Winter wonders

This winter is certainly one for the records, record lows and record snow, isolation caused by bad weather for air travel, further isolation caused by power outage.  I have personally acclimated to the winter weather here and I love it, this will be my twelfth consecutive year back home, also a record. through out the years I have witnessed many cold days and nights, but I can not recall the temperature to drop to twenty-five degrees below zero.  There were times when I got chilled to the bone and that just don't happen to me, I know that the elements can have a negative impact on a persons life, but this is a very trying time for me, physically, mentally and spiritually.  I have tried to get an appointment for a full physical.  The first attempt was back in November, finally on January 19th 2012 whaaa whooooo I got an appointment.  I was having pain in my stomach and it continue to increase, I'm not one to take meds, but I know that some are needed for a time 
But the reports came back and it turned out that all lab tests proved my body normal, so I am "functioning within the normal parameters".  I still have to take a pill for acid or something. 

It seems as I was studying something or another for the most of my life, at first I felt that I needed some concepts and equations and ideology in the business world. I invested over twenty years in the field, during that time I also got into oil field technology, computer tech, government analysis, socio-economic studies, and finally I was lead into the studies of the scriptures, the parables of Christ, the journeys of Paul, the major Prophets, the minor Prophets, the apostles and disciples of Christ, church building and management, and the alike, it turns out that the church and secular business run on the very same concepts and principals, but we have a different Boss.  . 
Recent years and even more so in these past few months I got into the studies of spiritual warfare, very interesting study.
The world has been changing, today we are living in the most exciting time in the history of man,  unfortunately thing are just going to be intensified,   Our Creator's purpose and will involve us all, we are His creation, therefore the prime target by our adversary. 
This is going to prove to be one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record, we still have two months of winter left here and start all over again, we will prevail the battle of winter and other forces.
It is an awesome winter and I'm looking to see another summer to remember.

Spring is here!

The past winter was one for the records, the snow was awesome!  Earlier in the winter was cold, I have, for the first time, in a very long time, witnessed the temperature go to minus twenty-five!  I have not had that opportunity since I was a boy.  The chill at one point in time, chilled my old bones, (I don't get cold) but all-in-all the winter was just beautiful.
The spring thaw is slow and gradual, but is just awe-some out of doors, even on cold spring windy days.  If the weather was any different, and it was a fast thaw and warm, the streams and lakes would  burst their boundary to flood and agitate a lot of salmon eggs, and other unpleasant events.  But I am glad we are blessed with the elements that are under the control of our Creator. 
This brings to mind an event in the Bible, when Jesus was crossing the lake, the storm (demonic) was going to take them under The disciples were at wits end, they needed help now, so they woke up Jesus. (Luke 8:22-25)   I was reminded by G. Campbell Morgan, The God who cares  book on the book of Luke, that when we face demonic storms in our life, we are not to fret, get upset, be afraid or lose faith, The Master is in the boat (you)!.
All the animals seem to have done well during the record winter, there were only two or three reports of moose in the vil, and couple calfs falling off the bridge.  Compared to the winter of 89-90 the report was close to three hundred in and around the vil.  The sad part was the loss of our dog Ewok, we will miss him and his antics.
The winter for the most part, was for me, a time of study, meditation and reflection. 
The study of the Word at times is an obsession for me, I have invested some time in reading on the topic of  Spiritual warfare, I have done a lot in the past, but this time seem different, as I was being led by the Holy Spirit I believe.  During the time in study and prayer the monkeys (demons) that gave me the battle of my life, for most of my life are now off my back, the elements in life meant to harm, distract and disarm me are now kept at a distance, all because He reminded me that Master is in the boat!.
At times time on meditation some thoughts take me to a time and place I would rather not go back to, but my mind likes to wander when it is idle, when I try to reflect on better times, but at times I am dragged to a times and events I would rather not go back to, but the wounds of the past are always there to haunt and disrupt a time of pleasant mediation.  In Vance Havner's book Though I walk through the valley.  the book I read befor and I was greatly encouraged by, gave me more encouragement and wisdom as I was reading the book again, the chapters he wrote on the illness and death of his beloved wife.  He wrote about his dispare, disdrought and loss of joy he had while she was with him especially touched me and brought back the tears that I thought had dried up,  the chapters brought back vivid memories when my beloved's ministry on earth came to an end.  I lost my dream, ambition, vision, drive and determination, I was a deflated bloon in the middle of a temptious storm at sea, and later just as some semblance of healing was taking place, my daughter was killed.  It was just the winter before that I was with her, the times was awe-some, she told me stories and events in her life and I asked her to give her life to the Lord, she did.  She started to make plans to get her life in order and live as she should, get her kids back and be responsible to the family, children and her new found friend and Lord Jesus Christ.
The reflections I look back on, are for the most part very rewarding and pleasant, I look back at the words and works of our Lord and what he has accomplished in my life, loved ones, friends and others.
I believe that the day is drawing very near when the Lord said, "you have not yet seen the brightness of day that I am about to show you". 
He said we will have awful times and  its at my door full force, but as the old country preacher proclaimed there will be peace in the valley some day.
What about tomorrow? will my (your) prayers be answered? are we going to be the same place tomorow? are we going to recover that which was stolen and taken away?  I don't have the answer and I know of no one here on earth to tell me, but thats ok, because I read the end of the book, and we win!
"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Rom. 12:2
And remember "The Master is in the boat (you)"

