Connecting with Friends
It was good to be at Dakota Ridge Assembly in Littleton today. We were able to see many friends from our days as Pastors of the church. We appreciate the fine work and hospitality of Pastor Paul and Vickie Church. They are committed to developing a strong ministry and have established a good foundation on which to build. (Picture above with good friend Tammy Maseberg)
Congratulations to our friends George and Annette Brauchler on marking their 15th Wedding Anniversary. Even though the ceremony was cut short with George having a fainting spell and requiring a call to the paramedics, he revived strong enough to read his vows to Annette from his back before the paramedics arrived. I am pleased that I was able to connect with him later in the day and hear that he is doing better and will be in the hospital just a short time for some observation.
I received a copy of Andy Peterson’s book entitled, “Saved Twice”. It is hard to believe that it was 1998 when Andy was attacked by a mountain lion on Carpenters Peak in Roxborough State Park in south Jefferson County. Andy walked through the doors of our church the Sunday after getting released from the hospital still bearing the stitches, scratches from his attack. It was a privilege to see Andy make a commitment of his life to Christ to baptize him and to retrace the steps of his hike a year after the attack. Andy is now married to a wonderful wife (Cortney). They have two children and a great family. Andy is sharing his experience in churches and through media interviews and is being used in a powerful way. You can find out more about his story at www.lionkingministries.com
When I reflect on Andy’s life and experience I think of the words, restoration, reconciliation and renewal. In my relatively brief time with Andy I saw the Lord restore His body to wholeness and then reconcile Andy to himself and to family. When tragedy strikes family draws near even when there has been separation of stress in those relationships. This tragedy so many years ago provided Andy an opportunity to reset his relationship with his earthly and heavenly father.
It has been rewarding to follow Andy’s life and to see the great family he has developed. He is now living in Tennessee and we have had the opportunity to meet him and his family. With the foundation of his relationship with God and his commitment to his family Andy is being used by the Lord to share his story and experience. His story is not just an attack by a mountain lion, but a story of survival from the jaws of a lion and how that experience became a turning point in his life and relationships.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…
Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful!  Let everyone know how considerate you are. The Lord is near. Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Devotional writer Sarah Young says, “Rejoicing in the Lord can protect you from the temptation to complain.” That is something that is good to remember whether dealing with the stress of life from crisis or just life. It is easy in a world filled with fear and negative news and people to slip into a focus on what is wrong instead of what is right and just complain.
In Philippians 4 it is no mistake that the words joyful and giving of thanks and a reminder to pray about everything are precursors to receiving the peace of God. In our world today we need our thoughts and emotions guarded by the peace of God. In following the formula of God’s Word we find a steady anchor for our lives in this storm-filled world.