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North of Cimarron, tucked in next to the south side of the Valle Vidal and surrounded by Philmont Scout Ranch, lies the Elliott Barker Wildlife Management Area. At just over 5400 acres, it was purchased in 1966 to protect habitat for elk and deer. It was obviously named after New Mexico’s most famous conservationist, Elliott Barker. More on his life in another story.

The first time we visited this area, was close to 25 years ago. Patti and I were celebrating an anniversary and were staying in Cimarron. I recall vividly driving our old Ford Bronco up the rough, gravel road that leads to the wildlife area. In one stream crossing, the water was so high it came up above the hood of the vehicle.

The last time we had visited was about ten years prior to this trip. We had stopped at the end of the road as it headed into the Valle Vidal. My son, Canyon and I fished the small Ponil Creek leading out of the Valle Vidal. At the time it was an amazing fishery with and abundance of wild, brown trout.

This time, we were on another anniversary trip, so it was only fitting to make the trip up the canyon again. The journey begins a few short miles outside of Cimarron. County Road 204 heads north through private ranch land and the north side of the world famous Philmont Scout Ranch. The trek up the canyon is one of the most unique areas in New Mexico, characterized by large cottonwoods that line up along the creek bottom, historic ranches and abundant wildlife. On one trip up this canyon, we were forced to stop as a herd of elk numbering in the hundreds crossed the road. Five or six miles up the canyon, we entered the historic Philmont Scout Ranch. This area was the original headquarters and has a number of old log cabins that are still in use by the scouts today.

Once we got to the end of the road, we were surprised to see a large, No Trespassing sign where the trail used to lead into the Valle Vidal. A jeep was parked near there and a couple of mule deer hunters were next to it eating lunch. I walked over to the jeep and was pleasantly surprised to find a former game warden that we knew sitting there. After a long discussion and time of catching up, he explained that Game and Fish had lost the easement through that trail and it was no longer accessible to the public. Although, the Valle Vidal did start right next to the creek, the trail was now no longer public. At first, we were a bit dismayed but decided it was an opportunity to explore the wildlife area.

After heading back down the road, we found a sign that marked the location of a trail that lead to an area called Wilson Mesa. The first mile and half of the trail was really an old logging road that was extremely rocky, creating some rough hiking conditions. Originally our intent was to run this trail, but it became apparent that was not going to happen given the roughness of the road. As we hiked out of the canyon, we continued to climb in elevation. As we neared the ridge, our excitement level built as we could tell the country was going to flatten out and open up. This would provide some incredible views of this part of Northern New Mexico.

As we neared the top of the ridge, the road became less rocky as well and we would continue our run. About a ½ mile after reaching the top, I glanced ahead to see a small herd of elk including a nice bull and five or six cows crossing the trail in front of us. We both stopped and watched as the elk trotted across the meadow to the south. Another mile brought us to a small lake that was on top of the mesa. We were so surprised to see this amount of water up on top of the mesa. At this point, we had incredible views of Little Costilla Peak in the Valle Vidal and Baldy Mountain on Philmont Scout Ranch. To the north, were unobstructed views of the famous Vermejo Park Ranch and beyond that, the towering Spanish Peaks of Colorado.

After taking in the views, we noticed what appeared to be some downed structures on the west side of the lake and made our way there. The remains of about four or five old log cabins, corrals and other artifacts dotted the area. As I looked out across the landscape, I could not help but wonder how these folks survived so long ago in such a remote and often harsh land. The views alone were enough to make anyone live there, but this spot was 15 miles from Cimarron and required travel across some extremely rough country. And at 8,600 feet, winters would be extreme in this location. As we often reflect when coming across historic structures as this one, there is no doubt the occupants of these cabin were much hardier than those of us living today.

As we headed back down the trail, we decided to hike to a ridge that appeared to provide views of the Valle Vidal and Vermejo. After walking off trail, we jumped two nice mule deer bucks which bounded off through the forest.

This trip had originally been about a hike on the southern end of the Valle Vidal in an area we rarely visited. That access had been closed off and we were forced to explore a different opportunity. Our hike into the wildlife area was one of our most memorable, with solitude, incredible views and elk and mule deer. While our original plans were derailed, it turned into an incredible and memorable experience.

