Is Empathy Enough

As I am preparing for teaching and coaching missionally minded people, I can't get a story Jesus told out of my mind. Jesus is telling those around Him that there will be a time coming where we will give account for our relationship with Him. He tells us that he will separate us from those who think they are following Him and those who actually are following Him. If we truly follow Him it will result in living as he lived. The passage reminds us that the way we view those in our society who are struggle is directly tied to our treatment and attitude toward Jesus...the question that keeps coming to mind is how do we treat them?

37 ... 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Matthew 25

We as Christians are great at empathizing, feeling bad, for them. We may even pray for them or give our money to care for them. This story cuts straight to the heart of "missional living".

It tells us we have the personal responsibility to feed them, clothe them, house them, care for them when they are sick. When was the last time you did something to go beyond just empathizing for them. Other passages talk about the early church using everything at their disposal including personal items in order to make sure that everyone was taken care of.

Just recently I have come across some people who are taking this passage literally and doing something about it. Let me tell there story.

TWO DOLLAR CHALLENGE

Most of the world lives on two dollars or less a day. The church has decided to live as most of the world for two weeks. They are eating for two dollars a day. Rather than just empathizing, they are buying and taking groceries to needy families that they know with the extra money they saved from the week.

Check out what this guy is doing in Ohio.

http://30dayshomeless.wordpress.com/

I want to challenge you. What are you doing to live out Jesus teaching. Do you find yourself empathizing? Let me challenge you to do more than just empathize. Get out and live it.

MissionSHIFT: Discussion

I was asked to take part in a blog discussion put on by Ed Stetzer of Lifeway. For those who may not know, I am on staff of a church plant. My responsibilities include the “missional” ministries. I am thankful that a discussion is being on missions in the next generation.
In the first essay, Charles Van Engen gives his view of a definition and description of mission. It is as follows
* Contextual: A missional church understands itself as part of a larger context of lost and broken world so loved by God.
*Intentional: A missional church understands itself as existing for the purpose of "following Christ in mission."
*Proclaiming: A missional church understands itself as intentionally sent by God in mission to announce in word and deed the coming of the kingdom of God in Christ.
*Reconciling: A missional church understands itself to be a reconciling and healing presence in its context, locally and globally.
Sanctifying: A missional church understands itself as a faith community gathered around the proclamation (my word) of the Word, thus personally living out its truth and serving as a purifying influence to society.
*Unifying: A missional church understands itself as embracing, enfolding, gathering community of faith, anxious to recieve people into fellowship.
Transforming: A missional church is "the salt of the earth," a transforming presence as the body of Christ in mission called to be, embody, and live out in the world the following biblical concepts of mission, among others: koinonia, kerygma, diakonia, martyria, prophet, priest king, liberator, healer, sage."

I love that in the course of the essay he addresses the core of missional living/missions as having the idea of “sent ones”. The history of missions lends itself to the professionalization of missions. It focuses churches and organization as sending individuals with others supporting b y finances and prayer. This has led to the view that “missions” is something only for a few select.
As I look at missions/missional living I understand that we all who choose to follow Christ are “sent ones. If we apply his definition to this paradigm of all being sent, we can then begin to see missions begin to take off. There will no doubt be those who we send and support, but we must realize that this process does not alleviate us from our responsibility in the process of missions.
This first section has been helpful to me as I continue to struggle with putting together a “missional community” that seeks to live as sent.
Thanks for including us in the discussion Ed. If you would like to join us, pick up the book MissionSHIFT and join.

