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Posted on July 21, 2006 ...

I am spending today with our Florida Camp team in route to Laguna Beach Christian Retreat just west of Panama City, Florida. So far, our journey has been without major incident. Anyone who has ever traveled with a group on a church bus or van knows that the odds of a mechanical breakdown, illness, or other disruption are very real. Thank you again for praying for our welfare during these days.
A long trip gives you a lot of time to think. Today I have pondered how items along our journey to camp teach lessons that are applicable along our journey through life.
Event: One of the van?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s rear tires looks low in air pressure. So we make a quick pit stop to get it inflated.
Lesson: It is wise to inspect, evaluate, and take appropriate steps to better ensure safety and success on our endeavors.
Event: Oops, I absentmindedly took the wrong turn at the Interstate 24-75 split.
Lesson: When you make a mistake, as quickly as possible, turn around as quickly as possible and go in the right direction.
Event: Several adults share driving duties.
Lesson: Sometimes you are the driver, determining the turns you make, and sometimes you are simply have to go along for the ride.
Event: As we approach a junction on our route, we are not sure which way to turn. So we stop to ensure our direction before continuing on.
Lesson: When uncertain of which way to go, stop and think to ensure you make the right choice.
Event: I usually like to navigate the course road-by-road and turn-by-turn. But on this trip we are in a caravan of several vehicles and simply follow the vehicle ahead of us in order to arrive at our destination.
Lesson: As we saw last Sunday, the Lord gives leadership to our life like a shepherd leads a flock to green pastures, still waters, and through the valley of the shadow of death. In life, far more important than knowing the way to go is knowing the one to follow.
Perhaps the real lesson is that there is always something to learn if we will just pay attention. What is God trying to teach you today?
Following our prayer time on Wednesday night, July 26, we will hold a continuation of our July Business Meeting. During this time, the Personnel Committee will recommend that Nathan Brown join our church staff as Interim Director of Student Ministries. A job description and r?ɬ©sum?ɬ© will be available this Sunday on the front pews of our sanctuary. Jay