BBtJ.Org February / March 2006 News Letter

Dear Friends of BBtJ,

It's a beautiful day in downtown Bend (as we write this). We finally began to thaw out after the extreme cold of late December. Only to be hit with it again in February. It got so cold .that even our water line into the hot water tank froze. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture taken of our effort to thaw the pipes. We put a tarp around the bus and our inside heaters underneath. We ended up having to get a new water pump but it could have been much worse.

Our biggest challenge was that a month of heavy rain and snow revealed a flaw in Bussie's design that caused water to cascade down the air intakes and collect in the air filters. When we started our motor, water sucked into the engine. As our niece said, “Bussie got sick.” Broke 2 piston liners and bent three piston rods. We got ourselves towed to Fair's Diesel where we spent the week living inside Bussie inside the shop. We were amazed at the number of friends who offered to put us up during this time. It made us feel very loved. However, we had electricity so chose to stay available in the bus in the shop. Mark took the week off work so he could help Wade (the mechanic) and learn more about the inner workings of our GM T8H5305A's DD8V71 diesel motor. Read about our various adventures in Virginia's Journal at http://www.BBtJ.Org/journals/.

On January 4^th, Virginia was given final approval as a speaker representative for Stonecroft Ministries. She has already been booked to speak at two meetings in Central Oregon in August and four meetings in Western Washington next fall. Now that the writing of the testimonial speech is finished, she is now working on a topical speech on her favorite subject "Building Relation-ships." It's been interesting to learn how this organization addresses those who do not know Jesus as the Savior.(Eating Meeting of the Prayer Connection at left).

Have you enjoyed the pictures we put in our newsletters? Virginia has always enjoyed taking pictures--the problem is forgetting to develop the film. Since we have "gone digital," we decided to share our memorable moments with you in a photo album on our website. We don't yet have a link on our menu as we're not finished setting it up. You may see what's already been done at http://www.bbtj.org/photos.

Don't forget that all bold underlined text in this newsletter are web based hyperlinks to more info.

Stay safe and warm!! Love to all our Brothers and Sisters,

Mark & Virginia Lane Bolzern

So nice to be “home” again. Mark is leveling Bussie by putting blocks underneath.

Comments from Virginia

The feedback we received after my comments in the Dec/Jan 2006 newsletter has been interesting and varied. I'd said that regular church attendance was not mandatory. Some readers agreed but others disagreed, one even calling it a lie of Satan that one does not have to go to church. Pastor Lawson Perdue of Charis Christian Center made an insightful comment. “I have found having a home church to be a blessing and an encouragement to my faith. I was strengthened by the fellowship and the Word (years before I became a pastor). I still believe that the “church” should play a part in our lives as Christians. I think when we separate ourselves from other believers and fellowship. for long periods of times, in the most cases it is unhealthy.”

I have to agree with this statement. God never intended us to be hermits. We certainly should be spending quality time with others of like mind. In some cases, this might be best in a corporate setting. There are also studies offered by organized churches or parachurch ministries. One can avail oneself of these as a way to grow and mature in Christ. Spend time with other followers of Jesus in social settings as well. However, none of this is ever to be a substitute for having one's own personal relationship with the Godhead. When living a life led by Jesus, these other things may be assets to the growth experience, and they may not.

Further Comments from Mark

A recent podcast (MP3 audio file) on “TheGodJourney.com” entitled “It's About Jesus” puts it pretty well, and follow on podcasts clarified further. Part of the issue is the definition of the word “church”. Is it A) a particular building, denomination, group of people or a particular meeting., or B) all the people Jesus has called, and who seek to follow him regardless of time or location? Can you have one without the other? Must we have both? What is right for one person is not necessarily right for another at any given time. We must be God-led.

Feedback from our Readers

Colleen W: I wrote my note complaining about the drought before I read your newsletter. Now that I have, I am sore ashamed because you have so many hurdles. It breaks my heart. However, I do know the company of Christ will get you through & you aren't alone in that regard or lonely. You and Mark do seem talented at ministering to the downtrodden the "out of the box" folks. I am pretty sure God would applaud that. And it's difficult for many of us because of PRIDE.

Mae P: Isn't Papa so good, he knows who we need and when? You have been an encouragement for me for quite sometime now, I love how you and Mark are obedient to His direction and 'nudging' these past few years... the absence of fear is perfect Love indeed!

Yvette B: Found so much info on Mark's Musings! Found his story of his investments heartwarming. Will print it out for my hubby to read. He'll find it interesting.

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