New Year Investments

The start of this New Year has caused me to reflect more than normal. Reflecting on my past as well as dreaming about our future. This past year has been a difficult year and an exciting year all in the same.
Our year began by leaving a ministry that we believed would change the world. It is always difficult when our dreams and plans don’t occur the way we plan. God used this time to teach us more about Him and that He desires His best for our life.
Shortly after that, we were contacted by Gilbert Thurston to consider coming on staff to help plant a church in Harrisburg PA. After meeting with them, praying and discussing the future with my wife, we are convinced that this is what God has for this season of our life. We love serving with ExponentialChurch.tv
I have been able to do what brings me joy in ministry, helping people discover their dreams and passions and using them to expand the kingdom of God. It has been fun to meet with other organizations and dream about what a community wide partnership could look like. People have come who truly desire to use their gifts, abilities and resources to make a kingdom difference. It has been fun to watch a community of believers begin to actually do life together for the purpose of the kingdom.
As I ponder the future, I turn 37 in a few days. I realize that I am entering the second half of my life. I ask, how can I make the biggest difference for the kingdom of God? As I thought about this I realized it is about investments. Over the next year and the rest of my life I want to invest myself in…
FAMILY…
My kids have the potential to change the world. In each of them I see gifts that God can use to turn this world upside down for the kingdom. I want to invest in helping them reach their potential. I want to coach them and help them turn their passions into reality. Investing in them can change the world.
My wife is one of the most gifted people I know. Her ability to talk with those hurting and love them, her ability to practice hospitality and her ability to sacrifice for the well being of other are traits that I want her to use. I want to learn from her as well as help her become all that God desires her to be.
MINISTRY…
I want to multiply people. Helping others achieve maximum results in their life as they strive to live for God and his kingdom. I am so thankful for people who have coached me along the way and helped me develop ministry and personal skills. I want to invest in others who strive to change their corner of the world for the kingdom.
I want to help the church big C. I want to take the tools I have gained and help other pastors and ministry leaders become all that they can be. I want to see churches working together effectively and release leadership who will reach a new generation and a different culture in a different way.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are the foundation to life. I want to continue to develop a forever friendship with God, a relationship where I am willing to give up all to follow Him. Talking about making Him famous is one thing, but living it out in my daily life while I go to where those who need Him live, work and play. I want to develop relationships with people who are far from God. In today’s society relationships need to be built in order to begin the discipleship process. I want to look for opportunities meet and leverage those relationships to bring Christ to them.
I have given up on New Year’s resolutions. I usually give up on them, change them or think of things later that are more pressing or require greater attention. So this year I am choosing not to make promises I can’t keep but rather I will choose to invest wisely.
Investing wisely is more than doing, it is evaluating the outcome. As I build this relationship, am I investing in it for the kingdom? As I pour time and energy into this activity, is it for my benefit or the kingdoms? As I invest financially, is it bringing kingdom results?
In 564,500 minutes, what will your investments return? Will it matter for eternity? I pray that my life will long outlast the minutes I have spent on earth. I am committing to investing my life in a way that will make a difference in expanding God’s kingdom.

FREE STARBUCKS makes an eternal difference

This Christmas our church embarked on a mission of sharing the joy and meaning of Christmas in a practical way. Each day we practiced "random acts of Christmas" with individuals we encounter every week in our daily lives.

On Wednesday we brought smiles to over 100 people on our group "Random Acts of Christmas". We went to the local Starbucks and gave away free tall drinks to everyone that wanted one. You may ask what hot drinks have to do with Christmas. My answer everything.

For years churches have celebrated Christmas by giving the community something many don't care about, another service at their building and that is all. This year we gave them something that they could feel taste and understand. A truly free gift.

Over and over we were asked why we did this, no other church in the area does something like this. We were able to tell them, because we wanted to bring a smile to your face and that God loves when people practice acts of kindness. Does this really make a difference? YES

The next night my wife and I were eating next door and one of the girls who we gave a free coffee to, told us that she went home and told her sister that a church was giving away free Starbucks coffee, they want to check out this "different" kind of church.

Something special happens when we practice kindness without expecting something in return. All too often we expect something in return (come to our church, listen to what I have to say, let me tell you how your wrong). This holiday season let's practice what Christ said, do good works so that Christ can be made famous.

Let your light shine before men so that they can see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your father in heaven

Random Acts of Christmas

This past Sunday we announced that we will be performing "Random Acts of Christmas". We know that little things make all the difference in the world. Our lead pastor, Gilbert Thurston, has told us over and over that people are looking for three things. These are a smile, kind word and appropriate touch.

We are going to put this into practice not just on Sundays, but for an entire week. Each day the week of Christmas, starting on Monday, we will be emailing, putting on facebook and the church website a simple act of kindness that you can perform that day. I am excited to hear the stories that come out of this.

If you want to be a part, email me at chad@exponentialchurch.tv and I will put you on the list. Can you imagine if hundreds of people started concentrating on being Christ in the little things every day? That is just what we want to do. Whether you live in Harrisburg or around the world, be a part this holiday season.

