EXPERIENCING GOD!

Tonight we begin a study focused on "Experiencing God:How to live the full adventure of knowing and doing God's will". Now once again I reference the questions of many:

What is God's will?

How do I know?

Can I know?

Does it matter?

Although knowing and doing God's will does not come as a result of this study (a relationship with Christ leads to that), I do believe that the next 12 weeks will help each one of us come to a better understanding of what God is doing and how we can enter into his plan. So, for those of you in the study, fasten your seatbelts. For those of you reading the book apart from the study, be serious about what you are reading, and for those of you struggling with knowing and doing God's will, why not be intentional about pursuing what it may mean for you? You just might find that God has something in store for you that only God himself can do.

MONDAY MEANDERINGS!!

"JUST" had to show a pic of the little grandson Owen who was at our house this past weekend!

Okay - a few thoughts to ponder:

• With all this wind we've been having it's no wonder so many of the early pioneer women comitted suicide. It's enough to drive you crazy!

• Go Cardinals! Go Kurt Warner! Wouldn't it be awesome if they won?

• JoAnne Seaton is how old???? Yikes!!!!!!

• Pray for me. I really need a secretary soon!

• I like the verse in Scripture that says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength". However, I've noticed a lot of Christians lately who look all worn out, seem stressed and full of anxiety. And their faces express no joy whatsoever. I think the Bible verse says it all - they have no strength, no get up and go, no initiative because they are attempting to find joy in everything but the Lord.

• Tomorrow is the presidential inauguration. Will we pray for Barak Obama or will we just gripe and complain? Time will tell, won't it??

• Tomorrow I also get some new glasses. They will do me little good if I don't put them on and open my eyes. (Do I sense some sermon illustrations)?

• Have a great week!

CRUISIN'

Well, we're back from the wedding and cruise. Returned late Saturday but I still feel like I'm on the water today - weave, weave, weave. I'm heading to Wichita for 3 days of meetings so I don't have much time to write but here are a few pics of the trip. Deeper thoughts next time.

ML and I the last night on the ship.

Kyle, Irwin (the waiter) and Matthew at dinner.

A Carribean sunset. Wow!

Overlooking Cozumel, Mexico.

On the Mississippi at New Orleans. Delta Dawn, what's that flower you've got on?

HAPPY 2009!!

This is my last blog for '08 (are you cheering)? Anyways, we are taking part in a destination wedding this weekend and won't be back until the 10th. My niece is getting married on a cruise ship and we are heading to Cozumel on Monday. So here's to you and yours for a most blessed 2009. God's blessings and see you next year!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

God bless you all this Christmas! - P.R.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

Just a reminder that you are invited to attend a special Christmas eve candlelight service at the church on the 24th. We will have 2 services - one at 6:30 pm and one at 11:00 pm. So if you are having a meal with your family during the early service, why not come out for the the late service? Likewise, if you have a family gathering that night, why not bring the family to the service at 6:30? Either way, we'd love to have you come out to celebrate the birth of our Lord on Christmas eve. Hope to see you Wednesday night.

WHAT IF......................?

What would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men?

They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Did a woman write this?

THUMBS UP!!

I'm not really a movie person - It's hard for me to sit still for that long - however M.L. and I went and saw the movie Fireproof last Saturday night and I would highly recommend it. My son Todd already blogged about it a few weeks back so I won't repeat his words. I will say that it addresses the struggles that husbands and wives have in their marriages and provides ways couples can "fireproof" their relationships. I will suggest that you go see it or order the dvd which will come out in the end of January. We will probably show it at church in the little theatre room. Check out the website to see the movie trailer at http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/.

Have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts? It's interesting to see what others are saying - both those who liked it and those who weren't interested in being "preached at". I'd like to know your opinion.

TUESDAY TEASERS!

As the month continues to fly by I thought I'd just throw out (or up) a few things for you to comment on. (I know, you are not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition). Some of these thoughts are based upon conversations I've had recently, and some, well they're just random.

• Why do we spend so much time decorating and making everything look so nice and pretty when Jesus was born in a cold, drab cave or cattle stall and placed in a feed trough?

• Is the shopping season really worth it when people are willing to trample a man to death just for a "good deal?"

