Author Topic: Lessons from the Backcountry (Read 43489 times)

Mimi · « **Reply #40 on:** April 09, 2009, 06:28:06 AM »

We should be able to, but as you say, it is easier said than done. Faith. We need more faith.

Dora · « **Reply #41 on:** April 09, 2009, 07:05:23 AM »

Quote

I don't think that we should go looking for or purposely put ourselves in positions of experiencing hardships and privations.

but... when hardships, afflictions, privations, and difficult situations come our way because we are living the Christian life then we should be happy that we can suffer for Christ and these situations will eventually will work out for our own good. I realize that this is easier to say than do but that is why we need to be found abiding in Christ every day. Can we really give thanks in all things?

JimB, I totally agree that I see no reason to have to "practice" for the time of trouble, nor to put needless hardships on ourselves. We don't have to do that, for sooner or later they will come. When the ice storm was wreaking destruction on KY, our son was calling, begging his dad to buy a generator, so we could especially have water. I believe we are supposed to use our minds to plan and prepare for emergencies, and to be able to deal with them as best we can, asking always for God to help us. (I am not now speaking of the time of trouble, of course, but of the problems of daily living.)

Can I give thanks in all things? That is a hard one...Our house had trees all around it, yet not a limb fell on it, although even one whole tree fell, right beside it. Yet, a tree crashed through the kitchen of one of our church members' homes, while they were in the living room. They were thankful no one was hurt, and that now they have the roof and ceiling repaired. How would I have reacted if that had happened? It would have been hard, I know that.

Kelsy · « **Reply #42 on:** April 10, 2009, 05:18:32 PM »

Quote from: Dora on April 08, 2009, 07:58:23 PM

Thank you for that picture, JimB, it does remind me of that dream. I wrote an article on it for the church newsletter, titled, "Who holds the cord?" The steep path, having to leave everything on the way, so very real. And, they swung across the chasm on the cords into a field of silvery grass...

Dora you should share your article, it sounds timely.

JimB · « **Reply #43 on:** September 30, 2010, 01:17:25 PM »

I thought I might share an object lesson from the backcountry again. However, this time I'm gonna let others suggest the spiritual object lesson that can be learned from this surviving tree. Take a look for yourself.

This is what it looks like from a distance...

This is much closer up (obviously, unfortunately my camera wasn't capable of getting it all in).

Also... notice the roots leaving the rock in the upper right-hand corner.

If you follow the roots with your eye this is what you'll see...

Just so you know... these roots didn't find their way through the air to the other side by themselves. You can't tell it from the pictures nor from actually standing there but there use to be a rock structure there. It has since collapsed from underneath these roots and fell into the lake leaving them exposed. The tree gets all it's nourishment from the "main land".

Any spiritual lessons to be discerned?

Richard Myers · « **Reply #44 on:** October 30, 2010, 05:05:22 AM »

Amazing!!! The tree still lives!! Look at those roots going through the air!!

My first thought was that if we find Christ and we set our roots in Him, no matter what happens, nothing can separate us from Him. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Vicki · « **Reply #45 on:** October 30, 2010, 06:07:16 AM »

JimB, I love the water in the photo of the tree in the distance.

Richard, we know those verses to song - it's hard to read them without bursting out in song.

Son: "Jesus is the Rock."

Mother: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:10-13

Father: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." - Psalms 1:3

JimB · « **Reply #46 on:** November 04, 2010, 08:05:49 AM »

Ok folks... here is a picture from my last hike of the year before winter hits. The trail itself passes between these rock walls. With this one I'm guessing that probably most will be reminded of the same couple of verses but that is ok. So when you look at the following picture spiritual lesson comes to your mind?

Richard Myers · « **Reply #47 on:** November 04, 2010, 10:10:41 AM »

It appears that the only way up is just in front of us. That being the case, I agree with you!!

Glad you made it your last hike of the year since winter is here and unexpected storms can create problems for such hikers. I was thinking of Wally and his poor situation and those Michiganers that are now officially in winter.

Maybe you are still having fall like me!

Sister Dee · « **Reply #48 on:** November 04, 2010, 11:19:11 AM »

And, the way appears rather narrow.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #49 on:** November 05, 2010, 09:35:31 AM »

Amen! And I just saw another lesson. There appears to be more than one way up. There is the narrow path, but some insist on doing it their way. They get off the narrow path and get out their ropes and in their own strength begin climbing those steep rock cliffs. They are wanting to get to the top, but in the process they make things very very hard. The ropes they are using are like ropes of sand. They can never make it until they fall. They must fall on the Rock and then Jesus will lift them up and place them on that narrow path. He will gently guide them and empower them to finish that which He has begun in them. It is a promise. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6.

JimB · « **Reply #50 on:** November 05, 2010, 01:27:59 PM »

Amen! Those are indeed the same verses I was thinking of....

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

It's interesting to see how some respond to the upward slope and narrow path. It looks like hard trials so some as Richard has pointed out try doing it their own way or don't even try.

JimB · « **Reply #51 on:** June 04, 2012, 04:27:45 AM »

These pictures are from a hike I did a couple of Sabbaths ago....

Here is the top of the tree

Here is the bottom of the tree

Dorine · « **Reply #52 on:** June 04, 2012, 05:12:28 AM »

This is the first time I have visited "Lessons from the Backcountry" and have truly been blessed. Thank you JimB for the spiritual lessons conveyed in these pictures. I especially like the mirror image. Keep them coming. I will remember this thread and will return. God definitely speaks to us through nature. I feel the endorphins cruising through my body when I'm in nature or view pictures of nature such as these.

Sister Dee · « **Reply #53 on:** June 04, 2012, 08:28:26 AM »

That is amazing! If it was me though, I think I would have stayed further away from it, even if it was nice and green.

JimB · « **Reply #54 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:13:02 AM »

Dorine, I'm glad that you've enjoyed them.

Sister Dee & Dorine, I purposely didn't draw out any lessons... I'm wondering if you were asked to draw spiritual lesson from the picture of the tree I just posted what would they be?

That question goes for anyone else also who wishes.

Dorine · « **Reply #55 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:43:24 AM »

Even though we may be damaged and scarred; as long as we cling to Jesus with all that we have left; He will strengthen and renew us and make us into something of great value (to Him and His work) and beauty (character) that we may be a great influence for Him on the lives of others. Whew! Sorry for the long sentence.

I'm sure there are other lessons but that was what came to mind first.

JimB · « **Reply #56 on:** June 04, 2012, 03:21:42 PM »

I love that lesson. Very encouraging and hopeful!

Mimi · « **Reply #57 on:** June 04, 2012, 03:58:00 PM »

Yes, it is, Dorine! Thank you!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #58 on:** June 06, 2012, 09:26:00 PM »

Yes, it is encouraging and a beautiful truth. So much better than what I saw.

If we were looking at this tree from a different perspective, say coming from the left in the photo. What would we see? A gorgeous strong tree. But, inside it is rotten to the core. This tree is not long for this world. A strong storm could come and it would be the first tree to fall. But, to many they would not expect it. So, today, we see many a strong and flourishing Christian on the outside, but in fact he is a whited sepulcher, rotten on the inside. Jesus warned us that we need to be born again of His Spirit if we wish to live. Before selecting leaders in our churches, we need to get a good perspective and see the fruits of His Spirit in the life before we lay hands on any man.

JimB · « **Reply #59 on:** January 26, 2013, 03:11:03 PM »

Isa 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: