Journal 2006 09 26
A Fine Morning
“a fine morning we commenced wrighting &c” And with that simple entry the written record of William Clark and the Corps of Discovery is complete.
What makes a morning fine? Is it the weather? Is it the night before? Is it the expectations for the day ahead? Is it in the anticipation of the future? As I write this at 11:05AM on September 28, 2006 in Everett, WA it is a fine morning by my definition. Beautifully blue clear skies, temperatures climbing their way into the low seventies and a slight breeze with a hint of fall nipping at my ears. The only thing that would make it more fine is to be in an alpine meadow on the shoulder of Mt. Rainier or some peak in the Rockies rifle in hand.
My favorite illustration that defines a fine day comes from a more contemporary soldier. Sergeant Major Basil Plumley served Colonel Hal Moore as he formed the US Army’s first Air Cavalry unit. He later led that unit into the first major US battle in Vietnam chronicled in the fantastic book, “We Were Soldiers Once, and Young.” In the movie the gruff, gray haired Plumley, played by gravely voiced Sam Elliot, challenges young Sgt. Ernie Savage regarding what constitutes a fine day.
The question is not answered until after the epic battle where Savage and his platoon is separated from the main force. Savage must assume command after the lieutenant is killed. Savage proves his worth in battle and in this, his weakest moment, covered with the filth of blood, flesh and dirt, that Plumley tells him, “Sgt. Savage, that is a fine day!” You could think about that response all your life.
Plumley was a paratrooper in WWII. He made every jump in Europe and fought in every war after. He was a man acquainted with battle. He was known for standing tall when others took cover in combat and for arming himself with an Army issue Colt 1911 .45 ACP pistol because he knew war was always close and always personal. He had seen enough of the indescribable events of war to know that his fate was no longer in his hands. Someone else must be responsible for the day and time of his death. So he lived as if he could not die.
“…I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.” Paul the Apostle (Galatians 2:19-20 GNB)
I pray for each of us that we come to learn what a fine day is. Who holds your fate in His hands?
Proceed on.
Inspiration for today from America's Greatest Expedition, the Corps of Discovery!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Fiddler's Ball
Journal 2006 09 25
Fiddler’s Ball
St. Louis was celebrating the return of the Corps of Discovery. Yet like the rest of us two hundred years later work needed to be completed while it was day. Celebration was for after hours. Today the Captains oversaw the drying and storing of their goods as recorded by Captain Clark. “…had all of our Skins &c. Suned and Stored away in a Storeroom of Mr. Caddy Choteau”
And sometime later, “…payed Some visits of form, to the gentlemen of St. Louis. in the evening a dinner & Ball” According to Dr. Gary Moulton, who has published the most complete work regarding the expedition and whom I have principally drawn from for the text of the journals; “The affair was held at William Christy's tavern. Eighteen toasts were drunk, starting with one to President Jefferson, "The friend of science, the polar star of discovery, the philosopher and the patriot," and ending with "Captains Lewis and Clark—Their perilous services endear them to every American heart."
And indeed it is their courage in perilous service that has endeared them to my heart. I hope yours has been enlarged and encouraged in the process, too.
Their exists no record of which I am aware, but I can only wonder if the one eyed, near sighted riverman who was a lousy elk hunter but a wonderful fiddler took the stage and led the ball in a wilderness dance as he had so many times in Indian camps across the nation. Pierre Cruzatte, the first musician to play from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
I hope he brought the spirit of the wilderness celebrations to this ball on the westward press of the western world as he fiddled.
And as all of life eventually leads us to, this is another story about the heart. The heart of a visionary. The heart a leader and his fine friend. The hearts of twenty nine hearty young soldiers. And the heart a young bride with her baby whose courageous heart still stands as a tribute to all that is right with the human spirit. “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.” King Solomon (Proverbs 4:23 GW)
My desire, my prayer, for each of us is that we would live in that place which draws from us all we have to give, even more than we knew we had to give, so our hearts could be tested and revealed as it was for our forefathers. May it be so for our generations that follow. I hope they have a wilderness tested fiddler teaching them how to celebrate!
Proceed on.
Fiddler’s Ball
St. Louis was celebrating the return of the Corps of Discovery. Yet like the rest of us two hundred years later work needed to be completed while it was day. Celebration was for after hours. Today the Captains oversaw the drying and storing of their goods as recorded by Captain Clark. “…had all of our Skins &c. Suned and Stored away in a Storeroom of Mr. Caddy Choteau”
And sometime later, “…payed Some visits of form, to the gentlemen of St. Louis. in the evening a dinner & Ball” According to Dr. Gary Moulton, who has published the most complete work regarding the expedition and whom I have principally drawn from for the text of the journals; “The affair was held at William Christy's tavern. Eighteen toasts were drunk, starting with one to President Jefferson, "The friend of science, the polar star of discovery, the philosopher and the patriot," and ending with "Captains Lewis and Clark—Their perilous services endear them to every American heart."
And indeed it is their courage in perilous service that has endeared them to my heart. I hope yours has been enlarged and encouraged in the process, too.
Their exists no record of which I am aware, but I can only wonder if the one eyed, near sighted riverman who was a lousy elk hunter but a wonderful fiddler took the stage and led the ball in a wilderness dance as he had so many times in Indian camps across the nation. Pierre Cruzatte, the first musician to play from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
I hope he brought the spirit of the wilderness celebrations to this ball on the westward press of the western world as he fiddled.
And as all of life eventually leads us to, this is another story about the heart. The heart of a visionary. The heart a leader and his fine friend. The hearts of twenty nine hearty young soldiers. And the heart a young bride with her baby whose courageous heart still stands as a tribute to all that is right with the human spirit. “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.” King Solomon (Proverbs 4:23 GW)
My desire, my prayer, for each of us is that we would live in that place which draws from us all we have to give, even more than we knew we had to give, so our hearts could be tested and revealed as it was for our forefathers. May it be so for our generations that follow. I hope they have a wilderness tested fiddler teaching them how to celebrate!
Proceed on.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
New Garments
Journal 2006 09 24
New Garments
“I sleped but little last night however we rose early and Commencd wrighting our letters Capt. Lewis wrote one to the presidend and I wrote Govr. Harrison & my friends in Kentucky and Sent of George Drewyer with those letters to Kahoka & delivered them to Mr. Hays” William Clark.
These guys get right after things, don’t they? Arriving in St. Louis yesterday at noon they are up most of the night. Can you imagine the stories? How and where would you start? Having spent the past two years swimming in the history of this epic I contend most of the story is still untold! The human drama is highlighted as the historical events are chronicled. The historical record is so large and so significant that it overshadows the entirely human drama of this military and scientific expedition. The classic mountain man movie “Jeremiah Johnson” post dates this expedition and contains only a fraction of the events contained in this record. I can see a movie epic in the making. Ken Burns made his always extraordinary chronicle of the Corps of Discovery. National Geographic produced a short IMAX film that is inspiring in its presentation. The raw human effort poured out by sheer will under the sovereign grace of Providence has yet to be captured. The story has inspired American hearts for two centuries and I believe it brings to light the underlying stream of freedom and expansion that is the United States of America and has made America the light of the world.
Would you imagine with me for a minute that you are Meriwether Lewis, William Clark or any one of the men of the Corps of Discovery? Who would you contact first? Duty calls Lewis to send a brief report to President Jefferson as his first post mission act. He stops the mail and delivers the letter. Clark wrote his old Army friend who is now the Governor of Indiana and then sends letters to his friends and family in Kentucky. If they, like us, had cell phones I bet their next calls would have been to their parents. Neither was married. And I wager we would all do the same. Helps identify who and what is really important in life, doesn’t it?
“…we dined with Mr. Chotoux to day, and after dinner went to a Store and purchased Some Clothes, which we gave to a Tayler and derected to be made.” William Clark. The men had been trading their buckskins for linen shirts as they met traders headed up the Missouri. Now the Captains get properly robed for the duties that lie ahead. That meant trading the utility of their clothes made of deer and elk hides for the refinement only possible with wool, linen, silk and cotton.
“…to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah (Isaiah 61:3 ASV) Jesus quotes Isaiah as He announces the beginning of the work of His mission to the world two millenniums ago. In the declaration He brings a series of exchanges. One of them is exchanging a spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. This seems the fitting tribute to today’s remembrance.
Lewis and Clark were fitted with the finest garments tailored perfectly for them and no one else. They were exchanging the heaviness of hard work for the great joy that resides in praise. The purpose of the series of exchanges is that Jehovah God may be glorified.
