Wednesday's Word - Tough Trails

Hello All,

Don't you just like how some words easily lend themselves to a play on words? It's quite uncanny, but we'll dive more into that in a minute. This past weekend I did something I've never done before: I went on a 16 mile hike. Not that I consider myself a hiker, but as I was with friends, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We went to the Sabine National Forest in east Texas to the Trail Between the Lakes. The cool thing was the larger lessons I learned during the trial, ooops! I mean trail. It took a while simply becoming oriented to the markers presented by the trail. There were these little yellow squares, nailed to trees that told you the right direction. Sometimes they were spaced fairly close together, at other times it was impossible to see the next one. After a while of only looking for the yellow signs, we noticed that there were also metallic signs nailed to trees that also let you know you were on the right path. There were more metallic signs than yellow ones, but there were also times where even the metallic ones were sight for sore eyes. Travelling further, it also became somewhat apparent that some of the fallen trees were cut to have a piece removed - this also let you know you were on the right track. And lastly, certain parts of the trial, ooops! I mean trail, were well worn, serving as "good" direction. We figured out most of the markers together, but at a certain point, they continued on and I had to go it alone. It would seem easy as a return trip, but not as much as I'd hoped. I had to remember what I'd learned and apply it in my own situation without any other reassurance or encouragement. Here are a few lessons I learned -
No matter what, fundamentally, there was still the path. It was hard to navigate at times. A hurricane had come through the area recently and scattered things a good bit in some areas, but with enough patience and careful observation, I knew I was looking for something that was still there to be found and to lead me to safety. As I walked the trial, I thought about all the things that had affected the trail and wondered, God? why have You allowed the trail to become so cluttered. Scripture came to my mind

Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

So with all that happened, fundamentally, there was still the path. God may 'allow' the difficulty to persist, but the path still exists.

Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

I walked on....There was a certain part of the trail with no yellow or metallic signs, few fallen trees and not much of a worn path. This was tough. I, again, thought of how wonderful The Word of God is, but there should be fine print that says "Individual results may vary". (at least when it comes to the trail) . Again, Scripture came to mind
　
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I thought about the trail markers and wondered. Is it faith that leads me to the next marker? The answer was "No! Faith is what makes you believe that there is a path and that the path leads somewhere good. The thing that gets you to the next marker is obedience."

So by the end of it, I'd fallen in the water almost chest deep, muddied my new ankle boots up to the knee, scratches from thistles and thorns, carrying my heavy burden, ooops! I mean backpack, and my thighs felt likesomebody had shot hot marbles into them. I thought, why did I even commit to this darn trial, oops! I mean trail. I thank God for The Scripture that brought the conclusion of the matter.

1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:


I could do nothing but lay down my burden, I mean backpack and thank God for the strength to have made it through. It became all too clear at that moment that with all that I had done, He still did more; He made good trail, He keeps it from becoming totally decimated and still uses it to teach me about Him in a way I'd never seen before. Well worth it.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:


Happy Trails,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - What Are Words Worth?

Hello All,

Here's an interesting thing I learned recently. Well, I guess I can't say I "just" leared it, but you ever have something really hit home due to a certain situation? Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I enjoy raising my children like anyone else, and I enjoy the lessons I learn as I deal with them. The same way I express and communicate with Wednesday's Word is the same thing I try and give to my children - and then it hit me:
I was talking to my son recently and the light bulb came on. I stopped talking. I said "Chip... You know, I thank God that He's blessed me to be a teacher. On occasion, I'm able to pull relationship from seeminly obscure things to make a point that I can only give God the Glory for. I can use examples that emote feelings of trepidation, or comparisons that inspire encouragement. But with all of that pontification, and all that I'm able to express; one thing remains certain"..."You have to decide that you will do your part." I've communicated enough for you to know that you are loved. Even when I'm trying to get you to try harder or to understand the idea of cause and effect. It's an interesting thing that so often, that's possibly what God is sharing with us. He has "said" so much in His Word. Poetic Psalms that touch us deeply. Comparitive studies on the differences between wisdom and folly. And sensational accountings of what's in store.
Here's the Word:

Jeremiah 10:23-24 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life

Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Amazing that as we get older and more mature, The same Word continues to speak to and encourage us in as many different ways as there are personalities. But when all is said and done, we end up making it just another book; just someone's words that have no real impact if we fail to believe. In failing to believe, we fail to "make real" the power given to us to take these words and make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others. At the end of the day we have to choose what we will do. If not combined with the quickening power of The Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, What are these words worth?
　
In Him,
Cros