Express Yourself

Foggy Flight, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

"If you cannot express yourself on any subject, struggle until you can. If you do not, someone will be the poorer all the days of his life." O. Chambers

Home Church Presentation

Cotopaxi Volcano, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to share our ministry with MAF to our home church, and I also had the privilege to preach. The presence of the Holy Spirit was very evident, and lives were truly changed. Afterward, I was also able to lead a woman to Christ after praying with a few others before that. Rebecca also had the chance to speak encouragement into several lives. Altogether, it was a powerful time, and a sweet privileged to be able to spend it with our home church.

We are done speaking at churches until next year. So far, we have had our socks blessed off by the churches we have shared at. The movement happening among God's people is sweet, and to be part of it is very special. To those of you who are praying for us as we travel and minister and develop our support team...thanks! Lives are already being changed eternally. It doesn't begin when we get to the field, it is happening now. Thanks for your part!

Special Co-Laborers

Oaxaca, Mexico, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Yesterday, we had the blessing of ministering at a small church in our hometown, Emmanuel Assembly. This church is always an encouragement. Although they are small, they truly understand what it means to be a "co-laborer" in Christ. I took some time to brag on them telling them that despite their size, they were one of our biggest supporters. I encouraged them, just like Paul did to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 about the Macedonians. As we left, we were able to catch up, and hear some awesome stories of how lives were changed and others were in the process. This church resides on the "other side of the tracks" and regularly sees those people that society has given up on. To hear the stories of deliverance from abuse, drugs, alcohol, and any other number of problems, you leave that church confident that God is able to keep His promises and even more. Many of the people in that church are radically on fire for God, and love much, because they have been forgiven much. We left encouraged and hopeful that our next meeting together, whenever that might be, would once again prove encouraging on both sides.

It's a Little Brisk

It Ain't Right!, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After having lived several years in the tropics our blood turned into orange juice. When temperatures like this happen (and there are surely more to come, and even colder) it just ain't right. Despite the discomfort of this kind of cold, it is still powerfully awesome, and it makes you stand in wonder of a God who has control over such things, and marvel at His design of the seasons.

Mas Fotos de Oaxaca

Oaxaca, Mexico, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Over the last few days I have been updating my Oaxaca, Mexico set with some more photos from the archives. For those of you who are interested in what Southern Mexico might look like be sure to click on over.

Also, a few of you have been complaining that you "can't download my pictures." For those of you who would like to have permission leave a comment and your email address and I will try and get things sorted out for you. I choose to be stingy with my photos because there is a lot of abuse these days with other peoples photos on the world wide web. But, for those who ask, I don't have any problems sharing mis fotos.

A Thankful Affair

My Family, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We had a great time with lots of family this Thanksgiving. Assuming that we are going to be on the other side of the world next year, this Thanksgiving was extra special. On top of catching up, laughing, crying, and generally just enjoying each other, a few of us were able to take a local flight this past Friday. We were an interesting lot. My passengers consisted of (left to right) my sister (an interior designer), my cousin (he serves our country flying these , currently stationed in Italy), and my other cousin (a professional violinist). It makes me wonder if I am in the right family sometimes when I am in the presence of such company. But regardless, we had a great time flying around the local area, surely a flight to remember for me.

Weekend News

Mesa Verde N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This past weekend we had a great time ministering to the folks in Cortez, CO. We left extra early on Saturday so we could have time to see Mesa Verde National Park on our way. It was awesome! Seeing things like that with such age and history really gives the area a special feeling to it. I cannot imagine what it would be like to tour Europe or Israel, since Mesa Verde is "only" 700+ years old.

It was a pleasure to see all the folks in Cortez again. They really made us feel at home, and made it a point to send us on our way with prayer. It is always a blessing to share what God is doing around the world with His people, and have the excitement become contagious.

No Excuse

Old Faithful Geyser Yellowstone, N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse."

Isn't it so true that if all we had at our disposal was creation itself we know that there is a God. Who can really ponder creation, even for just a moment, and not be overwhelmed and flooded with a feeling of how small and insignificant we really are compared to the Universe! WOW! And God still thinks of us!

