Getting There and Trying Again!

Pictures from around the world cross my screen each day. Yesterday I was blessed to open mail from an E friend residing in our nation's northern neighbor. Many thanks go out this morning to Joni for providing the fun fodder for my thoughts and your entertainment.
Black bear are not all that large. The one you see above is probably quite young, and no more than 500 pounds. Should you have the opportunity to get to know one of these in their natural habitat, they are very much like dogs, and can be quite friendly. The thing I enjoy the most about them is their intellect. They aren't very smart, and if able to speak would be totally challenged in their latter stages of adulthood to cope with the brains my 4 year old grandaughter, Kyra. Presuming that this makes them fairly bright beasts what you are seeing here is one of their most endearing attributes, curiosity. My mind did an immediate shift when I saw these pics(there were many more in the series)of this black satisfying his\her enquiring mind. That is so like one of them. Their eyesight is notorious(worse than mine without glasses), and their bulk would tend toward awkwardness if not for that brain they have that makes them wonderful for children of all ages when it comes to the circus. This depiction of temperment reminds me of many of today's young people. What is that? What's it doing there? I 'have' to check this out! If there were a group of them they would, more than likely, all try this same feat. It's sort of cool when you think about it! We all went through that stage in our growing, that time when instinct had us following in whatever happened to be the moment's curiosity. Where would you find yourself in this picture? Some looked up and saw the birdfeeder thing and walked on without indulging their curious side. Others followed up the tree, but hesitated to traverse the rope. Many more tried the same stunt with varying results. Some arriving with no idea of how to get back. Many falling to the ground only to find themselves looking up and feeling the pain brought on by the attempt. Many would climb higher to gain a different perspective, and a few would lose interest rapidly and start looking around for something else to do.
In our faith walk many of us see the "House of God" hanging out there between the streets in much the same way. Throwing all of our learned, preconceived notions to the wind we may go through one, or several, of the bear's activities. We may not even be aware of what it is we are seeking, but there just might be something there if we can get to it. The bear exemplifies the tenacity of the spirit which kept it trying different ways to arrive at it's goal until achieving success. Diligence and perseverance are the keys that will enable us to reach that goal, and when we get to that feeder we may learn there is nothing in it that we can eat, and so it is with the Lord's house. You may have to go through all of the approaches over and over until you find the one that does feed you, spiritually. In our humaness we often follow the crowd, or attempt to, only to find ourselves flat on our backsides hurting. There is a truth here, though. If we make the effort to get there we will find that the house was 'not' our objective as we began our climb. It is the food of the spirit which the house holds that we are in need of reaching. If you've been seeing that "house" or actually "been there and done that" and it wasn't what you thought it would be, take heart! There will always be another one out there somewhere, and the next time you may find just the sustenance you are seeking. My Savior is always there, hanging out, waiting for you to taste and see that the Lord is good! God bless, Preacher.

We moved to the sanctuary of this converted church for the main portion of the day's presentations. It's origins were catholic. I believe even the Pope would have liked what went on here today! 

Times Have Changed!

The concept of what we were doing today didn't dawn on me until about 12 hours after it began. We were a small cluster of concerned ecumenical individuals discussing the relevance of events that occurred some 2000 years ago based on the writings of individuals 500 years ago that were summed up over 1200 years ago and are still being discussed today. Let me see if I've got that right,...12 - 5 + 15 x the number gathered and divide that by the number of cups of coffee required to stay awake 'til noon. Yeah! I got it. It was great, the whole day. To think that here on the Great American Desert we can be blessed with a gathering of minds with insights that are fresh and yet founded on the same faith ideals that were taught yesterday in church is reassuring to me. We're going to do it again tomorrow starting at 8:30 am give or take a few cups of coffee and rolls, for sure! Thoughts and feelings are being shared in the spiritual department that few will ever read, even fewer will hear about, and the news clip at 11 won't happen! Lol....but it was good! My favorite thus far is my senior by at least a quarter of a century who seems to have more on the ball than pastors a third his age. Maybe that is something I have to look forward to, more genuine "meat" on the bones of my rhetoric as I "mature." This would not be most people's idea of a "good time," and hasn't been one of mine for quite some time in the overall fabric of denominational heirarchy. It wouldn't be now, if the churches were not by and large across the board shaking down to the very foundations of christendom. This is not an arena for the shy or the easily offended. The language becomes strong and, I might add, sometimes bordering on the right down abusive. Having wandered around in the political arena during my youth(entertainment for several campaigns)I have a remembrance of how politicians speak of one another when the doors are shut. This was not much different. It is encouraging, though, to see that there are some seriously straight shooters in the world when it comes to matters of faith's future in America. You see, it isn't a job anyone wants, and it certainly isn't one that would be chosen by many. To quote one such individual from history, "Here I stand I can do no ____!" I pray we fill in the blank today as Luther did 500 years ago. God bless, Preacher.

