Kicking Off 2014

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

-Hebrews 13:8

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." Philemon 6

Hope the winter is treating all of you well! Life is good in Bozeman!  The beauty of God's creation here is truly incredible.  Driving into town every morning seeing the snow covered mountains is breathtaking.  One of the benefits to the cold weather are the frozen ponds around town and I have had the opportunity to play a little pond hockey! Doing so has been a bucket list item for me since the days of roller hockey as a young kid back in San Diego.  There have also been a couple sweet powder days on the mountain amidst the busyness of work.

View from apartment

Powder day at Bridger Bowl

Bridger Bowl

Moonlight side of Big Sky resort

First on the lift

Pond hockey!

Pond hockey

At Kirkwood Baptist, Pastor James stepped down as pastor in mid-December so that he could pursue an opportunity working for a former employer back down south and to take some furthering education courses.  Him and the family left town the start of January and we all love and wish them the best.  In the interim at Kirkwood, youth pastor Andrew Lane has stepped up to preach weekly and we, along with a couple others who make up the leadership team, have been seeking the Lord's guidance about what He has in store and are excited to see what will happen in the days ahead.  Please pray along with us that we would continue to seek after how God would have us show the love of Christ to the surrounding community.  

It has been such a season of being reminded that although circumstances can seem unexpected from a worldly perspective, nothing ever comes unexpected to our God.  He goes before us and prepares the way and provides in ways beyond what we could ever ask or hope for.

At KBC, we have recently become partnered with Love Inc, an organization that works along with churches in the community to meet needs in the name of Christ. We are getting ready to host a luncheon next week as a kickoff to one of their fundraisers for later in the summer.  Through this partnership we are also working with them to reach kids for Christ in the high school located right across from the church.  Please pray for God to open doors in this area.

Kirkwood is also getting ready to host the yearly Montana SBC Pastor's Conference this coming weekend.  Senior Pastor from Judson, Gene Mims, will be the lead speaker and he will also be speaking in worship Sunday morning at KBC.  We are all excited to have him out here.  Please pray for him as he travels, for the conference and for his time at Kirkwood.

Pastor Andrew's daughters Ellee and Johannah

At Heritage Christian where I serve as Athletic Director, we are nearing the end of basketball season so most nights have been spent in the gym for practices and games.  Please pray that all of our athletes would continue to honor the Lord in how they practice and compete throughout the remainder of the season.  Working at the school has provided many opportunities for discipleship and has also opened the door to build relationships with some of the families there which has been such a huge blessing and tangible reminder of God's faithfulness in my life.

Cheering on the HCS varsity boys team at the State Tournament

I had the opportunity from Feb 6-10 to travel back to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the missions conference at Judson Baptist Church.  After not having been back to Nashville in over a year, it was such a sweet time to see so many from my home church family as well as to meet some of the other mission partners they now work with from all over the world.  It was great to be able to share what the Lord has been doing in Bozeman as well as hear about what is going on elsewhere.  It is awesome to be apart of a body of believers that are serious about fulfilling the Great Commission.  I also had the opportunity to speak at Chapel to the children at Foundation Christian Academy where I worked for two years before coming to Bozeman. I can't believe how big all the kiddos are getting!  I am so thankful that God's love bridges time and distance and for the ability to keep in touch with so many there, while knowing I am following where God wants me to be in this season.

FCA kiddos

FCA kiddos

FCA kiddos

Being in Nashville was a reminder to me of the power of God and the fact that His blessings always lie on the other side of the obedience line.  It was also a time to be challenged and reminded that we must choose daily to live differently so that His light will shine through us and reach the lost.

In the book Against the Wind: Finishing Well in a World of Compromise by K.P. Yohannan he says:

"The road marked out before us is steep and narrow. It is a road of suffering, yet one that leads to 'joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).' All along the way, there will be voices calling out from each side of us to forsake the narrow road and walk an easier path, one of less resistance and less self discipline.  That is where we must hear again the words of Paul - but for you, be different... Choose to be different.  Remember the goal before you and discipline yourself so as to run in a way to reach the goal (p. 65)."  

May Jesus be our sole passion and may our eyes remain fixed on Him in every season.  On the days where it feels easier to just say 'no' may we continue on persevering and seeking what He has for us.  May we finish well daily because that will lead to a life of fulfilling His call on our lives and the ability to see His power displayed in unmistakable ways.  In seasons of blessing and seasons of trial, may we be reminded that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  And no matter what, may we keep on keepin' on until He returns or calls us home.

Thank you all for your love and support!