New Web-Site
Just wanted to let you all know:
I will still post to this site and do some sporadic maintainance on it - because I really like playing with it - but our main site has moved to
greatoutdoorendeavors.com.
There you will be able to find the most up-to-the-minute details of upcoming hikes and events, as well as the blog, and pictures, and other cool stuff. Soon, we'll even have Great OutDoor Endeavors logoed gear you can purchase, which means we'll even have a "shopping cart." How cool is that?
So, see ya at the new site -
Mike
Welcome……
To Great OutDoor Endeavors! Our ministry is focused on understanding God, via nature, using the Bible as our guide. God has many things to say about the world He created and how it relates to us, and us to Him.
Our hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor activities focus on God’s creation and bringing us closer to Him. Using short devotionals, creation “tidbits”, and the Bible, we will strive to lead you to a better understanding of His word and a closer relationship with Him.
Join us as we explore God's creation in the Great OutDoors!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Carry Your Own *Burden*!
Did you know: when you camp in the Grand Canyon and you have to "go", you know - have a (there's really no polite way to say this) bowel movement, that when you are finished you have to tote your own waste paper out with you. Seriously!
Now was I right? That's not something you would normally have cross your mind, but it makes perfect sense. There are no modern facilities out in the wild and when you think of the shear volume of people who visit, it makes sense that these things would, well, pile up after awhile.
After each, um, session, the paper will have to be sealed in a re-seal-able, plastic storage bag. We are going to have 8 people hiking and camping and I guarantee you that each person will be responsible for carrying their own bag out with them. Newsflash to those going, I will help carry just about everything else down into the Canyon - tents, sleeping bags, food - but I will NOT be helping to bear that particular burden. A guy's got to draw a line somewhere - this one is mine.
In the same way, the Bible makes it clear we are to help one another in some areas, but we are also to pull our own weight in others. Galatians 6:2 states, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." We then read, in Galatians 6:5, " For each one shall bear his own load." Contradiction? Not really.
First, we have to understand what "burden" is being referred to. The Greek word here is translated "weight". This would be the "heavy" part of our Christian walk, the part that we are able to carry for a short time, but, ultimately, is able to crush us. The sins and temptations we struggle with and sometimes overwhelm us are a good example. We are told to help one another carry these causes of sadness and defeated-ness, to help our fellow traveler to carry on and not be crushed by the failure/temptation/trials/afflictions/whatever negative, potentially debilitating feeling is present. Not to condone any wrongdoing, but to sympathize with a brother or sister who has fallen and needs help getting back up. Remember the pitiful cry of the woman in the commercial, "I've fallen and I can't get up!" We don't ever want a fellow Christ follower to be in that position. By fulfilling this action we "fulfill the law of Christ." Remember on which two commandments "hang all the Law and the Prophets; in particular the second one?" Here's a hint: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." When you fail, do you want to be beaten down, castigated, or ostracized, or do you want to be restored in a "spirit of gentleness". (Gal. 6:1) This is the "tent, sleeping bag and food" of our hike. It's the stuff that weighs us down and we would rather not have to carry, but it's a necessary part of the trip - for all of us.
The other load, in verse 5, is ours alone to bear. In fact, that's what the Greek word means - a load. It's a load that, while uncomfortable, is able to be carried by each one of us. Every one of us will give an account for our own actions, thoughts and words. How did you respond to that temptation? Did you obey when you felt the Spirit prompt you? Remember Christ's and Peter's conversation in John 21:21-22? This is our hikers full re-sealable bag.
Here's an example to help clarify:
Say a good, upstanding, normally above-reproach-righteousness, man fails to heed the warnings of Proverbs 7 and falls prey to seduction. Afterward, he knows he failed and is being crushed by the weight of the failure. Like it or not, we are called to restore this one to a right relationship, with love and without malice and condemnation, with God and the fellowship of believers. This is carrying his "burden."
At the same time, the knowledge of that failure never goes away. Sure, he can know he's forgiven, but that knowledge is always there. He will always carry his "load."
So fellow hikers, know this - I can, and will, always be available to help you carry your "burden," but you're on your own when it comes to bearing your "load." In fact, I wouldn't carry that one if you paid me ...
Coming Fall ‘09
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Meet Your Maker - On the River!
Kayaking/canoing and an overnight camp on the
Upcoming Hikes
Please let us know if you are interested in joining us, so that we don't leave you behind if you run late AND so we can notify you if we have to cancel. godendeavors@yahoo.com
**Please make sure that you re-check this site before leaving to meet us for any hikes. From time-to-time there will be changes in the schedule, due to weather or unforeseen problems. We will post changes as quickly as possible.
More Upcoming Events
Trip Is Full
Friday, July 21 - Sunday, June 23, 2009
Come ready to Meet Your Maker!
Contact Mike at godendeavors@yahoo.com for an itinerary and cost info.
*Details to follow.
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Meet Your Maker - Under the Stars!
Friday night, August 14, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Come join us as we watch the Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak.
We will enjoy God's handiwork and find God's provision and protection in this amazing event!
Bring a blanket or chair and your favorite drinks and snacks, then sit back and be amazed ...
*Cloud cover can cause viewing to be severely reduced. In the event of clouds/bad weather, the makeup date will be Saturday, Aug. 15.
Please contact Mike at godendeavors@yahoo.com for more information.
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