Access

     I sat down in the crowded auditorium where the local Christian high school graduation was taking place. Doing my best to stay awake through it all, my attention like many in the room, was now being focused on the special speaker.What stood out to me that day was just how tall this man was from a small town called Hope. He had just won re-election as Governor after being beaten once before. Though I had not voted for him in the election, I was still impressed by his ability to communicate to the people in the room. He had a way to make you feel as though he were talking to you and to you alone. Looking around the room I saw a few state troopers who were there to watch over him. After the ceremony many would have the honor of visiting and shaking his hand. Like many, little did I realize, that Bill Clinton would one day be the President of the Untied States.

     Flash forward several years later. Julie and I were now living in Grand Junction Colorado. We had been invited to a special event down at the local courthouse. It was such a beautiful day in that part of the country. The sun was shining so brightly and there was such a clean smell in the air. President George Bush Sr. was now in town after we had just won the first Gulf War. What stood out to us that day, was the huge amount of security that had now come into our part of the world. We had to go through a screening process. On top of some of the local buildings by the courthouse, men stood with weapons and walkie- talkies. State troopers were all around the courthouse and among us. When President Bush came out upon the steps, the crowd went wild with applause. After he had spoken, he reached out to many, to visit and shake their hands. What an honor to have been in the presence of our President.

     I feel blessed as an American to have had the opportunity to  be in the presence of two Presidents. It is an honor no matter what our political persuasion is to be able to meet with our leaders. With all of that being said though, I am also reminded of the limited access that we have. These leaders do not know me personally and the possibility of them coming to have a cup of tea with me, is somewhere in the realm of ZILCH, NADA no NEVER. This is not said with disrespect, (although it would be cool if they came on by and said Hi) these men do not have any type of relationship with me. I might be able to shake their hand or visit with them for a moment, but the conversation will never be deep or long.

     When I reflect upon my lack of access to these men I am reminded of the following incredible truth. We can enter into the presence of the King of Kings. Think about this for a moment. The one who created the stars, the moon and even these men, gives me access into His presence. When Moses looked upon his backside, his face shone with the glory of God so much he had to wear a veil. When Isaiah saw Him he cried out, "Woe is me for I am undone." The apostle John had walked with Him for over three years, yet when he saw Him in heaven he fell at his feet as though he were dead. I am even more vile then they were and yet He tells me to draw nigh into His presence.

     In the Old Testament the temple represented to the people the very presence of God here on earth. They were to treat it with the greatest of all respect. A veil was placed between the Holy place and what was called the Holy of Hollies. No man could come into this room other then the High Priest. The access was limited because of His holiness. Through Christ death though, that veil has been torn, so that we may enter in. We who do not deserve to even be near Him, have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. I am now allowed to enter in and fellowship with the God of the universe.

     This is why prayer is so special to all of us. When you and I pray, we are entering past the veil. We are not talking to a mere human being but the God who loves us. Here is the best part of all, He knows me in a personal way. Warts and all He loves me and wants me to talk to Him. There are no guards around Him. I do not have to be, "In the loop." He wants me as lowly as I am, to come into His presence and reveal all of my secrets, my failures, my hopes, my request and my dreams and lay them at His feet.

     We have been invited not to see a President but to bow before the King of all Kings. I have a relationship with Him as a Son. I have access to His throne room and as a believer so do you.

Because of death upon a tree

     I woke up this morning overwhelmed by the love and mercy of God towards me. I thought of how often I fail when trials come and yet how He has never forsaken me once. I will never comprehend or fully understand His unfailing love. I wrote these words knowing that although I may not always be faithful to Him, He will always be faithful to me.

Will I walk with you through the darkest night?
 Will I speak you name when others take flight?
  What will I do when all the flames grow high?
    What shall I do if I were given a chance to hide?

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins are no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree.

Will I stand even when my family tells me no?
 Will I walk through the valley, fight against the foe?
   What will I do when they mock and spit in your face?
    What shall I do when I run towards you in this race?

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins are no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree.

You promised that you would always stand beside me,
 You promised me a Heaven that one day my eyes will see,
  You said that you would never deny me, as you plead for me,
    Your grace is freely given because of death upon a tree.

