Another Hike Today

Another hike this morning. Jan was out to work, so the kids and I drove about an hour west of Boulder into the high country and found a nature path along a creek at about 10,000 ft. Not a vigorous trek, but very different from our normal hikes.

Boulder Hike

Morning hike to Devil's Thumb...Mesa Trail Head to Lowhee trail. Great hiking spot...a little challenging for the kids, but they endured most of the way. Trail has variable conditions with lots of rocks and some tightening paths up higher. Good view, as well. Jonatha and I did a little running down the hill, which tested my ankles for sure. All in all, a beautiful morning to spend outside and interact with nature.

Maranatha Bible Camp

Here's a pic of Jonatha at Maranatha this weekend. I think just might have enjoyed it just a little, as she is planning to go back already. Don't have all the details yet, as I got this photo off the camp website. I'm sure I'll hear all about it tonight upon her return.

Rock Creek Rattler

Driving in Rock Creek near our house this bad boy caught my eye, so I had to turn around and get up close. Good thing he was dead. Brian and I stretched him out to over 4 ft. Looks like he had a good eatin' before getting his head pummled by a driver on the street. A boy in our neighborhood was bit a few weeks back, so we definitely have to keep an eye out, especially on hikes.

Hike at Alice Park

Want to know what we mean by "life on life" at Emmaus Road? Here's a perfect example. Josh and I joined a couple of friends for a hike Saturday to Alice Park (start elev. 10,500). We hiked to 12,000 elev. for some stunning views and fantastic weather. The hike included trekking a glacier, rock climbing a steep face for 200 yards, a brief encounter with a marmot, cutting through waist high brush along a ridge, and trying not to fall on the way down the glacier, which I did, but just once :-). Most importantly was the fellowship with friends and a chance to do life with people we hope to lead to Christ. Pictured above is Brian, my neighbor and close friend. Also joining us was a very close friend from work, Patrick. The four us couldn't have bonded better on the trip, and I know God used this day to glorify himself in these new friendships and in the nature that surrounded us. The day ended with everyone planning another trip soon to either hike or do some mountain biking.

Isn't God great?

Emmaus Men

Photo from gathering...Left to right Peter, Brandon Brinker, Kris Cheek, Jeff Kautz, Josh Luse. These men have been a tremendous source of encouragement and accountability to me over the past few months. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17. This verse is very evident in this group of men right now. I am graced by God to work with all of them for the cause of Christ in Boulder County. We meet weekly to study the Word, pray and hold each other accountable with very specific questions regarding finances, time in the word, time with our families, sexual purity, etc. When men gather to do such things, lives are changed.

For those of you who read my blog and are of the male pursuasion, find an accountability partner and a study group, if you haven't already. By doing so, you're taking a step of faith and allowing God to mature you as a man in Christ. The accountability will remind you to stay focused and the encouragement will enrich your daily walk. I can't place a value on being a part of this group.

Pursue Him

Some devotional thoughts for today...good stuff!

Matthew 28:1...

Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Savior very early in the morning. If you can wait for Christ and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with Him at some distant season, you will never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood"1 at the tomb. If you would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully-she stood at the tomb. Some find it hard to stand by a living Savior, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake Him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly-she stood "weeping." Those teardrops were as spells that led the Savior captive and made Him come forth and show Himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless He come and say to you, "You are My beloved," you will soon hear His voice. Lastly, she sought the Savior only. What did she care about angels? She turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ is your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will soon enjoy the comfort of His presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of Himself. O Lord, reveal Yourself to us this evening!

John 20:11

(Pictured - Chataqua Park Trail, Boulder, CO)

Barn Overflowing

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

We had men's life group last night at Horizons from 8-10pm. We began the meeting with accountability questions, then studied God's word in Psalm 19. The Lord reminded us in our accountability discussion that our trust in him must be reflected in our finances. I mentioned before that God seems to have placed all of us in a position financially where we must depend on him for provision to adjust to the new costs of living in CO. It's a good position to be in, yet we need reminded constantly to correct our minds and truly trust God with our resources. When we do this, he promises to provide all we need and more. Also consider the Macedonian church mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8. They gave beyond what they could afford so as to be a blessing to others in need. Beyond what they could afford! Talk about trust...do we give beyond what we can afford, or simply "budget" our giving to God? I imagine we budget it in more than acting in faith to give what he puts in our hearts. Very challenging, indeed. The bottom line is our hearts. What does our heart desire? Where does our treasure lie? We can talk about how much we love God, but the proof is in our actions. Too often in my life, I have withheld out of lack of faith.

