November 01, 2008
Operation Rescue
Remember To Pray
These are young Nepali girls just like the ones being sold into the sex industry in the city of Mumbai (Bombay), India. We are in the process of establishing a ministry that will rescue some of these young and innocent ones. Hopefully, we will get some before they are sold, and some we will try and rescue off the streets. We are working with the Vineyard church in Kathmandu, Nepal and with some of the Vineyard churches in India. The need is enormous, but we can respond, one girl at a time. As in all ministry, it takes TIME, ENERGY, & MONEY. We are praying for these things as we continue to follow the father heart of God in this area of human need. For more information on this ministry, or how you could be involved, email me at: mark@vineyardaz.com
The Gatekeeper
October 21, 2008
Trip to Kathmandu, Nepal
I actually witnessed a "goat killing" right on the street as I was walking to my morning meetings. You don't want the details, but here are the results...bon apetite! 
Also, I took a flight over the Himalayas. This is Mt. Everest in the background. I'll write more about the actual PURPOSE of the trip a bit later.
August 27, 2008
The Ancient Paths
This is what the Lord says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Last weekend I was privileged to meet with some pastoral leaders and wives at the Bonita Park Campground in Ruidoso, NM. As the pastoral overseer for the New Mexico and El Paso area, they had asked me to share something, informally, from my heart. As I gave it some thought this is the verse that kept coming back to me again and again. Sometimes, as a pastor, I tend to think in three point outline steps. This was one of those times.
This verse begs the question: What is it about the "ancient paths" that make them good, worthy and wise to follow? Obviously, it isn't just the fact that they are old. Here is what came to me in just a few minutes last week.
1. They are TIMELESS. Age and cultural change does nothing to the "ancient paths" to make them outdated or obsolete.
2. They are TESTED. The "ancient paths" of life are still around because they have been tested countless times in every kind of situation and circumstance and have proven to lead to what is good.
3. They are TRUE. The reason the "ancient paths" are timeless and the fact that they have withstood all testing is because they are grounded in truth. In John 18, Jesus said that the reason he came into the world was to testify to the truth. This is foundational for life to be good and meaningful. It must be grounded in absolute truth.
Have the "ancient paths" been valuable in weaving the tapestry of your life? How so?
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Last weekend I was privileged to meet with some pastoral leaders and wives at the Bonita Park Campground in Ruidoso, NM. As the pastoral overseer for the New Mexico and El Paso area, they had asked me to share something, informally, from my heart. As I gave it some thought this is the verse that kept coming back to me again and again. Sometimes, as a pastor, I tend to think in three point outline steps. This was one of those times.
This verse begs the question: What is it about the "ancient paths" that make them good, worthy and wise to follow? Obviously, it isn't just the fact that they are old. Here is what came to me in just a few minutes last week.
1. They are TIMELESS. Age and cultural change does nothing to the "ancient paths" to make them outdated or obsolete.
2. They are TESTED. The "ancient paths" of life are still around because they have been tested countless times in every kind of situation and circumstance and have proven to lead to what is good.
3. They are TRUE. The reason the "ancient paths" are timeless and the fact that they have withstood all testing is because they are grounded in truth. In John 18, Jesus said that the reason he came into the world was to testify to the truth. This is foundational for life to be good and meaningful. It must be grounded in absolute truth.
Have the "ancient paths" been valuable in weaving the tapestry of your life? How so?
August 03, 2008
Bravery
If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man, -- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.- -- James A. Garfield
July 31, 2008
My Fresh Salsa
I have had numerous inquiries concerning the fresh salsa/pico that I make when I am forced into it. So....here's the dope (not a literal term). It is a bit "wordy" for a recipe, but hey...the BEST requires a bit more effort!
Gatekeeper Salsa
I don’t use a recipe, but here’s what I generally do:
· As many roma tomatoes as you want…it is the bulk of the salsa (for a medium size batch I normally use 10-12). Any tomatoes are OK, but romas are more meaty and less juicy.
· A variety of chilies, depending on how hot you want it:
o Jalapenos (2-4, more or less)
o Seranos (2, they are hotter than jalapenos)
o Anaheim chilies 2 or 3 (usually green to yellowish color…also used for making chili rellenos)
o I sometimes use a couple of those heart shaped green chilies they sometimes use for chili rellenos (poblanos, I think)
o Yellow chilies…they are sweeter, and I put them in for the flavor mix if they have them, and they look good and fresh
o A couple of green, orange, or red sweet bell peppers (depending on the color I want to get)
o I have put in a habenero…strictly for the HEAT. That’s up to you. (I’d take out the seeds if you decide use them)
· One, or one half white onion (depending the size and on how much onion taste you want)
· One batch of cilantro (it usually comes with a rubber band around it) I chop it in my food processor. Also, I don’t put in much of stem…normally just the leafy part. Also…a tip: if you put the cilantro in the food processor with a few pieces of chili, it will come out of the processor easier…otherwise, it tends to stick to the sides and is harder to get out.