God’s plan for all of humanity was revealed on the cross when Christ gave all so that we may have eternal life. God’s plan is still hidden from those who refuse to believe or those who have not heard of Christ. Let us hope and pray for those who do not know of God’s glorious plan for salvation. Like our experience in Elliott Barker Wildlife Area, it will be an incredible ride.

“New Year, New Me!” How many of you have already given up on your New Year’s resolution? If you raised your hand, you are not alone! Studies have shown that 50% of adults make New Years resolutions but only 10% actually keep them. We live in a world that constantly encourages us to strive to better ourselves but rarely will we ever measure up. We are also constantly told to evoke the power of God to reach our specific goals, but is this truly biblical? Let’s explore this further. 

^“ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

Christ’s strength wasn’t just a vague force enabling Paul to accomplish whatever he desired. Instead, it strengthened Paul to be content in spite of the harsh difficulties he faced. He wasn’t talking about hypothetical goals, but about the very real adversity he faced on a daily basis.

Specifically, he was talking about his unfair imprisonment at the time of his writing to the Philippian believers. Here’s how he described it at the beginning of Philippians:

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

Paul wrote that he could do all things through Christ strengthening him when he was in prison in Roman facing extreme oppression. And through his divine strengthening, He was able to look beyond his own suffering and rejoice in the ability to further share the gospel as a result of his imprisonment.

Paul never “became his best self”, nor did he strive to fulfill his own personal dreams. His delight was in extending the reach and influence of the gospel, and he labored to that end whether he was free or incarcerated. He was the benchmark of suffering for the sake of the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23–33), and he rejoiced in the strength Christ gave him to endure all of it.

As we are approaching a full year living through an unprecedented pandemic, looking at setting goals for this next year, I want to challenge you to spend less time looking inward and becoming your best self and to spend more time finding ways despite our circumstances to further the gospel message.

“You are loved by an everlasting love and underneath are the everlasting arms. That’s what the Bible tells us.” This is one of my favorite Elizabeth Elliott quotes.

She opened many of her recorded radio programs with these words. What an immense and wonderful concept! One that is not always comprehensible, particularly, when compared to human earthly love. The Everlasting Love of God never fails unlike love in our earthly relationships. Believing those words from God through his Word can be challenging if our human relationships haven’t been filled with love. Perhaps, in his wisdom, that is why he gives so many commandments, definitions and demonstrations of Love in his Word.

“Love the Lord, Your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”

Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27

“Love your neighbor as yourself...”

John 13:34, Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:9-18, Galatians 5:14, Hebrews 13:1-2

“Husbands love your wife...”, “Wives submit to your own husbands...”

Colossians 3:19, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:22

God knew there would be many wrong expressions of love in our lives. He gave us many examples so if we have a wrong experience in one relationship in our life we can look to other types of relationships to get a picture of His true meaning of love by reading his word. His love is meant for everyone. (John 3:16-17). The gifts of his love for those who choose to return his love by faith in Jesus Christ are marvelous! We are called a child of God. Our love and faith make us true sons and daughters with an inheritance with Christ.

His forgiveness of all of our mistakes and failures are erased.

Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 1:4

We receive God’s peace and protection.

Psalm 86:5, Mathew 6:14, Luke 6:37, Matthew 18:21-22

We receive the gift of a personal relationship that gives us first hand access to our Holy Father and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 4:6-7

Romans 5:5-6, Romans 5:1-3, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8

This is only a short list of the ways we are loved by God as his children.

“The word "love" appears 310 times in the King James Bible, 348 times in the New American Standard Bible, 551 times in the New International Version and 538 times in the New Revised Standard Version.” (Quota)

I challenge you to search for more ways that the Bible tells us we are beloved children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s increase our knowledge of the ways God teaches his love so that we can build one another up in times of difficulties when we lose sight of true love.

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Have you ever had the thought that pleasing God is nearly impossible? I grew up developing negative feelings about myself. It comes out by what I call myself, like “I can’t do anything right”. That is not my true identity, because His word says so: I am His workmanship, sealed with the Holy Spirit, part of God’s house, accepted, loved, and a contributor to God’s glory.