I hope today you find a peace in your heart with what you've decided to give to God. And give cheerfully...God loves a cheerful giver. Enjoy your day in Jesus. No one loves you more!

(Pictured - barn in Boulder, CO)

Emmaus Road

From Josh Luse, Co-Pastor Emmaus Road...

Boulder Church Plant Upate-July

Apart from me you can do nothing… jn.15.5 These words have been resonating within our hearts as we venture out into these new lands. We have thoroughly enjoyed a few different environments as a church plant team to help in our spiritual growth, fellowship, and mission. One of the highlights of our week has been Sunday nights at the Kautz’s home. As a team we have focused this time of fellowship, prayer, praise, and bible study to bond us together and equip us for the mission of taking the gospel to the Front Range. God has blessed us with a couple girls from the Denver area who have volunteered to help us with the kids over the summer. What a huge blessing they have been.

It has been so neat to hear the stories every week of how God continues to open doors for new relationship and provide conversations with the people around us. As we actively pray and seek he continues to bring people across our path to love, share our hope with.Another meaningful environment has been our life groups that meet weekly. The ladies have been meeting for prayer, accountability, and are going through Beth Moore’s Believing God study. The guys have been digging into the Psalms.

God has continued to remind us that it is not about us, and that we are only able to serve him through his power. That reminder has prompted us to spend significant time in our life groups and gatherings in prayer. Praying for each other, the people we are meeting, and the people of Boulder County we have yet to meet. It has reminded us to continue praying throughout the week, and shows us our need to be in to word and abiding in Christ daily.

Would you continue to pray for us as we seek to depend on God for opportunities and wisdom in meeting and reaching the people around us? Would you pray for boldness and love as we interact with them. Will you pray for Pastor Kris as he finishes out the SportReach Missions trip in Spain? God is at work all around us and he allows us to join Him, what a beautiful thing!How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! ps.47.2Josh Luse/Co-PastorPS. Don’t forget you are invited to our dedication service on August 5th at 1:00pm. Contact us for more information.

Storm

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:25

Today we had a fierce storm hit Superior that lasted just minutes. I was amazed at the number of lightning strikes within a mile or two of the house. The storm arrived and departed quite quickly. One lightning strike almost seemed to follow the thunder it was so loud and quick. I sat at my children's window upstairs after checking on them and watched for a couple of minutes. God's power is so awe inspiring. He comes with great power and then relieves the sky with calm. As I type, the skies have opened back up and the stars are out. It feels so peaceful right now.

I often find that, in my daily walk, when the storm hits, I panic and am filled with fear. Then, as God removes the storm, I return to my own world of peace. The opposite should be true...when the storm hits, my response should be to draw close to God and rest in his peace, allowing him to carry me through the storm. But, my response often is like Peter's when Jesus walked on water. I cry out only after I start to sink.

Remind me, Lord, today to find peace in the storm by resting on you...

Men's Life Group

Jeff, Josh and I met for men's life group tonight from 9:30-11:30pm. Kris is in
Spain and Brandon just returned from N.P. late from work . We took a brief look at Psalm 5 and Hebrews 9 regarding prayer. Isn't God incredibly gracious in allowing us to enter his throne room to pray? No longer do we require a high priest to enter on our behalf once a year to present our requests to God. Because Jesus took our place once for all, we are now free to approach the throne of grace with confidence. What a drastic difference from the old testament method!

Take time to pray today, asking God to fill you with wisdom and to give you his desire. Then watch God work through you to touch hearts and lives.

(Pictured at right - Boulder, CO sunset)

Emmaus

We had our third gathering last night, led by our Co-Pastor Josh Luse. Our simple church philosophy is evident in our meetings. We had a time of worship for the children, where the kids sang and danced along with some recorded music. Josh led us in prayer and then we had some time in song as families. I led with a few songs on the acoustic and everyone sang their hearts out to God. It was special for me, as I have not led music in that manner since college, more than ten years ago. Josh led us in a study on one of our core values, "God Dependent" covering various passages. Take a look at Jeremiah 17 for more.

After our study we went to the Lord in prayer for quite a while, lifting up several people with whom we have had the opportunity to develop relationships. Another core value for us is "On Mission" which must include significant time in prayer for those we are trying to reach. For more about our core values, visit www.emmausroadonline.org.

Pray for our Lead Pastor Kris Cheek, who is currently in Spain for two weeks carrying out our world mission efforts. Also pray for the core team families as we adjust to our new lives in CO. Pray, too, for those we are trying to reach personally with the truth.

Thanks to all of you who are faithfully supporting this ministry through various means. Your reward awaits you.

(Pictured - Peral Street guitarist Boulder, CO)

River of Life

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

(Pictured - Boulder, CO Creek)