Perspectives From South Dakota!

Recent events have left many of us considering what the aftermath of a hurricane may bring for other people's lives. It occurred to me that many people are waking up on the backside of this disaster in places they would never have considered themselves before. One family in particular is living right behind our place(next street over)in a home donated for their use through a television show and a national promotion for dreams. Amy Grant hosts the show(or so I'm told, I don't watch television much, too much violence, if I want to see that stuff I work the streets). Theirs is only one story, and I haven't got all of the information needed for a real article on them, as yet. A real life view would have to come from getting to know them a little more in depth than the media has time for these days. You know what I mean when it comes to really getting to know people, you have to be "inside" their lives sharing bits and pieces to really know them. Our society is so accustomed to things being fast and easy that we often do not allow ourselves the neccessary time to know folks. Growing up in a farm community in South Dakota at a time before television was the major entertainment source gave many of us an opportunity to deal with relationships, even if we would have chosen otherwise. The thing is, we didn't really have a choice. There were so few people around that we either got to know them or we didn't go out. Sunday in church we would get together with the same faces that we saw in school, on the ball diamond, at the elevator, or the gas station. Of the 386 people living in Andover when I was growing up there was not a single one that didn't know every other person in town, and in the surrounding county for at least 30 miles in every direction. This is not about telling everybody how great things were "back when," it's simply an opportunity to point out that life has changed and that is neither good nor bad, it's just different than it was. For some in our country life has changed completely from what they knew before. Many are thankful just to be alive, and still others are bent on complaining at the top of their voices that things didn't go the way they think they should have. Lol.....Does everything always go the way you would like it to go? Just between me and you and Bill Gates I would venture that it doesn't. That's where our faith perspectives enter in. At those times when life is totally out of control we know that there is one single element that remains unchanging, God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together as one are the same yesterday, today, and forever. How well we deal with the changes and circumstances that life hands us is directly proportionate to the amount of faith we are willing to invest in God. Remember, "If you don't put nothin' in, you don't get nothin' out!" (When I write this I have a tendency to hear in the back of my mind all of the places that it could be relevant, but for the moment it applies to only one, faith) My prayer today is that everyone would have the opportunity to gather and give thanks, worship God in truth and love with friends and neighbors, and be readily accepting of the stranger in their midst. Some being unaware have entertained angels. Everyday is a new opportunity to share life. Share it with everyone and give thanks to God for the lives we have! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

What A Deal!

People, I know I mentioned that I wouldn't be talking about the biker stuff much anymore(or did I say, "At All Until Next Season?") I know I said something but I can't remember what. That happens when you get up there in years and try to keep track of 9(or is it 10)granchildren's names. The prompting of the spirit has brought about tasks the past 24 hours that I would never have dreamed of on Wednesday. That's another story for another time and place. The pics of the rallys this year are still coming in, and some of them are very similar to ones I took. The poster at the bottom, though, says it all. Labels of many kinds are placed on people, but the hardest ones to escape are the ones that we put on ourselves. I know it is much easier to say, "yeah, I'm a ________(you fill in the blank), but I just can't help it or change it; I'm happy this way; maybe this is how God planned for me to be; it doesn't make any difference; The justifications are endless and the answers are few. When we look at ourselves in the mirror and what we see is not pleasing there is a lot we can do about it. We can be 100% "honest" with ourselves and admit what the problems are and begin the process of seeking an answer that is different from the one we've been living. People don't change people, God changes people! We can help along the way, sort of like the folks that do the type of outreach at rallys that you see pictured. We can point to some of the positive decisions we've made in our own lives, and we can point the way to the one who can provide the total forgiveness for which we are so desperately in need. If there is ever going to be true change in our existence it is up to us to make it. These days(maybe it's been that way always, but I didn't live always)there are as many folks sitting in church on Sunday on their way to a "not so pleasant end" as there are truly seeking heaven's gates. Some of the places we go you can find as many people saved in back alleys as you can in the pews, the big difference is that they are out there trying to help others to find that "better" way of living. The media is focused on the upcoming big blow along the coast. People are evacuating and getting away from the danger. My most fervent prayer would be for people to run as fast away from the dark places in their lives that prevent them from walking in the light of Christ as they do from the weather. Depending on how we live, it may be far more important to focus on where we are escaping to than what we are running from. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

The sign may 'seem' as though it is putting some major labels on folks, but we all 'know' in our hearts which of these applies to us. God bless, Preacher. 

