JUNE / JULY 2005 IN THIS ISSUE From The Editor........................Page 2 Along the Trail of Truth.............Page 3 Trail Tales.................................Page 4 Encouraging God's Children.....Page 5 Previous Newsletters    (Archives)   Home Page  (Trailheads) Hiking the Trail of Truth, PO Box 1443, Crestline, CA, 92325-1443 Trail Office Phone, 909-338-4081 Mark's Trail Phone # 707-477-2460, or e-mail   hikemark@hotmail.com Page 2 From The Editor... Hello, and Welcome to the June/July 2005 Newsletter!  I sincerely hope this day you have allowed the Spirit of God to be active within your heart, and that you are perhaps able to get out for a hike and consider many of the wonders He has made. I hope also that you will do the best you can to share that unique inspiration with others along the daily trails of your life. Knowing God is first seeing Him through the things He has made. Hiking the Trail of Truth is here to help you along in your journey of discovery and sharing. If you have been or are presently unable to get out this season for a physical hike, just visit our websites' feature trail for this month; The Lake Trail. Your mental trek there can take you where you may be unable to journey physically. The education, inspiration and lasting encouragement which you can find along the 7 hikes of the LakeTrail will be well worth your time... Just click on the Lake Trail link on the bottom of this newsletter, or click on that trailmarker on the left side of the website's Home page, or you can locate the marker on the website's Hiking Maps and Trailheads page as well. I sincerely hope that you will hike all of our devotional and educational trails at the website this year. Again, we are here to help you in any way we can and, as always, look forward to hearing from you. WEBSITE NEWS: I have learned that the most important way to begin your day is with a short reading from the Bible. For this purpose, the Mountain and Valley Trail was designed. There you will find daily Bible readings for the entire year, created especially for you. To locate the picture/Scripture calendar, simply click on the Mountain and Valley Trail. You will find a compass there that will lead you into the present month, and you can begin your daily readings. Your daily journey through life is sure to begin in the right direction!  I hope that visiting the Mountain and Valley Trail will become a daily routine for you; your much-needed morning inspiration! I hope you will visit A Hawk's Trail this month. This trail is an overview of the life and times of the author of Hiking the Trail of Truth. It's a no nonsense hike, created to help you to understand in more depth the struggles in your own personal life and times. Gear up for a profound look at the reality of sin and its affect within us. My Pursuit of the Hawk: I sincerely hope it will be a life changing adventure for you!  And I hope to hear from you regarding your personal discoveries! HTTOTs' Desert Trail, a Native American musical CD, is still available for you to enjoy. I have a copy just for you. Simply 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 1443, Crestline, CA 92325-1443... A description of this CD is available in the August 2003 Newsletter, which you can find in Newsletter Archives. It is quite an inspiring array of music.  Hope to hear from you with your request... If you do not have a computer or Internet access, you may be interested in a printed copy of Hiking the Trail of Truth (the website, volume IV). If so, please write and let me know. I will make one just for you should you request it. This volume is a printing of the November 2003 website edition, and is indeed educational in the spiritual realm. Note: It will not contain the Mountain and Valley Trail; 366 daily devotionals, which will make up a separate printed edition, Lord willing, in 2005. It will also not contain the Monthly Newsletter, save one sample copy (Nov 2003)... I also have available at your request the original booklet, Hiking the Trail of Truth, a Profound Look at Pure Reality (August 2000), and volume 2 in the HTTOT series, The Monuments (December 2000). These booklets are great learning tools, free of charge, and so I will be looking forward to your order. On the first of December 2004, video volume #13 in the Hiking the Trail of Truth series, entitled, The Adventure of Knowing God, became available for you. The video was filmed in the Mt. Whitney region of California's High Sierra, and is quite informative. You may receive a copy of this free, 56 minute video, simply by writing a request for the video and mailing it to the Trail Office address on the front of this Newsletter. I hope to hear from you with your video request! 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 in answering them. For you to be aware of the truth, in a world where falsehood abounds, is very important to us. So just write, e-mail, or phone any time. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the cover page of this Newsletter, or you can visit Questions and Answers Trail Camp at the website, where a ''submit a question" link is provided... ¤ This month, From the Friends of HTTOT file:  MANAGING YOUR FEARS AND ANXIETIES WITH THE HELP OF GOD © Stan Popovich – All Rights Reserved: Looking for all of the answers in how to manage your most persistent fears and anxieties? I deal with fear on a personal level and I found it difficult to find all of the answers in managing my anxieties. There are times when the fear becomes very overwhelming. What do you do when this happens? Well the first thing I do is start talking and praying to God. I either go to church or to a quiet place during the day to tell God that I am having this problem. I tell God how I feel and that I really could use his help and then I say some prayers. After this, I try to review the Bible and read some articles on trusting in God and I then apply these concepts in my life, which can be hard at times. Each and every day I make it up a habit to talk to God and ask for his help. When I am using the help of God to manage my