I discovered today that there is no greater joy than a grandchild catching a fish. Christian came prepared with fishing poles for all the kids. A nearby lake provided the convenient opportunity. By the end of a couple of hours of less all four of the grandkids (including Eliana age 3) had caught at least one fish. Cater was the last one to catch a fish and it ended up being the biggest of the day. (Carter, Eliana, Stephanie and Christian in picture above) However, it ended up being “catch and release” because one thing missing was a stringer for the fish. I believe there has to be some spiritual application regarding faith! Just as taking your springer or fishing basket along in anticipation of catching fish, when we pray we should  anticipate the answer to our prayers. So we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch instead of fish.

Back at the resort the weather was great to be at the swimming pool. I actually got into the big pool instead of relying on the comfort of the hot tub and was pleased that I could swim better than anticipate. This will be good therapy for rebuilding my muscles, especially my shoulders which are still limited in range of motion.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Dear friends…be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles. Then you won’t fall from your firm position. But grow in the good will [grace] and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him now and for that eternal day! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17,18 (GW)

The second letter of Peter’s is his final letter, just as 2 Timothy was the final letter the Apostle Paul. Both of the apostles wrote with an awareness that their time on earth was coming to an end. As such the the message that they write carries a great deal of significance. Also the final words of the letter are of significance as well.

Peter in sharing his priorities at this critical time reminded believers that God’s power gives them the ability to live godly lives. He writes to encourage them to pay attention to and heed God’s Word. He warns them about false teachers and admonishes them to be ready for the day of the Lord.

If there is a “short list of priorities” for growth and survival in the Christian life, I believe Peter is right on. His final words after warning them about deceptive people is to simply, “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Peter through his life experiences learned the value of receiving and extending grace. As one of the three closest disciples to Jesus along with James and John he knew that growth in the knowledge of Christ was essential. Each day was a new lesson, each teaching or parable called for contemplation and application of a spiritual truth. Jesus invitation was to “come unto me….and learn of me…”  (Matthew 11:29) In our day we often hear the value of being a “life long learner.” I can assure you that there is no greater pursuit than to be a life long learner of Jesus. As Peter declares, “Glory belongs to Him now and for evermore.”

One of the highlights of spending the night at Christian and Bridget’s home was that I was able to navigate the two steps into their home through the patio door. I’m not sure if that shows my arms or legs are getting stronger or both. I slept in the downstairs guest room, so it was a good exercise to slide down the stairs and then push myself back up. Fortunately Christian was close by supervising and assisting me and allowing me to rest on his knee as my strength waned.

We traveled back to Breckenridge in time to enjoy one of the most pleasant afternoons of the week. We had a good time at the pool and with Christian present another competitor for our bean bag toss game. The grandkids discovered that they could make my wheelchair into their pool transportation. How many kids can hang onto a power wheelchair? So far the record is four!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The Lord your God is with you. He is a hero w ho saves you. He happily rejoices over you,  renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17 (GW)

The prophet Zephaniah traces his family lineage back to Judah’s righteous King Hezekiah. He spoke his word of prophecy during the reign of King Josiah who apparently listen more than any other King and lead the people in a time turning to the Lord.

The three short chapters of this book contain  God’s judgement on the earth,  judgement on Judah and a call to “search for the Lord… and find shelter in the day of the Lord’s anger.”  But we also see the promised restoration of God’s people after this time of discipline.  As stern as the words of judgment, the words of the prophet provide hope and a future for God’s people.

“Celebrate and rejoice with all your heart, people of Jerusalem.The Lord has reversed the judgments against you.  He has forced out your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is with you.” Zep. 3:15

The crescendo of these words of reassurance (v.17) reinforces the face that “God is with you.” “He…saves you.” “He…rejoices over you…renews you…and celebrates over you with shouts of joy.”

Whether walking in victory or facing times of struggle and challenge your view of God is vitally important. But what can impact your view of God is understanding His view of you. If there is one thing that comes across in this verse is exactly that!

