Who's Your Ruler (measuring up)

Revelation 21:16
The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

The last four weeks our GPS bible study has had an interesting time learning how we measure our relationship with God. It’s not with a yard stick or tape measure that we mark with, rather it is with our deep relationship that we gauge our progress.

A man or woman takes up about 2 square feet of individual space, if you like to dance (our son enjoys spinning) then you take up around 7 square feet, if I’m dancing it would be two left feet.

The town I live in is about 6 square miles; Buncombe County measures 656 square miles, the 23 counties that make up Western North Carolina encompass 11,000 square miles. The State of North Carolina approximately 53,000 square miles, the United States from coast to coast including Hawaii and Alaska 3.79 million square miles and the planet Earth including water spans a mind altering 198 million square miles. So let’s put that into perspective to the city John describes here in Revelation. A mathematician estimated the size of the Johns description at 3 billion square miles. Oh, by the way, a Reed, the instrument that was given to measure with, was about 11 feet long.

What it comes down to is this, Who’s Your Ruler?

Philippians 2:6-7 Jesus, although he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, made himself a servant; he was born in the likeness of men.

We live in a town where the railroad tracks divide many communities and some places are considered “the other side of the tracks” yet in heaven there are no right or wrong side of the tracks, no subdivisions, political parties, neighborhoods good or bad. Too often we try to measure our way into heaven by the deeds we perform.

Our position in the community or a title at the end of our name, even the people we associate with gives us a feeling of satisfaction and stature in our businesses, communities and even churches. We demand equality in our relationships and in the way we are treated. Yet God uses none of these forms of measurement to determine our eternal reward. Only one act measures up to Gods expectations and that is accepting His son Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It’s measured with the blood Christ shed on the cross for our sins.

The dimensions John gives us in Revelations may be a challenge to wrap your mind around. Allow me to put it this way, the New City John describes would hold 15 planet Earths within its’ walls. Still don’t get it, I will put it like this; There’s room for you!

The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 3:16-19 “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the full measure of all the fullness of God”.

Have you ever loved something so much that you would go to any length to be close to it? God wants to know you, every part of you. You can make a difference, Christ working through you, in the world around you, one person, 2 square feet at a time.

Flight Lesson

2Corinthians 11:15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

While flying at high speed fighter pilots are taught how to keep their perspective while flying extreme maneuvers. It’s easy for a pilot to become disoriented while making loops or rolling his jet during high speeds. You can get so caught up in the moment you forget where you are and the power you have in your hands. In each situation you have to know where you are as well as the equipment.

Many years ago a friend of mine took me up in a vintage 1941 Stearman Bi-Plane. I loved to fly so he invited me to go with him one day. We took off from historic College Park Airport in Maryland. As we began our flight, climbing higher and higher, he asked me a question, “Do you like rollercoaster’s?” Yes, I said. Wrong answer. He throttled forward, banked the plane to the left then right, dove towards the ground and pulled straight back on the stick and all I saw was blue sky. As we climbed the engine struggled and I watched the propeller stop spinning. I felt the control stick jam into my left thigh and we rolled over and began a barrel roll toward the earth. All I remember thinking was, ground, sky, ground, sky as we tumbled for what seemed a lifetime. My friend regained control and as we leveled out he pulled back on the stick again and we made a complete loop. As we reached the top of the loop, upside down, I flung my head back against the head rest to see the ground below me. “Breath!” he shouted over the headset. My weight pressed me against the seatbelts, as we came around the loop I felt weightless, then as we approached the bottom of the loop I was pressed down into my seat. My head was spinning but by now I was screaming like I was on a carnival ride. What a rush! I’ll never forget it.

My friend was a trained pilot and instructor he knew what he was doing. This wasn’t his first time. I wouldn’t not have gone on that flight with just anyone, I trusted him. The same is true on our walk with Christ. We must be aware of who it is we are taught by as we learn and become Christ followers. There are some popular teachings that sound religious and they include things about “God” but they are far from the truth. Worship God, His son Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins that comes through the blood Christ shed on the cross. That’s it. It’s not a diet, you don’t have to go through anyone else to get it, it’s not church activities, or a special cause that gets you closer to God. It’s Jesus Christ only.