We are off to Cortez, Colorado in a few minutes to minister at a church there tomorrow morning. We are excited to visit this church again, and share with them the passion and zeal that God has given to us about missions, specifically mission aviation. What a privilege to travel to the other side of one of the greatest states in the Union enjoying the view so we can share with the body what is happening in God's kingdom throughout the world.

Please join us in prayer for not only traveling mercies, but the blessing of changing lives as we share. I have been given the privilege to not only share the ministry of MAF, but to also preach. I can't wait, I feel like I have an exciting word to share with them. Pray for an anointing to touch my tongue and their hearts. It is our prayer during our deputation time that as we visit churches and individuals we can see lives changed for eternity.

Falling Moon

Falling Moon, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Very beautiful moon setting over the San Juans this evening. Made for an interesting picture attempt. The headlights of HWY 160 can be seen going left to right. Now I need to get a better tripod that won't shift with my heavy lens attached leading to shifting lights.

MAF Videos from Ecuador

For fun I have put a few of the takeoff and landing videos that I made from our time in Ecuador back online. I have a lot more footage of Ecuador and Mexico that I am hoping to do something similar with in the near future. Because of the rapid change in technology, I am now waiting on a cord to download all my video footage to my "new" computers. Currently, I am unable to view any of my video footage from either country. I will post some new videos whenever I get the cord and then have the time to edit my footage and make something viewable out of it.

Ordinary Everyday Life

Great Sand Dunes N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God."

"It is one thing to go through a crisis grandly, but another thing to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, no one paying the remotest attention to us. ... The test of the life of a saint is not success, but faithfulness in human life as it actually is" O. Chambers

Great Weekend

Duck Invasion, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Our time with the Creede Baptist Church went very well this past weekend. Although a small church by most modern standards, the people are full of passion for missions and they were excited to hear what God is doing through us with MAF. Also, this little church of under 100 people just got done packing and shipping over 400 gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child. As I found out about this, I added a few more notes to share when the time came for me to present in front of the congregation. I shared with them that while serving in Latin America, I had the privilege of delivering some of those Christmas Boxes. It was a neat link to share with this little church of how their generosity actually does reach children in very remote areas of the word. As the pastor said, "how else can we so effectively share the Gospel with over 400 people." I know from experience that those boxes will be received and treasured by numerous children all over God's green earth right down to the box they come in.

Presentation Time

We're Back!, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After our first full week of sharing with people what we are doing with MAF and where we are going to serve, we already have the blessing of sharing this coming Sunday at a Church up in the mountains about an hour from my house. We have been very blessed to see how God is really opening doors for us, and the neat and very unique opportunities He is already providing for us as we acquire our ministry support team. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we officially begin traveling and sharing our ministry with MAF. We are passionate about what we are doing and that makes it easy to share about. Pray with us that the "Urgency of the Gospel" would be communicated and our passion would be contagious. Hopefully, we will even see some of you soon in your own church.

Partakers of His Sufferings

Bison and Nez Peirce River, Yellowstone, N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

1 Peter 4:13  "but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy"

"If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what transpires in other souls so that you will never be surprised at what you come across. ... In the history of the Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of God's order by a short cut of their own. ... Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp our personal ambitions right out? Are we prepared for God to Destroy by transfiguration our individual determinations?" O. Chambers

Discernment of Faith

Full Moon Over Mount Blanca, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

"Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. ... Never confound the trail of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive." O. Chambers

You Are Not Your Own

Halloween Afternoon, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "do you not know...you are not your own."

