The Sailors Family

If you are around New Wilderness Adventures very long you will hear us talk a lot about walking with God, or following the “Wild Goose.”

“The wild goose embodies the untamable and unpredictable nature of the Spirit and is a reminder that the Spirit is a disturber as well as a comforter. It is a symbol for the Holy Spirit used by the Celtic peoples of Ireland and Scotland.” -Mark Batterson

It sounds so simple… just walk with God. We of course mean by that, that in a relationship you journey together… some place. Maybe it is getting to know someone better or it is being in a common mission, at any rate, it has movement and presupposes hearing, talking, knowing etc… “Relationship!”

The Holy Spirit is a disrupter. God wants you to know the truth, wants you free. There was a time several years ago that I was going through quite a lot of depression. I was doing a lot of lying at the time to cover it up. I lied to my employer and my employer found out about it. Called me on it. I was scared. He was very redemptive toward me yet very firm. It was a wake up call. A jog back to reality. It was a big disruption.

My friend Allison says, “A disruption for me is anything that gets me so completely unwound emotionally that it consumes me. Working for a newspaper and being mother to a small child, I’m used to getting “interrupted.” Disruption is more negative than that - word that a family member is sick, I’m going to have work late unexpectedly.

Sometimes…it is a good thing. Because often what I consider as a disruption turns out to be a mere interruption to allow me to focus on what’s truly important.”

Big D says, “I think a disruption is a lot like a distraction. Happens sometimes when you least expect it, and other times you put yourself into situations that you know will only lead to a disruption or distraction.

A disruption can also bring about change in your live. I remember a huge disruption in my life almost 3 years ago but it was totally positive and the outcome continually gets better. There are still small battle disruptions that can be negative but all things work out for the glory of God.”

This is what Ben had to say, “A disruption is an opportunity for change. While many times it may appear a bad thing, it’s always a time when God wants to show that He has all things under His control, and He will take the things that satan intends for evil to use for God’s Glory. I’ve learned much about when something unplanned happens to look for how God wants to use it.

An example from my recent trip to Yellowstone. We had planned out the day to go up around Mammoth Hot Springs and down to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Once we arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs we discovered that the road we were going to take to the Grand Canyon was closed. We had specifically planned that route to go through prime grizzly country, hoping to spot one. We could have been frustrated and upset, but we trusted that God had something else planned. We returned the way we came, and we found a fantastic opportunity to see a grizzly.

Also, on a missions trip to Africa we got stuck in Paris for 2 days (darn the bad luck ). Our first night half our group was upset and frustrated, and they went straight to bed. The other half of us looked at each other and said “we’re in Paris, we’re heading to town!” We had the opportunity to attend mass at Notre Dame, one of the most amazing experiences in my life. It was a reminder for me of deep things about God that I often forget. Those who were upset and frustrated at the disruption missed one of the most memorable things on the trip.

God uses all things to His Glory, even when it appears all is lost. He redeems everything that satan intends to use against us, making a fool of him. We just need to be paying attention to how God wants to work.

It’s all part of the adventure. We can allow the disruption to frustrate us and miss what God wants to do. Or we can look for the opportunity, trusting that God has a reason for allowing it.”

Dawn added, “Life is full of disruptions…Good and bad. An example of a disruption for me is My husband interupting me during worship time at church to tell me something that 1. I already knew and 2. that could have waited untill later…LOL But it seemed important enough to him to interupt me…so I took note. Listening intently rather than getting mad. Our … Read MoreREACTION to lifes disruptions say quite a bit. This I have learned also directs the affect a disruption can have. Life would be so mundane and boring without disruption of some sort. I know that all disruption is not so black and white…Thus

Keeping in mind that The Word says that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and Are thee called according to HIS purpose. Hes got me Covered!”

Finally, I want to just encourage you. Walk with God. Don’t look at disruption with the “glass half empty” mentality. Look at it as opportunity. Know that God often uses disruption from the status quo to grow us and move us closer to Him. Walk with God my friends. Follow the Wild Goose!

Tags: Disruption, Walk with God

OK, So I have to admit.  I love Krispy Kreme.  It is a weakness.  Those doughnuts just melt in your mouth.

I believe that it is one of God’s finer things accomplished through man.   Amazing.

So as many of you know, we sold our house and are currently living with my mother until we can find another house.  She lives in Gastonia, which is a bit closer to an actual Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop than Shelby.  This morning, I wake up with Krispy Kreme on my mind, almost able to taste them.  I have to have one.  It has been months at this point since I have had one.  Far too long. 