• Personally, (and it's me) I can hardly stomach going into a store after coming back from Mexico. I don't need anything.

• I know this is controversial, but what do you think of "Calling in Gay" Day?

• Do you remember Santa's workshop on ABC in Wichita as a kid? Well, it's back. What I appreciated about it was "Santa" (Henry Harvey) always kept the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront of his show.

• Check out randomshirts.com and click on the turkey leg icon on the right side. Then see if you can find my son Todd standing on his head with a drumstick in his mouth. The first kid to tell me which column and how many rows down will get a prize from P.R.

• Little Brayden went to see Santa - was not a bit happy about it. If I get permission from his mom and dad to show the pic, I'll show you. It's priceless.

• Just a thought - If you look at it in the right light, how can there be any darkness?

See ya - PR

HERE COMES #3 (GRANDCHILD, THAT IS)

Well, the rumor is true, Andrea is with child and is due June 13, 2009. Little Brayden will be welcoming a little brother or sister into the family. What are your bets? A boy or a girl? Odds are it will be a boy. Either way, we just pray for a happy and healthy baby, just like the other two grandkids.

We had a blast with Brayden and Owen this past week. They are really taking on their own personalities. What a blessing they are to us.



Little Owen is really getting around, crawling here and there, pulling himself up on anything that will support him. He'll be walking in no time.

Brayden loves his toys and loves to show them off to us. He is walking and running all over the place, definitely keeping his mom and dad hopping. Wait til his little brother (or sister) is born - whew!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

After coming back from Mexico I can't help but count my many blessings. In fact, they are too many to count. In reality, I have all I need (a big difference from want). I have food, shelter, clothing, a house to live in, a wonderful family who loves the Lord, great friends and a wonderful church in which I am called to serve. For some reason I have been the recipient of God's grace and mercy - neither of which I deserve. Out of gratitude I offer my thanks to the Lord. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

ON TO SALTILLO!!

Our day was a little different today. We worked until about 1:00 and then left for Saltillo around 2:00. We went to a variety of stores downtown and then to the market followed by a big meal at a (yeah, you guessed it, a Mexican restaraunt). A great day! Leaving for Laredo in the morning. Will stay there over night and then back to Leoti on Saturday. See you then!!



Mary Lou at one of the first stores we visited in Saltillo - a Christian based store. I bought an awesome stole for my robe here.

The cathedral in Saltillo - an unbelievable old, beautiful, and ornate church.

Shad and Elmer putting the finishing touches on some shelves they made for one of the children's home.

Fletch and Matt gathering some hardware to wire (add an outlet to) the grass hut at the compound - electrifying!!

CASA HOGAR de le MONTANA - #3

Another good day - worked hard, digging trenches, running water lines, electric lines, painting, sealing house walls, visiting the village below the children's home, etc.. Heading to Saltillo tomorrow. Probably no blog. Maybe no more this week? Thanks for your prayers



One of the homes in the village where some of the women were selling some of their crafts.

A couple of the kids down in El Higo - the village. Happy, happy, happy!

Ryan and and Mary Lou working on the sewing machines. They finally figured them out and got them to work. Industrial strength. Power, power, power.

BUENOS NOCHES!!

We had a great day today - everyone worked hard, got a lot done. Great time eating supper with the kids from the dormitories up the hill. Enjoyed some wonderful worship afterwards.
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A few of the kids at supper time - the girl on the right didn't want to be in the picture but....

Fletch and one of the boys arm wrestling - guess who one?

Mary Lou and Gina painting the wash house. They got it done in no time.

Talk to you tomorrow????

WE'VE ARRIVED - (ALL IN ONE PIECE)

Hallelujah! - We made it to the mission site south of Monterrey around 3:30 today. The trip went fine with only a few stops by security here and there. We got settled in, did a few small things to get ready for tomorrow, ate a great supper, had some devotions, and are calling it a night. To be sure there will be stories to tell.



This is a small village located just below where we are staying. We hope to interact with the folks throughout the week. Only around 75 live here. Quite poor.

These are the "dorms" we are staying in. The girls on the left, guys on the right. As you can see, the terrain is quite rocky with a lot of mountains (Sierra Madre).

