My Alibi

We are still in Colorado! According to our schedule, the Lawley's and the Martinez' should already be on their way home to Idaho. But I suppose God has a different plan. "The Blizzard of 2006 - II" is upon us and we fell victim.


Here is my alibi -- The following pictures are proof that we are stuck in the snow:

Jessica and Julia are having a great time in the snow in Grammi's front yard.

Yup, That's right, I did say front yard.

So far the totals around Colorado are fluctuating anywhere between 8" to nearly 2 feet on top of the last storm they had last week. But here in Buena Vista where we are, we received about 8".

Our plan is leave a day later and still be home to worship with you on Sunday morning, no worse for the wear.

Blessings,

John

Time To Think!

I have really had quite a bit of time to slow down and think, and relax here in Colorado. Not that Colorado is the only place a person can do this sort of thing, but since I have been removed from all the temptation of running at full full speed, I don't have much else to do, other than drive around town watching the deer and elk. Buena Vista is litterally a place "where the deer and the antelope play", and elk too. Deer picture was taken in Buena Vista on a cold December Morning.

It really has been good for me; most of you who already know me well, know that I find it hard to sit too long before I am off and running an errand or chasing a chore or just doing 'something'. I even find it hard to sit and fish in one spot too long unless the fish are biting.

But this past week has been a reminder and great lesson in sitting and not doing much. Shari, on the other hand loves to just plant herself and dig in for a while. I should learn a lesson from her. I guess its a lot like Mary and Martha.

I spoke with Pastor Paul this morning and he tells me that most of the snow in Twin has melted from the drizzle of rains. Here in Colorado, the snow is staying, and I hear there is more on the way. I hear it is supposed to arrive the day we leave to come home. (Friday). Pray for us, the Martinez' and the Lawley's would really like to get home safely. I look forward to worshipping with you this coming Sunday.

Blessings,

John Martinez

Let It Snow!

We arrived here in Buena Vista, Colorado last night, nerves on edge and smiles on our faces. When we left Twin Falls yesterday morning it took us over an hour to make it to Burley because of the conditions on the interstate. Even though it was only 30 miles away, Burley was still our first stop. WHEW!

Gene and Marge were Great sports the entire trip. In spite of the crazy weather, they were very cheerful and intentional about taking a nap. This is always a confidence builder for a driver. By the time we were out of Idaho, we were out of the snow and Utah was dry-driving all the way through Colorado until we got to Tennessee Pass.

Tennessee Pass off Interstate 70 is where the big mountains of Colorado begin to show themselves. We had already heard, from Shari's family, that conditions on the pass were snow-packed and icy, but we decided to stop at a little service station in Minturn, Colorado at the base of the pass, and ask people coming off the mountain. Everyone looked at us like we were tourists, and said "it's fine".

Virtually the entire pass was dry and perfect driving conditions for a flatlander. However, the fact that we were driving it at night and the road is as crooked as a 3 dollar bill, pushed everyone on the edge of their seats.

Shari had plenty of advice about my speed, the line of cars behind me had plenty of comments too -- I know, because I could feel them -- and it was hard to tell the difference between left-over sand from the sanding trucks or snow pack. So everytime I tapped my brakes a little too quickly I could feel the air in the van sunndenly get vaccumed up by all those well-intentioned gasps.

Finally, we made it over the pass and we arrived in Leadville. I knew we would be to our distination in half an hour, but first, we ALL had to make a potty stop.

When we rolled into town in "BV" (Buena Vista to tourists), Marge and Gene's family was waiting. And after we made the transfer of luggage from van to car and waved good-bye, Jessica, decided she wanted to drive the rest of the way to Grammi's house. Normally I would give my usual grunt of "ugh, ok", but suddenly I realized the roads were snow-packed and icy. Finally, there was all that ice and snow. "Ugh".

Reluctantly, I agreed, and up the hill to Grammi's house we drove. In those last 3 miles, I aged a year, 10% more hair greyed-up, and 5% fell out. But when we drove up, Jessica was grinning ear to ear. Grammi and Poppi saw her drive into their drive way. Both grandparents and grandkids ran to love on each other, I don't know who was prouder

I suppose we are a lot like that when we come into the presence of God our Father. We come in strutting our stuff and saying, "Look at me, God" He comes running up and says I love you. Strangely, the opposite is true as well. When we come in to His presence after we have blown it, He still comes running up to meet us, and says I love You. The common thread is, that we come into His presence just as we are.

Merry Christmas

John

The above picture is of Mt Princeton in Buena Vista Colorado. This is where our family will be spending Christmas with Both Shari's family and my family as well who will be travelling up for a few days.

The past couple of days have been dicey for Colorado and especally Denver who is for all intents and purposes "Shut-Down" after a major blizzard and snow storm this week. I am hoping that by the time we arrive in Colorado, most of the conditions will have past.

