Of First Importance

"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!

Live Like That

Winter in Montana is beautiful.  Each day here all you have to do is step outside to be reminded that we serve an AWESOME God!

Overlooking Bozeman from the "M" trail

A week ago, Kirkwood hosted Family Promise, a homeless ministry here in Bozeman that helps families come up with individualized plans to help them take the steps towards lasting independence.  We had a family staying at the church for the week and we were able to share evening meals with them, and some people served as overnight hosts as well.

This week we have a mission team here from Dalton, GA and Clarksville, TN helping with Marriage Emphasis Week. They have been a HUGE blessing and breath of fresh air as they have made meals for the conference each evening, worked with the children, and have also been helping with some painting around the church during the day. Pastor James and Misty have been doing the teaching out of the study "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and it has been a great week for the married couples to refocus and also for those of us who are single to gain much wisdom on what a biblical marriage should look like.  I also had the privilege this week of taking the team for a winter trip up Hyalite Canyon.  Absolutely incredible!  Check out the pictures...

We found the hats at Walmart and just couldn't resist

Hyalite Canyon

Hyalite Canyon

Grotto Falls trail

Igloo!

The team :)

Enjoying God's creation

On the way to Grotto Falls

Waterfall... uh in the summer :)

Icicles near Grotto Falls

Hyalite Canyon

The lake at Hyalite :)

Another praise is that our Sunday Evening Prayer Group has grown to the point that next Sunday (the 3rd) we will split into two groups.  It has been amazing to reflect and see the prayers God has answered through that time of meeting and praying together.

We have also been doing a great Bible Study on Proverbs. It tells us in His Word that, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7)."  As I seek God's wisdom, it is humbling each day to realize I know less than I think I did. My prayer lately has been for the Lord to give me a humble, teachable and repentant spirit, because I have seen that the minute we become "wise" in our own eyes, we are finished.  I have also been reminded why it is so important to choose friends wisely and spend time with those who point me to Him, encourage genuinely, pray faithfully, who are willing to share what they have learned from their experiences, who mentor and instruct, who rebuke me in love, share His wisdom, seek His word, who hold me accountable and don't enable me, who are consistent, who forgive and who are on fire for Him.

Through those who God has so graciously put in my life, I have been reminded of late that we all have influence. How are we using the influence God has given each of us? We all have a platform and whether or not we feel the responsibility we have a direct impact for better or for worse on those He has placed around us. Only when we are seeking Him daily and relying on His power can we truly go forth in His name.  Pat Williams, senior vice president of the Orlando Magic wrote a book called The Difference You Make.  In it he poses this question: "If your life were a silent movie, if the only way people could learn about your character, your beliefs, and your values was through the actions of your everyday life, what would they learn? (p. 95)"  Very convicting.  Being aware of the influence we have on others is one of the first steps to making a difference.  In other words, you might be the only Bible some people read... What are they seeing?

It makes me think of some of the lyrics to the song "LIVE LIKE THAT" by Sidewalk Prophets

"Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that"

Please pray for:
- Leadership at Kirkwood (Pastor James, our youth pastor Andrew and myself) and unity among the body of Christ.  Praise for those I have the privilege of serving alongside.
- A worship leader for Kirkwood.
- Opportunities for discipleship.
- March 7-8th Pastor James, Andrew and their families along with myself will travel to Great Falls, MT for the M-Pact Ministry Conference.  Pray for a time of learning and also renewal.
- Personal: Another upcoming brief trip down to Utah to take care of more stuff at the place that was my dad's.  And upcoming mission trip to Honduras in April - that God would prepare the hearts of those the team will be ministering to and that the team will be diligent in preparation.

Life On The Road

Sixteen flights since the week of Thanksgiving that in addition to time in Bozeman included layovers in Salt Lake City, Detroit, Paris, Frankfurt, Atlanta and Minneapolis along with stops in San Diego (CA), Park City (UT), Slovenia, Italy, Orlando (FL) and Nashville (TN) ... so grateful for all I have been able to see and experience during that time but I am also thankful to now have a couple months at home before hitting the road again. 

Rec Lab 50

The most recent trip included attending the 50th anniversary of Rec Lab in Orlando and it is absolutely one of my favorite weeks of the year and always one of the most humbling. To sit with those who have been in ministry for so many years and to learn from their experiences is such a blessing. There is no way I could be doing what I am now apart from those who I have met there. The week served as a reminder that there are times we take life way too seriously and sometimes we as adults need to be reminded what it's like to play like kids, while also being reminded how even simple recreation games can be in used as a platform to share the Gospel. In addition to that, the most memorable moment of the week for me came in one of the recreation seminars when the leader said, “Learning always happens on the edge of uncomfortable.” He was referring to how many lessons we miss because of how quick we are to give up when things become hard and cause us to move beyond our comfort zone. I immediately thought of the spiritual implications of that statement. God wants to grow us through every circumstance and looking at my life, I know the times I have often learned the most have been through trials or circumstances far beyond my comfort zone that I chose to persevere in until God brought me through to the other side. In the Bible God tells us to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work in you so that you may be mature and complete and not lacking anything (James 1:3-4).” May we resolve to always stick it out in uncomfortable circumstances and trying seasons until we learn the lesson God has for us, for there is blessings that come on the other side of every trial as we are made to be more like Him. 

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

Sweet mentors and friends God has put in my life.

After the conference in Orlando I was able to swing through Nashville for a few days, worship with the Judson church family for a Sunday and attend a couple missions meetings, stop in for a visit with all the kids at Foundations Christian Academy and throughout my time there see so many people the Lord has so graciously put in my life. 

