Pastor Skar

A few years ago there was a huge debate over whether or not there were mountain lions in this area. I will have to say that I am convinced there are.  Although I have not seen a big cat myself, I know a few people who have.  I know others who have seen tracks.  Last fall Jon Wisthoff and I were looking for a place to camp.  We found a good spot straight across the coulee from our house near this tree.  The one side is all clawed up.  I do not know what else could have made these claw marks but a mountain lion.  A few days later Ruth and I walked across the coulee and I took this picture.  I know that mountain lions are more afraid of me than I should be of them.  However, I notice that I tend to look over my shoulder more these days when I am hiking in the coulee.

     Here's what I want you to do.  I am sure you know what a bucket list is.  Perhaps you have seen the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.  I have never actually compose a bucket list, but I have set some bucket list style goals for myself such as visiting all 50 states.  Hawaii was my last one in 2005.  I think it would be a good idea for you and I to compose a bucket list that has a Christian theme to it.  I challenge you to start out with five things.  Here's mine. 1.  Visit the Holy Land (I can hardly wait) 2.  Go on ten mission trips (2 down, 8 to go) 3.  Mentor a child from preschool all the way through college. (In progress) 4.  Write and publish a Christian song  (12 written, none published) 5.  Read every book written by C.S. Lewis (I have read one.  There are many left.)      It is a good idea to have goals and dreams.  We have to be careful thought that we do not become so caught up in completing our bucket lists that we forget about the day t

     In Sunday school last Sunday we discussed stones as a metaphor for Christian discipleship.  In the Old Testament the jews erected "standing stones" to mark the spots where important things happened.  Think of roadside historical markers.  In the New Testament Peter writes that believers are supposed to be "living stones." (I Peter 2:5)  Our lives are supposed to be monuments to the glory of God.  Paul writes that we are to be precious stones whose quality of works will survive the fire, as opposed to wood, hay, and straw, works that will not survive the fire. (I Cor. 3:10-15)      It is important to note that our sins are forgiven, whether they be sins of thought, word, or deed, or sins of commission or omission.  What is burned up in the fire are the works we do that we think are beneficial to the Kingdom, but are, in fact, worthless.  Let's say I compose a song of praise, but I am too ashamed of my faith to make it public.  It is useless to the Kingdom a