My true identity has been hard for me to adjust to. I tend to forget the inward reality and instead focus on the outward picture. Spending time with our high school and college age grandkids over the holidays we shared the following as an encouragement to them:                                                                   

Faithfulness – Not Success                                                                                                                 “But you, man (or woman) of God, flee from (the love of money), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith...” (1Timothy 6:11-12)                                                                                                                                                       The Love of money is a stumbling block. It leads us to feel the need for the favor of men, to look good in comparison to others. It gives the illusion of success, rather than failure to be enough. This is a fight I face. Jesus experienced the same testing, winning the fight with scripture.

I can still wake up in the morning frazzled after reviewing past failures. It has been said that “brokenness is a conscious, core awareness that you need God in all things.” (Crawford W. Loritts, Jr.) My failures and disappointments lead me to realize that I need God.

God makes disappointments turn out for good! The most dramatic evidence of this was our experience beginning back in 1971. We were newly married with our first child, living in an apartment in Walnut Creek, California. My wife, Kay, had taken a maternity leave from her job in health education, and I was working for $3.50/hr. as an apprentice architect. Tragedy struck! She started experiencing the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. She never went back to work. What was the good? She was home developing an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, with me, with our two daughters, and God was enough. The fight for us was to not become self-absorbed in our disappointment, but to be transformed by Jesus Christ in this testing.

I am blessed to have an encourager in my wife who challenges me to remember who I really am in Christ when I forget. “…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25) I had no idea how transforming encouragement could be when I first visited our Food for the Hungry (FH) friends in Bolivia in 2010. My expectations were small. What could I do amid such poverty? I met my first sponsored child, and invited him to come to a presentation I was to make about the profession of architecture. It almost seemed cruel to be sharing this with these young people. These kids were from families with so little, some without electricity or running water. This was the start of relationships of encouragement, mentoring, letters and prayers. This past month my young friend received his certificate as a professional architect in Bolivia! Three more of our sponsored young men are following him, and will continue to receive my encouragement.

Am I enough? “Without faith it is impossible to please … God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Even when I don’t feel like enough, I trust that in Christ I am enough. To Him be the glory! The truth of who I am in Christ is transforming my life. Though outwardly I am not enough to meet all the challenges that come my way. Jesus Christ is enough. In Christ we are enough. We need not compare ourselves with others. We are free to please God! “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthians 9:8)

Like many of us at MCC, we have chosen to make our home in the mountains primarily because of engagement with God’s creation. The peace that comes with this, has a significant impact to our spiritual life. I have spent most of my life engaging in creation. It all started growing up on my dad’s farm and helping him work directly with the land and animals. Since that time, I have spent the majority of my life engaging with nature, whether it be camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, trail running, skiing or any other outdoor activity. This passion and need for interaction with creation has also caused me to be involved in many organizations and volunteer activities that promote or enhance activities with nature. This included founding organizations and events that involve the outdoors and writing two outdoor devotionals. The most recent, a book that describes how God reveals himself to us in His creation, otherwise known as the general revelation. Romans 1:20 describes this well.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul speaks to not of the General Revelation, but how all of us who are in Christ have become a new creation. The truth behind this verse is that we have all sinned against God and are separated from God, and without Christ, we would suffer eternal separation. When we put our faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God and experience a new life. The Holy Spirit has given us new life in which we have an entirely new world view.  We have a new identity, new peace, new promises and we are no longer afraid of God or death. We have become a new creation that is on fire to spread the gospel and share our faith with others.

When I am in God’s creation, it does not exhibit hatred or anger. There are no words of rudeness or disrespect and the vileness and depravity of humanity are not on display. It is a true revelation of God and has impacted millions throughout mankind to at least believe in the existence of a creator. How could you not believe seeing the characteristics that are on display?

In reflection, I ask myself how I as a new creation in Christ am exhibiting the same characteristics of His natural creation? Do I demonstrate anger or animosity for others? Are there times I am disrespectful or rude? Although we all sin and fall short of God’s standards, what if I resolved to truly be a new creation in Christ and through my actions and behavior, glorify all that is God? Have I totally surrendered my life to Christ and resolved to becoming more and more like Him each day? As a new creation in Christ, I can do no less and through this become a living, breathing testimony to the glory of God.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17