The Line was Crossed...What Now?

In our house, Sharpies are considered contraband.

Slightly more tolerable than your common street drug. 

And we’ve seen it all. 

From pants and table runners, to tabletops and hair coloring – nothing good ever happens mixing four pre-adolescent boys with permanent markers. 

Once that line is established, it is indeed permanent. 

Sure, remedies exist but these rely primarily on timely intervention.

Key word: 'timely'.  Timeliness requires candidness from the culprits. 

Let’s just say the ink dries ten-times over. 

Permanency

Far from being a mere social construct, morality is grounded in the very essence of God’s character.  In both general and specific ways God has graciously revealed his righteous expectation for humanity.  And while some might bristle at such simplicity, ‘right is right and wrong is wrong’.  Be sure of it.  The ink has dried on the divine mandates. 

Crossing the Line

As God identified the line of morality in Eden, we know man blew it.  We crossed the line.  In Adam, we all grabbed the fruit.  Famished in our self-interest, we feast on rebellion.  And herein is the beauty of the Bible’s story arch, at our lowest God reaches for us. 

From Genesis 3 onward, God works to free humanity from the tyranny of sin.  In Christ, we are set free from captivity.  He alone is our Victor, his blood liberates us from bondage to sin and his resurrection grants us power for daily growth in righteousness.

Christian Community

Even a brief moment of introspection shows that daily growth in Christ’s righteousness is incredibly difficult.  Elsewhere Paul actually describes this pursuit as war.  But as excruciating as the daily battle can be, victory is miraculously made possible.

That said, at times we get stuck. 

As all sin masquerades as an alluring alternative to the righteousness granted in Christ, there can be prolonged seasons of deep duplicity in our faith journey.  And, if candid, we may admit that the immediate gratification of our sin appears vastly superior to the acquired taste of obedience.  From subtle whispers to bold inquistions our flesh daily ponders: why grow in righteousness when the pleasures of forbidden fruit seem most rewarding? 

If this at all seems familiar, then you might understand the beauty of Christian community: it becomes a place where we are known.

Far to often the church is managed like Cheers.  Please understand our sacred communities must be much more than a place where everyone knows your name – they’ve got to know you.  And equally important, you need to know them. 

We need to know of these inner dialogues, these inner battles of the flesh.  Peter tells us that as the lions seek the isolated and lame, so the enemy of our souls seeks those spiritually maimed and alone.

In God’s economy the people of faith provide an incredible means of grace in our pursuit of Christ.  The church is designed as a place of intense grace and truth, a place where we not only find camaraderie and inspiration but a place that graciously and soberly offers biblical judgment and correction.  Put simply.  There are times when the church, for our own eternal good, must kick us in the pants.

Such is the nature and intent of church discipline.  Churches that embrace discipline understand the twisted nature of sin, the eternal implications of rebellion, and the divine charge to strengthen the weak and safeguard the wayward.  These communities of faith are to be embraced.  These brothers and sisters are to be cherished and their leadership praised.  Refusing to either ignore the wayward or excuse the rebellious, these churches actually champion the true fruits of grace and acceptance.

I Corinthians 5-6: Church discipline in review

Paul didn’t pull punches.

Entrenched, blatant rebellion pervaded the Corinthian church.  From open incest and internal squabbles, to greed and masked idolatry, professing-believers arrogantly redefined righteousness and lived as pagans.

Action was demanded.

Paul charged the congregation to exercise church discipline.  I’d encourage you to read I Corinthians 5-6.  Read and consider the following:

• What does Paul say about judging others?  
• What is the intent of church discipline? 
• When is the church to administer discipline? 
• What is the long-term effect of a church that doesn’t practice church discipline? 
• If you’ve seen discipline done in a God-honoring fashion, what aspects did you find noteworthy? 
• Conversely, if you’ve seen discipline handled contrary to the spirit of the Word, what aspects caught your attention? 

At some point in the next week or so, we’ll be looking more closely at I Corinthians 5-6.  Until then, blessings and may God allow us to grow in righteousness.  Careful to humbly guard one another from the enemy, prayerfully upholding one another in the pursuit of Christ.   

Grace and Peace.