This is inside the compound where we stayed outside of Laredo last light called Stepping Stones ministry. They were very gracious. Slept well (long day of driving). Left for mission site around 8:30 this morning. Tomorrow we get after it. Pray for us and those we come into contact with.
Hope to post tomorrow - PR

GOING SOUTH!!!

10 of us are heading south to the Sierra Madre Mountains near Ramos Arizpe, Mexico (about 12 miles north of Saltillo) for a mission trip this coming Sunday morning. We are leaving Leoti at 4:00 (yes, a.m.) heading for Laredo where we will spend the night. We will then get our work visas at the border and ride another 4 1/2 hours to the work site on Monday. The rest of the week we will be assisting with the construction of housing for underprivileged children in the area. You can check out the website at www.chmmexico.com.

Please keep the following persons in your prayers: Greg Fletcher, Matt Crays, Wade Bangerter, Ryan and Gina Mazanec, Kevin Larson, Elmer Clymer, Shad Mehl?, and Mary Lou and me.

I will try and post pics and updates throughout the week (provided there is internet access). Otherwise we'll see you on the 23rd.

Adios!

GRANDKIDS - A LOT MORE FUN THAN POLITICS!!

Had a chance to see the grandkids last weekend - what a blast!

Owen and Brayden with Gramps and Grammy

Brayden saying 'Look, I'm a star".

Owen - "Just kidding"!

CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY......

Okay folks, who's it going to be?????????

What say you????

IRONY

I find these to be interesting times, especially as it pertains to the Christian faith. Actually, I find these to be times filled with irony. Irony is often defined as an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated. Here's what I mean:

90 percent of people say they pray regularly, yet half cannot name the first book of the Bible.

A strong 90% of parents want their children to receive religious training, yet less than half of them take them to church or to Sunday School (much less teach their children at home about Jesus or pray with them).

Many will tell me how important Bible study is, how important worship is, how important prayer is yet do not read the Bible, go to church, or spend any meaningful time in prayer.

So what gives?? Has Christianity just become a "convenience religion" where one is comfortable with life until a time of crisis appears and then all of sudden God becomes important? Are we fine with going to church as long as there isn't anything else on the calendar that day? Do we really believe that the difference between what we say and what we do goes unnoticed by God? (Or others, for that matter?) - That's scary!

I'm convinced that God is looking for people who are sold out for him. Does that mean there won't be mistakes? Does that mean there won't be bad days? Does that mean free from struggles? No, of course not. But it does mean that we make a commitment to pick up our crosses and follow Jesus, that we deny ourselves (avoid self-centeredness and exchange it for Christ-centeredness) and move from talking about how we want to be followers of Jesus to actually following in obedience.

I know, I know - it sounds like I'm preaching but I've seen what a commitment to Christ makes in the lives of his people. I've also seen the unnecessary heartache and pain that is a result of those who say they want to follow Jesus but have yet to do so. That's not just irony, that's a tragedy.

SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP!

I had the privilege of being the spiritual director of the latest Walk to Emmaus at Garden City and once again, God outdid Himself (as if that's possible). Four men from the Leoti area participated (all from different churches) and were blessed beyond measure. You'll have to ask them ( Kevin Larson, Chris Antonelli, Matt Ramsey, and Bill Gerstberger) about their experiences.

Emmaus is a 72 hour spiritual formation weekend that helps people come to an understanding of God's love for them through times of various talks, worship services, times of reflection, and food, fun, and fellowship. I've been blessed to observe God's working in the lives of those who participate during the weekend, as well as the weeks, months, and years that follow. Of course, Emmaus is just a tool used by God to bring people closer to him and to each other. It is not some magical weekend experience that will automatically solve all the struggles of life. I've seen the mistake of that misunderstanding. However, it DOES point to the ONE who will never leave nor forsake.

I've taken part in many opportunities for spiritual renewal and growth over the years and Emmaus is just another one of those means that God uses to extend his grace to us. It's not the only one, but it is one that is powerful and highly effective. Others are Lay Witness Missions, Disciple Bible Study, Trinity Studies, small group ministries, Stephen Ministries, prayer retreats, and on and on. Whatever brings people to Jesus is "just" alright with me.

But for this moment, the Walk to Emmaus touched the lives of many men who experienced the fact that God loves them and there's nothing they can do about it. And now, the women who are going this weekend are about to experience that for themselves. Praise God!