MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE!

Well, an unbelievable elk hunting trip in the Rockies. All five of us were successful. That never happens. We arrived on Thursday the 29th after fighting a snow storm from Limon to Denver. Some parts of Denver received between 20 -30 inches of snow. But we made it safely. There was snow where we hunted (and camped) and it was quite cold but it worked out great for the hunt. And the beauty of the mountains - God outdid Himself once again. It was indescribable. No wonder we sing "How Great Thou Art!"

Below are a few pics.

This was the view outside our tent each morning! How cool is that?

The crew - Tyrone, Mike, Dennis, Craig and me.


Craig cheesing it up laying on the hide of his bull elk. He shot his on Tuesday evening.

I had an antlerless license. I shot this cow at 7:45 am on Monday morning.

HIGHER GROUND!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2


Gearing up for a mountain top experience. Time with God, His creation, and good friends. Full report to follow. Blessings to you all!

STILL WALKING!

Just completed another Walk to Emmaus - Men's Walk #95 in Wichita. As always, God did His thing, opening the eyes of men who all of a sudden found themselves in the presence of the living Christ. And what a joy to be a part of another walk. From the send off on Thursday to the closing on Sunday, I was able to observe God's Spirit work in such a way to bring about healing, wholeness, and transformation in the lives of men of all ages.

Thanks to all who worked behind the scenes. Thanks to the sponsors of those who attended. Thanks to the team, both lay and clergy who showed what it meant to offer and live out God's unconditional love. Thanks to the community who showed the support as well as those who prayed throughout the weekend. And thanks for allowing me to be the community spiritual director. I am very appreciative to you and humbled by your support.

And now it's time for the women's walk #96 this weekend. You go girls!

De Colores!!

ALL ABOUT GOD!

These past few nights I have been speaking at a church in Newton - a time of renewal and restoration. What I've really enjoyed is the various methods and styles of worship that has taken place. Sunday night the praise team from Mulvane, Leap of Faith, led the time of musical worship. They did an awesome job leading us into the throne room of God. What a blessing!

Last night, a group (whom I've known for years - Bob and the boys) led worship. Their instruments included a keyboard, a lead guitar, a bass guitar, and 2 trumpets. Awesome music. Far different than Sunday night, but a blessing just the same.

Tonight, some of the members of the church where I am preaching will lead worship. Believe it or not, they are a bluegrass band. How cool is that? I will follow with a little music of my own on the guitar.

Tomorrow I will be speaking at Southwestern College and you can be sure a praise team from the college will lead us in worship. And the rest of the week I will be involved in the Walk to Emmaus in Wichita where yet another style of worship will lead us into the presence of God.

I say all this because it's all about God, not about us. And to experience God through a variety of means is so exciting to me because God is a big God who doesn't get worked up about style near as much as we do. His desire is that we worship him, that we focus on him, that our attention be given to the One who is worthy - God alone.

So, as I meander my way through this week, I find it an awesome time to be serving the Lord. And as much as I enjoy the worship that is taking place, I can only imagine how pleased God is when our focus is upon Him. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!

Monday Meanderings!

• Only 23 days til elk hunting - but who's counting?
• Fall - the best time of the year! Without question.
• Jesus is still Lord! No matter what "stuff" we face.
• Meetings, meetings, meetings................................
• In ministry, what if....money was no issue?
• Vision - a picture of the future that produces passion. So what's your passion?
• My family. #1 in my books!
• I've only got to see 1 high school fball game. Mulvane has only lost once. Not sure I have any more open Friday nights - how sad is that?
• 1 year older last Sunday - boy do I feel it!
• Victory in Jesus! Sorry devil, that's just the way it is.
• Christianity is personal but it is not private! Thus the need for the church.
• Get to see the kids and grandkids this Saturday -oh yeah!
• One of these days......................................................................

VIVE- AGAIN!

Currently setting in our room at a B&B in Hugoton. Preached the first of 3 nights at the UMC. A wonderful evening. Good turnout and good response at the invitation. God blessed our time together and I see no reason why He won't do the same the next 2 nights. Pray for me and the church here in Hugoton that God would "re-vive" (or bring life again) to His church. Much appreciated. Thanks!

The theme for the week - "I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, and God made it grow". (1 Cor. 3:6).

The 3 sermons - A call to maturity, A call to unity, A call to priority.

ONWARD!!

The devil is working overtime lately but here's the deal, "The grave is empty and the victory is in Jesus!" Time to put on the spiritual armor and get after it!




"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11.

GRANDBABY #4 ON THE WAY!!!!

Here we go again! Todd and Melissa gave us the green light to announce to all of you that we are going to be grandparents again. The big O (Owen) is going to be a big brother the end of April of next year. So what will this little one be - a boy or a girl? Remember, little Adelyn broke the string of Just boys. So will it happen again? What do you think?????

Owen having a laugh with gramps and grammy.

Adelyn content setting on grammy's lap.

What can you say???

We are so blessed! God is so good to have given us such great grandkids. And now another one in 2010 - can't wait!!

I WONDER....................

Yeah, it's kind of strange, but have you ever thought about the "rest of the story" when it comes to some of the Biblical characters or stories in Scripture? For example, I talked about Zaccheaus yesterday in Luke 19. I wonder:

• How much money did he return to those he ripped off? How did the poor respond to him when he gave them money?
• What was the first thing the blind man saw after Jesus gave him his sight? How did he know what it was?
• Did Peter ever attempt to walk on water again?
• How many people really think John the Baptist was a "Baptist". Was he an independent, North American, or Southern Baptist?
• What happened to Jesus' earthly father, Joseph? He kind of disappeared after Jesus was born?
• If Noah ever ate fish after his ordeal with the "whale"?
• If Adam and Eve ever sat down and asked, "What would have happened if we repented"?
• What Timothy would say was the greatest thing he learned from the apostle Paul?
• If God gets a kick out of people like me who ask these silly questions?

What are your questions??????????

HALLELUIA!!

As many of you recall, I spoke of the "what, where, why, how, and who" of praise this morning as found in Psalm 150. And how like God to bless us in all 3 of the services as we made it a priority to focus on Him by praising His name. What a wonderful morning as we experienced worship as both a noun and a verb.
Now here's my question for you. What leads you into the holy of holies? What enables you to praise the Lord? What inhibits you from doing so? What can be done in our worship service to better provide an atmosphere for praise and worship? If you are not from Mulvane, I'm curious how you would answer these questions in your setting. Just click the comment button and offer your thoughts. I'm interested in what you have to say.