Zechariah: Passion Week Foretold

The Book of Zechariah: A Crash Course

While the entire book Zechariah is apocalyptic in nature, it breaks down into two distinct sections.  Bear with me!  The first, 1:1-8:23, is a series of eight off-the-wall prophecies that were ultimately fulfilled in the 6^th century BC.  And while these successive visions are certainly unique, they do follow a linear path.  Starting with Israel's return from captivity and concluding with the temple being rebuilt, these prophecies are largely localized within the post-exilic community's immediate history.

The second section, 9:1-14:21, follows anything but an accessible timeline.  Contrary to the tightly woven visions of the first section, this later portion follows a more sporadic rhythm.  Zechariah's visions become more global in nature, expanding beyond the nation and borders of Israel to include every nation, tribe, and tongue.  Along with an increased national scope, the time of fulfillment is also ambiguous. 

Even so, Zechariah 9:1-14:21 remarkably gives us glimpses into the Passion.  These visions identify four central, historical events embedded within the final week of Jesus’ life.

The Book of Zechariah and Christ’s Passion

  

                                                   

1.     The Triumphal Entry of Israel’s King: Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 21:1-11

Zechariah anticipated a king inaugurating unparalleled, global peace.      

With shouts of “Hosanna!” Matthew indicates the masses were keenly aware of the role Jesus assumed.  Rome would soon fall.  Israel's salvation was at hand, her Golden Age would be restored. 

Expectations ran high but soon anticipation turned to angst.    

Few would learn that peace had certainly been established but it was a peace not as this world gives.  And though Rome would not fall that Passion Week, on the foal of a donkey the forces of evil were duly warned.  The kingdom of peace had come.  

And while the King, atop a beast groomed for war, will one day return in all his glorious might - let us not lose sight of the kingdom marked by righteousness, joy, and peace in the Spirit but let us grow more ever more accustomed to its' daily rule and freedoms (Romans 14:17).   

2.     The Good Shepherd Rejected: Zechariah 11:4-17; Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10

Amid the apocalyptic oddities of chapter 11, one message is clear.  Israel blew it.  She not only rejected the good shepherd but she failed to recognize his supreme worth.  In spite of his exemplary service, Israel paid the shepherd an absurdly meager sum.  30 pieces of silver – the amount for which a slave is valued (Exodus 21:32).

As the King of Kings is sold for 30 pieces of silver, Matthew picks up this dual theme of devaluing and rejection but he does so in the most unexpected of ways: Judas.  

For all eternity Judas' name is synonymous with betrayal.  Someone from within the circle of twelve, ultimately rejected and devalued Jesus.   Note Judas' words in 26:15.  

"What will you give me if I delver him over to you?"  

Judas' personal gain and self-interest proved far more valuable to him than the glories of Christ.  The phrase "What will you give me" is telling.  Judas never trusted in Jesus' supreme ability to grant living water and abundant joy.  He was after something else and he turned to someone else.  And like all idolatrous acts, the broken cisterns proved far more tempting.  Let us be warned, even those closest to the King weren't beyond apostasy.  
  

3.     The Piercing of God and Opportunity for Cleansing: Zechariah 12:10-13:1; John 19:31-37

Zechariah envisions a day when the house of David will look upon Yahweh, the one ‘whom they have pierced’.  On that day divine favor will pour out a spirit of conviction, revelation, and restoration.  We then drink deeply from the fountain of God's good grace, attaining the waters the cleanse from all sin.  Like the woman at the well, Jesus offers to all who come - drink and never thirst again.    

4.     The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scatter: Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31-32

The context of Zechariah 12-13 naturally links the one pierced with the shepherd who will be struck.  With the figurehead battered, the sheep will scatter. 

Jesus seamlessly recalls this prophetic word as he predicts his disciples’ imminent distress.  Indeed, they will flee but take heart – the Messiah offers profound hope and opportunity. 

“But after I am raised up, I will meet you in Galilee” 

Jesus knew.  He knew those closest would soon desert him.  Yet even with such intimate knowledge of their greatest failure, the Master offered a second chance.  I’ll meet you in Galilee.

I am becoming more aware of my greatest failure.  I suppose in time we all do.  But even in the darkness of our betrayal, may we hear the King calling, “I’ll meet you in Galilee.”

