This is another installment of the writings about the north west and churches there that show that our Father is still looking upon us. He relishes the things that we do as His representative. It is a nice thing to know that God is ever present and encouraging us.God bless
Scott, Shelly, and Cotinne
After attending church in Cody Wyoming we left for Sheridan Wyoming. There is so much wildlife just looking from the truck we saw antelope, and deer OH and we saw a moose, 2 actually. We stayed over in Sheridan just one night on our way to Rapid City, SD.
As we were setting up camp and getting ready for dinner, Brownie our little 6 mo old puppy pushed the screen door open and took off after a bird. She ran thru the campground as we called for her but no way, she was after that bird. We were both absolutely terrified, both Scotty and I started running for her. He went one way, and I went the other. She kept running so fast that we could hardly keep our eye on her, and were not sure where she was.
Out of breath we stopped and there she was on the road. It was a busy frontage road under construction but just a few yards away was the freeway and there were no fences or anything to stop her. We kept calling and running after her coaxing her to come back. She was still chasing the bird. Then in just a moment she turned back towards the campground and ran back across the road. As fast as she could run she kept chasing the bird but now was headed towards the river.
She was oblivious to where she was and what danger would overtake her, if she fell into that rushing-swift freezing water. What seemed like an eternity my heart was pounding. I was crying, and I looked back to see the whole campground rallying to try and catch her. There were even people on bicycles. Again in just a moment she turned, and the bird was gone.
She turned back towards the campground and I called her name. There was a young man (maybe 12) named Austin, and Brownie loves children and loves to play. I am not sure if it was me or Austin, but it doesn’t matter she ran to us. I dropped to my knees, and I held out my arms and caught her. I was shaking and sobbing and holding her so tightly. I will never forget what Austin said to me when he put his little hand on my shoulder. He said “She is safe now, you don’t have to cry anymore.”
I know she is just a dog but the terror still grips me just writing this account. Both Scotty and I believe that God’s hand was all over that situation. God turned the bird, and He made the bird fly away.
We both were a bit restless that night and did not sleep well. We got up the next morning and left for South Dakota, driving almost 250 miles. I know I keep saying this, but the country is just SPECTACULAR. This time of the year is perfect, it is green and lush and wildlife everywhere.
We arrived in South Dakota and got settled in our campground. There are lakes and parks and walks everywhere and a big green dinosaur on the hill. It is not real, they call it Dinosaur Park, it is for the kids.We met family that I had not seen for a very long time.
It is Saturday morning and finally cool, the temps have been in the high 90's. I decided to go for a walk up to the Chapel on the Hill, it is an OLD wooden Norwegian church in a beautiful park setting. I got up to the top and the gate was closed, so I started back and then quietly the doors opened. I turned around and went in. I went to the church and sat down on the wooden plank bench and looked around at the beautiful carvings and rich history.
The church was dedicated in 1969 and was built locally from the original blueprints of a famous church in Norway. I sat down on the bench and started to pray out loud since I was the only one there and gave all my worries and plans to God. The Holy Spirit swept thru the doors…I felt God’s peace and comfort.
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Church #6
Valley Community Church
Pastor Wayne Titus (Retired Air Force)
Small church maybe 30 in attendance
This is my cousin’s church she and her husband have been attending for a couple of years.
The hand-out was packed with information, birthdays, upcoming events like Vacation Bible School and a Father’s day breakfast. At the top it read “Don’t go to church, BE the church” a full page of prayer requests about health and family salvation, and children, and praise. The message was “The Certainty of the Second Coming” based on 2 Peter 3:1-10.
We sang several songs “Nothing compares to the promise I have in you” and then there was a reading of Footprints in the Sand…I had forgotten how much I love that poem. We then got down to business, and the pastor quoted scripture after scripture: Ephesians 4:30, Rev. 3:10, Isaiah 9:11 and so on. All of these scriptures are tied to the 2nd coming and the certainty that Christians need to live with a spiritual zeal in anticipation of his coming. He reminded us that we should never be complacent in knowing that Jesus will return.
Now a days churches don’t preach sermons about the 2nd coming. We have almost lost the expectancy of Christs coming. Most Christians don’t want to hear about it because that would mean they would have to be accountable for their lives. Some people even believe that Christ will not come back at all. They mock the Bible, and they continue to walk after their own lust. Their theme song is Frank Sinatra’s song, “I did it my way.” They do not want to think about the divine retribution, Acts 1:10-11. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 talks about Holy Living.
The signs that Jesus is coming back are the false teachers, and the random predictions when Jesus will return, but no one knows. Don’t forget what the prophets said…go back, remember the past, remember who we are, remember what to look forward to. There are 27 books or chapters (Not sure?) in the Old Testament that refer to the 2nd coming, there are 260 chapters in the New Testament that refer to the 2nd coming. And Peter reminds us of the historical facts in Gen. 1:1.
The end of world will happen when God decides. So LIVE your life, be the salt and the light. God is a patient God and he is long suffering, he is merciful he is waiting for the sinners to come for salvation. But be alert don’t be lazy, for he will come like a thief in the night and will be right on schedule. He told everyone to “check your salvation and make sure you are saved.”
We prayed and an elderly women in the church played the organ and sang (I found out later she was in her 80’s and was recently released from the hospital) I can’t remember the song she sang because when she began to sing I was just so captured by her performance, all I can say is that it was precious and full of the spirit. On Wednesday the church is showing a Christian movie, and Sunday Father’s Day the women are preparing breakfast for the men, we will be there to help and let them bless us. God is good!
Blessings to all,
Scott and Shelly
"Peace in the Valley"
sung by Roy Rogers
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