habichradio’s Neighborhood

Do you ever just feel like you're in a slump??

(I hate it when you get to feeling that way.)

Lately I have just felt like nothing I planned is going my way.. but whats funny is that its all in God's timing.

I was thinking about my summer and how it went..

I had alot of fun and there were a couple adjustments I had to make, none that were easy but they were neccessary.

I love it when you get so caught up in a situation and try to figure out how to make it right... but what I had to learn was that I need to trust in God at those times and not give up. I have to give Him thanks for what he has already given me.

He is so good!

For the last couple of weeks I have felt a sadness in my spirit and couldn't quite put my finger on it and even now, I'm unsure if these next words are the reason why; but, I believe that they are a part of it.

I have recently heard more Christians then not say that they are unable to minister, witness, or speak The Word of God about how a person should conduct themselves because they don't want to come across as judgmental, critical, or that they are dealing with their own sins.  Huh??!!!

As Christians if we are walking around with secret sins then we should hit our knees and cry out to God for His delivering power. I know someone is thinking that we have all sinned and fall short....Yes! Repent and move forward.  But if we are in a place where our voice has been stifled then that is a major problem.  This is totally a trick of the enemy. 

I am almost to the point of saying Christ follower instead of Christian because it's such a broad term these days.  Whom Jesus has set free is free indeed. If we have run back to the prison cells that held us captive then we need to look in the keyhole and SEE that the key is still in it. Those who are Christ followers are free from the laws of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  Verse 1 says that There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. So if you are walking in the flesh turn, repent and be set free.

I'm not sure where this defeatist spirit has come from, but surely it's straight from hell. Let us send it back to it's origin.  Let us remember what God said about us.  If you think that you are defeated, remember that you are victorious (1 John 5:4). If you feel weak, remember that you are strengthened by His Spirit (Eph 3:16).  If you feel lost, remember that you are His follower (Eph 5:1).  If you feel that you are in a dark place, remember that He is the light in you (Eph 5:8).  If YOU feel enslaved, remember that you are more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37).

Stop quoting the scriptures and simply believe and live the scriptures. 

This is the beginning of persecution for the "real" Christ follower and we must stand on The Word of God.  Do not be fearful of man, but of God (Matt 10:28).

Do not allow your voice to be silenced. Greater is He that is in YOU then he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). The Holy Spirit in you is much greater than the darkness that is in this world.

Do not conform to what the world tolerates to simply get along with others. Speak what The Word says and allow God to do the rest. Be led by the Spirit of the Lord and do not be condemned because of what the enemy is speaking to your mind. Lay your flesh upon the altar and allow God to do what He does. You are victorious.

Buck up Christian and let us be about our Father's business.

God Bless!

View looking east toward Cascade Pass

The placard read that for 3000 years indigenous peoples had been using this path, the trail we were on, as a trade route from Eastern Washington to Western Washington. In the late 1800’s the white settlers and miners came, using the same path to make inroads into the mountains to rake them of their minerals, mostly copper ore.

Glacier above Horseshoe Basin

Horseshoe Basin became a side trip for us on our second day in the North Cascades: two miles from our camp at Basin Creek and about 8.5 miles from the Cascade Pass trailhead.

There’s a remnant of a mine here. There’s also an immense amount of beauty.

Thirteen waterfalls cascade from the rim of the mountain above which resides a glacier constantly feeding the valley below.

Not a bad idea.

The logistics for shipping might be tough, but it had been worked out before with copper ore. Wonder if the National Parks system would be up for it?

One of my favorite pastors and authors, Mark Batterson, has released his new book, Wild Goose Chase:  Reclaiming the Adventure of Chasing God.

One of the main reasons I like Mark's books is he puts forth very thought provoking statements and questions that require action on my part.  Mark is living a life of adventure with God, so let's join him! 

If any of the question below resonate with you, then Wild Goose Chase is a must read for you.

