Climbing and Faith
Being a climber is not just the only way I define myself. What is more important to me is that I am a person of religious faith. My relationship with God is very important to me, but for many years I have struggled with exactly how to define it and to feel comfortable describing it to others. Through my love for climbing though, I think I am finely moving a little closer to an understanding; at least for me. I am a Christian and my path to God is through his son, my savior Jesus Christ.
My path to God has not been through a church where perhaps it ought to be. I believe that there are many paths to God, and in the mountains is where I have found mine. Is it a cop-out or taking the easy way though to say that there are many paths to God? For me, I know my path to God lies in the mountains. When I am on this path is when I am often happiest.
"Yet he is not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'" From the book of Acts (17.22-28), for me this describes how my path to God has been the rock and ice that runs like a thread through my life’s fabric, giving both purchase and purpose to my hands and a solid ground for my feet.
Favorite Quotes
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -Mathew 19:26
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
"Motor Racing, Mountain Climbing and Bull Fighting are the only true sports. All the rest are children's games played by adults." -Earnest Hemingway
"The greatest climber in the world is the one having the most fun." -Alex Lowe