fears, I need to be aware of how God is working in my life. Most of the time God works in mysterious ways and the answers he provides might not be that obvious. I must be aware of God being in my life even when I am dealing with my fears and anxieties. I must also be sensitive to the answers God gives me. Some people think that the answers that God provides must be religious in nature. That is not always the case. God may provide the answers in a way that might not be religious in nature. These answers could involve basic psychology and cognitive techniques that deals with how to manage fear and anxiety. The point to remember is that although a person may use these psychology methods, its important to use God/Jesus as the center of everything in your life and in your struggle. Finally, the most important thing is to continue praying and talking to God. Talk to God as if you were talking to a friend. Read the Bible and pray hard. Be persistent and be open in the avenues that God may provide to you in solving your problem. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him. BIOGRAPHY: Stanley Popovich endured his share of fear and anxiety over the years. Unable to find the help he needed, the author decided to undertake his own research. The result is "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” - an easy to read book based on a combination of research and personal experience. For additional information go to: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/mvStanPopovich.html  Or Email the author at lonestar_9780 @ yahoo.com THIS MONTH'S Letter From the Editor: Blessed are the poor in spirit.... Matthew 5:3...Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Another translation reads: 'God blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the kingdom of heaven is given to them.'  Jesus is not speaking here of the materially poor. Though material poverty and recognition of spiritual need often go together, the two kinds of poverty are not identical. Those who feel a greater spiritual need are more likely to perceive the great depth of that need and depend on God alone. These are those who have discovered that nothing good dwells within their own human nature (Romans 7:18). With this attitude, the understandings regarding the kingdom of heaven becomes their goal. God's truth becomes real to them, and they begin to see the world as a battleground; a place where Satan is truly in authority and evil runs rampid. They long to leave the troubles of this world behind. The one who is poor in spirit over time makes many discoveries that serve to solve the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Because of these insights, their journey on the earth becomes more positive, while the battle becomes more intense. Here are some of the understandings which the poor in spirit have to their advantage: They know that God created all things, and that everything they have belongs literally to Him. They daily see their own shortcomings in living under the standards set by God. As a result, they take on a humility that allows them to see the needs of others. They become more careful with their own attitudes and actions. They learn to season their speech (guard their tongue). They develop the wisdom to control their standard of living, and learn to appreciate the best, or the least, that they are allowed to have. The poor in spirit are like a wise man who walks with his head bowed. They know God's greatness compared to their weakness and they walk in this attitude. Pride and arrogance are not their way. In the next HTTOT Newsletter, we will take a profound look at yet another Letter from the Editor. Until then, I thank you for and am honored by your time.  Next letter from the editor; One Day at a Time. Sincerely, Mark S Taylor, HTTOT Back to top Page 3 Along The Trail of Truth Along the Trail of Truth is HTTOT's newest addition to the Newsletter and replaces the former Friends Along the Trail segment. Along the Trail of Truth is a no-nonsense look at the world's latest ideas and/or publications, and 'sets the record straight' concerning them. God's word teaches us that the wisdom of the world is indeed foolishness with God, and that He has also chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the so-called wise (1st Corinthians 1:19-31). Relative to this profound reality, Along the Trail of Truth takes a look at natural mankind's perception of things and passes onto you the truth of the matter... This month we will take a look at a current government and news media perception that democracy and peace can be had in the world of Iraq: This is something that many are hopeful of, and it would of course be a good thing, however, the peace of God and the peace of the world are two different ideas altogether. Peace will never come through the political efforts of men, nor through the violence of those in opposition to the cause of democracy ("insurgents"). Only a true understanding of the teachings of God, and an abrupt change in the behavior of all involved, will result in peace. This is Satan's world. He is in charge. The teachings and principles laid down by Jesus are not even contemplated in the land of Iraq. The minds of men and women are for the most part lost in rebellion. The ground they walk on is not truly sacred to them. They have been abandoned by God because of their rebellion and have no desire to truly seek Him. Their country is full of places where great men once walked. Much of Biblical history unfolded in the midst of their land, yet, their perverted minds have not sought the truth, nor honored the God who formed them. How could anyone even imagine that a nation such as this could find true and lasting peace? There is however that possibility, for with God all things are possible. But, this nation would have to turn from their wicked ways, put their faces in the dust of the earth, and seek the forgiveness and guidance of the God of heaven, through Jesus, His Son, the One and only Savior and true God of the entire universe, who reigns from His heavenly throne. Believe it or