With these four brief snapshots, Zechariah foretold notable pieces of Jesus' Passion.  My prayer as we head into Good Friday is that we sense anew the magnitude of God's grace and goodness manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.  Indeed, Sunday is coming!

Grace and Peace 

Everest: Follow Their Lead

If you’re going to spend north of $60,000 to ascend Everest, 

do yourself a favor and find Apa. 

Apa is a member of the Sherpa, a tightly knit people group native to the Everest region.  Being experts in local terrain and having physically adapted to higher altitudes, the Sherpa are the primary guides to ascending Everest.

And none are more distinguished than Apa Sherpa. 

Guinness claims he holds the world record for Everest summits at 21.  For his unparalleled success and knowledge of the mountain Apa’s peers deemed him "Super Sherpa".  From identifying routes to fixing ropes, from making camp to transporting luggage – Apa is your man. 

If you and I are ever on Everest, your opinion will matter very little to me.  As life hangs in the balance, I’m with Apa.  If a decision needs to be made, I will look to Apa.  If Apa were to say, “go” – I go. 

No questions asked.  Apa is the authority.        

Similarly, as Paul concludes his writing on church unity the emphasis he places on authority is particularly noteworthy.  As the church is to unite in both the power of the gospel and the mind of Christ, we are also to unite under the authority of Christ’s apostles (4:1-21). 

In the face of potential factions the body of Christ is to look at her foundational leadership for clear direction.  Track Paul throughout 4:1-21:

• As an apostle, God will judged me accordingly (4:1-5)
• As an apostle, follow my example (4:6-7)
• As an apostle, submit to my authority (4:8-21)

Submit to the apostle's example:

Simply put, the apostles' relationships were bound by sacred writings. Their willful acceptance of the Old Testament provided parameters to practice mutual submission in the maintenance of God honoring unity (4:6).

Resist a quick reading of 4:6.  Appreciate that the apostles were flesh and blood.  Real men with real desires and aspirations.  Allow yourself to consider how incredibly powerful their temptation might have been.  How easy would it have been for any one of the apostles to subtly encourage the Corinthian disunity?  My goodness, the church was already chanting their individual names and publicly lobbying for the factions (1:11-12; 3:4, 22-23)!

Even so, our early leaders remained committed to ascending Everest.
Resisting substitutes, nothing short of reaching the summit would suffice.
Rejecting prideful self-interest, the higher path of humility was chosen.

Paul skillfully shifts from the apostles' humility to the Corinthians' arrogance.  Knowing full well that their factions were fueled by pride, note the rhetorical questions of 4:7

Who sees anything special in you? God put you in Christ.  You did nothing to garner the Almighty’s attention.   

What do you have that you didn’t receive? God gifted you in Christ.  You did nothing to procure spiritual giftedness. 

Why do you boast?  God alone is worthy.  You did nothing to warrant such arrogance.  

Let these questions echo in our spirits and through our churches.  They will erode any measure of spiritual pride and eat away at our tightly guarded self-perceptions and unduly strong corporate identities.  

May these questions push against fleshly instincts that wish to categorize and divide - instincts that craft and cling to carefully defined boxes, instincts that quickly pass judgment on both individuals and groups alike.

Let these questions invite us to listen to our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the universal body.

The apostles led the way up Everest, may we quick follow.

Submit to the apostle's authority:

Whereas 4:6-7 relied upon the apostolic example for unity, 4:8-21 relies solely upon apostolic authority.  Note the last verse:

"What do you wish?  Shall I come to you with a rod or with love in a spirit of gentleness?"  #yourchoice #apostolicmuscle 

Throughout this portion of text, Paul utilized multiple approaches.  He moves from incredibly deep, cutting sarcasm (4:8-13), into gentle, fatherly encouragement (4:14-17), then into direct, fatherly exhortation (4:18-21). Each avenue serves to reinforce both Paul's office of apostle and the message of unity in Christ.

In short, ban the factions or there would be hell to pay.
Dispel the disunity or Paul will arrive with rod in hand.
Do what Paul says, follow his lead.

Rest assured the immediate application of 4:1-21 is lost in our modern context, Paul will not be visiting your church or mine with a rod in his hand. Even so, there is immense value in considering this section of text.

