OCTOBER 2003
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 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it... Therefore, may my utmost delight be found in the honor of wandering with quietness amidst YOUR wonders... |
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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
Hiking the Trail of Truth, PO Box 492, Windsor, CA, 95492-0492
Roving Trail Office 707-477-2460 or e-mail mstaylor@sonic.net
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From The Editor... |  |
Hello and Welcome to the OCTOBER 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. October is such a fine month for getting out and seeing the beauty of created things. Not man made things of course, unless you're plum loco.. Part of knowing God is in appreciating all that He has given you. If you are unable to get out for a hike, just visit our websites' feature trail for this month; the Desert Trail. The exhilaration and encouragement found along the 7 desert hikes there can come alive, within your spirit, wherever and whenever you allow it to...
WEBSITE NEWS:
HTTOTs' newest creation, the Desert Trail CD, is still available for you to enjoy. I have a copy just for you. 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 95492-0492... A description of this Native American CD is available in the August Newsletter, which you can find in Newsletter Archives. It is quite an inspiring array of music. Hope to hear from you!...
The HTTOT website version is indeed proved valuable to its viewers, however, there are many of you out there who do not have access to the Internet, and still more who do not own a computer. For this reason, a written volume (# 4) of Hiking the Trail of Truths' website is now in production. Lord willing and provided He has not yet returned to deliver us up, copies of this work will be available in early December of this year, and will make a fine Holiday gift for any of your "computerless" friends. The website book however will not contain the Mountain & Valley Trail (one year of daily devotionals still under construction), since that will (in 2004) become a separate printed volume on its own (# 3). The website book will contain only one monthly Newsletter, as a sample, but it will contain the remainder of the website in its entirety, to include; Home Page, Hiking Maps and Trailheads, Bible Map, Trail of Time, New Birth Trail, False Trail, Desert Trail, Lake Trail, High Sierra Trail, and the Questions and Answers Trail Camp. This printed volume will indeed be a valuable aide to those who have the desire to learn the truth concerning the wonder of salvation and Gods' creation.
I had originally intended the book version of the website as a Christmas gift for my children, since it is a major culmination of my lifes' work, but, due to some special requests, I am going to make some extra copies. Should you be interested in a copy of Hiking the Trail of Truth (the website), please write and let me know. I will make one just for you should you request it.
Don't forget that HTTOT offers FREE COUNSELING to anyone who wants it (Lord knows we all need it). Your varied questions are also important, and are given the utmost consideration and reason in answering them. Just write, e-mail, or phone any time. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the cover page of this Newsletter.
Next months' Letter from the Editor; Understanding your personal value
THIS MONTH: Knowing God, part 4 (final)...
In the last three parts of our series on Knowing God, we've hiked a most illuminating trail of discovery. In this final segment we're going to hike a trail that will open your eyes to the profoundness of it all. We're about to look at some astounding facts concerning His creation and His revelation. Let's take a walk...
It's a cool, fall evening. a great night for a hike. (Are you creating a mental picture here? Do so.) The sky expands around you in all directions, filled with the starry host. You've left the city behind you and have made your way to an elevated, remote area, perhaps in the hills or mountains near your home town. No cars, no other noise, no people, no phones. You are alone, just you, the smell of the air, the beauty and quietness of the night, and all of those stars. There's a large, flat rock over there to sit on. Getting up to this elevation has made you somewhat tired, so just walk over, sit down and catch your breath. The stillness is awesome. It is indeed quiet and peaceful. As your body comes to rest it's time to clear your mind. This is a good time and a good place for maturing. It's time for you to take some big steps toward knowing God. This is an excellent place to do just that. As I mentioned, your mind will need to be clear. A clear mind usually means an open mind, and a truly open mind will increase your power to learn. Take a deep breath of the fresh air... you'll need it...
¹ The Lord formed the heavens we can see and the present earth upon which we live, with all of its full grown plants, fish, birds and animals, in six (6), literal, 24 hour days. He also made the planets and the stars, the sun and the moon, to give light upon the earth. All are in perfect order, according to His plan. On the sixth day of creation, from the dust of the earth, the Lord made man in His own image (a spirit being with creative abilities). He made a woman from the rib of this man, Adam, who was to be his helper and his equal. She was called Eve (meaning mother of all living), and together they became the original ancestors of mankind. This present earth, from the time of its habitable formation, is less than 7000 years old. 1656 years after our earths' creation (around 4500 years ago), the Lord brought an overwhelming flood of waters upon a greatly populated earth, which destroyed all mankind, save 8 souls who were aboard an indestructible ark, and which reshaped the entire earth geographically as we now know it. Many plant and animal species and sea creatures were buried into extinction during that cataclysmic flood, which account for present day coal and oil deposits as well as the fossil record. From the surviving family of Noah and his descendants, the people began re-population, were eventually divided by race and language (through divine miracle at the tower of Babel), and continued to repopulate the entire earth. That second population is still growing.
