A Balloon for God

February 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm · Filed under Devotional, Family, Life, Luke

Dear God, I love you! Luke.

It’s not uncommon for a restaurant to offer my son a balloon. But I didn’t expect my son to say, “Dad, can I give the balloon to God?”

My immediate instinct was to say no – thinking “That’s politically incorrect today!” You know, some bird might choke on it. It’s liter! But then the Holy Spirit whispered, “Your son is wanting to give a gift to God”, and suddenly I realized that wasn’t something I wanted to squelch. Sorry bird, but you choking is a risk I’m willing to take – at least once.

So I went and found a marker at the host’s station, wrote a note to God on the balloon, explained to Luke this might be a one-time thing, and then we went outside and sent his Gift up to God. What fun it was to watch it drift up into the sky.

After several minutes it was impossible to see, and then Luke said, “And now God has it. I wonder where He will put it? I hope He thinks of me when He sees it in His house.” If you ask me, God just might have plucked it out of the sky and put it somewhere in heaven, and I don’t think there is liter in God’s house up in the sky!

Sometimes we just have to set aside our grown-up hesitations and just give in to the impulses of childhood. I made a video of the ascension of Luke’s balloon on my iPhone and we watch it over and over!

What simple gift have you give God lately?

Be The Dad Today!

Karl Bastian

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UPDATE: I sent this out to my Kidology Champions Prayer Supporters e-mail list and got a nice note from a balloon expert exonerating me from any wrong doing:

Dear Karl,

I had to respond to this email….  don’t know if you’ll ever get this, though. I loved the story of your son’s balloon gift to God! I am a balloon artist and I wanted to let you know that sending a LATEX balloon (the rubbery kind, not the shiny metallic ones) is NOT an environmental mishap! Latex balloons are 100% biodegradable and are made from a natural product, the harvesting of which actually helps prevent deforestation of the rain forest. Latex is harvested from trees as sap without harming them, in the same way maple syrup is harvested. The trees can live and produce latex for about 40 years.

Also, you can rest easy in knowing that animals are not interested in eating latex… it’s not on their list of favorite foods! If they did accidentally eat any, it would pass through their digestive system intact or break down and disappear. A latex balloon actually biodegrades at the same rate as an oak leaf! I think God loves balloon gifts, especially those coming from the hearts of kids!

Thanks for all you do!

Lynn ____ (last name removed)

I replied that now I can sleep peacefully knowing that I have not killed some innocent bread out there somewhere or caused the earth to end one day sooner than it would have otherwise. LOL

I actually wasn’t too worried about it – I was more worried about getting a bunch of hate e-mails from some environmental wackos out there “YOU LET A BALLOON UP! YOU EARTH HATER YOU!!!” Because most schools have banned the balloon launch practice that we all did as kids claiming it kills birds and harms the earth. I’ve always said that’s rubbish. (Note the pun) But people who don’t believe in heaven have only this earth to care for, so we have to cut them some slack I guess!

Anyway, I appreciated her note, as with several other encouraging replies I got. Funny, people are always surprised that I actually get my own e-mails! Only 1400 more to go! Good night folks!

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Jimmy Jim Says TRY JESUS!

November 27, 2010 at 10:38 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Christmas, Devotional, Holidays, Humor, Kidology

Don’t Like Green Eggs
and Ham?

Jimmy Jim says TRY JESUS!

JESUS LOVE YOU!
I’m Jimmy Jim!
JESUS LOVES YOU!
Will you accept Him?

That Jimmy Jim!
That Jimmy Jim!
I do not like that Jimmy Jim!

Do you know Jesus?
Do you know Him?
Would you like to accept Him?

I do not want to be a Christian, Jimmy Jim!
I do not want to accept Him!

Would you accept him here or there?

I would not accept him here or there.
I would not accept him anywhere.
I do not want to be a Christian.
I will not accept him, Jimmy Jim.

Would you accept him in a house?
Would you accept him with a mouse?

