Get off the beaten path.

I am someone who absolutely adores nature, although sometimes the idea of it is easier to enjoy when you have children. You imagine a beautiful day at the park, maybe a picnic, but most of the time is spent hoping they don't run off too far or get too dirty. But just like my last post, I stand corrected. Let the reigns loose a little bit, but go with them. Explore. Discover. Get lost just enough to find your way back, and get dirty enough to mark the amazing experience.

Cell phones have GPS, and clothes can be washed (or thrown away!).

My love for nature has led me on a spiritual adventure, because the great outdoors can teach us many spiritual lessons. No, it's not found through meditating next to a waterfall or hugging even the nicest looking tree. Although a simple walk through nature can show us the magnificent wonders of creation, it's the challenges we are willing to accept which teach us most. God sometimes speaks through a still small voice, but you'll never hear a tree talk to you (no matter how much the hippie folk claim it's true). God gave us mountains to admire, but also to climb (and never to fear!). God gave us a vast landscape, but He also gave us narrow roads. Sometimes, we have to go "off the beaten path," or "off-trail" to discover those little hidden grottoes that others may tend to overlook.

Write a story that someone else hasn't, but make sure it's the truth. God has a simple plan for everyone. That plan cannot be changed, but once your journey with Him has begun by taking the proper steps, there's no telling where He will lead you next! These are the types of values I am trying to instill into my kids. Some perimeters are set in place for us for our protection. We are human, we can get hurt, and we need them. It's common sense! After all, we all need someone to lean on, right?! But once you get that safety harness on, you're ready to take the biggest leap of faith of your life! Acts 2:38 is your security blanket & everlasting life insurance-and your ticket to life & life more abundantly while you get out in this big, beautiful world and EXPLORE!

Why is that?

Because you repent & release whatever is holding you back. Next, you get baptized in Jesus' Name (full immersion under the water and under His Name=FULL COVERAGE!). Next, you receive His Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in new tongues (the Spirit of God within you acts as a spiritual compass to keep you on track...while going off-trail!). WARNING: God will always lead you off-trail. His way is not the way of the crowd-it's very different, but very worth it! Check this out:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

ASK GOD FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN! JESUS IS A GOD OF VICTORY...AND ADVENTURE!

Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. Joshua 4:12

I am looking forward to MANY more hikes, challenges & outdoor adventures this summer with the kids. I can't wait! Stay tuned for them in our "Fun" section. God's got us, so what do we have to worry about? ;)