Refreshing Times in a Blizzard

“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, ‘Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.’ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
– 1 Kings 19:5-8 (ESV)

Yesterday I flew back from a trip to Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Colorado. I was there at the invitation of Current Elijah, a ministry which seeks to give physical and spiritual refreshment to pastors and their wives. Led by Allen and Doris Tarbutton, CE seeks to mirror the spirit of 1 Kings 19:5-8 where the prophet Elijah, too wearied to continue his journey, was strengthened by God in order that he might continue in ministry. Jennefer and I were deeply blessed by the Tarbuttons’ hospitality, wisdom and prayers. Not only was the snow the best I had ever skied thanks to a blizzard which hit the Rockies while we were there, but the fellowship was incredible. Along with the Tarbuttons, we spent time with fellow church co-laborers Bruce and Susan Wesley. Having known the Wesleys for well over a decade, we were excited at that fact that not only would be get to experience some of the best powder a person can ski but hang out with some of the best people on the planet. Needless to say, it was a week we won’t soon forget!