How do we prepare ourselves for this journey? The Bible has the words we are to apply to our lives daily. Getting involved with a group of Christ following believers is paramount to your success as you live and work in the world around you. Find a church that teaches from Gods word and learn how it applies to your life, each and every day. It’s a weekly relationship you can’t do without. When you learn how to apply Gods word to your life it will begin to provide the meaning and substance God created you for. Ask Christ into your life today by asking Him to forgive you of your sins and allow Christ first in your life. Ask Jesus to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be. You will learn this by associating with other Christ followers and learning Gods word from the Bible. It’s a lesson that will help you pilot life’s journey.

New Year New Yawn

Could you watch it? The memorial service from Tucson, Arizona of the January 8th shooting at a political gathering that killed six people, was televised yesterday. I couldn't watch it. It was on the TV but just couldn't bring myself to listen or see the images. A very tragic event.

Instead I went outside and watched my son and his friend sled down our hill. The joys of my family are made in memories every day. My daughter who is bored from the snow-days just wanted to get out of the house, so we put dry clothes on and went to the mall to walk around. Living in Asheville is challenging because our two children grew up with neighbors right across the street to play with. Not so where we live now. But I am proud of the way they have adapted to the area despite the cultural differences.

Strength comes in various forms. During an open house at my daughters school one of her teachers commented as I walked through the door "You're a large, tall man, I wouldn't mess with you". It was a funny comment because I don't see myself that way, but it helps with the guys that want to date her. My philosophy has always been that our family draws on our collective strength and we draw strength from our faith in God.

My wife is source of great strength and inspiration with a strong faith. The snow continues to fall, the temperature will be well below freezing but the sun is shinning and the best is yet to come.

Have you heard

The other day I came across an announcement for a message entitled "wake up call for Gods people". It made me think, "are Gods people asleep?...yeah, pretty much." If we lived our lives as true Christ followers would we need a clever marketing strategy, book and cd series to wake us up.
Micah 6:7 "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
What do we do to make things right with God? Do we increase our activities at church, enroll in a new committee, teach another class, become more involved in the church, tithe more? NO! Instead get on your kness and ask for forgiveness of the pride, the hatelful way you have treated people, for not standing up for what is right, for keeping silent when you should have spoken out, for putting your own agenda before Gods. The church, you and I, are not to be political machines in our worship. How are you and I different in Christ?
Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Pride and self-importance don't bear repentance instead it looks more like "what's in it for me." You may not act like it on the outside but the heart reaveals true motives.
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
Keep reading, it gets' better. If you and I are to make disciples and share the life changing message of Christ in this world our lives must reflect Christ in us. The "wake up call" may simply mean getting your life in perspective to Christ. Before Christmas I read the story of George Washington at Valley Forge December 24, 1777. The story moved me and I told everyone in my family to read it before Christmas. It reminded me that men have taken a stand for whats right despite the overwhelming odds against them. Today we have forgotten what it means to stand-up for the right. Boldness is viewed as an undesirable trait. Yet these men stood in the face of great opposition and it proved victorious.
Have you heard that God loves you and wants to know you. Only through a repentant heart will you have access to the Creator and Father of Jesus our savior. Have you heard that your mistakes, pride and willful disobidience can be forgiven if you will ask. If you know Jesus as you Lord but have fallen into the trap of doing it your way repent ask Jesus to search your heart get right with Him and begin to live a life filled with the power of the Holy Spirit residing in you. Have you heard? Now tell someone.

Sunday Buckout

A few weeks ago a neighbor told me about a Buckout (practice bull riding) in Woodruff, SC. He said it was a small place but that it was attracting some good riders. The buckout was at Raymond Buckners' ranch just north of Greenville, SC. I decided to look him up and find out a little bit more about his event. He and I spoke a couple of times over the past few weeks about bringing cowboy church and announcing for the Bull Ride.

Just before I talked to Raymond I met a man by the name of Peter Finch who was interested in doing a documentary about Cowboy Churches. We met one day while I was shopping at Jacksons Western Wear, one of my favorite places to hang out in Asheville, he was talking to the owner who put him intouch with me, all while we were just standing there in Jacksons. A chance meeting, I don't think so. Peter shared with me his vision about wanting to do a documentary on cowboys and cowboy church. As we began to talk we both realized that we had alot in common. I tell you that because no sooner had Peter and I met that this opportunity to do a Cowboy Church at this buckout opened up.