Throughout I Corinthians 1:18-4:21, Paul stresses unity as the Everest of congregational life.  This ascent is not optional but rather, as the apostle demonstrates in chapter 4, expected of all who seek reconciliation with Christ.

How then will we respond? When tempted to foster the "otherness" that so readily separates, will I cast myself upon God's good grace and choose obedience?  Will I bind myself to the word in my regular interactions?   If I've created even a possible offense, will I cease worship and go reconcile with my brother?

Corporately, how will the 21st century church in all her manifestations actively submit to Paul's apostolic authority and cultivate a united front?  Given all our cultural, political, and theological variations will we be open to the opportunity or will pride breed suspicions and paint caricatures?  

The great thing about these types of questions is that we can still yet determine their answers.  By God's grace, we can still choose unity.  We can still ascend the summit and discover a fullness of gospel living that simply cannot be experienced at the mountain's base.  Solid footing is offered and by God's grace we'll meet at the top!

Grace and Peace

Everest: Death to Those Who Sit

1979, the upper slopes of Everest.

In spite of urgent pleas, she could descend no further.  Exhausted, Hannalore Schmatz needed but to rest her weary body.  She never stood up. 

In fact, for years climbers would pass her frozen corpse.  Still resting on her pack, eyes wide open, hair blowing in the wind, Schmatz sat as an eerie reminder to all who pass. 

As one climber recalls: “I cannot escape the sinister guard. Approximately 100 meters above Camp IV she sits leaning against her pack, as if taking a short break. A woman with her eyes wide open…it feels as if she follows me with her eyes as I pass by. Her presence reminds me that we are here on the conditions of the mountain.”

All Schmatz sought was a break from tireless effort. 

Still she sits. 

Decay has drained whatever signs of life once existed. 

So it is with the tireless work of church unity.  The ascent of this spiritual Everest is daunting.  Day after day, circumstance after circumstance, temptation after temptation we must rely upon supernatural power to accomplish the incredible.  

Her warning remains: do not grow weary.

Don’t sit down.

Resist the demand for rest. 

Factions only bait us into frozen indifference.

Press on – seeking to build gospel-centered unity in Christ. 

After calling us to unite in the power of Christ’s cross, Paul continues leading the charge upward.  Follow I Corinthians 2:6-3:23

Unite in the depths of Christ mind 

"We have the mind of Christ"

I Corinthians 2:16b

Paul offers a wisdom for the mature, a wisdom that the rulers of this age woefully missed.  This biblical wisdom is intricately connected to the person of Christ, achieving supernatural levels of discernment solely by the indwelling Spirit of God (2:6-16).

But a problem persisted, the Corinthians had sat down.

The disunity of the church made it impossible for Paul to interact with them in a mature, Christ-like fashion.  The ongoing preferential demands and petty factions demonstrated their true colors – the believers were acting like mere men (3:4)!  Instead of exhibiting the supernatural discernment afforded through the mind of Christ, the church caved and resorted to a natural, fleshly orientation.

Trace I Corinthians 3:5-23.  Paul literally spoon-feeds the church a measure of spiritual discernment.  He helps them think biblically concerning their ongoing interpersonal factions:

What is Apollos, What is Paul – they are God’s servants.  The church is God’s field, his building, and his temple.  Paul’s point is that if the Corinthians were spiritual astute, they would have already connected the dots and understood these most basic principles – but they were still stuck in the muck, incapable to exercising the mind of Christ.

Envision young children trying to fill out a ‘connect-by-numbers’ sheet.  There was a time in their early developmental stages that my boys had no idea the number sequence.  Every time they distorted the image, every time they were unable to connect the dots.  Every time the image was distorted and indiscernible.  Every time reality was warped.

Such it is with the mind of Christ.

The Corinthian church proved incapable of seeing circumstances clearly for their spiritual development was stunted.  They were unable to connect the dots, unable to exercise biblical discernment.  Instead of seeing clearly, they distorted God’s picture of how reality should play out.  Ultimately, their immaturity warped their interpersonal connections.   

We are to unite in the mind of Christ, striving toward unity.

May we push ourselves further into this divine reality.  

May we push ourselves further into the greatest commandments.

Learning to discern their implications in all manner of life.

Together, do not sit down.  Face the threats and differences.

Together, have the conversations. Together, disagree.

