Lance Christopher: Blog

The driver's door of my beat up, banana yellow Honda, opened to the groan of fatiguing metal.
 
"Holy Spirit, I really hope I am hearing You."
 
With a sigh, I leaned in, pushed the shifter into neutral, turned the key to the on position, and thanked God that I had a clear path of at least fifty feet ahead of me.
 
"Lord, if this is just my imagination, please just let me know. I feel like an idiot. Huh... Big deal, right?"
 
Then like some overweight, Olympic bob sled team reject, I took two deep breaths and channeled all my strength into two knocked knees.
 
It was a good thing that the midget car was light.
 
Ten intense strides. . . A precise leap into the driver's seat. . . Clutch down. . . Second gear. . . Pop the clutch. . . Slam the door. . . Give her gas. . . Dear God, don't hit anyone or anything. . . Breathe again. . . Down the road I go!
 
Three months with a broke starter and I was certainly practiced.
 
Long years of being broke, [...]

Tucked away on our small mining claim an hour north of Reno, the travel trailer we called home looked so small and vulnerable.
 
Luminous in the glow of a huge full moon, the scars of use by a young family of five were softened.
 
It almost seemed to blend into this rugged, high desert valley.
 
We had towed it over miles of grinding dirt-rock roads only six months before, and settled it near a creek, where wild horses drank each evening.
 
Behind our dwelling, a steep hill broke sharply from the sand and sage brush.
 
With great ceremony, the kid’s named the hill “Dog Mountain”, for to their wide eyes, the rock formation at the top was the exact likeness of a barking dog.
 
Tonight that likeness was a dark silhouette carved into a surreal sky.
 
Stepping out of my tiny, banana yellow Honda, I stretched my aching limbs.
 
I was finally home for the night.
 
Giving my two Australian Shepherds, Blue Boy, and Aspen [...]

lance christopher watkins
 
Jesus stood there.
Heart still pounding from the exertion, he mopped stinging sweat from His eyes.
A deep cleansing breath filled His lungs as the last of the moneychangers and sellers of sacrifices clambered from the courtyard.
The echos of their curses faded more quickly than their burning welts would - ones His makeshift whip had left on their stubborn backs and egos.
"It is written," The cry of this carpenter turned rabbi scorched the air of the temple, "'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of thieves!"
The sight that met Him as He turned, caused His eyes to drip unashamed compassion.
The blind and the lame,
        the broken,
                the helpless,
                        and the weak
        [...]

Saturday was a blast!
Thank you Gabi and Forrest for making us feel so welcome, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gabi :)
Kaeli sang 15 songs in two sets and sounded lovely as always!
Several times she gave me chill bumps, as she sang with emotion.
I wrapped it up with "I Believe You Do", and then we had us a good ol' fashioned jam with Forrest rockin' out with power chords, and Rachel strumming away on acoustic guitar...  some blues, some rock, some praise tunes, and all FUN!
Having my beautiful family there was precious.
Seeing my Mama's beautful face as she enjoyed the show, is something I will never forget.
It was truly a GREAT time for all present!
Praise God!!!

Sunday morning was wonderful!
The folks at Oasis of Grace Foursquare were so supportive and loving!
Monday night was a beautiful experience as well!
Michelle and I are so proud of how Kaeli Anne ministered :)
A big thanks to Dave Tackett, my incredible inlaws Ken and Roberta Wilder, and the precious believers at Oasis of Grace!!!
Hopefully next time we can see Pastors Chris and Deedee :D