Finally I was able to get there over to the buckout this Labor Day weekend. They buckout every Sunday at 5 PM in the summer. Iin addition to Cowboy Church Peter showed up with a video crew to document Cowboy Church and the buckout. I'm not sure but I think it was more than he bargined for. Because at one point I looked over at Peter and his other camera man and both of them had grins from ear to ear. They were having a good time.

For our first cowboy church at the buckout I thought it went very well. There were about 25 people there and 9 riders. Once things settled down we had an opportunity to talk with each of the riders and others that were just there to watch and they all said the same thing. "We want Cowboy Church here each Sunday!" Peter asked me to interview a few of the bull riders and ask there experiences, kind of the "why do you do something like that?" question. One theme began to emerge and it was about their personal faith in Christ, the relationship each one of those young men had with Christ was unique yet they all spoke of their experiences as a tool to witness to their friends.

1 Peter 3:15 says it best; but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Be able to share the Good News is very different from actually putting the truck in DRIVE and heading out on the highway to go do it. God showed me an opportunity and I had no other choice but to answer. No agenda or personal gain, just the call.

If you're ever near Woodruff, SC on a Sunday call me up and I'll give you directions to the Buckout Cowboy Church

Virginia is for Cowboy Church

Traveling is something I have always enjoyed. So when we started planting Cowboy Churches it only seemed natural that I would travel as a Cowboy Pastor, better known as a "Circuit Rider". With that said the latest journey took me to Virginia to visit with Ray and Linda Bell who live in Roanoke, Virginia.

I met Ray Bell in 2007 just after we had moved to Asheville to start our Cowboy Church. The area we had begun to plant our Cowboy Church in wasn't as reseptive as we had hoped. Ray and I had spoken on the phone a few times before but never in detail. So after a lengthy phone call one day the next thing I know Ray and Linda were driving up our driveway here in Asheville. Now there is the kind of friend you want to have around. Ever since that day Ray and I have spoken often. During the next couple of years we talked about visiting the Cowboy Churches in Virginia and finally we planned a week long visit in March.

Originaly I had planned on bringing my whole family on the trip but because of all the snow days here in Asheville they had to stay home and make up a school day on Saturday. I arrived at Rays home in Roanoke on Friday and his wife Linda served up a great meal. After dinner we were all talking and catching up when Linda looked at me and said 'you look tired", and with that I headed back to the hotel.

Saturday we began our journey to Mount Jackson, VA. which is about 2 hours north of Roanoke. Ray and Linda work very hard to make sure all the elements for these Cowboy Churches is ready to go and their number one concern is for those that attend these churches. The Cowboy Church in Mt Jackson is held at a Pasa Fino Ranch called River View Farms. This place is beautiful. While we were setting up Ray got a call that one of the team members that helps him setup had broke down on I-81. Ray threw me the keys to his truck and said go pick them up and bring'em here. So off I sped. Luckily they weren't too far away and we got back to the ranch in plenty of time to get everyting ready. The service is held in English and Spanish, I like that. We had supper and Ray turned the service over to me.

After the service we had to return to the scene of the "grime" of the broke down vehicle. A few of the guys from Cowboy Church were already at work, they got it fixed and we were on our way. We finally got back into Roanoke around 12:30 AM, it was a long day but everyone was still excited about the service.

Sundays Cowboy Church was held at the Moose Lodge near Roanoke. I met some great people there. After the service we went outside and a few of the members tried their had at my cracker whips. It was a lot of fun.

With Monday off I followed up on a few details on the up coming rodeo here in Asheville.

Tuesdays Cowboy Church we traveled to Blacksburg. The service is held in the Music Barn which is a famous Bluegrass Music Venue. The walls of the barn are covered with Bluegrass and Country musicians that have played there over the years. This was a great place for Cowboy Church I really enjoyed the people and the atmoshpere. After the service was over we all went out for Frosties and then I hit the road back to Asheville. I was ready to get back home to my family.