Not A Political Tongue In Cheek

Rendezvous opportunities approach here on the Great American Desert. Blurps have been arriving in my mailbox with increasing frequency the past few days. A joy to attend(although the nights can get a little chilly and damp)and a refreshing change of pace from the tech world we live in. The only technology in use at most of the gatherings of this sort that I attend was outdated by the end of the Civil War. Flintlocks and percussion caps are the firearms "order of the day," and they can be seen in use in contests that begin with the first light of dawn. Historically these "happenings" are loosely based(unless you're one of those #(*&%$purists who wants to make sure nobody is wearing cotton long johns and there's no modern day closures on your rigging)on periods of time determined long before I discovered my first. My favorite contest has to do with the axe and the hawk. There is nothing like the feel of a double blade axe in your hands on the 25 yard line. The hawk is a handy little tool that I carry most everywhere I go, but when it is at it's best it is flashing through the air with a force sufficient to cause melons to burst all over the laughing onlookers. We jeer one another, poke fun at the "newbies" and in general make everyone as miserable as we can while having a good time. All in all it's like something out of a story book, and another of the frontiersman type of things that occur out here on the plains. It's a great equalizer of men! Although being big and burly has some advantages when it comes to tossing stumps or hurling the big axe, it is not an advantage in the shooting and throwing(or spitting and chewing)! Whoosh! Talk about a level playing field, out in the woods you're so close to God's creation that you can literally taste it, and that makes for a wonderful opportunity to sit around the campfire and ponder the secrets of the universe. For NFL fans and guys who like to golf it probably doesn't sound too much like a sport they would enjoy, but it is one that brings a rare breed of individualists together for a short time. That short time provides the opportunity to find out where folks are in their faith journey. We get to encourage those who are trying to stay on the right path, and find many who aren't sure where the path is at. Wherever you find that path, though, you will know without a doubt if has been trod by disciples of Christ, it is the "right" road to be on. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Now I See A Purpose

The hour is early(morning)and my eyes are getting really difficult to manage. Times like this I'm glad there isn't a road in front of me staring back with visions of leaping hinds and tables filled by diners. Illusions like that happen to me when I'm driving(or riding)and sleep is a much needed commodity. Winter is on it's way to the Great American Desert my wife informed me this evening. There are projects we have to finish and "stuff" that needs to get done before the snow flies. I'll get out in the country and check out the geese soon to see what they have to say about winter this year. The landscape above is from a site called "Wild-Landscape" and it can be found at one of those www. places. I didn't take the time to really look around there this evening, but I bookmarked it so that I can find my way back. Doesn't that view of the ice chill you to the bones? It does me! Out in the western part of our state I have seen places where the wind has driven rain as it freezes and given me the same type of image. Somewhere in all my pics I've got one of a double waterfall frozen in mid drip. Suspended on long tentacles of ice stretching upwards a hundred feet or so. That's over in Minnesota at a very nice state park. Back to the thought, though. If anyone you know is looking for an excellent way to do the "programming" thing in their church, and they happen to be 1200 miles south of where I live, give me a call and we'll try to get together on some dates. I love the south in the winter! Southern Cal is a favorite, but then so are New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and especially Texas! That's my purpose in staying up just a little longer! Taking a little time for a plug. In a few weeks we'll be in Nashville, and that will be nice, but the really cold months are January and February, so if you know someone who knows someone who talks to God on a regular basis, put in a good word for Cheryl and Terryl(yeah, they rhyme, everybody says, "ain't that cute!)and let them know we'd be more than happy to book a whole string of engagements in the southern climes this winter. Wishing you all of the best in life, and blessings that are more than we deserve. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Roughing Things Out On A 'Puter

One of those nights when using new equipment, combined with performing new tasks has made sleep necessary. If for no other reason CD said I needed to get some rem. God bless, Preacher.

