33" was the official total in Boulder on Wednesday. We easily topped 2 ft at our neighborhood, if not 3ft. The park was a winter wonderland and we enjoyed it.

Jonatha was her usual fearless self when I challenged her to take the jump my way...

Jan showed off her snow angel at the conclusion of the day...

I simply enjoyed the pow and wish I could just stay there all day...

And Aidan was all boy as he helped me shovel the driveway...

Polar Express

This past weekend the Tighe Family enjoyed our Christmas gift to one another (yes, we're cheap) by driving to Durango, CO to ride the Polar Express. The famous Durango-Silverton train does a Polar Express trip which is just like the movie. Visit www.durangotrain.com for more details.

We started out by making sure our tickets were good, so the Conductor can call for them after we board...

Then we all put on our fake smiles for the family photo (note Aidan's hot chocolate mouth)...

And what good is a Polar Express train ride without Santa himself!

Emmaus Road Update

The ER team had one of our "Super Sundays" last night, reflecting on the year's highlights and discussing the things God has taught us and where he is leading us. Our Super Sundays are 3-4 hour training sessions which include intensive training and praying. Last night's meeting was refreshing and very encouraging. Everyone on the team was involved in discussing the vision and direction of Emmaus Road and the input was more than valuable.

Some interesting "tweaks" have been made to our ministry, but really nothing related to the philosophy which remains as it was from the start. The tweaks mostly involve verbage to better reflect, in our culture, what we are doing. For example, "life group" is a term that is phased out and is replaced with "house church." This may not resonate well with the Berean Fellowship, but we are not in a typical Berean Fellowship ministry. In Boulder, "house church" resonates and seems to be an acceptable phrase. We also now will be reflecting on our ministry with 3 "expressions". The expressions include House Churches, Gatherings and Launch Teams. House Churches will be exactly that...multiple churches meeting in homes across Boulder County. Now that Phase 1 is nearing completion for the original Emmaus Road launch team, we will begin dividing into multiple house churches, starting with two churches. Gatherings are our monthly or bi-monthly corporate worship gatherings for all the Emmaus Road community. Launch Teams are those families and individuals who believe God is calling them to uproot and move to Boulder to begin training for this kind of ministry, just as the original 6 families did this year. We are looking at recruiting for next year a new launch team to move to the area and start training (two families have already indicated this possible move, one from Florida and another from Denver). How exciting is that!

Doing life with our communities is still essential and really the heartbeat of our ministry. Our goal is not to "raise the flag" and hope people show up. Our goal is to reproduce ourselves into the lives of others, both unbelievers and believers alike. And, of course, this means getting dirty and doing the tough job of going to people in our community and meeting them where they are, which doesn't include a church building.

The longer we live here, the more convinced we are that ER is heading in the right direction and fulfilling what God has called us to do. It's amazing to hear all the stories from each family of how God is at work. I can't wait to see where we are in December 2007. Would you pray for us? We are a God dependent community and prayer is essential to the success of this ministry. Pray for wisdom, direction and most importantly the multiplication of the kingdom. Emmaus is not concerned about growth in our ministry near as much as growth in the kingdom. Thank you for supporting us this way!

One last thing, check out our newly launched website at www.emmausroadonline.org.

Friends

Good friends can be hard to find...this group is never hard to find. God has blessed Jan and I with the greatest of friends. People who love God, follow him, and passionately share their faith. People who value friendship, family and faith. People who allow me to be myself. I am hard pressed to think of a better group to hang with. Thank you Brinkers, Cheeks, Deans, Kautzs, Luses.

