Tear it down

I always thought this garage was ugly. Now after its destruction, I feel as if something very major is missing.


Let the destruction begin.

After nearly 80 years, this building fell in less than 10 minutes - amazing!

Sola Scriptura

The protestant reformation took flight with Martin Luther's thorough reading of the epistle to the Romans. The power and authority of the Scripture electrified and liberated Luther. The "church" would never be the same. Because of Luther's rejection of papal authority and Roman church tradition - the notion of sola scriptura - meaning, faith by Scripture alone took root. RC Sproul writes, "The true canon of Scripture is the rule of God that contains the whole counsel of God, nothing less and nothing more... The Old Testament reveals the character of God...Perhaps we are living in the most antinomian period in church history. It is a time when attention to the law of God is not considered all that important." Agreeing with Sproul - how is it our protestant heritage of thorough life defining searching of the Scripture has been abandoned and an emotional idolatry of Scripture has replaced it. Are not we told of a "lacking" and "blind" faith (2 Pet 1:9) which does not wholly embrace all the precepts given by our Lord in Scripture?
So often, we live a life separate from Scripture. Although we consider Scripture to be true and accurate - in most cases of life, it really does not provide the insight or answers we are looking for. Yet Paul states in Romans 4:3 - "For what saith the Scripture?" Should not the very course of our life be established from the foundations of Biblical teaching. James told us, "for that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." From a bird's eye view - Christianity appears to reflect a life absent of personal Scriptural devotion and guidance and vessels looking to deny self, live or die for Christ, and give our will to the Lord as a willing sacrifice - acceptable unto Him.

Camp Bagope

Group photo after a long weekend of running, singing, preaching, and eating! The emphasis of the weekend was "take the plunge" in which we used Paul's admonition to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...." Turned out to be an amazing weekend in which the Lord was honored, and moved in the lives of His people!








Taking the 4 hour ride back from Bagope camp gave all of us some time to just relax, enjoy some stillness, and regroup a bit. These two ladies (Heidi / Amy) really helped to make the weekend a success. Both of these ladies demonstrated the love of Christ in more than mere words, but also in action - what a joy to serve along side!



Ever meet someone and immediately there is a connection - one word SWANSON! Brian and I had an enjoyable connection - too bad there was not more time at both camp and Tegucigalpa... so much to do, so little time to get it done.

The reason I ever made it to Honduras was because of the leading of the Spirit of God in the life of Henry Laparra. It has been a while since Henry and I have spent much time together - but what a great reunion and fellowship was had at that reunion. Although Henry ministers in Central America and I in Central Africa - we have a common union in Christ and our desire to serve our Lord with fervency. When I grow up, I want to be like Henry!

Honduras - a time of refreshment

A time of refreshment - Honduras turned into a surprise for me. The original purpose of this trip was to preach and teach at a spiritual retreat for teens as well as conduct multiple chapels throughout the week at Academia Los Pinares in Tegucigalpa. I derive great pleasure in teaching and preaching God's word - yet, this trip was more than just proclamation, it involved true relationships with students, re-establishing great friendships with missionaries, and meeting new friends - with only a common bond in Christ to ignite that friendships.



In an attempt to do as much as possible in the shortest amount of time, a group of teachers and I headed off to some rain forest with the idea of trekking to a majestic waterfall. Unfortunately, time was not with us. We made only half of the trip and had to turn back due to park closure... bummed! Turned out to be a nice little walk and then a RUN down the mountain - we are talking total deodorant failure :-)

More group photos! Here we are enjoying dinner at a nice restaurant - minus cheesecake and coffee! Again, great time of conversation and new foods! Only in Christ can you travel around the world and find such immediate bonds of friendships... what a thing! Seemed like there is always someone new to meet and a friendship to develop (Prov 18:24).

Academia Los Pinares is a school on top of a mountain. A beautiful place - not necessarily because of the topography, but more likely because of the people. Mr. Gene Smith runs a school in which students and teachers come together for academics and spiritual growth - this is truly and unique and great place of opportunity. Getting to know some of the students - guys like Chris and others, gave me energy and excitement - hanging around youth is so much fun... (www.pinares.org).

the heavens declare the glory of God - King David

African skyline - Jesus is such an amazing artist!