Really looking forward to speaking at this weekend’s Honor’s retreat at Lake Powell  for pastor Daniel Williamson and the young people of New Horizon Christian Academy.

http://www.azteenchallenge.org/cms/index.cfm?&PrimaryKeyList=,783&itemID=204069

One of my messages will be the taken from the amazing real life story of survival of Aron Ralston.

His book “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” is an amazing story of how he survived being stuck in Blue John Canyon in Utah.

Here is a brief look at my teaching called Between A Rock And A Hard Place I will be sharing this weekend.

The Story: – April 26, 2003, started as a routine Saturday of climbing for Aron Ralston
Ralston was 150-yards above the final rappel in Bluejohn Canyon. He was maneuvering in a 3-foot wide slot trying to get over the top of a large boulder wedged between the narrow canyon walls. He climbed up the boulder face and it seemed very stable as he stood on top. As he began to climb down the opposite side the perfectly balanced 800-pound rock shifted several feet, pinning his right arm – he was trapped.
Within the first hour after becoming trapped Ralston had calculated his options and came up with four possible solutions.
Someone would happen along and rescue him.
He would be able to chip away at the rock and free his hand.
He would be able to rig up something with the ropes and equipment he had to move the rock.
If all else failed, he would need to sever the arm.
Death was a 5th possibility that Ralston didn’t want to consider.

2 Cor 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  (kjv)
vs. 8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; (amplified)

The Power Of An Idea Makes All The Difference For Survival.
“WISDOM MAKES ONE WISE MAN MORE POWERFUL THAN TEN RULERS.” ECCLESIASTES 7:19 NIV
The power of an idea
In his book, Thinking for A Change, John Maxwell says, “The right thought, plus the right people, in the right environment, at the right time, for the right reason, always produces the right result.” Let’s examine those words:

(1) The right thought.

Thinking produces ideas and ideas have power. But every idea begins as a “seed thought” – you have to nurture it!

(2) The right people.

Every time you expose the right idea to the right people, incredible things happen. In their company it blossoms and becomes infused with possibility.

(3) The right environment.

In the right environment thinking is valued, ideas flow freely, fresh eyes are welcome, change is expected, questions are encouraged, egos are checked, ideas stimulate better ideas, and thinking generates teamwork.

(4) The right time.

The Emperor Hadrian said, “To be right too soon, is to be wrong.” While still in the stretching stage of an idea, present it without expectations, time frames or rigidly defined goals. Why? Because if you try to implement your ideas too early they may not survive.

(5) The right reason.

J.P. Morgan said, “A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason.” Motives matter. Selfish motives disqualify us; God only gets behind ideas that fulfill His purposes and demonstrate that we care for others.
Sometimes an idea becomes great when it partners with another one; other times it excels just as it is. One thing’s for sure: as you stretch your thinking, you’ll discover that your thinking is stretching you.