The girl I married

30 years ago today she married me. She has stood beside me in great achievements and in times of brokenness and despair. We have laughed and cried together and made a million memories on a journey of learning to trust God in all things. She has seen me at my best and in my lowest times. We have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and we have seen the sunrise over Mt Sinai. We have been lost in the wilderness of life and we have found what we were looking for in Jesus. We are a marriage that has overcome failure and experienced the grace of God many times over. We live with the hope that the covenant we made 10,950 days ago will be a light that will inspire others to a faith in the one who heals and redeems. His Name is Jesus.

The one thing I love about my wife Kerrie is her heart for the Lord and her love for people. That’s what I love. She knew when she married me it would not be a normal, predictable, comfortable, convenient kind of journey. But after all these years she is still willing to stand out in a freezing snow storm to get a picture!! Even though she hates being cold. I thank the Lord for the girl I married.

Steve

Pictured: Steve and Kerrie last Thursday

Pictured: Steve, Kerrie and Betsy our old 1966 Ford F100, in 1981

The Faithfulness of God in a fallen world.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:12 -15

We are living in a world at war and catastrophe at the moment. A world where arrogant political leaders strive in their own abilities to bring calamity under control. It amazes me how faithful God is to people who have rejected Him and deny even His existence. My heart is burdened for the multitudes of people suffering under corrupt regimes and religious persecution. As churches burned to the ground in Ethiopia this past week and Christian villages were wiped out the media focussed on the civil war in Libya and protecting western oil interests. I can see violent times ahead as nations rage against each other. For most of us all we can do is watch and pray and support organisations on the front lines helping the helpless. Not much of it makes sense. Japan as a nation is crippled by aftershocks and fear of nuclear destruction. It is a troubled planet.

But I know that when our eyes are on the Lord He is faithful. Kerrie and I celebrate 30 years of making a covenant in marriage together back in 1981. She married a young man with an old pick up truck, a motorcycle, a guitar and a Bible. Not much else. But as we look back we see God’s faithfulness and providence over our lives. We are grateful for family and many friends who have been part of our story and journey. We want to say thanks.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57: 9-11

He is faithful.

Godspeed,

8 Seconds

For most Bull Riders in the PBR it is almost impossible to stay on the back of a raging bucking bull till that 8 second buzzer breaks the intense moments. Every night some riders make it… but most riders leave the arena beaten and injured. It is like a modern day gladiator sport of man against beast!! And people across the world love it!!! The PBR is the most watched weekly TV program in nations around the globe with average audiences of 500 million people. It is a high risk dangerous sport and young men who have grown up on farms in the USA, Canada, Brazil and Australia make it their life’s ambition to ride in the PBR, the ‘big time’ for Bull riding. Every weekend somewhere in America there is an arena packed with fans for a PBR event! Every weekend young men risk their lives for an 8 second ride that could elevate them to great fame and fortune… or leave them broken and busted. It’s a crazy sport but it grows in popularity more every year.

I have the honour of being able to sing at some of these events when visiting America, and also meet with some of the Bull Riders. My good mate Todd Pierce, is the chaplain and mentor to many of the young men who have committed their lives to Christ. These guys inspire me. They are willing to put it all on the line night after night in a short career that will leave them with long term injuries in many cases. Yet they have 100% conviction and courage every time they get on the back of a bull, knowing the next few seconds could bring great pain… or worse.

I want to live out my faith in Christ the same way these young men are dedicated to bull riding. Totally focussed on making the most of every moment, every season and every opportunity.

There are three types of people in this world: Those who make it happen, Those who watch it happen and those who ask “what happened?”.

Let us be people of faith and action in these days some call the end times. Let’s stay focussed on what Jesus Christ has asked us to do and not get distracted by religion and politics and stuff that does not reflect His Kingdom. There are wars, rumours of wars and natural disasters happening constantly. But be determined to last the distance with the same grit and passion as an eight second ride on a wild bull!!!

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! “

Philippians 2:5-8

Life is a gift. When we humble ourselves and lay it down for others we will find what real living is all about!

Godspeed,