Testing of My Faith

I hate exams. In college, I faired quite well on my exams, but I hated them nontheless. Study, study, study and hope I can remember. Miserable! I am convinced my migraines I experience even today are a direct result of exams in college. HA!

That being said, exams are necessary. They build character, patience, knowledge. They remind us that the knowledge in our heads must be proven by action. Right now, I am in one of God's exams. And you now know how I feel about exams. The testing of my faith comes with great pain. I ache daily right now knowing my faith is being tested. I long for relief, even beg God for it. I pray for myself selfishly. I ask God to relieve me. Then...I am reminded of his truth in James 1..."2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Okay...let's clear the air. The world tells us to take pride in ourselves, God says take pride in our low position. The world says avoid trials, God says to consider it pure joy when faced with trial. The world says work hard and play hard and enjoy material possessions, God says ask for wisdom (and believe) and you will receive it. The world says go to a psychiatrist when times are tough, God says perservere under trial and receive the crown of life. Are you facing a difficult time right now? Do you wonder how you are going to get out of it? Are you approaching the end of your faith? Praise God! Praise him and then ask him for wisdom. This is the message of James. It contradicts everything the world tells you, yet God is all-knowing. He knows what you are faced with more than you do yourself. And he knows how you're going to get through it. He has provided the answer to get through this tough season, as well. Read the passage again. You'll see it. It's there. Just don't think like the world thinks. Think how Jesus thinks. When you see it, you will be moved to praise him. You will feel embraced in God's comfort. Trust me, I did.

The Body

Today the Kautz's and Tighe's attended Flatirons Church. We had been there a couple of weeks ago and I was considering going to one of two new churches in Rock Creek (our neighborhood) this morning. I felt God wanted us to go back to Flatirons again, so we did. A guest speaker was present today and couldn't have been a better fit for what I personally needed to hear right now. He shared his experience of getting married right out of college and dealing with his wife having Hodgkins disease just 6 months after their wedding. She survived the disease but suffered a massive heart attack a few years later and went to be with the Lord.

He shared how amazing God's love is and how God carried him and his children through that tough period of their lives. He also played a mean guitar and sang a few songs for us on his Olson (one of my favorites). It was a mixture of tears, joy, and humility for me this morning. I sensed God in my presence deeply today and was spiritually and emotionally moved.

Isn't God awesome? He is so personal and leads us in his path. If only we trust him and follow, we see him face to face. Maybe not literally, but spiritually we meet him. I read a book many years ago entitled Seeing God Face to Face. At the time, I related to some degree, but really didn't get it. This morning, I saw God face to face in a brother who shared his life with us with genuine, open transparency. How powerful that is! I am reminded to share my life with that same transparency today so someone else can see God at work. Be encouraged...be strong and bold in the Lord today. Be willing to share your life with someone and let God use you to change a heart forever.

Ministry Update on Emmaus

Jeff Kautz arrived to CO this past Sunday to begin his new job at Exempla Hospital. Jeff is staying with us for the week. His family will arrive Saturday April 1st to stay for good. It is exciting to see the beginning stages of arrivals from the core launch team. Three more families are set to join us in late May/early June.

God continues to impress upon me how personal he really is. I have been experiencing a dramatic shift in the opportunities to share his message lately. I can attribute this to two things: 1) we moved here for that very purpose 2) we pray for these opportunities daily. Not rocket science. Isn't it awesome that we can enter his throne room to pray and he listens! Long gone are the days where his people must enlist a high priest to enter the holy of holies and pray on their behalf. Now Jesus, our High Priest, speaks for us at all times so we can boldly and confidentally enter on our own and experience God's grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:14-16)

CO Update

We're moved in and officially live in Superior, CO, about 10 minutes outside of Boulder. The neighborhood, Rock Creek, is very nice and is a newer area. This neighborhood is a former ranch and only 250 people lived here about 10 years ago. Now there's about 10,000.

CO is beautiful, of course, and we are enjoying the scenery. The fam drove up to A-Basin today for some skiing. Jonatha and I (Peter) hit the beginner slopes so Jonatha could work on her skills. Jan and Aidan tried to ice skate in Keystone but couldn't locate the rink unfortunately. We had a nice afternoon and enjoyed sun and snow at 12,000 ft.

God is opening some wonderful doors for new relationships here. It's helping in the adjustment. The kids are so resilient. They had a tough time last weekend, but are clearly beginning to enjoy the new neighborhood. Last week was very tough for us emotionally. Lots of tears in the move, but God is gracious. We are so grateful for his provision, care and love for us. This is definitely a move for his glory and we are excited to see how he will use us to reach out to our neighbors, friends, and co-workers here in CO.

Better Believe It

Ever eat out at a restaurant, love it, and just gotta tell everyone you know all about it? Why do we do that? Is it because we want everyone we know to blow 50 bills to be catered to, just like us? Who knows! I do know one thing...the same zeal with which we recommend our culinary experiences should be seen in our recommendations for cultivating experiences. Have you met someone new this week? This month? This year? Have you cultivated a friendship with that person so they can experience Jesus in you? My past year or so has been filled with many, many new friendships, and I have to say it has been one of the best experiences. I've seen God open doors for the Gospel more and more as I simply invite other people into my life. It has deepened my desire for God, my desire for authentic friendships, and has challenged me in my thinking because I know better than anyone that often I am wrong in my thinking.

I hope today you'll be thinking about the possibilities that lie in front of you for God to use you to change someone's life for eternity. Are you ready? May we all be ready...