Checkin In

I don't know how time goes by so fast, well I do, but it still it never ceases to surprise me. Today I have a few minutes between all the things going on to write. I suspect that what will actually happen is that I'll start this, there will be some crisis for one of the kids and I'll get drawn away, then it'll be dinner time, then Awana time, then bedtime, etc.

Since I last checked in lots of things have happened. Claire did get baptized, my in-laws came and left, Claire and Daniel started piano lessons, Claire had her 9th birthday, and the Seahawks inexplicably opted to pass from the two yard line instead of pound the rock with Beastmode! That was the most unbelievable and baffling  play call in SuperBowl history! Sorry friends.

We have had incredibly warm weather for several weeks now, temps in the 50's and mostly sunny. I'm sure that's only temporary, but we can't complain. There were a couple of days that were totally reminiscent of the liquid sunshine that we loved in Anacortes and it only made us long for our friends in the true PNW.

As for the BCF, we've been walking through the Lord's prayer on Sunday mornings for many weeks now. The breakdown has been something like this: Wk 1 "Our Father," Wk 2 "Hallowed be your name," Wk 3 "Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done," and this week is "Daily Bread." On SuperBowl Sunday we did something special dealing with football and testimonies from current and former NFL players. It was good and we had a lot of visitors. It seems like weekly we've had people making professions of faith.

Last week I connected with a local youth group run by one of the ladies from our church and I got to spend time with them. One thing led to another and in about a month Daniel and I will be taking a group of teenagers in our church van to Boise for a concert and staying over night in another church. Fun times!

I've finally connected with several other Christian pastors in town and we are meeting weekly to pray for one another. One good thing that's coming fro this is that we are going to join together to do an Easter Sunrise service at a local park. The coolest part of it is that currently one and hopefully soon two of the churches that will join us are Spanish speaking churches! We'll do the service and music in both english and Spanish!!! Remember the Bible speaks of "every tribe, every tongue, and every nation," being together in heaven and we thought we'd get an early start with the people groups that we have here in Blackfoot.

In January I started a prayer group for the church to "pray the scriptures." While there are only a few people who have come and that are consistent, it has been tremendous for my heart and faith. This morning we prayed through Romans 8. Let me remind you pf a couple of promises that are in that chapter: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (v1). Setting your mind on the Spirit is life and peace (v6).  You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption...by whom we cry, “Daddy!” (v14). Those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (v30). If God is for us, who can be against us? (v31). Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (v35). No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (v37-39).

As I figured, it is now several hours since I started this post. Away is over and I just went back by the hospital to visit a family whose wife/mother just went home to be with the Lord this evening. I am again reminded how quickly things change and how short life is. Just about a month ago Dawn asked to be baptized, however, she got sick, which eventually ended tonight with her crossing over into glory. She was a wonderful woman who drove a bus for special needs people. She had a great smile and a sparkle in her eye. Dawn leaves behind a husband, Bill, two daughters, Mickey and Rebecca (her husband and son), and two sons that I do not know. She will be missed. If you think about it, please pray for her grieving family, and remember that she is no longer in pain, no tears, and all the sad things have come untrue for her. Praise be to her God.

Well, its late and I need to get some sleep as I'm sure tomorrow holds adventures yet to be told and challenges that will sharpen us all. Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We love and miss you all. Give our love to the Kitchen Table folks and hug each other for all of us.