"Life ain't always pretty!"

Recently(very)we had a neighbor(when you live in a community of 20,000 folks we're all neighbors)drop his mental ball(I think they used to call this "losing you marbles). I don't know all of the specific parts and pieces of the sordid tale of terror, but I've heard enough from the people next door to visualize the destruction. It had to have something to do with relationships. I say this because in one way or another everything good or bad stems from a type of relationship issue. The guy(I'll call him Bob), Bob, drove his vehicle into his wife's car parked next door. Ramming it repeatedly until both were utterly and completely destroyed. That is not good! Some might say that this was only the upshot of something going really wrong in his life, but the signs of problems were there a long time before the fuse burned down. Bob went ahead after destroying the vehicles to tear his home apart from end to end, smashing windows and walls with equal abandon. Basically making it look like something in a war zone. Not everyone comes apart this way, some do it silently, others don't even realize they've come apart, they just go through the motions of day to day living in their personal hell on earth without realizing that life could be better, a whole lot better! I'm idealistic. People have been telling me that for so long that I now simply admit it and move ahead. After all, somebody has to fit this label, too, you know? Bob is at one end of the spectrum and as such represents the worst(maybe not the epitomy of worst, but close)of what happens to people when their picture of life is fractured. Bob probably was trying to pull all the pieces back together for a long time before going hell bent in the direction of destruction. Perhaps(the idealist enters in)if he had the tools that faith provides for our lives there could have been a drastically different result from his dilemma.
Where we now have a son living with friends and a wife that is alienated beyond belief there might have been healing and new visions sought, if there had been a faith perspective upon which to draw. If you or anyone you know ever has the experience of "falling apart" please know that there is one whose sole purpose in this life is to bind up wounds, heal the afflictions, and make clear that which has become dim. Christ reaches out to all who would invite Him in and presents us with the tools by which we can be made whole. Not just once, but continually if that is what is needed. We can't just attempt to do it alone(we can, but it works about as well as frozen paste does as a substitue for hot wood glue)although we try that direction far too often. During the 60's there were lots of sayings about "getting it together," and "finding ourselves," looking back I think we were on the right track, we just didn't have all the necessary equipment. Things aren't always going to be perfect, but you and I can have at our disposal the "right" wrench that will prevent things from getting worse. Our world is populated with psychs of all kinds, counselors galore, not to mention the social workers and other well-meaning people available to "help" you and me. The truth is, the very best help we can ever get is found in faith in a Savior with whom, "all things are possible" for those who choose to believe. If life isn't what you would like it to be(whose is?)maybe you'd give God a shot at helping. He is always there, and He has some really good folks working for Him right in your neighborhood. God bless, Preacher.

Every Day Is "NOT" Perfect!!!

The picture depicts an idyllic scene in which everything is bright and cheery. That's one way we can tell how things are going in our personal lives, the things we see and how we perceive them. My alternate E-Mail is: prchth@yahoo.com; Should you have questions and are actively seeking answers let me know. God only knows what can be accomplished through faith. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Passing The Time