As the men of the Corps of Discovery celebrated all night they were entering into a period of praise. Are you mourning? Is your heart heavy? I pray that this parallel journey has shown you that we have a Divine, Providential Traveler along on every journey we take. He is the Son of God given for the Father’s Glory and our benefit. He holds a garment of praise fitted perfectly for you. Will you let Him have your heaviness and trouble and wear the robe of praise He has provided? I hope so. That was the purpose of His epic journey from Heaven to earth and becomes ours once we allow Him to adorn us according to His specifications.
As the mission of the Corps of Discovery comes to a close ours, yours, can just be beginning. Let’s put on praise so it is like a robe for all to see and celebrate the great work of conquering the difficult unknown for the Glory of God.
Proceed on.
New Garments
“I sleped but little last night however we rose early and Commencd wrighting our letters Capt. Lewis wrote one to the presidend and I wrote Govr. Harrison & my friends in Kentucky and Sent of George Drewyer with those letters to Kahoka & delivered them to Mr. Hays” William Clark.
These guys get right after things, don’t they? Arriving in St. Louis yesterday at noon they are up most of the night. Can you imagine the stories? How and where would you start? Having spent the past two years swimming in the history of this epic I contend most of the story is still untold! The human drama is highlighted as the historical events are chronicled. The historical record is so large and so significant that it overshadows the entirely human drama of this military and scientific expedition. The classic mountain man movie “Jeremiah Johnson” post dates this expedition and contains only a fraction of the events contained in this record. I can see a movie epic in the making. Ken Burns made his always extraordinary chronicle of the Corps of Discovery. National Geographic produced a short IMAX film that is inspiring in its presentation. The raw human effort poured out by sheer will under the sovereign grace of Providence has yet to be captured. The story has inspired American hearts for two centuries and I believe it brings to light the underlying stream of freedom and expansion that is the United States of America and has made America the light of the world.
Would you imagine with me for a minute that you are Meriwether Lewis, William Clark or any one of the men of the Corps of Discovery? Who would you contact first? Duty calls Lewis to send a brief report to President Jefferson as his first post mission act. He stops the mail and delivers the letter. Clark wrote his old Army friend who is now the Governor of Indiana and then sends letters to his friends and family in Kentucky. If they, like us, had cell phones I bet their next calls would have been to their parents. Neither was married. And I wager we would all do the same. Helps identify who and what is really important in life, doesn’t it?
“…we dined with Mr. Chotoux to day, and after dinner went to a Store and purchased Some Clothes, which we gave to a Tayler and derected to be made.” William Clark. The men had been trading their buckskins for linen shirts as they met traders headed up the Missouri. Now the Captains get properly robed for the duties that lie ahead. That meant trading the utility of their clothes made of deer and elk hides for the refinement only possible with wool, linen, silk and cotton.
“…to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah (Isaiah 61:3 ASV) Jesus quotes Isaiah as He announces the beginning of the work of His mission to the world two millenniums ago. In the declaration He brings a series of exchanges. One of them is exchanging a spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. This seems the fitting tribute to today’s remembrance.
Lewis and Clark were fitted with the finest garments tailored perfectly for them and no one else. They were exchanging the heaviness of hard work for the great joy that resides in praise. The purpose of the series of exchanges is that Jehovah God may be glorified.
As the men of the Corps of Discovery celebrated all night they were entering into a period of praise. Are you mourning? Is your heart heavy? I pray that this parallel journey has shown you that we have a Divine, Providential Traveler along on every journey we take. He is the Son of God given for the Father’s Glory and our benefit. He holds a garment of praise fitted perfectly for you. Will you let Him have your heaviness and trouble and wear the robe of praise He has provided? I hope so. That was the purpose of His epic journey from Heaven to earth and becomes ours once we allow Him to adorn us according to His specifications.
As the mission of the Corps of Discovery comes to a close ours, yours, can just be beginning. Let’s put on praise so it is like a robe for all to see and celebrate the great work of conquering the difficult unknown for the Glory of God.
Proceed on.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
finis
Journal 2006 09 23
finis.
“about 12 oClock we arived in Site of St. Louis fired three Rounds as we approached the Town and landed oppocit the center of the Town, the people gathred on the Shore and Huzzared three cheers. we unloaded the canoes and carried the baggage all up to a Store house in Town. drew out the canoes then the party all considerable much rejoiced that we have the Expedition Completed and now we look for boarding in Town and wait for our Settlement and then we entend to return to our native homes to See our parents once more as we have been So long from them.— finis.” The final words written by Sgt. Ordway. The words of the enlisted men. They look forward to boarding in town and getting paid. Two years in the wilderness made for a great savings plan. Not hard to save money when you haven’t been able to collect on it.
This concept of storing up pay for the future while performing risky work illustrates the principle of “storing up treasures in Heaven.” Live and work according to the principles the Kingdom of God has in place and you will reap an eternal reward.
Yesterday the men stayed in St. Charles until late morning because of rain and I bet because they were enjoying their stay. They arrived at a new fort and visited old friends who were now stationed there. A seventeen cannon salute greeted their arrival. They spent the night at the fort with many old friends and acquaintances. The new fort also had a huge storehouse of trade goods for the Indians upriver.
After outfitting the Indian Chief with them and his family Clark and the party set out for St. Louis arriving at noon. They fired three volleys from their rifles as a salute to the town where “we were met by all the village and received a harty welcom from it's inhabitants &.”
“…here I found my old acquaintance Majr. W. Christy who had Settled in this town in a public line as a Tavern Keeper. he furnished us with Store rooms for our baggage and we accepted of the invitation of Mr. Peter Choteau and <par> took a room in <the> his house <of Mr. Peter Cadeaus Choteaus> we payed a friendly visit to <Mes. Choteau and> Mr <Ogustus> August Chotau and Some of our old friends this evening. as the post had departed from St. Louis Capt Lewis wrote a note to Mr. Hay in Kahoka to detain the post at that place untill 12 tomorrow which was reather later than his usial time of leaveing it” Clark.
How quick a transition is this for these men? From hunting for meat and keeping a wary eye out for hostile Indians to socializing with the businessmen and governors of St. Louis in the short course of a day!
Lewis attempts to hold up the mail in the next town in order to get word to President Jefferson that his steadfast trust in his protégé had been well placed. He and all his men, save Sgt. Floyd who died of natural causes early, were alive and well. It was painful for Lewis to inform President Jefferson that rather than a navigable waterway there existed a spiny backbone whose height and breadth was unknown and unimaginable to men of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States of America.
As Sgt. Ordway declared his work “finis” I can’t help but hear the words of Jesus on the Cross of Crucifixion shouting similar words, “It is finished!” He too was going home. Ordway was looking for a room and to settle his reward. Jesus was going to Heaven to build a mansion with a room for everyone who cried out to Him for salvation. And He will be the one to reward all those who work in His fields of harvest with the treasures of Heaven.
Are we working day to day so we can live payday to payday? Can we take inspiration from the completion of this journey that we shouldn’t be afraid to set aside today’s reward for the riches of a greater adventure?
As I age, I ask myself constantly, what am I doing today towards those things that are important? And I pray that I am working those very things that God has set in store for me, and only me, to work. I pray for each of us that when we are “finis” that we were found in pursuit of the important work, the work assigned by God in faith, not lived day to day in fear.
Don’t we, like Ordway, want to be able to “considerable much rejoice” that we just completed a great and mighty work beyond our own doing? It started almost three years ago when Ordway and thirty other young men volunteered. Let’s raise our hands today and say yes to His beginning that we may see the end and its reward before we even embark to destinations unknown.
Proceed on.
finis.
“about 12 oClock we arived in Site of St. Louis fired three Rounds as we approached the Town and landed oppocit the center of the Town, the people gathred on the Shore and Huzzared three cheers. we unloaded the canoes and carried the baggage all up to a Store house in Town. drew out the canoes then the party all considerable much rejoiced that we have the Expedition Completed and now we look for boarding in Town and wait for our Settlement and then we entend to return to our native homes to See our parents once more as we have been So long from them.— finis.” The final words written by Sgt. Ordway. The words of the enlisted men. They look forward to boarding in town and getting paid. Two years in the wilderness made for a great savings plan. Not hard to save money when you haven’t been able to collect on it.
This concept of storing up pay for the future while performing risky work illustrates the principle of “storing up treasures in Heaven.” Live and work according to the principles the Kingdom of God has in place and you will reap an eternal reward.
