Pathway of Purpose

Recently, I have been thinking about family and the amount of time I spend with my family. Now I am not just talking about being in the same room with your phone and other electronics because, in actuality, they can sabotage family time. Let me ask you when you sat down with your family and gave them undivided attention, was it? Have you focused on your spouse and kids? In this post, I want to share with you five ways NOT to sabotage family time. 1. Take your spouse out on a date. Take time just the two of you and focus on each other. This is a time to not talk about work-related things but each other.  2. Date your kids. Take your child out or your children out on a date one at a time. Allow them to share their thoughts, concerns, and questions they may have. You can even do this with all your children at once if you have multiples. I have two boys, and on Friday afternoons, I pick them up from school, and we have a treat and do some activity (hiking, walks, biking, car rides, bea...

Do you remember your first backpacking or camping trip? Do you remember all the things that you packed that you wished you would have not put in your pack or car? It was the first over night backpacking trip up to Hurricane Ridge located on the Olympic Peninsula. Our destination, 1.07 miles to PJ Lake. The trail that I was hiking had over a 700ft elevation change from the trailhead to the lake.  As my friend and I began to make our way down to the camp site things seemed to be going pretty good. Personally, I was feeling pretty good. I had my pack and I was ready. However, this was the first time in a long time that I had done a backpacking trip. So, of course I brought everything but the kitchen sink.  Item list: 30L Backpack 3L of Water Clothes (pants, shorts, shirts, socks) Three man tent 3 meals (MRE style) Snacks (trail mix and cliff bars) Jacket Air mattress Sleeping bag flashlight and headlamp Cooking items (plate, spoon, fork, knife) None of the items in my pack was li...

  Stop for a moment and think about how you use your time. If you need to, take  out  you  calendar or a piece of paper and  think about your typical day.  People have lots to say about time. Let me share some with you. - Its too short of a time period - I have lots of time - I don't have time (side note: you give time to things that are important to you.) - They say time waits for no man - I have all the time in the world - Wasted time, wasted time - Wait a minute - This'll just take a little time - Time out! Have you heard some of these sayings before? I am sure you have. When we think of time, we all have the same amount of time in a day (24hrs). We all have the same amount of months in a year, twelve. However, as we age the days and months get shorter and shorter. Let me put it this way. If you are 50 and average, you have 9,125 days left to live. If you are 65, you have 3,650 days left to live. The average person lives 27,375 days. It...

With Spring just around the corner and the sun making its way out from behind the clouds, many outdoors men and women will be getting ready to head to the river or lake. However, don't underestimate the water  temperature . You will find, though it may be warm outside, the water will still be very cold and you could find yourself in an emergency situation. Here are a few tips for cold water boating from the  Coast  Guard Auxiliary: ⚓ Check the weather and water temperatures. Keep appraised of weather changes while underway. ⚓ File a Float Plan. Follow it. This could save your life, especially if overdue. ⚓ Always wear your life jacket when on the water! Make sure all passengers are wearing life jackets too. In an emergency situation, you most likely will not have time to put it on. Be prepared in case of cold water immersion. ⚓ Bundle up in appropriate clothing. Be prepared for water temps, not just air temps. Be prepared for potential cold water immersion.  ⚓ Do not...

Leaders face many challenges today. Some of the challenge’s leaders face can come physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and mentally. All of these can take a toll on the leader’s health. In this paper I would like to share what I believe are five characteristics of a healthy leader. The health of the leader is one who is willing to look within, live free from the past, considers brokenness as part of God’s design, marked by contentment and joy, and committed to loving and caring for others. Characteristic 1: A healthy leader is willing to look within For any leader, it is hard to look within. We are our worst critic. But without looking within we are not able to know what Jesus is wanting to change. As leaders it is important to invite Jesus in to the deepest areas of our life so he can bring awareness and allow Him to renew us. King David said in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.” By taking the time to look within and allow J...

Signs. Signs are everywhere. Each sign that we see tells us something different whether on the road, in a restaurant, or even on a trail. Signs, according to the dictionary is “a gesture or action used to convey information or instructions.” Signs give direction and instruct individuals as to what they are looking at or even where they are going. As individuals who are attending and visiting churches, they are looking for the signs; signs of a healthy leadership team and church or body of believers. In this post I will share with you five signs of a healthy team and church. Sign 1: Each member loves Jesus Loving Jesus is more than just words. It is a life style that involves every part of who we are. Loving Jesus is being totally devoted to Him. In Mark 12:30-31 Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your minds, and will all your strength.” To love God is to fully and completely love Him and all the commandments that is regarded to our v...