I will not accept Him in a house,
I will not accept Him with a mouse.
I will not accept Him here or there,
I would not accept Him anywhere.
I do not want to be a Christian,
I will not accept Him, Jimmy Jim.

Would you accept Him in a box?
Would you accept Him with a fox?

Not in a box,
Not with a fox.
Not in a house,
Not with a mouse!
I would not accept Him here or there,
I would not accept Him anywhere!
I will not become a Christian!
I do not want Him Jimmy Jim!

Would you? Could you? In a cart?
Accept Him! Accept Him! Into your heart!?

I would not, could not, in a cart,
I would not, could not, into my heart!

If you’d accept Him, you would be
On your way to Heaven for eternity.
If you’d accept him you would see!
You may accept him, in a tree?

I would not, could not in a tree,
Not in a cart, you let me be.
Not in my heart, now can’t you see?!

I will not accept Him in a box
I will not accept Him with a fox.
I will not accept Him in a house,
I will not accept Him with a mouse.
I will not accept Him here or there,
I would not accept Him anywhere!
I do not want to be a Christian!
I will not accept Him Jimmy Jim.

A train! A train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you, on a train?

Not on a train! Not in a tree!
Not in a cart, Jim! Let me be!

I would not, could not, in a box.
I would not, could not, with a fox.
I will not accept Him with a mouse,
I will not accept Him in a house.
I will not accept Him here or there,
I would not accept Him anywhere.
I do not want to be a Christian,
I do not need Him, Jimmy Jim.

Say! In the dark? Alone in the dark?
Would you, could, in the dark?

I would not, could not, in the dark.

Would you, could you, in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain,
Not in the dark. Not on a train.
Not in a cart. Not in a tree.
I do not want Him, Jim, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.
I will not accept Him here or there.
I will not accept Him anywhere!

Jesus loves you!
Will you love Him?
He died for you!
Won’t you accept Him?

I will not accept Him, Jimmy Jim.
I could not accept Him with all my sin!

But when you accept Him,
Your sins are all gone!
Jesus forgives everything you’ve done wrong!
That’s what it says in the Book that He wrote,
So could you, would you…. with a goat?

I would not, could not, with a goat!

Would you, could you, on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not accept Him in the rain.
I will not accept Him on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a cart! You let me be!
Not in my heart! Get away from me!

I will not accept Him in a box.
I will not accept Him with a fox.
I will not accept Him in a house,
I will not accept Him with a mouse.
I will not accept Him here or there.
I would not accept Him ANYWHERE!
(getting weak)

I do not want to be a Christian,
I do not need him, Jimmy Jim.

You do not need him,
So you say,
But Try Him! Try Him!
Please just pray.
Try Him and you may, I say.

Jim!
Since you will not let me be,
I will try him so I can see,
Just why you keep on telling me.
That Jesus died so I can be,
Right with God for eternity.

I’m not so sure,
Just what to pray,
But if He loves me as you say,
Then I will pray
This very day
And have my sins
Washed right away.

Jesus, You know that I have sinned,
Probably more than Jimmy Jim,
But he says you love me, and if it’s true,
I’d like to be a Christian too.
Come in my heart and make me clean,
I do not want to be so mean.
I’d like to live forever more,
If you will take me, I am yours.

Say! I’m a Christian now!
I accepted Him, Jimmy Jim!
And now I’ll love Him in a boat!
And I will love Him with a goat!
And I will love him in the rain!
And in the dark! And on a train!
And in a cart! And in a tree!
He’s in my heart, He loves me!
He is so good, so good, you see!

So I will love Him in a box!
And I will love Him with a fox!
And I will love Him in a house!

And I will love Him with a mouse!
And I will love Him here and there!
Say! I will love Him ANYWHERE!

I DO love Jesus!
I DO love Him!
I’m glad that I accepted Him.
Thank you! Thank you, Jimmy Jim.

Original Story,
“Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss.