Yesterday the men stayed in St. Charles until late morning because of rain and I bet because they were enjoying their stay. They arrived at a new fort and visited old friends who were now stationed there. A seventeen cannon salute greeted their arrival. They spent the night at the fort with many old friends and acquaintances. The new fort also had a huge storehouse of trade goods for the Indians upriver.
After outfitting the Indian Chief with them and his family Clark and the party set out for St. Louis arriving at noon. They fired three volleys from their rifles as a salute to the town where “we were met by all the village and received a harty welcom from it's inhabitants &.”
“…here I found my old acquaintance Majr. W. Christy who had Settled in this town in a public line as a Tavern Keeper. he furnished us with Store rooms for our baggage and we accepted of the invitation of Mr. Peter Choteau and <par> took a room in <the> his house <of Mr. Peter Cadeaus Choteaus> we payed a friendly visit to <Mes. Choteau and> Mr <Ogustus> August Chotau and Some of our old friends this evening. as the post had departed from St. Louis Capt Lewis wrote a note to Mr. Hay in Kahoka to detain the post at that place untill 12 tomorrow which was reather later than his usial time of leaveing it” Clark.
How quick a transition is this for these men? From hunting for meat and keeping a wary eye out for hostile Indians to socializing with the businessmen and governors of St. Louis in the short course of a day!
Lewis attempts to hold up the mail in the next town in order to get word to President Jefferson that his steadfast trust in his protégé had been well placed. He and all his men, save Sgt. Floyd who died of natural causes early, were alive and well. It was painful for Lewis to inform President Jefferson that rather than a navigable waterway there existed a spiny backbone whose height and breadth was unknown and unimaginable to men of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States of America.
As Sgt. Ordway declared his work “finis” I can’t help but hear the words of Jesus on the Cross of Crucifixion shouting similar words, “It is finished!” He too was going home. Ordway was looking for a room and to settle his reward. Jesus was going to Heaven to build a mansion with a room for everyone who cried out to Him for salvation. And He will be the one to reward all those who work in His fields of harvest with the treasures of Heaven.
Are we working day to day so we can live payday to payday? Can we take inspiration from the completion of this journey that we shouldn’t be afraid to set aside today’s reward for the riches of a greater adventure?
As I age, I ask myself constantly, what am I doing today towards those things that are important? And I pray that I am working those very things that God has set in store for me, and only me, to work. I pray for each of us that when we are “finis” that we were found in pursuit of the important work, the work assigned by God in faith, not lived day to day in fear.
Don’t we, like Ordway, want to be able to “considerable much rejoice” that we just completed a great and mighty work beyond our own doing? It started almost three years ago when Ordway and thirty other young men volunteered. Let’s raise our hands today and say yes to His beginning that we may see the end and its reward before we even embark to destinations unknown.
Proceed on.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Sleeping Inside
Journal 2006 09 21
Sleeping Inside
“…rose early this morning Colected our men Several of them had axcepted of the invitation of the Citizens and visited their families. at half after 7 A. M we Set out.” Captain Clark records the first night that everyone slept inside since leaving Fort Clatsop last spring. Every morning when I take our new puppy out for a walk my thoughts ponder what sleeping in the open last night would have entailed. There is a reason we like to build and live in houses.
“…at 3 P M we met two large boats assending. at 4 P M we arived in Sight of St. Charles, the party rejoiced at the Sight of this hospital village plyed thear ores with great dexterity and we Soon arived opposit the Town, this day being Sunday we observed a number of Gentlemen and ladies walking on the bank, we Saluted the Village by three rounds from our blunderbuts and the Small arms of the party, and landed near the lower part of the town.” St. Charles one year later has more settlements along the river but it is still the westernmost city on the Missouri River. It has been the marker for the men that their mission was successful.
I write this on a Sunday and I find the reference to people strolling along the riverbank an idyllic one. Our nation has turned from a day of rest to full scale activity. I’m not sure we are the better for it. Most of Auburn, WA and Washington State was resting on Sundays until the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when I was boy and teenager.
“…we received invitations from Several of those Gentlemen a Mr. Proulx, Taboe, Decett, Tice Dejonah & Quarie and several who were pressing on us to go to their houses, we could only visit Mr. Proulx and Mr. Deucett in the course of the evening. Mr. Querie under took to Supply our party with provisions &c.” William Clark
Sgt. Ordway reports a now familiar refrain, “the people of the Town gathered on the bank and could hardly believe that it was us for they had heard and had believed that we were all dead and were forgotton.”
Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 MKJV) Hospitality. Does it mark us as individuals? Does it describe our families? It is a bedrock, or distinctive, of my church. The author of the New Testament book of Hebrews includes it in his instructions to the fledgling Christian church. How are we doing two thousand years later? The city of St. Charles, not just a few people, but the city as a whole is remembered by the Corps of Discovery for its hospitality. Are we?
“…the inhabitants of this village appear much delighted at our return and seem to vie with each other in their politeness to us all.” William Clark. Sgt. Ordway closes the day noting that most of the men found quarters in homes and that it rained hard all night. Think anyone of the men slept warm and dry with a smile on their face?
Proceed on.
Sleeping Inside
“…rose early this morning Colected our men Several of them had axcepted of the invitation of the Citizens and visited their families. at half after 7 A. M we Set out.” Captain Clark records the first night that everyone slept inside since leaving Fort Clatsop last spring. Every morning when I take our new puppy out for a walk my thoughts ponder what sleeping in the open last night would have entailed. There is a reason we like to build and live in houses.
“…at 3 P M we met two large boats assending. at 4 P M we arived in Sight of St. Charles, the party rejoiced at the Sight of this hospital village plyed thear ores with great dexterity and we Soon arived opposit the Town, this day being Sunday we observed a number of Gentlemen and ladies walking on the bank, we Saluted the Village by three rounds from our blunderbuts and the Small arms of the party, and landed near the lower part of the town.” St. Charles one year later has more settlements along the river but it is still the westernmost city on the Missouri River. It has been the marker for the men that their mission was successful.
I write this on a Sunday and I find the reference to people strolling along the riverbank an idyllic one. Our nation has turned from a day of rest to full scale activity. I’m not sure we are the better for it. Most of Auburn, WA and Washington State was resting on Sundays until the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when I was boy and teenager.
“…we received invitations from Several of those Gentlemen a Mr. Proulx, Taboe, Decett, Tice Dejonah & Quarie and several who were pressing on us to go to their houses, we could only visit Mr. Proulx and Mr. Deucett in the course of the evening. Mr. Querie under took to Supply our party with provisions &c.” William Clark
Sgt. Ordway reports a now familiar refrain, “the people of the Town gathered on the bank and could hardly believe that it was us for they had heard and had believed that we were all dead and were forgotton.”
Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 MKJV) Hospitality. Does it mark us as individuals? Does it describe our families? It is a bedrock, or distinctive, of my church. The author of the New Testament book of Hebrews includes it in his instructions to the fledgling Christian church. How are we doing two thousand years later? The city of St. Charles, not just a few people, but the city as a whole is remembered by the Corps of Discovery for its hospitality. Are we?
“…the inhabitants of this village appear much delighted at our return and seem to vie with each other in their politeness to us all.” William Clark. Sgt. Ordway closes the day noting that most of the men found quarters in homes and that it rained hard all night. Think anyone of the men slept warm and dry with a smile on their face?
Proceed on.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Cows! Cause for Joy
Journal 2006 09 20
Cows! Cause for Joy
Three of the soldiers are suffering from an ailment that has there eyes and lips swollen to the point they can’t see or row. Yesterday “Dr.” Clark thinks it may be the low angle of the sun reflecting off the water. Modern chemists attribute the malady to dermatitis which can result from the handling of pawpaws. Or it could be a case of infectious conjunctivitis. (For those like me who are wondering what in the world is a pawpaw it is a papaya like fruit native to North America. It was spread by Native Americans and is many times called the “Poor Man’s Banana.”)
“…as three of the party was unabled to row from the State of their eyes we found it necessary to leave one of our Crafts and divide the men into the other Canoes, we left the two Canoes lashed together which I had made high up the River Rochejhone, those Canoes we Set a drift and a little after day light we Set out and proceeded on very well.” Captain Clark.
So the double canoe is left behind to wash up on the shore for some kids to play with! Think about what would happen with that canoe today. It would be accounted for and awarded to some museum curator for care and exhibition. Wouldn’t the Smithsonian Museum love to have the hand built canoes from the Yellowstone River hanging in Washington DC?
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier…” Paul the Apostle (2 Timothy 2:3-5 ASV) I’ve said many times in these writings that this was first and foremost a military mission. It was different in that part of the mission was also a scientific mission. The cargo was important the boat was not. Abandoning the canoes this close to the end of the mission illustrates that the Captains were still focused on the mission and not its memory. The race is never over until you cross the finish line. Captain Clark records “…the party being extreemly anxious to get down ply their ores very well…” and the men are finishing strong.
“…we Saw Some cows on the bank which was a joyfull Sight to the party and Caused a Shout to be raised for joy…” William Clark. No buffalo, no elk, no bear, no deer. Cows! How often do we see cows as a source of joy? Only if you are a city kid who never enters farmland. As we drive from our home in Bothell, WA to my hometown in Auburn, WA the freeway passes through a dairy and the cry is, “Cows! OOOh do they stink!”
I’m going to let William Clark’s words describe the balance of their day. “…the men raised a Shout and Sprung upon their ores and we soon landed opposit to the Village. our party requested to be permited to fire off their Guns which was alowed & they discharged 3 rounds with a harty Cheer, which was returned from five tradeing boats which lay opposit the village. we landed and were very politely received by two young Scotch men from Canada one in the employ of Mr. Aird a Mr. and the other Mr. Reed, two other boats the property of Mr. Lacomb & Mr. [blank] all of those boats were bound to the Osage and Ottoes. those two young Scotch gentlemen furnished us with Beef flower and Some pork for our men, and gave us a very agreeable supper. as it was like to rain we accepted of a bed in one of their tents…”
“…every person, both French and americans Seem to express great pleasure at our return, and acknowledged them selves much astonished in Seeing us return. they informed us that we were Supposed to have been lost long Since, and were entirely given out by every person &c.”
The lost is found and there is great joy.
Proceed on.
Cows! Cause for Joy
Three of the soldiers are suffering from an ailment that has there eyes and lips swollen to the point they can’t see or row. Yesterday “Dr.” Clark thinks it may be the low angle of the sun reflecting off the water. Modern chemists attribute the malady to dermatitis which can result from the handling of pawpaws. Or it could be a case of infectious conjunctivitis. (For those like me who are wondering what in the world is a pawpaw it is a papaya like fruit native to North America. It was spread by Native Americans and is many times called the “Poor Man’s Banana.”)
“…as three of the party was unabled to row from the State of their eyes we found it necessary to leave one of our Crafts and divide the men into the other Canoes, we left the two Canoes lashed together which I had made high up the River Rochejhone, those Canoes we Set a drift and a little after day light we Set out and proceeded on very well.” Captain Clark.
So the double canoe is left behind to wash up on the shore for some kids to play with! Think about what would happen with that canoe today. It would be accounted for and awarded to some museum curator for care and exhibition. Wouldn’t the Smithsonian Museum love to have the hand built canoes from the Yellowstone River hanging in Washington DC?
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier…” Paul the Apostle (2 Timothy 2:3-5 ASV) I’ve said many times in these writings that this was first and foremost a military mission. It was different in that part of the mission was also a scientific mission. The cargo was important the boat was not. Abandoning the canoes this close to the end of the mission illustrates that the Captains were still focused on the mission and not its memory. The race is never over until you cross the finish line. Captain Clark records “…the party being extreemly anxious to get down ply their ores very well…” and the men are finishing strong.
“…we Saw Some cows on the bank which was a joyfull Sight to the party and Caused a Shout to be raised for joy…” William Clark. No buffalo, no elk, no bear, no deer. Cows! How often do we see cows as a source of joy? Only if you are a city kid who never enters farmland. As we drive from our home in Bothell, WA to my hometown in Auburn, WA the freeway passes through a dairy and the cry is, “Cows! OOOh do they stink!”
I’m going to let William Clark’s words describe the balance of their day. “…the men raised a Shout and Sprung upon their ores and we soon landed opposit to the Village. our party requested to be permited to fire off their Guns which was alowed & they discharged 3 rounds with a harty Cheer, which was returned from five tradeing boats which lay opposit the village. we landed and were very politely received by two young Scotch men from Canada one in the employ of Mr. Aird a Mr. and the other Mr. Reed, two other boats the property of Mr. Lacomb & Mr. [blank] all of those boats were bound to the Osage and Ottoes. those two young Scotch gentlemen furnished us with Beef flower and Some pork for our men, and gave us a very agreeable supper. as it was like to rain we accepted of a bed in one of their tents…”
“…every person, both French and americans Seem to express great pleasure at our return, and acknowledged them selves much astonished in Seeing us return. they informed us that we were Supposed to have been lost long Since, and were entirely given out by every person &c.”
The lost is found and there is great joy.
Proceed on.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Lengthening Your Stride
Journal 2006 09 19
Lengthening Your Stride
“It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:12-14 GW)
“…our anxiety as also the wish of the party to proceed on as expeditiously as possible to the Illinois enduce us to continue on without halting to hunt. we Calculate on ariveing at the first Settlements on tomorrow evening which is 140 miles, and objecet of our party is to divide the distance into two days, this day to the Osarge River, and tomorrow to the Charriton a Small french Village” Captain Clark.
So there it is in plain view. The edge of civilization in their sights after just over two years due west of it. La Charette, Missouri was a small French settlement and had become the focus of the men. One hundred forty miles over next two days. “No problem Captains. We’ve done it before and we can do it again. We’ll live on pappows for the next two days if we need to.” This must have been the response of the soldiers to their leaders. Like a distance runner beginning to pick up the pace as the finish line beckons, the Corps of Discovery collectively begins to lengthen their stride and press towards the goal that they may indeed win the prize.
We live in a world that is in many ways artificial. Business wants to conduct itself daily at this finish line pace where the stride is lengthened and the pace picked up. That can’t happen in the real world. It can happen in a relay race where the baton is share among the team. The religious world wants to achieve mountaintop experiences every living moment on earth. The scientific world wants to move and travel outside the constraints of time and dimension.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens:…” King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:1 MKJV)
Allow God’s time and purpose to lead our lives. Is it time to go to the mountaintop for vision and renewal? Then go. Is it time to come down from the mountain and go back to work in the richness only the valley can provide? Then go to work. Is it time to run the race at a pace that allows you to even reach the finish line? (I can’t sprint the twenty-six miles of a marathon!) Are you at the finish line? Then it is time to lengthen your stride, press forward setting aside hunger and anything else that would distract from pouring out everything in you to reach the finish line first.
Each of us is probably in a different place today. Recognize it and respond correctly. If like the Corps of Discovery you can see the finish line set aside everything that so easily distracts us and set your mind on pressing forward with everything in you to cross that line a winner.
And as Captain Clark recorded today, “We…proceeded on very well the men ply their oares & we decended with great velocity…”
Proceed on well with great velocity.
Lengthening Your Stride
“It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:12-14 GW)
“…our anxiety as also the wish of the party to proceed on as expeditiously as possible to
So there it is in plain view. The edge of civilization in their sights after just over two years due west of it. La Charette, Missouri was a small French settlement and had become the focus of the men. One hundred forty miles over next two days. “No problem Captains. We’ve done it before and we can do it again. We’ll live on pappows for the next two days if we need to.” This must have been the response of the soldiers to their leaders. Like a distance runner beginning to pick up the pace as the finish line beckons, the Corps of Discovery collectively begins to lengthen their stride and press towards the goal that they may indeed win the prize.
We live in a world that is in many ways artificial. Business wants to conduct itself daily at this finish line pace where the stride is lengthened and the pace picked up. That can’t happen in the real world. It can happen in a relay race where the baton is share among the team. The religious world wants to achieve mountaintop experiences every living moment on earth. The scientific world wants to move and travel outside the constraints of time and dimension.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens:…” King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:1 MKJV)
Allow God’s time and purpose to lead our lives. Is it time to go to the mountaintop for vision and renewal? Then go. Is it time to come down from the mountain and go back to work in the richness only the valley can provide? Then go to work. Is it time to run the race at a pace that allows you to even reach the finish line? (I can’t sprint the twenty-six miles of a marathon!) Are you at the finish line? Then it is time to lengthen your stride, press forward setting aside hunger and anything else that would distract from pouring out everything in you to reach the finish line first.
Each of us is probably in a different place today. Recognize it and respond correctly. If like the Corps of Discovery you can see the finish line set aside everything that so easily distracts us and set your mind on pressing forward with everything in you to cross that line a winner.
