Journal 2005 10 31
Discovery and Naming
“A Cloudy rainey disagreeable morning.” “Welcome to Washington!” would be our modern day response to Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Sounds like a day mirrored on October 31, 2005.
The Corps is carefully working its way downriver. Captain Clark describes the many large rocks that appear to have fallen into the river making travel dangerous. Several portages have been made over the past two days to circumvent some of the rapids. At one point Clark describes a section of the river as having the appearance of a half-drained pond with stumps exposed.
Today, Captain Clark takes Joseph Fields and Pierre Cruzatte downriver to investigate what the river holds for them. He sends Cruzatte back upriver to take a closer look at the river and determine where they can safely navigate the river and when they must make portages. Cruzatte is his best riverman. William Clark obviously has complete confidence in Cruzatte’s abilities as he is singly sent to observe the conditions of the river.
At their furthest point downriver today Clark and Fields see and name Beacon Rock. If you’ve ever stopped and climbed the iron walkway bolted into its sides you know the wonder surrounding this volcanic monolith. Geologists believe it to be the remnants of an ancient volcano. A plug of magma with the mountain eroded away. Could be. I’m an amateur geologist and generally subscribe to much more current views of natural occurrences put forth by creationists rather than timelines favored by secular scientists.
Somewhere in history Beacon Rock was called Castle Rock until 1916 when the name William Clark bestowed upon it was restored. I’ve said it before, but I am astounded that so many names Lewis and Clark assigned to geographic features are not in use today. It is seems somehow wrong that so many names they assigned have been relegated to historical obscurity noted only by those who examine their journals.
Although the Corps of Discovery was not a Christian mission like those of the great Spanish and Portuguese explorers who planted a “cross of discovery” upon arrival in the New World marking the expansion of their monarchies and the Kingdom of God represented by the Catholic Church there is a basic Biblical principle at work in assigning names. “And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every animal of the field and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. And Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field…” (Genesis 2:19-20)
God called for man, beginning with Adam, to have dominion over creation. It started with observation and naming. That principle continues today. Most great discoveries are named after the scientist who made the observation. Even at the sub-microscopic level, all discoveries are still merely observations of creation. All creation is designed with a baseline purpose. “Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all!” (Romans 1:20)
So, whether Beacon Rock or some nano discovery invisible to the unaided human eye all things are designed with a revelation of God’s divine nature and eternal power. Both visible, like Beacon Rock, and invisible, like the most repugnant of human hearts, working in the spiritual realm that changes the vilest of sinners into saints. Eternal power, visible and invisible. Can you see it? I look back on my life and as a young boy spent many hours in silent wonder questioning the how and why of Mt. Rainier. I look back now and add to that how and why the awe and wonder of my changed heart that required more power than was ever needed to create Mt. Rainier. Can you see His work in the natural world? Have you found His eternal power in the depth of your heart?
“For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God's gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his children and set our whole being free.” (Romans 8:22-23)
Inspiration for today from America's Greatest Expedition, the Corps of Discovery!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
A Channel Through the Mountains
Journal 2005 10 28
A Channel Through the Mountains
“…wind blew hard accompanied with rain all the evening, our Situation not a verry good one for an encampment, but Such as it is we are obliged to put up with, the harbor is a Safe one, we encamped on the Sand wet and disagreeable.”
Strong winds coming up the gorge of the Columbia blew so hard it impeded the progress of the Corps and the men retreated to a safe harbor to wait out calmer weather. Rains came and brought the brand of weather we are all too familiar with in the Great Northwest.
The geology of the Columbia begs explanation as the Corps of Discovery is about to leave the basaltic plains of Eastern Washington and pass through the Columbia River Gorge to the Pacific. Most rivers originate in the heights of the mountains and run to the sea. The Columbia originates in the Canadian Rockies, runs south through the high basalt plains of Eastern Washington, is fed by the Snake River and makes a big round turn west at the Oregon border where it empties into the Pacific Ocean completing its one thousand two hundred forty three mile journey. What sets the Columbia apart from most rivers is what happens when it reaches the Cascade Mountain range. It cuts through the Cascade Mountains on its tumble to the sea.
Geologists call it an antecedent river, meaning that it existed before the mountains began to be pushed up as the Pacific Plate passed under the Continental Plate. Biblical creationists contend, and I agree, that all of the canyons, coulees and the channel the Columbia flows through are best attributed to the receding waters of the Great Flood of Noah in the Bible. Most geologists now agree that the Grand Canyon must have been the work of a great catastrophic flow of water and not the incremental work of millions of years of minute erosion. Lewis and Clark did not see Dry Falls, which is near Ephrata, WA. Nor did they see the great coulees that we drive through between Wenatchee and Waterville. I can picture Meriwether Lewis’ description of this massive empty river channel. The speculations of the amount of water are really mind bending.
We see here again an example of the natural proving the spiritual. Secular geologists date the rush of water across the plateau at ten to fifteen thousand years ago. More consistent with the time of the Great Flood than any other historical record. (Although Biblical historians would date the great flood at five to six thousand years ago.) I’ll take the biblical account.
So the Columbia followed a course through the mountains set in place millennia before by God. Lewis and Clark were simply discovering what God has already put in place. And that is our record for today. Are you looking at your Christian life as a series of self-centered lessons for your fulfillment, or are you seeing him lead and teach you as you are walking out your destiny in lifelong “proceeding on” to Mt. Zion? He has set adventure before each of us for the fullness of joy and the praise of His Glory as we build His Kingdom here on earth. Look for what God has set before you. Today, it was a hindering wind that restrained river travel and caused the men to seek safe harbor. Is a strong wind blowing, hindering your progress? Seek safe harbor even if it means a miserable camp on a sandy beach. He may have laid down the sand for that beach thousands of years before just for your benefit and His glory on this day. Proceed on!
A Channel Through the Mountains
“…wind blew hard accompanied with rain all the evening, our Situation not a verry good one for an encampment, but Such as it is we are obliged to put up with, the harbor is a Safe one, we encamped on the Sand wet and disagreeable.”
Strong winds coming up the gorge of the Columbia blew so hard it impeded the progress of the Corps and the men retreated to a safe harbor to wait out calmer weather. Rains came and brought the brand of weather we are all too familiar with in the Great Northwest.
The geology of the Columbia begs explanation as the Corps of Discovery is about to leave the basaltic plains of Eastern Washington and pass through the Columbia River Gorge to the Pacific. Most rivers originate in the heights of the mountains and run to the sea. The Columbia originates in the Canadian Rockies, runs south through the high basalt plains of Eastern Washington, is fed by the Snake River and makes a big round turn west at the Oregon border where it empties into the Pacific Ocean completing its one thousand two hundred forty three mile journey. What sets the Columbia apart from most rivers is what happens when it reaches the Cascade Mountain range. It cuts through the Cascade Mountains on its tumble to the sea.
Geologists call it an antecedent river, meaning that it existed before the mountains began to be pushed up as the Pacific Plate passed under the Continental Plate. Biblical creationists contend, and I agree, that all of the canyons, coulees and the channel the Columbia flows through are best attributed to the receding waters of the Great Flood of Noah in the Bible. Most geologists now agree that the Grand Canyon must have been the work of a great catastrophic flow of water and not the incremental work of millions of years of minute erosion. Lewis and Clark did not see Dry Falls, which is near Ephrata, WA. Nor did they see the great coulees that we drive through between Wenatchee and Waterville. I can picture Meriwether Lewis’ description of this massive empty river channel. The speculations of the amount of water are really mind bending.
We see here again an example of the natural proving the spiritual. Secular geologists date the rush of water across the plateau at ten to fifteen thousand years ago. More consistent with the time of the Great Flood than any other historical record. (Although Biblical historians would date the great flood at five to six thousand years ago.) I’ll take the biblical account.
So the Columbia followed a course through the mountains set in place millennia before by God. Lewis and Clark were simply discovering what God has already put in place. And that is our record for today. Are you looking at your Christian life as a series of self-centered lessons for your fulfillment, or are you seeing him lead and teach you as you are walking out your destiny in lifelong “proceeding on” to Mt. Zion? He has set adventure before each of us for the fullness of joy and the praise of His Glory as we build His Kingdom here on earth. Look for what God has set before you. Today, it was a hindering wind that restrained river travel and caused the men to seek safe harbor. Is a strong wind blowing, hindering your progress? Seek safe harbor even if it means a miserable camp on a sandy beach. He may have laid down the sand for that beach thousands of years before just for your benefit and His glory on this day. Proceed on!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Journal 2005 10 26
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
“…as we thought it necessary at this time to treat those people verry friendly & ingratiate our Selves with them, to insure us a kind & friendly reception on our return, we gave Small presents to Several, and half a Deer to them to eate. we had also a fire made for those people to Sit around in the middle of our Camp, and Peter Crusat played on the violin, which pleased those nativs exceedingly.”
Once again we see that the Captains and the men are acting as emissaries of President Jefferson. I always liked the title of John le Carre’s spy novel, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.” It reminds me of the roles that must be played out for the mission to be completed successfully. Soldier, Sailor, Diplomat, Explorer, Boatbuilder, Spy, Cartographer, Astronomer, Biologist, Scientist, Tailor, Hunter, Author and the list goes on. Today, they see clearly the need to be diplomats.
The people the Captains were entertaining today are two chiefs who were hunting earlier and have since returned anxious to meet the men who came from the east by land. Not from the west, by sea, as expected.
Have you ever thought about the many titles that might describe you as you walk through life? Your earliest ones are simple. Son or daughter. As we all grow and find our way the knitting together that took place in our mother’s womb begins to unfold. Our personalities take shape and the desires of our heart begin to lead our steps. Physical strengths and weaknesses propel and limit who we become.
Somewhere along our timeline of life, we all have a choice to make. That choice is our response to God and His offer of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Dependant on our response, our desires and disappointments combine with our strengths and human frailties to shape our adult lives and carry us into darkness and its hidden trapdoors or into the Kingdom of Heaven and “it’s marvelous light.”
God has set a great expedition before each of us. Many Hebrew names describe the different attributes of God by name. Many titles describe the roles of Son and Holy Spirit. You probably have had descriptive names attached to you by others that identify traits unique to you. Make a decision today to let God redeem those traits for His purposes in this world. Then they will bear good fruit and be a source of joy for you.
If John le Carre wrote a novel with you as the primary character what words would he use to describe your life in the title of that book?
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
“…as we thought it necessary at this time to treat those people verry friendly & ingratiate our Selves with them, to insure us a kind & friendly reception on our return, we gave Small presents to Several, and half a Deer to them to eate. we had also a fire made for those people to Sit around in the middle of our Camp, and Peter Crusat played on the violin, which pleased those nativs exceedingly.”
Once again we see that the Captains and the men are acting as emissaries of President Jefferson. I always liked the title of John le Carre’s spy novel, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.” It reminds me of the roles that must be played out for the mission to be completed successfully. Soldier, Sailor, Diplomat, Explorer, Boatbuilder, Spy, Cartographer, Astronomer, Biologist, Scientist, Tailor, Hunter, Author and the list goes on. Today, they see clearly the need to be diplomats.
The people the Captains were entertaining today are two chiefs who were hunting earlier and have since returned anxious to meet the men who came from the east by land. Not from the west, by sea, as expected.
Have you ever thought about the many titles that might describe you as you walk through life? Your earliest ones are simple. Son or daughter. As we all grow and find our way the knitting together that took place in our mother’s womb begins to unfold. Our personalities take shape and the desires of our heart begin to lead our steps. Physical strengths and weaknesses propel and limit who we become.
Somewhere along our timeline of life, we all have a choice to make. That choice is our response to God and His offer of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Dependant on our response, our desires and disappointments combine with our strengths and human frailties to shape our adult lives and carry us into darkness and its hidden trapdoors or into the Kingdom of Heaven and “it’s marvelous light.”
God has set a great expedition before each of us. Many Hebrew names describe the different attributes of God by name. Many titles describe the roles of Son and Holy Spirit. You probably have had descriptive names attached to you by others that identify traits unique to you. Make a decision today to let God redeem those traits for His purposes in this world. Then they will bear good fruit and be a source of joy for you.
