Words from Colorado

6  At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested.  7  There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion.  8  The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom.  9  Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?”  10  For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.  11  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.  12  Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the King of the Jews?” 13  Again they shouted, “Crucify him!” 14  Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15  Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesu...

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen . (2 Timothy 4:16-18). ESV C an you remember a time when you really needed someone, and that someone wasn’t there ? A promise made, was not a promise kept? Of qualities most desirable in a friend, integrity is high on that list!  I'm talking about the kind of people, that if they can, they will. On a cold Wyoming afternoon recently my Pastor heart was overflowing with gratitude for a group of people from this church who responded to my plea for help in moving a single mom in a tight window of time. Moving ...

Do your best to come to me soon.    For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia ,  Titus to Dalmatia.  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  T ychicus I have sent to Ephesus.  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.    Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.    Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message . (2 nd Timothy 4: 9-15). ESV Have you ever felt abandoned, or alone? Circumstances propelled your life in a down word spiral that led to bedrock. From that low position you wandered, will I make it, will I survive? Friends well meaning, council to look up, or the suggestion “It will be alright” sounded hollow, and empty! What t...

6  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  8  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8 ESV We think we’re here forever.  Deep down we know that is not true. However, I believe in each person there is a sense of permanence. After all the only reality we know and are aware of has always included us. Make no mistake about it, there was a time when you were not, there will never be a time when you will not be. This life continues of that I am quite certain. How can you be?  My initial encounter with Jesus as a teenager was profound, I have personally witnessed subsequent direction, and assurance ...

T oday Laura and I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time! How do you describe something so spectacular so majestic that at first glance your breathless? The day started with a 60 mile trip by train from Williams, Arizona to the canyon.  The anticipation was building with every slow mile the train accomplished. At last, we arrived, immediately getting on board a tour bus Laura wisely booked, that saved us miles of walking, delivering us to viewpoints throughout the park. When we finally disembarked and made our way to the viewing areas, we were speechless.  The Glory of God on full earthly beauty! We enjoyed the train trip back, even experiencing a train robbery! It is cool tonight in Arizona, and my heart is full to have spent time in a place that clearly displays God's majesty! Laura is already asleep finding rest easy, after this full day  I will soon join her, resting in God's goodness for a day, we will never forget!...

F anatic- noun a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause. I sometimes wonder what casual Face Book friends must think of a Christian’s zeal, and seemingly constant posts, that include scriptures and reminders of what Jesus means to them. Are we wild eyed Fanatics, overcome with Religion, fixated on things not always seen? Are we so heavenly minded we are no earthly good? I am not sure of what some may think, but I know what I think when I see Christian posts. They get it! Somewhere, someplace they and (I) were confronted with sin, and its consequences. In the midst of that feeling of hopelessness, the Lord Jesus Christ extended a nail scared hand, offered redemption, and a brand new life! In that initial encounter with Him, sin was forgiven, purpose and meaning were provided, and to be judgement day honest, I want everyone to know Him, because I simply cannot imagine navigating through this...

A nguish, fear, uncertainty robs of us of much needed vitality. We look out from eyes brimming with tears because of a recent life experience and the candle of faith begins to flicker, and deep down were convinced it might all together blow out. The dying light, leaving us to embrace further unwelcomed darkness.  A wonderful Scottish preacher named Alexander McLaren once said:     “Despondency (Depression) has a knack of picking its facts”   I think he meant that life often has so sharp of edges that we believe the cuts will never heal properly, if ever! King David certainly felt that way, he rose to fame as a young giant killer, eventually becoming the King of Israel. His family life was horrific, he had a child out of wedlock, by doing so, he forced a trusted friend to the front lines of an epic battle to be killed, in the hopes of disguising his infidelity with that same trusted warriors wife! In Psalm three he is enduring the immense pr...