Yes, I have been thinking about this year's trips to the Sawtooths. It looks like a good year for backpacking. We will have three different trips. The first planned week will be August 3rd through 7th in Wyoming. We will be going with the group from Camp Grace into the Snowy Range. It will be new territory for us. The next two weeks will be in the Sawtooths. Depending on who comes for which week, we may try some new areas and a little more difficult trip. These weeks are just friends getting together for some backpacking, fishing, photography, and especially fellowship around the Word of God. As one has said, "It is soul refreashing."Saturday, April 25, 2009
It's Spring Time in the Sawtooths
Yes, I have been thinking about this year's trips to the Sawtooths. It looks like a good year for backpacking. We will have three different trips. The first planned week will be August 3rd through 7th in Wyoming. We will be going with the group from Camp Grace into the Snowy Range. It will be new territory for us. The next two weeks will be in the Sawtooths. Depending on who comes for which week, we may try some new areas and a little more difficult trip. These weeks are just friends getting together for some backpacking, fishing, photography, and especially fellowship around the Word of God. As one has said, "It is soul refreashing."
Pocahontas and Pella IA
Inside the church in Pocahontas IA. Pastor Kuhn has been there about ten years now and it is exciting to see what the Lord is doing in the church. The last time we were in the church was 2002. They were struggling and were not growing very much. It is a joy to see the faithfulness and God's rewarding with results.
Pella is know for being a Dutch community.
The Lord has given us good meetings each time we have been in Pella. We really enjoy the church family and the fellowship. Praise the Lord for such a good church.
Pella is know for being a Dutch community.The Lord has given us good meetings each time we have been in Pella. We really enjoy the church family and the fellowship. Praise the Lord for such a good church.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Iowa
Jeneen and I are in Pocahontas this week and will be in Pella for Easter weekend. It has been cold and windy with some snow. The weather has not been springlike. Makes us miss AZ.
The meetings have been going good with many people in attendance.
Lately we have added Facebook to our ability to keep people up on what we are doing. It has been interesting to see how many people are on there. It might be easier than doing the blog but we plan on keeping both.
Pictures will be coming soon.
The meetings have been going good with many people in attendance.
Lately we have added Facebook to our ability to keep people up on what we are doing. It has been interesting to see how many people are on there. It might be easier than doing the blog but we plan on keeping both.
Pictures will be coming soon.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Out and About
Lately, Jeneen and I have been to Arizona again. We had a warm time in Tempe and Kingman. We came home to warmer temperatures in Idaho too. Spring is here.
We were at Grace Baptist in Tempe for some meetings. Please pray for them as they seek a pastor. From there we went to Kingman. The Lord is blessing there with souls being saved and people added to the church. Praise the Lord for what He is doing. Pastor and Vicki Lenzi have been there about ten years now. God is blessing.
We will be home for a couple of weeks. We hope to get some spring things done; taxes, yard work, etc. From here we go to Iowa for meetings in Pocahontas and Pella.
May God bless you all.
We were at Grace Baptist in Tempe for some meetings. Please pray for them as they seek a pastor. From there we went to Kingman. The Lord is blessing there with souls being saved and people added to the church. Praise the Lord for what He is doing. Pastor and Vicki Lenzi have been there about ten years now. God is blessing.
We will be home for a couple of weeks. We hope to get some spring things done; taxes, yard work, etc. From here we go to Iowa for meetings in Pocahontas and Pella.
May God bless you all.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Our Latest Travels
Grace Baptist Church in Tempe AZAfter being at the church for meeting the first part of January, I was able to be with the young people at a state wide youth retreat. It was a joy to be in Arizona during a cold spell in Idaho. Even though we went to Flagstaff for part of the retreat, it was still warmer than some of the cold in the northern states this year.
The end of January found us in Montana at Valley Baptist Church in Eureka. Starting off with a sledding party followed by the regular meetings at the church. 
Pastor Matt Schrepfer and his wife, Juanetta
On Friday of the next week, the church sponsored a Fish and Game Banquet. What a joy to see many sportsmen and swap stories of the big ones with them. 
Jeneen petting a mountain lion.One of the meats we were able to eat was mountain lion. It was said to be a favorite of the early trappers in the west. The taste was not like chicken. It was better. I liked it and would eat it again, given the chance.
Just a couple of the many elk we saw.
Just a couple of the many elk we saw.The meetings went well at the church. This is a mission work that is going good. Pastor Matt and Juanetta are doing a great job there. We are excited about this work and look forward to what is ahead for them. Praise the Lord for those who were saved while we were there.
Review of "The Shack"
Religion or Relationship – Review of “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young
Monte Leavell
2/12/2009
The pendulum swings again. Reactionary extremes rise in the needless debate of a system of beliefs verses relationship. After reading “The Shack” and listening to an interview with the author, Wm. Paul Young, it is evident he has swung the pendulum toward relationship.