If John le Carre wrote a novel with you as the primary character what words would he use to describe your life in the title of that book?
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Passing Through the Gut
Journal 2005 10 25
Passing Through the Gut
Yesterday the Captains had to determine how to best pass through the “gut” of the river. Portage or shoot the rapids? Portage was impractical because of the terrain. Captain Clark again sent the non-swimmers by land and determined that water passage was possible. His single hope was that the canoes would not suffer too much damage in the process.
Men are stationed on the rocks above with ropes to aid the rivermen piloting the canoes should they run into trouble. The first canoe passes with no trouble. A signal is given for the next canoe to proceed. It, too, passes with success. Do you think the men manning the ropes were stoic in their observation of their comrade’s work? I can see hands raised in cheers as the gut is cleared cleanly. Canoe number three gets hung up on a rock and begins to take water. Aid is rendered and the watercraft is successfully brought to shore. The final canoe squeezes through the gut safely.
The Corps crossed a natural boundary and a national boundary in their passage through this gut. They moved from the lands of the Nez Perce nation into the Chinook nation. These tribes are “at war”. The men are on alert. Camp is made on the highest rock promontory they can find. It makes a fine fortress should defense be necessary. Were the men pleased about camping in the rocks? I doubt it. To secure their mission they did the hard thing. Pun intended.
Hunters set out and return with a small deer. Much animal sign is observed giving hope of sustenance for the coming winter. Timber is seen on the mountains again and another large, snow-topped mountain is observed to the southwest. Mt. Hood. The Captains are simply calling it Falls Mountain because of the falls they have just passed.
“Passing through the gut.” We are more “civilized” than our troop of men who had proven themselves able to survive in the wilderness. Do we understand why William Clark describes the long narrow passage of water as a “gut”? In the simplest of illustrations, things enter our wide-open mouths are processed through our digestive systems where they are squeezed through our large and small intestines before passing out of our bodies.
Remember the typical harvest of food required to sustain the Corps on the prairie where food was abundant? One bison, one elk and one deer, or four deer. The result of hunting, killing, cleaning and skinning these animals left lots of guts. How many in our modern world have ever seen an animal’s entrails except maybe in a Thanksgiving turkey? Most of us are more familiar with someone “passing” a kidney stone. Painful as a small object squeezes it’s way through a small passage.
Have you “passed through the gut” in your life? My bet is that you have. Life requires us to be squeezed, pressed and changed. This process of squeezing, pressing and refining transforms us. The process always requires constraint and darkness to complete. Food enters in one form and come out entirely different. How we respond to the process determines how we “come out.” Without sounding too indelicate, do we come out stinky, repugnant and suitable only for fertilizer because the result of our passage required elimination? Or, like meat and fat mixed with spices in a sausage grinder do we pass through the gut and exit fit for consumption, not elimination?
“And He said to them, Are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that whatever enters into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the waste-bowl, purifying all food? And He said, That which comes out of the man is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things pass out from inside and defile the man.” (Mark 7:18-23)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.”
(John 5:24) “So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14) “We know that we have passed from death to life, …” (1 John 3:14)
The brave rivermen pass through the gut of the river. We are called to have courage and pass from the world as we know it into the Kingdom of God as He declares it to be. Are we willing to attempt it? What is common to this passage? Death and a changed heart. Christ died to create the “gut” that must be traversed by all to cross over the natural boundary of death into the new nation of the Kingdom of God. Are you willing to step into the canoe and let His current carry you? Will the passage find you with new life and a new heart or fit only for fertilizer?
Passing Through the Gut
Yesterday the Captains had to determine how to best pass through the “gut” of the river. Portage or shoot the rapids? Portage was impractical because of the terrain. Captain Clark again sent the non-swimmers by land and determined that water passage was possible. His single hope was that the canoes would not suffer too much damage in the process.
Men are stationed on the rocks above with ropes to aid the rivermen piloting the canoes should they run into trouble. The first canoe passes with no trouble. A signal is given for the next canoe to proceed. It, too, passes with success. Do you think the men manning the ropes were stoic in their observation of their comrade’s work? I can see hands raised in cheers as the gut is cleared cleanly. Canoe number three gets hung up on a rock and begins to take water. Aid is rendered and the watercraft is successfully brought to shore. The final canoe squeezes through the gut safely.
The Corps crossed a natural boundary and a national boundary in their passage through this gut. They moved from the lands of the Nez Perce nation into the Chinook nation. These tribes are “at war”. The men are on alert. Camp is made on the highest rock promontory they can find. It makes a fine fortress should defense be necessary. Were the men pleased about camping in the rocks? I doubt it. To secure their mission they did the hard thing. Pun intended.
Hunters set out and return with a small deer. Much animal sign is observed giving hope of sustenance for the coming winter. Timber is seen on the mountains again and another large, snow-topped mountain is observed to the southwest. Mt. Hood. The Captains are simply calling it Falls Mountain because of the falls they have just passed.
“Passing through the gut.” We are more “civilized” than our troop of men who had proven themselves able to survive in the wilderness. Do we understand why William Clark describes the long narrow passage of water as a “gut”? In the simplest of illustrations, things enter our wide-open mouths are processed through our digestive systems where they are squeezed through our large and small intestines before passing out of our bodies.
Remember the typical harvest of food required to sustain the Corps on the prairie where food was abundant? One bison, one elk and one deer, or four deer. The result of hunting, killing, cleaning and skinning these animals left lots of guts. How many in our modern world have ever seen an animal’s entrails except maybe in a Thanksgiving turkey? Most of us are more familiar with someone “passing” a kidney stone. Painful as a small object squeezes it’s way through a small passage.
Have you “passed through the gut” in your life? My bet is that you have. Life requires us to be squeezed, pressed and changed. This process of squeezing, pressing and refining transforms us. The process always requires constraint and darkness to complete. Food enters in one form and come out entirely different. How we respond to the process determines how we “come out.” Without sounding too indelicate, do we come out stinky, repugnant and suitable only for fertilizer because the result of our passage required elimination? Or, like meat and fat mixed with spices in a sausage grinder do we pass through the gut and exit fit for consumption, not elimination?
“And He said to them, Are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that whatever enters into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the waste-bowl, purifying all food? And He said, That which comes out of the man is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things pass out from inside and defile the man.” (Mark 7:18-23)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.”
(John 5:24) “So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14) “We know that we have passed from death to life, …” (1 John 3:14)
The brave rivermen pass through the gut of the river. We are called to have courage and pass from the world as we know it into the Kingdom of God as He declares it to be. Are we willing to attempt it? What is common to this passage? Death and a changed heart. Christ died to create the “gut” that must be traversed by all to cross over the natural boundary of death into the new nation of the Kingdom of God. Are you willing to step into the canoe and let His current carry you? Will the passage find you with new life and a new heart or fit only for fertilizer?
Monday, October 24, 2005
A Big Black Rock
Journal 2005 10 24
A Big Black Rock
“here a tremendious <heigh> black rock Presented itself high and Steep appearing to choke up the river nor could I See where the water passed further than the Current was drawn with great velocity to the Lard Side of this rock at which place I heard a great roreing. I landed at the Lodges and the natives went with me to the top of this rock which makes from the Stard. Side; from the top of which I could See the dificuelties we had to pass for Several miles below; at this place the water of this great river is compressed into a Chanel between two rocks not exceeding forty five yards wide and continues for a ¼ of a mile when it again widens to 200 yards and continues this width for about 2 miles when it is again intersepted by rocks.”
The Columbia River squeezed into a forty-five yard channel? That must have a been a sight! Our modern Columbia is stunning in its volume of water and its width. It’s wildness lies hidden under the lakes created by dams. The dams harness the power inherent in the flow of the river and create electricity which allows us to live differently than the Indians who made houses very much like what these wilderness men were used to living in. They found neat stacks of tens of thousands of dried salmon in the partially sunken homes of cedar posts and roofs than lined the Columbia.
If you’ve ever driven over I-205, the bridge that spans the Columbia River between Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR is almost two miles in length. The river below channels around Governor’s Island and is almost nine hundred yards wide on the Washington side and around seven hundred yards wide on the Oregon side. The volume of water was the same two hundred years ago as it is today. Channel all that through less than fifty yards several miles upstream and you’ve got a wild ride in a canoe! Here’s how the calm and steady William Clark describes it, “the only danger in passing thro those narrows was the whorls and Swills arriseing from the Compression of the water, and which I thought (as also our principal watermen Peter Crusat) by good Stearing we could pass down Safe, accordingly I deturmined to pass through this place notwithstanding the horrid appearance of this agitated gut Swelling, boiling & whorling in every direction (which from the top of the rock did not appear as bad as when I was in it;[)] however we passed Safe to the astonishment of all the Inds.” I’ve mentioned speed before, but this may have been the fastest point of the journey. If it was, it had to be the thrill of a lifetime for these men. And don’t you long for the more descriptive Meriwether Lewis in this place? Where Clark implies excitement by understatement Lewis would have waxed in raw emotion of the thrill and danger. Yet history renders him silent.
Do you have a big black rock in your river? Will it obstruct your journey? Will it appear to block the flow of your life, damming your course? Will the narrowing of the passage bottleneck you? It doesn’t have to. The squeezing of the water through the rocks creates the Venturi effect and catapults you to the wildest ride of your life. Is there a big black rock looming in the middle of your passage? Stop, and like William Clark, get a look from above. If you ask, God will give you wisdom about passing through the supercharged channel the restriction creates. William Clark’s remarks indicate that the ride was a lot more exciting than he anticipated. And I believe yours will be too.
A Big Black Rock
“here a tremendious <heigh> black rock Presented itself high and Steep appearing to choke up the river nor could I See where the water passed further than the Current was drawn with great velocity to the Lard Side of this rock at which place I heard a great roreing. I landed at the Lodges and the natives went with me to the top of this rock which makes from the Stard. Side; from the top of which I could See the dificuelties we had to pass for Several miles below; at this place the water of this great river is compressed into a Chanel between two rocks not exceeding forty five yards wide and continues for a ¼ of a mile when it again widens to 200 yards and continues this width for about 2 miles when it is again intersepted by rocks.”
The Columbia River squeezed into a forty-five yard channel? That must have a been a sight! Our modern Columbia is stunning in its volume of water and its width. It’s wildness lies hidden under the lakes created by dams. The dams harness the power inherent in the flow of the river and create electricity which allows us to live differently than the Indians who made houses very much like what these wilderness men were used to living in. They found neat stacks of tens of thousands of dried salmon in the partially sunken homes of cedar posts and roofs than lined the Columbia.
If you’ve ever driven over I-205, the bridge that spans the Columbia River between Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR is almost two miles in length. The river below channels around Governor’s Island and is almost nine hundred yards wide on the Washington side and around seven hundred yards wide on the Oregon side. The volume of water was the same two hundred years ago as it is today. Channel all that through less than fifty yards several miles upstream and you’ve got a wild ride in a canoe! Here’s how the calm and steady William Clark describes it, “the only danger in passing thro those narrows was the whorls and Swills arriseing from the Compression of the water, and which I thought (as also our principal watermen Peter Crusat) by good Stearing we could pass down Safe, accordingly I deturmined to pass through this place notwithstanding the horrid appearance of this agitated gut Swelling, boiling & whorling in every direction (which from the top of the rock did not appear as bad as when I was in it;[)] however we passed Safe to the astonishment of all the Inds.” I’ve mentioned speed before, but this may have been the fastest point of the journey. If it was, it had to be the thrill of a lifetime for these men. And don’t you long for the more descriptive Meriwether Lewis in this place? Where Clark implies excitement by understatement Lewis would have waxed in raw emotion of the thrill and danger. Yet history renders him silent.
Do you have a big black rock in your river? Will it obstruct your journey? Will it appear to block the flow of your life, damming your course? Will the narrowing of the passage bottleneck you? It doesn’t have to. The squeezing of the water through the rocks creates the Venturi effect and catapults you to the wildest ride of your life. Is there a big black rock looming in the middle of your passage? Stop, and like William Clark, get a look from above. If you ask, God will give you wisdom about passing through the supercharged channel the restriction creates. William Clark’s remarks indicate that the ride was a lot more exciting than he anticipated. And I believe yours will be too.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Common Apprehension
Journal 2005 10 23
Common Apprehension
I’m struck once more this morning by the careful navigation that governs the speed of these brave travelers. They are aggressive but exercise wisdom. Confident in their skills, bold, yet humble in attitude. As Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” Callahan observed, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” These rivermen knew theirs well.