One thing is for sure, the Cowboy Church of Virginia is a ministry that is reaching the Cowboy community for Christ. Ray and his teams are committed and spend a great deal of time making sure everything looks professional and that the message of the Gospel is clear. This group deserves the "Tip of the Hat" for all that they do for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Preachin or Practicin'

There is a verse that recently caught my attention. Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

"How will you compete with horses?" We've had groups that said they would help support our work but no one ever shows up to work. Others have just out-right made up lies about us and yet the same men will stand in the pulpit and tell their members to "not quit" and yet they have told me to "give it up". Yet when I read this verse in Jeremiah it all makes a great deal of sense to me. The same opposition has been experienced by the heros of the Christian faith long before I was ever called to service for Christ.

Many of the church planter blogs I read have faced the same situations and do they quit, no! They are not called by man, they are called by the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean that I am above anyone, only that God has called me to a purpose and I won't stop no matter what others say.

When Suzanne and I began our church planting mission we knew of the pit falls of church planting. It was a commitment we both spent much time in prayer about. Early on we made up our minds that our church plant would reach the unchurched, not the "swapped church." Now to qualify this let me explain. Many of the successful church planters that I know, you know, the ones that begin with 50, 100, 200 people. The majority of these members are from another church in the area and not unchurched. The planter mearly swapped people from one church to another. Are they really reaching the unchruched?

Thats the challenge in church planting, if you want to support the work you need people and those people need to tithe to support the staff. Then on the other hand if you are really going to reach to unchurched it will be a challenge to support that new work because people that haven't been raised in church take time to understand what it means to support Gods work. How does a church plant survive? Is a successful church plant a group of rechurched people with 150 each week in attendance or a room with 15 or 20 who have found Jesus, turned their lives around and that now have a personal relationship with their Savior that wasn't there before. The Southern Baptist would rather see 100+ strong with money coming in. How do I know this? It has been said to me.

It's hard with only 15 or 20 people showing up each week, but you know what, those that are showing up are comitted and will tell you their relationship with Jesus is new and strong. That doesn't look good on a monthly report. The Bible I read doesn't teach that, it teaches instead a mission of going to the lost and preaching the good news.

Yeah, we have faced opposition and I have learned that instead of saying "why me?", I say "why not me?". Thats a hard thing to face and even put up with when Christian leaders are the ones causing the opposition. God didn't call me to the paved path, He called me to the wilderness where people are and they need to hear the Good News in a practical way. That's how people come to know Jesus it's through a personal relationship.

Would you like to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? You can ask Jesus in to your life right now. First you must admit you are a sinner, sin seperates us from God, ask God to forgive you of your mistakes. Next believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept the gift He gave us of forgiveness, finally confess your faith in Jesus as your Savior. Ask Him to take up first place in your life. Now call us or email us and let us know of your decision and we will help you on you journey. If you live in Western North Carolina come over and visit with us, we would like to meet you and help you in your personal growth in Christ.

These are challenging times for us all. It helps if we have someone we can turn too, a friend that understands. God will never let you down, He wants to know you and has a plan for your life.

Shine'n Boots at the Rodeo

Here is a video I set up during the Southern Finals Rodeo in Asheville, NC Saturday night November 14. The Ag Center was packed and this video condenses 45 minutes of shining shoes into about a minute and a half. We shined shoes from 6 PM until 10:30 PM Saturday evening. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did being there shining all these boots. Earl (Trail and Outdoor Ministry Leader) is in the white hat and Gene (pastor) is wearing the black hat. All together we shined about 125 pairs of boots over the 3 day finals event. Look for us at a Rodeo - Shining for Jesus.

New Year Keys

Do you have keys that don't work on anything? I have one or two that I'm not sure which locks they will open. Have you ever seen a Skeleton Key? All the doors in the house where I grew up all had skeleton key style locks. You don't find new houses these days using Skeleton Keys for locks anymore, they just didn't provide any kind of security. It's a difference in technology. What worked in the days of Skeleton keys doesn't necessarily provide adequate security now.

