NOVEMBER 2003
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 November 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. November is another fine month for getting out and seeing the beauty of created things. This time of year is extra special, as holiday decorating traditions come into view. We've got some real creative folks out there along the highways and byways. Their work is indeed a reflection of their Creator... Part of knowing God is understanding and appreciating the talents He has given you, and that's what Hiking the Trail of Truth is all about... There are many journeys into understanding here. If you are unable to get out for a physical hike, just visit our websites' feature trail for this month; the High Sierra Trail. The exhilaration and encouragement found along the 7 high country hikes there can come alive within your spirit, wherever and whenever you allow it to...
WEBSITE NEWS:
HTTOTs' Desert Trail musical 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 printed volume of Hiking the Trail of Truths' website is now in production. I had originally intended this special 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, volume IV), please write and let me know. I will make one just for you should you request it. (Note: It will not contain the Mountain and Valley Trail; 365 daily devotionals which will make up a separate printed edition, Lord willing, in 2004)
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 reasoning 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; Small Miracles
THIS MONTH: Understanding your personal value
What are you worth? I don't know what you consider a pound of you to be worth, but if you were to step on a scale, how much money would you bring in per pound? If all you had was "you" and no possessions, would someone want to buy you? You are indeed fortunate if you can answer "yes" to that question, but just how much would that someone want to pay for you? What it is about you that would make you worth their price? A loved one may indeed want to buy us... but I am not sure if they would choose to give their life in exchange for payment, nor any of their childrens' lives. For most of us, the way we've lived our personal lives doesn't make us worth a whole lot. At least, not worth much to God, our creator. Yet, He gave up His only Son that we might have eternal life. In spite of our lives, which are so very full of blemishes, He has evidently determined that we are still worth something. But, what?
I look myself in the mirror every day and ask, "Lord, what in the heck do you see in me? I'm absolutely worthless. Why do You even allow me to live?"— Yet, the Lord mentions our personal value many times in the Scriptures; A sparrow does not fall to the ground apart from your Fathers' will. You are of more value than many sparrows... The very hairs of your head are all numbered... What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!.. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood... How precious are your thoughts of me, O God. They number more than the grains of sand (Matthew 10:29-31, Ist John 3:1, 1st Peter 2:9, Psalm 139:17,18). These are just a "micron" of the Scriptures that indicate our personal value to God. Yet, through all of our failures, when the going gets rough, we doubt Gods' love for us as individuals. In fact, if we're honest with ourselves, we can't even look in the mirror when we consider the utter wretchedness of our souls. Why do we continue to behave this way when Gods' promises assure us that we do not have to carry these burdensome, discouraging feelings?
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). Our heart can condemn us at anytime. This is the nature of sins' corruptive influence on human life. We cannot measure ourselves against the perfect example of Jesus, who laid down His perfect life for us. No matter what we do, no matter what we say, it somehow does not seem good enough, and we plead with God to forgive us for so many shortcomings that we seem so powerless to overcome. Yet, God has said considering our hearts; If we show love through our deeds and according to truth, it will set our hearts at rest before Him. If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence toward God (1st John 3:18-21). Satan will always accuse us (Revelation 12:10). This is part of the spiritual warfare within us. However, with the sword of Gods' truth and a living, active love on our part, we can be victorious over a condemning heart (Ephesians 6:17, 1st John 3:18), and we can learn to understand, with confidence, something of the value God has placed on us.
We are valuable to God because of our potential as His children. While we are here on the earth, He proves his acceptance of us and His love toward us in many ways. Sometimes our hearts just can't see it. Would you then like to learn how to better condition your heart, so that you might not be so susceptible to its condemning nature? Would you like to be able to actually "see" with your heart and not be completely blinded by its deceitfulness? A profound way to accomplish these things is to consider daily (and sometimes hourly or even by the moment) the small miracles of God in your life, which are encouraging proof of His acceptance, His love, and His promise for you of eternal life. — Next month we will take a hike into Small Miracles. I believe you will find a powerful sword of truth there, with which to defend your spirit against the attacks of a deceitful and condemning heart, and to build the divine hope which God so graciously desires you to have. Until then, I thank you for and am honored by your time spent with, Letter from the Editor.
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...
In the June segment of Friends along the Trail, I wrote about a childhood friend, whom I grew up with in Ohio; Russell Greathouse, the oldest and dearest friend of my early life. Sadly, Russell passed away on October 19th. This caused my heart to go back in time and remember the days of our youth once again, and the great influence Russ had on my life. What do we do when we lose a great part of our heart? How do we deal with the loss of a loved one? Were can we go in search of healing for such deep remorse and regret? How do we go on in life with such heart-wrenching agonies within?
I was unable to attend the funeral of my friend, due to the great distance between us. But, it was only an earthly distance. I decided to hike to a high and remote place on that day, a place where I could be alone with God and share my grief with Him. I thought how wonderful it would be if Russ could have physically hiked up there with me... to share the experience of that lofty pinnacle, to feel the breath of God in the wind, and to talk of the days of our youth. I know that Russ' spirit has returned to God. He is in a realm that I cannot see. I envy him of that, but he has left me behind to carry on. His passing on is an incentive... to seek more earnestly to understand the God who formed us. It is an incentive for hope in the glory beyond. One thing is certain; Russ touched everyone in his life, as we all do. We are each given life in order that we might glorify God in our relationships with others. We are to do the best we can to help our neighbors; all inhabitants of the world, all created beings including man, animals, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. We are to proceed with justice, love and mercy in all of our doings.