This Christian parody written
and copyrighted by Karl D. Bastian.
1994

Sample from The Christmas Zone on Kidology.org
(Original Kidology Post)

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I wrote this back in 1994 in 20 minutes right before Kids Church! I was doing a lesson on witnessing and the main point was on being persistent in our witness and I remembered this classic book from Dr. Seuss and the persistence of the little guy who got the old guy to finally TRY green eggs and ham, and how he LOVED IT when he finally TRIED it! And I realized, that is how it is with sharing Jesus.

So many people are so resistant to Christ, unwilling, for vaious reasons to even give Christ a try – usually because of Christians they have met, or seen in the media or movies – or misconceptions, and so they simply will not TRY JESUS, because they want nothing to do with the Jesus they have a perception of.

The problem is, the Jesus they are rejecting, I’ve rejected too – and Jesus would reject too, if they would read the Gospels! That Jesus doesn’t exist. In fact, it’s why He was crucified. The religious establishment didn’t like His message.

So, for my atheist and non-Christian friends, forgive my persistence, but you really really ought to try the Jesus of the Bible – not the Jesus of obnoxious Christians. (I don’t like them either!) And I apologize for all the things that have been done in the “Name” of Christ, yes, they were wrong. That isn’t the real Jesus.

Not even the Jesus I reflect at times, unfortunately. I’m a terrible mirror Him, often.

But the real Jesus, who created you, set you free, loves you despite how you use that freedom – then died for you to pay the penalty for the consequences of how you’ve used that freedom. And patiently waits for you to return to Him.

Jesus is often called the Meek Savior. But don’t confuse meek with weak. Meek is NOT weak. Meek is restrained power. He is powerful alright! Someday that power will be unleashed in judgment on this world and those who have not accepted his offer of salvation will be judged, and no one is getting away with anything. Those who have wronged you, will pay. But you and I will pay too, if we’ve not gotten right with our Creator. But everyone who has accepted His offer of forgiveness, will be granted such. Luckily for me (I need it) I’ve accepted it.

I hope many others will too. Before it is too late.

I DO love Jesus!
I DO love Him!
I’m glad that I accepted Him.
Thank you! Thank you, Jimmy Jim.

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Thankful

November 20, 2010 at 11:34 am · Filed under Devotional, Family, Life

THANKFUL

I remember as a child singing,

“Count your blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done…”

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, I am especially overcome this week by all that I have to be thankful for this year, and how unworthy I am for all of it. So I thought I’d count my blessings and name them one by one…

• A beautiful and gracious wife who puts up with me even when I’m grouchy and irritable and expect too much of her and forget she is my wife not an employee…
• An adorable son who was Given to me out of the blue suddenly one day when I least expected it and has given me more reason to live than I ever had before…
• True friends who stick with me through thick and thin – who aren’t impressed with any of my accomplishments. They are friends of Karl, not the “Kidologist.” They aren’t fans, they are friends. I need those desperately. (Could use a few more, actually, here in Colorado.)
• Surviving a near heart attack in April 2009 that could have ended my life.
• An exciting ministry, that while wears me out and keeps my up late at times, provides incredible purpose and fulfillment in life as I serve my Lord and Savior. While it once was too much my identity, it is now how I give back to Him who saved me from myself…
• The privilege of having my “own” company – making a living by doing what I love and being able to pour into others and equip them to do what they love. (“own” is in quotes for I recognize my ministry belongs to the Lord.)
• Getting to write DiscipleTown children’s church curriculum for DiscipleLand is a dream come true, as well as to have a column in Group’s CM Mag and contribute to their CM Pro edition – blows me away – I do not take such opportunities for granted. I’m amazed every time I get such a chance to equip and encourage others. Or when I get to speak at the Children’s Pastors Conference or anywhere else. I’m still the little kid who just wanted to be a children’s evangelist when I grew up. I keep being surprised by what I get to do, and I’m exceedingly thankful!
• The opportunity to live in Colorado, a dream since childhood that came true this past year – the next best thing to living in heaven for me.
• The chance once a year to go to Yosemite, a decision I finally had to make after a challenge from a pastor.
• There’s more, of course, – but mostly for the Cross – where I continually get to lay my sin, right next to past sins, so that I can keep serving Jesus and enjoying His blessings, all undeserved.

