(Written 8/27/17 - shortly after a full solar eclipse was visible from our location)

Millions of people traveled hundreds of miles to witness perhaps a once in a lifetime experience – the 2017 Solar Eclipse! We traveled 100 miles to Newport, Oregon to witness one of nature’s amazing sites. It took planning and forethought to position ourselves in the right place at the right time. The solar eclipse was predicted to start at 9:05 A.M., so we were in place at that time. It took the right equipment to safely view the astronomical attraction. We pre-purchased the NASA/ISO approved protective eye wear to stare observantly at the ocular occurrence. It took patience and endurance to wait for the moon to align itself perfectly in the path of the sun’s light rays to display the total solar eclipse. It took faith to trust that the weather would comply with our viewing location. The fog did give us quite the scare during the last fifteen minutes before totality. Then, at exactly 10:17 A.M. our anticipation broke into complete awe and shouts of joy. Darkness covered the land, the temperature dropped, and the only source of light was a single perfect ring expressing itself around the edge of the interrupting moon. After two minutes of this phenomenal presentation, the moon continued its path across the sky causing the sun’s light to burst forth like a diamond exploding from the upper right side of the solar ring. It was a sight to behold. It was a blessing to share the moment with my family. It is a memory captured forever in our hearts, minds, and on Facebook.
My question though is, now what? What difference does the solar eclipse make on our lives? Are we changed? Are we transformed?

I pray that the world would reflect on the light of Christ which came into the world, breaking through the darkness. He is the “light that shined in the darkness, but the darkness did not understand it.” (Jn. 1:5) Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.” (Jn. 8:12) Jesus fills his church with his light saying, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt. 5:14) John goes on to say, “God is light” and “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin.” (1 Jn. 1:5, 7) Take full view of the son of God, who conquered death, defeated sin, and is reigning eternally. He is the king forever. He can become your light if you will believe and become his disciple. Many millions more will come to know God because of how we shine his light into the world.
The light of Jesus makes all the difference.

Bryan Johnston - nbcoc@hotmail.com

My grandfather Harold Martin made his home in the Mona Community in Northeast Montana. His parents homesteaded there in 1915 and after marrying my grandmother Edith in 1925, they built their life together on that land. They had five children together and were active members in the Church and kingdom of God. My grandpa loved his family, his land, and his Lord. He worked hard running the farm, helping neighbors, and serving the church. He loved teasing his grandchildren, playing games, and making music on his fiddle. My grandpa loved his home.

When his wife Edith preceded him in death, Harold spent time living with his children. The farm was taken over by his son Duane and Harold would continue to help when he was able. His two daughters who lived
in town would take turns looking after him and caring for his needs. As much as he loved his daughters’ care and attention, he always had an aching for home. For the first couple of years after Edith’s death,
he would routinely ask to go home. His daughters would kindly take him from town out to the farm his home. He would seem satisfied and at peace, even though missing his dear Edith. In the last two years of
his life, when he would ask to go home and his daughters would take him to the farm he didn’t seem as satisfied. Even after returning to the farm, his homestead, he would still ask if he could go home. The only other home he was longing for was his home in heaven, where he would be united with his sweet Edith, his loving Father, and his Lord.

Praise God he made Jesus his home and there he abides. Jesus is home. He came to this earth to be with us. He made himself flesh and lived among us. Jesus brought his home to us and invited us to life with him. Jesus was in perfect fellowship with God and he desired for us to make our home with him. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23) Abide in the Lord, make your home with him. -Bryan

    [On August 21st] a total solar eclipse was visible in totality within a band across the entire contiguous United States. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on Earth. The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was on June 8, 1918. Among others, the towns of Newport, Salem, and Madras Oregon will be flooded with eclipse enthusiasts. The eclipse was estimated to begin at 9:05 A.M. PST with the totality occurring at 10:17 A.M. PST. The totality itself will only last about two minutes. We had to be warned against looking directly at the sun while the eclipse is setting into and releasing from its totality. There was a high potential for extreme and even permanent damage to the eye from looking directly into the sun for that extended period of time. NASA and the American Astronomical Society urge solar gazers to only use glasses with the safety standard number “ISO 12312-2” printed and guaranteed on them. Be safe and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

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     The names for Jesus go on and on, I have never met someone who has so many names. The descriptions that are associated with our Lord are innumerable. So what is the name that the Lord our God prefers to be known as? I have known many people that preferred to go by a particular name. I think it is respectful to address others by the name that he or she desires to be called. I have known Michael’s that are particular about being called Michael and not Mike. There are others who like to be known by their middle names rather than their first. And there are even those who select names that are completely different from any of their birth names. For example I knew a guy named David Kinzer who was only known by the name “Whompy.”
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There is not a more beautiful site than coming home to the McCullough Bridge into North Bend.This architectural expansion is laid down firmly to provide safe entry into the Bay Area from the North. The mile-long cantilever bridge allows travelers easy entry as they pass high above CoosBay. It endures the high winds and rain to provide access to community life. The bridge’s function is to provide passage by welcoming patrons to travel over its surface. It does not mind the burden of bearing the treading and tracking of all the traffic. It takes great delight to serve people into city limits.

     Jesus as the gate is the only entry into the kingdom of God. He is the door that opens to let his people in. As the door he provides access and protection for his followers. Jesus takes great joyin watching over his flock. As the Good Shepherd he knows his sheep and they know him. He meets all their needs and cares for them. As the Good Shepherd he welcomes and calls his sheep by name. He knows that evil will come to disrupt and scatter the lives of his little ones, but he isready. As the Good Shepherd he lays down his life so that none of his will be destroyed or lost. Jesus lays down like a Welcome Mat for his sheep to walk over into his fold. He takes all our brokenness and allows our dirty feet to be wiped clean. He does this only to our advantage, because he knows that he is the only way for us to have access into fellowship with his Father. There is no where else he wants us to be than with His Father.

Praise God that Jesus has conquered the grave. Jesus endures the cross and defeated sin and death. Jesus gathers us to him by his love. We must choose to walk with him and through him to share in communion and fellowship with the Father. Jesus is the Gate and the Good Shepherd - what a beautiful warm welcome into his kingdom. He meets all their needs and cares for them.

-Bryan