The Long Walk 2010, Daily Audio Bible

Subtly, knowing that The Long Walk always keeps going...

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:09:22 GMT

Hey Brian, and brothers and sisters,

In some months leading up to the July 7, I had discussed with some of the DAB brothers and sisters what each of us might be doing on that day of The Long Walk. Having bought a kayak last year, one of the ideas that was suggested by a DAB brother was to go on "The Long Paddle" instead of The Long Walk. I thought this would be a great meditative experience; to be alone on the water with God, and to be at peace with the natural surroundings. Last week I even purchased a new roof rack for my car to carry the kayak. And on the day of July 6, I secured the rack to my car, and prepared fruit and plenty of water to take with me, since the next day had been forecast to be a sweltering one.

However, the day did not begin exactly as planned. My kayak is stored in my neighbor's garage, and during the last week she has had an independent contractor doing finishing work on her basement; so she gave the garage spare key to the contractor for the duration of the time he would be working. In other words, the key was not where it usually is, and at that particular time the contractor was nowhere to be found on the property; so I had no access to get into the garage on the morning of the seventh. I recall from one of the recent podcasts Brian mentioning how, over the past four years of personally attempting The Long Walk, that each time the day came his plans were somehow thwarted. This same thought came to my mind too, as I rattled on the locked doorknob of my neighbor's garage...

If I may backtrack here, a little bit: my time with DAB began in August of 2008, right around the time the Windfarm was first launching. At that time, all I was doing was downloading podcasts and listening to Brian daily, and was not quite part of the community just yet. That would come in later months, specifically in June of 2009, when I engaged the community by calling-in to the prayer-line, and by also placing a prayer request in the forums, concerning prayers for reconciliation with my ex-wife. My ex-wife had just abandoned 4 1/2 years of attempts to rebuild our marriage - a choice I did not want to embrace. Thus at that time I connected with the DAB community. I was heartbroken, devastated, and feeling very much alone. To have the opportunity to join in with community during this time felt as if I was finding a safe haven in a storm. In the days and weeks that followed, many people here in the community spoke words of truth and encouragement into my life, and it was wonderful to have.

The journey of the last 12 months has been one of great heights, and depths as well. Some of it has been mystifying to me: prior to the time of my wife's ending the reconciliation attempts, we had both individually pursued God in various personal ways; and because of that, I felt a confidence about our relationship. And even though we had wrestled with a few things during the late winter/early spring of 2009, I did not see any of those things as as insurmountable, and for many months after her ending e-mail (she ended our relationship by email, and last wrote to me on June 28th of 2009) I had great hopes that she would return after "a time of getting her head together with God." By the time the fall of 2009 came around, the brittle hope of any reconciliation shattered within me. She was not going to involve herself in any sort of relationship with me, at all. Since the new website had been launched around the same time period, I began regularly clicking on returning to the site, and out of that experience I began regularly engaging in the lives of others in this community. I have built some tremendous friendships and relationships here with people of this community.

A few months ago, during the spring, I began cleaning up around my apartment, and found several cards and pictures and books that my ex-wife had given me over the years. I also found a box in which I was given a study Bible; a gift from her for our second wedding anniversary. I went through each of those things; pondering over each one, and reading the words that were written in the cards. Each time I finished with each particular thing, I simply placed each on in that same study Bible box, and set it aside.

Over the past weekend, I spied the box. There was a bit of map-marking that occurred in my brain; I had pause to reflect that it has been just over a year now since receiving that ending-email. A thought swirled in my head as to what to do with the box.

And with the change of plans regarding kayaking, on a spur-of-the-moment inspiration I instead loaded my bike onto my bicycle carrier, and made plans to head in the same direction toward the Grand River where I had planned to kayak. Instead of being on the water of the river, I would cycle along it's banks. But before getting to my start-point for my departure, I diverted my route to head to my ex-wife's house, and dropped of the little box full of things at the front doorstep. With that, I finally felt a sense of "leaving."

I wept a few tears, having driven through my old neighborhood and along the streets of my former town, while wondering about my stepchildren and their whereabouts, but there was a sense of "amen, Lord, let me FINALLY leave this with You."

And then, it started, just as I drove away; almost as if a switch had been flipped on. I had this sense of energy, flowing within me; a pervasive sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit, just flooding and welling up.

Throughout the rest of my day, that sensation never left me. I took the time to bicycle for several hours; beginning at the head of the path, and traveling along treed-over the banks of the Grand River, here in southwestern Ontario. I tried to keep track of the kilometer markers that are on the side of the path, but I kept getting distracted by the scenery and by the things God was prompting within my heart and mind. I think, if I can estimate, that I probably cycled 60 or so km (about almost 40 miles) , all the way up the path and back. Throughout this time God began to whisper into my heart "leave the timing and outcomes of all things to Me... you do your part with what you've already been entrusted with. Only if you are faithful with the little things that I've given you can I give you more."

This made immediate sense to my heart and mind; for over the last several months I have wrestled with the prospect of going to Bible college and seminary to complete the education and training to become a biblical counselor. But because of the failures of the reconciliation attempts, I have felt a great sense of shame and a great sense of personal failure. I have felt severely hindered in any desire to undertake further education for Biblical counseling, because as a Christian whose marriage has failed, I have often felt left with a sense of hypocrisy. Some inkling of change has come recently though, in the reading of Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer," which expresses the concept that "in our woundedness, we can become a source of life for others." The day of The Long Walk with God seemed to bring confirmation and leading of continuing on in that direction...

Perh

Topic started by Calico

13 replies. Last reply from Tammy on 7/8/2011 2:09 PM

finally got mine done

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:37:04 GMT

wow, I hiked Kendalls Catwalk. It truly was amazing. One thing God did for me was allow me to share His majesty with other hikers. The hike also showed me how small we are to the earth and His total creation, yet He still created and takes care of us. God showed me how beautifull God makes things and that we are beautifull to Him as well. He is a creator who took great care in His creation and that means He took great care in creatig us. God loves us and me and that was the greatest reassurance one could have !!! Post pics later and on FB. See ya guys. <><

Topic started by John (Yuahan) smith

3 replies. Last reply from Craig from Illinois on 8/3/2010 9:37 PM

A (long) city-walk

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:43:11 GMT

Hi all,

Finally I've done my long walk. I was on a working vacation on July 7th in Romania. More on that at the end of this post.

First, I want to share with you my first Longwalk experience. I did nog went straight to nature, I went to the nearby city of Utrecht (in the center of the Netherlands). And I've had a wonderful walk. I ended up visiting several churches for it was open-church week. Not planned, but wonderfull to see :) I had my lunchbreak near a waterside in a green(er) environment. where I ate and listened to the DAB of 11 of July (i'm quite a bit behind...). The beauty of that moment was that I saw all sorts of different people walk by (and a bunch of dogs). It reminded me of how unique we all are.
After another bit of a walk I stubled up on a nice small cd-shop where I went in and ended up with a cd of Nina Simone.
Then after some more walking through the city I had another break at the DOM church. I sat there in the garden and listened to the DAB of 12 July :). It was a bit busier than I thought (i'd forgotten about the summervacation/tourist season)but it was nice. I sort of did what monks did there centuries ago: listening and praying to God. Then it was time to slowly return home.
My first longwalk was a good one. I found it hard to become quiet but I did manage ok I think :).

I also want to share a bit of what I did in Romania.
My time in Romania was with a group of (young) people from the different churches from my town.We stayed there for two weeks and built a bathhouse there for the Roma community. I'd never seen poverty so clearly. It was quite confronting seeing people live the way they do. Let's say it certainly put things in perspective.

During my lunchbreak I also listened to a short podcast that I found on Itunes (the word 4 U 2day). And To close I would like to share this wisdom with you:
Your life is a gift from God, how you live it is your gift to Him.