Let me encourage you to “Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.”

Put them in comments here… on your blog or facebook page (and link here in comments)  – we NEED to do this – or we tend to focus on the negative and forget these things.

I am thankful today. I needed to count them. Thank you, Lord. You are so good to me, in spite of me. I love you.

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Super Dad? Maybe Not.

June 16, 2010 at 8:24 am · Filed under Devotional, Luke, Parenting

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Frustrating My Father

May 17, 2010 at 5:27 pm · Filed under Devotional, Life, Luke, Parenting

It’s no secret and, of course, no surprise, that I love my son. My love for him is so intense that I sometimes wonder if I could even love another child should God ever give me another. Of course, I know I could – but having only one, it feels as though I have none to share with another. Perhaps other parents can relate to this feeling.

It’s also no secret that my little boy loves cars. Which, even as I say it, is automatically, an understatement. (Automatically is a pun, by the way!)

His is crazy – nuts – about cars! Instead of a train table like many boys, he has a “car table.” His room is decorated with cars. His favorite movie is Disney’s Cars movie, and any time he gets any present, if it isn’t a car – he is almost disappointed. When I return from a trip, he hopes I will come back with a new car for him.

The Man Cave in Estes Park, Colorado!

So here is the point of my post – there are times Luke nearly breaks my heart. When we are at a place that sells the most incredible cars – amazing cars – incredible cars – awesome cars – and as his loving Daddy I want to buy him one! And he isn’t interested.

There have been times when we have been at a place with the most spectacular cars, expensive even, and I’ve been willing to fork out the dough for one of them, and Luke has only wanted one of the cheap little $1 cars, like we have a zillion of at home. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t convince him to let me buy him one of the really nice ones. Of course, I should be happy at the money I’m saving, but as his dad, I want to bless him with one of the really cool ones knowing that in time, it will mean more to him and is more valuable. But he just politely says, “No thank you, Dad.”

This past weekend at the Mile High Flea Market it happened again. There was a booth with some model cars that are $30-$45 anywhere else for only $12. I tried so hard to convince him to pick one. “No thanks, Dad. I have enough cars.” The irony of that statement, was he was only using that line because that is what I say when he is asking for some cheap car I am explaining why I am saying, “No.” So here he is saying “no” to a car that I know he will enjoy and that would enhance his collection and is worth throwing twenty of his cheap cars in the garbage over.

I wrestled with whether to just buy one and give it to him later – but really couldn’t decide which one, as he is very particular in his choices, and if I picked the wrong one, I’d still be wasting $12 if he didn’t like it. And I decided it would still be better to save the money and help him realize later that choices have consequences should he change his mind. (Since we’ll be going back to that flea market again.)

Even his new bike is a Hot Wheels bike w/ Speedometer!

MY POINT? I wonder how many times I frustrate my Heavenly Father? I wonder how many times God wants to give me things but I settle for less? He certainly loves me as His child and has given me a lot, but he wants to give me more!

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?!” Matthew 7:9-11

Just as I try to give good things to Luke, and he says, “No thank you, Dad” instead of trusting me and saying, “Sure, Daddy” and just letting me bless him – I say to God, “No thank you, God” when I should be saying, “O.K., God, I accept!” I say no by holding on to sin, by not walking in trust, by not taking the risks He presents me with, by not taking chances He places before me where I’ll need His help.

How many times do I frustrate my Father by saying, “No thank you, Daddy?” when I should be saying, “Sure, whatever you say, Daddy!” and just accepting what He wants to give me?

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Hope

April 18, 2010 at 3:49 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Devotional, Life

Loved this story from the sermon this morning, so had to post it:

A man arrives at a little league game late and asks a boy in the dug out what the score is and he says, “Them 18, us zero.” The man says, “You must be discouraged?” The boy answers,

“Why would I be discouraged? We ain’t even been up to bat yet.”