• Have you ever been stressed out trying to figure out God's will for your life.
• When you don't know where you are going, do you worry or think "this is an adventure."
• Is your life boring or are you ready for a breakthrough?
• Do you follow the Spirit or do you ask the Spirit to follow you?
• Are you trying to tame God because you want things to be predictable?

Check out the intro to the book below.

Summary:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect.

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction.

You can purchase the book from any of the retailers listed below.
 

www.familychristian.com;

www.amazon.com;

www.cbd.com

I was at camp all last week and it was such an amazing experience getting to be apart of facilitating life change in young people!  One of the topics that arose during the week was putting down on paper a list of things you want in a significant other.  While most of our young people aren't of age or have had enough life experience to really know what they should actually write down, I still believe this was an important part of what was conveyed during camp.  Guess what else?  I was totally convicted because until this point I've never done it!

That's not to say that I haven't thought about it carefully during the 23 years of my life.  In all honesty it took me longer to find where I'd stored Microsoft word on my hard drive than it did to actually write down all the important points of the list.  I think it's good though that I've finally put it down so that the next time I get twitter pated I can pull out the list and make a practical assessment of the object of my light headed joy.  It's been several months now since that's happened fortunately.

I really think it has a lot to do with a contentment to be with God, rather than a lack of potential.  I know several young woman that I'd like the opportunity to get to know better.  But the fact is that I'm at peace over the whole subject, I'm not in any rush to mess with the place God has brought me to.  I'm happy to be His!  I'm not sharing the list because I think it falls into the category of TMI for most people that would stumble across this blog.  If you are in fact planning on encouraging me to get to know someone, by all means ask me for the list and I'll let you have it.

If you're reading this and you haven't a clue what it means to be content with being single, let me just encourage you that for a long time I was right there.  Almost 10 years to be honest.  I'm finally allowing God to be number one in my life.  I finally got my priorities on order, I've allowed myself to relinquish control, I trust Him with my whole life, including whether or not I get married.  Trust Him!

We stood there a week ago at the trailhead, shifting from one foot to the other, eyeing the sign, and getting comfortable with the weight in our packs. The sign stated 31.5 miles to Stehekin, 3.7 miles to Cascade Pass, 7.2 miles to Basin Creek - our evening destination.

Three young men step past us. They are all geared up with ice ax, crampons and ropes. “Where you headed,“ states one. “Stehekin,” is the reply. “Cool!” we hear from brush.

“Glad we let them go ahead of us,” I smile at my companion. “You ready?” He nods his consent with a grin. “Well, here we go!” taking the first step on to the trail.

Six switchbacks later, I turn around and ask, “How ya doing?”

“It’s a real nice trail, but it’s hot.”

My companion - fully loaded

Fourteen switchbacks and two stops…, I’m happy we started early in the day.

By the 23^rd switchback, I fear a mutiny.

We stop and rest while other hikers pass us by. They smile and make a comment or two. Everyone seems impressed we’re hiking to Stehekin. I’m thinking we must have missed something while picking up our backcountry permit and talking with the ranger at Marblemount.

He said it was grueling, but I thought it in reference to the Sahalee Arm portion of the trail. He said there were switchbacks, but didn’t relate that the entire 3.7 miles consisted of them!

Looking West toward Marblemount

Getting closer to the pass!

On the bright side, the trail was truly magnificent. It is a good two feet wide, reasonable grade (for those without 30- to 40-pound packs) well-maintained, and the vista’s couldn’t be beat!

 We’d make it. It was just a matter of time.

I've been grounded from running.  After Wednesday of last week my shins were real sore and Dr. Karen Pearson diagnosed me with shin splints.  After consulting with Dr. Bill Davis and Dr. Kyle Davis, I believe Karen was right.  So, Dr. Bill grounded me from running until my poor ol' shins are better.  I really don't think I could run anyway.  Just trying to power shop for groceries gets them "fired up".  Good news is they are getting better and I do have an email in to an "expert" to see how I avoid this problem again.  Since this is a new sport for me any info would be appreciated.

