FEBRUARY 2003
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In This Issue
From The Editor________________Page 2
Friends Along The Trail__________Page 3
Trail Tales_____________________Page 4
Encouraging Gods Children______Page 5
Newsletters__________________Archives
Home Page_________________Trailheads
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....From The Editor |  |
Hello and Welcome to the February Newsletter! I hope this day you have allowed the Spirit of God to be active within your heart, and that you are able to perhaps get out for a hike and take in many of the wonders He has made.
Last month I promised to write about your search for...? Yes, I left it blank. I usually don't know what I am going to write about from month to month, but that's the fun and challenge of earthly life. If I wait, God always brings thoughts into my heart through various experiences. My thoughts this day are turned somewhat to contentment. Not that I have achieved it, but there have indeed been times of great contentment. Holding onto it for a long period of time however seems difficult. Can we hold onto it? Does it need to be disrupted by changing circumstances? Can we hold onto it through hard times as easy as we can in good times? The Apostle Paul taught; I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
(Philippians 4:11,12 NLT)
Wow! What was the secret he mentioned? Let me drink my fill of that secret formula! Let me search for it until I truly find it! How's your search for the secret of contentment going? Like mine? If it is, you too are struggling with it... at least struggling to keep it on a full time basis. Then again, how can we hold onto contentment for any length of time, considering some of the losses we've experienced in our lives? How can we be content with ourselves considering the costly mistakes we have made or the hurt we have caused others? Oh! How we search for mental comfort! If not consciously, we indeed search for it within our spirit, within our subconscious. What a great experience absolute uninterrupted contentment would be! What would it take for you to be absolutely content? What would it take for me?
Paul indeed had the secret. After at least 30 years of difficult ministry, he knew what it was. He had learned it, I'm sure, through hardship and trial, good times and bad. I believe his secret lay in his trust, his assurance of the promises of God. He wrote in detail about the particular knowledge that I believe developed this assurance in Romans 8:28-30; And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestined, these He also called, whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What Paul is saying here is that every circumstance of life that we endure or barely endure, good or bad, God uses for the purpose of conforming us to the character of His own Son, that His Son will indeed have many brothers and sisters, which is according to God's eternal purpose. God knew all about the direction our individual lives would take before we were even born. Since He knew this, He also knew at what point in life we would choose to follow Him, or if we would not at all choose to follow Him. To those of us whom He knew would follow, He called us to Himself. Those of us whom He called, He justified by allowing us to see our need for Him, to hate our own human ways, and to turn toward Him and to be converted (water baptized) into His Son. Those of us who have been born again through that specific doctrine of the new birth, being then justified by faith, He has glorified; He has promised to see us through, all the way, to eternal life.
This is the reason for Paul's contentment; Knowing that had God planned for him, from the beginning, to be His adopted child, to see him through life, even through his mistakes and times of weakness, and to then glorify him with the family in Heaven. No wonder then Paul was able to endure any and all of life's circumstances! It was through understanding the learned reality of this hope that he endured. You and I should endeavor then to understand this reality. Perhaps poor choices in life have prolonged our understanding. They have hopefully not prolonged our learning! Perhaps we've been "beating around the bush" so to speak. Not grasping the significance of this teaching earlier in life we have encountered unnecessary grief, fear, doubt and frustration. We have been unable to truly see the light, to truly understand that God was in control of His purpose for our purpose from the beginning. How then should we now react to such knowledge?
Paul tells us how, and I will sum that up for you in next month's Letter from the Editor. In the meantime, think daily on what Paul said. Consider what knowledge you have gained through life's experiences, good and bad. Can you look back and see God working with you in those experiences and realize now that you didn't see Him then? Wow! Stop fighting now within yourself. Let God have His way with you for He has purposed to deliver you to eternal life... from the beginning. His agenda has always been for you to fellowship with Himself and with His dear Son! — Talk to you again on this in March.