Sweet time at the Poenitske's

The Allen kiddos

16th Birthday Celebration for Rachel

Nashville Snow Day!

 

Exciting things are happening back here in Bozeman as well – we are getting ready to split our Sunday evening prayer group at Kirkwood because it has grown to the point that is necessary, getting ready to host the Family Promise homeless ministry for a week at the church, preparing for summer mission teams and other events, seeing a couple people accept Christ and also step forth in obedience to be baptized as a public profession of their faith, and the opportunity to start discipling new believers while encouraging others along the way. I am constantly reminded that none of these things just happen overnight. It is so sweet when the Lord allows us to take a step back and gain perspective of all He is able to accomplish over time when we are obedient in the little things He asks us to do each day. As it has been said, "Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, to the best of your ability...every time." 

Quality time with baby Levi!

One other bit of exciting news is the opportunity I will have to return to Honduras for the 4th year in a row in April to serve alongside Sam and Peggy Feazel of Ignite Missions. Over the past three years down there, I have seen villages transformed by the Gospel message, hundreds come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and churches planted. This year we will continue the work in two of the villages the 2012 team visited and the team will be doing women’s ministry and Vacation Bible School.

Please pray for:
-Pastor James and the Kirkwood church family. For God to guide him in leading and for everyone to be on board and fired up about what God is doing.
-Upcoming Family Promise week at Kirkwood.
-Ability to disciple new believers here in Bozeman and train them up in how to walk with the Lord consistently.
-Mission trip to Honduras in April - for God to provide the funds and everything else that is needed to go on the trip.
-Personal – for the time to rest and recharge and dive into His Word even deeper in the coming weeks.

Slovenia Mission Trip and Other Winter Happenings

"As you are going, make disciples of all nations..." - Matthew 28:19

Thank you to all of you who prayed for the mission team I traveled with to Slovenia!  The International Sports Federation was founded in 1993 and over the last 20 years has sent over 8,500 volunteers to more than 120 countries, while partnering with missionaries serving in those locations.  Sports is the platform used on the trips to build relationships and open doors to share the Gospel.  The team flew into Ljubljana (see map below) and traveled a couple hours to the northwest of Slovenia to Bovec where missionaries Joe and Kim Kelley reside.  In a country of about 2 million people, less than 1,500 have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Extreme sports are a big part of the culture there so that was the platform we used for the week. Our team's job was to be on the ski slopes each day and be intentional with those God put in our path.  We went to three different resorts - Kanin, which is on the border of Slovenia and Italy, allowing us to ski in two countries in one day, Kranjska Gora (in Slovenia) and Tarvisio (in Italy).  Through relationship building and materials we were able to hand out throughout the week we gave hundreds of people access to the Gospel.  At night, we delivered calendars to every home in Bovec in preparation for the new year that had Bible verses on them.

Through my time there, more than anything I was reminded that missions is a lifestyle not just a one or two week trip. It is a lifestyle with an intentional missional mindset of making disciples as we are going each day of our lives.  It made me question what I could do to be more intentional each day of my life back home.  Whatever our gifts are, we can use them for His glory as we surrender our entire lives to Him every day.

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died and was raised again... We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

-2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 20

Please continue to pray for Joe and Kim Kelley, the missionaries we served with in Slovenia and for the hearts of those there to be turned to Him!

The days leading up to heading overseas were crazy, but I had a night celebrating Christmas in Montana before heading to Utah.  

After getting everything taken care of in Montana, my good friend Crystal and her family, along with two other of their friends, road tripped from Bozeman down to Utah with me.  We had a blast skiing at Deer Valley and visiting the Olympic Park.  We got to catch part of an aerial ski competition up close which was incredible to see them flying higher than the building!  I also spent time with my uncle and my mom, her parents, as well as a brief time with some of my cousins.

Uncle and Gayla

After all the travels, especially the 26 hour/four flight finish from Slovenia back to Bozeman, I was so thankful to be back home!  I am so thankful for the Kirkwood church family here in Montana and definitely missed everyone while I was away.  Everything is going great here, as there have been many visitors over the past couple weeks.  This Sunday, the 13th, we are having Friend Day where everyone is inviting people to come worship with us.  We will be having a breakfast and then worship service.  We also have a couple people getting baptized that day which is exciting as well.  Pastor James and Misty are doing well and baby Levi hit the three month mark today!  I just started a Christian Missions Perspectives class at Montana Bible College this semester.  Next Friday I also have a sweet opportunity to speak in Chapel to the kindergarten through 6th graders at Heritage Christian School.

I am in town for a couple more weeks and then I am back on the road again - heading to Orlando, Florida for the 50th Rec Lab ministry conference.  It is the oldest and most attended sports ministry conference in the world.  It will be my fourth year going and it is always a great time of worship, seminars, and fellowship with so many who share a passion for using recreation as a way to reach people for Christ.  It is always a refreshing time and I always walk away with many ideas and even more on fire for the Lord.

Lastly, for those in Nashville - some of you already know, but I will be in town January 31 to February 5 so I can't wait to see so many of you!

Know that all of your love, prayers and support mean the world to me!  Wishing all of you a Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what this year holds!

Please pray for:

- Friend Day at Kirkwood this Sunday - that many would come and hearts would be turned to Him!

- Ability to catch up on everything after the crazy last few weeks.

- That God would continue to open doors here in Bozeman.

- I am speaking in Chapel at Heritage Christian School on the 18th to the K-6th graders - please pray for God to be glorified through that time!