Family and Community

I am re-gifting this morning!  As I sit here in front of the computer with my mind on the trail, I give to you, my faith family, my hiking community, the gift that I have treasured the most: The WORD!
Jeremiah 15:16 says:
"Your words are what sustain me; they are food for my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me."
2 Peter 1:3 says:
As you know HIM better, He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: He even shares His own GLORY and His own goodness with us!"
Hebrews 10:25 says:
"Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..."
As we are given "divine appointments" with others on the path of life and on the trails, let us continue to focus on ENCOURAGING one another! I have been greatly encouraged by all of you in our conversations on the trails and the emails we exchange. Have you? Please share...

Perseverence

What a fabulous chapter! Insightful and oh SO true! To persevere, to use that intrinsic power to not give up...  I agree with the authors that this is a trait that can be taught, that it can be learned by following the example of those influential role models in our lives who never "give up". How does a follower of Christ apply these principles to The Walk of Life? How do we differentiate between being stubborn and self-centered and being a person of perseverance? Life itself can be filled with failures and success, achievements and disappointments, health and illness, plenty and want, stress and peace. How do you practice being a person of perseverance in the face of adversity? One of my "life philosophies" has been to focus on what is eternal. Am I focusing my energy and passion on Christ's example? Page 43 of our book also suggests this important principle. Your insight is MOST important! Please comment.

Prayers

To me, the most touching and personal aspect of chapter TWO is defined on page 29. The story of Moses and Joshua (Exodus 17: 9-14), the story of Mom extending her arms up to God in prayer, the fellow hikers supporting her arms as she prayed, these are all very vivid examples of community. That is the heart of G2! Yes we gather to hike and enjoy nature. But most of all, as members of the body of Christ, we are a community of believers. Not only we are to offer our prayers on behalf of others, we are also to humbly seek the prayers and support of our community when the need is present. There are times when we need a "Joshua" to hold our tired arms while they are extended to heaven in prayer. What are your thoughts?

The Path

The Walk, Reflections on Life and Faith from the Appalachian Trail

As we read the first chapter, and perhaps the second one as well, lets consider the trail blazes (markings). Those blue, white, green, yellow or red small rectangles painted on trees, rocks or posts that guide us through a path. When life throws us an unexpected "curve", when our own pride leads us to leave the path, How do we find the way back? What is the importance of relying on the blazes, even if we know the path extremely well? Analogy: If I grew up in the Christian Faith, if I know the Bible stories well, if I presume to be gifted spiritually, If I pray often, does that mean that I can daily ignore the "blazes" of God's Word and His daily guidance?
What is everyone's thoughts on the subject of following the "blazes"?