There are alot of books out there that advertise the "Keys" to success, happiness, weight loss, spiritual abundance, the list is endless. Even in the Christian circles many authors have written about "Keys" to Church Leadership or "Keys" to great sermons. Jesus said in Matthew 16:19-"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and what ever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven."

Jesus provides a key, if you will, to heaven and eternal life. It is not a key for deeds or church activities rather a path to grace that each of us must choose. Do your inward conditions reflect your outward acts? Or is the weight of circumstances around you corroding your spirit. The harder you try the more ground you seem to loose, sound familiar? You can free yourself from the challenge of "trying to hold on to Jesus" by letting go of the old attitudes. Once you have asked Christ to become your Lord and Master you have to put away the old habits that inhibit your relationship with God. When you asked Jesus to forgive you it was done, don't let doubt and discouragement cloud your view of who God made you to be.

God opens and closes doors in our Christian walk. Be ready to go through the doors He opens and accept the doors He closes. A yes on earth is a yes in heaven and a no on earth is a no in heaven. Let loose the things that keep you from a complete relationship with the Lord by allowing Jesus to turn the key of salvation and opening your heart to Him.

No Bull

There is a verse in Matthew when Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Many people that encountered Jesus were wondering if he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:15. As Christmas draws near have you asked that question? With the economy in a spiral and people out of work there are many around us asking that same question. "Where are you God?"

Suzanne, my wife, has been having a difficult time this year with the Christmas Season. Usually she is excited about the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, one because she loves being with family and friends and second because she loves sharing with others and helping share Christs love through giving back and helping make Christmas special for others. However, this year is not quite the same. Even after seeing the Singing Christmas Tree she came home and was still not motivated. Now with that being said, she and I both know that those things in themselves don't make Christmas but it is nice to be around friends and share in the joy of the season.

In John 3 verse 12 Jesus says it like this, "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" Have we become so smoothed over by the happenings in our life and the world around us that the miracle of Christ is just another event? Christs' message was a "No Bull" approach.

This season ask yourself this question, Who do you say Jesus is? Is he the name on a holiday, a reason to party, an excuse to gather the family together once a year, or is He Messiah, Emmanuel, Risen Savior, Lord of your life. Religion can get old, I see that in many of the churches I come in contact with, but a relationship with a Living God cannot get old. Renew your relationship with Christ today ask Him to come into your life and take up first place in your heart this Christmas.

Saturday Nights All Right

You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Bull Riding. It is the most dangerous sport anywhere on the planet. It is also one of the top watched events in television sports today. For those of you new to Bull Riding, the object is to sit on a bull, hold on to a rope wrapped around the bull, and when the chute is opened you hold on and stay on for 8 seconds. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, it doesn't seem like that long now, does it. But try to hang to a 1,500 to 2,000 pound bull who wants nothing more than to get you off of his back and 8 seconds can seem like an eternity. Got the picture!?

For those cowboys who ride bulls it's an everyday occurrence, you just have to maintain the nerve to repeat last weeks ride or not depending on how bad you got hurt. These guys are tuff. It's mental an physical. Sort of like ridding down a bumpy dirt road in the back of a Pick-up Truck going 50 miles per hour with nothing more to hang onto than a rope. Let me know how it works out. On second thought don't even try it, I don't want to know. Leave it up to the pros, ok?!

I met Jeff Robinson, who owns a number of PBR bucking bulls, a few weeks ago and he was telling me about a Bull Riding event he was putting on here in Asheville at the old Stockyards on the river. That's all I needed to get involved, other than Jeff's' permission. Scott Collins, who attends our Cowboy Church, is a rodeo judge and he is also one of the judges for the bull riding here in Asheville. So I went down to the Stockyards almost everyday last week just to let Jeff know we were serious about helping and then we watched them transform the stockyards into a bull riding arena.

The whole goal of our Cowboy Church is to share the gospel with those who like to cowboy and those that like to be around cowboys. You don't have to be a cowboy to enjoy Cowboy Church, just come as you are and worship the Lord. God wants to know each of us personally. The way we develop that relationship is to ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour.

I don't want to see any of the bull riders get hurt but if something should happen while they are riding, I want them to trust in Christ for all their needs. Ask Christ to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be.