And as Captain Clark recorded today, “We…proceeded on very well the men ply their oares & we decended with great velocity…”
Proceed on well with great velocity.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Journal 2006 09 17
The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
“…at 11 A. M. we met a Captain McClellin late a Capt. of Artily of the U States Army assending in a large boat. this gentleman an acquaintance of my friend Capt. Lewis was Somewhat astonished to See us return and appeared rejoiced to meet us. we found him a man of information and from whome we received a partial account of the political State of our Country, we were makeing enquires and exchangeing answers &c. untill near mid night. this Gentleman informed us that we had been long Since given out by the people of the U S Generaly and almost forgotton, the President of the U. States had yet hopes of us;…” William Clark.
It must have been a little amusing, yet disconcerting, that in a time when news crawled across the land in days and weeks rather than the speed of light that we have come to see as the standard that people had given up hope for the Corps of Discovery. We always think tasks will be easier than they turn out to be, don’t we?
Evidently only President Jefferson still held out hope for the success of this mission and the safe return of his expeditioners. And in his steadfast hope he exhibits a quality of great leaders; the ability to trust in the quality of leaders he has chosen to complete a tough task. Jefferson knew the task was worthy. He knew its time was ripe. And he knew he had chosen the right leader. He found Meriwether Lewis to be a man of “courage undaunted.” Stephen Ambrose used this very description of Lewis as the title to his book about this mission. I recommend “Undaunted Courage” to all as the best single book about the Corps of Discovery.
Too bad Lewis has stopped writing. I would love to know his response to hearing that no matter what others in the nation thought, President Jefferson held onto hope in his ability to successfully bring this mission home. Don’t you want someone in your corner who always stands on their faith in your strengths and abilities rather than casting doubt because of your weaknesses and shortcomings?
“Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You are right when you speak, and win your case when you go into court.” (Romans 3:4 ISV)
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence…” (Jude 1:24 GNB)
Trust the naysayers and doubters or put your faith in those who have the authority to authorize, equip and protect your life? “And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 KJV)
The Corps of Discovery is still alive and quite well as the nation is about to discover. And Mark Twain’s words while yet many years past the death of these men held the perfect response to the doubters, “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Proceed on.
The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
“…at 11 A. M. we met a Captain McClellin late a Capt. of Artily of the U States Army assending in a large boat. this gentleman an acquaintance of my friend Capt. Lewis was Somewhat astonished to See us return and appeared rejoiced to meet us. we found him a man of information and from whome we received a partial account of the political State of our Country, we were makeing enquires and exchangeing answers &c. untill near mid night. this Gentleman informed us that we had been long Since given out by the people of the U S Generaly and almost forgotton, the President of the U. States had yet hopes of us;…” William Clark.
It must have been a little amusing, yet disconcerting, that in a time when news crawled across the land in days and weeks rather than the speed of light that we have come to see as the standard that people had given up hope for the Corps of Discovery. We always think tasks will be easier than they turn out to be, don’t we?
Evidently only President Jefferson still held out hope for the success of this mission and the safe return of his expeditioners. And in his steadfast hope he exhibits a quality of great leaders; the ability to trust in the quality of leaders he has chosen to complete a tough task. Jefferson knew the task was worthy. He knew its time was ripe. And he knew he had chosen the right leader. He found Meriwether Lewis to be a man of “courage undaunted.” Stephen Ambrose used this very description of Lewis as the title to his book about this mission. I recommend “Undaunted Courage” to all as the best single book about the Corps of Discovery.
Too bad Lewis has stopped writing. I would love to know his response to hearing that no matter what others in the nation thought, President Jefferson held onto hope in his ability to successfully bring this mission home. Don’t you want someone in your corner who always stands on their faith in your strengths and abilities rather than casting doubt because of your weaknesses and shortcomings?
“Of course not! God is true, even if everyone else is a liar. As it is written, "You are right when you speak, and win your case when you go into court.” (Romans 3:4 ISV)
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence…” (Jude 1:24 GNB)
Trust the naysayers and doubters or put your faith in those who have the authority to authorize, equip and protect your life? “And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15 KJV)
The Corps of Discovery is still alive and quite well as the nation is about to discover. And Mark Twain’s words while yet many years past the death of these men held the perfect response to the doubters, “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Proceed on.
Friday, September 15, 2006
City on a Hill
Journal 2006 09 15
City on a Hill
“…we set out early with a Stiff Breeze a head saw Several deer Swiming the river soon after we Set out. at 11 A. M. passed the enterance of the Kanzas river which was very low, about a mile below we landed and Capt Lewis and my Self assended a hill which appeared to have a Commanding Situation for a fort, the Shore is bold and rocky imediately at the foot of the hill, from the top of the hill you have a perfect Command of the river, this hill fronts the Kanzas and has a view of the Missouri a Short distance above that river.” That hill is downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Pretty good call by the Captains. Clark also notes “we passd Some of the most Charming bottom lands to day and the uplands by no means bad, all well timberd.”
The men spotted a huge “buck” elk on an island and sent hunters after it. Turns out it was one of the biggest, healthiest and best elk of the trip. The men also stopped once to collect apples. Evidently rattlesnakes must have been attracted to the apples on the ground, too. Clark only mentions the stop to collect apples. Sgt. Ordway adds to the record, “…as the men were gathering them Saw a number of rattle Snakes and killed one of them and saved the skin.”
As the return trip allows the Captains to add the foundation of their earlier observations Clark records the following analysis. “…the weather disagreeably worm and if it was not for the constant winds which blow from the S. and S E. we Should be almost Suficated Comeing out of a northern Country open and Cool between the Latd. of 46° and 49° North in which we had been for nearly two years, rapidly decending into a woody Country in a wormer Climate between the Latds. 38° & 39° North is probably the Cause of our experiencing the heat much more Senceable than those who have Continued within the parralel of Latitude.” Another good call by William Clark. Climatologists at universities will concur with his observations.
How visionary are we? Are we looking for a place to build for the future? Have we ventured onto unknown ground with an eye to building what can only be seen in our minds eye? We should. It takes work to have vision. Vision came with hope. Out of hope came the work of the mission. The work of the mission yielded vision for a new city on a hill.
You’ve been promised a city. “So says Jehovah: … And the city shall be built on her own hill, and the palace shall remain in its own place.” (Jeremiah 30:18 MKJV)
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 ISV)
“And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And it had a great and high wall, with twelve gates. … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls. …And the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass. And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, even the Lamb. And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they might shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:2, 12-23 MKJV)
I’m looking for a better future and a new place to build. Now and in Heaven. I’m looking for and to that city on a hill.
Proceed on.
City on a Hill
“…we set out early with a Stiff Breeze a head saw Several deer Swiming the river soon after we Set out. at 11 A. M. passed the enterance of the Kanzas river which was very low, about a mile below we landed and Capt Lewis and my Self assended a hill which appeared to have a Commanding Situation for a fort, the Shore is bold and rocky imediately at the foot of the hill, from the top of the hill you have a perfect Command of the river, this hill fronts the Kanzas and has a view of the Missouri a Short distance above that river.” That hill is downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Pretty good call by the Captains. Clark also notes “we passd Some of the most Charming bottom lands to day and the uplands by no means bad, all well timberd.”
The men spotted a huge “buck” elk on an island and sent hunters after it. Turns out it was one of the biggest, healthiest and best elk of the trip. The men also stopped once to collect apples. Evidently rattlesnakes must have been attracted to the apples on the ground, too. Clark only mentions the stop to collect apples. Sgt. Ordway adds to the record, “…as the men were gathering them Saw a number of rattle Snakes and killed one of them and saved the skin.”
As the return trip allows the Captains to add the foundation of their earlier observations Clark records the following analysis. “…the weather disagreeably worm and if it was not for the constant winds which blow from the S. and S E. we Should be almost Suficated Comeing out of a northern Country open and Cool between the Latd. of 46° and 49° North in which we had been for nearly two years, rapidly decending into a woody Country in a wormer Climate between the Latds. 38° & 39° North is probably the Cause of our experiencing the heat much more Senceable than those who have Continued within the parralel of Latitude.” Another good call by William Clark. Climatologists at universities will concur with his observations.
How visionary are we? Are we looking for a place to build for the future? Have we ventured onto unknown ground with an eye to building what can only be seen in our minds eye? We should. It takes work to have vision. Vision came with hope. Out of hope came the work of the mission. The work of the mission yielded vision for a new city on a hill.
