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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.

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Fellowship at the Maroon Bells

Posted on October 1, 2009
Filed Under Personal, Worldview | 4 Comments

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me…” John 17:23

The Maroon Bells are still ringing in my mind! Spending time in the mountains and seeing the exquisite grandeur of the creation always moves me. The Rockies never disappoint, either…and I never tire of experiencing them. Seeing the glow of the Aspen in the early sunlight and the fresh snow on the peaks always makes me shake my head in wonder.

Some times I want to experience this alone, but most times I want to share it.

This time it was shared.

I am part of a close-knit group of five couples that have been meeting, eating, vacationing, fellowshipping and worshipping together for many years. These experiences are best shared with close friends—friends you can not only enjoy being around, but brothers & sisters who have walked with you through the highs & lows of life.

We are an eclectic bunch—a space physicist, a ministry executive, a professor, two pilots, elementary teachers, speakers, writers, husbands, wives, moms & dads. Four of the five are retired military. We have known each other for a long time.

We had decided some time ago that we would all head to the mountains together to see the Aspen turn. We each were assigned a meal to cook and some got the beds in the cabin and some got the air mattresses on the floor. We got up early one morning to drive the hour or so to see the Maroon Bells at dawn. After standing in awe before the reflection in the lake, we hiked to Crater Lake. That, too, was an awesome experience.

But it wasn’t just the powerful views and vistas. It wasn’t just seeing the beauty all around us…a beauty that was everywhere. But most of the blessing of the experience came from sharing it…doing it together with close friends. And that fellowship was not always through words. Often times it was just sitting on a log at Crater Lake and silently taking in the wonder of it all. Sometimes it was just sharing the trail together.

There were times when we encouraged each other as we climbed upward over a rugged rockslide and there were times when we just enjoyed the stillness of the mountains together.

I have mentioned before how much the Trinity has become a major thread in my thinking of late. We are made for community and fellowship, not because it works better that way, but because we are created in the image of a socially complex God…the Holy Triune One. The One who declared that it was not good for man to be alone. The One who said that the world would know that the Father sent the Son into the world because of our unity.

If you do not have a close-knit fellowship like this, let me seriously encourage you to get involved in one or start one.

The Lord blesses us when we commune together. Jesus dangled a little carrot in front of us when He said: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”

Not a bad incentive!

Comments

4 Responses to “Fellowship at the Maroon Bells”

  1. Dana on October 6th, 2009 2:18 pm

    Wow,, those pics and your story pulls on my heart strings!

    I was saved at the First Baptist church in Aspen Co. in Sept 1976. That church now has another name but I still know some people that attend there during those years I lived in Aspen. Maroon Bells is where I used to go and THINK! I wondered how could all this exist by chance, all these beautiful mountains and hills and steams!

    It really was the creation there that spoke to my heart that God is the creator just like Psalm 19 says!

    Any way dont want to take your time up………….but after my conversion in that little church since that time I spent 16 years on the mission field,,,6 in Costa Rica and then 10 years in Russia.

    But better than that! we are showing the truth project in our church here in Grove, Ok. ( Grove Christian Center ) I am an elder here and just LOVING the truth project.
    I am a small group leader.

    What a timely teaching for the time we are living in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Just wanted to say God bless you Del, God has really blessed me in watching your teaching. And its very special for me that you all go to Maroon Bells because my first steps in Christ were in that area.

    My wife and I hope to some time again make a trip to Aspen,, its a very special place to me.

  2. Pete on October 7th, 2009 8:34 pm

    Dr. Tackett,

    What presence of mind for you to share the intimacy that you share with all those great life long friends and Thanks be to our Heavenly Father that has arranged such awesome relationships. What encouraging words to our extended family, brothers and sisters in Christ. God has many children of all ages that can learn from the experiences that you and your friends share with us.

    What indescribable beauty in the photographs that you have posted here. Amazing Beauty from an Amazing God whose artist brush and quill is never without ink or paint on the palette.

    May God continue to richly bless you and your family and friends Dr. Tackett as well as richly pour his grace and kindness perfecting his love in you so that you may continue to share the truth of Gods Eternal Glory with the lost and hurting.

    It has been a real honour and privilege to attend The Truth Project and had the opportunity to hear from you and your amazing staff.

    Next to surrendering my life to Christ as my Saviour and putting trust in him for eternity, the Truth Project has been the most important step in my Christian Faith. It has been that important! I wanted you to know that and I share that in love. What and honour and privilege to have a brother in Christ like Dr. Tackett fighting the good fight, sharing the truth in amazing ways. All praise to God our Father.

    May the grace of Christ Jesus be with all! Amen!

    In his grip with a passion for the love in Christ Jesus!

    your friend,

    Pete

  3. Lorrie on October 9th, 2009 10:45 am

    Thank you for sharing the Maroon Bells. We live where there are many mountain lakes and I now need to stop and see the reflections portrayed in the water. What an amazing reminder.

  4. Patty-Kate on July 31st, 2010 10:16 am

    Hello Dr. Tackett…

    My husband and I are Catholic (24 years, converts).. but recently have had an apostasy and stopped attending Mass.. We began to see our church more as a business than a spiritual place to regain strength and hope and worship God. We tried other Catholic churches and two Baptists ones. We are searching. My question is: Will this 12-week series (we are attending in Scottsville, KY) be geared to CATHOLICS and all religions? Thank you Patty-Kate

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