Debbie and I enjoyed  nice stroll in the mountains this morning and a bean bag toss game back at the resort. It was a tough battle but I ended up winning two out of three games against Riley.

Early afternoon I came back to Lakewood with Bridget and Riley for Riley’s evening baseball game. This was my first grandson baseball game. Riley did a good job, but the team they played was a notch above them in their hitting and skill level. One of the highlights of the game was the double rainbow that showed up after some sprinkles of rain.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle—even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. The Lord Almighty is my strength. He makes my feet like those of a deer. He makes me walk on the mountains.       Hab. 3:17-19

This verse from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk is a favorite of mine. It communicates an unconditional commitment to the Lord and an understanding that even in the most difficult of times that the Lord is for us and is the source of hope and strength that we need.

This verse reminds me of the resolve of Job when he said, “though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” What is important for us to remember is that Job made this statement when he was in the midst of the trial of his faith. In the same way, the prophet Habakkuk knew that the day was coming when the fig tree would not bloom and the vines would have no grapes, when the crops would fail and the sheep and cattle stalls would be empty. This was not a theoretical faith. This was a declaration of trust and confidence in the midst of the test and trial and coming judgment.

When I reflect on these verses it is a challenge as to what my “even if…” and “even then…” would be. With the challenge of and length of my health crisis, I wonder “what if the prognosis wasn’t as positive as it has been.” I can still in the  midst of recovery find myself concerned about the fullness of my recovery, even though I am confidently expecting it to be full and complete. But what if it isn’t? Will I be an “even then…” believer?

The point is, I don’t want my faith in the Lord and the source of strength for living to be found anywhere but in the Lord. So my desire is for my “even if…” to be open ended; and that my “even then…” will find me joyful in the Lord and trusting in the strength that He alone can give.

Bridget and the kids arrived this afternoon. We have had a good first day. Pretty laid back and some time at the pool and a nature walk for the kids that they didn’t want to come to an end. The temperature has been cool, but when the sun come out it warms up, by at least mid afternoon.

The resort does have a lift to help me get into the pool. We all got into the hot tub together at least for a photo op. I never was in any water therapy at the rehab hospital because I always had some kind of open sore or wound. This should be a good week of water therapy. The grandkids love the water and enjoyed their time at the pool. Carter was so excited to get the mountains and go swimming that Stephanie and he went to the pool last night in spite of us driving through cold rain and sleet to get here.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right,  to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

This familiar Old Testament verse is actually in response to a plea of, “what should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence?” What follows is a list of sacrifices that were common to the worshipers of the day especially those who were accustomed to idolatry. The list ends with even an offer of child sacrifice which was the practice of the followers of of the heathen god Molech.

The Lord in His response through His prophet makes it clear that He wants right actions. A right heart and obedience as an expression of true worship. As the prophet Samuel spoke to Saul hundreds of years earlier “to obey is better than sacrifice.”

This was a people who had grown accustomed to going through the motions of religious devotion but they oppressed the poor, cheated one another and lived immoral lives.

The principle applies today. God is looking for hearts devoted to Him more than people who go through “religious”  practices and yet live their lives devoid of actions that show God’s priorities. I believe it was Former US Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson who spoke of practical atheism. He said that refers to people who, profess that they know God but then live as if He doesn’t exist.

Righteousness, mercy, humility. Those are God’s priorities and our lives should reflect them.

After some hedge trimming, lawn mowing and packing we headed off to Breckenridge for our first vacation since the end of last May. It took our handicap van to haul all the luggage and paraphernalia needed for me and the grandkids.

We stopped by Beau Joe’s Pizza in Idaho Springs on the way up to Breckenridge which brought back many memories of trips from past years. Stephanie was looking for the napkin she decorated from 1980’s, but I don’t think it made the cut as they trimmed down the number of “napkin art” that has adorned the walls of the restaurant over the years.