Topic started by Rosanne

3 replies. Last reply from jackoslife on 7/28/2010 7:43 AM

Walking back a lifetime.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:54:56 GMT

I decided on this destination for my Long Walk, because I hadn't been there for 30 years. Last time I went there was with a youth group from church. I was a Christian at the time and it was a fantastic weekend. I remember Rainbow Falls so well. Remembered the ferns lining the walls of the gorge, the crystal clear rock pool. Having walked away from Jesus for the ensuing years and turned back to Him in September 2008, I decided to return to the place that inspired me so much as a child.

I took my 4WD and sleeping bag with an abundance of food (as it turned out) and went off-road. There were a number of beautiful lookouts and then a 2 km walk to the falls themselves. It was a cool but clear day and I loved the exhilaration of the walk. There were beautiful birdsongs all around. I had my iPhone and recorded little snippets of messages and inspiration as I walked or felt close to God.

Overnight, I had a glorious sleep and woke before the sun. It was drizzling rain. Ate breakfast and decided on a whim to revisit the falls. As I walked along the path, the mist was thick. In places I couldn't even see the next turn in the path. Eventually I went past the lookout and couldn't see anything but mist. Hoping that the trek wasnt going to be a waste now. Finally got to the falls and snapped off some awesome pictures. Just felt so inspired. The rain didnt bother me, coz I knew that it would just be me and God. Just the way I wanted it. But the message from God in this weekend was that even when things look very gloomy and cheerless, that I should press on and know that at the end of it all is a great prize.

So, it was just God's way of saying, "Andrew, just keep doing what you are doing. Eventually it is going to turn around for you. Be patient and trust me". If somebody else said that to me, I would have second thoughts, but when it is God talking - I just know that He loves me and wants to help and bless me. Having the initial outing behind me now, I reckon that the next one will happen not too far away. There is just something amazing about waiting on the Lord.

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=229352&id=546899282&l=36e4ca5f7b

Topic started by jackoslife

7 replies. Last reply from in His name on 7/19/2010 1:54 PM

still need to do mine.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:09:23 GMT

I planned to do mine going up granite mountain but my trip got delayed. Sorry, but I will have to post mine late this year.

Topic started by John (Yuahan) smith

3 replies. Last reply from Rosanne on 7/19/2010 1:09 PM

My Long Walk

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:42:36 GMT

Praise God! I had a really blessed time with the Lord. On the 7th itself, I walked over to Richmond (I live in Isleworth so there is a really beautiful half-hour walk through Old Isleworth, over Richmond Lock footbridge and along the Thames towpath) and did a circuit of the Tamsin Trail, which is an eight-mile walk around the circumference of Richmond Park. It was so beautiful and peaceful and the Lord blessed me with all the wildlife that I saw. Because it was a weekday, there weren't too many other people using the park so I could have plenty of time alone with the Lord. I prayed over the church I attend, Brentford Free Church.

Next day, I travelled to Coventry for a week's holiday, so I extended the Long Walk to include that week. I thoroughly explored that region. I visited Stratford and all the sights to do with Shakespeare. I rejoiced in the beauty of the town and God's grace in giving such creativity to mankind as He gave to Shakespeare. I explored Warwick, both town and castle - and came away mightily glad that I wasn't born back in the Middle Ages! I also toured the other towns and countryside round about, including Leamington Spa, Kenilworth (including castle) and, of course, Coventry itself. I found the Cathedral very moving and I shared their prayers for peace.

Topic started by Claire Stanniland

4 replies. Last reply from Leslie on 7/16/2010 9:42 AM

My first Long Walk

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:08:25 GMT

Now, a week later, I finally have time to write about my Long Walk.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fylliska/sets/72157624366757193/

I wanted to go out and see the beauty of the sunflower fields that are all around here. Before, I've only seen them as we fly by on buses or trains.

I really enjoyed my walk and the beauty of it! I didn't like walking out along the highway, though; cars and big trucks either flew by at breathtaking speed or stopped to offer me a ride. So, I asked God to help me find a different way back.

