God Makes Good Stuff

"The Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. He breathed a word and the stars were born....For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command." Psalm 33:6-9

I am in awe at God's creation. God makes good stuff! How do I know? The proof is in these photos and dozens more, of what I have seen with my own eyes.  

So much beauty and wonder....and I haven't even scratched the surface on the beauty of this planet.  I have traveled to several state parks while living in Texas and have been adding on since moving to Colorado.  I have gazed out on the waters of the Pacific and the Gulf, not to mention countless lakes and rivers.  There is so much more I want to explore, this time with my family!

If anything, my "bucket-list" is filled with one simple concept: explore more of God's creation. I may never be able to get my journey staff filled to the bottom (for those that don't know, I keep a record of my travels on a walking stick) but, I sure am enjoying trying to set as many notches in it as I can.

As one of my favorite devotional songs, from my youth group days, says:

"Tall mountains, green valleys, the beauty that surrounds me; all make me aware of the One who made it all!"

Below are just a few photos of what I have seen through my own eyes.  I hope you are able to enjoy them especially, at this time when we must stay in our homes to help heal our planet.

Be Born Again

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, 'Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'  Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?'  Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’"  John 3:1-7

Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?  One of my favorite hymns that never gets old.  This passage made me start singing that song, as I was reading, this morning.  

I'm sure that we are all familiar with the fact that the Pharisees were no fans of the Messiah.  They were often found, in groups, gathering to chastise anyone who dares to "blaspheme" about a Son of God, performing wondrous miracles in the name of the Father.  One of these had his own mind and questions that sought answers.  He also sought those answers at a risk of being discovered.  Notice that the passage states that Nicodemus went to Jesus BY NIGHT?  In secret.  Nicodemus wanted his own answers and not just what he was being fed by the group that he associated with.  How often do we see individuals going with the flow, taking in only what someone (whether high official or even ministers) say, without proper grounds of proof?  

To be born again, we have to shed ourselves of the "human conformity".  Can a group of thousands be correct if Jesus states otherwise?  Of course not.  They blindly follow a "faith" without question.  Does God invite questions?  Yes!  He expects us to question, learn, and understand (Acts 17:2-3).  He also requires us to pass on that knowledge (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 14:23).  Being washed in Jesus's blood, through water and Spirit is a deep bond with our Lord and Saviour, that EVERYONE has the opportunity to have.  If they let the "crowd" control their thoughts and beliefs, they are doomed; as much as those who would falsely lead them.

It is people, like Nicodemus, that tells me that there is hope inside the heart of every single person on this Earth.  A chance that a spark will ignite inside of them, that leads them to God's Word.  It is this same spark that I continue to fan in myself, the hunger that leads me to read more, and re-read; not wanting to set the good book down and wrongly say, "I'm done reading.  I have it all figured out."  Every day, I need His cleansing power.  Nicodemus felt this tug in his heart.  He may not have understood why he felt it but, God was reaching out to him.  God is reaching out to us all, to be born again; w

ashed in His cleansing blood.  To trust in Him with all of our troubles and burdens.  To continue to seek wisdom and knowledge from Him and to question what the world says, when they tell us, "This is all what you do...", you say "Prove it in God's Word."  It's easy to want to go with the flow but, that isn't where we can be born again.

	Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
	Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
	Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
	When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white! Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for His presence bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
	Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

The Sweetest Gift

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Is it just me or, does anyone else get the "day after Christmas" blues?  Several weeks of decorations, lights, holiday smells, and music; all leading up to one joyous day of love spent with family then, "That's it?"  In a blink of an eye, that bountiful meal is over.  The moments of watching the kids tear open their presents, done.  The gathered family has returned home.  Moments now turned into memories.

This Christmas was especially heart-filled for me.  My mother and step-dad flew into town to spend a few days with us and enjoy the grandkids.  Nothing pleased me more than having this Christmas spent with my wife and children, along with having Grandma and Pops here.  

My wife went above and beyond to make sure everyone was just as comfortable as possible.  She was determined to make this a wonderful Christmas visit and she succeeded!  Our days were spent with Christmas music and movies (The Santa Clause and Home Alone), games, and plenty of good food.  We spent many moments gathered around the living room, sipping on coffee and wassail, chatting or engaging with the kids.  Each moment was beautiful and could not have turned out any better.  While I did have some VERY nice presents that I opened on Christmas morning, they were mere trinkets that couldn't hold a candle to the real gift.  The only present that I needed was having all that family together.  That's a present that needs no wrapping paper or shiny bows.  I remember the lines of a poem that my Granny used to recite.  One line sums it best:  I am drinking from a saucer, for my cup has overflowed.

To all my readers:  I hope that you and your families had a blessed Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Life Out There...

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."  Hebrews 11:3 

I love science fiction! Anyone who knows me, knows that concept. I'm also a dreamer of real possibilities, of reaching beyond what is right in front of us. God created the universe, with all of it's galaxies, solar systems, and planets. Alpha Centauri, is the closest solar system, to us, making it's binary stars (suns) the closest stars to us, except for our own sun, of course. What's it like in that system, I wonder, sometimes. Is there another "earth"? Other civilizations out there? It's hard to imagine that we represent the ONLY life in the entire expanse. 

I will never be the captain of a new ship, capable of faster than light speed, to explore "strange, new worlds". I won't be aboard a massive station, in "neutral space" where diverse species will meet. I'm not a half-human, half-alien, with two hearts, traveling around, with a robotic dog, eating "jelly-babies", to other regions. Nor, am I from a system trying to find the mythical "earth" after the massive destruction of my own system. (If you caught all of these, give yourself a pat on the back!)