Evenings grow chilly on the northern plains as I ponder the events and lives encountered this past week. One night in particular stands out in stark contrast to the world in which we live. The moon is nearing full so walking in the woods was easy once my eyes adjusted to the dark. Scents emanating from the surrounding trees and undergrowth soon pervaded my olfactory sense as I drank in deeply the night air. Small creatures could be heard scurrying about amidst the undergrowth as I made my way further into the timber. I don't suppose I was gone from the group for more than half an hour, but the time was undiscernable, other than being gauged by the slow rise of earth's evening monitor. The tendency for me to wander in thought further served my ability to forget time. Songs emanated from the distant studio whose lights could only but just be seen through the overhanging limbs still weighted with leaves soon to be shed. There are no trails through these trees, so I quickly lost any direction other than the light behind and the stars above. It was beautiful! Night's calm only broken by the distant sound of the drum as it was brought repeatedly to life with the rhythmic poundings of many people. Their voices chanting songs now centuries, or more, old. Soon my mental images conjurred up a fire surrounded by people much like myself. An urge to create just such a fire overcame me and I hurriedly returned, retiring to the far side of the home and driveways, to the firepit where I indulged my fantasy of flickering firelight. Soon there was a blaze established and others began to join the circle. Again, since I wear no watch when working on God's time, I have no idea how long we were there, but by the time the fire had begun to dwindle many thoughts were shared. Observations of out world and it's continuing difficulties, comments on the recent economic upheavals, and, of course, all of the accompanying accolades concerning the work we are doing. Our prayers go up and out at times such as this to those who are in need, and those who suffer. It seems no matter how good our lives are we seek constantly in prayer to uplift those who are not so fortunate. Today one of our circle sojourns across the prairie to bring solace and comfort to a family in regard to the recent loss of their mother, another is arriving in our 4th largest city to receive a national award, yet another prepares for an evening of sharing the "old songs" with brothers and sisters in Colorado. I prepare to provide inspirational uplifting to the Body of Christ here in Brookings at First Baptist through music and song. We will all return to the circle next week to share our experiences of this and other days that we are apart, and that is good. It has always been this way, will always be this way! For some the passing of time is a constant source of anxiety over all the human concerns of life, for others it is enough to know that we are doing all we can to relieve the cause of the anxieties. When you worship tomorrow take a moment to give thanks for the good in your life. Life in and of itself is cause for celebration. Celebrating life in Christ provides the strength to make the much needed difference in others lives, and after all, is that not why our Savior came? He came to make a difference in my life, and in yours! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Just to let everyone know, this is the official version of the Triumph pic posted on the HOG thing. The other was without spousal approval. God bless, Preacher. 

Worried About The Future? Don't Be! It's In Great Hands.

I just got done sending a reply to a lady who is very upset about the rulings in California about the pledge of allegiance. The story is probably everywhere by now. I don't give advice to people, but I do try to give them insight when it comes to their personal levels of emotional investment in issues. Kathy(pictured above)is one of several children belonging to a troup who do outreach ministry(christian-as in for Christ)all over the nation. It is young people like these that we need to look to when it comes to issues concerning how the government or the schools, or anyone else, for that matter, tries to legislate our religious freedoms. It cannot be done. One person going out and causing an uproar only serves to strengthen the cause of my Savior. As a columnist once put it, "Any publicity is good publicity." That is what folks accomplish when they bring these things into the courts. They actually provide fodder for more sermon material on Sunday mornings and strengthen more people's faith than they are capable of understanding. The harder you push, the harder you get pushed back. Letting God be God, and keeping my own levels of anger under restraint is not easy for me. I use the only tool that I know really works, prayer. In the end, there will be more positive ramifications to these sort of proceedings than we can imagine now. And even if the kids don't say it out loud, it is in their minds and their hearts. You may be able to legislate what can or cannot be said, but there is still no way you can possibly control the thoughts of young people. Thank God for that blessing. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

The fellow in the plane is certain where he is headed, so is the guy in the chute. Wouldn't each of us like to be just as certain of where we're headed? 

Longing For Freedom

More and more people every day are seeking freedom. I'm not always certain what freedom is for them so I have to ask. Mostly I get the regular answers one would expect out here on the Great American Desert. I suppose it's the same as everywhere else, but I can't be sure because I haven't been "everywhere else" lately. People seem to seek a variety of avenues that are healthy, but more often than not, we are persuing unhealthy freedoms at an alarming rate. Maybe that is why the mere mention of defining their idea of freedom frightens a lot of folks. The guys in these pics have found their freedom in the air, far above the earth. A lot of people I know find it on two wheels, and many more find it in simply getting away from the day to day work world. True freedom, though, is found in the spirit that resides within each one of us. That's a lesson I learned while in the midst of working at the SD state pen. People behind bars are sometimes more free than their brothers and sisters out here running around. They have that barrier which insulates them from the evils of the world as well as keeping them from being perpetrators of evil. For some with whom I've spent a good deal of time philosophizing, their freedom for life came when they were separated from the world, cut off, isolated. Many became 100% straight and sober for the first time in their adult life. (Now I know for certain that I've opened a can of worms that cannot be dealt with in this little space.) True freedom comes with wholeness. Wholeness comes as a result of being in harmony with the tripart nature of our being. Body, mind, and spirit, we don't do well on one or two, we need all three to live wholly, to live freely. If there is that sense of something missing in your life that you can't quite put your finger on, but oftimes refer to it as freedom it may be time to take inventory. Just a quick check before jumping, to make sure that where you're headed is where you will want to be when you arrive. Look first to your health, physical and mental. If the green light is on and you still aren't sure about your directions, check that spiritual side and see if it is fulfilling that part of your being's needs. Faith is foundational. Faith is as needed for us to be whole as water is necessary for our survival. God knows this, and when we get "inside" ourselves, we know it, too! Look before you leap to that freedom that you seek. Make certain that everything is working the way it should. These sky jocks would never jump without checking on their chutes, and in that there is a lesson to be sought, over and over. God bless, Preacher.

