Katrina...you are very unladylike!

My heart absolutely breaks for the people of the Gulf Coast. The stories that have come out are almost beyond belief. I see those sitting on top of their houses, or those who are wading in neck-deep water and try to imagine those people being me. It's impossible to imagine. I think of the Psalmist who says:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble ... Though its waters roar and foam ... The Lord Almighty is with us." (Psalm 46:1,3,7)

MIA

I want to apologize for my stagnant blog. I am in the middle of buying, closing and moving into our new house. It's an amazing blessing, and a great time. We absolutely love it and have been in since Saturday. The boys are in heaven, as we discovered a herd of elk about a mile away from the house. Yesterday, there were 4 huge mule deer bucks walking casually through our front yard. This is truly a paradise for our little dudes.

On a serious note: Please pray for Suzi. She woke up about a week ago with an appearent "crick" in her neck. Over the past week it has worsened to the point of serious pain down her right arm. The other night she woke up crying, in severe pain as if someone was "bashing her in the arm repeatedly with a sledgehammer." We are consulting some doctors and looking at getting her an MRI this week. Please pray.

There is nothing worse than watching the one you love in so much pain.

I'll start writing again soon.

Bart

hmmm

Blessed

It snowed yesterday. It is now August. Yes, it snowed in August. We had gone downtown to buy some furniture, and unfortunately we were away from our home when the snow angels fell from the sky.

As we drove home we noticed that the foothills were covered in snow. Imagine our surprise as we drove up the interstate to find snow at our house. It was one of the most surreal times I have experienced for a while.

Growing up in Texas, your body’s clock begins to prepare yourself for winter. Last time I checked, August is not winter. I welcomed the site anyway, and thought of my friends and loved ones in Texas that would give anything to trade their 100 degree days for a little snow.

The welcomed site made me extremely contemplative about my blessings. The Lord gave me a clear picture of where He has brought us in the past year.

He has given us a new job, new state, new home, new lease on life, and a new perspective on the value of family.

I thank God for His amazing work in our life.

Living In The Larger Story

Elisha fully understood what it meant to be a part of the larger story. As the scene opens, his servant was clearly part of the smaller story, until the Lord opened his eyes.

Do you remember? An overwhelming army had moved in during the night surrounding Elisha and the boys. They were severely outnumbered…for those who were nearsighted. Elisha had been blessed to see the larger story and prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see what he was seeing. The servant’s eyes were opened, revealing the army of the Lord riding chariots of fire waiting in the mountains, far outweighing his previous fear.

With one request from Elisha, God blinded every member of the Syrian army. Do you think there was a run on seeing-eye dogs in Syria? This could be described as an “open and shut” case for Elisha.

Welcome to the larger story, servant of Elisha.

Elisha’s servant was caught up in his own personal story, unable to see the bigger picture of God. Elisha was not. He got it and was able to see the glory revealed by the Father.

For those who follow Christ…you are part of a bigger picture, a larger story. You no longer live in a world of small things with limited scope. When you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you were cured of nearsightedness and given a vision that can only be diagnosed as “supernatural.”

When those around you hear the words “cancer” or “downsize” or “there’s nothing more we can do,” just as Elisha’s servant, panic ensues. Unbelievers simply do not have the hope and promise that those who follow Christ have. Be an Elisha. See beyond your current circumstance to envision how the Lord is going to rescue you from the situation. Pray for the vision that your Father has for you. Pray for the gift of the larger story.

I am certainly not implying that followers of Christ never suffer from panic or nearsightedness.

Moses did. When he was called to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, he pleaded, he gave excuses, he wanted to weasel out. But ultimately the Lord convinced him, and he gained his vision and accomplished the task. He understood that he was part of the larger story.

Jonah did. The Lord got his attention. A few days inside the stinky guts of a whale, and his eyes were opened. He too came to understand that he was a part of the larger story.

Jacob did. He wrestled with The Great Wrestler and the Lord got his attention until he once again became focused on the supernatural…albeit with a limp. And, yes, he found his place the larger story.

Most likely when faced with challenges, the humanness in you will excuse, will run, or will wrestle. Your Father will bless you with vision.

You were designed to be a part of the larger story. For those who do not believe in God, it is impossible to be a part of the larger story because it is He, our Creator who created it.

Protect yourself from being one of the Christians who live in their own personal world, refusing to acknowledge the awesome power of our Father. But instead, hold fast to the promises of God, and step up in faith into the realm and glory of the larger story.

