A Total Package Christian
Backpacking Crow Pass was an annual adventure for our high school youth group for several decades. The night before this four day adventure was our annual 'gear check.' This is where 40 students would lay out every item from their backpack on the floor and our leaders would go through each pack- item by item- to make sure that students had every single piece of gear that was on our official packing list. Every backpacker also had a maximum weight limit for his or her pack. Each pack was weighed and many unnecessary things were left at home. Finally, after gear check, the backpack stayed at the church!
To hike 26 miles with a heavy pack through Alaska's mountains is no easy task. By rigorously preparing in advance, we were able to avoid many of the 'mini-catastrophies' of our earlier years. Believe it or not, we've had hikers say things like, "I forgot my tent," or, "Susan forgot her sleeping bag," or, "Tom didn't bring any food." (Yes, a teenager CAN forget to pack food!) Friends, life is often an unexpected adventure.
Preparation is key to success. Open your Bible and pray every morning. Attend a Bible teaching church. Get into a Bible study during the week with a small group of believers. Serve in your church. All of this prepares you for the challenges life brings. Become a 'Total Package' Christian, and you will be blessed -Pastor Brad
Written on August 24, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions