August 2003
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| THE DESERT TRAIL This month you can receive a copy of the very first Hiking the Trail of Truth musical CD, The Desert Trail, absolutely free... see details inside this August Newsletter |
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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Page 2
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From The Editor... |  |
Hello and Welcome to the August Newsletter! I sincerely 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 consider many of the wonders He has made. If you are unable to get out for a hike, just visit our website's feature trail for this month; the High Sierra Trail. The exhilaration of the high country can come alive within your spirit wherever and whenever you allow it to...
WEBSITE NEWS: HTTOT's newest creation, the Desert Trail CD, is now available for you to enjoy. Just drop me a note in the mail to request the CD, and I will most gladly mail it to you. There is no charge... Send your request to: HTTOT Mark S Taylor. PO box 492, Windsor, CA 95492... Here is a brief description of the CD;
THE DESERT TRAIL
The Desert Trail is the very first musical CD created and produced for Hiking the Trail of Truth, by MS Taylor Productions and Lone Wolf Limited. This most special CD arrangement is designed to take you on an unprecedented inspirational journey into the desert southwest, to the vast Navajo Indian reservation of Arizona and Utah. There you will be allowed to walk with a great people…
You will begin this musical hike by witnessing the dramatic entrance of a Monument Valley Sunrise. Soon, many native American hikers will gather there with you and welcome you at Hikers Gathering. From that rendezvous you will journey with these spiritual people as their guest of honor onto sacred ground, beginning at Rattlesnake Canyon. Once you’ve made your way through there, the trail will wind upward upon stunning red rock and amidst a variety of desert wildflowers as you make an exhilarating Ascent on the Mesa. Atop the mesa, from Monument Overlook, your eyes will behold the many wonders of water-carved canyons, buttes and mesas in the valley below you. From there you will be an honored eye witness to the majestic and graceful Flight of the Eagle. At a refreshing pool of water far below you, As the Deer draw nourishment, you will relate profoundly within your spirit to their quest. While roaming atop the mesa the Breath of God will speak to you here with great encouragement. As twilight fades softly into dusk across the desert sky, you will behold the endless panorama of Enter… Starlight. You will hear a wild and impressive serenade to the rising moonlight as the Coyotes Dance atop surrounding mesas, both near and far. Your spirit will soar here, and you will want to forever make this illuminating encounter among God’s wonders your Dwelling Place. At early dawn, as you make you way down from the mesa alongside your Navajo companions, they will sing their praise to the Lord with the Indian Love Call. You will return to your starting point amidst the grand company of your native American friends, looking back on the wonder of your experience as you bid the Desert Farewell amid tears of sadness, yet, with exceeding great joy…
HIKING THE TRAIL OF TRUTH… original CD... THE DESERT TRAIL, a Lone Wolf Limited Production 7/22/03,
13 selections, 58 minutes... ORDER YOUR free COPY TODAY, and enjoy!
NEXT MONTH'S Letter from the Editor: Knowing God, Part 3.
THIS MONTH: Knowing God, Part 2...
In learning about God, we must seek to be led by Him. How are we to do this? How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple, but demanding. It is that we turn each written (Biblical) truth that we learn about God into a matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God. We are somewhat familiar with prayer and praise, but what exactly is Godly meditation?
Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of reverent thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. Its purpose is to clear one's mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one's mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself; it is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief, into a clear apprehension of God's power and grace. Its effect is to ever humble us as we contemplate God's greatness and glory, and our own littleness and sinfulness, and to encourage and reassure us; comfort us in the old, strong Bible sense of the word, as we contemplate the unsearchable riches of divine mercy displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The claim of the word of God upon us does not depend merely upon our relationship to Him as creatures and subjects. We are to believe and obey His word, not only because He tells us to, but also, and primarily, because it is a true word. Its author is the "God of Truth" (Psalm 31:5 & 119:151). Part of knowing God, according to His word, is to first accept Him as the author of all things (John 1:3). He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn't make. Understanding this profound truth marks the beginning of turning our knowledge about God into knowledge of God.— Take this month and meditate on God as the author (creator) of all things. Meditate as outlined in the preceding paragraph. Once you accept this fact about God, and not until, you can truly begin your hike on the trail to knowing Him.
Until next month's Letter from the Editor, may God bless you, and I thank you for and am honored by your time. Sincerely, 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.
This month, if you don't mind, I would like to reflect on my own children. Lord knows we all owe our children honor, especially if we have erred somewhere along the line in their education and they've still managed to survive in this world. I was a poor example as a father for many years, in no way was I a good shepherd. Yet, by the incomprehensible grace of God, my children seem to be doing well above average...
My eldest son, Michael, lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children. He is a new parent, but a good parent; honestly realizing the blessing of children in his life and the spiritual responsibility involved. He is a hard worker and a good provider... My son, Mitchell, lives in West Virginia, on the Ohio River. His devotion to family leaves me in awe. He knows also the importance of the relationship between children and their pets, a characteristic which requires both wisdom and patience... My son, Marc, lives in Wooster Ohio. He has his own business and three young ones. He takes the time to pay attention to their play habits, and plays as a young child right along with them. I call this living in reality... Lastly, my daughter, Carrie, also lives in Ohio, atop a hill in the Amish country. Her two young ones have the advantage of her being home with them on a daily basis. She teaches her children a lot about God through the things He has made (nature). Nothing could be more important.