OTHER NEWS: Plans for the 2003 movie, "Knowing God" are now underway and I am near to beginning preliminary production. This will mark the 13th video in the series. It should be available by the 2003 holiday season. It is my hope to make it the best film of them all, Lord willing... Website updating also continues; gradually and gracefully refining the old and sculpting out new creations. I sincerely hope that you can visit at www.hikingthetrailoftruth.com. It would be indeed a great adventure for you!
Sincerely and respectfully yours for February, Mark S Taylor, Hiking The Trail of Truth
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| Friends Along The Trail |  |
We began this new series in June of 2002 and, thanks to positive subscriber responses, we've been able to continue it, thank the Lord, in subsequent issues. Within this particular series I have been reflecting on how certain friends, relatives and strangers have influenced me over the years of my own life and times. As Christians we are instructed to encourage one another daily. Lord knows that I have been encouraged many times over the years through the words, actions, and associations of others. It is indeed then time to honor them. I have honored some of them before, yet, honoring others is something we really can't overdo for those truly deserving of it. I sincerely hope that my reflections on these "special characters" of my lifetime will cause you yourself to consider the God given blessings that special characters have had on your own life...
As I ride along the trail of revered friends I see a large group I knew collectively as the Arcadia Police Department. In early 1992 a bad gallbladder allowed me to experience an attack of pancreatitus, which was severe, putting me off duty and in the hospital for 30 days, then in recovery at home on an "IV" feeding for four months, where I was not allowed any "through the mouth" intake of food or drink. Many friends from the P.D. visited me during that near fatal illness. When my accumulated sick leave ran out, these many friends donated overtime and even vacation hours that I might not miss a paycheck while I was "laid up". I could never then or now hope to repay those friends for what they had done. They truly honored me, yet, they are the ones who rightly deserve the honor.
Much time has passed since then and life has taken twists and turns which have been somewhat difficult. When I think of those days of my illness I see and learn how much the creator has blessed me through the efforts of dear friends, whom He gave the will and means to help someone in difficulty. How fortunate I was! How fortunate I am to be allowed to look back, to be humbled by the unselfish support of those special friends. I miss them with tears and I will be forever in their debt. Miles separate us now yet I long to hold each and every one of them and to thank them once again. Perhaps the Lord, in some way, will do all that for me. He probably already has.
Mike Cervantes of Arcadia PD was one of those friends with whom I shared many hours of enthusiastic Bible study and two-way encouragement throughout our time together on the department. I have been writing to Mike off and on for some time now but have not as of yet received a reply from him. Perhaps I have offended him in some way when I chose to leave the department in 1994. Lord knows I was not the Christian I should have been in those days and was oblivious to it; The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I learned much later, through personal affliction, of the awesome depth of my failures.
There are times in our lives when we cannot reach those who have been to us a great inspiration; to thank them, to honor them. When I went through the police academy for the second time, at age forty, Mike Cervantes, who attended that particular academy with me, would run directly in front of me during physical training so that I could watch his feet as he ran. Concentrating on the flow of his steps kept me going as some of those extended runs were quite grueling on a man 15 years older than most of those attending that particular academy class. Many times in our lives God uses others to influence us and to give us courage and strength. I was eventually elected president of that academy class too. Where are you now, Michael? Thank you! I am sending a copy of this newsletter to you in care of the PD. I hope that it finds its way to you. I will always remember you and honor you as a great friend and brother.
Thank you, Lord, for these renowned friends. Please protect them and continue to bless them in this life. Next month we'll ride once again with some Friends Along the Trail. Any subscribers or viewers who wish to speak about and to honor their friends, you're welcome to write in to Hiking the Trail of Truth, PO Box 492, Windsor, CA. 95492-0492. (E-mail mstaylor@sonic.net)
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Trail Tales |  |
Continuing stories of life on the trail
A WINTER'S TALE
Episode 3
Previous episodes of Trail Tales can be located in Newsletter Archives
For Johnson there was much to consider. The horses, mules and supplies were no problem, but the weather could be. The safety of his own grandchildren and that of the neighbor kids was at the front of his thinking. Rain wouldn't be so bad, but lightning strikes were common along the higher elevations, especially on the needles. Snow would be an even greater danger, impairing their journey and possibly any immediate retreat.