Early winds

Gazing at the reflection of seasons and weather of another time bring many happy memories.  It was the November of late 80's, the weather was bitterly cold, no snow.  The lake behind my house was frozen, the kids were having the time of their life, skating, running (trying to) with their winter foot wear.  There was the occasional crying, holding their "ouch" from the frozen lake hitting them, the howler of pain in some as they brush them self off and continue to enjoy the romp on the ice. 
It was a sight to watch the adults get out on the ice without skates, first they inch out on the ice, some would stomp on the ice, some would explore the wonders of being on top of the water looking directly under it, it was so funny to watch some as they try to walk or run on the frozen water, some look like a robot, with stiff arms going back and forward, legs also stiff, straight, then stop and slide on the ice.
For the past recent seasons, the weather was very erratic, some winter seasons were cold, with the occasional pineapple express that bring a kind of spring conditions of thaw and freeze.  A friend of mine and I were comparing notes on the weather, one day he asked what was going on with the weather, we had four spring break-ups already.
This November is a revisit to those times with a twist.  This month was a cold one, Alaska experienced some of the weather conditions that were new and were not evident since millennial times.
For the past few days the temperature was in the range of the single digit minus, but we got the Chinook (king) winds this month that severed the power to many people, we were with out for two and half days.  This wind called the Chinook wind, because it is a wind that we can expect at a certain time of the year, that last for, at times, eight days, thus the name "big wind" or "king wind", this wind was normally expected early in the month of February, in our traditional calendar it is called the windy month.
The first part of the month we had little snow and pretty normal conditions, then it fell apart, snow, wind, minus temperatures, power outage.  We are over the hump of the month and it is cold and vastly different that the first part of the month.  There were no little ones crying, there were no howling, there was no amusement of the adults on the frozen water this year again, the lake was barely frozen when we got all this nasty weather, snow and wind.
The ramification of the patterns, the scope and depth of the transformation in our world are becoming more evident with each day that precedes another.The changes in the lives of some individuals are very evident as well, some are gradual and non evident until a time of realization on your part.
I was approached by a close individual, the report seem to be very exciting, and was eager to expose it to me.  The report was that a grandchild wanted to go to church and know about God! Wow!  This is indeed a good report, this is not the first report of a grandchild wanting to do the same.  At first these reports are greeted with enthusiasm and joy, but as you are brought into the realm of the fourth dimension (spiritual) one can see, the change in the younger ones can be a result of the individual on the road to victory.
The individuals with the grandchild wanting to go to church, is, I believe the results of the individuals struggling to ascertain the way of their Creator and do what is right and good.
When severed from the bad ways of the past, present I believe that person start to do good, the effect can affiliate in a positive way or a good way to others.
The transformations I see in these lives and others, are individuals who are trying to do their best to live in obedience to our Creator.  I can see in the lives of certain individuals, the positive forces are emerging, some slow and non evident and some are like the new year fire works.  I will continue to have all in my supplications and petitions go up to the one who can bring about His transformations in all our lives.
Life is full of unexpected trials and exhilarating moments, some a full of wonderment and joy while others are times we all can do without.  Continue my friend, transform to the positive.