Gotta Learn To Be Quicker On The Draw

I wasn't quick enough today to capture the faces of the folks that made the somber outdoor atmosphere less oppressive, but the flowers held still quite nicely for me!
God bless, Preacher.

Change Is In The Air

Saturday was hot, dry, and windy, more the norm for early August that mid September, but this time of year we will take all the good days we can get. The rains have settled in once more in South Dakota. Neither the barometer or thermometer can tell up from down. The flowers know, though, and so do the birds, winter is rapidly approaching. Personally I am praying for one of those "lingering" seasons. There are years out here on the Great American Desert in which the snows and sub zero conditions hold off until well into January. The migration habits of the geese are one of the most telling signs, along with other birds, such as the tiny humming bird that was busily buzzing around the yellow flowers. I attempted to capture the tiny creature on the digital but I was far too slow. I think that's because it was a laid back Monday and without the sun present in the sky to keep me apprised of the passing of time I was in that "inbetween" stage. I'm sure passersby on highway 14 wondered what I was doing sitting alongside the road in the car. What I wanted was an opportunity to capture the sunshine and accompanying rays that I was certain were going to burst forth gloriously from their hiding places amidst the clouds. They never did. I suppose for some people, days like this are depressing. I know I had that inclination begin about midway through the day, but then I started searching for sunshine in places other than the sky. I found it! The glorious rays were found in the smiles of a grandchild, a blown kiss, a hand of friendship and the enjoyment of another's excitement over her impending wedding and the new home they are planning to purchase. Happiness is contagious(you wouldn't have guessed this by the faces of the folks at the supermarket or out on the road), but it is! It begins in our own hearts and spreads to all of those with whom we are able to share. Joy is a choice, one that each of us consciously makes. I know, it isn't all that easy to always be looking on the "bright side" of life, but I really like to try! Billy Graham wrote, "I am convinced that only Jesus can meet the deepest needs of our world and our hearts." Seeking happiness and joy? Seek first in faith, the rest will come. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Youngest grand is starting preschool. She's about as tall as this tree. They will both grow up strong and tall, able to withstand any adversity life holds! 

Four Years After

Preparations for this morning's church service were completed about two hours ago. It has been a very restless night for my spirit, and I'm not sure why. As I sit here listening to the radio I hear the messages of remembrances of all whose lives were touched by an incident that occurred in our nation's history. Forever life as we knew it changed. Looking back I see other incidents that have impacted me this way. The death of President Kennedy, the tumultuous end of the Vietnam War, The impact Desert Storm had on those of us serving congregations out here on the prairie, events that are in a heartbeat both inescapable, and past, over, done. My mind tells me we move on, but I know that we don't! As a nation we have a collective memory that stretches back to the days before there were states, before there were European settlers, colonists, and those who sought only gold. Now, four years after the most recent life changing event that is marked on our yearly calendar, we look back on how things were before. I suppose the connectedness that we feel with the past is a good thing. Personally, I think of it in the same manner I examine photos in the lens as they are taken, and on the 'puter after they're downloaded, and on the prints when received. Some pics are looked at over and over again, first close up and then zooming out to gain perspective. Most days we are zoomed way out on the events and lives that changed four years ago, but today we are zoomed in tight. We will look at moments that changed everyone forever, even while we are in the midst of another catastrophic event in our nation's history. Her name is Katrina, and there will come a day when we will zoom far back from the scenes that erupt in our minds. We will draw close only on rare occasions. This will have the distinct advantage of insulating us from our emotions! It will depend, of course, on how great the effect of the event had on us, personally. I look forward to both times, the close up, and the zoom out. They both have their place in our photo albums, and in our hearts. Tonight I will sleep well. Today I'll zoom in on the events along with others who experienced them in a multitude of ways. Rear Admiral, Grace Hopper, puts it like this, "Life was simple before World War II. After that we had systems." In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Searching For Peace In A World Of Unrest?

