When I turned sixty I began a mini expedition of the Red River.  I spent three and a half weeks alone on the river.  I saw five humans in that span.  I concluded my journey in Bossier City, Louisiana.  I remember going into the hotel with my wife and the first thing my flesh desired was a glass of ice.  Of all the luxuries in life, ice is the most wonderful to a body so dependent on water.  I smiled over my ice and remembered how I had chosen the hottest summer in twenty-five years to have a little fun on the river. I started the journey a little down river.  Because of the intense heat and the prolonged draught, the river was low and slow.  At first, it was difficult to find the river’s current and I ran aground many times.  There is a lot of red sand in the Red River.  I counted several companies who harvested sand and pebbles from its bottom.  On two occasions I encountered quick sand, but fortunately I was dragging my can...

The first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, are called the Torah, or “The Law.”  These books are also called the books of Moses.  Moses was an individual who benefited from the principle, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” He was a wilderness survivor.  As an infant, he was placed in a basket and set sail upon the Nile by his family trying to protect him from oppression, and fled into the wilderness, as a man,  after he killed a taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave.  He also found abundance and calling in the wilderness.  He found his family and heard the call of God to, “Set my people free.” Moses was the also the leader he was because of the education and privilege he enjoyed as an adopted son of Pharaoh.  His Egyptian education is woven into the revelation of God's Word and its application in the stories he wrote down in the midst of oppression. As an introduction, The Bible’s creation story reveals the context and direction...

The creation story in the Bible never ends.  “God spoke what to who?”  The creation story begins every time someone has ears to hear and eyes to see.   The first principle is to listen, really listen.  Shut out all the noise, and listen.  Do you hear birds singing, do you watch the clouds, are we truly aware of the presence of our own families.  Do we know them for who they are?  Listen, God Speaks.   The initial creation story continues through chapter 4.  Why?   Because the second principle is that God speaks to individual within the context of family.  We are connected, we are family.  In the wilderness, there is no existence without family.  You can define family in many ways, but there is only chaos without family.   The third principle is that we live in an orderly universe, and there is security in that universe.  If you look at the days of creation, it paints a picture of security and alludes to a w...

Although we can be one with the wilderness, we are not the same as the wilderness.  The human relationship with creation is stewardship.  As caretakers we are not limited to laws  governing what is given for our care.  We may have much in common with animals but we are more than animals.  With genetic engineering, the human will has more and more influence over what species survive and thrive.  In the near future we may even have species created by human beings.  The idea of natural selection is something of a question mark? I mention these things because we can be lulled into the lie that it is natural for humans to lie, cheat, and steal in order to gain advantage.  Actually short term gains may lead to long term personal disaster.  Humans should not kill the weakest among us like the wolves do.  In fact the wolves survival actually depends upon the mercy and foresight of their human stewards.   For me, the story of the three ...

Once upon a time there was a boy  named Aadhan who wanted to be first at everything.  Aadhan’s favorite song was, “I can do anything you can do better, I can do anything better than you.”  No matter how many times his little sister would say, “No you can’t,” he would say, “Yes I can,” until she would give up and go away.  His victories always seemed hollow because no matter how he tried, no matter what he accomplished, he could never please the most important person in his life; his father. If he built a fort, his father would say,  “That is nice, but the walls could be a bit higher.”    If he drew a picture, his father would say,  “That is nice, but the sun could be brighter.”   If he hit in the winning run, his father would say,  “That is nice, but the catcher was a real fighter.” One day in the sixth grade, Aadhan sat anxiously waiting as the teacher passed out report cards.  It seemed like an eternity, but finall...

BADEN POWELL'S FOURTH SCOUT LAW    “ A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ALL, AND A BROTHER TO EVERY OTHER SCOUT, NO MATTER TO WHAT SOCIAL CLASS THE OTHER BELONGS.” There are no social classes in the wilderness.  Social classes are created to give people an artificial advantage over others.  Sadly, they create Snobs.  Of all human images, the Snob is the most pathetic.  The wilderness quickly exposes such images, and artificial advantage quickly disappears.  Someone who forces their sense of privilege upon a relationship in the wilderness will soon find themselves alone.  More, such a person may inspire resentments, which could endanger their survival and possibly the survival of others.  The world humans create is not exempt from the laws of the wilderness, they are just not as quickly exposed.  However, their delayed consequence often produces shared catastrophe far greater than in the wild. The human advantage in the wilderness is found i...

