Our first beautiful grandchild, Korbyn Hansen was born to our daughter, Jessica and her husband Jerry, December 8^th, 2008.  She is a gift from heaven for the Hansen’s as they begin their new little “family”.  Jessica labored through the night but had a lot of support; seven of us in the birthing room and more than a dozen or more friends of the young couple stayed through the night in the waiting room. The wonder of new life is so evidently clear at birth, the miracle of separation unto a completely distinct individual. She will uniquely grow up participating, interacting and contributing in her own life to affect others.We eagerly waited to hear Korbyn’s first breath and initial cry which brought great joy and comfort to our hearts. This initial relief was suspended when her first cry was followed by 4 minutes of silence when she stopped breathing. Two nurses and a respiratory therapist worked diligently to help to clear the fluid from her lungs and stimulate her breathing. Jessica was still involved in delivering the afterbirth; Jerry lovingly reassured her that everything was fine. Jerry and the rest of us in the room were gravely aware of these critical minutes. Concern hung in the room and the waiting seemed to last forever. Three of us prayed a prayer for the Breath of God to inhabit that little life, asking the Lord to do the breathing and sustain her. These thoughts had been my prayer during my recent hospitalization with pneumonia. I believe we were there to intercede to the Throne of God with faith that He had imparted and made a living reality. Through the love, prayer and the diligence of hospital staff she regained her breath and has been getting stronger everyday since. “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” Job 33:4.

After Korbyn’s struggle to breathe we were all relieved and began to observe God’s precious handiwork “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13. If you’re a parent, you know that there are times you look at your children, maybe at a time when they’re struggling, and you wonder how they will ever make it. These are the times I believe that God pulls you aside to himself and lovingly whispers in your ear how much he loves your child. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope“ (Jer 29:11). There have probably been times in our own lives that we didn’t think we would make it through to the next day, discouraged and defeated by our circumstance, until somebody looked at us and saw potential that we didn’t see, giving us words of encouragement that strengthened us to go on. We became uplifted through their words of love.

Because God is love (1Jn 4:8), when He views us, it is through His lens of love. God knows everything about us, He knows what’s in our thoughts and heart, and He still loves us. God loves us so much that He sent his beloved Son to die for us. The Bible tells us in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This same God wants to come into your life and show you real love. Jesus showed us God’s love by paying for our sins with His life, (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus who knew no sin was made sin so that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds putting on the new creation (the new man, born from above) created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:23-24).  Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was nailed to the cross as a sin offering, presenting to the Father his blood sacrifice once and for all to satisfy divine justice and make atonement to cover our sin. Sin is not the question in God’s acceptance of us, faith is the only thing that pleases God (Heb 9:22; Ro 3:25; Heb 11:6).

Dear brother and sister, Jesus paid the full price for our sin!! What a Savior!!!!!!! Do we realize how much He loves us? Do we realize how great a sacrifice He made for us? It is because of His sacrifice we are given the privilege of spending eternal life with Him. It is by His goodness that men are led to repentance (Ro 2:4). We have been given eternal fellowship and companionship with Jesus along with all those who by grace through faith choose to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. We can’t earn, work or be good enough to gain God’s approval or acceptance, Jesus already shed his blood, sacrificed his life and gained Gods approval for us. We just have to agree with God that we can’t save ourselves from the penalty of sin and that we need Gods gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Ro 6:23).

“…the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”  Ro 3:22-24.

We are thankful for His gift of new life with Korbyn’s entry into this world, and are awed by the intricacy of His creation. We know His watchful eye is upon us and He hears our prayers. We trust you Father, with our future and for those of our heritage, committing them to you that they would completely give their hearts to you through the saving knowledge of your love.

During the Christmas season and always, rejoice that Jesus carried out the will of the Father by willingly sacrificing His life for the sins of the whole world; eliminating that which separated us from God.

Thank Him for His unspeakable gift (2 Cor 9:15)!

Many  who know Scott already are aware of how he types his blogs, emails and anything elso he wants to write; by using his toes. Although Scott is right handed, he hasn’t been able to write anything by hand since he lost the ability to akwardly write with his left hand for over 8 years.