How could I forget you and the scars on your back?
 Agony, you suffered as my sins were no longer tracked,
  Love, that was spilt while you bled and died for me,
   Grace, freely given because of death upon a tree,
     Oh, your sweet grace, was freely given because of death upon a tree.

How I long for these days. :)

Two Girls

     Walking into the front room tonight I gazed at our Christmas tree for the last time. I noticed also my two girls, keeping up with one of their traditions that they have kept for years. You see, on the night before Christmas, as well as the night before we put up our Christmas stuff. they sleep on the sofas in the front room before the tree.

     They have done this for a long time. I remember a day when they were so little that they would both only take up one sofa. Tonight is not such a night, as each one pretty well takes up one sofa. They are growing up so quickly.

     I know that I don't have many more days like this. I watched over them for a few minutes. I was reminded of how time has flown by as we start this new year. I have seen their births, first steps, grade school, junior high, high school and even the oldest finishing her first semester of college. (OK don't worry I am not going to sing Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof. My sweet girls would kill me on the spot.)

     The point is, I have watched them. I have seen them fall. The girls have done wrong. The girls have even fought with each other for no reason at all. Hurtful words have gone forth and a thousand other things. Then, there are those moments you live for as a parent. I have seen them share and care for others. As a Dad, I have never been prouder of them then when they have taken stands for the Lord. I have also tried to be there for them when those stands have even cost them their friends. I want to hold them and care for them even more.

     Looking at them on the sofas, like a lot of Fathers, I dread seeing them get older. The Lord knows that I don't want to let them go away. Like you, I have seen the world and sometimes how cruel it can be. The other side of the story as strange as it sounds, I want them to go. They are no longer girls but young women of God. I get excited when I hear about their dreams. I want them to make an impact on the world for Jesus. I want them to mature, fall in love and be all that the Lord wants them to be.

     As a father, I have purposed in my heart to root for them. I will always love them no matter where they go, or even what they will do. They are Julie's and my life. They are our greatest joy. I am willing to talk to anyone about them at any time. No matter how old they get they will always be my two girls.

     By now, you have probably figured out where I am going with all of this. You see, we have a Father who has always been looking over us. We were not His children at first. We were born into an entirely different family. Our first father hated us, abused us, mocked us and made us into slaves. The incredible part though is we loved him and gave ourselves totally to him, We hated this other Father who looked upon us with love.

     Amazingly as it sounds the Father still cried out for us. He called us and when we received Him, we were adopted into His family. We are now no longer children of Hell but children of God. He is with us and has seen us grow up before Him. He has seen our first steps, seen our infancy, seen us through our rebellions and even when we fall. Yet, through all of this He still loves us.

     He is crazy about us as His children. What joy it brings to Him when He sees us take our stands. What a blast to hear Him say, "Well done." He rejoices over us with singing. He prepares our meals before us. He guides us and is rooting for us in Heaven to finish the race well.

     I know that I am not a perfect father. OK, there are times I am not even a good father. I mess up, become selfish, sin and blow it with my girls. Yet, the beauty of it all is that these two young women of God do have a perfect Father. He will always do what is right for them. He will always cherish them. They can always put their hands into His hand and know that He will take care of them.

Hadassah and Hannah

Shepherd

Out in the darkness there these men stood,
Just simple men who had work to do,
Little did they know they would be the first ones,
To tell the world the King of Kings has come.

Run, Run, Shepherd Run
From out of the darkness into the sun,
Go, tell the world, that He has come,
Run, Run, Shepherd Run.

Out of nowhere light exploded in the sky,
Filled with fear as His glory came down,
The angel spoke and said, "Fear not."
"Good news I bring about a baby boy."

Run, Run , Shepherd Run
From out of the darkness into the sun,
Go, tell the world that He has come,
Run, Run Shepherd Run.

In Bethlehem  a Savior had been born,
This was the one who is Christ the Lord,
Wrapped in cloths lying in a manger,
The angels with great joy sang to them,

Run, Run, Shepherd Run
From out of the darkness into the sun,
Go, tell the world that He has come,
Run, Run Shepherd Run.