When Nimbus was in the fifth grade people would put their heads together, lower their voices and say, “There goes an odd one.”  During recess all the other boys and girls would spend their time balling the ball, sliding on slides, and tagging at tag.   BUT, Nimbus would spend his time head down walking back and forth back and forth across the playground searching for pebbles of different shapes and colors.  AND people would put their heads together, lower their voices and say, “There goes an odd one.”  BUT every time a classmate would fall, Nimbus would stop, go to the one hurt, bend over brush the dirt off a scraped knee, cradle a twisted ankle, and wipe a tear away.  When the classmate was better, Nimbus would rise to his feet, extend his hand, smile and say, “Are you ready?” When Nimbus was in the fifth grade people would put their heads together, lower their voices and say, “There goes an odd one.”  During lunch time the other boys and girls bought ha...

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL “Good Morning Sunshine.”  Elkan chooses not to respond to his mother’s voice, determined to hold onto the promise offered by the mystery of his “Dream Sleep.”  Dream Sleep is a narrow kingdom between sleep and waking inhabited only by innocence.  It seems pointless to be within reach of an important discovery, only to have fatigue’s recovery ruin the journey by stealing the end of the story.  Elkan loves stories and his favorite story, as far as memory travels, is the one Mother reads every night before he drifts off into sleep.  It is Elkan’s “forever story” about how much his mother loves him.  How she loves his new born little bald head, his first smile that gives Mother peace, and the way his tiny hand around her pinky make life perfect.  The story connects his life to everything in the universe, a vast space with so much possibility, but connected to Elkan in the most intimate way through Mother’s love.  A love that ...

Aware Across my lake a westward wind washes over my gunnels before the rising sun, A potent powerfully perfect pure breath of vitality fills my nostrils, “I am alive!” Refreshed, repetitiveness relieved, I resolutely rest my paddle in the bosom of my canoe, Swelling senses strained standing stalwart, to embrace a gifting sun’s embrace. AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, “Then God Said” is the most amazing mystery of creation.  God said what to who is a question the wise ask every day.  It is the foundation of awareness, and critical to creative awareness.  Consciousness is a state of awareness of what is passing through our mind.  Awareness internalizes our surroundings; a process that communicates a special message into our consciousness.  No two humans internalize their surroundings in exactly the same way.  I refer to this as "The Rainbow Effect."  Other than in a picture, no two people see the same rainbow because the light passing through myriad tiny wa...

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8: 3-5 I have spent the past three days at Llano River State Park on a rocky hill overlooking the canyon, under the arms of two Juniper trees, resting upon a gentle bed of their needles accumulated over an unknown period of time.  Sleeping in 27 degree weather immersed in an intended darkness filled with the radiance of a full moon; days brilliant, nights a shaded brilliance.  Cold hands cup warmed by fresh brewed coffee, standing before the rising sun, the breath of God exhaling grace upon the beginning of a new day, my body and soul slowly filled with a warming energy that ignites the wonder of the present.  Long hikes over rocky ground, fishing in a rushing stream w...

Today is a day of preparation.  Today I enter a three day hiking and camping adventure with my son in a remote area of Llano River State Park.  The weather will be a bit warmer than anticipated, with lows in the mid thirties, and the sun should be shinning.  All in all, ideal conditions for this time of the year.  When my sons advise me of their upcoming adventures, I always say, “Remember God forgives you seventy times seven but Mother Nature only gives you one chance.”  That is my way of saying be prepared.  Why do people believe that a good God is should make life easy? Life is not easy, it never was easy, and it will not be easy.  There may be periods of time when one is born into prosperity, but I have found that prosperity and its maintenance, has its own challenges.  Of all creation, humans have the greatest capacity to be prepared and with that blessing comes the challenge of proper stewardship.  We are born into a world that tests ...

Dock sitting clothed in the hood of a grey filled sky, Gathered in a reverent silent embrace, I am at one. Why do we spend so much of our lives contemplating the fragmented parts of life?  Is it because we rebel against what we perceive is the forced interdependence of our worldly lives?  All those shadowy areas of the daily routine that might reach out and cause us harm.  Yet when we are in the wilderness, we soon are governed by the sense of connection to our surroundings. Perhaps it is fragmentation that we manufacture, but for what purpose?  How can we bring that natural sense of connection into our daily routine?  How can our daily lives poetically inspire us?  The Bible teaches this is only possible by choosing our responsibility to love as we have been loved, by helping others.  Through the lens of helping we might receive the grace to claim our connection to the most dangerous animal in the wilderness, "The Human Being." Baden Powell...

Wilderness faith realizes the importance of first things, unfiltered by the interpretations of following generations and their compounded institutions.  It is human nature to tilt things to protect ones advantage.  Therefore over time, a slight tilt can lead to a distance from original truth that defies the capability of the searcher’s vision. Baden Powell’s first Scout Law is, “A Scout’s Honor Is To Be Trusted.”  If one says yes it is yes, no it is no.  If one promises to do something, it is done to the best of one’s ability and nothing shall interfere with the effort.  Powell is very specific with the importance of this law, “ If a Scout were to break his honor by telling a lie, or not carrying out an order when trusted on his honor to do so,he may be directed to hand over his Scout Badge and never wear it again.  He may also be directed cease to be a Scout.” Why is this the only Scout Law that specifies such a harsh reaction to one’s disobedience? ...

A most wonderful wilderness experience is watching a storm backdropped by the horizon.  A distant large dark irregular mass is framed by blue sky above and on either side set upon the foundation of the earth. The sky beneath the cloud colored shades of grey suggesting the falling rain is limited by the promise of the blue sky behind it.  The traveler's  normal breathing pattern is interrupted with every lightning flash, sometimes pausing to intersect the earth. The experience is great theatre for the traveler, its presence powerful and yet contained by your distant perspective.  It is a spectacle one never grows tired  watching because the beauty also contains a warning of danger.  The message of the storm's power is, "Stop what  you are doing, and  determine my direction!"  If it is determined the storm is moving in your direction, there is no other choice but to interrupt travel and prepare, for the scope of the storm may be ...

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  Then God said.” (Genesis `1: 1-3a) Have you ever paused and asked,  “God spoke what to who?”  The entire message of the Bible is a communication to people, and the opening words tell us the overall purpose of its message.  The Bible is written to end “Chaos” in the human experience by offering a clear way of approaching life.  Christians  believe that Jesus is the embodiment of that communication; Jesus’ life and words is the message.  Jesus embraces his embodiment of God’s Word as he prepares his followers for his death, “I Am the Way.” (John 14:6a) There is no chaos in the wilderness, because God created an orderly universe.  This is why God speaks so clearly against the backdrop of the wilderness.  Most of the Bible is written agai...

Yesterday I met with the local Boy Scout Troop.  They have a very nice scout hut provided by the church.  They were on a weekend camping experience.  There was a nice campfire going and the assistant scout master was doing a nice job frying up some onions over strategically placed coals.  He was obviously a practiced outdoor chef. The Scout Master gathered the scouts together and gave me an opportunity to speak to them about canoeing and camping.  I was a bit nervous but over time I have learned that nervous just means that something important is happening in life.  The Scouts unanimously voted to go canoeing, and the Scout Masters and I had another planning meeting in the Scout Hut.  We committed to two upcoming outings and I said, “You are an answer to prayer.”  I experienced the necessity to speak God's name because I had prayed to God about this moment, and felt an overwhelming desire to acknowledge God.  What surprised me ...

Why does my dog dig a hole in the back yard?  I would ask him but he probably wouldn’t tell me.  I doubt he actually knows the answer.  I suspect he just knows he feels better after he does it.  He doesn’t try to create an eighteen hole golf course, but is contented with one or two. He doesn’t hold a grudge and complain when I fill them in, and isn’t vindictive and dig them out again when I’m not looking, but he may dig a new one.  Then for long periods of time, sometimes a year or more, he will simply stop digging holes.  Why does my dog dig a hole in the back yard? When he was younger, he persisted in digging one special hole out by the shed.  I watched him stare into his hole for long periods of time.  I joined him in this endeavor and to my surprise a fury body interrupted the view, disappearing as quickly as it appeared.  Later that afternoon, I looked out in the back yard and my dog held a lifeless gopher between his teeth.  O...

This morning I thought I spied two bald eagles across the river, but I wasn’t sure  because they were so far away.  However, this afternoon I confirmed the sighting of one, wings outstretched, content to soar effortlessly, rising on the updraft against a bright blue sky.  Solomon was right; such a sight is too wonderful to understand. (Proverbs 30: 19)  There was no need or desire to understand.  It was sufficient just to sit there in awe and enjoy. Living suspended in present is one of the greatest moments of life.  I agree with Paul Tillich, it takes courage to live in the present: no thought of the past, no thought of the future, willing to live in the eternity of the present.  Why does it take courage?  Because when time once again claims your attention, your life may change forever, and people fear change. What you may have built your whole life may no longer be as fulfilling.  There may be a call on your life to attempt ...

One of the most frustrating experiences for beginning canoeists is paddling with another person.  Why you might ask?  Traveling with a friend should be fun, and it can be.  However, for many it becomes a nightmare.  Both canoeists are novices and their skill set is limited, and as with every new experience in life, there is a learning curve.  Applying knowledge is also a learning experience.  Friends set off into the lake or river and instead of a straight line they drift to one side or the other.  The person in the front begins to paddle hard on one side or the other, trying to correct the course.  Momentarily, the canoe straightens out, but that lasts for only seconds and once again start drifting off course.  Because the person in the front is continually trying to correct the course, the person in the rear  does not have an opportunity to improve his/her skill set.  Because it takes tremendous effort for the person in the fron...