The A.L.S. first manifested in his right index finger with the inability to press down very hard while writing. We got fatter pens with gripping foam until he no longer had the coordination with the right hand, then he prodominantly started using his left hand to write, eat, open doors, shake hands, drive locally (yikes!) and everything else we all do and generally don’t give a second thought about. When he no longer could use either hand, he has had to rely on other people to do these and other tasks for him.  He has had to become very patient, as a dependant, he cannot even scratch his head. The many obstacles he faces have been at times very frustrating and have caused him to really seek God’s purpose for his existence. God has been so faithful to encourage both of us  through the grace and comfort of the scriptures and our relationship with Him. The Body of Christ has been used immensely through the words preached, praise, prayer and edifying friendships.

With our eyes fixed on Christ through His Word and the Spirit of life;  we see He has brought beauty from ashes and turned a curse into a blessing. In our trials and temptations we look to God as the way of escape (1Cor 10:13); we can place our trust in our loving Father. He is with us in our fiery trials, we can have confidence in His redeeming character. God will cause all things to work together for our sakes as we seek His purpose. He is not hiding from us, God desires to be known.

As we draw near to God , He will give us rest for our souls. Many may search to understand our own life’s purpose but as we renew our minds to the mind of Christ, then happy will we be and find our fulfillment. We will have an answer for the hope that lies within us.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet 3:15).

We often give no thought to areas of our lives that we feel comfortable or secure in, such as the use of our eyes, feet, hands, mind or breath. I remember the night I went to the hospital how difficult it actually was to breath and how I only could take short half breaths. Even the short breaths were filled with congestion and I was on the verge of suffocating.

Once in the hospital I had no mental energy to focus on anything other than survival. I was hooked up to my bi pap breathing machine for most of my stay and the only way to communicate my needs was to spell words on the floor with my toe. Communicating with your toe is challenging enough but not being able to breathe was beyond challenging it was impossible for me to overcome.

The day I was discharged from the hospital I remember pondering the breath of God and as I was deep in thought His presence began to love and comfort me. God than spoke a word to me saying it was Him that was doing the breathing for me. This word overwhelmed me, I didn’t even have the power to breathe on my own, my lungs didn’t even produce breath, it was all God, and it was His breath. I no longer had to figure out how to breathe, God was doing the breathing for me! Wow! How great is our God!

Not only does God give breath, but He also breaths the breath of life for us, (Gen 2:7). Not just one time when we are born but continually while we live and move and exist on the earth, (Acts 17:28).

How wonderful it is to know that because Jesus is alive and giving me breath, anything is now possible in my body, including miracles! “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Gal 2:20.

    After returning home from Flagstaff on a Tuesday night, I attended my daughter, Kylee’s, volleyball match the very next evening. My wife and I usually sit in the corner of the gym where she sets up my fold out chair. After the match was over, I stood up by a doorway as I usually do but this time I had a coughing episode and began to lose my balance. My feet got caught up and my body went crashing down hard into the corner of a door jam. The back of my head hit the hardest and my upper right arm slammed onto the floor. My brace absorbed all the impact that my scull surely would have taken but my arm suffered a fracture. My wife and two other men helped me up and out to our car. Once home, my daughter Jessica wrapped my arm in ice to reduce swelling. I did up with swelling and bruising but did not go for an X-Ray until that Friday. We started light therapy soon after and within 4 weeks from the mishap, my arm felt totally healed.

 Earlier, that same Friday, my wife and I had gone to another appointment to my dermatologist. Their office had previously called with the results of a skin biopsy confirming I had basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) on an area of my left shin. At my appointment, the dermatologist cut deeper around this area to remove all the cancerous cells, then cauterized the wound. My shin still has a thick scab, but it is slowly decreasing in size. PTL!

 My trials only continued to accelerate after that week. Most of October I fought a viral cold that increased my nasal drip secretions. Congestion increased in my lungs severely restricting my breathing. Again I found myself dependent on my bi-pap (ventilator) during the day as well as the night. My pulse rate had been racing to pump enough air into to my lungs, with my shallow breathing I was doing too much work and became extremely overheated. Glennis was repeatedly using the suction machine 4-5 times an hour to remove phlegm from my throat as well. My wife had to call 911 two times, and on the last occasion landing me in the hospital with pneumonia for five days in the middle of November. I was treated with IV antibiotics, since having been discharged I continue with 2 other oral antibiotics that are crushed and put through my feeding tube. I am continuing other therapies and treatments at home and my wife will schedule follow up appointments and tests.

It is in times like these that I struggle with faith for my healing. I said to my 21 year old daughter Ashley, “I wish to be totally healed right now or to go home and be with the Lord” she responded by saying, “Dad, you know why you’re here, you’re an example for the rest of us” she didn’t even blink an eye or even address my statement, she just confidently stated what was obvious to her; I’m supposed to be here as an example of trusting faith for my family and others.

