Words from Colorado

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.  2  We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  3  For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.  4  While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  5  God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6  So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.  7  For we live by believing and not by seeing.  8  Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bod

Just last week I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A call came into the Church I pastor requesting someone to visit a woman dying of a terminal illness. I took the call and told her daughter I would be there within an hour. I walked in the home one hour later, meeting the daughter her Dad and the woman (In her late 50's) who was ill. She told me clearly and directly that she was dying.  I asked how can I help you? She looked me straight in the eye, and said I want to know how to be saved, and I want to be baptized. I placed my hand on hers, and told her that as a teenager in North Carolina I heard the Gospel (Good News)  that the Lord Jesus Christ would forgive me and save me if I repented from sin (Turn from) and trusted Him, and Him alone for my salvation. I shared several other verses that point to the Lordship of Christ, and how all humans need what He alone can provide. I asked her if she would like to give her life to Him. She said yes!

R obin Williams, brilliant comedian, once described as a Niagara Falls of wit, took his own life on August 11th 2014. Here is what I wish I could have said to him: Life is hard. There are many moments that turn into hours and days where we are weary and perplexed. There is a definitive and comforting assurance for all weary hearts. David the famous King of Israel nearing the end of his life and in a moment of profound contemplation wrote: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23: 4). ESV David had known fame, when he killed Goliath they sang songs to him! He knew deep anguish committing adultery, choosing immoral conduct that led to a trusted soldiers death. A child born from that union died. He had a son who tried to displace him as King, and a daughter who was raped. When He writes of Evil in Psalm 23 he is on a first name basis with it! Evil here i

Today, while walking with Laura I began talking about a dear friend. As we walked along it dawned on me that he went to be with the Lord 12 years ago today!  Coincidence? Hardly! It was a reminder straight from heaven that while I was thinking of him, some how he knew, and prompted me to begin the walk down memory lane:) The following tribute was written and presented at my dear friend Rick Epler’s home going celebration service, following his epic battle with leukemia.  My incredible friend...how I miss you! This is what I said  12 summers ago: Of course were going to miss him! Miss him for the duration of our own lives. Memories warm and vibrant will tug at our hearts reminding us of the great privilege that was ours to have known him, to be loved by him. How could I have known that when the screen door at 104 South Garo opened back in 1976, letting in my brother Mike, and his new friend Rick, that he would do more, much more than walk in our home, but our hearts

The following is an excerpt from a book I have been working on titled "This Day His Day"   subtitled:  Learning to live a life for Jesus, today!       And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.( Matthew 22:37). ESV “Foundational in Deuteronomy 6:5 and repeated twice daily by faithful Jews, this  passage from Matthew quoted by Jesus, encapsulates the idea of total devotion to God and includes the duty to obey the rest of God's commandments.”   ESV Study Bible notes     I have learned that people do what they enjoy doing. That is, people make time for what interests them. Today in our fast paced lives, time is the one commodity that most people are least likely to give away.   It’s been said “Don’t waste time, for time is the stuff of life”.   For believers who want to grow in Christ likeness, that is becoming like him (And if a believer has no such desire, something is

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23: 4). ESV You’re looking at a picture of Wadi (Ravine, Valley) Qelt- * Running west to east across the Judean Desert in the West Bank, originating near Jerusalem and terminating near Jericho, near the Dead Sea. *Wikipedia Some scholars believe this was the location David had in mind as he wrote the 23 Psalm.! This also was the setting for the story of the Good Samaritan, this region would have been well known and used by our Lord. Interesting enough it was known in our Lords day as the  “Way of Blood”, because of the treachery of bandits and presence of dangerous predators. Valley is a word picture for the difficult experiences of life. We all have had, are having or will have ample time spent in the Valleys! Our Lord knew the Valley!   When Jesus went to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday, he had to take this route fr

It’s a welcomed memory every time it surfaces in my conscious mind. The years melt away and I am a teenager again. Fall is in the air , and I am suited up playing football. I am actually in the game, not standing on the sidelines as all to frequently was my athletic experience :) I want you to know, this is not a wishful thought that has a few aspects of reality, no what I am about to tell you really did happen and the comfort that the incident has provided through out my life when remembered , always brings a smile to my face. The year 1974 or 75 , the place a football stadium in Hendersonville North Carolina . Our middle school the “Rugby Raiders” were playing the Hendersonville middle school. Not sure if we were winning or if we won at all, what's more is that the outcome, is so insignificant, for what happened that day! Our family had relocated to North Carolina from Colorado, my mom (Always so giving of herself) was making all of $2.00