Baden Powell inspired the formation of the Boy Scouts.  He wanted to share the joy of adventure that can be discovered in the wilderness.  Baden Powell was also a devout Christian.  Baden Powell said, “Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity.”  When asked where religion comes into Scouting he replied, “Religion does not come into scouting, it was already there.  Religion is the fundamental factor underlying Scouting and Guiding.”   I have a kindred spirit with Baden Powell.  I believe that the Bible is the greatest survival manual ever written.  Within its covers lie principles, guiding people along a path where great lives, families, and countries are built  More these principles are truths that do not bend to fads and their conventions, but provide a light for a believer to engage in a lifetime discovery for the sake of making a better life for those God has given them to love and care for. The Wilderness is not the exc...

At some time, an “eddy” is a challenge every canoeist faces.”  A river eddy most likely appears close to the river bank.   Eddies are caused by obstructions, generally rock formations, that interfere with the water flow.  Behind the obstruction an eddy looks like a still pond of water and sometimes creates a current that moves upriver against the general flow.  I have seen canoeists flip their canoes in small rivers even when the current is relatively slow.  This happens when the canoeist does not recognize the danger and allows the bow of the canoe to drift into the upstream current of the eddy while the stern tries to continue down river.  The resulting flip is sudden and most often simply embarrassing, although in swift water can be dangerous.   There are going to be obstructions in life we are not prepared to deal with effectively.  It is important to be as prepared as possible, but it is also important not to give up.  Making mis...

Once the Longleaf pine tree dominated the landscape of Southeastern United States from East Texas to Virginia, covering 90 million acres.  Today the Longleaf Pine is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the country.  According to American Forests, “Less than four percent of Longleaf pine forests remain — roughly 3.4 million acres. What’s more, a mere 12,000 of those acres are populated by old-growth longleaf pine. Even worse, the remaining longleaf pine is in largely fragmented stands and much is in poor condition.” I look out over the Trinity River, which is the boundary line of East Texas, and realize I live on the edge of an endangered species’ habitat.  I am also blessed to share my home with three Longleaf pine trees.  I  say "share my home" because I believe our connection to God’s creation is less ownership than it is stewardship.  We may have a deed to land and home.  We may be able to call the law to expel trespassers, but we do not r...

Have you ever taken a wilderness Sabbath?  I believe the two are synonymous.  Jesus took a wilderness sabbath.   After he was baptized, the Holy Spirit drove him into the wilderness.  Entering the wilderness demands humility and an openness to “wilderness norms.”  There is a sense in which the wilderness speaks to us, revealing pathways of survival and the possibility of abundance.  Likewise, the Holy Spirit speaks to those who humble themselves and listen.  The purpose of a Sabbath is to enter into something radically different, to rest from the status quo and listen for other voices that may open new life pathways. After Jesus was baptized and proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” he entered the wilderness of saving the world from their sins.  I guarantee, Jesus needed to led by The Holy Spirit for that job.  Even though that journey would lead to his death, Jesus had so many wonderful experiences he would otherwise never known....

     It is amazing how radically different people behave in the wilderness.  The discipline of silence is no longer a chore but a desire. Indeed, if the things we call chores do not become joys, you will not be happy or spend much time in the wilderness.  I even become quickly tired of soft radio music playing in the background; something I do often in Manworld to drown out all the competing voices.  This morning, as I look out upon the Trinity River, the orchestra of comprised of many species of water fowl provide a stirring in my soul rarely captured by Manworld offerings.  I wonder if that squirrel scampering through the trees can hear its footsteps.  I love the flap of a duck’s wings on the water prior to lift off.   When I go canoeing with others, listening and the resulting silence is as natural as the sun rising in the morning and the stirring of the air before its warming rays.  I believe the constant noise humans impose on th...

MORE Friday, November 23, about 7:45 am, It is the day after a perfect Thanksgiving.  Perfect because all our children, grandchildren, and surviving parents were at the table thanking God for their greatest blessing.  Perfect because a neighbor was kind enough to come to our home and take a family photograph. Perfect because every prayer of gratitude centered not on the things of this world but upon the special blessings found in relationships. I had no idea that a special answer to those prayers would be harvested the following day during a short paddle down the Trinity River.  The two sons who were able to stay the night and I cast off at the Highway 59 boat ramp under a Canadian sky. The temperature is cool but not cold, helped by the absence of a strong wind.  Together we able to soak in our surroundings within the privacy of separate canoes: a shared experience, experienced in three separate ways, open to breaking the silence to gift fellow travelers...