To Bethlehem these men ran,
 Looking into the very face of God,
There was only one thing for them to do,
They had to go tell the world that He had come.

Run, Run, Shepherd Run
From out of the darkness into the SON,
Go, tell the world that He has come,
Run, Run Shepherd Run

The beauty of the sunset at Twin Peaks.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Hold my hand

 Trust. Father it seems like I struggle so much with that issue. I so often forget what you have done for us in the past and cringe at my disbelief. When I respond in this way, I act like I don't even know you. I see a disfigured God of my own making. You, on the other hand, want me to take your hand, like a Father to His child. Yet, I will turn and walk away.

 Meanwhile, you tell me that you are my Father, a good shepherd, a friend, my comforter, my rock, my refuge, my promise, my hope, my way, my truth, my life, my creator, my guide, my light, my joy, the lover of my soul, the Holy One, my deliverer.

 How often I forget that you are faithful and that you only want what is good for my family and for my walk. I get selfish in this relationship of you and me. I only see me and the trials that I am going through. How often I need to be reminded that it is not about me but about you.

 Like a child help me to see that I have no control and that I need to take your hand and to trust you as my Father. Help me to not forget that it was you that took my feet from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock.

 I so often see the storms and their power forgetting that nothing takes place or is allowed without you seeing it all. I maybe in the boat with the flooding waters and the noises that surround me. You, though are still in control of it all with just three simple words at your disposal. Peace be still.

 I am reminded of the old song. " I can't even walk without you holding my hand. The mountains to high and the valley's too wide. Down on my knees, I've learned to stand. But I can't even walk without you holding my hand."

 I take your hand, unworthy as I am and cry out to you. I believe, help my unbelief. Lord I do want to trust you more. Help me to see all of who you are, and in the midst of it all, to see you more, as I hold your hand.

Shout outs, praises and prayers

Hard to believe that we are now 8 days from Christmas and just a little over 2 weeks from 2011. So as I am pondering on the events of this year and looking forward to the one just around the corner. Here are some shout outs to some things that I really enjoyed this year.

1. The new ESV MacArthur Study Bible. What can I say? I love the ESV version because of the translation work and its readability. What a blast to have MacArthur's notes and his fine scholarship with keeping the verses in context. (Then to top it all off you have the layout, the fonts and even the beyond cool blue chapter numbers. Hey, the little things are important!) Seriously though, this study Bible will help any serious student of the Word to get more out of his Bible.
2. A great book for preteens, teens and even old dogs like me is The Action Bible. No it is not a new translation but rather a walk through some of the greatest Bible stories in both the Old and New Testament. It was written and illustrated by a Word of Life graduate named Sergio Cariello. Sergio apparently had worked for Marvel and D.C. Comics and it shows in this beautifully illustrated book. If you have a child who loves comics and you want them to get into the Word. Buy this book up and start reading to them.
3. I think my favorite CD this year was put out by above all people, Aaron Neville. The CD is called," I Know I've Been Changed." As far as I know this is Aaron's third "Christian" CD and by far  his very best. The album has some great Christian spirituals and Hymns on it.  This is how Gospel music should be sung. From a Christian pop perspective Addison Road's, "Stories," is a true delight with its hooks and harmony. For the old schoolers this year, it was hard to beat, Third Day's, "Move" as they went back to their southern roots. Still yet, I am also going to shout out from last year the CD, "God and a Girl," by Joy Whitlock. Her lyrics are scorching in dealing with our walks and her voice is one of the true finds of the last decade in Christian music. I have brought her up once before, but trust me, she is just that original and just that great. What a voice!
4. Last year my wife for Christmas, bought me 2 great Bible study helps. For someone who wants to know Biblical background of a passage pick up Zondervan Bible Background Commentary by Arnold. Easy reading and great in dealing with history and customs. Of course, it was also great, to get one of my favorite guys of all time, Warren Wiersbe's complete Exposition Commentary. The thing that I will love about Warren more then anything is how he can explain to anyone the deep spiritual truths of scripture.

There were lots of things to praise the Lord about this year.