The chiefs of the Nez Perce who have accompanied the Corps as guides and emissaries express their desire to bid the Captains a fond farewell and return home. The chiefs hear a rumor that tribes downriver who are considered to be at war with the Nez Perce plan to kill the men of the Corps of Discovery. The chiefs wish to exercise that age old adage that discretion is the better part of valor. Wisdom told them they had reached their limitations to safe travel and it was time to retreat to safety. Clark records that as “a Shadow of Confirmation” of their fears the natives left the campfire earlier than usual. All arms were examined for readiness. One hundred rounds of ammunition are readied. Captain Clark notes that “as we are at all times & places on our guard, are under no greater apprehention than is common.”
Cautious? Yes. Fearful? No. This continues to be a military mission and we can forget that proper military order was assumed. Proper military order required regular guard duty and many long hours on watch as the rest of the party rested. A few soldiers were ever-vigilant for the benefit of the resting. Guard duty is typically rotated in regular shifts to keep the sentries from being lulled into dullness. This security practice is so basic that dereliction of duty while on “watch” is punishable by death in most armies. This small Corps surely developed a routine that was so common it became one more rhythm of their daily schedule.
Captain Clark’s judgment that the common practices they had always employed would be adequate for this threat meant that the practice was correct. If Clark had felt the need to increase the watch then it would indicate that the practice had been inadequate to secure the safety of those resting in camp.
Have you examined the “common apprehention” of your daily routine? Are you overly fearful? Do you have five locks on each door? Are your windows so secure that even light can’t penetrate the barrier? Is your electronic security system monitored and provided with a backup? Have you attended Gunsite, the great school that teaches practical firearms skills should all your other systems break down under an attempt to breach the secured perimeter of your home? Or have you fatalistically reduce your security to chance and leave all your vehicles and doors unlocked at all times?
Acknowledged or ignored, all men have a common enemy. We are told, “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) A level of vigilance to meet this threat must be common.
Today, examine your arms, prepare your ammunition and set your security to adequately protect you. And then, just like these intrepid travelers, “Proceed On!” Capture the spirit illustrated in this westward exploration and exercise wisdom, knowledge and common apprehension as you confidently advance to and through uncharted lands and people. “Rise up and walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth of it, for I will give it to you.”(Genesis 13:17) Proceed On!
Common Apprehension
I’m struck once more this morning by the careful navigation that governs the speed of these brave travelers. They are aggressive but exercise wisdom. Confident in their skills, bold, yet humble in attitude. As Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” Callahan observed, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” These rivermen knew theirs well.
The chiefs of the Nez Perce who have accompanied the Corps as guides and emissaries express their desire to bid the Captains a fond farewell and return home. The chiefs hear a rumor that tribes downriver who are considered to be at war with the Nez Perce plan to kill the men of the Corps of Discovery. The chiefs wish to exercise that age old adage that discretion is the better part of valor. Wisdom told them they had reached their limitations to safe travel and it was time to retreat to safety. Clark records that as “a Shadow of Confirmation” of their fears the natives left the campfire earlier than usual. All arms were examined for readiness. One hundred rounds of ammunition are readied. Captain Clark notes that “as we are at all times & places on our guard, are under no greater apprehention than is common.”
Cautious? Yes. Fearful? No. This continues to be a military mission and we can forget that proper military order was assumed. Proper military order required regular guard duty and many long hours on watch as the rest of the party rested. A few soldiers were ever-vigilant for the benefit of the resting. Guard duty is typically rotated in regular shifts to keep the sentries from being lulled into dullness. This security practice is so basic that dereliction of duty while on “watch” is punishable by death in most armies. This small Corps surely developed a routine that was so common it became one more rhythm of their daily schedule.
Captain Clark’s judgment that the common practices they had always employed would be adequate for this threat meant that the practice was correct. If Clark had felt the need to increase the watch then it would indicate that the practice had been inadequate to secure the safety of those resting in camp.
Have you examined the “common apprehention” of your daily routine? Are you overly fearful? Do you have five locks on each door? Are your windows so secure that even light can’t penetrate the barrier? Is your electronic security system monitored and provided with a backup? Have you attended Gunsite, the great school that teaches practical firearms skills should all your other systems break down under an attempt to breach the secured perimeter of your home? Or have you fatalistically reduce your security to chance and leave all your vehicles and doors unlocked at all times?
Acknowledged or ignored, all men have a common enemy. We are told, “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) A level of vigilance to meet this threat must be common.
Today, examine your arms, prepare your ammunition and set your security to adequately protect you. And then, just like these intrepid travelers, “Proceed On!” Capture the spirit illustrated in this westward exploration and exercise wisdom, knowledge and common apprehension as you confidently advance to and through uncharted lands and people. “Rise up and walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth of it, for I will give it to you.”(Genesis 13:17) Proceed On!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Received with Great Kindness, Examined with Much Attention
Journal 2005 10 21
Received with Great Kindness, Examined with Much Attention
“Those people recived us with great kindness, and examined us with much attention, their employments custom Dress and appearance Similar to those above; Speak the same language, here we Saw two Scarlet and a blue cloth blanket, also a Salors Jacket …”
For the last couple of days the men begin to see evidence of the tribes trading with sailors who have explored the Columbia. Today scarlet and blue blankets and a sailor’s jacket. Many pictures you’ll see following this period (as photographs displaced paintings) show these same tribes with a mix of traditional animal skins and western jackets, hats and other adornments. Clark and the other men keeping journals all record with embarrassment the dress of the women who have a traditional buck or goatskin blouse over a very short and revealing wrap that barely hides their private areas.
Again, no comment is made regarding the reaction of the Corps to the increasing evidence that they are, like two train rails started at opposite compass ends, about to join the easternmost explorations of British ships with the westernmost exploration of American troops. Great satisfaction and increasing pride must have filled them as they saw the fulfillment of their mission just over the western horizon at the mouth of the very river they are sailing. Tonight they camp a few miles west of the mouth of the John Day River at Celilo, OR or Wishram, WA after covering forty-two miles each of the past two days. They don’t know this, but they are about one hundred fifty miles from the Pacific as the crow flies, less than two hundred miles via the circuitous route of the river.
This final push down the Columbia almost has the ring of a victory parade more commonly seen in the streets of Paris, Rome and Berlin as troops victoriously entered ground once claimed by another nation. The fear of the last few days is replaced by curiosity as the white men with red, brown, blonde and black hair are “checked out” by those who may have heard about them downriver but have yet to see one.
We heard about those who had ears to hear what the Captains declared to them (in sign language and by whatever Indian languages could be chained together). Today we see a great example of curiosity fulfilled. We also see great kindness extended toward the visitors as the Indians desire to know more about them.
How do we receive visitors? Do we extend “great kindness” and “much attention” as we find out who they are and how far they’ve journeyed to get to where we live and worship? We should. Many times I am suspicious and slow to open to visitors. I hope you are not quite so circumspect as I have become. I set my mind to extend greater kindness and be more hospitable. Hospitality is a spiritual gift that must be evidenced in our daily living and in our receiving of visitors.
“And the foreigners showed us not the common kindness. For they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us, …” (Act 28:2)
“Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)
Received with Great Kindness, Examined with Much Attention
“Those people recived us with great kindness, and examined us with much attention, their employments custom Dress and appearance Similar to those above; Speak the same language, here we Saw two Scarlet and a blue cloth blanket, also a Salors Jacket …”
For the last couple of days the men begin to see evidence of the tribes trading with sailors who have explored the Columbia. Today scarlet and blue blankets and a sailor’s jacket. Many pictures you’ll see following this period (as photographs displaced paintings) show these same tribes with a mix of traditional animal skins and western jackets, hats and other adornments. Clark and the other men keeping journals all record with embarrassment the dress of the women who have a traditional buck or goatskin blouse over a very short and revealing wrap that barely hides their private areas.
Again, no comment is made regarding the reaction of the Corps to the increasing evidence that they are, like two train rails started at opposite compass ends, about to join the easternmost explorations of British ships with the westernmost exploration of American troops. Great satisfaction and increasing pride must have filled them as they saw the fulfillment of their mission just over the western horizon at the mouth of the very river they are sailing. Tonight they camp a few miles west of the mouth of the John Day River at Celilo, OR or Wishram, WA after covering forty-two miles each of the past two days. They don’t know this, but they are about one hundred fifty miles from the Pacific as the crow flies, less than two hundred miles via the circuitous route of the river.
This final push down the Columbia almost has the ring of a victory parade more commonly seen in the streets of Paris, Rome and Berlin as troops victoriously entered ground once claimed by another nation. The fear of the last few days is replaced by curiosity as the white men with red, brown, blonde and black hair are “checked out” by those who may have heard about them downriver but have yet to see one.
We heard about those who had ears to hear what the Captains declared to them (in sign language and by whatever Indian languages could be chained together). Today we see a great example of curiosity fulfilled. We also see great kindness extended toward the visitors as the Indians desire to know more about them.
How do we receive visitors? Do we extend “great kindness” and “much attention” as we find out who they are and how far they’ve journeyed to get to where we live and worship? We should. Many times I am suspicious and slow to open to visitors. I hope you are not quite so circumspect as I have become. I set my mind to extend greater kindness and be more hospitable. Hospitality is a spiritual gift that must be evidenced in our daily living and in our receiving of visitors.
“And the foreigners showed us not the common kindness. For they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us, …” (Act 28:2)
“Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Those Who Opened Their Ears
Journal 2005 10 19
Those Who Opened Their Ears
“The great chief Yel-lep-pet two other chiefs, and a Chief of Band below presented themselves to us verry early this morning. we Smoked with them, enformed them as we had all others above as well as we Could by Signs of our friendly intentions towards our red children Perticular those who opened their ears to our Councils.”
After this meeting the party proceeds on at 9am and Captain Clark while walking above and around a long stretch of rapids records, “from this place I descovered a high mountain of emence hight covered with Snow” which he takes to be Mt. St. Helens. Historians think it was probably Mt. Adams. Expecting to hunt elk between these two great mountains in two weeks I believe it would be an easy error to make. They are close neighbors. Clark must have taken comfort knowing he was approaching the eastern extent of Captain Vancouver’s explorations.
Setting off down the Columbia River yesterday the men spend many hours traversing long rapids. Then Clark, while waiting for the group to pass the rapids, decides to calm the fears of a new tribe. “I was fearfull that those people might not be informed of us, I deturmined to take the little Canoe which was with me and proceed with the three men in it to the Lodges, on my aproach not one person was to be Seen except three men off in the plains, and they Sheared off as I aproached near the Shore, I landed in front of five Lodges which was at no great distance from each other, Saw no person the enteranc or Dores of the Lodges wer Shut with the Same materials of which they were built a mat, I approached one with a pipe in my hand entered a lodge which was the nearest to me found 32 persons men, women and a few children Setting permiscuesly in the Lodg, <Some> in the greatest agutation, Some crying and ringing there hands, others hanging their heads. I gave my hand to them all and made Signs of my friendly dispotion and offered the men my pipe to Smok and distributed a fiew Small articles which I had in my pockets,—this measure passified those distressed people verry much, I then Sent one man into each lodge and entered a Second myself the inhabitants of which I found more fritened than those of the first lodge I destributed Sundrey Small articles amongst them, and Smoked with the men, I then entered the third 4h & fifth Lodge which I found Somewhat passified, the three men Drewer Jo. & R. Fields, haveing useed everey means in their power to convince them of our friendly disposition to them, I then <formd> Set my Self on a rock and made Signs to the men to come and Smoke with me not one Come out untill the Canoes arrived with <Some five Came out of each Lodge and Set by me and Smoked Capt Lewis at> the 2 Chiefs, one of whom spoke aloud, and as was their Custom to all we had passed the Indians came out & Set by me and Smoked They said we came from the clouds &c &c <which the> and were not men &c. &c. this time Capt. Lewis came down with the Canoes rear in which the Indians, as Soon as they Saw the Squar wife of the interperters <wife> they pointed to her and informed those who continued yet in the Same position I first found them, they imediately all came out and appeared to assume new life the sight of This Indian woman, wife to one of our interprs. confirmed those people of our friendly intentions, as no woman ever accompanies a war party of Indians in this quarter—“
How do we convey peace to those who fear us? Do we let them believe that we came from the clouds and are not men?