The book was written to show one man’s journey through the painful process of grieving the loss of his daughter at the hands of a serial killer. The man struggles with relationships, from his abusive father to a God who would allow his daughter to be killed. These struggles are real for a person in such circumstances and should be taken seriously. However, the author of “The Shack” emphasizes relationship above doctrine. While making some good points about relationships, he undermines basic doctrine concerning the character and action of God.
The book has troubling depictions of God the Father as a large African-American woman, the Son as Himself, and the Holy Spirit as an Asian type woman with transparent tendencies. I wish the author would have chosen a different means to characterize God and the relationship we have with Him. A careful study of the parables of Jesus and His depiction of God would have been useful in the writing of the book. He has some valid points about our relationships but they get lost in the failure to portray a true picture of God.
The actions of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the book are troubling. God the Father, depicted by the large black woman, makes a significant statement. She says that if the main character was not ready to deal with his problems, it was okay. “We’ll do things on your terms and time.” This action brings God down to man’s level, subject to man’s emotion and desires. Many small events within the book show the same pattern.
This book brings God down to our level in order to wrap our minds around who He is and how He works. Undiscerning people will find it easy to follow such a god as created in “The Shack.” Just because God has given us the ability to have a relationship with Him, does not mean He is less God. Nor does it mean He is less a relational being, but we must come to Him his way. He is Almighty, Holy God, and He must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. We must walk with Him according to his terms.
To say we have either religion or relationship is not a right premise. One is needed in order to have the other. Without right beliefs about God and God’s structure for a relationship with Him, it is impossible to have a true relationship. We are the variable in the equation. God is constant. We choose to come to Him His way or we fail to have a true relationship with Him. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. To walk in the light and to have right fellowship with God, we must walk by means of the Holy Spirit. It is the humbling of ourselves to His will. These things do not change.
There is much pain in the process of grieving. I’m sorry about the format of the book because some of the lessons taught about relationship with God are right. Based upon the troubling depictions concerning the character and actions of God, I cannot recommend the book to everyone. Relationship with God is based in the true teaching of God. Without true doctrine you do not have a true relationship.
Monte Leavell
2/12/2009
The pendulum swings again. Reactionary extremes rise in the needless debate of a system of beliefs verses relationship. After reading “The Shack” and listening to an interview with the author, Wm. Paul Young, it is evident he has swung the pendulum toward relationship.
The book was written to show one man’s journey through the painful process of grieving the loss of his daughter at the hands of a serial killer. The man struggles with relationships, from his abusive father to a God who would allow his daughter to be killed. These struggles are real for a person in such circumstances and should be taken seriously. However, the author of “The Shack” emphasizes relationship above doctrine. While making some good points about relationships, he undermines basic doctrine concerning the character and action of God.
The book has troubling depictions of God the Father as a large African-American woman, the Son as Himself, and the Holy Spirit as an Asian type woman with transparent tendencies. I wish the author would have chosen a different means to characterize God and the relationship we have with Him. A careful study of the parables of Jesus and His depiction of God would have been useful in the writing of the book. He has some valid points about our relationships but they get lost in the failure to portray a true picture of God.
The actions of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the book are troubling. God the Father, depicted by the large black woman, makes a significant statement. She says that if the main character was not ready to deal with his problems, it was okay. “We’ll do things on your terms and time.” This action brings God down to man’s level, subject to man’s emotion and desires. Many small events within the book show the same pattern.
This book brings God down to our level in order to wrap our minds around who He is and how He works. Undiscerning people will find it easy to follow such a god as created in “The Shack.” Just because God has given us the ability to have a relationship with Him, does not mean He is less God. Nor does it mean He is less a relational being, but we must come to Him his way. He is Almighty, Holy God, and He must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. We must walk with Him according to his terms.
To say we have either religion or relationship is not a right premise. One is needed in order to have the other. Without right beliefs about God and God’s structure for a relationship with Him, it is impossible to have a true relationship. We are the variable in the equation. God is constant. We choose to come to Him His way or we fail to have a true relationship with Him. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. To walk in the light and to have right fellowship with God, we must walk by means of the Holy Spirit. It is the humbling of ourselves to His will. These things do not change.
There is much pain in the process of grieving. I’m sorry about the format of the book because some of the lessons taught about relationship with God are right. Based upon the troubling depictions concerning the character and actions of God, I cannot recommend the book to everyone. Relationship with God is based in the true teaching of God. Without true doctrine you do not have a true relationship.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Articles
I desire to write some articles on subjects passionate to me. Here is a recent one. May God bless.
When Does It Become My Fault? – By Monte Leavell
My tendency is to take other people’s pains upon myself. It is my nature to hurt for those who are hurting. With this comes the desire to take away their pain. When it is impossible to do, a sense of frustration enters along with deep realization of my inability to effect change. Like many people, I want to help. There are circumstances in life we are unable to change. When I am confronted by such events, I try doing what each of us should; point people to our God. He changes the events of life and/or gives us the grace to go through them.