McKenzie has taken some time to get adjusted to her Colorado grandparents. I was glad that she was in such a smiley and giggly mood. So we took advantage of it with a quick picture.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…“If our God, whom we honor, can save us from a blazing furnace and from your power, he will, Your Majesty. But if he doesn’t, you should know, Your Majesty, we’ll never honor your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up.”   Daniel 3:17,18

The “three Hebrew Children” taken captive to Babylon refused to bow to the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. The furnace of fire was set up for anyone who would disobey the command to bow before the statue as the instruments were played. These three coming from a land the Lord allowed to be taken captive because of idolatry showed a firm resolve that they would die before committing this act of idolatry.

They showed the “enduring confidence in the Lord” that Paul hundreds of years later would commend the Thessalonians for. Because of this the Lord “showed up” –  literally to save them from the furnace of fire. The King exclaimed that three men were thrown into the fire but he saw four and the fourth “looked like a son of the gods.”

Rich Dixon is a retired high school math teacher. Some years ago a freak fall off a ladder let him paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. Rich recounts his story in the book entitled, “Relentless Grace.” In the early pages of his book he makes the point that what made the difference in the midst of this crisis was that Christ entered his struggles and personal crisis with him.

In those moments when we need Him the most, we find the Lord with us entering into our circumstance to bring His presence, peace and encouragement. When He works the miracle we hope for He is God alone. When the miracle we hope for turns into another miracle of His sustaining grace in the midst of ongoing weakness He is still God alone to be worshiped above all others.

Stephanie, Carter and McKenize made it safely to Denver. We picked them up at DIA after meeting up with Christian to get car seats and then off to the airport. This was my first trip to the airport in the past year. I’m not sure I realized how many trips Stephanie made between Atlanta and Denver between the end of July and December while I was in the hospital.

It was good to see how much McKenzie has grown and developed. We made a stop at Chic-fil-A and then Debbie’s office on the way home. So by the time time we left about 10 a.m. and arrived back home at 2 p.m. it felt like a long day! I was ready for a nap. So I took one. Initially it was Carter, me and the dog. I think it ended up just me.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But there is a God in heaven….” Daniel 2:28

I like the reply above by Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar when he insisted that his wise men tell him the dream he had that was so troubling and the interpretation. When his wise men said, tell us the dream first, he decided to kill all of them off. Daniel stepped forward and after seeking the Lord and receiving God’s revelation about the dream and the interpretation. He told the King no human  can do what he requested, “but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets…”

I am thankful for this God in heaven who is above all, knows all and is all powerful. He is able to reveal Himself to people today and transform lives.

Yesterday I was skimming through my FaceBook posts and found a consistent theme about this God in heaven’s power to change lives.

The first came from an usual source. I was viewing an interview of my friend Brian Watson by Donald Trump, Jr. Brian is the Founder/President of Northstar Commercial Properties. His company buys depressed properties and puts them back into service creating jobs and economic growth. Brian summarize the focus of his business in this way, “we view assets not for what they are, but what they can be.”

I never got so excited over a statement by an entrepreneur. I thought that is exactly God’s perspective of people! He doesn’t view us for what we are, but what we can become in Him and by His grace and forgiveness.

My friend Bob Jackson from Wyoming has recently retired from his pastorate. I first met Bob when I was in junior high and still remember missions trip to an Indian reservation in New Mexico. Bob posted the following:

“God has a habit of picking up nobodies and making them somebodies.”

And then Josh Ordonez, a good friend of my son Christian who served with me at the Capitol as one of my aides posted,

“Transformation in our life begins by knowing who we are in Christ – seeing ourselves in the way God sees us in Christ.”

I have always enjoyed reading the scriptures and inspirational posts of my friends on FaceBook. But I don’t think I have had the experience when I found three in one morning that all tied together. Of course with my work with Teen Challenge I am quick to pick up on life change and transformation topics. That is because we consistently encourage those who come into one of our programs, who often have been cast aside and given up on by family and friends, “there is a God in heaven and He views you not as you are, but what you can become in Him!”

As a result we see in our programs in the over 240 Teen Challenge programs in the United States, hundreds each year learning to know who they really are….in Christ and discovering that they are somebody in Christ!

www.teenchallengerockymountains.com