss the best thing there is. My relationship with God. God strengthen me as I focus on my Inner Life.

Kids say the darndest things

TOnight we were putting Ethan to bed and just like every night we pray together as a family. Ethan started praying and said "dear God thank you for mommy and daddy and brooklyn," then he stopped. There was a long moment of silence and then Sarah said "talk to God." Ethan being the hilarious and really smart son said "one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

OF course I just crack up laughing and all I can think about is Christmas Vacation when Grandma is asked to pray and stands up and says the Pledge of Allegiance. This was one of the funniest things I have heard in a long time. I have been completely blessed with a great family that always keeps me entertained. I'm sure God is getting a good laugh as well.

Crazy Day

WOW! You never realize how much someone does till they are gone. Sarah was at the Bloom girls weekend retreat last night and today, so I was in charge of the kids. TOgether we do great, but when she is gone, I feel exhausted just trying to keep up with Ethan & Brooklyn. I continue to have more understanding and respect for all that Sarah does and realize that we work great together as a team. Thank you Jesus for a loving wife who is committed to yuo and love me.

modern technology

so I thought I would update the blog using my new phone. Who would've thought this would be possible?

How can we use technology or how do you use tech to communicate the gospel to those who have never heard of Christ? I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts.