Mountaineering

I would love to be a mountaineer.  Mountains appeal to me; the physical, mental, emotional challenges make me thrive and the freedom of being able to go to that distant peak makes my mind spin.  I am reading "Mountaineering (The Freedom of the Hills)" and this is a paragraph taken from the first chapter.

Many a veteran mountaineer says the greatest challenges are mental.  Perhaps this is one of mountaineering's greatest appeals: While seeking the freedom of the hills, we come face to face with ourselves.

Self discovery is an ongoing and exhilarating experience, one often best experienced in the wilderness just between you, the wild, and its Creator.



Joshua

10:00 Day 13

Is it wheat?  We don't know.



Joshua

10:00 Day 12

We are behind on the farm but I'm planting more wonderful little seeds today.  This particular hole is for NM Watermelons.

Joshua

10:00 Day 11

Mountains to the East of where I live.

Joshua

10:00 Day 10

A current project of mine.  Nearly done with this one!



Joshua

I'm a Hostage

Tenth Avenue North has this song called "Hostage of Peace."  Before I heard the actual lyrics I noticed the title.  What do they mean by a hostage of peace?  I'm pasting their lyrics on here so you don't have to hunt them down yourself...

Feel the silence
There's a war beneath our skin
Let it begin
It's hard to fight
It's hard to lead resistance
It's our hearts we're up against

This world it keeps us, promising freedom
We thought we could belong
But we don't belong here
Don't let us wander to arms of another
Oh, Father, Yours forever
Let us be a hostage of peace

We need a rescue
Need a love we can't resist
Break our defenses
Take us captive
Take our thoughts and take control
We're losing control

This world it keeps us, promising freedom
We thought we could belong
But we don't belong here
Don't let us wander to arms of another
Oh, Father, Yours forever
Let us be a hostage of peace

If we're fighting, let it be for Your kingdom
If we're violent, let it be against ourselves
Come arrest us with Your affection
Give us freedom
Make our need our only declaration

Oh Father keep us, they promise freedom
We thought we could belong
But we don't belong here
Don't let us wander to arms of another
Oh, Father, Yours forever
Let us be a hostage of peace

There's a war beneath our skins!  How true this statement is.  The constant battle between what my heart says and what my souls desires is fierce!  The human life is the contradiction of contradictions.  We live in a world saturated by physical senses and those feelings led by what we experience with our five senses yet we are spiritual people trapped in these physical bodies.  Our lives are called to be lives led by our spiritual senses, going where God leads, living by faith, relying on trust, hope, love, and the leading of the Spirit.  But how do we find this?  How do we lead a spiritual life when we are so overcome with the physical life?  It isn't easy.

It is a battle.

So let us be hostages of peace.  This world screams war and battle but let us be peaceful warriors, living on the battlefield of the spirit.  May our bodies be hostages of peace, rebelling against the world's call for battle and instead living a peaceful life, battling in the spirit alone.  1 Timothy 2:2 ". . . so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."

My heart does not cease to call out for violence.  It will continue to ask my body to rebel against God's Spirit in me and to live a worldly life.  This life is meant to be spiritual though.  And I will keep my heart captive within my skin with the help of God, remaining a hostage of His love and therefore, a hostage of peace.

Joshua

10:00 Day 9

Traveling through common territory.



Joshua

10:00 Day 8

My typical morning/evening duty...



Joshua

Safe Landing

"Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms.  He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing."  

This quote came from the daily devotional I have been reading on an off over the years, "Streams in the Desert."  I want to say more about it but I don't know that I need to add anything.

Joshua

10:00 Day 7

Sometimes I actually read and write things.   "I have deep thoughts."

Joshua

10:00 Day 6

Practicing those genetic (not so genetic) carpentry skills (lack of skills.)  I'm building a nesting box for the local flock of old hens.

Joshua

10:00 Day 5

Joshua

10:00 Day 4

The Enchanted Tower near Datil, NM.  Getting ready to climb in the morning.

Joshua

10:00 Day 3

Packed and about to leave for a weekend of climbing!

Joshua

10:00 Day 2

My mornings have been spent in the kitchen lately cleaning and sometimes cooking.  This morning the classic Southwest American breakfast was on the menu; eggs, potato, and of course... BACON!

Joshua