Aren't we all looking for that moment of peace when our hearts can simply rest? It's not easy to find anywhere that I've been lately. This afternoon I had some time to spend with a colleague with whom I am usually in agreement about most things concerning the spiritual realms. I pointed out at least three times that he needed to read 2nd Peter, Chapter 4. Never once did he inform me that there are only 3 chapters in 2nd Peter, and I should have been better informed. What I was looking for in my aging memory was 1st Peter, chapter 4. We were talking(as many are these days)about the flood and the ramifications for our various faith perspectives. Has God punished New Orleans? Wow! Why would God stop there if He was going to do some shaking here in the United States. Surely there are places just as deserving of His mighty anger and complete chastisement. I have to laugh at the way some folks try to influence others with their knowledge of God's personality. Peter wrote (4:18) "If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?" The whole chapter is so moving that I find myself in total agreement with the author... (5:6-9)"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world." It seems to me that for us to be at peace in this life we have to learn to trust God so much that we don't ask how things happen, or why they happen. It is enough to know that they do, and we may never understand in this lifetime. Be at peace with your creator, your God, at all times, and give heed to His spirit which will quicken your heart to a fullness of understanding in His time. I think God's timing is always perfect, much better than mine, to be sure! Let not your heart be troubled, and seek the peace that surpasses all understanding that you might live in the light of hope. Remember that saying, "When you find that God is all you've got, you'll learn that God is all you need!"
Thousands are discovering this truth in their own lives as they relocate to new homes far from the destruction and devestation in our southern states. WWJD is an acronym (?) that we see quite often. I think He and His Father are very happy with how America is responding to the needs of her people. I've also noticed in the media that after things are over, done with, finished, there are always those whose only goal is criticize what went down as events unfolded. People are human, they are fallible. Isn't it enough to have been blasted by nature? Or must we now be attacked on every front for how someone says they would have done things differently.
There will always be those who can see better facing the opposite direction(looking back),and usually they are going nowhere in particular. Like an ancient hunter once told me, "look where you're shootin' and shoot where you're lookin'." If you're seeking peace in this life look to the leader that is out front showing the way, not all them folks that are telling you where we've been and what coulda, mighta, shoulda, if, if, but, and so on & on & on! In Christ's(THE LEADER)Love, Preacher.

"Strangr Pilgrm" is the name of the group! All the way from Montana they come to do service in Christ and share the fellowship eternal to be found in His blessings. 

The Blessings Of Brothers And Sisters From Butte, MT!

Many thanks to Elisha, John, Bruce, Charlie, and Susan who continue to bring exciting new music to the Jericho Camp stage each year. Their CDs are available, and they are the most creative christian presentations I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Maybe it's the air up there, or the constant studies in God's word, but these guys are great! Their walk and their witness of Christ's presence in hearts devoted to His "Great Commission" are a source of inspiration to all who know them. Everything about their lives can be summed up quite simply. They carry the message of the gospel to coffee houses, stages, and performance centers across their state and several others, always with a single purpose, sharing fellowship in Christ is good! There is no other way, and when the race is finished let us be among those who are greeted, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" God bless, Preacher.

Sharing God's Word

My wife and I often marvel at how blessed our lives are! The first performance of original music off the new CD was performed in Sturgis(That was God's plan, not ours and He has really great timing). We shared that stage, as God led, with so many wonderfully talented people that I'll never be able to get them all in this blog. It is enough to be able to share the news of how great our God is and the miracles that are being performed every day, not in music, but in the saving of individual lives from an existence that leads to death. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

World's "Fastest" Guitar Picker & Fatihful Sidekick!

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Talk about strumming up a storm! In the midst of Sturgis 2005 we once again had the pleasure of Dennis on stage playing his guitar, and sharing the message of faith in Christ. I could do chapter and verse on the Harley he rides, but that isn't the important stuff that was happening the nights he was with us. The main player on our stage is God, first, last, and always! Dennis had just returned from several weeks overseas with the Franklin Graham Crusade and brought a message of hope for our world. The only message that really matters, the one of God's saving Grace and the blood of the lamb that was shed for our sin. I look forward to working next year with the folks Dennis brings to camp. Every year it's a little different, and every year it's a lot the same, Christ is proclaimed boldly to all who come! God bless, Preacher.

Preacher: "Thoughts On The Fuel Costs."

