Snowkane...

I love living in the Pacific Northwest. We have all four seasons and then some.  So far the recent storm activity here in Spokane just in the past week alone has brought nearly four foot of snow.  It seems that as soon as you spend an entire day shoveling and taking care of the last storms delivery of fresh powder, the next one hits.  It wouldn't be so bad if we were weren't moving at the same time.  Once you clear the roads, sidewalks, etc enough to get busy with the next load of boxes and household items to go to the other house to clear sidewalks, driveway, etc enough to unload the boxes and items, you are completely spent, time and all.  Myrtha and I both have had our moments during this move and storm activity.  But I know we will make it through this.  We can now see light at the end of tunnel (and no, I'm not talking about an out of body experience, although that sounds nice right now).  We are so close to being done, then today the good Lord planned to drop another foot of snow.  So here I am at 3pm taking a little bitty mental health break, if you know what I mean?  I'm so proud of Myrtha and the kids and how they have handled this extremely stressful time.  We're tough folk.  You can bend us, but we won't break.  I've removed my wet clothing and sitting, contemplating making some coffee.  The news on TV is telling me to remove the snow off my roof ASAP.  What they don't know, is that at the moment I officially have two houses, two roofs... then there is the church.  Last Sunday we had to cancel public worship due to inspectors finding our roof structure major league stressed and potentially very dangerous.  Today a contractor looked at it and is going to have the roof cleared and reinforced and safe before next weekend.  Wow... happy Snowy New Year.  It is beautiful if you look at it in a positive way.  Any other way is exhausting.  Those of you in sunny places, send some of that our way, would ya?  We have plenty of white stuff to haul your way if you want it.

Christmas Eve, pt 2

Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service got cancelled due to another large snow fall.  I have to admit I'm disappointed but definitely don't want people's lives in danger coming and going from the service.  I thought this video that Jane, our communication tools specialist put together on a random snow day this last week, starring me and our pastoral staff.  It's a great laugh. Merry Christmas everyone... 

Christmas Eve...

Wow, can't believe its Christmas Eve.  We've been so busy trying to move our family of seven (includes my new son-n-law) into a new home on the south hill during the worst winter storm ever.  But this morning we're heading as a family to eat a Christmas Eve breakfast at Hogans, a cool little dive on the south hill where my oldest son, Vaughn, works.  They have a killer bfast.  This afternoon we're getting ready for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, a favorite of mine every year.  The festives begin at 7.  I don't know what it would be like this time of year without my family.  My kids and wife have been such good sports through this very untimely move, but we can all sense God in the whole thing.  Its strange how in the midst of the hustle and bustle there can also be true rest, that is the best way to explain the ambiance in our home right now, with boxes all over and always more to do, but there's a peace that will always surpass any form of understanding.  Merry Christmas to all our family and friends, and may you too find that rest for your souls this time of year.  Celebrate "family," its a great gift that definitely keeps on giving as you celebrate the miraculous birth and life of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Ford Tuff...

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the winters here in Spokane.  But, currently we are getting pounded with more snow than ever within a consistent storm pattern in such a short time.  While much of the West Coast is experiencing a strange winter snow fall, especially in places like Portland ("go trailblazers!!!"), Eugene, Seattle and even some snow flurry's in SoCal... No one is getting as "dumped on" than Spokane, WA!  I must confess that I have been reminiscing of my time just this last summer in Santa Cruz, CA hitting the beaches and enjoying the near perfect weather.  I already have plans to get into shape and hit the surf again this next summer on vacation, the Lord willing.  The snow is incredibly beautiful, but can become very tiresome.  It is not just the shoveling and dodging of crazy manic drivers, but other things as well after awhile, like the absence of flowers, colors, green and seeing flowing water roar over the Spokane Falls in Riverfront Park and people biking, hiking, swimming, skating, running, etc.  I have been thanking God above lately for my faithful F-250 lifted truck (and for my rapper buddies, take a good look at the pic, that's the real deal of a grill, baby, hahaha). There is not too many places that I can't go in it.  Currently it is hauling members of my family daily wherever they need to go because its the most reliable vehicle we own in this kind of weather.  Thank God for the extended cab!  It was about four weeks ago you would have heard me humming the tune, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...."  Today, I'm singin a different song, if you know what I mean.  We've had our share for at least a couple of weeks, that's about what it will take to clean up from this weekend's storm. BUT I WOULDN'T CHOOSE TO LIVE ANY WHERE ELSE.     

my youngest is getting big...

In 1995 we were incredibly blessed with our fourth child, Daniel. I can't believe he's 13 today. We are beginning his bday celebration with a special ordered snow day... HAPPY BIRTHDAY D-DOG. You're loved

hunger pains...

I don't think I have ever been so hungry for a genuine move of God than now. I am so excited about the increase of spiritual hunger that I see and sense in so many people. Last weekends Get B.I.T. Retreat (Bible Intensive Training Retreat) I was so impressed with the many willing people who gave up their weekend to go deeper and wider in the things of God. I have never found God to be unwilling and unfaithful to move powerfully when we give him something to work with. What causes spiritual hunger? Fasting from the things of the world is one way, such as many brave souls did last weekend at our retreat. Then Sunday I could feel a much stronger and more intense anointing while preaching. God is speaking clearly to his people. There is a serious intense wake up call. The timing couldn't be more perfect with all this going on around the world. Now is the time to rejoice and put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that is so prevalent all around us. Since Sunday's message I've been meditating on the four items the Father gave his prodigal son: A robe, A ring, Sandals and of course a Party..... What an incredible picture of God's heart-filled response to our return to Him. The ROBE is for all who have been de-robed, the garment of praise fits us all if we will simply put it on and not allow the economy or the world in general remove it. The RING signifies our belonging to Him, our family crest declares whose we are and will always be, His! The SANDALS were made for walking and as we do, we carry good news to all those around us. Then we cannot forget to PARTY. The party is that corporate celebration in response to our return Home. All these things are ours if we simply GO HOME, back to the things of the Lord, reconnect with the family of God. I love how the Father killed the biggest and fattest cow for the party. That's God's response to spiritual hunger. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness.... I'm hungry for more of Him! Taste and see that the Lord is good.....

2 days after...

Exactly!

(wedding went great, thanks for the prayers and tons of help from soooo many volunteers...)