The group discussed each of these things over a fine steak and beans dinner. The cornbread was a real treat for the girls and there was plenty of it. Johnson later took the girls down the road to meet the Perez family, and to inquire about Sean and Taylor Perez accompanying them on the journey. He got a little more than he bargained for in that their cousins, Bryce and Cael, were spending the winter season there and wanted to go along. Johnson figured it would be good; not just company for Hannah and Riley, but Sean and Taylor were seasoned hikers and their experience would prove to be an aid for Johnson along the way. Bryce and Cael were just a couple years older than Riley, but they had hiked with the Perez boys on several occasions and Sean, the eldest of the group, vouched for their fitness to the task. Sean was 17 now and a fine boy. Johnson knew he could depend on him to help keep the others in tow. Hannah was the next oldest at 15 and was level headed enough to act as a mother or older sister for the remainder of the group. Taylor was 10, Bryce, 10, Cael, 8, and Riley, the youngest, at age 7. Again, a lot, perhaps even more than a lot for Johnson to consider. But in those days and in that high country you could trust no man better than Jeremiah Johnson.
Ed Ostashay stepped into the corral and saddled his horse. It was a fine morning, not a cloud in the sky. The early morning sun was not yet above the horizon, but its increasing light cast shades of purple on the white granite of the Sierras which caught the attention of the man. He looked over top the saddle at the light display as he tightened a harness strap. The awe of the early morning spectacle caused him to pause leisurely as he stood next to his horse, resting both his hands atop the saddle. He was for a brief time caught in the beauty of the morning. Shortly he heard the corral gate open behind him.
"I swear." The voice was that of Railroad Ron. "Nothin' like a sunrise on the High Sierra. I spent years in Colorado, Ed, and the Rockies are fine specimens indeed, but the granite boulders that make up the Sierra-Nevada are down right captivating... 'specially this time of day... That Muir fellow was damn right."
"That he was", Ed replied.
"Goin' for an early ride, are ya?"
"Yes. I thought I might ride off to town and pick up some more personal supplies for the journey. Johnson still wants to leave tomorrow, doesn't he?"
"That's what he said. I'm ready now", Ron laughed.
Ostashay shook his head in agreement. "Me too... You need anything from town?"
"Not really, but I'll ride in with ya. That hardware store in Big Pine is sure to have somethin' I'll want. Whether I'll really need it or not is another story."
"What's Johnson doing?"
Him and his granddaughters are cookin' up some pancakes and bacon. I sure wouldn't mind gettin' a bite or two 'for we ride off to town", Ron said, rubbing the whiskers on his chin. He had a habit of doing that whenever he suggested an idea that he wanted anyone to agree to. If they didn't agree he would usually go his own way anyway. He wasn't a man to push any sort of idea, but he was a bit set in his ways about most things. He figured he had earned that right over the years. The man had a lot of experience in life. He was somewhat gruff and was known to swear on occasion, but Jeremiah Johnson was one man who had learned to value his opinion. Ed Ostashay didn't really know him that well yet.
"Sounds good", Ed agreed. We'll saddle your horse and then go in and get some of that breakfast. A man that don't eat pancakes of a morning is missing a good thing."
"Can Johnson cook?" Ron laughed, knowing in reality the he had eaten quite well with him back on the Colorado trails.
Ostashay snickered. "I don't suppose there's anything he can't do... I'm glad he's going with us. We were lucky to find him at home, you know that?"
Ron nodded. "I'm glad too... Hell, somebody might ask me someday; Did you really ride over the Sierras with Jeremiah Johnson? And I can say, Yep... I rode over the Sierras with Jeremiah Johnson."
Inside the cabin Johnson and the girls had finished cooking the bacon and had a fine stack of pancakes in the making. The aroma was strong when the two visitors opened the front door of the cabin and crossed the floor into the kitchen.
"You boys hungry?" Johnson grinned.
