The Parable of The Wooden Bridge

One last story from my hike on the Ice Age Trail this past week. I have written two stories already from the exploits of those two days, but this last one is probably the most important.

To briefly re-cap, I was thwarted in my attempt to hike a short segment of the Ice Age Trail near Bohn Lake. We had a lot of snow this year and the spring run-off and high water had blocked my trail. I simply could not cross the water without getting my feet and clothing wet. What was I to do?

When I revisited the flood area of the trail I was initially sad to see that the water was still there. There was still no way of getting across the trail without getting wet. That is, until I looked off to the side and discovered someone had built a bridge.

The wooden bridge was only wide enough for one person at a time to cross but it did the job.
 I was able to cross the bridge and finish my journey.

Jesus built a bridge for us to cross 2,000 years ago. Come to think of it, He built that bridge out of two wooden boards and some nails, just like the bridge I crossed on the trail. The only difference is that "the promised land" on the Ice Age Trail is just more trail. The promised land that Jesus offers is a bridge much more than that. The promised land is a final destination and a wonderful one at that.

Sin keeps us on the worldly side of the water in this life that you and I are living. The only way to get across that gap is to place our faith in Jesus. The nails, the wood, and the blood required for sacrifice. Jesus is our bridge. God has provided that bridge for everyone. We are the ones who must decide whether we want to cross it or not.

Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel

The Parable of The Hat

Have you ever lost something valuable to you? Do you remember that horrible feeling, wondering "Where could it have gone? Where could it be? Well, wait until you hear THIS story!!

For the past week I have been unable to find my favorite hat. I've looked everywhere! The garage, the sunroom, the basement, I've searched every room of the house! Twice!! I looked in the tiny house I'm building, even at the place I used to work. Nothing. Not a single sign of where my hat could be. Disappointed!

This was a very special hat to me. It is actually older than my faith in Jesus! I wear it everywhere. Most notably to a local food pantry where I am known by my hat. It's lost saddened me greatly.

Well, Thursday, after I had gotten done eating lunch, I took my plate out to the kitchen sink and Boom!! I knew exactly where my hat was. Just like that! I could even see a picture of it in my mind!! So I hurriedly got ready to take a little car ride. You see, my hat was 45 minutes away, somewhere on the Ice Age Trail. [I wrote a story about that. You can read it here]

As I drove I found myself speeding and leading forward in my car seat. That helps you go faster you know. LOL! I KNEW it was there!! I began monitoring my feelings and my thoughts as I drove. I wanted to remember everything for the story I was going to write about God's wonderful provision.

When I pulled into the parking area for the Bohn Lake Segment of The Ice Age Trail, I looked to my left and began to laugh. There was my hat!! It was hanging on the trail sign. Someone had found it and placed it there. It was right where the image in my mind showed it to be, which freaked me out more than just a bit.

So I took some pictures of my hat and then placed it safely in the car. Just for grins I drove to the other end of this particular segment of the trail. I thought I would walk back to where the water had blocked my previous attempt to complete this hike. Guess what was there.

A bridge! Someone had built a 2x10 bridge across the water for us trail hikers. That person was probably the one who had found my hat as well. So I walked across the bridge (completing my hike), took some pictures and returned to my car.

On my way back home I thought about how God must feel when He loses one of us and then gains us back again. These words came to mind.

12“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish." - Matthew 18"12-13

I thank the Lord for not giving up on me all the times I strayed of the path in MY life. I know it's just a hat but it was a great reminder to me of how God looks after each one of His children. I am SO glad He does.

One last thought. Think about the volunteer worker who maintains the Ice Age Trail. Isn't he or she a little like God in this story? He found my hat even though it was lost. And by installing that foot bridge he made my path straight and easy to walk. Thank you!!

And blessed be the name of The Lord!!!

The Parable of The Lost Sheep

On The Trail

Life is full of decisions. We face them every day. So how do we know what is the right thing to do? Look for the trail markers.

I love to hike. Living where I do, there is really only one place to do that - The Ice Age Trail (IAT). The IAT runs for 1,000 miles throughout Wisconsin.

The trail is marked along the way with yellow markings like the one in the picture or a simple splotch of yellow paint on a tree. However sometimes things happen and you're not really sure if you're on the right path or not.

For example, the trail is not continuous. Sometimes there are roadways between segments. Those aren't always well marked. What do we do then? There are trail maps available. It's always good to have one of those along . . . just in case.

Sometimes there are actual obstacles on the trail. Yesterday I came upon a downed tree that fell across the trail. I also encountered an overfilled lake that made the trail impassable. What happens then? How do we complete our journey?

In our walk with Christ we often face similar obstacles. How do we navigate those? The picture above contains a clue. See the yellow marker? We know that they mark the trail. If you look closely you can see the next one up ahead. There is another marker on the trail ahead (in the snow to the left). We know where we want to go. It's just a matter of getting there.

God has given us His Word - The Holy Bible. By reading it we know where God wants us to go in life. We know the direction for our lives. It is our job to follow in obedience, regardless of what might come.

People always ask, "What is God's will for me in my life?" Here's the answer. Read the Bible!! Study God's character and emulate it. Having a knowledge of what God wants us to do is an excellent way to stay in His will.

What is the goal of life? For the Christian it is to live life, worshiping and praising God in all that we do. It is to arrive at the final destination without deviating from the path God has put us on.

Look at the picture. If my goal is to find the end of the trail, what are my choices?

• Give up - Well, turning around is not an option. That's not going to get me where I'm supposed to go. I'd be fine physically but I would never know what blessings might await me at the end of life's road.
• Continue On - I could walk right through life's obstacles (the water in the picture) and continue on, all on my own. My feet would be wet and I would become miserable. Hypothermia would be a possibility. Death perhaps.
• Ignore the markers - I could also go around the obstacle, but to do this I'd have to leave the trail. The chances of getting lost go way up when I try to find my own way without a map or directions. This too could be deadly.

Most of us try to figure out how to do things on our own. We ignore the most powerful tool we have in our backpacks. God.

You see, there is a fourth way to get to the end of the trail. It is possible to get to the destination by following the markers, staying on the trail and not "getting our feet wet" in the obstacles life throws at us. Do you know what it is?

Patience.

If I wait long enough the flood waters will recede and I can walk right though without a moment's hesitation. How many of us truthfully wait on The Lord. If an obstacle stands before us, do we wait and pray? Or do we forge ahead, trying to do things our way? How will we walk through life's decisions today? Will we trust in the Lord today?

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

God's Will - Martina McBride

The Rocky Path

I went for a 15-mile hike this past weekend. The weather was nice for a change. But taking a hike that day was a mistake. Why? Because my over exuberance for hiking outweighed my preparedness for it. Now, I find myself reminded of that TOO-LONG hike with every step I take - walking on the blisters that were formed on my not-ready-for-walking feet.

The length of my hike that day was due more to a "lack of scale" on the map I was using than it was to manly endurance. It's always best to build up one's endurance before hiking such long distances. And the wisdom it takes to use it.

The Ice Age Trail I walk on contains many different types of terrain - rocky formations, grassy savannahs, moist swampland, forest paths and asphalt roads. Each type of terrain has its own characteristics and hazards. And a hiker must be prepared for them all.

As Christians we must also be prepared for the variety of things we encounter on our walk with Jesus. Spiritual warfare, political correctness, sexual sin, greed, pride . . . there are many things to trip us up along the way. SO, how do we keep from tripping all over them as we walk along life's pathway?

1. Pray - Pray to God that He would keep us from falling, that He would guide our steps. "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;" - Proverbs 37:23
2. Read - Spend time in God's Word. The truth you will find their will illuminate you walk. "105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105
3. Focus - Keep on the lookout for stumbling blocks. God's creation is beautiful to look at but if we aren't watching where our feet are stepping we can easily stumble. "14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
4. Endure - However long our walk is we need to endure to the end of it. "4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:4

A good, healthy, well thought out spiritual walk is essential in the life of a Christian. Watch every step to make sure it is fully planted and then walk on in the presence of the Lord. He leads us. We are the ones who must follow.

Psalm 23

Stop And Smell The Roses

I went for one of my long walks last weekend. My wife and I are blessed to live right next door to the Ice Age Trail and one of Wisconsin's state parks - Hartman Creek. I am trying to walk as many sections of the Ice Age Trail as I can.

There are many interesting things to see along the trail and I always have my camera with me. I walk and walk and walk but occasionally I will stop along the way to take some pictures.

One of my favorite things to search for during this time of year is the illusive Jack-In-The-Pulpit. They are out there but they can kind of hide amongst the other green spring plants and it's easy to miss them.

On my latest walk I entered an area where I thought I might find some, and I did! There, on the left side of the trail at the base of a tree, sat Mr. Jack. So I stopped and began taking pictures. When I had finished taking pictures of this solitary plant I took a look around. There was another Jack-In-The Pulpit! And another!! There were dozens of them!! What an incredible find!

Recently, I finished reading the Bible for the third time. It was exciting when I got near the end. I was excited! With only a handful of pages left, I told my friend at work how close I was to finishing! I was so excited! Did I tell you how excited I was to accomplish the reading of this magnificent book? I was excited!!

So, my friend says this to me.

"Usually I like to take my time reading through the Bible, study its meaning, and learn all that God wants to teach me."

Ouch.

But my friend was right. I had been so focused in finishing the Bible it is quite possible that I missed the very things that God wanted me to learn. That became doubly apparent after my encounter with my little plant friends. I wonder just how many people passed them by even though they were right there waiting to be seen.

There is so much knowledge and wisdom to be seen in the Bible as well. And this next time through I am going to to stop at the end of each chapter and go back and check out every note in my study Bible. It would be a shame to miss things that might be hidden along my journey through God's Word, even though they were right there to see.

We need to pause as we read the Bible and dig down a little bit. We need to discover those hidden treasures that might otherwise remain out of view. Won't you please join me?

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." - Psalm 119:105

Stop And Smell The Roses - Mac Davis