You’ve been promised a city. “So says Jehovah: … And the city shall be built on her own hill, and the palace shall remain in its own place.” (Jeremiah 30:18 MKJV)
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14 ISV)
“And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And it had a great and high wall, with twelve gates. … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls. …And the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass. And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, even the Lamb. And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they might shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:2, 12-23 MKJV)
I’m looking for a better future and a new place to build. Now and in Heaven. I’m looking for and to that city on a hill.
Proceed on.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Prescription Chocolate
Journal 2006 09 14
Prescription Chocolate
“I felt my Self very unwell and derected a little Chocolate which Mr. McClellen gave us, prepared of which I drank about a pint and found great relief” William Clark, September 13, 1806. Good news to all the chocolate lovers. Don’t you know a Hershey bar or Mr. Goodbar will fix just about every ill? Expert outdoorsman and tracker teaches searchers to have a chocolate bar with them when searching for a child. Lost children will hide from rescuers after several days of being lost. A chocolate bar stuffed in the mouth seems to snap the lost child out of their state of shock and back into reality. Just reporting the facts. Please don’t send any studies to the contrary.
This morning the men set out early after only making eighteen miles yesterday because of high winds. All arms are put in order and the men are on high alert. “…this being the part of the Missouri the Kanzas nation resort to at this Season of the year for the purpose of robbing the perogues passing up to other nations above, we have every reason to expect to meet with them, and agreeably to their Common Custom of examining every thing in the perogues and takeing what they want out of them, it is probable they may wish to take those liberties with us, which we are deturmined not to allow of and for the Smallest insult we Shall fire on them.”
Around 2:00PM the Corps meets another party coming upriver to trade with the Yankton Sioux. They too give the men more whiskey! After making “only” fifty-eight miles today the men put to camp near the camp of July 1, 1804. They have a dram of drink and sing “in the greatest harmony” until 11:00PM.
The generosity towards the Corps of Discovery continues. “…all from St. Louis, those young men received us with great friendship and pressed on us Some whisky for our men, Bisquet, Pork and Onions, & part of their Stores, we continued near 2 hours with those boats,…”
“…that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to share, to be generous,…”
(1 Timothy 6:18 MKJV)
What an example of generosity we are witnessing as the men coming to the wilderness meet the men returning. So we see celebration tempered by a state of alertness required by the Kansas Indian Nation and their reputation for robbing travelers.
“I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalms 120:7 MKJV)
Are you for peace? Good. Are you prepared for war? You should be. Prepare for both and then celebrate!
Proceed on.
Prescription Chocolate
“I felt my Self very unwell and derected a little Chocolate which Mr. McClellen gave us, prepared of which I drank about a pint and found great relief” William Clark, September 13, 1806. Good news to all the chocolate lovers. Don’t you know a Hershey bar or Mr. Goodbar will fix just about every ill? Expert outdoorsman and tracker teaches searchers to have a chocolate bar with them when searching for a child. Lost children will hide from rescuers after several days of being lost. A chocolate bar stuffed in the mouth seems to snap the lost child out of their state of shock and back into reality. Just reporting the facts. Please don’t send any studies to the contrary.
This morning the men set out early after only making eighteen miles yesterday because of high winds. All arms are put in order and the men are on high alert. “…this being the part of the Missouri the Kanzas nation resort to at this Season of the year for the purpose of robbing the perogues passing up to other nations above, we have every reason to expect to meet with them, and agreeably to their Common Custom of examining every thing in the perogues and takeing what they want out of them, it is probable they may wish to take those liberties with us, which we are deturmined not to allow of and for the Smallest insult we Shall fire on them.”
Around 2:00PM the Corps meets another party coming upriver to trade with the Yankton Sioux. They too give the men more whiskey! After making “only” fifty-eight miles today the men put to camp near the camp of July 1, 1804. They have a dram of drink and sing “in the greatest harmony” until 11:00PM.
The generosity towards the Corps of Discovery continues. “…all from St. Louis, those young men received us with great friendship and pressed on us Some whisky for our men, Bisquet, Pork and Onions, & part of their Stores, we continued near 2 hours with those boats,…”
“…that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to share, to be generous,…”
(1 Timothy 6:18 MKJV)
What an example of generosity we are witnessing as the men coming to the wilderness meet the men returning. So we see celebration tempered by a state of alertness required by the Kansas Indian Nation and their reputation for robbing travelers.
“I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalms 120:7 MKJV)
Are you for peace? Good. Are you prepared for war? You should be. Prepare for both and then celebrate!
Proceed on.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Search Party
Journal 2006 09 12
Search Party
Rivers in the early part of the 19th Century were the equivalent of our Interstate highways. No Oregon Trail yet existed and certainly no Northern Pacific Railroad to carry men and goods. Rivers were freeways. Canoes instead of Cadillacs. No yellow lines, concrete barriers or wide medians separating traffic on the river. Those traveling downstream met those traveling upstream. Every day for the past few days the Corps of Discovery encounters upstream traffic. Zebulon Pike, of Pike’s Peak, is among them. All parties coming upstream are glad to encounter our intrepid travelers. Rumors abound regarding how they may have met their end. Seeing the eastbound travelers all alive and well had to strengthen the hearts of those headed upstream. They could take genuine hope for success with them after seeing the Captains and their men alive and well.
Today the men met an old friend and a colleague on the River.
Sgt’s Ordway and Gass put the concern into the most human terms. Gass records, “He, and two Frenchmen who were with him had severally instructions from the government to make inquiry after our party; as they were beginning to be uneasy about us”. Ordway writes it this way, “Mr. McLanen informed us that the people in general in the united States were concerned about us as they had heard that we were all killed then again they heard that the Spanyards had us in the mines &C. Mr. Gravveleen & Mr Drewyong had orders to make all enquiries for us.”
Not a search party per se, but orders to investigate their welfare none the less. Robert McClellan was Captain Clark’s friend. He had been a soldier with him in war. McClellan would be buried on Clark’s estate in St. Louis in 1815 upon his death. Joseph Gravelines had been in the Indian camp when the men wintered there in 1804. He was one of the men who took the Chief of the Arakara’s to Washington, DC.
Both parties stopped for the rest of the day to update one another. Can you imagine the joy of the upstream party seeing the Corps of Discovery in good health and spirits? Like every upstream group of travelers, McClellan and Gravelines offered the men whatever they had. Ordway records, “Mr. McLanen gave our officers wine and the party as much whiskey as we all could drink.”
A celebration. Rightfully so. There was a lot to celebrate between these men who have been to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans since the winter of 1804. And it appears that a whole nation had begun to worry “about that which was lost.”
“My son was dead and has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' Then they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:24 GW)
Ever thought you lost something only to find it later? Feels good doesn’t it? Ever lost anyone? Most of us have. Remember the joy in the finding? I do. My little special needs daughter and her little friend headed up the road after the runaway dog determined to corral him. Two blocks, several gray hairs and a near coronary later I found them hot on the dog’s path. I can’t describe the relief and joy in seeing them marching up the road.
William Clark’s famous line upon seeing the Pacific Ocean was repeated by Robert McClellan and Mr. Gravelines this day when they saw their friends. I bet they uttered some form of Clark’s famous words, “Oh the Joy!”
Proceed on.
Search Party
Rivers in the early part of the 19th Century were the equivalent of our Interstate highways. No Oregon Trail yet existed and certainly no Northern Pacific Railroad to carry men and goods. Rivers were freeways. Canoes instead of Cadillacs. No yellow lines, concrete barriers or wide medians separating traffic on the river. Those traveling downstream met those traveling upstream. Every day for the past few days the Corps of Discovery encounters upstream traffic. Zebulon Pike, of Pike’s Peak, is among them. All parties coming upstream are glad to encounter our intrepid travelers. Rumors abound regarding how they may have met their end. Seeing the eastbound travelers all alive and well had to strengthen the hearts of those headed upstream. They could take genuine hope for success with them after seeing the Captains and their men alive and well.
Today the men met an old friend and a colleague on the River.
Sgt’s Ordway and Gass put the concern into the most human terms. Gass records, “He, and two Frenchmen who were with him had severally instructions from the government to make inquiry after our party; as they were beginning to be uneasy about us”. Ordway writes it this way, “Mr. McLanen informed us that the people in general in the united States were concerned about us as they had heard that we were all killed then again they heard that the Spanyards had us in the mines &C. Mr. Gravveleen & Mr Drewyong had orders to make all enquiries for us.”
Not a search party per se, but orders to investigate their welfare none the less. Robert McClellan was Captain Clark’s friend. He had been a soldier with him in war. McClellan would be buried on Clark’s estate in St. Louis in 1815 upon his death. Joseph Gravelines had been in the Indian camp when the men wintered there in 1804. He was one of the men who took the Chief of the Arakara’s to Washington, DC.