That’s HOPE! Friends, no matter what you are going through, Jesus ain’t even been up to bat yet!

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That’s a Lot of Agains!

March 11, 2010 at 12:53 pm · Filed under Christianity, Devotional, Spiritual Growth

I’m doing the final editing for the next DiscipleTown unit, “How to Make Good Choices” due out March 15th. Hard to believe I’ve written six of these! (and that I have 18 more to go!) I always marvel how each and every unit convicts me and how each unit seems to be exactly what I needed to review in my own walk with God and how much I enjoy developing a four week spiritual journey for children to explore as so that they can grow closer to Jesus and become better disciples.

Let me share one of my favorite elements from lesson three, it is a routine I use with my puppet, Gus. Of course, in the curriculum Gus’ name gets dropped (Sorry Gus!) so that teacher’s can replace him with their own puppet, I remember this routine fondly for both the humor and yet the poignant impact this routine has made many times on children. It’s a description, not a script, but you’ll get the idea:

Puppet has a black eye, a broken arm, and bandages all over his body. Leader asks what is wrong and says, “I hope you didn’t try to fight sin to the death like you were talking about last week!” Puppet says, “Oh, no. I did this all by myself.” Leader looks shocked, “You did this yourself? Were you in some kind of terrible accident?” Puppet says, “Oh, no. It wasn’t an accident. I did it on purpose.” Leader is even more shocked, “On purpose!? You did this on purpose? But why on earth would you do this on purpose?” Puppet looks sad and solemn. “Because I’m such a bad puppet. I needed to be punished.” Leader looks very concerned, “Punished? Punished for what?” Puppet continues, “Oh, I’m too embarrassed to tell you. But you said last week to turn to God and I’d stop sinning. Well, it didn’t work. I sinned again. And since I know better than to try and fight sin, I decided to beat myself up instead. I wanted to teach myself a lesson. God can’t have bad people on His team, you know. I’ve got to knock some sense into myself—beat myself into submission, you know. I tried to knock myself into the middle of next week. What is today’s date, by the way?” Leader is shocked and sad. “Oh, Puppet, you don’t need to beat yourself up. God will forgive you.” Puppet looks up, “Oh, I know He did, but not again and again.” Leader says, “Yes, again and again, and then again and again and again and again.” Puppet asks, “And then … again and again?” Leader smiles, “And then again and again.” Puppet says, “And then again?” Leader says, “And then again.” Puppet asks, “How many agains?” Leader says, “Until you’ve lost track.” Puppet says, “I already have.” Leader: “Then you still have more agains left over.” Puppet, looking more cheerful: “That’s a lot of agains!” Leader smiles: “As many as you need—that’s how much He loves you.”

Jesus sure has given me a lot of “agains” and I know I have a tendency to beat myself up to. I recently was with a good friend and brought up a sin I had committed in the past and this godly leader cut me off, looked me in the eye and said, “Do you believe in the cross?” I said “Of course,” and this person said, “then don’t ever mention your sin to me again. Just keep moving forward and serving the Lord.” Wow. That’s far as the East is from the West! We need more Christians like that, don’t we? We teach this stuff to our children, but sometimes its so hard to live and believe it for ourselves!

What are you beating yourself up for? What do you keep reminding yourself of?

Jesus has as many “agains” as we have sins. Need another “again?” He’s got one for ya!

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To Know God? – Yes I Do!

February 11, 2010 at 9:40 am · Filed under Devotional, Spiritual Growth, Yosemite

Before I continue my series of posts on my solo sabbatical in Yosemite, I want to follow up on my last post, Giving Up on Knowing God. I think I freaked a few people out by some of the private e-mails I got of concerned people who thought I was denying my faith! I let it hang there for awhile because I put a challenge in there for anyone who knew God to e-mail me and tell me what that looked like. I was seriously hoping someone would. Well, last night while at Chipotle with my son, I got the e-mail from a guy named Kirk saying bluntly “I know God!”, and it made my day. Reprinted with the writer’s permission, here it is:

I know God! Like you, I started by knowing about Him, and then gradually getting to know Him more and more.  