Armed and Dangerous

Revelation 1:13

One like "a son of man" appeared to John in Patmos, and the beloved disciple noticed that He wore "a golden sash." A sash, for Jesus was never unprepared while on earth, but always stood ready for service; and now before the eternal throne He continues His ministry as our great High Priest...Spurgeon

I've been praying much differently lately. I have had my routine turned upside down. It seems God has been teaching me lately to be girded up so to speak...to be ready, armed. Not in a defensive mindset, rather offensive. I believe this is how Jesus approached prayer. He didn't wait for people's needs to arise before dealing with them in prayer. He prayed in a way so as to prepare for those situations and needs, then took action when they came up. I admit, I typically prayer after the situation or need arises. So what's the deal with the sash? Well, it reminds us of Jesus' royalty, his kingship. And, it is tight, not loose, ready for action. He stands before the Father on our behalf at all times. Never does a moment arise where the Holy Father sees me outside of his vision of Jesus. Rose-tinted, blood stained eyesight.

So, what's my response? Well, honestly, I sin. I'm lazy. I procrastinate. I act selfishly. I act goofy or dorky. I look like the Greatest American Hero (really bad 80's show, but if you're in your 30's you know you watched it). Yet, he commands me to be ready, to take stand, to wear the belt of truth. He commands me to be in full armor, prepared for battle (Ephesians 6). He must think I am able (by his grace of course). Isn't that encouraging? God asks us to do what he knows we can do. To stand, armed and dangerous, yes dangerous. Watch out unbeliever! I am ready for battle. Want to question my faith? Bring it on. Want to trip me up and tempt me to live of the world. Try again. Want to confuse me and subtly brainwash me into politically correct philosophies. I don't think so. You will fail because I am ready...Jesus' sash is tightened and he stands for me. And now, I stand, belt tightened and ready for battle.

--Peter

Zechariah 1:20

In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible horns. They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest and the mightiest; and the prophet asked, "What are these?" The answer was, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah." He saw before him a representation of those powers that had oppressed the Church of God...Spurgeon

Interesting to say the least, in my opinion. These dreamy visions in the Bible can seem overwhelming, but usually the message is simple. This vision reveals a simple message...the powers that are against the Church are always at work and come from every angle to attack. Think your life is running along smoothly with no attacks? Think again. If you are so much as even attempting to live faithfully for the Savior of men, expect to be attacked. And it may not be so obvious. I was reminded of this truth this week as I pondered why my kids have been so restless and contentious lately. In the book "Wild At Heart" by J. Eldridge, he comments that Satan will stop at nothing, even attacking your children to promote strife, arguments and frustration in your family. He will use subtle methods to create marital problems and divide the family. We chalk it up to everyday problems, while Satan sits back and laughs at our ignorance. Some attacks are, indeed, obvious. As a family, we have been dealing with an obvious attack for 4 months now. One in which someone is trying their best to thwart my effort to move on in life. You'd think it would be over, yet God continues to permit the situation. We are trusting it's for our good and will continue to cause growth in our lives. But don't think for a second we don't want it to end.

There were four horns, for the church is attacked from all quarters. The prophet had good reason to feel dismayed; but suddenly there appeared before him "four craftsmen." He asked, "What are these coming to do?" These were the men whom God had found to break those horns in pieces. God will always find men for His work, and He will find them at the right time...Spurgeon

The attacks not only come, but from the 4 quarters of our lives. Translation? From everywhere. Yesterday, while leaving for work, I missed a step on the stairs. I struggled down the flight a good 10 steps before recovering (the wall and handle saved my tail). I got spun around in every direction and finally slammed into the wall, coming to a stop with my ankle throbbing. I felt as though someone had spun me and pushed me down the stairs. Often in our daily lives, Satan does just this. He pushes us and then cruely spins us around spiritually, so we don't even have a bearing. Then we "try our best" to recover. Problem is God doesn't need us to "try our best." He needs us to rely on him to provide the resources and strength to recover us. And he is doing just that...providing everything needed to recover...everything.

And interestingly enough, in the vision, the terrible horns are dashing down the "strongest and mightiest." I know for certain I am not the strongest or mightiest, yet I still attempt to recover on my own. It's such a shame when I catch myself trying to be the craftsman. God must find it humorous. In his grace, he gently directs me back to reality.

--Peter