¹ (from the Biblical book of Genesis)
Since Satan is the ruler of this world (Matthew 4:8,9 & John 12:31), you cannot therefore trust in the wisdom, nor in the philosophies, nor in the majority of the educational systems of the various kingdoms in this present world. The wisdom of the world is indeed foolishness in Gods' sight (1st Corinthians 3:19). Following the attitudes of a man called Jesus, the Son of God, is now the way of true wisdom and life for the entire believing world. No one can come to God the Father, anywhere in the world, regardless of their beliefs, except through a belief in and submission to the saving will of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Fact: If you doubt any of the truths I have mentioned above (a very small portion of truths), don't take offense, you are just not yet a true believer in God. If you cling to the false sciences, deceptive philosophies, flawed educational systems or vain religions of the world and call yourself a believer in God, then you are only deceiving yourself. You will be unable to come to know God if you have any doubts regarding the reality of the above written truths. Only the Spirit of God can reveal these truths to you. You won't find them in a science book. You won't find them in a psychology book or sociology book. You might find them however among some wise philosophers, like the three wise men who visited Jesus some time after His birth in Bethlehem. Three men searching sincerely for truth, out of millions in the world who were not, found what they were looking for. The difficulties of their two year journey over mountains and through deserts meant little to them. The rewards of it meant everything...
I sincerely hope that this four part series on Knowing God has helped you to discover what it really takes to know Him. For more on Knowing God, hike the Mountain of Believing junction of the New Birth Trail at this website, or, write to me and I will mail you a copy of the Mountain of Believing. — Next month we will take a hike into Understanding your personal value. I thank you for and am honored by your time.
Sincerely, Mark S Taylor, HTTOT
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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. Sometimes it takes considerable journeying through life before we learn the value of honoring others. 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 upon your own life...
We're heading to a little town on the Ohio river to talk about a fellow named Ron Friend. The town is Marietta. That's where this ol' railroad worker lives and that's where I met him in the early 80's, when work was scarce and 35-50 year olds were going to college to try and better the odds of landing a job. We met as soldiers in the National Guard, and attended a local community college together, but, what makes me think of him so often now (besides rail trains) is the sight of red rock... Red rock, like in Arches National Park, Monument Valley and Grand Canyon. Ron and I shared an unforgettable adventure in those very places in May of 1993...
I retired from the Arcadia California Police Department in May of 1993. Not an official retirement, just one more of those times in life when I thought I knew what I was doing... Anyway, I was determined to go to Ohio and spend some time with my children. I asked ol' Ron Friend if he would accompany me on the road trip east. He had never seen the places I mentioned, and he had no second thoughts about coming out on a plane and driving back with me. Thus, near the end of May, 1993 (a decade ago now), we began that incredible journey. We drove out of Los Angeles shortly after midnight and headed into the most spiritually captivating area in the world, the American desert southwest...
Together we visited eastern Mojave via 4 wheel drive. We wandered through Quartzsite Arizona, land of collectable rocks and gems, pickin' and grinnin'. We stood on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We visited the great Navajo Nation and Monument Valley. We hiked among the many arches of Arches National Park. We sat in quietness along the Colorado River in the rugged mountains of southwestern Colorado. We explored the great flood evidence among the fossils of Agate, Nebraska. We journeyed into the buffalo country of Wyoming and onto the Sioux reservation of the Dakotas. We stood at Wounded Knee Memorial, hiked Devil's Tower area, and stood on Mt. Rushmore. We also visited Jesse James' home in Missouri prior to our arrival in Ohio. We saw the bullet hole in the wall from the bullet that supposedly got him?...yea, right.
If you could read between the lines of the above simple paragraph, It could be super-sized into a great novel on exhilaration of spirit. In other words, just naming most of these places does nothing for what's actually there, nor does it account for the sacred steps we were allowed to take upon the land. Ninety percent of these areas are full of Gods' creations. The most captivating, I believe, is the red rock of that vast, red rock country. So, when I see red rock, I remember walking atop great slabs of it with my good friend, Ron Friend. My spirit soars like the eagle. Even the scent of the red rock desert air remains in my heart. I've walked on the red rock many times since, and yearn to do it again, and will. Thanks, Ron, for sharing that time of spiritual uplift and grand adventure with me. I watch our video of that time often, with both tears and laughter.
Thank you, Lord, for this renowned friend. Please protect him and continue to bless him 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 |  |
A WINTERS' TALE
Episode 11
* Previous episodes of Trail Tales can be located in Newsletter Archives
"I hope this storm passes by quick," Doc Mucci growled. "Get that money out and let's get it split up. I got some ridin' to do. I want to get out of these mountains and head for Arizona. Weather's nice and cordial down there. You boys are dang fools for hangin' out up here."