Cold winter fog

Mid-November, the air out side right now is very crisp, the temp at 6 am was -4, the temp will rise up to a whopping 13 today, add a little wind and it feels like needles in your face, suppose to be a windy one today.  Last summer the weather was similar, there was a lot of wind and rain, but there was a lot of good warm days also.  If this is the case we may be in for a snowy winter, and cold days, (who knows) guess I will have to buy a pair of snowshoes.  Along with the bitter cold snaps, are the cold winter fog, if persistent can last for days, thus no flights, no mail, no deliveries. If you live in a remote place like our village, this can be a major disruption in village life, or life in general.
The weather these past few years have been erratic at best, it remind me of the quote of Forest Gump the movie, "life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what your going to get".  I remember the old timers say thing like, "well that was the last storm for the winter" and they were right.  The weather back then was a good indicator of things to come, we had our regular big snow before the February Chinook wind, it lasted up to eight days.  The average snow fall was almost the same every year. break-up was always the same and the rituals that accompany the changing season.
When I first returned to Alaska from out side, I was gone almost eight years, I notice the change, we had thunder and lightning on a regular basis, (almost non-existent years earlier) we had hail storm in July, the temperature seem to get a little higher in the summer and colder in the winter.
The time span of the events in your life are never permanent, if you are still breathing, only the remnant or vivid memory remains, good or bad.  Just as the events in your life change so do the people in your life.  If you live in close proximity, as we do here, you can see the change take place in peoples lives.  For the past years of supplications and petitions to our Creator, I too have seen some very positive changes in peoples lives.  The changes are so gradual and impertant that one can barely, if not miss the changes taken place in a persons life.  It is not until you see, almost on a daily basis, and know them individually that the change is even noticeable, then one day after a noticeable amount of time you come to realize that a change has taken place, and all you can say is Wow!  Your answer to your supplication and petition has arrived and you didn't even notice.
And there are those individuals that are like a big bolder in the road, they are always there and never change or get out of peoples way, the supplications and petitions to our Creator seem to go into file 13 every time you submit one, (but we know better, huh).  Just as the drops of water on the bolder wore and split that big bolder, it my belief that those big bolder in the middle of the road will succumb to the force that rule us and the universe.  I see the transformation taken place in this place we call home (earth) and I see the same in individuals lives of certain people in my life and those I grew up with.  Sadly the transformation has taken its final form for some, as they were transformed into the eternal light or ....
Our transformation is based on our Creator's will, if indeed He your Creator, then our petition should be Strengthen, O God, that which tho hast wrought for us.  Psalms 68:28

Winter is here

At this writing, we received approximately 2 foot of snow and it has been cold.  A few things happened in my life since my last blog.  Last summer was the most physical, emotional, and mental fulfilling season I have had in a very long time.  I created works of art again, more precise and artistic than I have done before, I again taught the art of creating objects of art. I once again revisited the passion of companionship, fellowship, I once again opened my eyes to the awe-some beauty of nature.
 As our Creator have you to revisit a time in your life, and recall the lessons learned.  In many aspects of the recognition, you are blessed by the fact that the lessons you learned were a great benefit to you and your purpose in life.  The other side of the recognition is the fact, many of the things that seem good and right, was a deliberate act of self will and contrary to what is written by our Creator
When one commits to the creation of art, especially with natural material, such as stones, wood, or other material, there are a few essential first step and instructions in the preparation of the object that need to be adhered to, the gathering of the material, (certain place and time) the preparation of the material, (time, effort and patience) the design of the object, (mental prep and memory).
Many of the objects of art we see that were created by Natives here in Alaska, are indeed beautiful works of art, it may be a painting, a carving, a stone work or other natural art objects.
What one do not see is the painstaking labor and effort exerted to the glory of the creation and to the praise of the artist.
  Unfortunately some of the art you see in the tour traps are fakes.  Because one see great profit in the art of self indulgence, and deceptive practices, they use poor material, foreign material. they use what ever time and material that is "convenient".  It is almost impossible to tell if the object of art is authentic or a knock-off made in another country.  We can all be decieved in the selection of art we desire, unfortunately the same holds true for our individual lives among all races we encounter in life.
The summer was a fantastic one indeed, but unfortunately I forgot some of the instructions myself and self indulged in things that were considered petty and every day stuff, that were harmless.  In II Tim 2:22 we are to flee from youthful lust, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with thosee who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  In Proverbs 5:18-20 ask the question why should I be exhilarated, 
In I Thessalonians 4:1-8 in the instructions of prudent behavior, Other commandments and ordinances came to mind as I searched for the lessons in life and what was the purpose of certain time and events in my life that happened.
A few years ago, I decreed, that I would do my best to continue to do what is right and good according to His Word.  I have since, took inventory and cleaned all unneeded files and information irrelevant to the purpose in life, through prayer and supplication.
 I have been blessed with new friends and surprisingly a individual reappeared in my life, now we are good friends again.  The new friends are a blessing to me, as they give me new insight and perspective on life with their wisdom. I am thankful for old friend that became a good friend again.
The times of this last summer was fun, but in hindsight, a lot of targets were missed, but the reinforcement of the grace and mercy through His love, has brought me back into the light, and say with victory, The transformation goes on to His Glory