Once I got out to the fields, I ate my sandwich in the shade of a row of trees between fields. I listened to DAB there. I kept asking God what He wanted to tell me, and I really wasn't hearing anything specific. However, as I walked, Esther came to mind. I recently taught through the book of Esther in Sunday school. This was what I got out of my Long Walk: like Esther invited the king to one feast and then to another, God was giving me a feast and asking me to come back for another. These walks will be more than an annual thing for me! I'm thinking of monthly, and so far, I have August 7 marked on my calendar for the next one. I won't go as long or as far, but at least I'll sneak away to a patch of woods while my children nap.

And remember my request about a different way back? After lunch, I walked between the fields. When I came out, I saw a line of trees that I knew would lead me right back. I thought that was my answer, I could just quickly cross the road, then follow the trees back. But I forgot about the canal! I came out of the fields right above it. It completely blocked my way, with no bridge in sight. Then I realized that there's a good path along it, so I had the fun of following the canal almost all the way back. I even saw a heron, the first that I've seen here!

Topic started by Phyllis in Ukraine

3 replies. Last reply from Craig from Illinois on 7/14/2010 8:08 PM

My 7-7 day

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:09:15 GMT

I usually walk 6-7 miles each day, partly for the only exercise I get but even more so as it has been a time to talk and walk with God each day, worship him with my worship music and see just what he is doing for the day. Many a breakthrough in talking with Papa occurs on my Monday to Friday walks. So for me my walk was a "regular part" of my daily walk with god. But interesting enough was that was day I chose to listen to "Boiling Point". Usually I do my DAB then walk and listen to worship music (worshipping Him through it) and talking with God. So much of my walk happened listening to this monthly podcast. And as you can read in that forum on the boiling point God really touched me through what Brian said. I sensed his work in the work in Africa and their obeying Him to send a mission to us that now Brian gets to be a part of. I was simply blown away and had a connection that could only be the Holy Spirit touching and talking to me and revealing to me the width and breadth of His work and His people, and his heart for all that happened in Rhowanda. When Brian described the places where some of this occurred and talked about what happened to women and children and men, I cried and felt a deep hurt, a hurt that I recognized as how the Lord felt about what his children do to each other. But then the ministry of the pastor to the very people who killed his niece who are in prison let me see the Grace and Mercy of our God in even these horrible situations. It was how the Lord talked to me on the 7th. I thought it would be one of many blessed daily walks, so maybe not different but then I listed to that podcast as I walked and the Holy Spirit just touched me in so many ways that I realized He was making my walk on the 7th as significant as it has been for many of you. So I thought it was appropriate to mention my 7-7 walk as well here.

Russ

Topic started by Russ

3 replies. Last reply from Jason on 7/13/2010 9:09 AM

Long drive

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:08:33 GMT

Since I first did a long walk back in 2007, July 7 has been an interesting day. 07 was a good day, 08 was a horrible day, 09 I moved to Nashville, 10 I somehow found myself driving to Nashville again from my former community. The day was almost exactly the same down to the delays that made us start later than planned; stopping for dinner with my boys when that wasn't the original plan; arriving in Tennessee after dark. Along the way, we severed ties with my wife's family who have been nothing but toxic to her and our daughter. God really moved quite a bit.

Topic started by Jason

8 replies. Last reply from Jason on 7/13/2010 9:08 AM

Long listen to God

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:18:05 GMT

For some reason my post isn't showing up, so I'm going to post it again. :\

Long Walk 2008 was spent together with my wife, and my expectations for something happening or so high I didn't quite relax enough to get anything out of it.

Long Walk 2009 I spent alone at a park, my heart heavily burdened for the goals and purposes of my life.

This year, Long Walk 2010 I spent alone again, but the them was rest. I got up around 7 and did the morning prayer. Had breakfast with my wife and son, the left around 9 and just listened to where I should go. I felt God leading me to simply drive off into the back roads east of town. For the next hour and a half I listened to Brian's talk Boiling Point and recalibrated.

