The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is over 2,190 miles long, passes through 14 states, eight different national forests, six national park units and numerous state parks, forests, and game lands. All hikers know that to reach a destination they have to keep moving. The life you live is about taking small steps toward a BIG God.

What is it that makes you loose your patience the fastest?  Let’s face it.  Impatience permeates our entire persona. We all know the high price tag of impatience because we have been wounded by the impatience of others and we also have hurt others with our impatience. We have seen the damage professionally. We have seen the damage relationally. We have even felt the damage spiritually.

The phrase "Elephant in the room" means a major problem or controversial issue that is obviously present but avoided as a subject for discussion. Today we are a people of pride, James 4 warns us about this sin and the downfall it can bring.

If you want to know the direction your life is moving, look at your conversations. In James 3 we are taught that words are powerful, they can build people up or tear them down.

We don't always have to have the "right" words in order to show Jesus to someone. We can show Jesus simply by our actions and choosing to love someone even when it is hard.

Jesus was moved with compassion to help others. When given the opportunity to help someone do we jump at the chance to do it? Or do we find reasons not to?

A trial is not the same thing as a temptation. Both temptations and trials are difficult, but a temptation is brought on by either Satan or our sinful hearts, while a trial is allowed by God in order to refine us and to make us more like Jesus. A faith that can't be tested is a faith that can't be trusted.

Most people get a sense that something bad is coming down the Road. We look around and realize walking down roads in life that we don’t want to be traveling. Creation is looking around asking, "Why are we here and what does the future hold?" The future is uncertain – that is why we freak out, because we don’t know what’s going to happen next.

History has done everything to the Cross, but ignore it. No one can ignore it! You can’t ignore a piece of lumber that suspends the greatest claim in history.

It seems our world is always interested in refreshment. I’m amazed how many different specialty waters or energy drinks there are now! People are thirsty for something to keep them going, awake, and on the move, but only Jesus offers real refreshment; real lasting spiritual energy.