Mount Angeles

We were hiking for about 5 hours and then it hit us. We were not where we were supposed to be. Actually, we were totally unsure exactly on our location. We were attempting to summit Mount Angeles in the Olympic Mountain Range. It’s a modest little mountain in the grand scheme of Alpine Hiking, but the problem wasn’t the mountain. The problem was we had no idea how we ended up where we did. In the end it all turned okay, and we finished our hike. My friend Art and I had a memorable day, and a great story to share.

Sometimes in life when we try our best, we still get lost. Our trip to the Olympic National Park had more than enough planning. We had all the maps. We talked to the Park Rangers. By all accounts, we did everything right, but we still got lost. It is a natural part of life that happens to the best of us. The only way to succeed in getting lost is a good plan and preparation to get us back on track.

For Art and I, it was as simple as back tracking a few miles and then hop onto the right trail. A good plan got us exactly where we wanted to go. So, let me tell you where this devotional is hoping to take you. At the end of this devotional our goal is you will have started the transformation process to be more like Jesus. Henri Nouwen (a really smart Pastor/Author) says, “The goal of spiritual direction is spiritual formation – the ever increasing capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart.” The Apostle Paul says it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 (NLT). That’s our hope. Now, here is how we are going to get there for the next few weeks.

The spiritual life is one of habits, so we are going to learn 3 habits: (1) the habit of looking into our hearts, (2) the habit of looking to God in the Bible, and (3) the habit of looking to others in friendship and community. If you feel lost during this process come back here. This is exactly where we are trying to end up. My prayer is God will change your life to one of hope and peace as you meet with him. Have fun my
friends! – Jack Hein

Journal Guide: Answer these questions alone in your journal. They will help you process what God might be trying to tell you.
1. If your heart could speak to you right now, what do you feel it would tell you? What advice would your heart give you?
2. What do you think about the Bible? Does it make sense to you or is it mostly confusing? Do you want to read it more? How about less What questions do you have about the bible? (Over this devotional we are going to try and answer some of those, so look to get these answered over time).
3. What kind of friend do you think Jesus was? A good one? How do you think he would treat you as one his friends?
4. Take some time simply to write a prayer to God.

Conversation Guide: Ask these questions to your siblings or your mom or your dad. We think around the dinner table or right afterwards is the best time.
1. Do you think you’re more of an indoors or an outdoors person? Was it always that way?
2. If you were lost, what do you think you would do? Ask for help? Try to figure it out on your own?
3. The devotional today has this quote in it, “The goal of the spiritual direction is spiritual formation – the ever increasing capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart.” What do we think it means to live a spiritual life from the heart?

Prayer: Read Romans 12:1-21 and read this prayer quietly to God.
Dear God, I want to love your with all of my heart, all of my soul, and all of my strength. Speak to me about the ways I think and act inappropriately. Thank you for forgiving me and loving me. I love you so much. Amen.