When my son was in youth baseball, I was probably an over-zealous parent when I emailed the team's coach about some concerns I had about how the season was going. I took the time to point the numerous positives that I saw. Then I added "but there are some things..." My email wasn't taken well by the coach. He suggested I find a new team for my son because in his view, his coaching and approach to the team was beyond questioning.  

I'm guessing he wouldn't think highly of the thought of this lesson: Just as everyone has a physical butt, we all have a performance "but."

Think about it. Every sports league votes one player as the most valuable player, the MVP. However, if you talked to those players, I'm sure most would quickly be able to share their weaknesses and moments of failure during their MVP season. Basically, they would say, "I am good at...BUT not so good at..."

One of the noted climbers in the U.S. in the early 90s was SRCFC member, Doug Englekirk. He did an early ascent of America's first 5.14, "To Bolt or Not to Be," at Smith Rock, Oregon. When I have spoken to him about why he didn't do the other 5.14 at Smith at the time, Scarface, he shared, "To Bolt played to my strengths, techy and all about endurance, BUT Scarface was too powerful."

Our failures and weaknesses aren't only found in our recreational activities; we can also find our "but" in our moral and ethical lives. We dissuade ourselves by holding up the good things we do and setting aside the wrongs we do. The conversation goes something like this, "Yeah, I sometimes do bad things but the good things far outweigh the bad I do." But do they?

Psalm 14:2-3 reads, "The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." WOW! We all have a "but." And even our best efforts are all but worthless as a credit for righteousness before a holy God.

Now, as we consider what the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus means, we realize that there is a much bigger "but" that covers ours. Romans 6:22 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is Eternal Life."

May you rejoice this Easter Season in a fresh way that we can stand holy before a righteous God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ and make a renewed commitment to share that Good News with others in your life.

City of Rocks, Idaho

Solid Rock Members have an opportunity to gather at least once per year in a National Conference. These conferences allow a time to get to know Solid Rockers from across the country, receive teaching from the National Director and other guest speakers on evangelism, experience worship and devotionals, and hang out & climb together. In the odd years we meet twice, once on each coast; and in the even years, we meet once in the Rocky Mountain region.

This year we are meeting in conjunction with Idaho Mountain Festival. SRCFC will be a sponsor of this event. This the newest festival joining similar festivals, such as the International Climbers Festival, Red Rock Rendezvous, and New River Rendezvous, to offer a four-day event where climbers, as well as trail-runners, can gather to enjoy endless climbing, trail races, activities, giveaways, music, meals, and workshops. SRCFC sponsored athlete, Matt Fultz, will be doing bouldering clinic. 
  

Our outreach will include providing a meal (Sunday Breakfast) and having an outreach table at the trade fair, as well on mission climbing throughout the festival. See event's page for more information and to record your interest in being there.

 SRCFC will be holding its 10th Annual International Day of Prayer for Climbers on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012. You are invited to pray for the climbing community and SRCFC's effectiveness in helping Christian climbers do outreach work. Generally, we have 80 to 100 Solid Rockers praying for hundreds of climbers by name as well as other requests. Our goal is to cover the entire 24 hour day from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm (Pacific Time or GMT minus 8:00) in 30 minute sessions. This happens the same day as the American National Day of Prayer. More information will follow soon.