First ice

One of Hank Williams Sr. songs, First fall of snow is a sad story of a man dressed in sackcloth, who lost his little girl, he loved every footstep, loved every curl of his little girl.  I can identify with the sentiments of the song, as I lost my little girl, as the sentiments of the song indicate, I too will be with my lil darling someday.
We received our first freeze of the season the other day, the freeze left a glass like formation around the edge of the lake behind my house, with most of the center, open water.  I know that soon, I will be observing children and other folks edging out on the lake to test it, then if there no snow for a little while, I should see and hear the sounds of laughter, screaming, howling and an occasional "Ouch".
     The other day was also the day when I recieved the report that our family member has passed.  As with so many deaths befor him, I took the initial report with unbelief, as I believed our prayers were going to be ansewered, we would witness again him departing the plane, saying "Oh its good to be home".
Yesterday he arrived home, in a casket drapped in Old Glory, witnessing his arrival home, then to see him as the casket was opened, after he was taken to his house, added to the finality of the initial report. 
His passing will leave a very identifying void in our lives, but that void will be filled with the remberance of his life as it unfolded befor us.  As little boys we froliced in the warm sun on the shore, we explored shore and creek, our delight was echoed by our laughter and loud voice.  I know that one day we will again, run, laugh, play and have the time of our lives, all us togather on that heavenly shore.
His passing also left a vivid view for all of us, he was a little over a year younger I and our peers.  No one  know the day or hour when we too must depart this life and enter eternity to be with our Lord forever.
He joins a few others our age, during the past few years, we lost so many. There are no answers to the questions that echoed throught the eons.  We don't know who we be reunited with on that day when we are called, only our Lord Jesus Christ can say to whom He may choose "enter into my rest".
Just as I bring to rememberance the events in our lives as young boys to this day.  I reflect on the positive attributes he had, what attributes he passed to others.  I see the transformation from the anology of the caterpillar, because it is highly possible that he has his beautiful wings.
As we remain here on this place where we chose to live, we too must be as the caterpillar, only eat the things of this earth that will bring you closer the day when we will be transformed with beautiful wings.

Last walk on the beach

The weather has been pretty nasty these past few weeks, it seem like every low pressure fronts keep hitting us with some bad weather, the storm the other day blew my antenna down, now I'm stuck with watching DVDs until I can get a new antenna.  There were a few good days in between the storms, the good sunny days gave me a chance to walk on the beach again, hopefully there will be more good days to walk the beach before the ice and snow forms all over the place.  I walked the beach the other day, I love the walk because it gives me time alone, to think, to contemplate, to ponder, to reminiscence, to talk to my creator.  But the past two walks I've been on were some how different, there was a coldness, a vastness, a something I can't comprehend, even though the view, the scenery, the atmosphere was as it always is, just breathtaking as ever, I found myself in a different frame of mind.  I was taking in the scenery, the fresh sea air, the sounds of the beach, but this time there were no sounds of birds, and I didn't recall the sounds of the surf, or the sights of eagles, it was as if it was a foreign place, I found myself gazing at the rocks on the beach, looking for some "pretty ones".  I normally walk with fundamental joy of the atmosphere and sights, I don't know if the loneliness, , the sense of loss, the feeling of an end of an era or a longing for yester-days gone bye, I don't know, I just knew that there was a difference this time.  This last walk on the beach was uneventful, I came off the beach feeling refreshed from the walk, but there was a void, a missing element. 
As the season draws to an end, so do some events in our lives must come to an end, we mourn over the death of enlighting moments in time, and long for them to be revisited, but as the old fisherman say "time and tide waits for no man".
The fall season was always a good time to enjoy the events as they unfold.  The moose hunt this season was uneventful and unsuccessful, the duck hunt did not happen, even so the season was one to really enjoy and be blessed with. 
I look to see our first snow and the winter to come, I know that the seasons ahead will bring storms and other unpleasant events, but I look beyond the storms and tempticous times, for I truly believe there are even better days ahead.