Have you ever just got in your car, opened your spirit to God and simply turned where he says to turn? It is an ironic and sometimes frustrating experience. Sometimes he just loops your around and around. Sometimes he leads you back to places he prompted you to turn but you didn't. And sometimes you start getting tired of going in loops and try to argue with him. I haven't found that to be productive, but I've done it. In the end the experience usually leaves me a bit more sensitive to his leading.

Around 10:30 I found my self walking into a gas station and prompted to enjoy a cup of coffee and a doughnuts, something I never do. However, a few weeks ago I randomly had thought, "ya know, it might be fun to just get a coffee and a doughnut sometime on my way to work." I never have time to do that on the way to work, but it seems that God wanted to treat me.

Now, originally I had planed to go to a specific park on the other side of town. Instead, I found myself prompted to take an exit that was about 15 miles too early. I listened to the prompts, made my turn, and found myself near a small lake called Valley Water Mill. To my surprise I discovered there was a trail going around this lake and soon was on the path. Along the path I found one of my favorite natural phenomenons: cliffs. I sat, read my notes from last year, jotted down some new ones, and just enjoyed the spot. Here are a few of my notes:

I want to make the real, real, and the false, false in my life and in the world.

Help me, Jesus, to not simply look forward to doing your work, but to be doing it.

It seems that the coming of Jesus was not simply a method God chose to save us, but that it was the only solution, that it was a logical outcome, and the only act that could have been taken.

I read a journal entry from last year that basically says I feel driven to serve God, yet chained and held back by my limitations. I now realize I'm at peace with my limitations and the waiting that is involved in patiently growing fruit.

Here are my pics:
http://img16.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=photo0081c.jpg

Topic started by Matthew Epperson

3 replies. Last reply from Olga a.k.a. olechka4480 on 7/11/2010 8:18 PM

Uploading pictures from the long walk???

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:02:55 GMT

Hi there,

I'm interested in still sending in my picture from the long walk. Can I still do that and should I send it to brian@dailyaudiobible.com

Topic started by dcplayback

2 replies. Last reply from Brian Hardin on 7/10/2010 11:02 PM

A walk by the sea, and a walk in a park

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:41:39 GMT

I had a busy week so I took my long walk last Saturday. I caught the train to Dawlish and walked to Teignmouth along the South West Coast Path. It's a beautiful bit of coastline. God's creation is absolutly beautiful. It was the first time I've stopped in long time. I just felt a sense of God's peace. During my walk I got this line from a Lion King song stuck in my head, "He's holding back, He's hiding, from what I can't decide. Why can't he be the king I know he is, the king I see inside." Which prompted me to think about what I was holding back from God, and about what I was hiding from God, and what was stopping me from being the person God made me to be. So when I got home I started listening to Restored.

On Tuesday I realised I need to do some serious thinking about where God wanted me to be. So on Wednesday evening I went for a little walk around a local park and listened to Restored 3 & 4. And WOW! It was exactly what I needed to hear. God showed me what I was hiding from Him and myself. My world got turned upside down in August 2009 and I suppose I've been quite bitter inside becasue of it. God has started healing my heart. Please pray for me as I continue to listen to Restored, and for the healing to continue too.

Thanks

p.s. here's some pictures of my walks http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191320&id=501664053&ref=mf

Topic started by Michaela

5 replies. Last reply from Cabingirl on 7/10/2010 6:41 PM

Long listen to God

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:03:28 GMT

Long Walk 2008 was spent together with my wife, and my expectations for something happening or so high I didn't quite relax enough to get anything out of it.

Long Walk 2009 I spent alone at a park, my heart heavily burdened for the goals and purposes of my life.

This year, Long Walk 2010 I spent alone again, but the them was rest. I got up around 7 and did the morning prayer. Had breakfast with my wife and son, the left around 9 and just listened to where I should go. I felt God leading me to simply drive off into the back roads east of town. For the next hour and a half I listened to Brian's talk Boiling Point and recalibrate.

