Father & Son - A Weekend To Remember!

If you've spent anytime with Cammie and I then you know that we believe in the family. We talk about the importance of the family. We've taught on the importance of the family and most importantly, we have endeavored to model healthy family life. If you've been around us and observed then what you've seen is the real thing.

Often times ministry and pastoring can hinder healthy family life. (Yes - it is true.) Sometimes the demands of the church and the people you have been entrusted with can become some needful and even demanding of your time and attention that, as a Pastor, it is easy to forget whom you were first entrusted with to pastor - your family. I'll always be thankful to Don McGregor for instilling the concept within me that the church begins in your home. (Thank you Don.)

All this to say that this past Labor Day weekend I had a rare and incredibly wonderful opportunity to spend 4 days with Zach (our youngest) in the High Sierras. It was a four-day, father/son backpacking trip that, when all was said and done, would take us on a wilderness journey that covered 20 mountainous miles. When Zach first heard about the trip he an expressed an interest to go that was immediately followed with the words, "But I know that you can't because it is over a Sunday and you can't miss a Sunday at church." He was greatly surprised at my response which was, "Of course I can. I'd love to go. There are plenty of people who can take my place." With that, we signed up.

The trip was strategically planned by our leader Ken Bascom. His heart was to see fathers and sons have a greater bond in their relationship. As we conquered switch-backs, shared themed journal entries with one another, prayed together and fished together it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was doing a divinely ordained work. Zach and I left for the outing with a healthy relationship and we came back with a strengthened relationship. I wouldn't trade that weekend for the world. I must admit that I was proud of this 47 year old. I kept up - for the most part - with the young guys. The time I've been logging at the gym paid off.

Remember - the family is where the church begins. Take time to love and cherish each member. Take time to make an investment in your children. Others can wait. They need you now.