Caving Trip

I haven't been caving in over two years. Almost forgot how much fun it is to crawl around in the mud.

PettiJohn Cave in Lafayette, GA

Darren and Ransom in the Zturn

Pancake SQUEEZE

Top of Crawford-Pigeon Mountain

Change

I know a lot of people write about change and it is a good thing. However it is a hard thing to do.

Change is easy when we can see the benefit before the change. It is horribly hard when you cant see anything.

There is a story in the Bible were the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus said the famous line of "if you had faith like a mustard seed" and then continued on about a servant. He asked which one would serve his servant. (Luke 17:5-8) Well of course not the job of the servant is to serve.

I wonder if Jesus was hinting to the idea of change. If you want to increase your faith something has to change. It may be radical it may be simple but something has to change.

I wonder what needs to change for me to see an increase.

Great Books to Read

Just finished two great books from author Andy Andrews

The Wall

Why do we run off the path?
I was driving home coming south and entering unto another interstate when I saw the WALL. This wall served as a boundary and a divider. However the wall was marked by many travelers that veered off the path. Why? It was quite clear which direction the path (interstate) was going. Why would anyone want to try to go against the wall? I figured no one did it on purpose. It was an accident. Because of distractions they left the path.
How many times have I looked at or done something that has caused me to veer off the path. How many times have I been distracted with pride, temptation, an attitude, a judgement or whatever. I can honestly say I didnt mean to hit the wall but I did. I didnt mean to let my pride take over, but it did. I sure didnt mean to jump into temptation, but I did.
I thank G-d for the walls that remind us we are off the path and direct us accordingly.
Have you hit a wall lately? maybe it is a sign you are off the path.
How many people have hit the wall and gone off the path and need help back?

Just a thought

While praying and reading the Psalms I ran across a little scripture that packed a powerful punch. Psalms 119:144b "Give me understanding that I may live."
I am a person that desires to live; the other option is not something I would choose. I desire to live the fullest life G-d has for me. However I find myself not living to the fullest in areas from time to time. Why? Maybe it's because I have lost understanding and therefore lost life.
I need to pray for a new understanding for the day I am living.
We can learn a lot but do we understand what we know? Do I understand how to apply what I know? Do I seek to continue to learn and apply?
In every place we walk and interact with others we need understanding. I need it with my wife, kids, family and friends. I may know them but do I understand them.
I need a fresh understanding of my wife to see new life in our marriage. I need a fresh understanding of my kids (they are not babies anymore) to see life today. I need a fresh understanding of family and friends to add life.
Maybe our relationships are struggling because we have lost what it means to understand each other and therefore lost life.
You just don't understand!

What About Effort

“Always lead never follow”
Do you have the effort to lead and not follow? As I ride my bike uphill this word comes to mind again and again. Effort, Effort, effort, effort,effort, effort.

Leading takes effort – In a race you hit this idea called “The Wall.’ This is when your body and mind feels like giving up. You feel like you can’t go another step. This is when effort kicks in and you just keep going.
Effort defined is mental or physical energy that is exerted in order to achieve a purpose. Effort in leadership is staying in the leader’s position even when you are tired. Effort is going forward. Effort is taking another step. Leaders that exert this energy to overcome “The Wall” usually go far beyond what they thought they could.
Leaders have to put forth a strong effort.
Remember others are following if you are leading, but forth an effort.

Always Lead

As I strapped on my shoes for another bike ride I noticed a little tag attached to the top of my shoe. It said “Always lead never follow” interesting!
Although I don’t know if I believe in this fully, there are some great thoughts tied with this statement about leadership. We all have a race before us and we need to run it as if we will win. To win you have to lead.
Leading takes energy- There is one thing for sure, to lead in a race, you have to have energy to stay in front. This energy comes from many different sources. The food you take in, the liquid you drink and the rest your body needs. When it comes to leadership what you take in determines your place in the race. If you take in junk all the time you will not have the energy to stay up front. You may have a burst of energy that propels you to the front but that energy does not last. To stay in the leader’s position you have to consider your intake. What’s feeding you? What are you reading and looking to for wisdom? How are you spending your down time? Who are you listening to? Where does your energy come from?

More thoughts later.....