· Fresh limes: Again, this is however you want, but I LOVE fresh lime juice, so I normally put in about 4 or 5 (larger ones). If you are using key limes, obviously, it takes quite a few more.
· Salt to taste
Here is another tip you may want to use…its up to you. I cut and put everything together before putting in the lime juice. It the tomatoes are pretty juicy, then I drain some of the juice off (save it for your marinade stock). I don’t want the lime juice to be so diluted by the tomatoes that it loses it’s impact. You can save that juice you drain for a number of things, if you want. I want most all of the liquid in the salsa to come from the limes. As you eat it, there will be more and more juice left…it is great to add to what was drained and have it to put in other dishes, or especially as a marinade for chicken to grill or stir fry. It just seems like a shame to toss that good juice from the chilies, tomatoes and limes (it’s almost worth making the salsa just to get the marinade liquid).
I use the food processor to chop the chilies, cilantro & onion… and some of the tomatoes. I do like to chop some of the tomatoes pretty small with a knife just to keep them a bit chunkier. I know you can do it all with a knife if you want more of a pico salsa. This is totally up to the individual…however you want it, and however it looks best to you.
So…there you go. That’s about it. I vary the chilies, etc. depending on how fresh they look at the store. I like to buy the best ones I see.
bon apetite, or as we say in the Southwest, FIRE IN THE HOLE!
Gatekeeper Salsa
I don’t use a recipe, but here’s what I generally do:
· As many roma tomatoes as you want…it is the bulk of the salsa (for a medium size batch I normally use 10-12). Any tomatoes are OK, but romas are more meaty and less juicy.
· A variety of chilies, depending on how hot you want it:
o Jalapenos (2-4, more or less)
o Seranos (2, they are hotter than jalapenos)
o Anaheim chilies 2 or 3 (usually green to yellowish color…also used for making chili rellenos)
o I sometimes use a couple of those heart shaped green chilies they sometimes use for chili rellenos (poblanos, I think)
o Yellow chilies…they are sweeter, and I put them in for the flavor mix if they have them, and they look good and fresh
o A couple of green, orange, or red sweet bell peppers (depending on the color I want to get)
o I have put in a habenero…strictly for the HEAT. That’s up to you. (I’d take out the seeds if you decide use them)
· One, or one half white onion (depending the size and on how much onion taste you want)
· One batch of cilantro (it usually comes with a rubber band around it) I chop it in my food processor. Also, I don’t put in much of stem…normally just the leafy part. Also…a tip: if you put the cilantro in the food processor with a few pieces of chili, it will come out of the processor easier…otherwise, it tends to stick to the sides and is harder to get out.
· Fresh limes: Again, this is however you want, but I LOVE fresh lime juice, so I normally put in about 4 or 5 (larger ones). If you are using key limes, obviously, it takes quite a few more.
· Salt to taste
Here is another tip you may want to use…its up to you. I cut and put everything together before putting in the lime juice. It the tomatoes are pretty juicy, then I drain some of the juice off (save it for your marinade stock). I don’t want the lime juice to be so diluted by the tomatoes that it loses it’s impact. You can save that juice you drain for a number of things, if you want. I want most all of the liquid in the salsa to come from the limes. As you eat it, there will be more and more juice left…it is great to add to what was drained and have it to put in other dishes, or especially as a marinade for chicken to grill or stir fry. It just seems like a shame to toss that good juice from the chilies, tomatoes and limes (it’s almost worth making the salsa just to get the marinade liquid).
I use the food processor to chop the chilies, cilantro & onion… and some of the tomatoes. I do like to chop some of the tomatoes pretty small with a knife just to keep them a bit chunkier. I know you can do it all with a knife if you want more of a pico salsa. This is totally up to the individual…however you want it, and however it looks best to you.
So…there you go. That’s about it. I vary the chilies, etc. depending on how fresh they look at the store. I like to buy the best ones I see.
bon apetite, or as we say in the Southwest, FIRE IN THE HOLE!
July 30, 2008
July 29, 2008
OK...for all you who have checked my Blog, and never find anything new...I am trying to turn over a new leaf (at least once or twice). No promises, but I am going make an effort to publish something at least once a week. I have enough granddaughter pics to do that!
Come on back....you may just find something worth reading. Also, I have a few friends who are literate, and I may ask them to contribute some thoughts from time to time.
Grace to you!
CONGRATULATIONS CHEZ!
Chez Reavie won his first PGA Tour event, The 2008 Canadian Open, on Sunday. He held off a field of veterans and rising stars to post a three shot victory.
Chez is from Mesa, and attended Rhodes Jr. High with Matt and Mike, as well as Dobson High. Mike and Chez played junior and high school golf at the Dobson Ranch Municipal Golf Course. Chez went on from high school to become a three time All-American at Arizona State. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, which qualified him to play several PGA Tour events, including the Masters and the U.S. Open. He then became a regular player on the Nationwide Tour, and with a win in 2007, he finished the year high enough on the money list to gain his 2008 PGA Tour card. Early in his career, he suffered a severe wrist injury. That makes his victory all the more exciting and rewarding. It is nice to see a home town boy, and one you know, realize this kind of accomplishment. It doesn't come easily even with talent. He has worked hard his entire life with this goal in mind. I can attest to the fact that Chez was ALWAYS at the golf course....hitting balls, chipping, putting...playing. This win is a terrific reward for a young man who was determined to see his dream come true.
One funny anecdote: I went to Dobson Ranch early one evening to pick up Mike and Chez after they played. I couldn't find them. One of the men in the pro shop told me he saw them in the restaurant next door. There they were...eating a FULL meal. I asked: What are you guys doing? Mike said: "we're eating dinner." I said: Where did you get the money for this meal? Mike said: "We won it off these old dudes." They were in the 7th and 8th grade at the time (Chez was one year behind Mike). I laughed! Little did I know then...
So, congratulations to Chez for reaching such a milestone. His professional life will never be the same. He will be in the PGA Championship in a couple of weeks, the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii in January 2009 (only for Tour winners of 2008) and in the GRANDDADDY OF THEM ALL next April....The Masters! Oh, and the $900,000 he won on Sunday is not too bad either.
March 04, 2006
Interesting Source...
If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week. -Charles Darwin-
Interesting that even those we consider representing the antithesis of biblical truth recognize that life just works better when lived according to God's design. Consider that the Psalms are both poetry and music, and it is no wonder that Darwin came to this conclusion.
The Gatekeeper,
Selah!
Psalm 57:7-11
My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Interesting that even those we consider representing the antithesis of biblical truth recognize that life just works better when lived according to God's design. Consider that the Psalms are both poetry and music, and it is no wonder that Darwin came to this conclusion.
The Gatekeeper,
Selah!
Psalm 57:7-11
My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
February 27, 2006
Basic Emotional Needs Of Men
THE LIST ACCORDING TO MEN
Affection
Sexual Fulfillment
Conversation
Accomplishment
Recreational Companionship
Honesty and Openness
Physical Attractiveness
Financial Support
Domestic Support
Family Commitment
Admiration
A man’s willingness to engage in a process of spiritual deepening will be in direct proportion to whether or not his emotional needs are also being honestly addressed.
WAYS A MAN CAN PROTECT AND DEEPEN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND AT THE SAME TIME, HAVE HIS EMOTIONAL NEEDS MET.
1. Acknowledge that only in genuine, authentic relationship with our Creator, can we ever hope to achieve healthy fulfillment of our basic emotional needs.
2. Become ruthlessly honest with yourself and with your behaviors.
3. Action based on right thinking is the key to healthy change.
4. Pleasing God is the only road to ultimately pleasing yourself.
5. Be willing to change your thinking and to admit you are operating from a faulty viewpoint when what is accurate is made clear to you.
6. Realizing that a life partner cannot meet your emotional needs, they can only partner with you in having your emotional needs met.
7. Life principles must be determined in order for you to clarify who you are and who you want to become. Your “Rules of Life” will be determined by those principles you value and embrace.
8. Motive trumps performance, just as mercy triumphs over judgment. You must be willing to begin again, as many times as it takes.
9. Meditation, simplicity and solitude are foundations that life principles rest upon.
10. Faith must be present in order to find fulfillment as a man.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
The above is taken from some material I wrote recently for a men's retreat. It sparked some good discussion and provided a springboard for personal evaluation. Hopefully, it will do that with you as well. Ladies...though I developed this with men in mind, obviously, your emotional needs are important as well. Perhaps some of this will be helpful to you. Grace to you all.