 “Where are we going? I don’t know. How we gonna get there? I ain’t certain. All I know is I am on my way!”  A little ditty from the musical Oklahoma…, or was it Wagons Ho?

We began on a beaten track, but not a road track. This is a track for hikers. It is well-worn and well-loved. It is a part of my dream. Only a snippet, mind you, but it is a start. A piece that came true and I am so inspired to continue.

PCT & final night's camp

It was late when we arrived so we had to camp at the trailhead.

My Cohort & Dropoff Crew

A place called Johannesburg Campground in the North Cascades. My little cohort, was beside himself and couldn’t fall asleep, he was so excited to hit the trail and the adventures that lay beyond. Lucky for him I brought, Drive to Win by Carroll Smith! I read aloud the first chapter while the light faded from the dusk. We both laughed at the comic way Mr. Smith presents the facts required to be a racing driver.

My travel partner mentioned he thought it funny I brought the book along. To which I wryly replied with a shrug of my shoulders, “Well, it was in the car. It was either this or Reality Dysfunction (by Peter F. Hamilton). I have enough dysfunction with my reality.” He wryly returned my smile and commented that at least I didn’t bring my racing gear. (Very funny!)

I could see this was going to be a long trip!

Both of us woke in the middle of the night to a thundering sound as glacial ice melted and rocks broke loose from the side of the mountain opposite our camp. You could hear them tumbling, falling into the pitch black of the night. It was so dark, we were momentarily disoriented. You couldn't see the sides of the tent. This must be what it's like to be  blind; such a deep, rich black that causes your other senses to heighten and fear to seize its tenacious hold over you.

With morning came comic relief.

View from a head

Morning chamber pot

Ah! The wonders of the great outdoors!

We are called to live our faith, not just talk about it.  Here is an example of someone who had to live it!

TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE

John McCain and the POW church riot

‘There were many times I didn’t pray for another day and I didn’t pray for another hour — I prayed for another minute to keep going.’

By Jill Zuckman | Chicago Tribune correspondent

August 15, 2008

HARRISBURG, Pa. — They called it the church riot.
Sen. John McCain, who is known for his reticence and even discomfort invoking faith on the campaign trail, was once dubbed a "Hell’s Angel" for rioting against his captors in Vietnam in order to hold Sunday church services.
It is a story unknown by a public still getting to know McCain and searching for shared values with the candidates. This Saturday, McCain and Sen. Barack Obama will separately answer questions from evangelical leader Rick Warren at his Saddleback Church in Southern California.
In an extended interview, McCain talked about how his faith was tested during his years as a prisoner of war from 1967 to 1973, said God must have had a plan for him to have kept him alive, and reminisced about his appointment as informal chaplain to his cellmates.

"There were many times I didn’t pray for another day and I didn’t pray for another hour — I prayed for another minute to keep going," said McCain, who was brought up Episcopalian but now worships at North Phoenix Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist church. "There’s no doubt that my faith was strengthened and reinforced and tested, because sometimes you have a tendency to say, ‘Why am I here?’ "
McCain said his faith in God informs his decisions on issues of public policy. Christian conservatives are skeptical of McCain’s commitment to many of the issues they care about, such as abortion and marriage. They have also been disappointed in his embrace of embryonic stem cell research. But McCain said he wrestled with that decision and hopes technology soon renders it obsolete.
Although polling suggests voters view faith as an essential ingredient in a president, McCain has never been a candidate to invoke God or dwell on religion. "In our case, faith is private," said his wife, Cindy, adding that once voters get to know him, "they will know he is a man of faith."
In Vietnam, McCain’s fellow prisoners say their faith was a matter of life and death. "We knew we had to have some belief greater than ourselves," said Orson Swindle, a Marine captain who spent six years in captivity.
The prisoners had developed a tap code system for communicating through the walls. Through that tapping, "we decided we needed to be all on the same sheet of music at least one time during the week," Swindle said.