"You could say that", Ron answered. "The smell of those pancakes and bacon remind me of a little greasy spoon in Reno. I hit that town early one mornin' and followed that scent near a mile 'till I found the place. That ol' gal that was doin' the cookin' wasn't too happy with me. After I ate my fill I says to her; Thank you ma'am, that was right tasty. She got an old scowl on her face and she says, 'I was beginnin' to think you didn't like it... you only 'et four plates!'... I did pay her a little extra money after that."
"No charge here", Johnson laughed. "You eat that much, you can wash dishes though."
"No problem. Me and Ed are figgerin' on goin' off to town after breakfast... Anything you need, Jeremiah?"
"Can I go?" Hannah interrupted excitedly.
"Why, sure girl", Ron answered. "It's all right, ain't it Jeremiah?"
"Fine", he answered. "I'm going to take Riley back over to the Perez place today, and she can help their Ma get some things ready for the children's trip. I'll have Windwalker saddle a horse for Hannah." He looked over at John who was squatted down by the fireplace, quietly enjoying his breakfast. "The Paint will do for her, John."
"I'll go outside with him", Hannah added. "I can saddle a horse quite well, Grandpa... if he can just show me where the gear is hanging?"
"He can do that", Johnson nodded.
When Ron, Ed, and Hannah finally did hit the road to Big Pine the sun had made its way above the horizon. It was incredibly warm for a December morning. The smell of juniper and sage along the old road was indeed an inspiration to the senses. As they left the ridge of the Johnson ranch Hannah's painted mount strode between those of the men. The horses were soon off to a gallop. Some joyous laughter arose among the group as they endeavored to turn the ride into a race, along with a game of stunts and show-off routines. Hannah rode well for her age and the others praised her about it. When the horses began to tire some deeper conversation ensued among the three, who had slowed to a walk, riding abreast just a mile or two from the town of Big Pine.
"How long has it been since you seen your grandpa?" Ron asked.
"This is the first time ever", she answered. "Grandpa sent my dad back to Ohio when grandma died. He was just a boy... You see, when grandpa was young, he had an Indian wife and sort of adopted a white son he had found at a massacre in Colorado. A few years later, grandpa led some soldiers through a sacred burial ground to save some settlers who were stranded in the mountains. The Indians didn't like it, so they killed grandpa's Indian wife and the boy. Caleb was his name. Grandpa named him...anyway, grandpa spent years fighting those Indians after that. He got out of the mountains eventually and went down to a town... Blue River, I think. That's where he met my grandma. They had two boys; my uncle Mike and my dad. Uncle Mike came east when he was twelve to go to school in Boston. Shortly after that, my grandma died of a fever. Grandpa sent my dad back to her sister's place in Ohio, then he went back up into the mountains again... He was a wanderer! My dad never heard from him 'till after I was born. He told dad in a letter that he was leaving Colorado and going out to California. Dad wanted to bring me out lots of times but we never came. This year was different. Dad saved enough for my trip, and here I am! My cousin, Riley, my uncle Mike's daughter, was able to come with me. Uncle Mike has a real good business in Boston. He gave Riley and me some extra money, bought us some new clothes and even came with Riley to Ohio when we were about ready to leave. I know one thing... I sure am glad we could come."
Hannah's words were mixed with gentle emotions of sadness and joy. She wiped her eyes and smiled at the men, then quickly gained her composure in the brief silence that followed. "Have you known grandpa long?" she presently inquired of Ron.
"Knew him in Colorado. He saved my life. I rode with him for a spell. It was the Crow Indians that were bent on doin' him in. A chief, name of Paints His Shirt Red was the culprit. Did you know about him?"
"No. Dad doesn't talk much about those years. I'm not sure what he knows either."
"Paints His Shirt sent his braves after Jeremiah", Ron continued, "... one at a time over the years. They couldn't defeat him. Finally, the chief himself went out to hunt Jeremiah. Found him in the high country above the Wolf Tail Valley. They fought with one another, tooth and nail, and Jeremiah won out, standin' over top of Paints His Shirt with a knife. Said he wanted to stick him real good, but said, somethin' inside himself told him enough was enough... he was tired of hating. He said he dropped the knife on the Injun's chest and rode off. Paints His Shirt Red never bothered him again. In fact, he swore to protect Johnson after that."