 My agonies in the physical realm had blinded me from my purpose in the spiritual. I had become so occupied with my own bodily needs; my physical man was losing hope. When we become consumed with the needs and desires of the flesh we are always in a losing battle; Jesus said it is “the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profits nothing” Jn 6:63. My earthly man was on empty, out of gas, and out of answers; I was desperate to breathe independently on my own, let alone survive the onslaught of the accompanying challenges. What I needed was to tap into the inner resources of the Spirit

 Identifying with the Word of God that I have been crucified with Christ, my natural man is already dead (mystically), but my spirit lives because Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20). Christ causes me to live, sustains me and gives me breath. Jesus has already overcome the world and all of my trials and tribulations.  “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” John 16:33 AMP.

Jesus does not pray that we might be removed from this world but that we should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world; that applies to any trial we face. My purpose on this earth is to allow Christ’s victorious life to live through me by faith; a faith that is not governed by sight but by belief. Jesus, our supreme example, lived in this world and finished the work his Father sent him to do (Jn 4:34). He Preached the Gospel of Good News, healed diseases and cast out devils. He went about doing good continually, with great delight (Mt 8:16-17). Jesus’ chief work was that of redemption and salvation for the lost, this was the work His Father called and sent him into this world to perform. The object of Christ’s life was to do the will of the Father.

 Most times, we find ourselves between the fulfillment of the promises of God and the life we live in this world. This doesn’t make our assurances untrue, rather “all the promises of God in him are yea and amen, unto the glory of God”  (2 Cor 1:20). There is much more to our lives than our physical reality. We hold fast believing in the manifestation of our faith desiring to receive all that God has purposed for us. By persevering in our trials and deepening our walk with Him, let each of us live out our mission on this earth, making an eternal difference by reaching the souls God has entrusted to our labors and prayers.

 On October 2^nd our family of 7 took off from Seattle for a flight to Flagstaff, Arizona. This was the family trip that Glennis and I had looked forward to taking ever since we met Pastor Daniel Williamson. Pastor Daniel had flown up from Flagstaff to Tacoma and shared a heartfelt message at Nick Newell’s Memorial Service last August. Our hearts were stirred by his affirmations of God’s greater love.  Pastor Daniel’s transparency and his thrill to serve the Lord were clearly genuine.

Pastor Daniel is the Director of New Horizon Christian Academy located in Flagstaff, AZ; an affiliate of Teen Challenge of Arizona. Nick served on staff as a counselor at the New Horizon’s residential program for young men ages 12 to 17 years with life controlling problems. The overseeing Teen Challenge also operates a residential program center for young girls 12-17 years and men & women over age 18 with drug, alcohol or other addiction problems. All of these programs are designed to bring hope and healing to a generation of people who face tremendous challenges. Their mission and common goal is to help individuals become physically well and spiritually alive.

Nick first became acquainted with Pastor Daniel at the Teen Challenge Ministry in Phoenix. Nick’s reason as to why he was there is not too different from many other young men and women who struggle with addictions; trying to fill a void in their life that only God can fill. Nick’s life had so radically changed through the help and guidance of his enrollment and graduation from Teen Challenge that he wanted to share his testimony of hope for a changed life with other young boys. Nick relocated to Flagstaff and became a staff counselor at New Horizon’s Christian Academy; he was mentored and invested in by Pastor Daniel and other faithful men of God.

Nick’s testimony was that he was raised in a Christian home with his mom and two sisters. His father had left when he was two years old. Nick began to experiment with marijuana at the age of 10 and started hanging out with gangs at 12 years old. By eighth grade he dropped out of school and his life began spiraling out of control.

After he dropped out of school, he began selling drugs, using cocaine and distributing crack. Nick was in bondage to his addiction, pushing the limits he polluted himself with drugs to the point where nothing else mattered. In and out of the hospital, he even missed his mother’s wedding because of an overdose.

He then moved to Arizona to get away from that type of lifestyle and environment in an attempt to change his life. Not to long after the move, he found meth and went right back down the same hole he just crawled out of. After three suicide attempts, Nick had went straight from the hospital bed to Teen Challenge where God rearranged his whole life.