Finally, I set my mind to get to know Him “personally.”  This itself was the light bulb moment – it was when I DECIDED that I was going to relentlessly pursue this.  And then I found Him, just as He promises us.  

He’s there in the stories of the bible … the things that make Him smile, the things that really piss Him off, and the things in between.  Some things He doesn’t like, but He tolerates … other things make Him so happy He brags about us!  

It’s all there in the pages of the bible.  I can show you how.  It’s the coolest thing ever, because He is SO real. And when He becomes that real, one can write something like the 23rd Psalm (written by another man who knew Him)… or pray prayers like John 17, etc.  

[Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to BE David - to be ABLE to write the 23rd Psalm, and have it be true?]

 Email me if you want, and we can “talk.”  
You’ll love it.     

Anyway, please take me up on my offer to show you how to get to KNOW Yahweh.  

He wants you to – He really does.

It took a lot of courage for Kirk to write this e-mail. He didn’t know me, he had come to my blog for the first time after someone recommended he look into my ministry as a way to sell a resource he is developing – imagine his surprise when this post was his first introduction to me! Here was my response to him:

Kirk,

Thank you so much for your note. You made my day! I was so much hoping someone would have the courage to respond to my challenge and e-mail me because I DO indeed believe we can know God, Scripture makes that abundantly clear from cover to cover!! And I do know God, as you describe. I was just so humbled as I always am by my smallness when I am in Yosemite and surrounded by the BIGNESS and GREATNESS of God, it is just so humbling and I think we need to never be too flippant or trite about what it means to know God, but yes, that is the Amazing Offer that God extends to know Him, it is the beautiful offer of salvation. I just think we throw that offer around to loosely at times… it is an AWESOME thing to say, “You can know God.” To stick that on a bumper sticker is almost… I don’t know how to say it… is our God not Big enough? Have we made him a size we can handle? I think if we truly understood Him, would we ever sin?

Anyway, I do believe we can know God, Scripture is quite clear on it, and I planned to follow up on my blog:

On one hand God knows us….

1 Corinthians 8:3
But the man who loves God is known by God.

But scripture also talks of us knowing God… (in addition to showing it as you described!)

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God….

Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God…

Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

1 John 4:6
We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us…

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

I was so curious to see if anyone would have the boldness to take me up on my challenge and email me and say “I know God!” THANK YOU for doing so!  I really thought I’d be challenged more for that post!  If no one did, I was really going to be disappointed. Perhaps more struggle with not feeling like they know God. I’m sure it is a struggle, because we do all fall short and feel that gap between where we are and where we want to be!

May I share your email on my blog, with only your first name? And I’d be happy to “talk” more with you – as I have plenty of room to grow and would appreciate any insight you have to share on how I can know God better.

karl

Then he replied:

Whew!  I’m so relieved to get this response … I was a bit concerned about being so bold.  But then it also occurs to me that’s a shame, too, isn’t it?  Isn’t it a shame that we should consider it bold to proclaim that we know our own Father? Wow.  Man, I love talking about God, thinking about God, fearing Him and loving Him.  HE is everything.  Two lines in your note below say SO MUCH (I’m tempted to write a book or two in response, but I won’t because you obviously already “get it”):  “Have we made him a size we can handle? I think if we truly understood Him, would we ever sin?”  I’m afraid we’re all guilty of making God in our image … sad. (….)

Kirk

I’ve since been enjoying some good conversation with Kirk that I’m sure will continue! In the end, I still stand by my original post – I’m not “taking it back,” the more we get to understand God the smaller we ought to see ourselves, and the greater God becomes and the more impossible it seems that we could ever “know God” my conclusions in that post stand – and YET at the same time, all the more amazing and incredible it is that THIS SAME GOD WANTS US TO KNOW HIM! And invites us to do so despite our sinfulness.