"There are many people who can do big things,
but there are very few people who will do
the small things."
Mother Teresa

Girl on Mission

Several weeks ago my daughter decided she wanted to help people in Harrisburg. We were talking and she decided she wanted to help the situation of the homeless population. Caitlyn decided she was going to make some hats for the homeless. In the cold winters, this is how she could help them in their situation.

This afternoon we went downtown and she saw a homeless man and lady under the bridge. She didn't have her hats but she new they were in the car. She came back to the car and got her hats and we went back to the bridge.

At the bridge we met Bill, George and Linda. We told them that Caitlyn had made the hats and would like to give them one. They were so thankful. As we walked away we noticed something, immediately they put their hats on and were smiling as they were talking. Did she change the course of their life, probably not. Her actions did however provide comfort to someone who needed it.

I am proud of Caitlyn, she brought tears to my eyes...she is being the hands of feet of Christ. Her actions reminded me of quote, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." This quote by Mother Teresa was lived out in Caitlyn's life today. What would happen if each of us did little things every day? Sometimes as we "grow up" we look for the big tasks while forgetting that the little things are what bring smiles and comfort to people every day. When we see people, I hope we look on them with compassion and then immediately are moved to serve.

When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd.
At the sight of them, his heart broke
Mark 6:34 (MSG)

Thoughts on Today

Today I had the privledge of teaching at ExponentialChurch.tv. In cased you missed it you can hear it here . I loved the opportunity to talk about ways that I have learned to overcome the unrealistic expectations that I create.

As you go through the holidays, remember:

* Be Thankful - spend some time journaling what you are thankful for...use facebook...use a blog but find some way to share what you are thanful for.

* Make a Difference - look for ways to make a difference in the life of someone this holiday season...we are doing "RANDOM ACTS OF CHRISTMAS"...these will be simple ways that you can make a difference in the life of people you come in contact with everyday...if you want to take part, whether a part of exponentialchurch.tv or not, let me know you're email and we will email you daily the week of Christmas with a new assignment,

* Remember the gift of Christmas - turn to Christ and talk with Him about your expectations. Remember the reason for Christmas is restoring the relationship with Him.

I Hate the Holidays - Not what I expected

It has been nearly a month since I have blogged. It has been one of the busiest months of my life. We have gotten our LifeGroups off the ground as well as our first YouMatter project and the second in just a couple of weeks. This Sunday I have the awesome privilege and responsibility to teach at the weekend experience of ExponentialChurch.tv. If you are in Harrisburg or want to come, I would love to see you.

Everyone has expectations at that Christmas holiday. From presents to decorations to family, the list could go on and on. How do you deal with the expectations when it turns out to be not what you expected. The picture above is one of my favorite pictures. Too bad the holidays can't be exactly like the picture I have in my head. We are going to look at the story of Mary, a story from the disciples and see how they handled unmet expectations. Look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Despite popular opinion, I do like Christmas, just not what the holidays have become. This Christmas I am excited, our church has decided to be the church rather than focusing on our self. All to often Christmas is about a club that meets in it's church building, celebrating the holidays in a way that makes us feel good and with language we understand. NOT THIS YEAR.

We are embarking on the Contagious Christmas Challenge. We are encouraging each other to give to help families in need rather than just spend and celebrate on our self. The month of November we are receiving money in order to put together a package that will include gifts for the kids and grocery cards for the family. We are truly trying to do this with no agenda other than the love of Christ. Join us wherever you are...take the challenge...you don't have to send money to us, you can if you like. Be assured that 100% of what comes in will go to truly needy families. You can also do the same thing wherever you are.

The key is, find ways to make people understand that Christmas is about giving to those in need. Christ gave to those in need, He gave something we couldn't get for ourselves and that is what Contagious Christmas Challenge is about. Giving something that they couldn't get for themselves. WHY...because God loves them and so do we.

Eye Opening Lunch

Today, Tammie and I had the privilege of going to Paxton Street Ministries and have lunch with Jodie Smiley (Executive Director), Jen Smith (Volunteer Coordinator) and the residents of this ministry.