Have you ever just got in your car, opened your spirit to God and simply turned where he says to turn? It is an ironic and sometimes frustrating experience. Sometimes he just loops your around and around. Sometimes he leads you back to places he prompted you to turn but you didn't. And sometimes you start getting tired of going in loops and try to argue with him. I haven't found that to be productive, but I've done it. In the end the experience usually leaves me a bit more sinsitive to his leading.

Around 10:30 I found my self walking into a gas station and prompted to enjoy a cup of coffee and a donuts, something I never do. However, a few weeks ago I randomly had thought, "ya know, it might be fun to just get a coffee and a donut sometime on my way to work." I never have time to do that on the way to work, but it seems that God wanted to treat me.

Now, originally I had planed to go to a specific park on the other side of town. Instead, I found myself prompted to take an exit that was about 15 miles too early. I listened to the prompts, made my turn, and found myself near a small lake called Valley Water Mill. To my surprise I discovered there was a trail going around this lake and soon was on the path. Along the path I found one of my favorite natural phenomenons: cliffs. I sat, read my notes from last year, jotted down some new ones, and just enjoyed the spot. Here are a few of my notes:

I want to make the real, real, and the false, false in my life and in the world.
Help me, Jesus, to not simply look forward to doing your work, but to be doing it.

It seems that the coming of Jesus was not simply a method God chose to save us, but that it was the only solution, that it was a logical outcome, and the only act that could have been taken.

I read a journal entry from last year that basically says I feel driven to serve God, yet chained and held back by my limitations. I now realize I'm at peace with my limitations and the waiting that is involved in patiently growing fruit.

My pics are at: http://img16.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=photo0081c.jpg

Topic started by Matthew Epperson

2 replies. Last reply from Brian Hardin on 7/10/2010 9:03 AM

Long Walk - Prelude

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:15:26 GMT

Yesterday was a full day of extended hours at work...impossible time of year. However, I was determined to pause, take a walk, and quietly listen and see God in the early evening hours walking in the fields near our farm.

It was a humble journey, nothing specular, yet, God seemed to open my eyes to beauty that surrounds me and mostly is unacknowledged in my normal routine. The sky was amazing...clouds with sunbeams bursting through. Wildflowers randomly springing from the ditch grasses, corn tall and stately, and the crocked gravel path leading to our cattle pasture.

My camera captured elements of the display...but my heart was the real depository of the beauty. As I observed one thing after another several truths of scripture were etched in my mind. Luke 12:22-34 continues to resound with me. Don’t worry. God clothes the flowers of the field...that many don’t even ‘see’ yet how much more does He care for me.

Trusting Him with all things, all situations is what honors Him most...He nudged me, reminded me and assured me that He is in all the details, even providing a time of beauty and reflection at the end of a too busy day.

I treasure my times with Him when I deliberately listen to Him in the quiet whisper of the breezes of East Central Illinois.

Topic started by Bonnie

4 replies. Last reply from jackoslife on 7/10/2010 12:15 AM

My Long Walk, God's Way: OBEDIENCE 2010

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:15:17 GMT

I watched as people went on their Long Walks for two years. Last year I decided that come what may, I'd go. I was so excited about it, and planned to go to Nyack Beach, in Nyack, NY. I went to Nyack College, and had some lovely memories of having my quiet time there. I decided that I'd revisit the place for this Long Walk.
I took note when Brian said that his long walk never went according to plan, and so I decided to loosen my grip on what I wanted to do. Right before I fell asleep the night before, I asked God, "Where are we going tomorrow, Lord?" He said, "We're going to spend this Long Walk right here at home."
You can imagine my shock, and I must confess I was a little disappointed. I was looking forward to that lovely haven. However, I quickly surrendered my plans to Him, and asked Him, "Will I be distracted Lord? You know how busy this house gets... sometimes noisy... I'm always being called upon... Will I be distracted?" He promised me that there would be no distractions, and that we would indeed be alone together. :-) So promised, so delivered.

