I have heard the faith journey described as a process of working from the inside, out.  The first part of the journey is transforming and changing the inside of ourselves…our thoughts, our beliefs, our attitude and our behaviors…removing the focus on sinful desires and self-centeredness as we learn and grow in our personal relationship with Christ.  As the inside changes we become better equipped to share what we have learned and to provide encouragement to others on the journey, just as we have been and will be given assistance on our own journey.  The question today is regarding that inside part of the process…the learning and growing and the depth of our inside transformation is not to reach a destination.  The more we learn and grow and spend time in our reltionship with the Lord the deeper and stronger that relationship becomes.  As discussed yesterday the battles will come at us in this life and a deep, strong relationship with Christ is the most powerful weapon we have when it comes to fighting evil in this world.  Continue to strengthen and grow your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Amen.

“But blessed in the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green,  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while walking on a trail in the North Shore of Lake Superior)