I have to retire a good pair of shoes tomorrow. These shoes have been places. In these shoes I climbed my first mountain, went on my first jaunt with a real backpack, and hiked up a snow covered mountain. They've been good shoes, they've served me well. I've done more in these shoes than most other pairs I've had. I'm kinda sad that I have to retire them. If I could repair them , I would. But I think they deserve a break. I will retire them and replace them with the new version. Tomorrow.

Colossians 1:29 AMP

"For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightliy enkindles and works within me."

Wow, huh? Think about it. "...striving with all the superhuman energy whuich He so mightily enkindles and works within me."

All the superhuman energy within me. The Holy Spirit and His power which is in us. Striving in accordance with the Holy Spirit.

Last summer I learned what it was like to strive with all of my own energy on a certain hike while working at Summit Adventure. The only thing that was holding me back was the pain from the scar tissue in my lung from when it collapsed when I was born. I was really going, and I felt like I could have gone on forever.

As human beings, as created, we are strong. Very strong. Though, even though I felt like I could have gone on forever, I would have had to stop eventually. Because as strong as I am, the physical part of me still requires food and water to survive.

But we are neat little packages aren't we. Created in the image of the Godhead. Genesis 1:26 That's gotta be the all time coolest thing ever. In His image. But think about it. As strong as we are, we are nothing compared to God. He is omnipotent, (all powerful), and He is in us. Think about that. And think about what Paul said in Colossians. "Striving with all the superhuman energy" If that doesn't blow you away, meditate on it until it does. I mean, I'm young yet, and I don't know really what it means in its entirety. But even what I can understand with the eternal power of God and His great love for all people, the power of the Holy Spirit is with me. And I want to strive with Him for His work in His strength. With Him, I will go on forever.

God is good. All the time. Selah.

I haven't posted in a while. I should say something.

I don't want to work at Tenaya. Nice, high-class places like that don't make any sense to me. I'd rather *clenches teeth* dig a trench. It pays well, good clean work, vacuuming, moving tables, setting them. It'd be perfect if it wouldn't drive me nuts. I know it would. First off, they'd make me shave my goatee, cut my hair, and dress in black and white, essentially taking away every bit of individuality I've got. Then they'd put me in a building all day, confined like a prison. And to top it all off, if all that were not enough, I'd be around...tourists. Rich people who can afford to stay at Tenaya. People who don't care a whit about the natural beauty of this place. I love 'em, but I don't like 'em.

The ruminations of a local Oakhurstian. I'd rather spend a morning in the cool of the High Country than in some puffy, froofroo bed.

I may be broke, but I've still got my dignity. And I've still got Jesus, He'll never leave me. He's all I've got to be satisfied with. And what a satisfaction is He. Even broke, I am blessed beyond measure. Well and truly blessed.

There is a path before me, but my eyes are closed. Am I too afraid to take a step? Or am I waiting for clarity? It's sometimes hard to tell the difference.