That is the true value in this earthly life. It is hard then to imagine death, where the goodness which one can do can be done no more. Yet, we can carry on to the honor of one who is physically no longer with us. We can use death to produce life. In this way and with this understanding, we can accept Gods' balance of things, His scales of life and death, His choices and decisions in giving life or taking it away. Gods' plan for Russ is far greater than our pain for his loss. God does not see things as we do. He sees eternity, we see only the here and now. It is time that we look into eternity and consider life on the basis of that reality. The death of a loved one can open the eyes of the blind. Russ had many friends. His physical death will touch them all in one way or another. Let us hope that it will cause them to truly see, to live with purpose, to hope and to trust.— In doing these things they will glorify the One who formed them, and they will therefore honor the one who has passed on.
Thank you, Lord, for the memory of this renowned friend. Please protect his family 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 |  |
A WINTERS' TALE
Episode 12
* Previous episodes of Trail Tales can be located in Newsletter Archives
The rain continued heavily outside. "What do you want...the money?" Valencia snarled, as he backed slowly, his hands raised in the air, toward the directing voice of Windwalker somewhere in the darkness of the cave.
"The money doesn't belong to us. It belongs to those settlers down in Big Pine. You're gonna take it back to them. Now, get down on your belly and put your hands behind your back. The rest of you cowboys do the same, or I'm gonna claim me some scalps, the Indian way."
The four outlaws had no choice. Surrounded by Jeremiah and company, guns leveled at them, they complied to the firm voice of the Indian, John Windwalker. Ed Ostashay and Railroad Ron hastened to bind up their hands and arms, seating them back to back within the center of the cave. A campfire was then constructed by Jeremiah and Sean, and all weapons confiscated. Hannah and the others soon emerged from the rear of the cave, into the light, to have a closer look at the intruders. After a brief time of looking at each one of them, Hannah spoke out boldly at them.
"You men ought to be ashamed of yourselves for taking all that money. What if some young baby needed milk and all their parents had was saved up in that bank? What if a part of it was some old folks' life savings? How can you be so selfish as to think you could steal from other people? Why don't you all get a job if you need money? My grandpa has lots of jobs on his ranch, don't you grandpa !?"— She looked at Jeremiah who remained silent as she continued... "My dad always said, 'if a man doesn't work he shouldn't eat.' Now, we're going to have some breakfast, and I am sure you are hungry, and I will give you each some of mine... if you promise to quit this life of stealing, believe in God, and go to work."
Doc Mucci looked at the girl, standing near the fire in the dimly lit cave, his eyes reflecting admiration and respect, his voice, kindness; "I don't think it's gonna be as easy as all that, young lady. I figure the four of us will have to spend some time in jail before we can go to work." The remainder of the bound outlaws laughed at that remark. All of their eyes were on Hannah, each of them curiously impressed with her boldness.
"Yer like that flame of fire there, girl," White-Eyes Chapman spoke out. "Are you a flame of hope for some old, worn out men of ill repute?... 'sides, I don't think your grandpa there would really give us a job, now, do you?"
Hannah looked at her grandpa, waiting for him to respond in some way. He thought on it for several moments, searching for the right way in which to answer. He then turned his attention toward Chapman and the others.— "I always have jobs at the ranch. Winters are a little slow, but I never refuse a man three squares if he's pullin' the load at hand, and he's got his mind right. Now, if you boys were to turn in that money voluntarily, the law might go easy on you up here. Least ways, I haven't seen any wanted posters on you boys for anything else, though I've heard plenty about each one of you... But, I never judge a man by what others say about him. A man can change from one day to the next...I've seen it happen. Sometimes a man will go bad because he can't find a reason to do good. Once he finds a reason to do good, he don't think of goin' bad anymore. I guess it's the luck of the draw mostly... but, some men try to do right no matter what. Others do wrong no matter what. You got your choice in life. Best make the most of it.— I'd say you're at a turning point."
"That's real fine, mister, but I don't figure the law is going to be as forgiving as you think." It was Armando Valencia who spoke out. "They're gonna know we didn't volunteer nuthin', bein' as we're tied up like this."
"You don't have to stay tied up," Jeremiah answered. "You can give your word that you won't run off, and we can tell the Marshal when he gets here that we were just about to go back to town with you so you could turn yourselves in. We could tell him we were helping to provide an escort for the money. Lil' Dave will believe me when I tell him that, because I wouldn't be lying. He trusts me... My word is good... How's yours?"
"Why would you do that for us?" Phil Henry questioned. "You don't owe us nuthin'. We don't even know you."
Railroad Ron spoke out; "His name's Johnson... Jeremiah Johnson."
The outlaws eyes all turned toward Jeremiah. White-Eyes Chapman was the first to speak. "So you're him... him. They call you the Spirit Warrior back in Colorado. Legends say it was an honor just to see ya, let alone talk firsthand with ya."
"Well, the legend's right smack in front of you now," Railroad Ron blurted. "The girl is his granddaughter. A bit spirited, ain't she? Takes after the old man.... Now, the way I see it, he's offered you boys something here... He's sure taught me somethin', how 'bout you?"
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.
The family of Aiden Craig Cieszkowski... Aiden is a premature infant, born October 3rd to Frank and Christina Cieszkowski. This child is in the company of many other premature children. He is on a respirator and having complications. Please pray for him, his family, and his many little friends.
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, with kindness, 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 November issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until December 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