It's hard to remain under the covering of "christian" views on life when you do any amount of traveling these days. It seems that greed is evident in all walks of life, not just in the devestation left by Katrina. People are busy about the business of "doing business" and a lot of that, for the greater portion these days, has to do with taking as much advantage of the situation as possible for the extra dollars to be gained through the practice of "price gouging." I guess I was unaware until this week of how that actually works with people. My guess is if we had a shortage of bread out here on the Great American Desert the type of individual who practices this type of profiteering would up the price to about $3.00 for your everyday plain white pound of bread. When put like that it sounds terrible, doesn't it? After all, these are folks that live in the community with us. They worship in our churches, their children go to school with our children and grandchildren. They're our neighbors, but not when it comes to a buck! It saddens my spirit to know that gas is still at $2.99 a few miles away while right here in town, delivered by the same trucks the prices average between 30 and 40 cents a gallon higher. How does one sit down to dinner and give thanks for all God has done for their lives, and while they eat consider the next increase that will further line their pockets. This week I ponder the way people do business. I fully understand that during the rally when we have hundreds of thousands of tourists moving around in South Dakota that everyone expects to pay an extra 10 to 15 percent for their gas. I've come to accept that as a fact of life. For the folks that live in the surrounding communities hardest hit with price increases they simply fill up before it starts and try to get through until the prices drop back to "normal." This is a different story, though, and I'm beginning to hear the voices of people that are feeling very hard pressed to make ends meet. I guess as I see it the hardest hit people are the ones who can afford it the least and the ones that are attempting to really do a good life for themselves and their children. Many live in the bedroom communities that surround our city (if you can really call 20,000 residents a city) and they commute. Even more hard pressed right now are the agriculturally based laborers whose work has them traveling many miles each day to and from the site. There's an upside, too! The usual racing around we get with the influx of college students is down by over 50%. That's a lot less squeeling of tires and racing of engines to impress someone. Even that has it's drawbacks, though, the local police department is issuing fewer and fewer tickets because of the lack of folks spending money driving around being stupid. That won't really show for a few weeks, but eventually there will have to be an increase in a tax somewhere to make up for the loss of revenue that can be directly attributed to gas prices. And then there is the whole infrastructure that is going to be adversely affected by the costs. I suppose when you start weighing all the factors the scales are going to have to tip in one direction or the other. What I would like to suggest is that we all pray for the folks that have that desire to take advantage of their fellow human beings any way that they can. Pray that they would have their hearts pricked every day in some way by the greed that they are allowing to control their caring for others. There is one other thought that I really want to share....."If the rising cost of driving keeps people from losing their lives or taking the life of another with their vehicles, it is worth it!" It will, you know. Some of the individuals who have no business driving anyway are not going to be out there, and that is a good thing! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

This was the first picture I worked with to get the web log up and running. It still says so much I had to repost it. God bless, Preacher. 

Still Working On Getting Things To Fall Into Place Where I Would Like Them To!

Even Before We Know We Are In Need, God Is Busy About The Task Of Preparing For Us Exactly What Is Necessary For Our Lives To Be Filled With Abundant Blessings!! 
What a weekend! The weather was perfect, the roads beautiful, and best of all, we were together(my wife and I)enjoying the best of fellowship and friendship! One of the pics I shot from the balcony is of the stage we worked at Valiant Vineyards. I wish our time had been greater(Rude Awakening was the featured group performing), but the thrill of hearing our new CD on the overhead system in the main room is one I shall not soon forget! The accomodations were 5 Star, with a bed that I might still be in had it not been for the call of breakfast. Many thanks to Diane whose "down home" cooking made for a great start to an even greater day. I couldn't put in pictures of everyone that was a part of our shared experience so they will be saved for another day. This was the second year of the Buffalo Run Bed and Breakfast hosting a weekend of wine producers from across South Dakota. I don't have any idea what last year was like, but this one was just about right for me. A variety of vendors make this an event worth catching if only to see the beautiful pieces that are created right here on our doortstep. Artists and artisans share space with the wine producers with whose names I am only beginning to familiarize myself. Our gracious host joined us for breakfast prior to assuming his duties of guiding tours through the cool of the subterranean chambers deep beneath the Buffalo Run Resort. Many thanks to everyone that made this a memorable weekend and a blessing in all of our lives. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

A Modern Day Marvel On The Great American Desert!

So the lead guitar player says to me, "How about a weekend at a winery?" 

This Weekend Getting There Was 90% Of The Fun!