As we walked in and were waiting for our appointment, a lady began talking with Tammie, they talked about family and kids. The joy on her face was apparent as she told Tammie about her grandkids and the adventures of her life.

Jodie and Jen took us on a tour of the facility and then we sat down in the dining room for lunch. We ate lunch with a woman whose husband was no longer living and diagnosed bi-polar, she shared with us how much she loves when people come and talk with her. She shared how thankful she is for a place to stay, her goal is to become a licensed mental health professional. She reads and loves to draw. She was a dear lady who has been homeless and for the first time at nearly 50 learning to take care of herself in a way that is acceptable to society.

As we had lunch laughed and talked, and then left, I was reminded of a verse in proverbs...

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

I had to ask myself some tough questions...

Do I "despise my neighbor" by talking about what I can't do rather than doing what I can?

Do I "despise my neighbor" by being to busy to find my God given talent and using it to make a difference in the world?

Do I "despise my neighbor" by ignoring rather than doing things to help those less fortunate than I.

How are you being generous to the poor. Remember, being generous is not just financially.

Halloween With A Purpose

My passion in life is to help individuals live missionally. The hard part is that in order to truly live missionally you must change your lifestyle. For most of us, our faith community baggage has instilled is us an event mentality. That is we come to church, event, we go on a missions trip, event, we invite someone to a special event, event and the list goes on. Let me make it clear that all these things are good, but they are events that we build up to and they become segregated form the rest of our lives.

Missional living is really a lifestyle that we live and do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I am having a blast helping people look at their lives and ask how can I "be the church" all week long.

In an effort to help, our church is encouraging our people to use Halloween to make a difference. We are encouraging them to leverage the fact that the entire neighborhood will come to their door and the fact that their family has the freedom to go to every door in our community.

Tomorrow night some neat things are happening, some people are getting together and inviting neighbors to a soup dinner to show they care and then passing out invitations to all the kids for our children's ministry.

Someone else is going door to door to pass out candy rather than ask for it...others are having chili and inviting others to stay and talk...

What are you doing? How are you leveraging what society is doing to make an impact for the kingdom?

I would encourage you to live missionally. Look for unique opportunities every day to share the love of Christ with those around you.

KIDMO Volunteer

This morning was our second official service at EC.tv. This morning was awesome. I had the privilege of serving under Chelsea Miller, our children's ministry director. Let me say, she is doing an awesome job.

This morning I had the privilege of being wild and crazy, yes wild and crazy at church. We were wild and crazy because we are excited that God has allowed us to impact children with life changing principles.

During our small group time, I got to coach 4th and 5th graders on what it means to "love the limits." They talked about limits their parents and God puts on them. They began to understand that the limits God puts on us are for our benefits. Some of the kids in my group never thought of God as loving in the "limits". I loved this morning because it reminded me that God is loving all the time. Thanks Chelsea and all the children's ministry volunteers for teaching even the adults as you serve.

The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. I John 5:2

ExponentiaLChurch.tv Day 2

ExponentialChurch.tv is officially up and going. Yesterday was our first "official" Sunday morning experience. The band did a great job, "Misery" by Maroon 5 set the stage well for Gilbert's first Urban Legends talk. Chelsea did an awesome job with the kids. The impressions team and volunteers were awesome. It's now Monday and we have six more days till we do it again. I hope we are not going to sit around this week just waiting for the next awesome experience.

The vision for EC.tv is not just what happened yesterday, we are excited to be the church seven days a week. Sunday we come together to celebrate, invite, worship, learn and make God known. We are to live the rest of the week being a blessing. We desire for us to BE THE CHURCH every day of the week. How do we do this, by understanding that every day we can make a difference. Gilbert, our lead pastor, says every person wants three things, a smile, a word and an appropriate touch.

A good place to start is by understanding our words, our facial expressions and small acts of kindness can make a huge impact in the lives of people. Let me ask you to take a six day challenge, find one person each day until Sunday that you can impact with a smile, kind word and act of kindness. As you are doing this, invite them to your faith community this Sunday. Accept the challenge and you will be surprised at what happens.

CONFESSION

This Sunday will be a momentous day in my life. Looking back over the last several years, I know that God has been preparing me for this. The launch of ExponentialChurch.tv.