Ed Ostashay was as much into Ron's words as was Hannah. "How's that?" he asked.
"Windwalker", Ron answered. "That's Paints His Shirt's son. When Paints His Shirt died, he made his son swear to protect Johnson. He made him swear to never leave Johnson's side until he saved his life... at least once... quite a turn-a-round in attitude for an Injun."
"Really?" Hannah breathed. "So Windwalker came with grandpa then from Colorado."
"Looks that way. I didn't know about that part... just heard about the vow from an old trapper." Ron weaved the leather reins of his horse back and forth through his broad fingers as he talked and rode. "A fella named Del-que... a French fella. I guess he rode with Jeremiah for a spell."
The trio became silent as they entered the main street of Big Pine, riding in step together with the warm sun against their backs. There were several people in town on that early morning... an unusual thing for midweek...
TO BE CONTINUED
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Encouraging God's Children |  |
Here is this month's list of those who need your encouragement through your prayers and letters. I hope you will take the time to encourage them... Some of their problems are personal and we will respect their privacy, leaving it up to those individuals to share at their discretion. Please pray for them and write to them (I can provide addresses for you. Please call, E-mail or write to me for that information). Encouragement is a noble thing and a profound way to honor God.
Belinda Basler, Windsor, California; "Bell" is experiencing some difficult personal times and reaching out for strength in this world where strength is indeed a hard find. Please pray for her and write to her with your encouragement.
John M. Brandt, Tucson, Arizona; John's son is being mobilized to southwest Asia with the military and it looks like John's wife, Vikki, may be activated as well. Let us pray for this family as well as for the many military families experiencing hardships due to the world's tense situation.
Karen Keifer, Akron, Ohio; Karen is recovering from a home accident and needs your prayers for strength and renewed courage. She is a fine Christian lady and needs to hear from you.
Charlie Mayer, Marietta, Ohio; Charlie, like all of us, is in need of encouragement that will help him through some of life's difficulties. We've all been there so we should know how to pray and what to write to him.
Suzi Kopanski, Boulder City, Nevada; Suzi and her son, Ryan, are in need of your prayers that their lives may be drawn closer together. Family relationships are indeed important. Remember that God brought you into His family and it is our honor as well as our duty to care for and to pray for one another.
Raymond Laird, Bullhead City, Arizona; Ray has recently undergone surgery for cancer. He had to have a lung removed, but is recovering well and is even now back to work! I admire your great courage and strength, Ray. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Jack and Marge Myers, Crestline, California; These are active subscribers who need your prayers or letters of encouragement that good health may remain theirs to enjoy during the remainder of their stay on earth.
Brian Hadley, Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Brian is in need of your prayers due to problems with his legs. It has been difficult for him to work the long hours necessary to help his family.
Storm Yetter, Hungry Horse, Montana; Storm needs your encouragement in dealing with some of the many difficulties life can bring. We've all been there and still are there, so lets pray for Storm and get some letters of encouragement out to her.
Please remember the homeless again this month. Locate a homeless person and help them in any way that you can. Pray for all of those in need, and pray for the world at large, that men and women will desire to find wisdom, that they will turn and seek God's face in this world full of fear and doubt..
Please remember Hiking the Trail of Truth in your prayers, that we can reach out together to help and encourage others along life's difficult trail...
Lord, grant us the humility to seek your face for the well being of others. Help us to reach out to them in word and in deed. We are each one of us in need of your guidance in the use of our tongues and our talents. Though we are unworthy we ask you to bless our efforts... In the name of your glorious Son, Jesus, we pray.
Thank you so much for hiking with us through the February 2003 issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until March then, may the grace of our Lord Jesus be upon you. Sincerely, Mark S Taylor
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HIKING THE TRAIL OF TRUTH
Mark S. Taylor
(707) 477-2460