Nick’s move to Flagstaff as a staff counselor at New Horizon Christian Academy was an environment Nick thrived and grew spiritually as a leader and mentor to young boys. He began studying and applying the Word of God to every area of his life, he tirelessly served both within his local church and within the New Horizon’s boy’s program. Christ was the center of Nick’s world and the sole purpose of his life.

One of the areas Nick was applying himself in study was a curriculum through the Faithful Men Ministries. Nick would have finished this course in time for the sword commissioning on Oct. 5^th but graduated to heaven from a result of serious health issues and an interaction of medications. Glennis and I were compelled to see the work of Pastor Daniel and his staff at New Horizon’s Center and we wanted to be in Flagstaff in honor of Nick on this special day when he would receive his commissioning in proxy by his step father Terry.

Arriving days earlier in Flagstaff, our family took the opportunity to visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon and enjoy the sights and each other. The last family vacation were had together had been 10 years ago, so it was very special to have this time together.

On Sunday, we attended Lamb of God Church Service celebrating the commissioning of those who had fulfilled the Faithful Men’s discipleship curriculum to join the many men within the congregation who are already commissioned. These men purposely represent a standard of godly men discipling and mentoring other men to renew their minds to God’s Word in their leadership and personal lives. The senior pastor, Michael Tenpenny graciously introduced the founder of the Faithful Men Ministries, Jack King, along with guest speakers. The Church service was very vibrant and we enjoyed the warm, loving presence of God within the celebration and fellowship. After the service ended we were introduced to the students at New Horizon Christian Academy along with many others. We stayed and visited for an hour after the service had concluded. During this time a group of men approached my wife and I to ask if they could pray for us and specifically, my healing. We had a circle of prayer with different ones lifting their voices to intercede. One man asked if he could share a word from the Lord to me (a vision he had concerning me.) His words were very purposeful and impassioned, speaking of how God sees me not after my appearance (which is very weak and frail) but He see’s me as a warrior on the inside, he told me not to consider what I behold in the mirror because God sees me clad in His armor. He also said that God knew me before my form had substance and that He sees me complete and healed. We received these specific words of encouragement among the rest that he spoke as directly from God’s love and encouragement. There is a bond of fellowship when brothers and sister’s share your burden and express the compassion of Christ. It is a very intimate relationship, uncovering any pretense of control we may have. In this level and even place we all are humbled recognizing our ever-present need for our Savior. 

On Monday, we met up with Pastor Daniel at New Horizon Christian Academy. We were introduced to more staff members and welcomed into the Boy’s classroom to share our faith in Christ. Glennis helped to interpret when my words and thoughts were hard to understand. She helped to expound on things we have experienced and truths we are growing to understand; mostly, concerning our hope in Christ and the empowerment of faith. After we spoke for awhile, I asked Glennis to take off my back brace so that I could do my “faith walk” in front of these 12 boys, their teachers and other staff that were in the room. We wanted them to believe with us that one day I won’t need the support of the brace to keep my head upright and that I would walk again in wholeness. Glennis took off my brace and walked behind me with her hands spotting either side of my head. As I started walking, she began speaking words of faith and healing over me. From where they were seated, all their voices joined her in agreement as she called out for God to regenerate my specific physical complications. I made two passes down the length of the room and back again walking directly toward Pastor Daniel as my finish. He gently gathered me and supported my head as he boldly prayed, as if to move all of heaven; magnifying the healing authority of Christ. All the boys drew around me praying as true priests on the behalf of a man they had just met. One after the next, these young men laid aside there own troubles and availed themselves to be intercessors. The presence of God was so manifested in the concentration of their directed prayer. I felt the power of God upon me and realized that three of my fingers and the width of my hands had enlarged with blood flowing through them, they were noticeably different (my hands are usually very boney and purple from lack of circulation and the accumulation of blood). We praised God, sang and continued in prayer thanking God for His healing power.  God brings healing in many forms and oftentimes he will use people. My healing is already complete in my spirit but started to appear in my physical body when a group of boys and staff at New Horizons Christian Academy of Flagstaff believed the promises of God and acted on them by faith. They didn’t trust what their eyes saw but viewed me through the mirror of God’s Word and called those things that are not as though they were. Rm 4:17. Afterward, I was greatly moved when one of the young men asked if he could wash my feet. I humbly received this honor. As he was washing my feet I affirmed to him how God sees him as a king in his kingdom. (“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:4).