In today’s context many people are extremely fearful of anyone who declares Jesus Christ to be Lord. They think we come to condemn, coerce and control. Our message of hope, redemption and a new life of grace is lost in the fearful assumptions of the listener.
Clark offers the Indian symbol of peace, the pipe, and gives many small gifts pacifying some, certainly not all. When Sacagawea arrives with baby in arms the people believe the peaceful intentions of William Clark and finally drop their guard. She was visible.
Gifts? Yes. “A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16
Someone that is trusted is even better. Sacagawea was the visible representation of peace. What is our visible representation of peace to those who fear us? It is the very person we are trying to introduce them to. We must communicate Christ. Immanuel, God with us.
“Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!”(2 Corinthians 5:20)
We are called to be the visible representation of Christ’s body. No magic wand. No woman with a baby. A life presented in service and humility carrying the message of eternal peace held in God’s presentation of peace, His very visible Son, Jesus Christ.
Don’t fear entering a camp of those who would fear you. Offer gifts and symbols of peace. Tell God’s story as though He were telling it through you and look in “perticular for those who open their ears to your councils.”
Those Who Opened Their Ears
“The great chief Yel-lep-pet two other chiefs, and a Chief of Band below presented themselves to us verry early this morning. we Smoked with them, enformed them as we had all others above as well as we Could by Signs of our friendly intentions towards our red children Perticular those who opened their ears to our Councils.”
After this meeting the party proceeds on at 9am and Captain Clark while walking above and around a long stretch of rapids records, “from this place I descovered a high mountain of emence hight covered with Snow” which he takes to be Mt. St. Helens. Historians think it was probably Mt. Adams. Expecting to hunt elk between these two great mountains in two weeks I believe it would be an easy error to make. They are close neighbors. Clark must have taken comfort knowing he was approaching the eastern extent of Captain Vancouver’s explorations.
Setting off down the Columbia River yesterday the men spend many hours traversing long rapids. Then Clark, while waiting for the group to pass the rapids, decides to calm the fears of a new tribe. “I was fearfull that those people might not be informed of us, I deturmined to take the little Canoe which was with me and proceed with the three men in it to the Lodges, on my aproach not one person was to be Seen except three men off in the plains, and they Sheared off as I aproached near the Shore, I landed in front of five Lodges which was at no great distance from each other, Saw no person the enteranc or Dores of the Lodges wer Shut with the Same materials of which they were built a mat, I approached one with a pipe in my hand entered a lodge which was the nearest to me found 32 persons men, women and a few children Setting permiscuesly in the Lodg, <Some> in the greatest agutation, Some crying and ringing there hands, others hanging their heads. I gave my hand to them all and made Signs of my friendly dispotion and offered the men my pipe to Smok and distributed a fiew Small articles which I had in my pockets,—this measure passified those distressed people verry much, I then Sent one man into each lodge and entered a Second myself the inhabitants of which I found more fritened than those of the first lodge I destributed Sundrey Small articles amongst them, and Smoked with the men, I then entered the third 4h & fifth Lodge which I found Somewhat passified, the three men Drewer Jo. & R. Fields, haveing useed everey means in their power to convince them of our friendly disposition to them, I then <formd> Set my Self on a rock and made Signs to the men to come and Smoke with me not one Come out untill the Canoes arrived with <Some five Came out of each Lodge and Set by me and Smoked Capt Lewis at> the 2 Chiefs, one of whom spoke aloud, and as was their Custom to all we had passed the Indians came out & Set by me and Smoked They said we came from the clouds &c &c <which the> and were not men &c. &c. this time Capt. Lewis came down with the Canoes rear in which the Indians, as Soon as they Saw the Squar wife of the interperters <wife> they pointed to her and informed those who continued yet in the Same position I first found them, they imediately all came out and appeared to assume new life the sight of This Indian woman, wife to one of our interprs. confirmed those people of our friendly intentions, as no woman ever accompanies a war party of Indians in this quarter—“
How do we convey peace to those who fear us? Do we let them believe that we came from the clouds and are not men?
In today’s context many people are extremely fearful of anyone who declares Jesus Christ to be Lord. They think we come to condemn, coerce and control. Our message of hope, redemption and a new life of grace is lost in the fearful assumptions of the listener.
Clark offers the Indian symbol of peace, the pipe, and gives many small gifts pacifying some, certainly not all. When Sacagawea arrives with baby in arms the people believe the peaceful intentions of William Clark and finally drop their guard. She was visible.
Gifts? Yes. “A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16
Someone that is trusted is even better. Sacagawea was the visible representation of peace. What is our visible representation of peace to those who fear us? It is the very person we are trying to introduce them to. We must communicate Christ. Immanuel, God with us.
“Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!”(2 Corinthians 5:20)
We are called to be the visible representation of Christ’s body. No magic wand. No woman with a baby. A life presented in service and humility carrying the message of eternal peace held in God’s presentation of peace, His very visible Son, Jesus Christ.
Don’t fear entering a camp of those who would fear you. Offer gifts and symbols of peace. Tell God’s story as though He were telling it through you and look in “perticular for those who open their ears to your councils.”
Monday, October 17, 2005
Announcement: Celebration, Not War
Journal 2005 10 17
Announcement: Celebration, Not War
“We halted above the point on the (Columbia) river … to Smoke with the Indians who had collected there in great numbers to view us, here we met our 2 Chiefs who left us two days ago and proceeded on to this place to inform those bands of our approach and friendly intentions towards all nations”
How often does someone go ahead of you and announce to those you don’t know of your “friendly intentions towards all?” In current day America we are basically independent and probably wouldn’t trust what most people would say about us anyway. So we show up unannounced and count on our own wits to “win friends and influence people.” Wouldn’t it be better to have an advance team that preceded your arrival and conveyed your friendly intentions?
We don’t really ever hear what the 2 Chiefs said to the Indians gathered above the point where the Snake River flows into the Columbia River near today’s Sacagawea State Park. But it must have been good because Captain Clark records that as his men were gathered around their evening fires cooking when “a Chief came from their Camp which was about ¼ of a mile up the Columbia river at the head of about 200 men Singing and beeting on their drums Stick and keeping time to the musik, they formed a half circle around us and Sung for Some time, we gave them all Smoke, and Spoke to their Chiefs as well as we could by Signs informing them of our friendly disposition to all nations, and our joy in Seeing those of our Children around us,…”
Once again, open armed hospitality was extended to the men of the Corps of Discovery. Imagine if these two hundred men who accompanied the Chief made war rather than music! My memory and imagination run back to the day of August 13th when Meriwether Lewis was attempting to show his peaceful intentions to a Shoshone while his two men with him appeared to be stalking the Indian brave. Lewis, in restrained anger, quickly gave his men a lesson in diplomacy. Based on the continued friendly receptions this band of travelers receives the lesson must have been learned!
Soldiers, explorers, scientists, emissaries and ambassadors are titles that can be ascribed to the Corps of Discovery. Emissary and ambassador are the subject of today’s musing. Minster and envoy are titles that may also describe these young men. While not on permanent station like an ambassador they are sent to represent President Jefferson and the United States of America. Although an emissary is usually associated with clandestine activities the word is descriptive of one emanating from another source to accomplish a specific intelligence gathering mission. An envoy accurately describes the work of the Corps of Discovery in their directive to deliver a specific message to the people they encounter on their journey.
Two hundred years ago today on the little changed basaltic plateau of Eastern Washington our young forefathers received a reception fit for any ambassador posted to a friendly nation. Suspicion and fear of their military might was set aside because of the announcement that preceded their arrival.
Pastor Norm spoke months ago regarding how God announced that which He was about to bring forth. He announced to Mary that she would be “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God and give birth to the Savior. He then announced to shepherds in the fields by angelic choirs that the baby had been born. He will announce by trumpet the return of that same Son.
He announces His intentions so we will be prepared to properly receive the object announced. The Yakima Indians and neighboring tribes heard an announcement regarding peaceful visitors and prepared to receive them. Their friendly reception is recorded on elkskin for us to learn from two centuries later.
What has God announced to you and your church? Are you prepared to receive it in a manner that reflects the hospitality you would extend to a foreign ambassador? Are you prepared to celebrate those you are about to receive? The Yakima’s were. May we be as willing to meet those announced to us with great honor and celebration worthy of the Kingdom of God.
Announcement: Celebration, Not War
“We halted above the point on the (Columbia) river … to Smoke with the Indians who had collected there in great numbers to view us, here we met our 2 Chiefs who left us two days ago and proceeded on to this place to inform those bands of our approach and friendly intentions towards all nations”
How often does someone go ahead of you and announce to those you don’t know of your “friendly intentions towards all?” In current day America we are basically independent and probably wouldn’t trust what most people would say about us anyway. So we show up unannounced and count on our own wits to “win friends and influence people.” Wouldn’t it be better to have an advance team that preceded your arrival and conveyed your friendly intentions?
We don’t really ever hear what the 2 Chiefs said to the Indians gathered above the point where the Snake River flows into the Columbia River near today’s Sacagawea State Park. But it must have been good because Captain Clark records that as his men were gathered around their evening fires cooking when “a Chief came from their Camp which was about ¼ of a mile up the Columbia river at the head of about 200 men Singing and beeting on their drums Stick and keeping time to the musik, they formed a half circle around us and Sung for Some time, we gave them all Smoke, and Spoke to their Chiefs as well as we could by Signs informing them of our friendly disposition to all nations, and our joy in Seeing those of our Children around us,…”
Once again, open armed hospitality was extended to the men of the Corps of Discovery. Imagine if these two hundred men who accompanied the Chief made war rather than music! My memory and imagination run back to the day of August 13th when Meriwether Lewis was attempting to show his peaceful intentions to a Shoshone while his two men with him appeared to be stalking the Indian brave. Lewis, in restrained anger, quickly gave his men a lesson in diplomacy. Based on the continued friendly receptions this band of travelers receives the lesson must have been learned!
Soldiers, explorers, scientists, emissaries and ambassadors are titles that can be ascribed to the Corps of Discovery. Emissary and ambassador are the subject of today’s musing. Minster and envoy are titles that may also describe these young men. While not on permanent station like an ambassador they are sent to represent President Jefferson and the United States of America. Although an emissary is usually associated with clandestine activities the word is descriptive of one emanating from another source to accomplish a specific intelligence gathering mission. An envoy accurately describes the work of the Corps of Discovery in their directive to deliver a specific message to the people they encounter on their journey.
Two hundred years ago today on the little changed basaltic plateau of Eastern Washington our young forefathers received a reception fit for any ambassador posted to a friendly nation. Suspicion and fear of their military might was set aside because of the announcement that preceded their arrival.
Pastor Norm spoke months ago regarding how God announced that which He was about to bring forth. He announced to Mary that she would be “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God and give birth to the Savior. He then announced to shepherds in the fields by angelic choirs that the baby had been born. He will announce by trumpet the return of that same Son.
He announces His intentions so we will be prepared to properly receive the object announced. The Yakima Indians and neighboring tribes heard an announcement regarding peaceful visitors and prepared to receive them. Their friendly reception is recorded on elkskin for us to learn from two centuries later.
What has God announced to you and your church? Are you prepared to receive it in a manner that reflects the hospitality you would extend to a foreign ambassador? Are you prepared to celebrate those you are about to receive? The Yakima’s were. May we be as willing to meet those announced to us with great honor and celebration worthy of the Kingdom of God.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Proceeding On, Downriver!
Journal 2005 10 15
Proceeding On, Downriver!