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Gospel Cow Dog

Our dog Fletcher is an Austrailan Cow Dog. He comes from a working cattle ranch in Florida, he's mixed with Catahoula which makes him a little bigger than most Cow Dogs. When we first got him he was just a puppy and many of our friends warned us that cow dogs by nature are an aggressive bunch. But from the time I brought Fletcher home we trained him and had him around people. He has a great personality for people and the other day helped me share the Gospel.

Each Wednesday I go over to the Canton Livestock Auction to meet new people for our Cowboy Church. Not to mention it's a great place to hang out. The owner Ed Johnson and I met back in the summer and he has allowed me to come over and hold bible studies and promote our cowboy church. Many of the men there are from the area where we hold our Cowboy Church, so it's a great way to meet new people and promote our Thursday services.

Fletcher has not been around alot of cows since we moved to Asheville; horses yes, cows no. So I thought it would be fun to let him get a taste of a real stock yard.

Fletcher and I were standing by the truck when a man come over and asked if my dog was a Blue Heeler, so we began to talk about dogs. I told the man that Fletcher was from Florida. He noticed immediately that Fletcher had a nice personality. I told him that Fletcher is the official dog of Cowboy Church. This gave me the opportunity to share with my new friend how we started a cowboy church in North Buncombe county. His eyes lit up. He told me that he goes to a small church outside of Canton but the Cowboy Church seemed like a great way to share Jesus with people that don't like the typical church.

This whole conversation and meeting began all because of Fletcher. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

As the day went on I met more and more people because of Fletcher being with me, he helps me break the ice with people. I even took Fletcher back into the chutes to help work the cows going into the "Tub", but it was very noisy and crowded and Fletcher wasn't having any of that. The men working the cows liked having Fletcher back there. But in the end sharing Christ with someone is my goal. Some times I find it difficult to just go up to someone and hand them a Cowboy Church postcard and say "come on over!" I tend to be a little shy sometimes. Meeting new people can be intimidating, yes even for a church planter.

You may have something you enjoy that can help you share the Gospel, a way to break the ice with people that you haven't thought of yet. Take a moment today and think about what you do and the talents you have. Your witness is within those talents. If it pleases God then allow that part of your personality to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You may be the only Christ people ever know.

Black Ice

There is a phenominum that occurs here on our mountian roads when it is wet and the tempurature gets to freezing. Moisture freezes on the paved surface and as you drive down the road it looks like a normal road. But you come over a hill and the next thing you know your sliding out of control. Black Ice can be dangerous if you're not expecting it. So when it is raining or even begining to snow the news stations will warn drivers of Black Ice on wet roads. While driving on these mountain roads you have to be aware of the dangers that could cause you to wreck.

John 1:9 says, The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. This verse talks of the coming Christ. The coming Messiah would reveal a flawed system of trying to reach God and provide a way for a relationship with God through faith, grace and forgiveness. If you don't know there are dangers ahead how do you know what to look for. As this season approaches watch for the signs that indicate you are getting close to slippery surfaces. Sin doesn't come into our life with flashing lights and red and yellow warning signs in our path. It sneaks into our lives a little at a time.

Let the true light shine in your life and through this Christmas season. You will be surprised how your light provides a wide beam even for those who may need to see a path during this maze of Christmas confusion. Christ is the light of the world.

Day after the big meal

I'm not sure where I got it but I was sick all day yesterday. On Tuesday night I visited the Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry Vets Quarters where we had dinner and then Wednesday I had lunch at McD's. But what ever it was it made me ill for two days. My Mom always puts on a feast for as much family as will show up. Suzanne, my wife, and Mom put on a major spread. My cousin Rick and his wife Jing drove over from Boone to eat with us. I really felt bad not be able be more hospitable. So today I am going to take it easy and recover. I'm starting to feel a little better today. We may go out and brave the Asheville "traffic".

We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Fall Leaves

Here in Western North Carolina we have been experiencing a drought, many of the creeks and springs have run dry. People that depend on wells for their water are struggling to find water for their homes. I was talking with a woman that carries water to her cows from a few hundred feet away. No matter who I talk with I find out that even in difficult times people do what ever it takes to get the job done. Even if it means having to change the normal routine and our level of comfort.