The Spirit of God was enveloping; as waves of love that washed over us during the hours we were in the classroom. We had no idea or predetermined plan in visiting, we only thought we were having a tour of the facilities but God had something bigger planned for us. We were taken on a tour of heavenly courts by kingdom ambassadors; men and boys who reached out to us with gifts of edification, compassion and brotherly love. When we dare to take a step of faith out from our comfort zone God is always ready to reveal His glory to us in ways we thought were unimaginable. 

Let everything that has breath, Praise the Lord! I have been blessed by my Lord in so many ways that I will be thanking Him for all eternity. Even in the times of my greatest sufferings God has given me a supernatural peace that has carried my burden. Yes, Praise the Lord! God is good. He has done everything for me including sustaining my very life through the power of His Word. The psalmist writes, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4).

The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). In other words, God “dwells” in the atmosphere of His praise. This is where God is ministered to by His people. Zeph 3:17 says, “The LORD your God in the middle of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing.” When we praise God, God is rejoicing with singing, and the angels are dancing!! Praise the Lord!!

 Praise means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” praising God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord. It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving. Praise transports us into the realm of the supernatural and into the power of God. “They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion” (Psalms 84:7).

Praise is also an expression of faith, and a declaration of victory! It declares that we believe God is with us and is in control of the outcome of all our circumstances (Romans 8:28). Praise is a “sacrifice,” something that we surrender to God, not just because we feel like it, but because we love Him and wish to please Him. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Praise manifests God’s presence and is also a powerful weapon against the devil. Psalm 8:2 says, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” The enemy fears the power in the name of Jesus, and flees from the Lord’s habitation in praise. In Matthew (21:16), at the time of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Jesus quotes from Psalm 8:2 When he quoted this verse, he interchanged the words “perfected praise” for “ordained strength.” This is a tremendous revelation: When we Praise God as little children we are given strength to overcome all our enemies. Hallelujah!!!

David was delivered out of the hand of his enemies and Saul because he purposed to call on the Lord through praise in 2 Samuel 2:22. Paul and Silas were thrown in a dark, damp, filthy prison by the local Philippian authorities after they were severely beaten. Yet, in spite of the throbbing pain in their bodies and the disheartening atmosphere, at midnight Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God! It was the praise that released the power of God and the earthquake that delivered them from their captivity in Acts 16.  

God knows what you are going through and what you need to get through your valley. Just start to praise Him for the provision that He already has for you. Thank Him for loving you and for sending his Son to die for you. Through praise, begin to recognize how He IS working in your circumstance. Believe and recieve His promises for you.  If you have already accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, rejoice that your name is written in Lambs Book of Life.  If you don’t know Christ personally; He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you, invite Him into your heart by faith.

Praise Him because He alone is worthy to be praised!

Aug 4^th , today we found out our dear friend, Nick Newell died in Flagstaff, AZ. It was a shock to everyone as he was only 23 and had such a zeal for life. We have known Nick most of his life and our families are very close. Our kids have grown up together and shared many fond memories and experiences including Church, Christian elementary school and combined family vacations. Even with the age difference, as Nick grew we became close friends. Nick had multiple health conditions that impacted his daily life and he and I would encourage ourselves in the purposes of God. Nick’s life impacted many other people; especially his last few years working as a counselor in Teen Challenge in Arizona. Nick had a unique way of sharing Christ with anyone willing to listen. He served Jesus with passion and authority while at the same time never giving in to the pain that he suffered his whole life. Below I wanted to write a story of what it may have felt like for Nick after waking up in Paradise. 

Nick had been in severe back pain in the days leading up to his departure, as he slept he drifted into eternity; lovingly received by his Savior, Jesus Christ (Ps 49:15). In a twinkling of an eye, Nick was in heaven’s paradise experiencing untold joy and happiness. Suddenly transformed in a new body, in a new place with new life, Nick was ecstatically joyful; experiencing no pain, no tears, no sorrow, and no sickness. Nothing but incomprehensible peace and infilling love. Standing awestruck, Nick examined his new weightless body, made of a beautiful, glowing, semi transparent material of heavenly light. As Nick lifted up his eyes he saw the loving face of Jesus with his outstretched arms welcoming Nick home. (So precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints Ps 116:15) . Nick then would have buried his face in Jesus’ chest with eternal gratefulness. Tilting his head back to look into Jesus’ eyes, Nick says “Thank you for loving me” Jesus kisses Nick on the head and shares the words we all long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Mt 25:21).    