“…for the first time for three weeks past I had a good dinner of Blue wing Teel…” Captain Clark remarks on his dinner of the night before. Have you noticed the honking in the sky as flocks of geese take flight south in their V formations? It was no different two-hundred years ago. The Captains must have loosened their restriction against shooting fowl for meals in light of no game, a distrust of dried salmon and the increasing fare of dog.
The Corps sets out this morning to a cool wind coming upriver from the SW and frost on the ground. Overall, Clark notes the morning as “far” as in fair. They travel twenty miles through many rapids. Lewis walked, as is his preference, on the prairie and sees more mountains about sixty miles west. Today’s Blue Mountains of SE Washington and NE Oregon. On many of the difficult rapids the non-swimmers carry rifles and powder on land while the rivermen guide the canoes through the difficult rapids. Captain Clark noted two days ago that “We should make more portages if the Season was not So far advanced and time precious with us.” He also noted that the rapids would be even more dangerous if the water were higher as it would have been earlier in the season.
Much of the gear is wet from several swampings during today’s work. The men recognize they are near the confluence of the Snake River into the Columbia. The Captains realize that they will spend whatever time needed to take celestial readings to mark the spot accurately on the map. Their wet goods will dry during that time.
Once again these rivermen show their absolute bravery and toughness when a canoe comes to rest on a rock in the middle of the river. The men get out of the canoe, stand on the rock and hold it for an hour as the load is transferred to two other canoes. Can you imagine a modern day river guide instructing you to get out of the boat and stand on the rock in the middle of the rapid? We’d all want a refund if we made it safely to shore! This maneuver must have required skills similar to today’s air tankers topping off the fuel tanks of other aircraft in flight. These guys were good.
Proceeding on. Downriver. Downriver continues to present a different challenge. Have you ever had the brakes fail on your car while you were going downhill? I have. I’m grateful for an emergency brake that allowed me to bring the car back under control and stop. Otherwise, I might not be here to recount this lesson in gravity and momentum.
Gravity and the river current provided momentum that propelled the men faster than was safe. Restraining and harnessing that power was more difficult that grinding against the current up the Mighty Missouri. I would always rather travel uphill than down. Errors are magnified going down because everything goes faster as you fall.
We all sing and pray that “the Holy Spirit would come and move in power” and that God would “let the river flow.” I bet that these experienced rivermen would not be so anxious to sing this song. They knew the power of the river. Do we? Do we, really? It is right that we should petition the Lord of the River of Life to “let it flow.” It is even more right that when He answers our entreaties and looses a flood that we not be fearful of the momentum created by the speed the gravity of His blessing produces all around us.
When He looses the floodgates as we frequently cry out for Him to, will we then look for the first thing to grab hold of and pull ourselves to the safety of dry land? Or will we get in the vessel of His design and run the rapids confident that He sent the flood to speed us along to the place He desires for us to proceed on to?
Proceeding On, Downriver!
“…for the first time for three weeks past I had a good dinner of Blue wing Teel…” Captain Clark remarks on his dinner of the night before. Have you noticed the honking in the sky as flocks of geese take flight south in their V formations? It was no different two-hundred years ago. The Captains must have loosened their restriction against shooting fowl for meals in light of no game, a distrust of dried salmon and the increasing fare of dog.
The Corps sets out this morning to a cool wind coming upriver from the SW and frost on the ground. Overall, Clark notes the morning as “far” as in fair. They travel twenty miles through many rapids. Lewis walked, as is his preference, on the prairie and sees more mountains about sixty miles west. Today’s Blue Mountains of SE Washington and NE Oregon. On many of the difficult rapids the non-swimmers carry rifles and powder on land while the rivermen guide the canoes through the difficult rapids. Captain Clark noted two days ago that “We should make more portages if the Season was not So far advanced and time precious with us.” He also noted that the rapids would be even more dangerous if the water were higher as it would have been earlier in the season.
Much of the gear is wet from several swampings during today’s work. The men recognize they are near the confluence of the Snake River into the Columbia. The Captains realize that they will spend whatever time needed to take celestial readings to mark the spot accurately on the map. Their wet goods will dry during that time.
Once again these rivermen show their absolute bravery and toughness when a canoe comes to rest on a rock in the middle of the river. The men get out of the canoe, stand on the rock and hold it for an hour as the load is transferred to two other canoes. Can you imagine a modern day river guide instructing you to get out of the boat and stand on the rock in the middle of the rapid? We’d all want a refund if we made it safely to shore! This maneuver must have required skills similar to today’s air tankers topping off the fuel tanks of other aircraft in flight. These guys were good.
Proceeding on. Downriver. Downriver continues to present a different challenge. Have you ever had the brakes fail on your car while you were going downhill? I have. I’m grateful for an emergency brake that allowed me to bring the car back under control and stop. Otherwise, I might not be here to recount this lesson in gravity and momentum.
Gravity and the river current provided momentum that propelled the men faster than was safe. Restraining and harnessing that power was more difficult that grinding against the current up the Mighty Missouri. I would always rather travel uphill than down. Errors are magnified going down because everything goes faster as you fall.
We all sing and pray that “the Holy Spirit would come and move in power” and that God would “let the river flow.” I bet that these experienced rivermen would not be so anxious to sing this song. They knew the power of the river. Do we? Do we, really? It is right that we should petition the Lord of the River of Life to “let it flow.” It is even more right that when He answers our entreaties and looses a flood that we not be fearful of the momentum created by the speed the gravity of His blessing produces all around us.
When He looses the floodgates as we frequently cry out for Him to, will we then look for the first thing to grab hold of and pull ourselves to the safety of dry land? Or will we get in the vessel of His design and run the rapids confident that He sent the flood to speed us along to the place He desires for us to proceed on to?
Friday, October 14, 2005
A Token of Peace
Journal 2005 10 14
A Token of Peace
“The wife of Shabono our interpetr we find reconsiles all the Indians, as to our friendly intentions a woman with a party of men is a token of peace.”
Ever get lucky? Many would ask the same question this way, “Ever get blessed?” And I’m going to ask, “Do you believe in miracles?” When you consider the extent of this mission Divine Providence manifested itself in the safe passage of the party. Today’s equivalent would be sending a small party of American soldiers armed with only small arms driving HUMVEES down the main thoroughfare of a foreign city all the while playing a CD over the loudspeakers proclaiming, “We are sent by the President of the United States and we are here to help you children!”
Much has been written of the young Shoshone girl, Sacagawea. The Captains refer to her mostly as “the wife of Shabono (Charboneau).” Her contribution to the success of the Expedition is already significant. From her ability to identify and gather food, to her bravery in recovering cargo from an overturned boat to her successful reunion with her brother, now chief of the Shoshone.
I’ve spoken several times before regarding the improbable nature of a young mother and infant on this mission. Today Captain Clark records what I believe is by far her most important contribution to the success of the Corps of Discovery. Clark notices that as they pass down the Snake River observed by the many Nez Perce who live on the banks of the river that the presence of a woman and child properly present the peaceful intentions of the white soldiers.
For perspective, how possible is it that thirty-one armed soldiers could defeat the thousands of Indian braves that the party has passed through since last May? The Nez Perce women alone could have killed them all weeks ago had they so desired when the party was debilitated from the new diet.
How many of us would even allow such a situation to develop if we were leading this type of mission? We would find a different interpreter, wouldn’t we? Could the Captains have had the foresight to know the peaceful response to Sacagawea’s presence would have on the success of their mission? Could they have known that she would have more knowledge of food sources than these experienced wilderness proven men? Could they have imagined she would prove pivotal to their securing horses and hospitality from the very suspicious Shoshones?
Do we understand the principle at work regarding the presence of “a token of peace?” A token defined by Webster as, “something intended to represent or indicate another thing.” Do you ever find your intentions misinterpreted? Are you frustrated by misunderstanding? Find yourself always having to “prove yourself?”
Maybe you need the presence of a token of your peaceful intentions. If you are a follower of Christ your mission will always have some element of proclaiming a “new Father.” This new Father sent His Son as the Prince of Peace who completed His work and then sent The Comforter, Counselor and Teacher as a deposit guaranteeing our redemption at a future date. And it is the presence of this deposit, the Holy Spirit of God, that is the token of peace to be seen in our missions today. We are to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit so His presence is real and His work is visible in us. Our changed lives lived in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit is our “token of peace” that allows safe passage. I’m looking in my canoe for that Heaven sent companion and pray those observing my actions can see Him in me. Is He riding with you in your canoe?
A Token of Peace
“The wife of Shabono our interpetr we find reconsiles all the Indians, as to our friendly intentions a woman with a party of men is a token of peace.”
Ever get lucky? Many would ask the same question this way, “Ever get blessed?” And I’m going to ask, “Do you believe in miracles?” When you consider the extent of this mission Divine Providence manifested itself in the safe passage of the party. Today’s equivalent would be sending a small party of American soldiers armed with only small arms driving HUMVEES down the main thoroughfare of a foreign city all the while playing a CD over the loudspeakers proclaiming, “We are sent by the President of the United States and we are here to help you children!”
Much has been written of the young Shoshone girl, Sacagawea. The Captains refer to her mostly as “the wife of Shabono (Charboneau).” Her contribution to the success of the Expedition is already significant. From her ability to identify and gather food, to her bravery in recovering cargo from an overturned boat to her successful reunion with her brother, now chief of the Shoshone.
I’ve spoken several times before regarding the improbable nature of a young mother and infant on this mission. Today Captain Clark records what I believe is by far her most important contribution to the success of the Corps of Discovery. Clark notices that as they pass down the Snake River observed by the many Nez Perce who live on the banks of the river that the presence of a woman and child properly present the peaceful intentions of the white soldiers.
For perspective, how possible is it that thirty-one armed soldiers could defeat the thousands of Indian braves that the party has passed through since last May? The Nez Perce women alone could have killed them all weeks ago had they so desired when the party was debilitated from the new diet.
How many of us would even allow such a situation to develop if we were leading this type of mission? We would find a different interpreter, wouldn’t we? Could the Captains have had the foresight to know the peaceful response to Sacagawea’s presence would have on the success of their mission? Could they have known that she would have more knowledge of food sources than these experienced wilderness proven men? Could they have imagined she would prove pivotal to their securing horses and hospitality from the very suspicious Shoshones?
Do we understand the principle at work regarding the presence of “a token of peace?” A token defined by Webster as, “something intended to represent or indicate another thing.” Do you ever find your intentions misinterpreted? Are you frustrated by misunderstanding? Find yourself always having to “prove yourself?”
Maybe you need the presence of a token of your peaceful intentions. If you are a follower of Christ your mission will always have some element of proclaiming a “new Father.” This new Father sent His Son as the Prince of Peace who completed His work and then sent The Comforter, Counselor and Teacher as a deposit guaranteeing our redemption at a future date. And it is the presence of this deposit, the Holy Spirit of God, that is the token of peace to be seen in our missions today. We are to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit so His presence is real and His work is visible in us. Our changed lives lived in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit is our “token of peace” that allows safe passage. I’m looking in my canoe for that Heaven sent companion and pray those observing my actions can see Him in me. Is He riding with you in your canoe?
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Captain's Log
Journal 2005 10 12
Captain’s Log
Above is a portion of today's entry in the log kept by William Clark daily as they traveled. How you take a compass bearing and make a note in a log when you are in a canoe with several other people and a load of gear always astounds me? Recordkeeping. This is something often overlooked by those of us living civilian lives or lives that don’t require a detailed record of our work. Military men and sea captains understand it well.
My mother’s dad, George Washington Bennett, spent twenty-eight years in the Coast Guard. Many of his early years aboard wind-driven ice breakers in the Arctic Ocean. He spoke many times of the legal responsibility to record all events in the Captain’s Log. Even the bad ones! He loved to tell a story of making an entry in the log one night after he was at the helm and the ship ran aground on a sandbar! He recalls that he understood the bad ramifications of not entering the incident into the Captain’s Log. His delight was in recounting that the handwritten entry was so small he hoped no one could ever decipher it!
I complain about having to keep track of business mileage driven to satisfy the standards of the IRS. In comparison to Clark’s records they are nothing. Today a GPS could access the artificial constellations that encircle the earth and provide a record accurate to within a few feet of my travels. What would William Clark think of technology that allowed him to push a button on a waterproof electronic device, push “record track,” and give his attention to other activities until travel ended for that day?
