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.”

Trials Beyond Belief

Almost each year my family would travel west through Denver towards the mountains and we would come to a tunnel, the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel. It is located on the Continental Divide, about sixty miles west of Denver. It is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world. It is a twin bore tunnel. The bores are about 1.7 miles in length. They are each 48 feet high and 40 feet wide. The electric bill for lighting the two bores is approximately $70,000 per month. They are not straight and you cannot see through them… you would think there is no light at the end of the tunnel if you did not know otherwise. When people go through a difficult time in their lives, one of the common metaphors used to describe how they feel is that of a long, dark tunnel. They often say, “There does not seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.”

-The pathology report came back and it wasn’t good.-The job you thought was secure was eliminated or you were replaced by younger and less expensive cannon fodder.-The spouse who promised to cherish you “till death” done departed.-The son or daughter who never gave you a moments trouble calls you from the police station.
Troubles and trials seem to be endless, yet they do have a purpose. They do test our faith and give it a chance to show it strong and pure. They purify our faith and make it more valuable than gold. Trials prove that God is really in us. And no matter how exhausted you are, remember He never leaves us, never!!!

”Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Footnote: Photo courtesy of www.beans-around-the-world.com