Feast on that!

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Mountains are Great, but the Valley Matters

October 4, 2009 at 9:00 am · Filed under Devotional, Spiritual Growth

If you follow my blog or facebook or twitter (especially recently) it is no secret that I love the mountains! It is one of the reasons I moved to Colorado. But I was reminded by my mentor Oswald Chambers that it is how we live in the valleys that truly matters. Let me encourage you with his words:

The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God – that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday relationship with Him…… when you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of valley?

I love going to the mountains, but I know I must live in the valleys. And I’ve been in some pretty deep valleys too. Some were just the natural valleys of life – others I dug myself! But I love having a view of the mountains now as a constant reminder that there is HOPE that I do not need to stay in the valley that there is a God who not only is in the valley with me, but who invites me OUT, and to go to the heights with Him!

You may not have a “mountain view” – just as I lived without the past twenty-three years, but all along, I knew they existed and it made valley dwelling easier. In life, there are valleys, but just knowing that our God is High and Exalted is enough to sustain us in the valleys. So look to the mountains for Hope, but live in the valleys honoring Him no matter what, for that is where your character shows and therefore where it really matters. Praise Him!

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The Cave Was Calling!

October 2, 2009 at 11:54 am · Filed under Adventures, Devotional, Life, PK Cruiser

Yesterday I spent most of the day at the Garden of the God. (I leave the ’s’ off on purpose!)

I went to see the sunrise and to work in my new office: Colorado!

This was my view for my morning staff conference call. Not too shabby! It was a little chilly, so I eventually moved to the Visitor Center across the street where I had a counter, power outlet, free refills and an elevated view:

Next I headed off to Chipotle for lunch and on my way back I noticed a Navigator’s sign right before the turn to Garden of the Gods, and turned in. Soon I was at a Castle Gate being stopped by a Gate Keeper. I wasn’t sure if I would get in, but after speaking a little “Christianese” I was granted a pass and allowed to proceed into the most amazing compound that rivaled the Garden of the Gods next door! Turns out the Gen Eyrie retreat center may be one of the best kept secrets of Christiandome! Not only are there more red rocks….

and over 700 acres with lodges and hiking trails…

there is even a Castle!

But on to the CAVE!

As I was exploring, I noticed a CAVE up on one of the cliffs!

Now, GUYS, why is it when you SEE A CAVE you have this thought… I must go up in that cave! I’m sorry, but I REALLY TRIED not to. I seriously thought, I could get hurt. It might be too much for my heart. There could be a bear or a cougar or something worse! No one who loves me even knows I am here at Glen Eyrie, how long until my car would be found? I signed a release to hike, so they wouldn’t even cover any medical costs if I got hurt. Would my insurance…

but the CAVE WAS CALLING TO ME… so I climbed!

I got closer! I half expected some fierce animal to peek out at me! Would I run? Or would freezing work? What if I found treasure? Bones? I’m sure no one else has ever climbed up here!

Finally, I made it! Here is the view from INSIDE THE CAVE! And there is the PK Cruiser, to prove it is really the same cave! It was about twenty feet deep. No wild animals or bones or treasure. I was actually a little disappointed. (About the treasure and bones that is.)

I put on the fisheye lens to try and show the entire cave from the back!

Just as I was about to head down I was surprised by a great view of the Glen Eyrie Castle from the opening of the cave! Pretty cool, huh? You know, if you don’t get out of your car in life, you miss out on some of the best experiences.

The next time you are driving in life and you see something cool – don’t drive by. STOP, and just do it! I’m way behind on email and a bunch of stuff from moving last week, and I know just as I get caught up when I’m moving in next week, I’ll get behind all over again. I have every reason to work all day and into the night non-stop.

But then, I would have missed out on this neat cave!

WHAT IS CALLING OUT TO YOU TODAY? GO FOR IT!

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