We may revisit this idea of the Captain’s Log and the reasons for keeping accurate records of your journey. We are most familiar with the voice of William Shatner as Captain Kirk opening every episode of the vintage TV Series “Star Trek” with the words, “Captain’s Log…..” There is One much Greater who keeps a “log.” It is the one we need to consider. It’s entries are complete. They are forever.
Are we willing to look at a log of our day? Our week? Our month? Year? Life? Any entries you would like altered, removed or added? There are logs spoken of in Heaven, one of them the Book of Life where it is said an entry is made of all the acts of every person that has ever lived. There is only one way that an entry is altered in that book. The Book of Life will be used for judgment at the end of the ages. If you have come to faith in Jesus Christ through the shed blood of the Lamb of God then the entry is a red, blood soaked smear with a note directing the reader that the record is now transferred to the Lamb’s Book of Life. And in the Lamb’s Book of Life all the “bad” stuff is placed “under the blood of the Lamb,” blotted out and later burned away “as chaff.” What remains are the works deserving of eternal reward. Where is your name, your life, recorded? In the Captain’s Log awaiting judgment or in the Log of the only One able to blot out a record of sin and enter your name in His Book of Mercy and Life?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Living River of Life
Journal 2005 10 11
The party camped at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers last night. Historians haven’t been able to determine if they were in present Lewiston, Idaho or Clarkston, Washington. No matter, they were a long way from home and near to their destination. As is their pattern, the party “set out early and proceeded on.” Downriver!
At six miles they stopped for breakfast at some Indian lodges and purchased more provisions for their “stores” of fish and dog. Think of what it must have been like traveling in these crowded canoes with dried salmon and dead dogs loaded on them. Normal to men of the early nineteenth century. Repulsive to “modern” man.
If you’ve traveled in SE Washington along the Idaho and Oregon borders you’ve seen how stark the landscape is. It was the same way two hundred years ago. The lack of trees is most noticeable. What we don’t see, but the concept is still the same, is that the Indian life was lived along the river. Clark notes an underground sweat lodge and houses of slabs and split timber. Residences during fishing season. Even in a dry, desolate land life can be sustained by the river. And this is our jump off point for today.
God intends for us to live by the river. His river. The River of Life. We are to be planted like trees whose roots go deep and receive water from the river in all seasons. Living water suitable for quenching our thirst forever.
The river brings more water than one person needs. In that abundance it is used for drinking, bathing, watering crops and more. God provides abundant water for all our needs. Living water.
Jesus told a woman seeking water at a well that if she asked Him for living water that she would never thirst again. Are you thirsty? Do you drink water and leave unsatisfied? Then you are drinking the wrong kind of water. Jesus wants to ladle living water for you now that you may never thirst again because of the kind of drink He gives.
If you are living in a dry desert place, move to the river and find life.
The party camped at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers last night. Historians haven’t been able to determine if they were in present Lewiston, Idaho or Clarkston, Washington. No matter, they were a long way from home and near to their destination. As is their pattern, the party “set out early and proceeded on.” Downriver!
At six miles they stopped for breakfast at some Indian lodges and purchased more provisions for their “stores” of fish and dog. Think of what it must have been like traveling in these crowded canoes with dried salmon and dead dogs loaded on them. Normal to men of the early nineteenth century. Repulsive to “modern” man.
If you’ve traveled in SE Washington along the Idaho and Oregon borders you’ve seen how stark the landscape is. It was the same way two hundred years ago. The lack of trees is most noticeable. What we don’t see, but the concept is still the same, is that the Indian life was lived along the river. Clark notes an underground sweat lodge and houses of slabs and split timber. Residences during fishing season. Even in a dry, desolate land life can be sustained by the river. And this is our jump off point for today.
God intends for us to live by the river. His river. The River of Life. We are to be planted like trees whose roots go deep and receive water from the river in all seasons. Living water suitable for quenching our thirst forever.
The river brings more water than one person needs. In that abundance it is used for drinking, bathing, watering crops and more. God provides abundant water for all our needs. Living water.
Jesus told a woman seeking water at a well that if she asked Him for living water that she would never thirst again. Are you thirsty? Do you drink water and leave unsatisfied? Then you are drinking the wrong kind of water. Jesus wants to ladle living water for you now that you may never thirst again because of the kind of drink He gives.
If you are living in a dry desert place, move to the river and find life.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Bitter or Sweet? Buffalo or Fido?
Journal 2005 10 10
Bitter or Sweet? Buffalo or Fido?
Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey star in a little known but family favorite movie at our home titled “Last of the Dogmen.” It is a modern day cowboy and indian movie set in the mountains of Montana and makes for great story-telling. Highly recommended and it provides an introduction into the record of the Corp of Discovery as entered by Captain Clark.
At the end of his journal entry for today in which he recounts the running of many rapids to the amusement of watching tribes, ancient “hot tubs” formed by dropping hot rocks in pools of water and lodges (tipis) and fish camps along the river Clark makes detailed anthropologic notes regarding the dress of the men and women. After recording what the mission requires Clark notes that, “our diet extremely bad having nothing but roots and dried fish to eate…” These men must be anxious to get away from the dried salmon and roots which cause them so much distress. Two days ago three of the intrepid travelers acquired and ate dogs. That’s right, dogs! Fido and Spot and Rover became dinner fare for Labiche, Cruzatte and La Page. Now, given the choice of more dried salmon and roots or dog flesh, all but Clark chose dog. Captain Clark records his reaction to the new menu item. “all the party have greatly the advantage of me, in as much as they all relish the flesh of dogs, Several of which we purchased of the nativs for to add to our Store of fish and roots &c. &c. In the fictional account of “Last of the Dogmen,” Indian soldiers were called Dogmen partially because they ate dogs. The Nez Perce made fun of the soldiers of the Corps of Discovery for this practice calling them “dog eaters.”
Hunger is a driving force in our lives and satiating it can be a blessing or curse depending on our responses. I had to change my diet a few years back. My then teen-age daughter looked at whatever was on my plate and inquired, “Dad, do you like that?” My response was Biblical and one I was learning firsthand, “When you are full, you will refuse honey, but when you are hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7) Compared to more dysentery and distress, dog must have looked pretty good.
Have you ever been really hungry? Have you ever been really broke and eaten only what was in the house? Have you had to eat the same thing over and over again? Then you understand the sweetness of food. It is affected by hunger.
What do we hunger for? Do we hunger for food that brings us strength or do we desire that which brings us pleasure? Do we desire the Bread of Life, or the latest designer loaf from the latest designer bakery? Do we gather the Bread of Heaven? Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness or do we hunger and thirst for wine and cheese?
Digging in deeper, eating dog brings flesh to the statement, “…even the bitter tastes sweet to the hungry.” Are you bored with life? Has the Bible lost its flavor to you? Is life in the church a chore rather than a river of life? Then you need to get hungry. And you get hungry two ways. One is by not eating as much or even forsaking all food in a fast. The other way is by working hard, burning up what you’ve eaten and needing food to proceed. Proceed on. Doing the work appointed by the One who commissioned us to complete the assigned mission. Then food becomes fuel to the mission. Can we think of food as fueling up for the day? Too little work and too much eating causes us to get fat, physically and spiritually. Exercise is good to build an appetite. Hard work is better. Let’s go burn some fuel today so no matter what our menu, it is flavored by our hunger to taste sweet.
Bitter or Sweet? Buffalo or Fido?
Tom Berenger and Barbara Hershey star in a little known but family favorite movie at our home titled “Last of the Dogmen.” It is a modern day cowboy and indian movie set in the mountains of Montana and makes for great story-telling. Highly recommended and it provides an introduction into the record of the Corp of Discovery as entered by Captain Clark.
At the end of his journal entry for today in which he recounts the running of many rapids to the amusement of watching tribes, ancient “hot tubs” formed by dropping hot rocks in pools of water and lodges (tipis) and fish camps along the river Clark makes detailed anthropologic notes regarding the dress of the men and women. After recording what the mission requires Clark notes that, “our diet extremely bad having nothing but roots and dried fish to eate…” These men must be anxious to get away from the dried salmon and roots which cause them so much distress. Two days ago three of the intrepid travelers acquired and ate dogs. That’s right, dogs! Fido and Spot and Rover became dinner fare for Labiche, Cruzatte and La Page. Now, given the choice of more dried salmon and roots or dog flesh, all but Clark chose dog. Captain Clark records his reaction to the new menu item. “all the party have greatly the advantage of me, in as much as they all relish the flesh of dogs, Several of which we purchased of the nativs for to add to our Store of fish and roots &c. &c. In the fictional account of “Last of the Dogmen,” Indian soldiers were called Dogmen partially because they ate dogs. The Nez Perce made fun of the soldiers of the Corps of Discovery for this practice calling them “dog eaters.”
Hunger is a driving force in our lives and satiating it can be a blessing or curse depending on our responses. I had to change my diet a few years back. My then teen-age daughter looked at whatever was on my plate and inquired, “Dad, do you like that?” My response was Biblical and one I was learning firsthand, “When you are full, you will refuse honey, but when you are hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7) Compared to more dysentery and distress, dog must have looked pretty good.
Have you ever been really hungry? Have you ever been really broke and eaten only what was in the house? Have you had to eat the same thing over and over again? Then you understand the sweetness of food. It is affected by hunger.
What do we hunger for? Do we hunger for food that brings us strength or do we desire that which brings us pleasure? Do we desire the Bread of Life, or the latest designer loaf from the latest designer bakery? Do we gather the Bread of Heaven? Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness or do we hunger and thirst for wine and cheese?
Digging in deeper, eating dog brings flesh to the statement, “…even the bitter tastes sweet to the hungry.” Are you bored with life? Has the Bible lost its flavor to you? Is life in the church a chore rather than a river of life? Then you need to get hungry. And you get hungry two ways. One is by not eating as much or even forsaking all food in a fast. The other way is by working hard, burning up what you’ve eaten and needing food to proceed. Proceed on. Doing the work appointed by the One who commissioned us to complete the assigned mission. Then food becomes fuel to the mission. Can we think of food as fueling up for the day? Too little work and too much eating causes us to get fat, physically and spiritually. Exercise is good to build an appetite. Hard work is better. Let’s go burn some fuel today so no matter what our menu, it is flavored by our hunger to taste sweet.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Courage or Skill?
Journal 2005 10 08
The leaky canoe from yesterday is repaired. All canoes are reloaded and the men are under way again at nine am. Sixteen rapids are run and the last one causes one of the canoes side to split open and sink. This is at sixteen miles. Some of the men cannot swim and hang on to the sunken canoe for life until rescued by those in the small canoe. The sunken canoe is towed to shore and all its cargo is spread out to dry.
The weather is cloudy and cool making drying the goods a longer process than normal. No mention is made of the type of food eaten today. And no mention is made of the condition of the men’s intestines. I don’t imagine that any game was added to the diet. Seems like they would still be eating what they procured in trade from the Nez Perce.
I am continually dumbfounded that there are men on this expedition that cannot swim! How can you spend most of a year in and on the water and not be able to swim? In the extensive interviews and screening that the Captains required for recruitment into the Corps of Discovery you would think swimming would be required.
Today’s record reminds me that success does not require perfection.
Success rests on heart. Heart to succeed at all costs. Lewis recorded the heart of the men of the Corp of Discovery after observing their uncomplaining work in suffering the long portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri as “all appear perfectly to have made up their minds to succeed in the expedition or purish in the attempt.” Heart. You can teach it, but at some point it must be tried and tested. I believe heart is demonstrated and caught as much as it is taught. Somehow, the Captains had an ability to recognize heart in the men that were selected for this most dangerous of missions. History proves their judgments to be filled with wisdom.