I started in the living room on my recliner, and I tell ya, God came down and filled the room with His awesome presence. He told me many things. He explained this year's trials, and stressed the importance of immediate OBEDIENCE as I continue to advance throughout this year. He explained His silence back in April and May. He told me that the silence meant to reveal the idols of my heart, my unbelief, and some of the habits that I have that are destructive to the ministry. He once again stressed obedience, and declared His everlasting love for me, and again promised never to leave nor forsake me. He knows how afraid I am that He would abandon me. I know that He would never... but sometimes, when He's silent, it gets scary. But now I know in my heart that He never really did leave and that His everlasting love is just that- everlasting.

I ended my Long Walk with this resolve:

Hold Thou Thy cross between us, blessed Lord
Let [me] love Thee. To [me] Thy power afford
To remain prostrate at Thy pierced feet
There is no other place here I may meet [Thee]

Set Thou [my] face as a flint of stone
To do thy will, [my] goal be this alone
O God, [my] heart is fixed
Let [me] no turn
Consume all [my] affections,
Let Thy love burn

-From Elisabeth Elliot's Passion & Purity

Topic started by Yoli-Ann

3 replies. Last reply from jackoslife on 7/9/2010 5:15 PM

Mt Palomar, CA via Texas

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:44:46 GMT

For my fiancee Pam and myself, the idea of taking a 'Long Walk' has much significance...
Ours is a story about God's faithfulness to us even when we are not always seeking Him.

We met over 40 years ago in church when we were just kids... she was my 'first crush', and when her dad took a pastor's job in another town we lost contact with each other. And last year, when we reconnected, we both felt a strong sense that God had somehow orchestrated our reunion.

Pam lives in the San Diego area, I live in central Texas... and even though the distance between us poses some challenges, I feel like I have to share some thing things about how DAB has helped us. DAB has been a daily part of our lives... we both listen daily and we talk about it and pray together by phone every night. Our Lord Jesus (through DAB) has been the glue that keeps us together the past few months, and when we heard a few weeks ago about the 'long walk', we decided it would be a great time to walk and pray together.

On Tues the 6th, I traveled to San Diego... on the 7th, we drove up to the Mt. Palomar Christian Conference Center, where we found a trail leading to a place called Inspiration Point... Pam and I both were in awe of what God has created for us. We went there seeking God's will for our lives and guidance about where we should live once we are married, yet we found ourselves praising God for all the many blessings He pours out on us. Although we didn't actually 'hear God's voice' (as we both would like so much to experience), we both came off the mountain feeling a sense of peace and contentment about where our Lord is taking us!

I want to express my appreciation to Brian for what he is doing through DAB... this is a great ministry and I just want to say Thank You to Brian and his wife for their commitment to God and to each other... Brian, I know you don't always know whether your work is worthwhile or not, but my prayers are for you as you serve the Lord.

Topic started by mhees

4 replies. Last reply from jackoslife on 7/9/2010 4:44 PM

Another Long Walk

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:45:43 GMT

I liked my Long Walk yesterday, dedicated to Christ Jesus. At the trail head, I met someone that was interested in DAB, Hilda, and gave her a DAB postcard. She and her 2 kids were going on a bike ride.

I walked up behind Keystone resort to the lifts at North Peak. It was nearly epic..complete with thunder and lightening! I took pics but I don't know how to get them from my phone (T-Mobile) to my computer! oh well.

Thank you for the encouragment to get out and walk it!