not, we actually have the same problem within our own nation. A problem of rebellion. Though we may be a different type of culture, things are not as they appear. Sin is quite deceitful, and most of us can't see the forest for the trees. I surely don't want to be a doomsday teacher, but that's where it's all headed. The problem is that very few are really teachable—it is entirely an attitude problem. Attitudes have been the problem since the beginning of time, and they rule the world. Attitudes make Iraq Iraq, just as attitudes make America America. I found a short story, a simple story, that will show you our attitudes—attitudes that have prevailed, and will continue to prevail, until light dawns in the hearts of men and women throughout the world: The story; The Perfect Preacher: One of the toughest tasks any group of believers faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an "official board" undergoing this painful process finally lost his patience. He'd watched the "pastoral relations committee" reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It became time for a bit of soul searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read a letter, purporting to be from another applicant... "Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also have had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been. I'm over 50 years of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a great deal done. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten along well with the religious leaders in towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you." The board member looked over the committee. "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?"  The "good church folks" were aghast. Call an unhealthy, troublemaking, absent-minded ex-jailbird?  Was the board member crazy?  Who signed the application?  Who has such colossal nerve?  The board member eyed them keenly before he answered, "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.' " ¤ Attitudes killed Paul, and have rejected others like him, all through the ages of time. Even more significantly, attitudes killed the Author of life, Jesus Himself. Attitudes are killing those in Iraq, and attitudes can kill you, even here in America. Therefore, seek God in honesty and humility while He yet may be found. Never trust in yourself; trust only in God's truth. Thanks for hiking "along the trail of truth" for June and July. See you again next time. Back to top Page 4 Trail  Tales Continuing stories of life along the trail... Previous episodes of Trail Tales can be found in Newsletter Archives This month's special tale: My Quilt The trail I was hiking was indeed rocky and rough. But soon, the pinnacle I was striving for came in sight. I was glad to see it!  I knew that I could stop there for a brief rest, before descending the ridge on the other side of the rocks. I removed my backpack and sat down. I stretched out my legs, shoved the pack under my head for a brief rest, but fell asleep. I was so tired that I began to dream, and found myself facing my Maker in the last judgement. I was kneeling before the Lord along with other souls, whom I did not know. Before each of us laid our lives; like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us, sewing our individual quilt squares together into a tapestry that made up our life. As my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult; the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw grievous sins; a winding road of failures and hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed; held up to the light, the dreaded scrutiny of truth. The other people arose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been!  My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze drooped to the ground in shame. I hadn't all the earthly fortunes. I had some love in my life, some laughter, but they had mostly been trails of bad decisions, failure, illness, and finally death. There were pointing fingers of guilt and accusations that took me from my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times, each time of beginning again was more difficult than the time before. I often struggled with the temptation to quit life; to wander as a transient in the desert, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin another day of life again. I spent many times on my knees in prayer, asking Jesus and His father for help and guidance in my life. I was the scorn of many who fairly, but many times unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face these truths. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I arose and slowly lifted the tapestry of combined squares of my life into the light. An awe-filled gasp was in the air. I gazed around at others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image; the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood suddenly before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your difficult life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles!  Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let My forgiveness shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you. Come now, and enter into My joy, prepared for you from the foundation of the world." I didn't think I was dreaming until I awoke at the base of that pinnacle, my head still nestled on my backpack. Oh, how I wished then that it had not been a dream!  It was such a relief to know that the Lord had forgiven me for the many failures of my life!  I think about that dream often, and wonder if the Lord was actually speaking to me. Dreams are strange, and always vary in good and evil. How are we to know? How does one explain his/her dreams?  May your dreams be motivating, for they may teach us the unseen things!  