I’ve written about courage outside this body of writing and will attempt that topic under the banner of this chronicle, but not at length today. The short version is that the word courage is derived from “cor,” Latin for heart. We get our word coronary from this word. So courage is not about strength or skill or knowledge. It is about something found only in the deepest center of our being, the heart. Stephen Ambrose used a quote from Thomas Jefferson describing the unique qualifications of Meriwether Lewis to lead this expedition to title his book about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. President Jefferson wrote that Lewis was among many things a man “of courage undaunted.” Ambrose and his family spent most of their summers retracing the path of these brave voyagers. The Ambrose family was captivated by the heart of these great Americans and several have written books. I highly recommend all of their writing and believed they have captured the heart provided by the example of the Corps of Discovery. Dad Stephen wrote my favorite account of this journey and titled it “Undaunted Courage.” It is the book that started me on this trek.
Moses had an aide appointed by God who would become a “general” and lead Israel into the Promised Land upon his death. He was called Joshua, the deliverer, savior, because he would live to lead a nation into new freedom representative of the freedom Jesus, the Deliverer, the Savior, leads each of us into as we call on His Name for salvation and become citizens in the Kingdom of God.
God is giving Joshua instructions for his new position. His strength, intellect, knowledge and skills were already known. God’s list of qualifications was concise, “For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro in all the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.” His direction for leading the nation out of bondage and into the land of Promise is always, “Be strong and of good courage.” Heart.
Jehovah God taught Moses with these words, Moses taught Joshua and Joshua commanded the nation of Israel with this same command. And I say to myself and all who read this, “Skill, yes. Knowledge, yes. Health, yes. Wisdom, of course! But above all else be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with You!”
The leaky canoe from yesterday is repaired. All canoes are reloaded and the men are under way again at nine am. Sixteen rapids are run and the last one causes one of the canoes side to split open and sink. This is at sixteen miles. Some of the men cannot swim and hang on to the sunken canoe for life until rescued by those in the small canoe. The sunken canoe is towed to shore and all its cargo is spread out to dry.
The weather is cloudy and cool making drying the goods a longer process than normal. No mention is made of the type of food eaten today. And no mention is made of the condition of the men’s intestines. I don’t imagine that any game was added to the diet. Seems like they would still be eating what they procured in trade from the Nez Perce.
I am continually dumbfounded that there are men on this expedition that cannot swim! How can you spend most of a year in and on the water and not be able to swim? In the extensive interviews and screening that the Captains required for recruitment into the Corps of Discovery you would think swimming would be required.
Today’s record reminds me that success does not require perfection.
Success rests on heart. Heart to succeed at all costs. Lewis recorded the heart of the men of the Corp of Discovery after observing their uncomplaining work in suffering the long portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri as “all appear perfectly to have made up their minds to succeed in the expedition or purish in the attempt.” Heart. You can teach it, but at some point it must be tried and tested. I believe heart is demonstrated and caught as much as it is taught. Somehow, the Captains had an ability to recognize heart in the men that were selected for this most dangerous of missions. History proves their judgments to be filled with wisdom.
I’ve written about courage outside this body of writing and will attempt that topic under the banner of this chronicle, but not at length today. The short version is that the word courage is derived from “cor,” Latin for heart. We get our word coronary from this word. So courage is not about strength or skill or knowledge. It is about something found only in the deepest center of our being, the heart. Stephen Ambrose used a quote from Thomas Jefferson describing the unique qualifications of Meriwether Lewis to lead this expedition to title his book about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. President Jefferson wrote that Lewis was among many things a man “of courage undaunted.” Ambrose and his family spent most of their summers retracing the path of these brave voyagers. The Ambrose family was captivated by the heart of these great Americans and several have written books. I highly recommend all of their writing and believed they have captured the heart provided by the example of the Corps of Discovery. Dad Stephen wrote my favorite account of this journey and titled it “Undaunted Courage.” It is the book that started me on this trek.
Moses had an aide appointed by God who would become a “general” and lead Israel into the Promised Land upon his death. He was called Joshua, the deliverer, savior, because he would live to lead a nation into new freedom representative of the freedom Jesus, the Deliverer, the Savior, leads each of us into as we call on His Name for salvation and become citizens in the Kingdom of God.
God is giving Joshua instructions for his new position. His strength, intellect, knowledge and skills were already known. God’s list of qualifications was concise, “For the eyes of Jehovah run to and fro in all the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.” His direction for leading the nation out of bondage and into the land of Promise is always, “Be strong and of good courage.” Heart.
Jehovah God taught Moses with these words, Moses taught Joshua and Joshua commanded the nation of Israel with this same command. And I say to myself and all who read this, “Skill, yes. Knowledge, yes. Health, yes. Wisdom, of course! But above all else be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with You!”
Friday, October 07, 2005
Endings are Better than Beginnings
Journal 2005 10 07
“OK honey, we are leaving at six AM, that’s six AM, not PM. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and need to get an early start. Can you do it? Can you be ready to go?” I’ve asked this accusing, condescending form of a question to my wife many times over the past two decades. In an illustration of her grace, her answer is ever more gracious than my question. Maybe a similar line of questioning is familiar in your home when packing for a trip. If you are someone who actually gets out of the driveway by six am I tip my hat to you and envy your ability to rally all your troops without any bloodshed.
At our house there are usually acerbic words and short responses exchanged as six o’clock comes and goes and you realize that if you hit the trail by six pm you’ll be fortunate. I think the Corps of Discovery had one of those delayed departures today. Plans were to move west from Canoe Camp down the Clearwater River this day marking the first day of downstream travel since Meriwether Lewis and young George Shannon left the Ohio River and headed up the Missouri late last summer.
The habit and pattern of the expedition was to rise at first light and set out early. Breakfast would be made later in the morning after a couple of hours of progress had been made. This pattern would not shape the record of this day. In my house, I won’t assume you would press everyone to the point of frustration like I do, getting into the car and backing out the driveway to begin the journey can become the point where the pent up frustration of last second packing and loading is released. A short trade of accusations and off we go. Looks to me like William Clark released a bit of frustration in his record of this day. His friend Meriwether Lewis continued to be too sick to do any work. Clark does not feel much better than Lewis but proceeds anyway. “I continu verry unwell but obliged to attend every thing…” This is about as close to a rift as we’ll ever come with the Captains and it is far from that. Clark is sick and so is Lewis. Clark has been running the camp and Lewis has been incapacitated. Ever felt like you were doing all the work and not getting the help you should have? My guess is William Clark felt that way today.
Finally, camp was broken down, the canoes were loaded and the party set out. With the current! Going with the flow, not struggling against it. The men pass many rapids and make almost twenty miles before sunset. Twenty miles in two or three hours! Twenty miles was a good day of travel upstream against the current and required all day. The men must have felt a sense of exhilaration at the prospect of covering fifty or more miles per day. Optimists would conclude that sixty to one hundred miles could be covered in a day. “Ocean in view,” could be announced in less than two weeks if that were the case. At one hundred miles per day the trip takes less than a week. At fifty, a little more than a week. Ever plan a two-week road trip? How well does your itinerary pan out? God bless you if all goes as laid out on the kitchen table and computer maps.
Like me, Heaven forbid like you, William Clark can’t find his tomahawk peace pipe and the Nez Perce chief and his son who were to accompany the expedition. They left anyway. As I said yesterday, “It was time to go.” King Solomon, the pinnacle of wisdom, observes this process of setting out and records for posterity, “Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
“OK honey, we are leaving at six AM, that’s six AM, not PM. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and need to get an early start. Can you do it? Can you be ready to go?” I’ve asked this accusing, condescending form of a question to my wife many times over the past two decades. In an illustration of her grace, her answer is ever more gracious than my question. Maybe a similar line of questioning is familiar in your home when packing for a trip. If you are someone who actually gets out of the driveway by six am I tip my hat to you and envy your ability to rally all your troops without any bloodshed.
At our house there are usually acerbic words and short responses exchanged as six o’clock comes and goes and you realize that if you hit the trail by six pm you’ll be fortunate. I think the Corps of Discovery had one of those delayed departures today. Plans were to move west from Canoe Camp down the Clearwater River this day marking the first day of downstream travel since Meriwether Lewis and young George Shannon left the Ohio River and headed up the Missouri late last summer.
The habit and pattern of the expedition was to rise at first light and set out early. Breakfast would be made later in the morning after a couple of hours of progress had been made. This pattern would not shape the record of this day. In my house, I won’t assume you would press everyone to the point of frustration like I do, getting into the car and backing out the driveway to begin the journey can become the point where the pent up frustration of last second packing and loading is released. A short trade of accusations and off we go. Looks to me like William Clark released a bit of frustration in his record of this day. His friend Meriwether Lewis continued to be too sick to do any work. Clark does not feel much better than Lewis but proceeds anyway. “I continu verry unwell but obliged to attend every thing…” This is about as close to a rift as we’ll ever come with the Captains and it is far from that. Clark is sick and so is Lewis. Clark has been running the camp and Lewis has been incapacitated. Ever felt like you were doing all the work and not getting the help you should have? My guess is William Clark felt that way today.
Finally, camp was broken down, the canoes were loaded and the party set out. With the current! Going with the flow, not struggling against it. The men pass many rapids and make almost twenty miles before sunset. Twenty miles in two or three hours! Twenty miles was a good day of travel upstream against the current and required all day. The men must have felt a sense of exhilaration at the prospect of covering fifty or more miles per day. Optimists would conclude that sixty to one hundred miles could be covered in a day. “Ocean in view,” could be announced in less than two weeks if that were the case. At one hundred miles per day the trip takes less than a week. At fifty, a little more than a week. Ever plan a two-week road trip? How well does your itinerary pan out? God bless you if all goes as laid out on the kitchen table and computer maps.
Like me, Heaven forbid like you, William Clark can’t find his tomahawk peace pipe and the Nez Perce chief and his son who were to accompany the expedition. They left anyway. As I said yesterday, “It was time to go.” King Solomon, the pinnacle of wisdom, observes this process of setting out and records for posterity, “Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
Thursday, October 06, 2005
All Good Things Find an End
Journal 2005 10 06
A cool easterly wind blows this morning. Work on the canoes continues. Brands were burned into their horses yesterday. A cache for saddles, horse gear and lead and powder is dug, filled and sealed for retrieval upon their return.
The horses were entrusted to the care of tribal members who receive a knife and other items for their work and promise to care for the thirty-eight horses. All the canoes are completed by evening and will be tested in the morning. Five canoes to carry thirty-one members of the Corps of Discovery, two Nez Perce chiefs and Old Toby and his son. Thirty-five people and all their gear in five canoes. That is seven people per canoe! Without any gear aboard! Up the Missouri men would walk and pull the rivercraft slowly against the current. There would be little walking on this race to the Pacific. Downstream travel will move at a speed unrivaled by any other means of transportation except falling off a high cliff! Everyone would ride in a canoe built by men extremely hindered by the effects of the food they were eating.
Clark records that last night and this night the boiled roots “filled us so full of wind, that we were scercely able to Breathe all night felt the ill effects of it.” (Can’t help but picture this record as inspiring the famous campfire scene in the Mel Brooks movie “Blazing Saddles!”) The “we” mentioned is William Clark and Meriwether Lewis whose brief recovery of yesterday has slipped away. The other men cannot feel much better and yet in two days they brand all thirty-eight horses, dig and fill the cache and complete the canoes. Amazing!
Proceeding on, pressing on in spite of hardship and illness. Somewhere in their minds the men must realize by now that they need to move on and separate themselves from the food which is so readily available but so disagreeable. No mention is made of it, but the men must have anticipated arriving in a river valley where deer and elk once again abounded. It was time to go. Except the Captains are as sick as anyone and Lewis is pretty much unable to do anything.
A time exists in every journey when more preparation and rest will not result in more mission. In this example the result is more gas! There comes a time when we call something complete and need to move on. That time had arrived for the men of the Corps of Discovery. And begs the question of us today. Are we sick and full of wind, unable to perform our duties in spite of what appears to be adequate provision, supply and hospitality? The Kingdom of God requires advance. If you feel like you are wandering, unsure of where to go, you may just be in the “deserts of Egypt” marking off time. If you are wandering, stop. Call upon His Name and He will rescue you and bring You to the place you need to be. Then He will equip you and send you on a very specific mission that requires continual advance toward a goal and toward His eternal dwelling place, Zion in Heaven. God becomes your reference point and all your movement is measured against His eternal Rock, His eternal marker. Call out to Him today and find His benchmark.