Cough for church

The prisoners decided that every Sunday, after they had eaten their rice, the highest-ranking officer would cough loudly and say the letter ‘c’ for church. The prisoners would then say the Pledge of Allegiance, the Lord’s Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. The psalm was said in plural: "Yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil."
Prisoners used diarrhea pills mixed with cigarette ash—or charcoal or dirt—to write lines of Scripture and surreptitiously share them.
The church riot erupted after U.S. Special Forces raided a site about 40 miles from Hanoi trying to rescue prisoners who, it turned out, were no longer there. The Vietnamese, fearing more such raids, rounded up American POWs and moved them from other outlying camps into Hanoi. That meant an end to isolation, as dozens of prisoners were packed together.
"We agreed that we were going to have a church service and told the Vietnamese, and they said no," recalled fellow prisoner Bud Day. But on Feb. 12, 1970, the prisoners went ahead anyway, holding a service and singing songs.
"The Vietnamese broke in and seized the people who were standing against the wall doing the service," Day said. "They marched them out of the room at gunpoint. So I stood up and started singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ ‘God Bless America,’ ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ and every song we could think of."
The Vietnamese stormed back in, putting a definitive end to the service.
"We wanted to actually just have a chance to do what we felt was a fundamental human right … and we got spiritual comfort from being able to worship together," McCain said. "We thought, look, if we’re going to be together, then we’re going to stand up. … They’d done so many bad things that we weren’t nearly as afraid of them as maybe we would have been if a lot of us hadn’t gone through what we’d gone through."
For their efforts, guards moved McCain, Day, Swindle and about 20 others to a camp where the conditions were unsanitary and prisoners fell ill.
About six months later, they were back in the ironically named Hanoi Hilton, and Day, the senior officer, chose McCain as the group’s chaplain. His first lesson — he doesn’t like to call them sermons — recounted the biblical story of the man who asked Jesus whether he should pay taxes. Jesus replied, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render unto God what is God’s."
McCain’s point was that the prisoners should not pray for freedom, nor for harm to come to their captors.
"What I was trying to tell my fellow prisoners is that we were doing Caesar’s work when we got into prison, so we should ask for God’s help to do the right thing and for us to get out of prison if it be God’s will for us to do so," McCain said. "Not everybody agreed with that."
Swindle said he understood McCain’s talk to mean that "the God we had come to know wasn’t going to wave a magic wand and ‘poof,’ we would all be free. The God we knew would give us the strength to endure what we had to do, and it was up to us to take that strength and knowledge and do what we had to do."
McCain also recalls a Christmas service he orchestrated. A week before the holiday, McCain’s guards let him out of his cell and gave him a pencil, a piece of paper and a King James Bible. He copied sections of Matthew, Mark and John describing the birth of Christ so he could read them aloud while other POWs sang "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Silent Night."
"I recall it as if it happened an hour ago," said McCain, sitting in a chair in a suite overlooking the Susquehanna River near the end of a day. "It was cold, the guards were looking through the windows at us, the room was dimly lit because of the light bulbs [that] were in each corner. These guys had beautiful voices, I’m telling you. One was a bass, one was a tenor. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I ever had."

‘I’m not a fatalist’

The men became tearful. "It wasn’t because they were sad," McCain added. "It was because they were so happy to be able to celebrate Christmas with fellow Americans."
McCain’s friends say they believe God had a plan for him, allowing him to survive to put him on the cusp of the presidency. He, too, acknowledges that idea, though cautiously.
"I can’t help but feel like that to some extent, and I’m not a fatalist," said McCain. "I think it’s remarkable that I’ve been able to survive so much and to have the opportunity to do the right thing. I do think we make our own choices, but certainly I think I was meant to serve a cause greater than my self-interest."