Together, admit unrest, hurt, and fear.

Together admit narrow, self-serving paradigms. 

Together, admit sinful presumption.  Together, don’t let the sun go down.   

Together, push ahead.  Extend grace, open to unite in the mind of Christ.

Grace and Peace

Everest: The Gorgeous Day

On May 31, 1934, Maurice Wilson's last journal entry read,
"Off again, gorgeous day. "

In the winter of that same year Wilson, an eccentric Englishman with no mountaineering or aviation experience, took off to conquer Mt. Everest.  With reckless abandon Wilson's plan involved crashing his small plane onto the slopes of Tibet.  From there, he would proceed to climb Everest.

(Should your strategic plan ever involve "crashing a plane", please reevaluate)

Hopes soared for this eager adventurer but as fate would have it Wilson's hopes eventually soured. Everest proved cruel and unforgiving as that 'gorgeous day' turned tragic.

Save Maurice Wilson, no one wanders upon Everest lightly.  Quite the opposite, with great intention mountaineers of all stripes have planned and executed the ascent.  With great care and preparation people from all walks of life have successfully made the climb.  

Much the same with church unity.  

A gorgeous ideal can quickly turn into a muddled, spiritually morbid experience.  Even so, with great preparation, commitment, and care gospel-centered unity is possible.  We can ascend this Everest.  In fact, we are commanded to do so.  As churches are comprised of people of all stripes, she is charged to unite as the body of our risen Lord.

Toward this glorious end, Paul gives would be climbers certain footholds in 
I Corinthians 1-4.  

Paul’s Starting Point: Unite in the power of Christ’s cross

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God

I Corinthians 1:18

The contrast is anything but static:

The path to destruction holds no wanderers.

Slumbering in darkness and actively intent on their rebellion,

the living are truly dead.

 

The path to salvation holds no wanderers.

Awakened by divine power and actively intent on the Spirit,

the living are truly alive. 

For one the cross is incomprehensible, for the other indescribable.

For one the gospel is folly, for the other it is sheer glory. 

For one daily death, the other daily life. 

Paul’s Proposal: There are only TWO types of people 

Paul invites the various Corinthian factions to consider an undeniable truth.  On any given day, on any given continent there are only two types of people: those actively oriented toward death and those actively oriented toward life.  So, of which group do you belong? 

Effectually Paul asks, do you seriously want to raise factious banners to Apollos, Paul, and Cephas when - in fact - you are all the same?  

Please recognize that Paul carefully dismantles any opportunity for the staunch, critical, overbearing spirit that creates “otherness” among the body of Christ.  Rather than the “otherness” naturally generated by our flesh and perpetuated throughout lesser forms of unity, Paul draws the universal church together by reminding her of our “oneness” in Christ.   

Paul’s Persuasion: Beware the divisive nature of pride

Putting pride in the crosshairs, Paul continues to challenge divisions within the church.  Note the outline below. I Corinthians systematically deconstructs the foundation of human pride: first by subverting human striving (1:19-25) and then by inviting readers to consider their own experience (1:26-2:5).

• Unable to grasp Truth, human postulating is frustrated (1:19-21)
• Unable to find Truth, human seeking is frustrated (1:22-25)
• Consider your status, nobodies saved in Christ (1:26-31)
• Consider my ministry, a nobody used by Christ (2:1-5)

Paul reinforces a unifying reality: 

apart from the cross, no man generates New Life.

Indeed, God himself has literally put us in Christ (1:30).  Jesus Christ is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption.  In this overarching reality, all flesh is silenced for no man can boast (1:29, 31).  

The cross brings unchecked pride to its knees.  

The cross curtails all manner of factions and lesser forms of unity.  

The cross bridges our differences, placing us in one family, the family of God.

The cross whispers into our souls, inviting us into something much larger.   

The cross causes the church to teem with anticipation and opportunity. 

The cross causes the church to brim with possibility rather than negativity.

As we ascend Everest, let our unity in the Lord Jesus Christ be where the church, the very people of God, begin not where we end.  May what separate the Body of Christ theologically or culturally be embraced and understood within the context of "oneness in Christ" not "otherness in our flesh".  And until the risen Lord return, may we be found faithfully working for the unity that will be manifested in glory for this, and this alone, will be most glorious.  