A cool easterly wind blows this morning. Work on the canoes continues. Brands were burned into their horses yesterday. A cache for saddles, horse gear and lead and powder is dug, filled and sealed for retrieval upon their return.
The horses were entrusted to the care of tribal members who receive a knife and other items for their work and promise to care for the thirty-eight horses. All the canoes are completed by evening and will be tested in the morning. Five canoes to carry thirty-one members of the Corps of Discovery, two Nez Perce chiefs and Old Toby and his son. Thirty-five people and all their gear in five canoes. That is seven people per canoe! Without any gear aboard! Up the Missouri men would walk and pull the rivercraft slowly against the current. There would be little walking on this race to the Pacific. Downstream travel will move at a speed unrivaled by any other means of transportation except falling off a high cliff! Everyone would ride in a canoe built by men extremely hindered by the effects of the food they were eating.
Clark records that last night and this night the boiled roots “filled us so full of wind, that we were scercely able to Breathe all night felt the ill effects of it.” (Can’t help but picture this record as inspiring the famous campfire scene in the Mel Brooks movie “Blazing Saddles!”) The “we” mentioned is William Clark and Meriwether Lewis whose brief recovery of yesterday has slipped away. The other men cannot feel much better and yet in two days they brand all thirty-eight horses, dig and fill the cache and complete the canoes. Amazing!
Proceeding on, pressing on in spite of hardship and illness. Somewhere in their minds the men must realize by now that they need to move on and separate themselves from the food which is so readily available but so disagreeable. No mention is made of it, but the men must have anticipated arriving in a river valley where deer and elk once again abounded. It was time to go. Except the Captains are as sick as anyone and Lewis is pretty much unable to do anything.
A time exists in every journey when more preparation and rest will not result in more mission. In this example the result is more gas! There comes a time when we call something complete and need to move on. That time had arrived for the men of the Corps of Discovery. And begs the question of us today. Are we sick and full of wind, unable to perform our duties in spite of what appears to be adequate provision, supply and hospitality? The Kingdom of God requires advance. If you feel like you are wandering, unsure of where to go, you may just be in the “deserts of Egypt” marking off time. If you are wandering, stop. Call upon His Name and He will rescue you and bring You to the place you need to be. Then He will equip you and send you on a very specific mission that requires continual advance toward a goal and toward His eternal dwelling place, Zion in Heaven. God becomes your reference point and all your movement is measured against His eternal Rock, His eternal marker. Call out to Him today and find His benchmark.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Anxious and Unable
Journal 2005 10 04
Anxious but unable. Ever felt that way?
Most of us live our lives somewhere between wanting to move on and being restrained from accomplishing the things we desire to complete. This human dilemma is a drama lived out across the world every day.
Lewis and Clark and their small force are anxious to resume their press westward. They are restrained on a couple of fronts from proceeding rendering them unable. Anxious, yet unable to “proceed on.” Two of the five canoes being formed out of tree trunks are completed. The two completed canoes are tested in the river. One is very good and the other found to be “a little leaky.” The leak is repaired and both craft are called river worthy. Work progresses on the other three, but most of the men are still sick and progress is slow. And they are still eating salmon and roots!
The hunters are unable to find and kill deer again today. They say it is the hot, dry and noisy conditions that make getting close enough to the deer difficult. Their menu choices are limited. Game or fish and roots. No Safeway, no McDonald’s and certainly no Starbuck’s.
How would our modern tastes and standards respond to the menu choices at Canoe Camp? “Would you like fish and roots or roots and fish? Oh by the way, you might want to take it easy with them, they’ve been a little disagreeable with some of your friends.” I really do think we would adjust. This point illustrates just how far we’ve progressed in our ability to gather and deliver food and supplies. We enjoy great comfort. Much of it has its foundations in men like these willing to endure hardship for future rewards. Rewards they are unlikely to fully receive.
How desperate must you be when you are eating something you know is highly likely to cause you distress? Two hundred years ago the world was not as sanitized as ours is today. It wasn’t unusual for people to have physical problems from the food they ate. I’m sure the men thought they would “adjust” to the new diet and move on.
So they are still bloating and cramping as they attempt to complete their canoes and move downstream to more promising supplies of meat. Clark notes that Lewis is able to rise and walk a little today.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
Are we, am I, anxious and unable today? Can I find contentment in what provisions I have? Am I doing the work that is needed to proceed on? Or am I seeking comfort at the expense of something greater?
Anxious but unable. Ever felt that way?
Most of us live our lives somewhere between wanting to move on and being restrained from accomplishing the things we desire to complete. This human dilemma is a drama lived out across the world every day.
Lewis and Clark and their small force are anxious to resume their press westward. They are restrained on a couple of fronts from proceeding rendering them unable. Anxious, yet unable to “proceed on.” Two of the five canoes being formed out of tree trunks are completed. The two completed canoes are tested in the river. One is very good and the other found to be “a little leaky.” The leak is repaired and both craft are called river worthy. Work progresses on the other three, but most of the men are still sick and progress is slow. And they are still eating salmon and roots!
The hunters are unable to find and kill deer again today. They say it is the hot, dry and noisy conditions that make getting close enough to the deer difficult. Their menu choices are limited. Game or fish and roots. No Safeway, no McDonald’s and certainly no Starbuck’s.
How would our modern tastes and standards respond to the menu choices at Canoe Camp? “Would you like fish and roots or roots and fish? Oh by the way, you might want to take it easy with them, they’ve been a little disagreeable with some of your friends.” I really do think we would adjust. This point illustrates just how far we’ve progressed in our ability to gather and deliver food and supplies. We enjoy great comfort. Much of it has its foundations in men like these willing to endure hardship for future rewards. Rewards they are unlikely to fully receive.
How desperate must you be when you are eating something you know is highly likely to cause you distress? Two hundred years ago the world was not as sanitized as ours is today. It wasn’t unusual for people to have physical problems from the food they ate. I’m sure the men thought they would “adjust” to the new diet and move on.
So they are still bloating and cramping as they attempt to complete their canoes and move downstream to more promising supplies of meat. Clark notes that Lewis is able to rise and walk a little today.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
Are we, am I, anxious and unable today? Can I find contentment in what provisions I have? Am I doing the work that is needed to proceed on? Or am I seeking comfort at the expense of something greater?
Monday, October 03, 2005
Could You Trust Him with Your Life?
Journal 2005 10 03
The weather is markedly better. Cool nights and mornings, warm to hot days. The men are still mostly ill. A handful hunt bringing in but few deer. Not enough to feed the entire party. So, once more, a horse is killed for meat. Salmon and roots are acquired from the Nez Perce via trade. Clark notes that they are out of provisions.
Summer officially turned to fall over a week ago and ducks are seen flying south along the river. These men knew how to read the signs of nature and knew they still had miles to go before arriving at the mouth of the Columbia River. They just spent much of their strength prevailing through the snow and cold. I can’t imagine that the prospect of continuing in more cold and snow held any appeal for the men. They wanted to get downriver now!
Work was proceeding on canoes at Canoe Camp by those who were able. The men had learned to burn out the inside of the logs to speed up the process of hollowing out logs for canoes. Most were still sick. Chief among them, Meriwether Lewis is as stricken with severe intestinal problems as anyone in camp. Captain Lewis emerges from the mountains and something changes in him. William Clark will complete most journal entries from now until New Year’s Day 1806. Great speculation still exists regarding this long gap in Lewis’ unique recording of this mission. Lost journals and severe depression lead the pack.
William Clark rises to the challenge and fulfills the trust and friendship that caused Meriwether Lewis’ to seek him out for the journey. William Clark has been described as a man who lived his live “from strength to strength.” He always rose to the occasion and filled the call of mission with excellence.
I wrote last time about working in God’s strength or our own. When we proceed from “strength to strength” we can only have one goal if we believe that we are ultimately following the path God has laid out for us to travel. “They go from strength to strength, appearing in Zion before God.”(Psalms 84:7)
Mission success now lays on the back of William Clark. I speculate that Lewis had chosen his good friend for just a time as this. Knowing he could trust his friend to be strong when he was weak. Lewis was not just weak he was immobilized by dysentery. History tells us Lewis was disappointed that he would not be able to report to President Jefferson that a navigable waterway existed between the east and west boundaries of North America. In many ways Lewis saw this as failure. I don’t believe William Clark ever had that reaction to their discovery of the barely conquerable mountains that rose as the great divider of east and west.
Lewis’ foresight that this mission required two men of equal authority to be completed was manifested many times during this expedition. Here exists a clear example of one holding up the other during a time of distress. King Solomon knew this principle and preserved its wisdom for our benefit. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he does not have another to help him. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And if one overthrows him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Close your eyes and imagine you’ve been called to complete a similar expedition into unknown lands, faced with many unknowns certain of one thing; hardship and death would be your constant traveling companions. Who would you ask to join you in command? Would you, could you, trust your choice with your life?
“Now to Him being able to keep you without stumbling, and to set you before His glory without blemish, with unspeakable joy; to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty and might and authority, even now and forever. Amen.”(Jude 1:24-25)
I want the One who is able to keep me without stumbling and present me before His glory without blemish filled with unspeakable joy. How about you?
Proceeding on.
The weather is markedly better. Cool nights and mornings, warm to hot days. The men are still mostly ill. A handful hunt bringing in but few deer. Not enough to feed the entire party. So, once more, a horse is killed for meat. Salmon and roots are acquired from the Nez Perce via trade. Clark notes that they are out of provisions.
Summer officially turned to fall over a week ago and ducks are seen flying south along the river. These men knew how to read the signs of nature and knew they still had miles to go before arriving at the mouth of the Columbia River. They just spent much of their strength prevailing through the snow and cold. I can’t imagine that the prospect of continuing in more cold and snow held any appeal for the men. They wanted to get downriver now!
Work was proceeding on canoes at Canoe Camp by those who were able. The men had learned to burn out the inside of the logs to speed up the process of hollowing out logs for canoes. Most were still sick. Chief among them, Meriwether Lewis is as stricken with severe intestinal problems as anyone in camp. Captain Lewis emerges from the mountains and something changes in him. William Clark will complete most journal entries from now until New Year’s Day 1806. Great speculation still exists regarding this long gap in Lewis’ unique recording of this mission. Lost journals and severe depression lead the pack.
William Clark rises to the challenge and fulfills the trust and friendship that caused Meriwether Lewis’ to seek him out for the journey. William Clark has been described as a man who lived his live “from strength to strength.” He always rose to the occasion and filled the call of mission with excellence.
I wrote last time about working in God’s strength or our own. When we proceed from “strength to strength” we can only have one goal if we believe that we are ultimately following the path God has laid out for us to travel. “They go from strength to strength, appearing in Zion before God.”(Psalms 84:7)
Mission success now lays on the back of William Clark. I speculate that Lewis had chosen his good friend for just a time as this. Knowing he could trust his friend to be strong when he was weak. Lewis was not just weak he was immobilized by dysentery. History tells us Lewis was disappointed that he would not be able to report to President Jefferson that a navigable waterway existed between the east and west boundaries of North America. In many ways Lewis saw this as failure. I don’t believe William Clark ever had that reaction to their discovery of the barely conquerable mountains that rose as the great divider of east and west.
Lewis’ foresight that this mission required two men of equal authority to be completed was manifested many times during this expedition. Here exists a clear example of one holding up the other during a time of distress. King Solomon knew this principle and preserved its wisdom for our benefit. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he does not have another to help him. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And if one overthrows him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Close your eyes and imagine you’ve been called to complete a similar expedition into unknown lands, faced with many unknowns certain of one thing; hardship and death would be your constant traveling companions. Who would you ask to join you in command? Would you, could you, trust your choice with your life?
“Now to Him being able to keep you without stumbling, and to set you before His glory without blemish, with unspeakable joy; to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty and might and authority, even now and forever. Amen.”(Jude 1:24-25)
I want the One who is able to keep me without stumbling and present me before His glory without blemish filled with unspeakable joy. How about you?
Proceeding on.
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