Summer Camp

I opened the door to my mothers’ car and enter in to the land of summer camp. Adolescence at it’s finest with emotions on overdrive. It was camp “ID-RA-HA-JE” otherwise known as “I’d rather have Jesus” and this year was different I was taking my camping to the next level and joining the trekking club. We were going to hike through the back county of the Rocky Mountains. Bring it on!

Well, all was going well until the National Park Service revoked our hiking pass to climb Mt. Holy Cross. So our guide had to come up with plan B. Plan B was taking a trail that was not hiked for years and boy we paid for it, especially my friend Jeff. Each of us were carrying 30 pound packs and after a full day of hiking I was about to experience this scripture.

(Galatians 6:2) “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

You see, Jeff allowed himself to become salt deprived and was on the verge of going crazy, literally. When the human body loses salt content you start to lose your mind, and your ability to reason. Not the state of mind you want when traversing 20 degree slopes. Jeff needed help and I was it. I had to carry two packs; mine and Jeff’s. If not Jeff would not have made it. There was no help around us, we were in the back area of the Rocky Mountains and Jeff’s life was in danger. He needed my help even though I was struggling to carry my own weight.

What makes this world better? Each one of us helping another carry their burdens. Acts of random kindness don't require a lot of time or effort, but they can significantly improve another person's day. They may not be to save their life, but to be blunt, acts of kindness shocks people.Why not take a minute out of your day today to spread some goodwill and make a difference? BTW, my friend Jeff made it out OK, with my help. Attached is the picture of our feast after that experience!

http://www.idrahaje.org/

Joe's Vs. Barbies

I exited the door of my bedroom, headed down the hallway and turned left to descend two flights of steps in our split-level home; a boy of seven on a mission of revenge. A battle had been raging between myself and my two older sisters and it had gone too far. Once they stole the GI Joes and hid them that was it! My anger bubbled, my rage intensified as I entered their bedroom. You see I had faked sickness so I could stay home and rescue my troops from the enemy and return the favor by sabotaging “Barbie central”. What happened next is the stuff of legend in the annals of war between brothers and sisters. Let’s just say I got them back, oh yeah!

For some these incidents create close bonds, for others they are just a small example of the tearing of trust towards other human beings. It’s another brick on the load of unforgiveness. Soon that load becomes too heavy to handle and just like trying to balance a lopsided wheel barrel we too often struggle to manage the weight of unforgiveness. Yet, it’s a balancing act we where never intended to perform. This world was not designed to have sin rip it to shreds and breed aggressors and produce victims. Its original design was innocent and beauty. Humans were not created to deal with these issues, we can’t handle them properly. Even today with all our enlightenment we still struggle with the basics of humanity. The ability to forgive is elemental and essential. What unforgiveness are you balancing? Dump the load today and let Jesus handle the balancing.

(Colossians 3:13) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”