The Gatekeeper
THE LIST ACCORDING TO MEN
Affection
Sexual Fulfillment
Conversation
Accomplishment
Recreational Companionship
Honesty and Openness
Physical Attractiveness
Financial Support
Domestic Support
Family Commitment
Admiration
A man’s willingness to engage in a process of spiritual deepening will be in direct proportion to whether or not his emotional needs are also being honestly addressed.
WAYS A MAN CAN PROTECT AND DEEPEN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND AT THE SAME TIME, HAVE HIS EMOTIONAL NEEDS MET.
1. Acknowledge that only in genuine, authentic relationship with our Creator, can we ever hope to achieve healthy fulfillment of our basic emotional needs.
2. Become ruthlessly honest with yourself and with your behaviors.
3. Action based on right thinking is the key to healthy change.
4. Pleasing God is the only road to ultimately pleasing yourself.
5. Be willing to change your thinking and to admit you are operating from a faulty viewpoint when what is accurate is made clear to you.
6. Realizing that a life partner cannot meet your emotional needs, they can only partner with you in having your emotional needs met.
7. Life principles must be determined in order for you to clarify who you are and who you want to become. Your “Rules of Life” will be determined by those principles you value and embrace.
8. Motive trumps performance, just as mercy triumphs over judgment. You must be willing to begin again, as many times as it takes.
9. Meditation, simplicity and solitude are foundations that life principles rest upon.
10. Faith must be present in order to find fulfillment as a man.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
The above is taken from some material I wrote recently for a men's retreat. It sparked some good discussion and provided a springboard for personal evaluation. Hopefully, it will do that with you as well. Ladies...though I developed this with men in mind, obviously, your emotional needs are important as well. Perhaps some of this will be helpful to you. Grace to you all.
The Gatekeeper
November 11, 2005
Rule of Life
This is an assigment I completed a few years ago when I was finishing my masters degree. I was required to write out my own personal, "rule of life" on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. Those of you who know me, will understand how difficult LISTS are for me to live by. Maybe this will challenge you to make a similar attempt. I hate legalism in any form, but being intentional is a very productive quality. I am not good at it, but I am on the journey.
A Rule of Life is not meant to be a check list for daily activity. It is a way to measure how you are living your life. These are the things that will be present if you are living life intentionally, with purpose, and in a way that will produce personal satisfaction and will glorify God. They are different for everyone. They, no doubt, will reflect your own personality and uniqueness. Therefore, you can't have mine...you must write your own. Grace to you!
MY RULE OF LIFE
My Rule of Life has begun to take shape. These things reflect some of that, and some other qualities and practices that I feel are needed in my life. These, no doubt, will change with time and maturity. This is a starting place. I am jumping off the high dive, and I will figure out how to swim when I hit the water.My Daily Rule1. Choose contentment over anxiety or discouragement
· Early in the morning, with a cup of coffee…first thing
· 5-10 minutes of silence daily
· Keep my journal there to record thoughts
2. Try and do at least one thing to correct or fix a problem.
3. Read or listen to something that improves my thinking
· In addition to the Bible
· Tapes, books, articles, etc.
· Try for at least 30 minutes a day
4. Spend some time in prayer, Bible reading and meditation
· Between 7am and 10am depending on my schedule for the day…earlier if necessary.
· 20 minutes of spiritual reading
· 5-10 minutes of meditation on a Psalm, worship music, hymns, nature, etc.