Nick’s regenerated mind suddenly flooded with a million questions he thought to ask. As fast as he thought of them, Jesus would answer him in lightning quick speed. The heavenly language became mind to mind communication. There was no sin or “carnal mind” present to hinder the instant flow of knowledge by the Holy Spirit. As Jesus spoke, Nick was in awe at the speed of his “heavenly language” which was totally clear within his head. As Jesus and Nick were talking, he discovered that Jesus also placed upon his new mind the very questions which he should ask!  

Jesus presented Nick with his own customized mansion (dwelling place) prepared especially for him surpassing any imagination. Jesus knew the thoughts and intents, desires and dreams that Nick had carried in the secret place of his heart while on the earth. Nick could not fathom the extent of God’s goodness. Nick began to explore his new mansion in paradise with his new body. The thrill of being unrestricted to discover a portion of the majestic kingdom with his glorified body reminded Nick of a jubilant day anticipating opening Christmas presents as a young boy.  With so many new heavenly delights before him to choose from, Nick was off running in a huge valley of celestial beauty without even touching the ground. Although his long legs were in motion, his speed would change with his thoughts. With graceful precision, Nick’s feet moved smoothly through the grass, trees and flowers of paradise with nothing being disturbed. These heavenly gardens of vegetation simply passed through Nick’s legs and feet with no resistance. The experience so fascinated Nick that he curiously stopped to pick some of pleasingly fragrant flowers, and realized he already held them in his hand. In complete wonderment, Nick asked Jesus mind to mind, “Jesus, I do not understand. I just decided to pick some flowers and they were already in my hand.” Jesus responded reminding Nick that he has the mind of Christ having creative ability outside of time, where a thought becomes an act.  Hearing this from Jesus, Nick raised his arms in thanksgiving and adoration for the Lord’s care to show him one of heaven’s many wonders. 

After this breathtaking experience, Nick became keenly aware the heavenly music surrounding him; the music encompassing him was coming from everywhere in all directions. Harmonic and beautiful, unlike any earthly vocal or instrumental sounds he had ever heard before. Nick himself, joined in the chorus with his own totally undistorted, worshipful and edifying rap vocals uniquely contributing his own expression. In the distance, Nick saw a path of pure gold that led to the top of a mountain shining with light. The glory of the light caught his eye and he was compelled to embark on the path he was joined by a group of Angels, they seemed to know and enjoy him. They encouraged Nick to show them his famous “c-walk” (Nick danced the “c-walk” in his size 16 shoes at my daughter, Jessica’s wedding last year). To the amusement of all, Nick glided side to side and back and forth with ease about 2 inches above the golden walkway with his brand new 16 inch sandals. He was smiling and laughing with heavenly pleasure as he thought, “What a place Jesus has prepared for me!”  After this uproarious time of playfulness, Nick saw a golden bridge ahead. The bridge led to a large pearl gate (Rev 21:21) that opened for him into the courtyard of the shining heavenly city called the New Jerusalem.  Once Nick went inside, with full perception, he saw a multitude of saints, the souls that were in heaven. Whether there were millions or billions, Nick had no idea. As far as Nick could see in every direction were people of all nations and generations including his precious grandma, relatives and friends. All were dressed in white robes, a part of the great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). The people were semi-transparent; Nick could see through them. They were behind him, across from him, all around him, they were “floating” on what appeared to be a crystal mirror or sea of glass (Rev 4:6). Each person was holding at least one crown in his or her hand. The saints were giving Nick a thunderous applause for finishing the race he ran on the earth in faith and perseverance, then saying to him, “We were waiting for you!!!”  The cloud of witnesses separated to reveal the appearance of Jesus. As he emerged, He showed himself to Nick on the Cross as if he were in the flesh, still with his nail-pierced hands and feet, with the wound in his side (Jesus, the Lamb freshly slain from the foundation of the world. Rev 5:6, 5:12, 13:8). Nick fell on his face and wept in thanksgiving as he considered the price paid to grant him access to heaven. The King of Kings left His deity in heaven giving His life as a ransom for sin through His death on the Cross. His innocent blood was shed for the guilty as a gift for eternal life.   Nick’s home was in paradise because he received God’s gift to the world; His Son Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

I enlarged and framed this same picture of Scott riding a horse in eastern washington, 1986. I gave it to him on his birthday.  We had just been married for 2 years, and ten years before  muscle wasting became noticeable. On the picture I wrote the verse from Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son,  do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you”. We look at this gift as a promise for a future time, we recieve and appreciate the ways God has prepared us and the words have become an anchor to our souls.