Grace and Peace 

Everest: The Ascent Toward Unity

I appeal to you brothers by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 

that all of you agree, that there be no divisions among you, 

but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.    

I Corinthians 1:10

Have you ever considered the vast differences that potentially exist between us on any given Sunday? 

How we were reared with our innate values and fears.

How we are hardwired with our nuanced personalities, quirks, and passions. 

From different socio-economic levels to political ideologies, we’re different. 

From educational backgrounds to theological ideologies, we’re different. 

From personal convictions and opinions to personal tastes, we’re different. 

Some carry unfathomable life tragedy, others seem unscathed.  

Some are infants in Christ, others are more mature.

While the possibilities of what differentiates us are endless our aim is singular.  Gospel-centered, Christ exalting, interpersonal unity is the divinely established standard.  And while the church faces many trials and challenges, there is but one Everest: we are to unite.  

Gratefully, in I Corinthians 1-4 Paul provides solid footing for our ascent:

1. Unite in the power of Christ’s cross (1:18-2:5)
2. Unite in the depth of Christ’s mind (2:6-3:23)
3. Unite under the authority of Christ’s apostles (4:1-21)

Truthfully.  The climb toward unity is daunting and the temptation to settle for lesser expressions is great.  After all, why climb the mountain when we can simply snap selfies at it's base and grab souvenirs from the gift shop?  Why invest all the emotional energy and spiritual discipline necessary when easier substitutes exist?

Indeed, alternatives to God-honoring unity abound.  Think about it.  As the Spirit seeks to cultivate supernatural unity in the church, be assured the enemy has created knock-offs.  

Utilizing the psychosocial phenomena of large groups, the Spirit works to form collective identity, meaning, and belonging.  Through the regular preaching of God's word, the administration of the ordinances, and the offering of public praise and worship, the Spirit moves throughout the collective whole.  In the end, this unity exemplifies trinitarian doctrine and function - as Jesus prayed we are to be united as the Father and Son! (John 17:20-23) 

Similarly, the enemy can take the exact same phenomena and create substitutes.  Alternatives to biblical unity that feel authentic but ultimately lack the depth of God’s design.  These substitutes are shallow and susceptible to splintering and fragmentation.  Often rather than doing the hard work of uniting, these choose uniformity rather than genuine, biblical unity.  In fact, as we’ll see below, the Corinthians succumbed to the cultural practices of their day and settled for an unfortunate alternative (1:10-17).  

In the days ahead, we'll explore the three aforementioned footholds but for the moment I'd encourage us to exercise biblical discernment as we consider the possibility of counterfeits.  Simply put, what are potential alternatives to the Christ-exalting congregational unity set forth in I Corinthians 1:10?    

While this is list certainly isn't exhaustive, I'd offer the following:  

We unite around figureheads.  These bonds are built upon a particular preacher’s charisma and/or skill set (1:11-12).  A core threat to the “cult of personality” is reflective questioning.  The system, or more grievous the leader, discourages such inquiries often perceiving them as ungrounded challenges. 

We unite around preferential norms.  These bonds are built upon common cultural faith experiences and expressions.  A culture’s nuances provide a familiar sense of sanctity to those within the system.  A core threat is the idea of change.

We unite around nuanced doctrinal statements.  These bonds are primarily built upon particular systems of theology rather than the gospel.  A core threat is the theological diversity reflected in the universal body of Christ.    

We unite around excitement.  These bonds are built upon that which is either new and/or captivating.  Whether upbeat worship, the newest and largest building project, creative marketing, or the latest ministry fad this manner of unity craves anticipation and stimulation.  A core threat is the perceived monotony of daily church life.  

We unite around busyness.  These bonds are built upon cluttered calendars and accomplished tasks.  Consider Martha serving in the kitchen, what holds these bonds together is the achievement gleaned from “doing the Lord’s work.”  This degree of unity is susceptible to being defined by productivity, what “we do” is more important than who “we are”.  The one who rests is often seen as slacking.  Accordingly a core threat is the necessary “no”.   

Biblical discernment is crucial.
Substitutes do provide something but they're lacking.
Be honest about our bonds, much is at stake.
Paul gave us distinct pathways to tread.
Let's get ready to climb!

Grace and Peace