I descended the ridge later that morning, contemplating the events of my dream. It has caused me to become more aware of the seriousness of life, and to strive to live accordingly. I thank God for many inspiring hikes, all of my hopes, and my dreams, especially the happy ones. I can only hope that they come true. Thanks for hiking with me today. I hope you will join me again next time for another Trail Tales adventure. Until then, may God be with you on your journey in life. Sincerely, MS Taylor HTTOT Back to top Page 5 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. Let us this month encourage and pray for... From Noreen Martin... (June/05) Please pray for my dear friend, Sandy, and her family. Her husband Doug had a work related accident that has caused severe head trauma. He is in a coma and they were told it is a waiting game. Please keep them in your prayers. In Him... Noreen (for those of you from Copley High, in Ohio, this is Sandy Sosenko Goble)... July 1st...An update on my friends husband, Doug, who had the head trauma accident at work. Doug is out of his coma and has recognized Sandy and knows his name. His left side is paralyzed. They have admitted him to a re-hab center. Sandy said she told him she loved him and he said I love you back. Sandy wants to thank everyone for their prayers.  Please keep them in your prayers for continued health. Prayers change things!  Noreen The family of, Don Wilsterman of Arcadia, California... Don, a retired police officer for the city of Arcadia, recently passed away after a long illness. He was an honorable and most talented man, and will be greatly missed by the department and his family. Please pray for the Wilstermans' and Don's friends as they mourn this great loss. We do know that heaven will be a better place when we get there and have the honor of his company. The family of, Lawrence Anthony Mallo... Lawrence Anthony Mallo "Larry Mallo, " "Everyone's Friend, " born April 30, 1945 in Akron, Ohio. Larry passed away on May 6, 2005. He most probably greeted his beloved parents, Offie and Rose, with that beautiful smile. Please pray for the surviving family of our dear friend, Larry. The family of, Rebecca L. "Becky" Weitzel... Rebecca L. Weitzel "Becky," 63, was called home by God on May 9, 2005. Born in Barberton Ohio, she had lived in Akron all of her life. Rebecca graduated in 1959 from Kenmore High School, and attended Akron University and the Ohio College of Massotherapy. She worked for B.F. Goodrich, the payroll personnel for the Richfield Coliseum, and was owner and operator of R & R Massotherapy in Cuyahoga Falls. Please pray for the surviving family of our dear friend, Becky. Carrie P. T. Rowland of West Salem, Ohio...Carrie is going through some deep personal trials. Please pray that God will grant her the strength to endure, and to keep her eyes and ears open for His guidance. (This is my only daughter, and I would really personally appreciate your prayers for her, as well of course as all your prayers for others on this list. Thanks, Mark.) Mr. Bill Keyser of Fresno, California... Bill is endeavoring to organize a special Bible study class at his local church. We know how difficult it can be, in these times, to get people's minds on God's truth. I would ask that we all pray for Bill, and his efforts, that folks in that area will be led to discover their need, and choose to be better informed through the study of God's Word. Let us also thank God for sending this laborer into His field, for, the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborer's are so few. Bill needs your prayers! Please help. Adam Hadley and his mother, Paula, of Marietta, Ohio... Adam and his mother are going through one of those very difficult times in life, when God seems to be so far away. Please pray that they will accept this time as a period of learning and growing in the Lord, who is truly near to us. Pray that they will seek His counsel, that He might heal their wounds. Suzi Schnippert of Florida... will be coming home from the hospital after a 27 day bout with emphysema complicated pneumonia, with 11 days on a respirator and a tracheotomy. I do not know how those around us in the hospital dealt with the problems w/o knowing the Lord and relying on His promises and His comfort. Keep us in your prayers, you are in mine... GOD BLESS, Bill Schnippert and wife, Suzi. Update, April 13th...Hi everyone. Carli came through today's surgery with flying colors. She was in surgery for 2 1/2 hours and the Doc was totally pleased with her outcome. She will be here for a couple of days. Her fixator will be on 'til probably the end of June, and then she will have a hard cast on her entire right leg for one month. After that, she will have a molded brace that fits in her shoe and up to her ankle, to protect it, for a looooooong time. Jill asked how long, like years? and he said, yes, like years, that the ankle that he just made her needs protection while she is growing to make sure it isn't damaged. She won't have to come back here for awhile now, she can do follow ups with Dr. Dias in Chicago (he is the one that told them about Dr. Paley here in Baltimore), and he will keep in touch with Dr. Paley and forward x-rays. When Dr. Paley sees that all is healed, Carli will come back to have the fixator taken off. Jill and Brian did great this time, they have become troopers for sure. We have met some amazing children here, and plan on keeping in touch with them the rest of their lives. They are truly amazing kids. Thank all of you for your prayers and concern for Carli; it did wonders. I am forever in your debt. Thanks again, and love to all of you... Cheryl PS I will be home on Friday, and the kids will be home on Saturday. More information on Carli can be found in the Oct/Nov/Dec 2004 Newsletter (see Newsletter Archives) Please remember all of 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 June/July issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until August then, may the grace of our Lord Jesus be upon you... Sincerely, Mark S Taylor END Back to top [Home] [Hiking Maps & Trailheads] [Bible Map] [Trail of Time] [New Birth Trail] [False Trail] [Mountain & Valley Trail] [Desert Trail] [Lake Trail] [High Sierra Trail] [Wilderness Trail] [A Hawk's Trail] [Monthly Newsletter] [Newsletter Archives] [Questions & Answers] HIKING THE TRAIL OF TRUTH Mark S. Taylor (707) 477-2460