• My daughter Hannah and her graduation and seeing her finishing up her first semester at our local community college. She has been a good testimony at her school as well as at work.
• Hadassah, who is halfway through her sophomore year. I am beginning to see her concern for the lost as well as a heart for her saved friends to walk with the Lord.
• Julie, the rock. For those of you who know me and her you understand that statement. I am still amazed after all of these years that she would even put up with me. (Even when we fuss, she still loves me.) She has been for all of us, the one who  keeps us going when we do not want to carry on.
• Some of our closest friends who we know are still praying for us after all of these years. We can never repay your kindness.
• Our church family here at Reeves who still minister to us in so many gracious ways.
• For our mothers who are still faithful to the Lord after all these years and for God allowing my mother-in-law the joy of a new husband.

In this upcoming year we need your prayers in so many ways.

1. Pray for us, that God might lead us to the church, that we will best fit in as a pastor and family. We are still looking and praying for his guidance in this area. Pray for our willingness to heed to His voice and direction.
2. Pray for us, as we continue to serve here in Reeves. Our church has been so kind to us, in allowing us to continue, to minister in this wonderful work. We want not only to be faithful but fruitful in this vineyard.
3. Pray for Hannah as she is now considering going to Frontier School of the Bible during the fall semester.
4. Two things that I have been impressed upon by the Lord is the need for Revival not only in our ministry but even in our own lives. I want to see revival in the lives of others around me but first of all I need and want it in my own life.  Secondly, the Lord continues to burden me to learn and grow in the area of prayer.

I know this was a different kind of blog then normal but I wanted to be able to share with you some of the joys and burdens of our heart. If you would please leave a comment every once in awhile as we would love to hear from any of you. We appreciate your prayers for us. May the Lord continue to draw us near to Him and may we look forward to His great appearing.



Julie and I died during these pictures. Everytime the photographer told us to look into each other's eyes we cracked up!!



This little Light of Mine

Childhood songs seem to stick with us for a lifetime. We don’t forget simple songs that helped us understand basic truths about God and life. I am still reminded of Miss Peggy or Miss Elsie teaching us Bible songs at my grade school and in my Sunday School classrooms at Gravette Bible. The one that still stands out to me after all these years will always be This Little Light of Mine. As simple as that song stands out to me I am still reminded of the challenge to my Christian walk that it is to me daily.

There are those days when I don’t feel like letting it shine or I might even try to hide it but like Jeremiah it burns within me and I have to shine it forth. How I truly love him and despite the mess that I make of me at times, I have to shout out His name.

When I think of the word light  I am also reminded of the Light of the World who we represent. One of my favorite passages in the book of Isaiah is found in Is. 8:19-9:7 Israel had fallen upon hard times due to their sin. The nation that had once seen the Shekinah glory now walked in darkness. Israel now inquired of mediums and necromancers who chirped and muttered talking to the dead for guidance. They no longer looked to the teachings of God and no longer had the dawn of light upon them. Looking for help from the earth they were now thrust into thick darkness.

I don’t know about you but a light in the darkness is sometimes the thing that I need the most. I get lost or I stumble along the way to my destination. I need some guidance and I need some help. I cry out in the darkness unsure, lost and sometimes a feeling of hopelessness creeps into my heart. I fear the gloom that covers me.

I love Is. 9:2 which tells me that, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined.” Like the land of Israel I have come out of the darkness into the light that shines. No longer blind, we as believers now walk in the glorious light of Christ.
The light has come into the world to offer us hope. How? Is. 9:6 says it best, “ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus has come brothers and sisters, this one who is called the Light of the World. John 3:19, John 8:12 and John 12:36 He is the light of the world that shines through the darkness. This child in Isaiah was not just some simple child but he is also the Mighty God and Prince of Peace.

As a followers of the Lamb and the Light of the world he now calls me to shine forth to this  world his life to all. We are to walk as children of light. Eph. 5:8  We are to be, “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Phil. 2:15

So during this blessed season, may we show forth to this world that is covered in darkness, the light of Christ in our life. We are the ones who are called to bring them hope. Just keep in your mind the following words…

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”