HORSING AROUND!

This past weekend I went to my brother's house for a little country "get-a-way" time. I left Sunday afternoon (after a short nap) and got to Rod's house around 4:00. We lazied around for a little while and then decided it was time to make something to eat. We were the only ones around because the rest of his family was out and about doing other things. So, we fired up the grill, grabbed a couple steaks, a little deer burger, and found some fish and taters. You know, a good red-neck meal of meat and potatos. And yes, it was great.

We then decided to saddle up the horses and go for a ride down by the creek and surrounding area. His dog (which is as fat as a whale) decided to go along. We rode through a brome field and scared up a couple of does (female deer for you city folks). They are beautiful animals and are so graceful in their movement. We galloped the horses back across the field and turned back toward the creek. Of course the dog had to stop for a swim - crazy thing. We were walking along and I turned to Rod, "look over there in the grass". Lying there with his head turned the other way was a nice whitetail buck, its antlers still in the velvet. We slowly walked the horses closer to it until it could take it no longer and it bolted out of sight. I took a picture with my phone but it was too blurry. In the fall that buck may end up in my brother's freezer, we'll see.

We rode the horses a little farther into the trees only to scare up a big ole badger. He scurried off. Good thing the dog didn't see him. The badger would have won that battle. You don't want to make a badger mad.

We rode through the trees and along the ponds, up and down the hills enjoying the ride and the scenery. Other than a few mosquitos, it couldn't have been a better evening. Nothing like riding horses to leave some of the stuff of life behind, if only for a little while.

I don't know about you but life goes by too quickly. Here today, gone tomorrow. If you're not careful the moments to ride a horse, stop and look at deer, go down to the creek, or even grill a steak are gone. Personally I don't want to miss those moments when God meets me in the middle of His creation. For me, those moments are sacramental, meaning God's grace is present. And even though it was only for a few hours in the evening, it was a time for God to renew me and and refresh me. And for that I am grateful - even if it meant a little horsing around.

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.

R & R

ML and I are taking a couple of days to catch our breath following the move and all the transitional stuff. Taking time to "Be still and know that I am God" and time to spend with each other. Praying that God will direct our path as husband and wife, mom and dad, gramps and grammy, and ministers of the gospel.

Staying at a Bed and Breakfast owned by some friends of ours. Great place!

BLESSED BY GOD!

We had a great time this past Sunday through Tuesday as Rev. Steve Rankin led us in a time of renewal. (Note previous blog). God blessed us with His presence as we gathered together for three days to praise and worship Him. What was especially wonderful was the response of the kids who each night flooded the altar to pray. We are grateful for Steve's leadership and appreciate his willingness to be used by God while here in Leoti.



I believe Steve is trying to make a point, don't you? He made several points as he preached from Hebrews regarding reverent submission, from 2 Corinthians as it pertained to the old giving way to the new, from Matthew 8 as it related to the intentionality of Jesus to touch the untouchables and for us to do the same, and from Ephesians 2 - God's working through Jesus to bring about a new humanity. Great stuff.

Aimee and Heidi smiling as they prepare for the Tuesday evening service. Heidi sang on Monday night and did a wonderful job. She sang the song "In Christ Alone". Thanks Heidi.

Yep, here we are, Rankin, Just, and Just, together again. What a great time to play and sing and lead worship. Hope you all enjoyed it. Most of all I pray God blessed you in our time of worship. God honored our prayers for renewal. May we be intentional about staying renewed as we seek to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

RANKIN AND RENEWAL!

This coming Sunday, the Rev. Steve Rankin will be our guest as he challenges us to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and with each other. Steve comes to us from Winfield where he currently serves as a professor and campus minister at Southwestern College. He also is an ordained elder in the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is a what I call our "resident scholar" in the conference. At the last annual conference he was nominated as a candidate for bishop by our conference. The jurisdictional conference this summer will determine the outcome of that nomination.

Steve is a well learned, bright, articulate leader in our conference and has served in a variety of ways in churches, colleges, and seminaries. That all is fine and good but what I like about Steve is he is just a good ole boy who happens to love Jesus and wants others to experience that love too. Steve was a student pastor at my church in Aulne in 1984 where we hit it off as good friends. Little did I know that Steve was mentoring me during those years at Aulne ( I was a little dense - I thought we were just eating pizza together). To make a long story short, it is because of Steve Rankin that I went into ministry. So you can either blame him or thank him when you see him on Sunday.

Both of us have a heart for renewal (or revival as some folks would like to call it). Both of us have been called into ministry to help people move from the bad news that they seem to find themselves in, to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I am very excited that Steve is coming to lead 3 days of services for us here in Leoti. The schedule is as follows:

A prayer vigil all day Saturday from 6:00 am - 12:00 midnight. Call the office if you have not yet signed up to pray (30 minute time slots).

Sunday, March 9 - Steve will preach during morning worship
- A pizza party for all youth at 5:00 pm - (6-12th grade)
- Evening service at 7:00 pm

Monday, March 10 - Women's luncheon at 11:45 a.m.
- Evening service at 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 11 - Men's breakfast at 7:00 a.m.
- Evening potluck at 5:30 pm
- Evening service at 7:00 pm

There will be a children's time each service and a nursery will be provided.

I invite all who are able in this area to come to these special services. Even if you have to drive a ways, it will be worth it. But prior to the services I invite you to pray for God's Holy Spirit to prepare each and every heart of those who attend. Pray that God will tear down walls that are interfering with a right relationship with him. And pray that we will make ourselves available to what God wants to do in our lives as individuals and as a church. If we pray, God will move.

Hope to see all of you at church Sunday morning. God will not disappoint!