All of my children are with their original spouse, not having experienced, thank God, any divorce within their immediate families. All I can say is, in spite of my proneness to wander in life, God has safeguarded my children and blessed each of them in various ways, of which I am due no honor. I now pray for them daily, something I did not know how to do in my younger days. I pray that God will keep them safe, that He will charge any of their failures in life to my account. I hope that circumstances will allow me to see them individually again someday. I hope to spend some quality time with them and their families. I hope also that they all have a special place in their hearts for me. I thank God for the memorable times He has so graciously allowed us in times past.
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 honor their friends, you're welcome to write in to: Hiking the Trail of Truth, PO Box 492, Windsor, CA 95492-0492, or e-mail mstaylor@sonic.net.
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Trail Tales |  |
Continuing stories of life on the trail
A WINTER'S TALE
Episode 9
*Previous episodes of Trail Tales can be located in Newsletter Archives
'I guess I'd better roust everybody up and get em movin afore that wind gets up here', Jeremiah thought to himself. There really wasn't much choice in the matter. Mountain winds can turn ugly real sudden like. He knew of a good sized cave in the crags up above... it was just a matter of getting everyone and the animals up and inside before any dangerously high winds reached their elevation...
Everybody rousted pretty easy, but that's a natural thing in the mountains, fresh air and all. They packed up quick. Jeremiah took the point and guided everyone in haste out of the meadow and on up to a crag that opened into a fairly deep cave, facing the west slope. Horses and all fit inside, and not a moment too soon... The storm hit with a fury. It was impressively beautiful though, the wind howling as it ascended the mountain, dancing among great boulders, pushing dark clouds along ahead of it... They all watched the gale intently from the mouth of the cave. It wasn't long before the rain began to drop. Thunder suddenly exploded among the clouds and the heavenly water came down in torrents.
"How long ya figure it will last, Jeremiah?" Ed Ostashay questioned.
"Hard tellin, Ed. I 'spect you all better get back to sleep though. The goin' might be a little tougher come morning. Trails don't take too kindly to rain... may wash 'em out a bit. We'll be OK in here... I've never seen this cave get any run-off."
Sleep came to everyone after a little time of watching and listening to the rain. Far down below them, in the midst of the storm, some night riders were making their way up the mountain. There were four of them, soakin' wet, but no one broke stride.
"We gotta find some shelter, Armando", one of them blurted out. "Don't want all this money to get wet."
"There's a cave up yonder, Henry", another spoke. It was the half-breed, White Eyes Chapman. "We'll be up there directly and outa' this weather."
"Spose that lawman's following us?" It was Doc Mucci, the fourth rider, who posed the question.
Armando Valencia looked back at him through the rain. "I don't see nobody... besides, Lil' Dave Swearengin ain't nobody anyway, Doc. You can take him, I'm sure. He's fast, but I hear you're faster."
"Do tell...", Doc Mucci answered. "You give me my share and I'm ridin' on. I ain't plannin' on meetin' up with Swearengin... I ain't got nuthin' against the law, long as it don't harm my friends."
"You ain't got no friends, Doc, and we'll do the split when we get to the cave", Phil Henry barked... "I don't want to be carryin' all this money in this rain anyway... All these sacks might break loose and that money blow away in the wind."
"They break loose, I'll kill your for not hangin' on to 'em", Chapman scowled..."You'll be dust in the wind, come spring... Now, don't wet your pants... the cave is just ahead there...rainin' harder now too...and loud...hard to hear anything else... Don't talk, just ride."
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 through lifting up His children... Please inform me if you would like to add anyone to our prayer list.
First and foremost... Let us offer continuing prayers for men and women of the world who are attempting to reach others with the truth of God's word. There are so many false teachers and false beliefs throughout the world, which make the task of teaching the truth an extremely difficult one. Pray that the pure light of Jesus, carried by His faithful servants, will dispel the darkness of ignorance. Pray that folks will realize the depth of their need for it.
Please continue to pray for and write to...
Bruce Vandersall, Kettering, Ohio, has gone home to be with the Lord... Please pray for his kind family. Bruce is the cousin of Noreen Marton, a dear friend to Hiking the Trail of Truth. Remember too in your prayers if you will, Noreen Marton's mother-in law. She is in a nursing home (St. Edwards) in Fairlawn, Ohio. The doctors say she is in the decline of her earthly life. Noreen requests that we pray that when the time comes for her to be with God, that she will be allowed to go there in peace.
There were no more new additions for the month of August. Please refer to the July Newsletter in Newsletter Archives... Please remember the homeless again this month. Try to locate a homeless person and help them in any way that you can... Continue to pray for all of those in need of daily bread, and please pray earnestly for all the people of the world in which we live, in every country, that men and women will desire to find wisdom, that they will turn and seek God's face in this world full of such obviously blind ignorance, rebellion and increasing depravity. The Lord's coming will not be delayed much longer. Endeavor to encourage others to seek Him while there is still time.
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 both 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 August issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until September 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