Topic started by Van

4 replies. Last reply from Calico on 7/9/2010 12:45 PM

My long walk and the zoo

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:01:27 GMT

This is the 2nd year I've participated in the Long Walk, but the first that I've actually been able to do it on the actual date of July 7th. I almost didn't do it because we had Monday off from work and I thought "I can't really take another day off" -- but I had vacation time available and decided it was important to do this with the DAB Community. Even the night before I kept debating what to do -- should I really take such a long trip, but decided to go.
I live in East Texas and drove about 90 miles to Dallas-Fort Worth area. I went to a nature preserve called Cedar Ridge Preserve -- where it says it's one of the highest points in D/FW area at 730 something feet. To me who grew up in Colorado, that's almost funny, but it's as close to a mountain as I could get. I enjoyed the 2+ mile hike I took but had a difficult time concentrating on prayer, but was able to listen to the last 3 days of DAB I had missed. The heat and humidity of the day might have been why it was harder to concentrate -- but still enjoyable and I did have confirmation about the need to get more consistently deeper into God's Word than I had been. So that was good for me.
Then in the afternoon I went to the Fort Worth Zoo -- because whenever I see all those different animals it reminds me how diverse and creative God is, but even more so how He is able to take care of creatures no matter how big or small, no matter how strange their dietary needs, etc. Even seeing the huge crowds of people reminded me that each of them are important to God. (it was 1/2 price day at the zoo, which I didn't know until I got there -- so a blessing $ wise, but crowded!) So the zoo might not seem like a place to give your day to God, but for me it was like "Let's have fun together" part of my day.... something I often forget to do.
I'd post a picture, but am not sure how to do it right now. Once I find out I'll add it.

Topic started by Millynne Brown

2 replies. Last reply from jackoslife on 7/9/2010 10:01 AM

Raven Rock state park... again

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:41:45 GMT

Last year was my first Long Walk. I went to Raven Rock state park in NC and it was awesome. I have grown so much in the past year. On my walk last year God planted a seed that became an incredible mountaintop at Christmas. But since then I have been in the valley feeling mostly lost. I couldn't help but think about how high and low I have been this past year, to pretty much end up back at the same point on that scale a year later.

So I sensed God calling me back to this same location this year, and He didn't dissapoint. The 6 mile walk was beautiful, but the hour spent at this one location praying and hearing from him was incredible. The Casting Crown song "Here at Your Feet" has been heavy on my heart for a few weeks and God brought that back to my mind. The song talks about us laying down at the feet of Jesus our past, present, future and lives, and then dwelling at His feet. So I prayed through each one of those and he revealed some very specific things.

On my past, I prayed for clarification on the past year, and He told me once again that I had indeed heard clearly His voice over that time, and "I am free...". I then prayed "God what do you want to show me about today?", and he showed me that I am grieving a loss, and will continue to do so every day for a while, but that in His strength I have "all I need". Praying about my future is tough right now because my wife and I have been praying about full-time ministry for a while and we continue to hear "wait", and that has been difficult. God revealed to me that, much like our children, waiting is difficult not because we don't trust the Father, but because we don't see what He sees. Hearing this cemented the words from the song "I find peace". Lastly I prayed about my life. The song talks about laying down our lives for our King and then "my soul sings". This was incredible to me because back on the mountaintop I would wake every morning already singing a praise song, I mean right in the middle of it, like my soul was singing even while I slept. Entering the valley I lost that for a while, and while it has come back some it is still sporatic. He showed me that the problem is that I am not focused on Him like I should be. So that is my plan, to focus on Him like I was on the mountaintop.

I hope God spoke to all of you as clearly and personally as He did me on my long walk. It's been a long year, but God is still God and He still wants to do amazing things in and through our lives. And I needed the reminder that at His feet I am free... at His feet I find all I need... at His feet I find peace... and at His feet my soul sings... Have a great day...

Todd <><

Topic started by Todd Sorrell

4 replies. Last reply from Millynne Brown on 7/8/2010 11:41 PM

24 Hr Flu - a cleansing experience

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:31:52 GMT

As I awoke yesterday I realized my wife had the flu (my son just got over it). So i stayed home from work. Well around 9:30 or 10am i started feeling sick myself.
Having a rest on the couch while the kids were at VBS was great. Going through the day I realized that as I was sick it gave me the opportunity to passionately call out to God for a variety of things. At the end of the day I felt better, rested, and even cleansed from a day of repentance and prayer. So despite the fact that I was confined to the house and felt rotten, it wasn't a bad day.

Topic started by Garry J

5 replies. Last reply from Millynne Brown on 7/8/2010 11:31 PM