"There is no such thing as a private life -"a world within a world"- for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's sufferings. God breaks up the private life of his saints, and makes it a thoroughfare for the world on the one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ." O. Chambers

Faith

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Hebrews 6:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

"Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into a right relation. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual; of impulse and inspiration. ... Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. ... Faith is a tremendously active principle which always puts Jesus Christ first - Lord, you have said so and so (Matthew 6:33), it looks mad, but I am going to venture on your Word. To turn head faith into personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make its object real. ... Faith is the whole man rightly related to God by the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." O. Chambers

A Peculiar Relationship

The Main Event 1, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
Our dog, Duke, loves everyone.  He thinks everyone loves him too. Including our rooster, Gallo Pinto.  (for those of you who have seen the dog named Dug in the movie "UP," you know what I am talking about)   Duke, despite his size, is still a puppy at heart.  So, of course he thinks Gallo Pinto wants to "play."  Here they are discussing their play time together.
 

The Main Event 2, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

And here is what they decided to do...fight and wrestle, like any young (and not so young) males like to do. (enter a Tim "the Toolman" Taylor grunt here)  Duke is going in for the KO lick, and Gallo Pinto is going in with his large talons.  (I love Napoleon Dynamite.)

The Main Event 3, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
BAM!  After many rounds about the yard, Gallo Pinto finally lands a mean right hook with his large talon!  Minutes later however, Duke's overbearing size took Gallo Pinto down and sent him running to his corner, otherwise known as the chicken coop, to recover with his brood of hens... what a chicken!

Sunrise Palette

Sunrise Palette, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Sunrise Fire Clouds, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We count our blessings everyday when we wake up to sunrises like this out of our East window, taken yesterday.  To bad the temperature wasn't as warm as the colors...20 degrees just feels colder than it used to.  This morning the view out the window is snow showers and clouds.

MAF Indonesia Video

For those of you who want to get an idea of what it may look like for us when we get to Indonesia watch this quick trailer. 



If you want to see the full length 27 minute long version, click here.  MAF serves on three different islands in Indonesia; Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan), and Papua.  This video was filmed on the island of Borneo.  With time, we will know what island we are assigned to.  At the moment, it is just Indonesia.  

The Method of Missions

Fall Migration Southbound, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

"Jesus did not say - Go and save souls (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God) but - "Go and make disciples" and you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. ... The great essential of the missionary is that he remains true to the call of God, and realizes that his one purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. ... The one great challenge is - Do I know my Risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God's sight, and foolish enough according to the world, to bank on what Jesus Christ has said, or am I abondoning the great supernatural position, which is the only call for a missionary, viz., boundless confidence in Christ Jesus.?" O. Chambers

John 20:21

"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." -Jesus

"What is a missionary?  A missionary is one sent by God.  The great dominant note is not the needs of man, but the command of Jesus. ... We forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of the people, nor the education of the people, nor their needs; but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ - "Go therefore and teach all nations."  ... We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God's wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God."  O. Chambers

Forest Fire

Forest Fire, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

(Remnants of the 1988 Fire in Yellowstone N.P.)

We had a great time in church this morning.  There was a sweet Presence during worship.  One thing we have been reminded of over and over and over during our past year back in the USA is the power of worship.  Not just the musical variety, but the total surrender type that you nurture all day long.  When you are in that sweet place of worship, the things God asks you to do seem easy, because He is so worthy!  To pack up your family once again and move to the other side of the world is worth it.  At the end of the day, there is a deposit left in eternity, not just something temporal which moth and rust can destroy.  Worship takes us to that place of appreciation for what God has done for us and what He continues to do for us.  Then, it is with our actions of obedience that we show our gratitude towards Him.  Faith without deeds is dead!

Best Friends

Best Friends, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Rather than watch big sister play soccer a few weeks ago, riding the dog was a lot more entertaining.

Brooklyn and Duke

Brooklyn and Duke, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

In between wrestling matches, these two take a little break.

Wipe Your Chin

Wipe Your Chin, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Madison took a liking (like all kids) to the idea of the ground being covered in food. We quickly taught her about the yellow kind though.

First Snow

Trouble, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

The results of this seasons first snow, followed by a healthy snowball snack.

We're at it Again

Yes, once again we are making some HUGE changes in life. Rebecca has always been better at putting things in type than me, so, read the explanation of what we are up by clicking here. After that, you will be able to follow along on another journey right here.