Finishing Strong?

“Live your life so the preacher doesn’t have to lie at your funeral” (on one of my t-shirts). I have the privilege of doing a number of Celebrations of Life in our area and some are much easier than others. To celebrate the life of a follower of Jesus who finishes strong is truly a service of victory and assurance. Victory because they have crossed the finish line with their arms raised high in praise to our Lord Jesus, assurance because we know we will meet them again at the foot of the cross.


This week I’ve begun preparing for two such services. Shirley served the Lord Jesus for many years. She was active in women’s Bible studies, helping in church activities, and being a faithful helpmate. Gerald loved singing for Jesus, and even in his 80’s gathered clothing to deliver to reservation churches and children’s homes around the country (you helped us unwrite his expenses). The week before he passed into glory, we talked of the goodness of God and of his hope to make another delivery. Jim Smyth, faithful missionary to Central America shared his Lord’s love till his final breath.


The Bible is full of the accounts of men and women who finished strong, and sadly, of those who didn’t. Peter, who started out impulsive and prideful, finished as the “rock” Jesus called him to be. Billy Graham, at 99, still glowed with the love of Christ. Others like Solomon started well but allowed foreign wives to draw him away. Demas, one time worker alongside Paul, heard the enticing voices of the world and fell back. Tragically, we still hear reports today of Christians who fail to finish strong.


What about you and me? Are we in it for the “long haul”? A verse that helps Melva and me keep going is, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1- emphasis mine) We’re almost there, let’s finish strong!


March Happenings: March was a full month as we taught a Friday night Introduction to Christian Theology class, held our Saturday Night Worship Services, Sunday Afternoon Mountain Top Chapel services, and Monday after-work Bible studies for ski instructors and a few locals. In addition, I taught skiing 2-3 days a week. Your prayers kept us going, Thank You!


Please Pray for These Upcoming Opportunities:

• May 24 and September 27: Services at Pitkin CO Community Church​
• June 7 and September 6: Services at Tin Cup CO Community Church
• June 21 Buckboard Sunday in Esterbrook WY
• July 9-12: Cattlemen’s Days rodeo chaplain and Cowboy Church Gunnison CO
• July 20-29: Family Reunion on Melva’s home island of Kauai
• August 6-7: RBM Board of Directors Meeting-Colorado Springs CO
• *Celeste TX and Livermore CO TBD

First Responder New Testaments and Devotionals: In March we received requests from FL and PA! The New Testament publisher has run out of copies, and the printer can’t deliver until May. Please pray they come soon, we have several orders pending. You are part of every copy we send out!


Ski Area Ministry: As you may know, the west has had unseasonable warmth and lack of snow. Still, the Lord provided enough snow to keep the ski area open, and I was able to teach. Our Mountain Top Chapel services averaged over 30 attendees a week and our after-work Bible studies this winter had one of our larger groups, primarily ski instructors but also other employees and a few locals! Several said this was an answered prayer for them to find fellowship since they work on Sundays!


Finances: We are soooo grateful for your faithful support. Every bill continues to be paid and this month, by God’s grace, we will send out extra support to 18 missionaries, missionary widows, and small church pastors to help them with their emergency savings and retirement needs. We were also able to assist families in need with food, gas, and temporary housing. As God’s word says, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT)


Prayer Requests:

1. For the anointing of the Holy Spirit as we share His wonderful gospel!
2. For the continued growth of the employees who attended our Bible Study as they leave.
3. For the Lord to continue to heal Melva as she has had a series of sinus issues.
4. For wisdom whether I should have another knee replacement. I made it through the ski season with only moderate pain but at times it was worse.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support! You are making a difference!!


By His grace and to His glory, Rick and Melva