KK is not on my way back to Shelby.  It is actually well out of the way toward Charlotte.  I weighed the options then made the fateful decision.  I’ve got to go to Krispy Kreme.  I arrived and the Hot and Now sign was one.  YES.  Victory… They (oh yes, more than one) would be mine soon.

I ordered 4 (I know… I hope Kryssy does not read this ;-)) and I looked to my left and there was a guy sitting at one of the tables.  He had a dozen in front of him.  All Original Glazed as I got.  He was studying them and drinking his coffee.  He looked terribly lonely.  I was in a hurry (I’m opposite of Shelby by 10 miles) but felt really prompted to ask him if I could sit down.

He said no but thanked me profusely for the offer of companionship.  I asked him if there was anything I could pray for him about and he said no but as I walked away he stopped me and said “Sir, I hope you have a great day, thank you again for saying hello!”

I want to always be available for God.  As Andy Stanley once said at a conference I was at, “know the truth and have the courage to say and do what is right even if it is hard.”  I want to follow and walk with God.  If I feel prompted to do something, I want to do it.  There have been many times throughout my life that I have not done it.  That I did not turn around and help the person with a flat tire or sat down to have a conversation.

I want to encourage you all, to follow the prompting of God.  Use His wisdom and do whatever it is He is asking you to do. Many of you  might be thinking, “I can’t do that or I can’t speak well etc…” God will help you there too.  Believe me He will.  You will feel awesome and encouraged as and after you do it.

Tags: Acts of Service, Krispy Kreme

Have you ever said something you regretted?  Or done something and after you were done you said, “why did I do that?”

I know I have…more times than I’d like to admit, we all have. (or at least I like to think so, it makes me feel better)

The other night I was with a group of people and I was joking around and said/did something a little off color.  I stuck my foot in my mouth.  Afterwards I started to think, “wow, I hope no one else heard that.”  “Why did you say that…” etc… usually it is followed by calling yourself names like, “you dummy, you idiot, you always do that” or something like that… I have time and time again beat myself up.  Worry if someone heard it, then begin to worry about who I should apologize to or if I should at all.  Of course if I apologize and they didn’t hear it, then once again.  Yup.. Birkenstock sandwich…

So, what do we do about this dilemma?

2 Corinthians 10:5b says “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

I wish I would have allowed those thoughts and actions to come under the Lordship of the Father.  To not have been drawn into that conversation and if I did speak to that conversation, at least bring the light of Christ into it.

I know one of the many questions and concerns that people have about speaking up and not joining in, is the questions and needs for acceptance.

“If I speak up against that or remove myself then I will be ostracized, looked down up and scorned.”

That is the truth… you may be ostracized.

Luke 21:12 says, “”But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.”

James 1:14-15 says, “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

There is hope though.  Lots of great an awesome hope.  I stuck my foot in my mouth..yes..I said and did something that was not pleasing to God.  But, thank you Lord that I could go to Father God and ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. (Col 1:12-14) (1 John 1:7) Go here for more info on becoming a Christian

You’ve heard me say many many times that once you become a Christian then your heart is good.  (For more teaching on that go here) With that being true then all that Paul talks about in Romans 7 truly comes into sight.  I truly didn’t want to say what I said the other night.  It was not the desire of my Good Heart.  It came out of the flesh and then I regretted it.  It possibly came from a plant of Satan to mess up my witness with people around me that I possibly could minister to.  God convicted me on it.  But I didn’t and don’t carry guilt and condemnation.  That is from the pit of hell.  Christ does not bring condemnation.  Romans 8:1 says, “there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.”

I truly desire to say what is right and do what is right and have the courage to do that at all times no matter the cost.  I want that for all of you too.  To be a man or woman of honor, of nobility under Christ.

I am not worried about being ostracized anymore.  I’ve done that and made it through just fine.  For you young people who may be reading this, who seem to worry more about being accepted… pick your friends wisely.  You can be friendly and God like toward them without being drawn into their conversations and ways that may be unGodly.  Believe me, it is worth it.

Thomas a Kempis says in the Imitation of Christ, “If thou wilt make any progress in godliness, keep thyself in fear of God, and affect not too much liberty.  Restrain all thy senses under discipline and give not thyself over to foolish merit.  Give thyself to compunction of heart, and thou shalt gain much devotion thereby.” xxi:1

Tags: a Kempis, Foolishness, Right Action, Right Speech

Tags: Charles Fuge, I Know a Rhino, Jackson