Regardless of who or what is out there, I remember one thing. God took the time, in ALL of this, to create a little speck like me. In all His continued watch over everything that He created, He still is able to tend to me, personally.

When you put things in that perspective, how can you not just say, "WOW!"

The Christian Walk

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day they were added about three thousand souls."  Acts 2:41


I was fifteen when I declared my faith in the Lord.  Upon confessing Jesus as the Son of God, my Savior, I was baptized.  Thus, I began my walk as a Christian.  It was not only a glorious moment within my life, it was when I was "added" to the church, the same way that those three thousand were added when the church was newly formed.  

What tends to confuse others that were brought up under different teaching, is they presume that this process is how a person states they were "saved".  Nope, it is how one becomes a Christian.  The bible tells me what process I should go through in order TO BE saved; not *POOF* now I can turn my proverbial tassel over from the "unsaved" to the "saved" side.  What it is saying is the day I am truly saved, is the day that I have been given the inheritance of eternal life.  Right now, I'm still living on Earth.  I don't HAVE the inheritance yet, I've just been promised it.  The actually inheritance of salvation happens on the day that I stand before God.  That is the day that we "will be saved" or, "will be condemned" (Mark 16:16)

In that context, I don't refer to the "day I was saved" (hang on, checking to make sure I still have a pulse).  That IS the day that I began my Christian walk.  I will be saved as I continue to keep Jesus in my heart until the day I pass from this world to face my day of judgement.  Only then, am I truly spared from eternal punishment.  Let's face it, until then, there are still plenty of chances for me to screw that up.  While I am far from being a perfect Christian, I don't think God will allow that to happen.  My God IS an awesome God.  I will continue to hunger for further knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that is ONLY found in God's Word.  

Only One Truth

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

"Listen to me, the other guy is terrible, I'm the best one for the job....blah, blah, blah."  Anyone else tired of the constant political ads?  Tired of the smearing of an opponent in order to boost one's own (and very flawed) image?  It seems that the best way to win your vote is by trash-talking the other candidate.  Can we stoop any lower than that?  Everyone claims that they are right.  Everyone swears by the "truth".  Who can you trust and does it just end with the political arena?  No!

Here's one for you:  Who do you trust with the biblical answers?  Sure, there are plenty of biblical scholars out there.  You can call them a preacher, teacher, pastor, minister, reverend but, does that put them on an authoritative pedestal?  Certainly not.  Some may act as if they are His authority but, when it comes down to it they are merely simple men trying their best to interpret God's Word, without adding or taking away, as best as they can.  That's what it should be, anyway.  My old preacher would readily admit, in any sermon, when he is putting his best opinion to a scripture.  "According to the book of Lonnie...", I would remember him saying.  My friend, that performed the wedding ceremony for Megan and I, would say that as a pastor, he is still learning and doesn't have everything just perfect.  I admire those that are in these positions that also know humility.   They don't speak with a forked tongue.  There is no "I KNOW the bible better than you so, you're just wrong!"  There are some issues that are very plain and don't require someone to explain it to you.  Other issues will take some deeper exploration.  However, everyone is fallible.  No one is perfect.  This is what can make or break new Christians.  

In a world where political leaders and biblical leaders tend to have their own views that they call "the truth", there is one hope:  The Truth - God's Word.  Who better to go to when you need honest answers to your questions?  Your pastor or preacher?  Your representative, or governor?  Sure, you want to be able to turn to them for many situations.  However, not all questions were meant to be answered by a simple human.  The most important questions won't be answered that way.  Not accurately, anyway.  I don't even like when someone asks me if I "think" this way or that way about a question of their salvation.  I'll tell them what the bible says and they must figure out the answer from that.  They may not like what they hear but, I'm just quoting the bible and I'll leave the interpreting to them.  

God has all of your answers.  He will always be honest.  He will never deceive you.  He will NEVER be the wolf in sheep's clothing.  Follow your heart when it comes to the important decisions in life.  After all, if we are carrying God in our hearts, how can we go wrong when we use that to guide our understanding of His Word?

Don't Be Held Back

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Have you ever encountered a situation that made free climbing El Capitan actually look easy?  I believe we all have at some point in our lives.  Just as the case of the climber, in the photo, there are plenty of odds that is ready to defeat him: gravity, a loose hold ready to break away, no ropes for protection.  Plenty of adversity here to keep him from reaching the top.  That feeling sound familiar?

In light of these situations, Paul encourages us with his words that, even when everything seems against you, God will get you through it.  Satan works in many ways to try to defeat us, make us give up, and take his "easy road".  God continues to say, "Don't give up!  I AM here!  I'll get you through it!"  Keeping that focus and faith on our Creator, and we can get through anything.  The important thing is to keep moving upward.  If someone attempts to hold you back, spiritually, let them go.  As 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals'."  If there is something tying you down, look to God to break free, as surely as He broke the chains from Peter's wrists (Acts 12:6-7).

While I don't see myself climbing a sheer face as El Capitan, I am determined to continue to scale the mountains that life sets in front of me.  Not only myself but, for my family to keep pushing forward, as well.  What mountains are you facing?  Keep moving forward, God will get you through it, and you will be that much stronger.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast."  1 Peter 5:10