Debut of climbinghigher.org!

Climbinghigher.org--the teaching arm of Athelas Outdoor Ministry, Inc. debuted its online "Story of the Day" today. You can go to www.climbinghigher.org daily to read a new story as you climb higher in your walk with the Lord. Marty is known at Athelas as an inspiring, encouraging and uplifting spiritual leader. We hope that his daily stories will also inspire, encourage and lift you up as you journey to know Jesus better. In the days ahead Climbinghigher.org will add more features and topics to aid in our spiritual walk. Stay tuned and join us each day. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions. Marty will take time to answer them!

Joyful Servants!

Joyful Servants! I wrote an entire year's worth of parochial day school bible studies on that topic one year...four studies a week for a nine month school year. I could dig it out of a file somewhere and see what I wrote about. But somehow, what I wrote is not the point. It is the images I recall of the 40 some volunteers I had working in the school that year that sticks with me. They were indeed joyful servants...even when a particular circumstance did not warrant joy. You see they had something more to give that circumstances could not erase. They followed the example of their Lord when he knelt down and washed the feet of his disciples just hours before his arrest and trial. They followed the example of their Lord who chose to serve by dying for them...and they wanted to pass that joy on to others. It was awesome then...and it is awesome now. Not only to remember those people but to continue through the years to see it in others as well...and that is what the images below illustrate for me. JOYFUL SERVANTS who gave of their time and their abilities to see that adventure retreats happened here at Athelas. Without such servants, Athelas Outdoor Ministry could not function. Even when the circumstances did not warrant a joyful heart, they gave it freely. So to all the joyful services rendered on behalf of this ministry, Athelas extends to you a huge hug of gratitude! Thanks for teaching, mentoring, building, cleaning outhouses, washing dishes, building fires, guiding, cooking, listening, encouraging and loving all those God sent our way this past year. May you continue in HIS service with a joyful heart so that others may know better how to follow in His Steps!

Courage

This young lady was no way going to rock climb. She was afraid of heights. No amount of logic would convince her she should at least try it. As a retreat participant she accompanied her class to the rock climbing destination. She followed suit in donning rock climbing gear. She listened to instruction and she followed it. She climbed rocks. Was it because she was no longer afraid of heights? No! But she learned to put her trust in something bigger than herself. The encouragement of instructors, peers and other adults helped her to have courage. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather fear taking a back seat to trust and encouragement. God asks us to be courageous in our faith life. He doesn't say we won't be afraid to share our faith. But He does ask us to trust him. As we receive encouragement from the 'cloud of witnesses' already gone ahead of us and from those in our daily lives, we too can climb the heights. God asks us to en'courage' others as well so they can be courageous witnesses to the faith. Does this young lady look like rock climbing was fun! You bet she does! It was one of her favorite activities! Courage made all the difference!



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