· 20 minutes in prayer
5. Do something to improve my physical body
· Try to get some exercise every day
6. Encourage at least one person by a call, letter, or personal contact
7. Have the courage to do the right thing
8. Take an honest look at my failures and accept responsibility for them
· Incorporate this in my time of silence
· Let the Holy Spirit speak to my heart
· Avoid my own agenda for improvement
9. Have a schedule in order to have more freedom
· Complete at least one task a day
· Write down at least one task for the following day
10. Do something that will strengthen my relationship with Bonnie
· Say at least one kind and thoughtful thing
· At least one kind and affectionate touch
· At least one thoughtful action
· Pray for her daily
11. Be a peacemaker…I want to be called a “son” of God
12. Find a way to act with mercy and compassion…I need mercy.
My Weekly Rule
1. Meet with one small group
2. Enjoy and participate in a time of corporate worship
3. Review my journal for the week
4. Fast one day (at least 2 consecutive meals) for extra time of silence, prayer, and meditation and journaling
5. Give something away….material goods or money
6. Pray directly (laying on hands) for at least one person’s immediate need
7. Encourage Matt and Mike in their spiritual walk through a phone call, letter, email, etc.
8. Spend a minimum of 4 hours sometime during the week in study time.
My Monthly Rule
1. Review and adjust my weekly Rule as needed
2. Look over my journal for the month
3. Make a monthly entry as to “how things are going”
4. Write one prayer in my journal concerning the past month
5. Spend one overnight with Bonnie apart from church and work activities
6. Take time to shoot some photographs…use them for enjoyment or meditation
7. Read, listen to, or attend something on discipleship, equipping, leadership or team building.
My Annual Rule
1. Take an annual personal retreat for no less than 2 full days
· Review my journal
· Write a mission statement for the coming year
· Evaluate the areas of progress and failure in my personal life
· Get a sense of what God is speaking to me
2. Read through the NT yearly
3. Read at least ½ of the OT yearly
4. Take a vacation away from all responsibility and peoples problems
5. Evaluate my progress as a spiritual leader
· Who have I influenced
· Who am I mentoring
· How have I improve as a coach
· How is the team doing
I would be interested in hearing about your own "rule of life." If you have never done an assignment like this, it might make a terrific personal retreat!
A Rule of Life is not meant to be a check list for daily activity. It is a way to measure how you are living your life. These are the things that will be present if you are living life intentionally, with purpose, and in a way that will produce personal satisfaction and will glorify God. They are different for everyone. They, no doubt, will reflect your own personality and uniqueness. Therefore, you can't have mine...you must write your own. Grace to you!
MY RULE OF LIFE
My Rule of Life has begun to take shape. These things reflect some of that, and some other qualities and practices that I feel are needed in my life. These, no doubt, will change with time and maturity. This is a starting place. I am jumping off the high dive, and I will figure out how to swim when I hit the water.My Daily Rule1. Choose contentment over anxiety or discouragement
· Early in the morning, with a cup of coffee…first thing
· 5-10 minutes of silence daily
· Keep my journal there to record thoughts
2. Try and do at least one thing to correct or fix a problem.
3. Read or listen to something that improves my thinking
· In addition to the Bible
· Tapes, books, articles, etc.
· Try for at least 30 minutes a day
4. Spend some time in prayer, Bible reading and meditation
· Between 7am and 10am depending on my schedule for the day…earlier if necessary.
· 20 minutes of spiritual reading
· 5-10 minutes of meditation on a Psalm, worship music, hymns, nature, etc.
· 20 minutes in prayer
5. Do something to improve my physical body
· Try to get some exercise every day
6. Encourage at least one person by a call, letter, or personal contact
7. Have the courage to do the right thing
8. Take an honest look at my failures and accept responsibility for them
· Incorporate this in my time of silence
· Let the Holy Spirit speak to my heart
· Avoid my own agenda for improvement
9. Have a schedule in order to have more freedom
· Complete at least one task a day
· Write down at least one task for the following day
10. Do something that will strengthen my relationship with Bonnie
· Say at least one kind and thoughtful thing
· At least one kind and affectionate touch
· At least one thoughtful action
· Pray for her daily
11. Be a peacemaker…I want to be called a “son” of God
12. Find a way to act with mercy and compassion…I need mercy.
My Weekly Rule
1. Meet with one small group
2. Enjoy and participate in a time of corporate worship
3. Review my journal for the week
4. Fast one day (at least 2 consecutive meals) for extra time of silence, prayer, and meditation and journaling
5. Give something away….material goods or money
6. Pray directly (laying on hands) for at least one person’s immediate need
7. Encourage Matt and Mike in their spiritual walk through a phone call, letter, email, etc.
8. Spend a minimum of 4 hours sometime during the week in study time.
My Monthly Rule
1. Review and adjust my weekly Rule as needed
2. Look over my journal for the month
3. Make a monthly entry as to “how things are going”
4. Write one prayer in my journal concerning the past month
5. Spend one overnight with Bonnie apart from church and work activities
6. Take time to shoot some photographs…use them for enjoyment or meditation
7. Read, listen to, or attend something on discipleship, equipping, leadership or team building.
My Annual Rule
1. Take an annual personal retreat for no less than 2 full days
· Review my journal
· Write a mission statement for the coming year
· Evaluate the areas of progress and failure in my personal life
· Get a sense of what God is speaking to me
2. Read through the NT yearly
3. Read at least ½ of the OT yearly
4. Take a vacation away from all responsibility and peoples problems
5. Evaluate my progress as a spiritual leader
· Who have I influenced
· Who am I mentoring
· How have I improve as a coach
· How is the team doing
I would be interested in hearing about your own "rule of life." If you have never done an assignment like this, it might make a terrific personal retreat!
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