What a Morning!

We had an incredible morning on Thursday climbing 'Mount Castle' - okay, it's not quite a mountain - but it is a pretty big rock! It never ceases to AMAZE me the hunger the men of our community have to come together to make themselves and one another better - Praise God!


We have a God who not only invited us to call Him Creator, but Heavenly Father. While we were at the 'summit', it was easy to see that we have an awesome God that is an incredible creator. We could see practically more than a hundred miles in every direction. The beauty and majesty of His creation is breathtaking. But what makes me even more at awe is that God not only invited us to call Him The Creator, but Heavenly Father. He wants a personal relationship with us - now that is exciting!


This really struck me as I was talking to the other JounneyMEN. I thought to myself, "It's all about relationships".


I could be climbing this rock myself, and it may be okay. But what if I slip? I don't think I could have or would have wanted to go any higher if Matt weren't standing in the spot that was a little scary - but I trusted him and I kept moving ahead...



Matt is a Fire Fighter and I knew that I could trust him. He stood at the scariest place on the climb and encouraged everyone as they passed this area - reassuring everyone and telling them exactly where to step. It gave me comfort that he was standing there and it help alleviate my fears (and the fears I had for the others in the group). It gave me confidence and security knowing that he was standing there.





Isn't this similar to our faith? When it is strong, we move - we climb with confidence! Just knowing He is there, we are able to trust and feel more safe. As a leader, you feel more confident because He is there at the scary places on the 'mountain' for your people. God is the ultimate Fire Fighter! He is the ultimate encourager. On the other side, what if our faith is weak? We hesitate, we become paralyzed with fear and uncertainly. God does NOT want this for us!


Wow! God wants me to call Him Father. He wants relationship just as He built us for relationship with one another. He is there for me. Helping me along the climb. Now that is amazing!





On top of The Rock, we prayed (together) for the community - specifically the men, the families, the businesses and all of the churches. We focused outward, symbolically and vowed to remember that we will continue to look outward as this is what God told us to do.



We concluded by joining hands and reciting the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, The Lord's Prayer before descending down again.

What a way to start the morning. Knowing that the hills I climb, I don't have to climb alone. Our Heavenly Father is there and so are the JourneyMEN...