Both parties stopped for the rest of the day to update one another. Can you imagine the joy of the upstream party seeing the Corps of Discovery in good health and spirits? Like every upstream group of travelers, McClellan and Gravelines offered the men whatever they had. Ordway records, “Mr. McLanen gave our officers wine and the party as much whiskey as we all could drink.”
A celebration. Rightfully so. There was a lot to celebrate between these men who have been to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans since the winter of 1804. And it appears that a whole nation had begun to worry “about that which was lost.”
“My son was dead and has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' Then they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:24 GW)
Ever thought you lost something only to find it later? Feels good doesn’t it? Ever lost anyone? Most of us have. Remember the joy in the finding? I do. My little special needs daughter and her little friend headed up the road after the runaway dog determined to corral him. Two blocks, several gray hairs and a near coronary later I found them hot on the dog’s path. I can’t describe the relief and joy in seeing them marching up the road.
William Clark’s famous line upon seeing the Pacific Ocean was repeated by Robert McClellan and Mr. Gravelines this day when they saw their friends. I bet they uttered some form of Clark’s famous words, “Oh the Joy!”
Proceed on.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Channel Fever
Journal 2006 09 09
Channel Fever
My grandpa, George Washington Bennett, was the son of a San Francisco policeman. He grew up in Alameda, CA a suburb just north of the “City by the Bay.” He remembers stories of the great fire and if memory serves me correctly, he remembers seeing the night sky lit by the great volume of flames as a young boy.
Known to most as “Benny” he was quite a man. He was short and wiry. He was actually my mother’s step dad. But to all of us he was the only grandpa we had known on my mother’s side of the family. And he was a lot of fun. As my brothers and sister and I came into adolescence Grandpa Benny was retiring from a twenty-eight year Coast Guard career as a Master Chief with service hashmarks past the elbow on the sleeve of his uniform. Too many stories to tell here. He enlisted when he was twenty eight years old. Some of my favorite tales are from his times on the wind-driven ice breakers that plied the frigid waters and ice floes around Alaska in the early years of the 20th Century. There are several books written about our nations adventures in the Arctic just after the turn of century. He knew most of the characters and is mentioned in one when he was just a young seaman.
Later in his career he spent many years as a station chief along the coasts of Washington and Oregon manning lighthouse stations. In addition to the lighthouses, most of those Coast Guard stations had rescue stations for ships and boaters in trouble. One summer when I was nineteen I was able to take a trip with him and my grandmother where we visited several of those stations in Oregon. When my grandma would tell the men currently on duty of their time at the base we were visiting we got treated like visiting royalty. These young men knew the courage these old sailors showed when they entered their boats to rescue civilians caught in the ravages of storms. It was an honor to be a witness to the respect and admiration showed by young sailors to an old “seadog.”
We were blessed to be able to travel and fish Washington and British Columbia with him as kids. He has been gone for many years now, but the fond memories still bring laughter as our family gathers. The time he stood on his head for us at age seventy-six will give you a glimpse into his love of life. I had the privilege as a young Christian of praying with him as his body was fighting against his life at age eight six. We all saw him miraculously touched by God and given a second chance on eternity just long enough to gain entrance into Heaven before finally succumbing to death. We miss him.
I write about him today because he described a time in every shipboard sailors life when the cruise is coming to an end but not yet over. He described the scene as the great sailing ship the “Bear” was returning from an Arctic cruise. Men had been able to set their hearts and minds on the duties at hand and survive months of starkness in the frozen waters of the far north without the luxuries life in the United States offered. However within minutes of entering the channel leading to safe harbor in San Francisco a strange disease would take hold of the crew. He called it “channel fever.” Men who hadn’t shaved in many months would all break out razors and scrape off beards. Clothes would be washed and pressed. The conversation would turn to girlfriends and families and cars and shore leave and plans for the future. Most importantly, time would wind down to a crawl and the ship would seem to move backwards because channel fever had taken over the crew. Brave and hardy young men only wanted to get off the confinement of the ever decreasing limits of the deck of their great ship and set feet on terra firma.
“…our party appears extreamly anxious to get on, and every day appears produce new anxieties in them to get to their Country and friends.” Sounds like channel fever is showing its first signs of infecting these same brave young men of the Corps of Discovery. It probably started when they met the first group of traders coming upriver and exchanged buckskins for linens to make themselves presentable in St. Louis. “Dr.” Clark notes the condition as well as the condition of Lewis. “My worthy friend Cap Lewis has entirely recovered his wounds are heeled up and he Can walk and even run nearly as well as ever he Could. the parts are yet tender…”
Ever had channel fever? I have. Anyone with young children on a long car trip has experienced an adolescent form of it in the question, “Are we there yet?” The end of a thing is said to be better than the beginning. Anxiety is at its highest before an event and then reappears as the event is closing. Channel Fever.
We are more “sophisticated” in our machinations as adults and deal with our anxieties differently today. We still have them. “…You have known my soul in troubles; and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a broad place.” (Psalms 31:7-8)
Like the young sailors on the Bear, like the hardy young travelers on the Missouri River two hundred years ago and like many of us today aren’t we looking for that “broad place” where our feet and our souls find solid ground?
“From the end of the earth I cry to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock higher than I.” (Psalms 61:2) Will we let channel fever lead us to this Solid Rock of Ages?
Proceed on.
Channel Fever
My grandpa, George Washington Bennett, was the son of a San Francisco policeman. He grew up in Alameda, CA a suburb just north of the “City by the Bay.” He remembers stories of the great fire and if memory serves me correctly, he remembers seeing the night sky lit by the great volume of flames as a young boy.
Known to most as “Benny” he was quite a man. He was short and wiry. He was actually my mother’s step dad. But to all of us he was the only grandpa we had known on my mother’s side of the family. And he was a lot of fun. As my brothers and sister and I came into adolescence Grandpa Benny was retiring from a twenty-eight year Coast Guard career as a Master Chief with service hashmarks past the elbow on the sleeve of his uniform. Too many stories to tell here. He enlisted when he was twenty eight years old. Some of my favorite tales are from his times on the wind-driven ice breakers that plied the frigid waters and ice floes around Alaska in the early years of the 20th Century. There are several books written about our nations adventures in the Arctic just after the turn of century. He knew most of the characters and is mentioned in one when he was just a young seaman.
Later in his career he spent many years as a station chief along the coasts of Washington and Oregon manning lighthouse stations. In addition to the lighthouses, most of those Coast Guard stations had rescue stations for ships and boaters in trouble. One summer when I was nineteen I was able to take a trip with him and my grandmother where we visited several of those stations in Oregon. When my grandma would tell the men currently on duty of their time at the base we were visiting we got treated like visiting royalty. These young men knew the courage these old sailors showed when they entered their boats to rescue civilians caught in the ravages of storms. It was an honor to be a witness to the respect and admiration showed by young sailors to an old “seadog.”
We were blessed to be able to travel and fish Washington and British Columbia with him as kids. He has been gone for many years now, but the fond memories still bring laughter as our family gathers. The time he stood on his head for us at age seventy-six will give you a glimpse into his love of life. I had the privilege as a young Christian of praying with him as his body was fighting against his life at age eight six. We all saw him miraculously touched by God and given a second chance on eternity just long enough to gain entrance into Heaven before finally succumbing to death. We miss him.
I write about him today because he described a time in every shipboard sailors life when the cruise is coming to an end but not yet over. He described the scene as the great sailing ship the “Bear” was returning from an Arctic cruise. Men had been able to set their hearts and minds on the duties at hand and survive months of starkness in the frozen waters of the far north without the luxuries life in the United States offered. However within minutes of entering the channel leading to safe harbor in San Francisco a strange disease would take hold of the crew. He called it “channel fever.” Men who hadn’t shaved in many months would all break out razors and scrape off beards. Clothes would be washed and pressed. The conversation would turn to girlfriends and families and cars and shore leave and plans for the future. Most importantly, time would wind down to a crawl and the ship would seem to move backwards because channel fever had taken over the crew. Brave and hardy young men only wanted to get off the confinement of the ever decreasing limits of the deck of their great ship and set feet on terra firma.
