Febuary 19, 2009

 

Howdy,

  Hope you're having a great winter, if not, just hang on, it'll be spring before you know it.

  Charlene and I got a chance to go to the coast this last weekend, we love the beach during the winter.  We like the smaller crowds and cheaper motel rooms.  We had the privilege of taking our 6 month old pups with us for their first trip to the beach.  It was great fun watching them run and play in the sand, they loved it.  We've been in the process of training them in the basics of obedience (heel, sit, stay and come) and this weekend was very helpful.  We could let them run till they were wore out, then they would be more attentive to us. 

  One thing I've learned with dogs is that they are glad to teach us if we'll listen.  This trip was proof positive.  When the beach was clear we'd let the dogs run free then call them back in when other folks were getting close.  This worked fine till Vince, Charlene's pup, took his focus off of us and put it on the seagulls.  I must have looked silly out there trying to catch a half grown dog, but he wouldn't come and he'd gone so far that he couldn't hear us anymore. His attention had left me and gone to the birds!  Does this sound like something we do?  Take our eyes, our focus, off the One who is most concerned about us and put them on the distractions around us?  We are at our best when we are close to Him, in the heel position. Let us keep our focus on our Savior and off the birds. He is our peace and security, our Rock in times of trouble.

  See you soon.

Charlie

 

 

                                                                           January 21, 2009

Howdy,

  I wanted to thank everyone who has been praying for Charlene these past weeks and months.  She is now home from surgery and is getting stronger every day.  We are both so excited to have her really feeling better and knowing that it's only going to get better.  We thank God for giving doctors the knowledge to do this kind of surgery so that Charlene doesn't have to live with this disease her whole life.

  We have learned alot about waiting these last few weeks as Charlene has had four different surgery dates starting with Dec. 11 and finally having the surgery on Jan. 5th.  The emotional rollercoaster ride has reminded us that the doctors are not in charge of Charlene's healing - God is and He knows what we need and when we need it in order to mold us into His image.  James 1 says:  "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing(NKJV)."  God wants us to be perfect and as you know, you don't get perfect at anything without changing where you are.  God uses these uncomfortable situations to take us from where we are to where He wants us to be.  I thank God that He cares enough for us to invest His energy into changing us, yes for our good, but even more for His ultimate glory.

  On a different note, "Near the Cross", my newest album is complete and should be on the website soon.  This project turned out better than I had imagined.  I hope it brings some of your favorite hymns back to life for you as it has for me.

  Check out my calendar and come see me sometime.  Until then, may God richly bless you as you strive to serve Him.

 

 

                                                                           December 10, 2008

 

Greetings and welcome to this 1st of who knows how many newsletters.  I hope to keep you up-to-date on what is happening in life and ministry.   

 

First of all, as some of you may know, Charlene my wife has been battling an auto immune disease called Ulcerative Colitis since 2004.  She has since spent some time in remission, but is currently in active disease and has been for over a year.  We recently went to OHSU in Portland, OR and have been referred to another specialist and hope to find a resolution soon.  We thank you for your continued prayer and support as Charlene battles this debilitating and painful disease.  We are convinced that God is in control and that He has and will continue to teach and stretch us so that, He will receive much glory.  We consider it an honor to suffer for His glory and look forward to what He has in store for our future.

 

On a ministry note, the new album entitled "Near the Cross" should be finished by the 1st of the year.  It has 12 great hymns done in a bluegrass\country style that I think you will all love.  Keep watching the website and I'll have it posted as soon as it is ready.

 

I hope to see many of you this next year so we can get caught up on what God is doing in your life.  Keep watching, He is working in your life.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Charlie