"But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4
Here in the states we so often get caught up in feeling we need the best sound system, biggest screen and perfectly manicured building in order to get people to come to worship Him. Most of you have heard by now about the vandalism that occurred at Kirkwood Baptist a couple weekends ago. Through that, our sound system was destroyed, big screen and walls of the church graffitied, and even pages of a Bible burned by vandals. However, none of that stopped the ability of the body of Christ to come together and worship Him. Check the picture from worship service the day after we discovered the break in... Incredible time in the Word and praying together before closing with Amazing Grace and Give Me Jesus... We serve an awesome God. To Him be the glory through all of this...
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
The past couple weeks insurance adjusters have been in and the painters and cleaners have begun the process of putting everything back together. Everything is coming together nicely and God has truly received the glory. The prayers that have been lifted up by literally thousands across the country and our partner churches who have shown support has been such a huge blessing. The church is not a building but the body of Christ and that has been exemplified in such a clear way through this time.
In everything, through seasons of prosperity as well as through trials, we have such an opportunity to show how awesome God is... People can try to fight God with weapons of this world, but we have already been assured of victory in the end because of what He has done for us through Jesus Christ.
"On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."
-Matthew 16:18
I was in Utah for a few days last week taking care of some family business there. It was a very productive time and I also had the chance to see some family friends, who I have known for most of my life. We got to catch a few runs together at Deer Valley which was a great time.
 |
| Deer Valley Ski Resort |
 |
| Nikki, Anne, Blake, Bobby and I |
 |
| Nikki, Uncle Bill, myself, Blake and Anne |
 |
| With the deer outside of Stein's Lodge :) |
 |
| Snowman! |
 |
| Blake's first snowman! |
Spring is coming just around the corner, but it is absolutely beautiful here in Bozeman as well and we still have snow. Here are a few pictures from Bridger Bowl Ski Resort.
 |
| Life is good! |
 |
| Powder day at Bridger |
 |
| View from Bridger Bowl |
 |
| View from Bridger Bowl |
In addition to the clean up going on at Kirkwood, we have been preparing for Easter here in Bozeman. We are hosting an egg hunt this Sunday for children of the community, and then Good Friday and Easter services the following week. The lyrics from Christ is Risen help point us to what this time is all about:
"Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light.
Our God is not dead! He's alive! He's alive!"
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again..."
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6
Praises/Prayer requests:
- Praise for all God has done through the situation at church. Prayers as the clean up process continues and for the leaders at Kirkwood and church body to continue to be united. May He continue to get all the glory.
- Praise for the chance Pastor and his family, our youth pastor Andrew and his family and myself had to attend the M-Pact Conference in Great Falls, Montana a couple weeks ago - it was a great time of worship, teaching and being refreshed.
- For the Kirkwood community egg hunt Sunday.
- For Good Friday and Easter services - for people to understand the truth of the Gospel.
- Mentoring/discipleship opportunities.
- I leave for Honduras, April 7 (through the 15th). Please pray for the team's preparation and for the hearts of those there that we will be working with, and for missionaries Sam and Peggy Feazel of Ignite Missions.
As always, please let me know if there are ways I can be praying for you!