Be Still, My Bleating Heart

The instructions could not have been simpler. The Lord specifically told King Saul to destroy the Amalekites. Everything…nothing should be left. No men, women, children, animals, belongings…nothing. He did. Kind of, but not exactly. King Saul kept the best livestock and sheep for himself. Whoops.

God gave Samuel a “heads up” as to what King Saul had done, or not done. Samuel decides to confront the king.

“King Saul, why did you lie? Why did you disobey what the Lord had commanded?”

Saul replies nervously, “I, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I destroyed everything.”

BAAAAHHHH! A sheep sounds in the background. Saul was busted. He quickly tells Samuel that the animals were for a sacrifice for the Lord.

I love how Samuel responds. “Behold, to obey is better than to sacrifice.”

From that day on the Lord despised that He had ever appointed Saul as king.

I wonder if Samuel were to pass by our lives today, do you think he would hear the bleating of sheep in some dark corner of our lives. I mean, by all accounts, we live a Godly life. We go to church, we give a little money, we treat people with respect, and for the most part we would be described as followers of Christ.

When approached by Samuel, we respond, “Life couldn’t be better. I’m doing exactly what the Lord has told me to do.” BAAAAHHHH! Samuel looks over our shoulder to see our black sheep standing in the dark corner of our hearts. “I mean, my life is better than most, but I haven’t quite taken care of that…yet.”

What is it? Is it anger, control, dishonesty, or lack of integrity? Is it the internet, your taxes, your expense reports or your lack of a God-honoring relationship with your spouse? Listen closely. Because none of us are perfect and we live in a fallen world, we all have the ability to hear the calls…if we have ears to hear. Which area of your life can you hear the bleating of the sheep?

Pray that you would be able to examine your heart with the eyes of the Lord, not the eyes of man. Pray that He would reveal to you what areas of your life are bleating. Our lives are to be a living sacrifice to the Lord. Release whatever areas of your life are continuing to stand in between you and your Maker. Nothing is gained from bleating to death.

Removing the black sheep from the corners of your heart will provide an incredible intimacy with the Lord…an intimacy that you are unable to feel with your current roadblocks. Honor the Lord, and you will be honored in return.

I pray that you hear BAAAAHHHH’s no more.

My Special 7 Year Old

I am so proud of Gabe. We had his 7 year old birthday party Saturday. It was an incredibly special time. He's a great kid who searches after his Father...not me, but his Maker. I love him deeply.

Chip the chipmunk

Have I told anyone that we are raising a chipmunk? Perhaps not, since it could be a misdemeanor to raise a wild animal in captivity. He was nearly dead on one of our hiking trails we go on. We knew that he would be eaten by morning, so we thought we ought to try and nurse him back. His name is "Chip"...I know it's real original. He is awesome.

Extreme Makeover: Heart Edition

He was the doorman at the local “kill the Christian” rock-throwing events. He worked the coat closets at the parties…watching as dozens of crazed idiots threw rocks until those who followed Christ breathed their last. This was Saul’s life...persecuting those who followed Jesus is all he knew.

One would be hard pressed to find a man with a harder heart of stone.

I love the television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This is one show that I find myself glued to each week. I love the show for three reasons: 1) I marvel at how quickly such an incredible transformation can take place. 2) I love to see the magnitude of the change that has been made. 3) My favorite aspect of the show is seeing the reaction of those whose lives have been transformed forever.

Do you remember the way the show always starts? Ty Pennington stands in front of the home of the family whose lives are about to be changed forever and yells in his annoying megaphone, “Good morning, Phillips family!”

I can’t help but think that the scene looked somewhat similar on the dusty road to Damascus that cool morning. “Good morning, Saul of Tarsus!” Saul hits the dirt and goes blind. God had a plan for this Christian killer. The Great Physician did heart surgery that day. As part of Saul’s new look, God changed his name to Paul. Later, Paul became a hero for Christ and eventually penned most of the New Testament.

God has the same plan for you. When you are willing to hand over the keys to your life and allow your Creator to do what He does best, you will be eternally changed. You will: 1) Be transformed into who you were designed to be. 2) Marvel at the person you see in the mirror. It will be difficult to remember who you were before your transformation. 3) Cherish a hope and a peace unlike anything you have ever experienced. Your gratitude for who you have become will be unexplainable.

Think of the before and after pictures that are revealed at the completion of the show. Does your life more closely resemble the before or the after? God longs for you to admit your weaknesses, and at last receive your extreme makeover: heart edition.