"We go where the money is, Doc," Phil Henry barked. "You saddled this bronc, along with us, and I figure you better ride it... so quit complainin'. You best help find some firewood so we can see in the dark. I don't figure you'll get a fair count if I can't see what I'm countin'."
"Ain't no dry wood here abouts," Chapman said. "I say we just get some sleep until mornin'. Lord knows we're all dead tired and not in the best of moods. Let's just let things be 'till then. A man don't think well or say the best things when he's tired, nor when he's hungry, and most certain when he ain't had no sleep. So let's get out them bedrolls and get that sleep. Ain't nobody gonna bother us here, nor track us in all that rain. I swear, you boys is jumpier than a grasshopper in a hot griddle.... I'm beddin' down. Anybody makes any noise to where's I can't sleep, I'll drop the hammer on ya, sure as shootin'. Now lets hear no more talk about nuthin'. "
Doc Mucci glared at White-Eyes Chapman. "You ain't quick enough to drop the hammer on me, boy. You won't even clear leather... Now, I'm gonna go to sleep all right, as I 'spect the rest of these boys are. But, you ain't Lord of the manner here. If you think you are, just go for your gun. I'll bury you here. Then you'll be boss of the ghosts."
Chapman started for his gun, but hesitated when Doc had already cleared leather and had the drop on him. He drew and cocked that white handled, nickel plated iron so fast that nobody even saw him move. Doc looked around at the others, then at Chapman, who backed off and raised his hands in a gesture of submission. Doc uncocked his piece and holstered it. "Well, now...good night then," he spoke softly through a firm grit of his teeth.
The others breathed a sigh of relief, and all was quiet. Within ten minutes all of them had found a place on the floor and were drifting off to sleep. The rain continued heavily outside. Windwalker, Johnson, Railroad Ron and Ed Ostashay had maintained their positions and were still awake in the back of the cave. The younger folks had nodded off shortly after the strangers had bedded down. Johnson soon crawled quietly over to Ed Ostashays' position.
"What do you think, Ed," he whispered. "You're and ex-lawman... What now?"
"One thing sure," Ed replied softly... "They underestimate Lil' Dave Swearengin. He can track anybody... over any thing, day or night... rain don't matter. I'd say he's on his way up here, and I'd say we can count on that in doing what we have to do. I say we should wait until first light. We can give them a wake up call, tie them up, and hold them for Lil' Dave and his posse. I can ride back down and fetch Dave up a little faster, if you'd like."
Jeremiah thought on Ed's words for a few moments. "Sounds good. I'll stand first watch and you and the others can get some sleep. The last man on watch can wake the rest of us prior to first light. There's four of us and four of them, so we've got the edge in a surprise wake up. Shouldn't be no trouble... Go ahead and get some sleep. I'll inform the others."
The night passed quickly. Just before dawn, Jeremiah and the others surrounded the outlaws as they slept. They waited, they watched. Armando Valencia was the first to stir. Windwalker spoke to him from the shadows.
"Hombre... Don't twitch a finger or move a muscle. I'm an Indian and your scalp looks mighty good. If you don't do exactly as I say, it's gonna be hangin' from my lodge pole. You remember what the Apaches did to your people south of the border? Down in Nogales? I'm sure you don't want history to repeat itself here... Now...get up slow and quiet, and back up towards my voice."
TO BE CONTINUED
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Encouraging Gods' Children |  |
Here is this months' list of those who need 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 Gods' 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 spiritual ignorance. Pray also that folks will realize the depth of their need for it.
Let us this month encourage and pray for...
Those less fortunate than us. Those with no work or no income. Those who don't have 75 cents to enjoy the taste of refrigerated milk, a Coca-Cola, or a bottle of cold water. Those who sit alone, without the encouragement of friends. And, those who don't share the benefits of peace, who can't go out in the night without getting shot, robbed or molested. Our world is indeed full of wickedness. Pray earnestly for the Lords' return.
Storm Kastella, Whitefish, Montana... Storm and her husband are conducting Bible studies with their friends. Let us pray that they can help these friends to find the truth, a very difficult task in todays' world of, "everyone does what is right in their own eyes and believes what they want" (Judges 21:25)...
The family of Russell E Greathouse, of Akron, Ohio... Russ passed away on October 19th. Russ was a fine family man, and the best friend of my early youth. Please pray for his family and friends in this time of their deep sorrow.
Please remember the homeless and the poor of the world 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 spiritual blindness, rebellion and increasing depravity. The Lord's coming will not be delayed much longer. Endeavor to encourage others to seek Him, in truth, while there is still time.
Father, 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 possessions, our prosperity, our tongues and our talents. Though we are quite 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 October issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until November 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