The past several months I have been part of a team that has passed out nearly 10,000 fliers and cards, Held 6 community events, two preview services, countless hours at starbucks, panera, borders and other places letting others know about what God is desiring to do, spent time preparing for lifegroups and YouMatter and too many other tasks to mention.

Gilbert has his talk prepared, (by the way, it's great, I've read it), Bill and the band have their set ready, Chelsea is ready for hundreds of kids, the serving matrix is set, we have a few more invites to make, with all of this done WHY AM I SO NERVOUS. After a restless night I realize why, I AM NOT IN CONTROL. There I said it, it is difficult when the results are not up to me. I am not saying I don't have a part in the preparation, but I realized that God has to work in the heart of people. I can't control who comes, I can only invite. I can't control who accepts Christ, I can only share. I can't control who joins LifeGroups, I can only prepare to be used by God. I can't make people serve, I can only offer service opportunities and ideas.

What can I do? I can pray and rest in the one who is in control. If you're like me, evaluate where you are putting your security.

IT'S TIME

It's hard to believe that 12 years ago this past Saturday my wonderful, beautiful, youngest child, Caitlyn was born. She has brought joy, excitement and life to our house. I can't imagine doing life without her.

As I was thinking back, I remember the night she was born, Tammie rolled over, literally, and said it's time. I jumped out of bed and began the process of getting ready to go to the hospital.

One of the the things that had to be done was to let the set of parents that was with us know that we were leaving, they were set to watch the kids. I walked into their room and whispered, "mom, dad". I did this several times, each time I increased the volume of my voice. Finally, I reached out and touched them lightly to try and wake them up. At that moment, they bolted up and let out a scream, then the other one did the same. It was one of the times in my life where I was frightened. The response from a dead sleep startled them and then startled me. This was an exciting and frightening experience.

Twelve years later, we are embarking on another experience that is both frightening and exciting. We have spent the last 4 months preparing for this Sunday. The day that ExponentialChurch.tv will be launched. In the same way that we have watched are daughter grow, mature and become a young woman, we are excited to watch EC.tv mature, grow and multiply over the next years.

HOW ABOUT YOU? Are you excited about being a part of a faith based community that you believe over the next twelve years will mature, grow and multiply? I don't know what God's plans are for the future, want to make Him laugh, tell Him your plans. But I do know that he desires to transform the world through His people, the church. CHOOSE TO BE A PART OF A REVOLUTION today.

WHAT IF ???

"What If" is one of those questions that has always inspired and motivited me in my spiritual journey. I have found that for many this is a very disturbing question. "What if" questions almost always lead to rethinking things that are comfortable for us. For example..."what if" we changed our life to truly match what Christ desires for us...."What If" we truly believed the world could be changed through the church...."What If" we did everything within our power to introduce those who are far from God to a personal relationship with God..."What If" we viewed our possessions as tools to be used for the kingdom... I could go on an on but you get the point.

This morning at church I was once again challenged with "What If". This morning it was "What If" the church truly followed Christ missional teaching and "What If" i truly lived the pattern that Jesus lived...

I don't have all the answers but I do know that my life will be changed and my leadership will be transformed as I contemplate this question. I want you to ask yourself...WHAT IF....

Tech Support For Marriage

Thought I would just throw in a funny blog from a workshop I attended last night. Enjoy.


Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as
* Romance 9.5 and
* Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as

* NBA 5.0,
* NFL 3.0 and
* Golf Clubs 4.1.

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system.

* Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?

Signed,

Desperate.



DEAR DESPERATE,

First, keep in mind,
* Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while
* Husband 1.0 is an operating system.

Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0update.
* If that application works as designed, Husband1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1.
* Please note that Beer 6. 1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources.)

In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0-program .These are unsupported applications and will crashHusband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve me mory and performance. We recommend
* Cooking 3.0 and
* Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck Babe!

Tech Support

21st Century New Testament Church

This past week I had the privilege of attending a church multiplication workshop. The workshop was called 21st Century New Testament Churches. Terry Broadwater shared philosophical paradigms that must shift if the church is going to be truly missional in it's struggle to reach the far from God. I want to share some of these with you.

IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY MEMBER OR MINISTRY PARTNER

Membership brings about some concepts that are just not biblical. It denotes,ownership, rights, privileges and consumerism (coming to get). Christ made it clear that we have no rights (Romans 12) and the we have come to serve...do we view our churches as places where we are a minister to everyone.

IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY MISSION PROJECTS OR MISSIONAL PEOPLE

I am not saying that mission projects are not important, but our emphasis in missions must be to build up missional people. We can spend thousands of dollars on projects and not fulfill our responsibility of training people to take seriously their responsibility to bring redemption to the world.

There were many others, but these two resonated with me. Think through other shifts that we must make in order to be a 21st Century New Testament Church.

One other challenge I received that day...

WE MUST RAISE KINGS RATHER THAN SHEPHERDS

Our ideas of Shepherds is that of someone who only cares for the sheep. Those that already have a relationship with Christ. Christ has not called us to do that, he has gifted us to that, but that alone is not our mission. Rather let us look at raisins kings. Kings know how to take cities for their master. They have a confidence, not arrogance, that allows them to attempt and accomplish great things for God. Kings view their responsibilities in light of expanding the kingdom. How are we going to train the next generation leaders.

I hope this has sparked some thinking in your mind regarding Missional Churches. Continue to think, plan and dream to make God's church the most effective possible.

Excersize by Osmosis

This morning I got up and went downstairs, my wife was hard at work exercising so I sat down and began working on my computer. She got to a new part of the video and sat down to figure out how to accomplish the kickboxing move. I looked up from my computed and laughed. Tammie asked, "can you gain muscle by watching". We got a good laugh.

I began to think about how our Christian life often resembles the question she asked. Can we become mature by just watching. We watch as someone teaches us on Sunday, we watch as others teach us at small groups, we watch as others come and tell us about there spiritual adventures, we watch as we read about others living the Christian life, we watch...

As we look at Christ example of maturity, we must do. Too often we watch and learn but never begin exercising for maturity. How much more fit will we be if we actually do what God expects. What does he expect. He expects us to begin sharing the redemptive story by our actions. These actions are intentional loving acts that will show the love of Christ as we try to tell them of the ultimate love of Christ.

Look at your life, when was the last time you actually "exercised", I am not talking about reading your Bible (although I do recommend you do that), I mean actually living out what it says, feeding the poor, caring for the widow, playing with a fatherless or motherless child, listening to the life story of the oppressed.

Begin today, find someone you can share redemptive love with and do it. You can't gain muscle by watching.

IS YOUR GOAL THE DESTINATION

The other morning my family and I took a half day hike on the Appalachian trail. The hike took us to a beautiful overlook of the valley. The hike there wasn't that hard...we were looking at the new sites, exploring, taking in the scenery and enjoying the company. We passed another hiker and had a great talk about values and what things we meditate on. We had some food we had carried in, had a great lunch enjoying the view. We loved it.

Then came the hike back...some were starting to get tired, grumpy ready to be done. We had arrived at our destination, it was more than we expected and then the journey continued. All we could think about was tired legs, rocky terrain and things in the way of getting back. For Tammie,it was fear of snakes...we saw a four to five foot snake...the boys loved it, the girls not so much. Finally after the hike back we arrived at the care ready to be done. On the journey there excitement and anticipation, the continued journey back, let down and disappointment, a hard road and a different outlook.

As contemplated on our attitudes, I realized the journey to the outlook and the journey back were the exact same trail. In fact we saw some better things on the way back...the snake, a squirrel trying to bury food and some cool insects, but the joy wasn't the same. Why? THE DESTINATION WAS OUR GOAL. I wonder how often we go through life and we get our eyes focused on the destination, getting kids through school, finishing college, promotion at work, paying the bills. We are excited when the journey takes us somewhere exciting but when the summit is met we become discontent.

What do we need to do...change our goal. Instead of the goal being the destination, what if the goal became the journey. The destinations are blessings along the way, but those are not what we strive for. What if the journey was our destination. I think we may take more joy in the little things everyday, we probably would look at each day as an opportunity to make a difference.

The Bible puts it this way..."Choose you today who you will serve..." our destination is daily choosing to follow Christ. The mountain tops are great, we love to remember them, but we must remember that we are not meant to live there and we must stop trying. Remember life is a journey...ENJOY THE JOURNEY AS MUCH AS THE DESTINATION.