I am sure Gene and Marge feel the same as well. But Gene has mentioned to me he owns a set of chains we can use on the van if needed. So I guess we'll be alright.

Our dog Coda will be going on vacation too. Well, not too far, He will be staying with the next door neighbors, and from what I understand he will be given priviledges that he does not enjoy in the Martinez home. Donald, the neighbor boy, said he will allow Coda to sleep in his bed with him. Oh, Coda, don't get too used to the treatment, you'll be back in garage after Christmas.

John Martinez

The Not-So-Secretarial-Type

Pastor Paul and I were very busy in the church office today. Shari walked in the office to say hello and saw us playing secretary. She couldn't help but burst out laughing.

You see this past week pastor Paul and I have been busy do a few chores around the office.
This past Sunday Pastor Paul actually put the bulletin together, and this week I assembled the January Newsletter.

Now before you laugh too, we are not claiming to be the secretarial-type; and It was very obvious to my wife when she saw us slaving away, folding and stamping newsletters.

I guess it is a little funny to see couple of middle-aged men scurrying around the office and being perplexed by a copy machine with that fish out-of-water look, or is that deer in the headlights?

I suppose its's not too funny when we see person in the body of Christ floundering to accomplish a task that is not their gift, when all around are those who are gifted and refuse to take up the banner because conditions are not what they desire.

I am guilty! I have stood by too many times and watched a fellow believer fail miserably when I could have stepped in to do what God had obviously prepared me to do. Bless that person for their effort, and their willingness to do what needed to be done in spite of their weakness. Shame on me for watching with a critical eye and a judgemental word, when all they were doing was what needed to be done.

Thank God for forgiveness and praise Him for second chances. Bless His Holy name for allowing us to learn from our mistakes instead of casting us aside and abandoning us because we chose to be stubborn.

Are you guilty like I have been? Do you want a second chance? Take it. God is a God of second chances. We should be like Him.

John Martinez

Deal Or No Deal

Have You had a chance to see the sort of new TV show Called Deal Or No Deal? Our family loves watching this show when we get the chance. I suppose it's the intensity of the show that keeps us coming back.

The crazy thing is that when we watch , we find ourselves yelling at the players to take the deal or not. Most of the time I want them to keep going and say "No Deal".

When it comes to someone else's losses it's easy to say go for it, but when it gets personal, I guess we're be more cautious - if I were the one on the show I know I might be a bit more of a wimp if the leftside of the board has more than the right.

The players on the show have one advantage. They get to have friends and family to help them make choices on which case to reveal or whether to keep going or take the money.

On tonight's episode one of the contestants picked her first case based on her sister-in-law's advice. She described her as bit of a psychic. Her sister-in-law told her which case to pick. Even though the lady walked away with $264,000. The original case she chose on the advice of her sister-in-law-psychic had only a measly $400. Some psychic.

But let's imagine that our life is a game of deal or no deal. We have friends and family that care about us and give us advice about lots of the decisions we make. Some are tough and some are easy. Sometimes we take their advice and sometimes we go with our gut feelings.

When we become believers, the game changes. We still have to make all the same tough decisions, but this time we have the Holy Spirit of God in the gallery giving us advice. Now lets be honest. If we are believers, we do have the Holy Spirit in our gallery, but do we always seek His advice or take it when He offers it? Do we tend to go with our gut feeling too often?

Hmmm? If so - then why? What's Up With That?

I think it has everything to do with knowing His voice. The more we know what His voice sounds like, the easier it is to follow. The way we learn what His voice sounds like, is by listening to it all the time. We do this primarily by reading and studying His Word. It's here that we learn what He would and would'nt say; Thus, we know His voice. When we pray and listen duirng that time, we give Him opportunities to speak to us.

From time to time, when I am out on a walk with my dog Coda, I will actually let him off the leash when it's appropriate, and let him run as he pleases. But when I need him back. I give him stern command of "Coda - Come!" When he hears my voice, he runs back to me. (most of the time)

He has learned to know my voice over other voices, When the girls take him for a walk, He responds to them at the same command, but when we are all out on a walk together, Coda will always come to my call inspite of the girls calling him. He knows the his voice of authority.

Do we know our voice of authority? .. 2. "The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of his sheep. 3. The watchman opens the gate for him and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. 4. When he has brought out all his sheep, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice, 5. but they will never follow a stranger, in fact they will run away from him because they do not recognize a strangers voice." John 10: 2-5

So here's the question: "Deal or No Deal?"

John Martinez

Merry Christmas

What a mind blowing event occured last night in our evening service. Our church family so unselfishly gave our family a Christmas Love Gift that blew us away.

Thank You! Your love and generosity exceeded our wildest imaginings. Wow! And Thank You Again.

Shari and the girls and I will be traveling to Colorado this week to be with family at Christmas. The fun part of the trip will be spending time with Gene and Marge Lawley going to and from. They have family in Colorado as well and we have decided to travel together.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You,

John Martinez