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Dan's Digest
I’ve spent nearly six months of my life living in the woods. It’s probably not going to
be something that will be written on my tombstone, but it certainly has been a rewarding
experience. Most of the time accumulated comes from wilderness camp. Many of you
have exceeded my record by many months (or years), with recreational camping or living
out of tents by necessity in the armed services.
So many lessons can be learned from living away from the comforts of home. In
August some men of the congregation are planning an out-of-state backpack trip for a few
days. None of us are tremendously experienced. Many of us are borrowing equipment for
the journey. (If you’re interested, the dates are August 5th, 6th & 7th. See Gary Smith
for details.) There is a possibility that we may not be totally prepared in some aspects of
the journey. Most of our number will readily admit that we’re not physically fit for the
journey. I’m sure hoping that frequent rest stops are planned on our daily routes. We may
be well onto the trail and realize that we’ve forgotten some very important gear. There will
be a few surprises along the way.
But. . . my guess is that we’ll discover quickly that we’ve taken too much! Group
members will see me huffing and puffing and sweating under the weight of my backpack.
(Maybe the cast iron skillet was a bit much.) Unused items will be put back in their place
on the basement shelf. We’ll learn the hard way the lesson that all experienced
backpackers know well. Travel light. (As a group we’re reading the book Traveling Light
by Max Lucado.)
It’s also a valuable lesson for life on planet earth. While you are dwelling here, don’t
attempt to take too much or keep too much for the journey. All of the stuff of life weighs
us down and becomes nothing more than a burden. If we’re not careful, abundant
possessions pull us away from the Creator.
The inspired Word of God in I Peter tells us to live our lives here as aliens and
strangers in the world. We’re not to be weighed down with such things as malice, deceit,
hypocrisy, envy and slander. Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled;
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (I Peter 1:13-15).
So. . . are you ready to drop some of your excess baggage? If anger is weighing you
down, get rid of it. If you find that envy is becoming a burden that you no longer wish to
bear, then drop it. Is the weight of lust or arrogance giving you a major pain in the back?
There’s good news for you. You can ditch it. The lighter the load, the better our ability
becomes to handle the journey.
It’s a joy to serve with you this summer. Strive diligently to be faithful to the Lord
wherever you are. Looking forward to being with you every Sunday as we meet together
for the purpose of fellowship, prayer, teaching from the Word of God and time spent
around the Lord’s Table as we take communion together.
In His love,
Dan
be something that will be written on my tombstone, but it certainly has been a rewarding
experience. Most of the time accumulated comes from wilderness camp. Many of you
have exceeded my record by many months (or years), with recreational camping or living
out of tents by necessity in the armed services.
So many lessons can be learned from living away from the comforts of home. In
August some men of the congregation are planning an out-of-state backpack trip for a few
days. None of us are tremendously experienced. Many of us are borrowing equipment for
the journey. (If you’re interested, the dates are August 5th, 6th & 7th. See Gary Smith
for details.) There is a possibility that we may not be totally prepared in some aspects of
the journey. Most of our number will readily admit that we’re not physically fit for the
journey. I’m sure hoping that frequent rest stops are planned on our daily routes. We may
be well onto the trail and realize that we’ve forgotten some very important gear. There will
be a few surprises along the way.
But. . . my guess is that we’ll discover quickly that we’ve taken too much! Group
members will see me huffing and puffing and sweating under the weight of my backpack.
(Maybe the cast iron skillet was a bit much.) Unused items will be put back in their place
on the basement shelf. We’ll learn the hard way the lesson that all experienced
backpackers know well. Travel light. (As a group we’re reading the book Traveling Light
by Max Lucado.)
It’s also a valuable lesson for life on planet earth. While you are dwelling here, don’t
attempt to take too much or keep too much for the journey. All of the stuff of life weighs
us down and becomes nothing more than a burden. If we’re not careful, abundant
possessions pull us away from the Creator.
The inspired Word of God in I Peter tells us to live our lives here as aliens and
strangers in the world. We’re not to be weighed down with such things as malice, deceit,
hypocrisy, envy and slander. Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled;
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (I Peter 1:13-15).
So. . . are you ready to drop some of your excess baggage? If anger is weighing you
down, get rid of it. If you find that envy is becoming a burden that you no longer wish to
bear, then drop it. Is the weight of lust or arrogance giving you a major pain in the back?
There’s good news for you. You can ditch it. The lighter the load, the better our ability
becomes to handle the journey.
It’s a joy to serve with you this summer. Strive diligently to be faithful to the Lord
wherever you are. Looking forward to being with you every Sunday as we meet together
for the purpose of fellowship, prayer, teaching from the Word of God and time spent
around the Lord’s Table as we take communion together.
In His love,
Dan
40 South Main Street
Croton, Ohio 43013
740-893-3191
crotonchurch@embarqmail.com
Croton, Ohio 43013
740-893-3191
crotonchurch@embarqmail.com
Dan's Digest
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