Praise God! I am glad to report I have, at last, conquered Alafia River mountain biking trails. On Saturday, my friend Stephan and I took on Florida's most challenging off road biking trails and walked away without a scratch. Sadly, I am humbled to say it was not so a few weeks back when I first tackled Alafia trails with riders from church...

Proudly advertised as the sunshine state's most challenging mountain biking trails, Alafia River State Park is host to more than 20,000 riders each year. Nested among ponds and swamps, Alafia trails feature the most technically challenging terrain in Florida.

A few weeks back, I was invited to join a group of guys from church at Alafia for a mountain bike outing. That Saturday morning on our way to the remote state park, my wife Elizabeth and I were amazed how fast both other vehicles were driving. Breaking the law often driving 10 miles an hour over the posted limit, our convoy made of trucks posting Jesus fishes and Calvary Chapel stickers rushed along.

I found myself wondering what the big hurry was all about, after all it was 9:00am and the park was not closing until 8:00pm. Elizabeth could feel the frustration in my voice, she kindly reminded me that "unfortunately, many Christians ignore the speed limit just as non-believers do..."

What bugged me the most is that Arthur, a pastor from Calvary was on board one of these vehicles, surely he would say something, do something? But no, I guess he too was in a hurry. The fact of the matter is too many Christians ignore speed limits, knowingly breaking the law and disobeying God's commands.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." (Romans 13:1-2)

The first trail the group ventured into was labeled as a "very difficult" trail, trusting my fellow riders I pedaled right into a beginner's worse nightmare. Rolling over my handlebars unable to slow myself down a steep hill, I was shocked to witness the sheer madness that followed.

The ride only got worse as Shane, an asthmatic fellow church goers found himself gasping for air along the expert trail he had been coerced into riding on his first time off road.

The irony that day was that even though I was not particularly fond of Shane, I was the one that stayed behind to help as he struggled to finish the trail. Stumbling along side his bike after injuring his leg, Shane needed a friend if only for a few minutes. I was reminded of this scripture I had read only a few days before...

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Shane and I spent a little over an hour looking for the rest of the group to no avail. I had been told our group would stay together and wait for weaker riders, I suppose the adrenaline rush brought on by the challenging trails was too strong a temptation for the other riders to overcome. Shane parked his bike and waited. I kept looking for pastor Arthur and the rest of the biker gang.

During a recent conversation with Arthur, he seemed amused by the incident. Making no attempt to apologize or to justify his leaving Shane and I behind, Arthur, a missions leader with endearing bible savvy just shook his head and smiled. It seems Arthur was on a mission that Saturday but not one that involved picking up the rear of the pack rather, he was on a mission to conquer Alafia River trails.

This goes to show no one is perfect, not even church pastors. Elected by God and/or a congregation, church pastors are imperfect beings called to guide and teach others according to the word of God.

Given the right or wrong circumstances, pastors will fall to temptation just like everyone else. Sooner or later, we will all fall short of the glory of God, fall to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life. Only Jesus Christ did not and will not waver:

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.' The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Luke 4-1-12)

The good news is Jesus shed His blood so our sins would be forgiven. Through confession our sins are brought to God. By repenting of our sins, we are made righteous before the Lord since true repentance is accompanied by deeds that prove our hearts are forever changed.

Are you enslaved to a sinful nature that entices you to give in to temptation? Are you ready to confess your sins and repent from your sinful ways? I invite you to call on this ministry for guidance and prayer or, for help with finding a church near you that will allow you to grow spiritually and strengthen your faith according to God's ways. Let's pray!