Planting the Land of the Sky Cowboy Church has had its' own set of challenges... all of it man-made. We have a core group of people that want to see Cowboy Church in North Buncombe grow and they have become good friends and people we can depend on. They help provide laughter and encouragement as well as strong hands when there is work to be done.

Because of the drought when the leaves were changing this past fall I noticed that they were not very bright. We are surrounded by mountians, it's a beautiful sight. The lack of rain caused the leaves on the trees to look dull, it was still a sight to see. Usually they bright with colors and the mountians appear to have flames running from hill to valley. You could see areas that had been effected by the drought and areas where water was still plentiful.

In Acts Paul and Silas were going about their business when they were beaten and thrown in prison. Not something they were expecting that day. Around midnight that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns. When is the last time you were sick or down on life? Did you sing and pray to God or was it more like a pitty party for one? I've been there, and it was a challenge to pray and praise God in difficult times. Like those fall colors, the trees still reached skyward even though to my eye they looked dull, the colors still changed bringing a new season to the Western Mountains. Because Paul and Silas did not allow their personal comfort to interfere with their ministry duty the very guard that imprisoned them came to know Jesus Christ as his Saviour, then the guards entire household came to Christ and all were baptised that night. Remember it was midnight when this was going on.

So let's review;, drought, dull colors, surounded, midnight, locked-up and beat-up! Have you got the picture? "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". It's that simple. We all have things going on that can distract us from being saved, it is right there for the taking, so take a hold of Christ the Saviour. Psalms 145:10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

Be Thankful, today as you look around you many are hungry and in need of a kind word or a friend with an ear to listen. Christ calls us to proclaim His joy where-ever we are.

Ground Tied

"Ground Tied" is a term Cowboys use when they can get off their horse and drop the reigns to the ground and not tie them to anything but the horse will not move from that spot even thought he's not tied to a post or a tree.

Look at the picture again, there is a fence but the reigns are not tied to it. This horse is not by himself there are three other horses near him and they are all "ground tied", not to mention the 20 people standing near by. There is a lot of activity going on but this horse stands fast and doesn't go anywhere. A cowboy has spent alot of time with this horse training and working him. This horse knows his place and waits for his rider to return, pick up the reigns, climb on and go back to work.

Gods asks us to wait on Him, Jesus said, " I seek not my will but the will of Him who sent me.", John 5:31. It is easy for us to have our own will and our own plans and ambitions. Our world is going through a precarious time, tomorrow seems blurred by the news of uncertian terms in finances and politics. Gods will for you is very different you may not see it right now but the way to find it is to stand still in His corral. Those fences infront of you are man made and we insist we be tied to it for security and comfort. But tie that horse to that fence and if he get spooked his 1200 lb body will pull those boards right out of the post dragging that length of lumber around, hurting himself and others around him. Seek Gods will for your life and you will find freedom in you everyday life. God doesn't want to tie you down but He wants to give you freedom. That is freedom from death and sin. His son Jesus Christ has given us that freedom from sin and death because is His death and resurrection on the cross. Today ask God to take hold of the reigns of your life and learn from Him, so you can experience life without being tied to lifes fences.

Gravel Road

When is the last time you drove down a gravel road that you didn't know where it went? Or have you ever noticed when you drive down a familiar gravel drive you don't always hit the same hole twice. When I drive up the road to our house every now and then I hit a rut and I think "I don't remember seeing that in the road."

Some dirt roads are smooth while others have those chatter bumps that resemble speed bumps put really close together and if you drive around 35 mph you seem to skip across the tops but any slower or faster it will shake all of the loose change out from under your seats. And some dirt roads have large holes that seem to appear out of no where.

As Christ followers we are going to find the ruts in the road. Our lives don't become easier because we begin to live for Christ, however, we can live free from the constant striving for success and care that the world puts on us. A life with Christ at the center allows us to see the ruts and things that would distract us from living a life full of promise and hope. The promise Christ gives us is that of freedom from sin and hope for tomorrow. God wants the best for you and brings out the best in you if you allow Christ to work through you every day. Even though there are bumps and holes along the road of our journey Christ will lead you through if you let Him.