The path that leads to beauty...

The older I get the more I love to hike or hit a trial. There is nothing like getting off the pavement and trekking with my family. The best hike is one I haven't conquered before, to see the new sights, wild life, or my choice of late, ending at the beauty of a waterfall.

Many times, on these journeys, the path is worn down and easy to follow, maybe even having trail marker or signs to guide you. This makes it just about impossible to get lost. Sometimes there is a fork in the path and I try make an educated decision on which way to go, many times there are many other sub-trials people have carved to lead off to an overlook or something else that would distract you from the end goal. But even still, most times it's crystal clear the way that leads to the goal.

I'm finding in my spiritual journey it's much the same as the hikes that I love.

I know the path I'm supposed to be on, it's clearly marked, I know how I should walk. I know where I'm supposed to go, act, speak and live. But many times I choose a different path, knowing it will lead to no where good. The path Christ calls us to walk leads to beauty.

I know the path. I know how I should walk, Lord help me to stay on your path which You have clearly marked.

B

Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 

A Titanic Mistake...

I was hoping we let go of the Titanic, even though Jack whispered "I'll never let go." The Titanic has re-emerged and is back in theaters and in 3-D no less. I know many are excitied, (James Cameron's bank account, and all most every female) but for myself it reminds me of the first huge mistake I made in youth ministry, an iceberg I didn't see coming and had no idea was there.  

I was in my rookie year of youth ministry at a loving and encouraging church in the small town of Milford, KY serving as their weekend youth guy while attending Bible College. I decided it was time for a blockbuster outing for our group so we set sail in our 15 passenger old school Dodge church van (which was the size of a boat) into town. We docked the van and walked up to the ticket counter and each said these words, "One for Titanic"...from then on the night began to sink.

My mistake was this: discernment. I had not previewed the movie, my college friends, the press and the media gave it glowing reviews. I added the reviews to the amazing reports and the box office numbers to equal this must be a great movie. It was for a while, but much like the captain I was in uncharted waters, not previewing the movie myself. Queue the steamy window scene in the car, and then the scene that sunk me Jack Dawson sketching Rose in the nude. I did not feel like "the king of the world", I wanted to jump over board.

I learned a lot about discernment that night. I learned that as a captain of the ship, as the leader, I must know where the boat is heading and the dangers that may lurk in the waters. Discernment in life and leadership is so very important. Take it from me you're not unsinkable.