Recently, several friends have lost loved ones. It is impossible to change the events of death but we can share the comfort God has given us in times of loss. To point hurting people to the God of all comfort is often all we can do. But what could we do better? God ministers to hearts. Many people have said, “God did not change my circumstances, but He did change me.” Sometimes we would find this change no other way but through the difficulty or pain. Later, we find it was necessary in order to reach a very positive result in our lives.
What do we do when someone is hurting as a result of their own actions? I have seen interpersonal relationships deeply hurt by the actions of one person. Those around that person give many opportunities for change. They encourage, pray for, and try to talk about it, but the person continues acting the same way. The sad part is the person is often given their way to keep peace in the relationship. Finally when the relationship is so damaged, many are hurt and seek to break off any contact with the person. The person who caused the trouble is deeply offended by the sudden actions of all around them. People, from a desire to help, who dare confront them are now considered against them. The person continues to defend himself and justify his actions. In that person’s mind, it becomes the fault of all who would try to help him. We have all dealt with a person of this type. Our greatest cry to them would be, “We are not against you. We just want you to evaluate your actions and reactions to people. We want to help.”
People who cause their own pain in relationships will continue to hurt throughout their lives unless they change. They will continue to find fault with everyone around them. Often, those who are closest to them will be the ones rejected and hurt. This type of people often finds themselves isolated because no one desires to be around them.
Years ago in a church, we were having question and answer time. I was asked, “What should I do about someone who has offended me by what they said?” The first thing I answered was with God’s kind of love, evaluate our own heart. God’s kind of love is not easily offended. If we find ourselves often being offended by others, perhaps they or what they said is not the problem. Perhaps we need to grow up and act mature as a Christian. God will continually confront us with pain in relationships till we learn the necessary lessons.
It is easier to blame everyone else for our troubles in relationships than to look inward. As I sympathize with those hurting as a result of their own actions, I soon find myself being blamed in one way or another. If I bring up anything that would confront them, I am immediately labeled as someone else who is against them. When did it become my fault you are bringing your own pain upon yourself? Please, we want to help. Can you look inward and see if God wants you to change? Not everyone is against you.
When Does It Become My Fault? – By Monte Leavell
My tendency is to take other people’s pains upon myself. It is my nature to hurt for those who are hurting. With this comes the desire to take away their pain. When it is impossible to do, a sense of frustration enters along with deep realization of my inability to effect change. Like many people, I want to help. There are circumstances in life we are unable to change. When I am confronted by such events, I try doing what each of us should; point people to our God. He changes the events of life and/or gives us the grace to go through them.
Recently, several friends have lost loved ones. It is impossible to change the events of death but we can share the comfort God has given us in times of loss. To point hurting people to the God of all comfort is often all we can do. But what could we do better? God ministers to hearts. Many people have said, “God did not change my circumstances, but He did change me.” Sometimes we would find this change no other way but through the difficulty or pain. Later, we find it was necessary in order to reach a very positive result in our lives.
What do we do when someone is hurting as a result of their own actions? I have seen interpersonal relationships deeply hurt by the actions of one person. Those around that person give many opportunities for change. They encourage, pray for, and try to talk about it, but the person continues acting the same way. The sad part is the person is often given their way to keep peace in the relationship. Finally when the relationship is so damaged, many are hurt and seek to break off any contact with the person. The person who caused the trouble is deeply offended by the sudden actions of all around them. People, from a desire to help, who dare confront them are now considered against them. The person continues to defend himself and justify his actions. In that person’s mind, it becomes the fault of all who would try to help him. We have all dealt with a person of this type. Our greatest cry to them would be, “We are not against you. We just want you to evaluate your actions and reactions to people. We want to help.”
People who cause their own pain in relationships will continue to hurt throughout their lives unless they change. They will continue to find fault with everyone around them. Often, those who are closest to them will be the ones rejected and hurt. This type of people often finds themselves isolated because no one desires to be around them.
Years ago in a church, we were having question and answer time. I was asked, “What should I do about someone who has offended me by what they said?” The first thing I answered was with God’s kind of love, evaluate our own heart. God’s kind of love is not easily offended. If we find ourselves often being offended by others, perhaps they or what they said is not the problem. Perhaps we need to grow up and act mature as a Christian. God will continually confront us with pain in relationships till we learn the necessary lessons.
It is easier to blame everyone else for our troubles in relationships than to look inward. As I sympathize with those hurting as a result of their own actions, I soon find myself being blamed in one way or another. If I bring up anything that would confront them, I am immediately labeled as someone else who is against them. When did it become my fault you are bringing your own pain upon yourself? Please, we want to help. Can you look inward and see if God wants you to change? Not everyone is against you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Welcome to the world of blogs.