“…our party appears extreamly anxious to get on, and every day appears produce new anxieties in them to get to their Country and friends.” Sounds like channel fever is showing its first signs of infecting these same brave young men of the Corps of Discovery. It probably started when they met the first group of traders coming upriver and exchanged buckskins for linens to make themselves presentable in St. Louis. “Dr.” Clark notes the condition as well as the condition of Lewis. “My worthy friend Cap Lewis has entirely recovered his wounds are heeled up and he Can walk and even run nearly as well as ever he Could. the parts are yet tender…”
Ever had channel fever? I have. Anyone with young children on a long car trip has experienced an adolescent form of it in the question, “Are we there yet?” The end of a thing is said to be better than the beginning. Anxiety is at its highest before an event and then reappears as the event is closing. Channel Fever.
We are more “sophisticated” in our machinations as adults and deal with our anxieties differently today. We still have them. “…You have known my soul in troubles; and have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a broad place.” (Psalms 31:7-8)
Like the young sailors on the Bear, like the hardy young travelers on the Missouri River two hundred years ago and like many of us today aren’t we looking for that “broad place” where our feet and our souls find solid ground?
“From the end of the earth I cry to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the Rock higher than I.” (Psalms 61:2) Will we let channel fever lead us to this Solid Rock of Ages?
Proceed on.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Evaporation
Journal 2006 09 08
Evaporation
Yesterday Captain Clark records this observation as a note to his regular record, “…(note the evaperation on this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we assended this river, and it now appears to be greater than it was at that time. I am obliged to replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh ink at least 9/10 of which must evaperate.)”
Today, he ponders the wonder of this observation. “The Missouri at this place does not appear to Contain <as much> more water than it did 1000 Miles above this, the evaperation must be emence; in the last 1000 miles this river receives the water 20 rivers and maney Creeks Several of the Rivers large and the Size of this river or the quantity of water does not appear to increase any…”
Captain Lewis made a record regarding evaporation in September 1804. If my memory is correct they timed how long it took for a teaspoon of water to evaporate.
The Corps makes about seventy-eight miles today after only making twenty-eight yesterday. High winds and a sumptuous dinner of fresh elk slowed their progress yesterday. Today they wanted to make the Platte River. They fell a little short of the Platte but reconfirmed their observations that the area around Council Bluffs would make a fine place for a fort or city.
The practical side of work complete, William Clark allows his ever practical mind to ponder the mystery that confronts his logical, scientific mind. That mystery is how twenty rivers of a size equal to the Missouri and numerous creeks can join the Missouri without increasing its flow. So he notices how rapidly his inkwell dries out and digs a little deeper to notice the high rate of evaporation. Could the atmosphere really soak up the water of over twenty rivers in the course of one thousand miles? Clark concludes maybe and probably. I don’t know the answer, but I bet someone reading this does.
What I do know is that we all understand the principle of “drying up.” I hope none of you have experienced a drying up in your lives, but I know I have at points and can guess that many of you have felt that dryness when it seems like everything in life is dry and unable to produce fruit. At the same time I hear that Sunday School refrain running through my brain, “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me…”
Is it possible that the atmosphere of life can absorb the living water by a spiritual process similar to evaporation and suck us dry? I think so. The danger for us is that we can’t see it happening until the water no longer courses down the streambed.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb.” (Revelation 22:1)
Eternal water always enough to never get dried up. But this river isn’t available to us yet because this Scripture is for the future. But there is a well we can drink of that holds this same water, the water of life. “Jacob's Well was also there, and Jesus, tired out by the journey, sat down by the well. It was about twelve noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." For his disciples had gone off into town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews do not have anything to do with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, 'Please give me a drink,' you would have been the one to ask him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where are you going to get this living water? You're not greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it, along with his sons and his flocks, are you?" Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never become thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I won't get thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4:6-15) He did and she drank.
And before He ascended Jesus declared, “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have rivers of living water flowing from his heart.”(John 7:37-38)
Evaporation is going to happen. Sometimes faster than noticed. Are you thirsty? I am.
See you at Jacob’s Well.
Proceed on.
Evaporation
Yesterday Captain Clark records this observation as a note to his regular record, “…(note the evaperation on this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we assended this river, and it now appears to be greater than it was at that time. I am obliged to replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh ink at least 9/10 of which must evaperate.)”
Today, he ponders the wonder of this observation. “The Missouri at this place does not appear to Contain <as much> more water than it did 1000 Miles above this, the evaperation must be emence; in the last 1000 miles this river receives the water 20 rivers and maney Creeks Several of the Rivers large and the Size of this river or the quantity of water does not appear to increase any…”
Captain Lewis made a record regarding evaporation in September 1804. If my memory is correct they timed how long it took for a teaspoon of water to evaporate.
The Corps makes about seventy-eight miles today after only making twenty-eight yesterday. High winds and a sumptuous dinner of fresh elk slowed their progress yesterday. Today they wanted to make the Platte River. They fell a little short of the Platte but reconfirmed their observations that the area around Council Bluffs would make a fine place for a fort or city.
The practical side of work complete, William Clark allows his ever practical mind to ponder the mystery that confronts his logical, scientific mind. That mystery is how twenty rivers of a size equal to the Missouri and numerous creeks can join the Missouri without increasing its flow. So he notices how rapidly his inkwell dries out and digs a little deeper to notice the high rate of evaporation. Could the atmosphere really soak up the water of over twenty rivers in the course of one thousand miles? Clark concludes maybe and probably. I don’t know the answer, but I bet someone reading this does.
What I do know is that we all understand the principle of “drying up.” I hope none of you have experienced a drying up in your lives, but I know I have at points and can guess that many of you have felt that dryness when it seems like everything in life is dry and unable to produce fruit. At the same time I hear that Sunday School refrain running through my brain, “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me…”
Is it possible that the atmosphere of life can absorb the living water by a spiritual process similar to evaporation and suck us dry? I think so. The danger for us is that we can’t see it happening until the water no longer courses down the streambed.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb.” (Revelation 22:1)
Eternal water always enough to never get dried up. But this river isn’t available to us yet because this Scripture is for the future. But there is a well we can drink of that holds this same water, the water of life. “Jacob's Well was also there, and Jesus, tired out by the journey, sat down by the well. It was about twelve noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." For his disciples had gone off into town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews do not have anything to do with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, 'Please give me a drink,' you would have been the one to ask him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where are you going to get this living water? You're not greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it, along with his sons and his flocks, are you?" Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never become thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I won't get thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4:6-15) He did and she drank.
And before He ascended Jesus declared, “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have rivers of living water flowing from his heart.”(John 7:37-38)
Evaporation is going to happen. Sometimes faster than noticed. Are you thirsty? I am.
See you at Jacob’s Well.
Proceed on.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Whiskey
Journal 2006 09 06
Whiskey
The Fourth of July 1805 marked the last liquor consumed by the men of the Corps of Discovery. A few days ago they were given enough tobacco to get them to St. Louis. Today, they each have a shot of whiskey after they meet another trader coming up the Missouri River from St. Louis.
“…we purchased a gallon of whiskey of this man [NB: promised to pay Choteau who would not receive any pay] and gave to each man of the party a dram which is the first Spiritious licquor which had been tasted by any of them Since the 4 of July 1805.”
“Several of the party exchanged leather for linen Shirts and beaver for Corse hats.” After covering seventy-three miles today the men know they are coming home. They evidently want to look the part. Exchanging buckskins for linen and beaver pelts and hats for “coarse hats.”
The wilderness required a different style of life than did civilization. And this mighty river was carrying them from the place of its birth to first the sharp edge of civilization and onto the heart of western man captured in our nation’s capitol.
Don’t you wonder if the effect of the alcohol loosened the men’s thoughts and lips as they spoke of home? Were they bragging or fearful? Were they hopeful of great reward or concerned that the nation had abandoned them to the grave? Did any have girlfriends they hoped had waited a year longer than they may have expected? How many had worried mothers? How many would have proud fathers?
A gallon of whiskey among about thirty men. Nobody could get in too much trouble at two ounces each. Funny how a smoke or chew and a drink brings a taste of the life the men had grown up knowing. Familiar. Comfortable. At this point, longed for.
Do you wonder if these soldiers realized they had become mountain men somewhere along their journey? They had all proven themselves as river men or woodsmen or tradesmen or more to qualify for the expedition. Could they see the changes in one another? Could they see the changes in themselves? Many questions. Most of the answers lay in St. Louis and beyond.
“I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.” (Ecclesiastes 2:3)
King Solomon asked the same questions millennia before and it was recorded for all to ponder and grow wise from. We ask the same question today as must have been asked during these days on the Missouri. “What are we going to do with the rest of our lives?” We will talk about the fate of the men later this fall. Today people young and old still wonder, “What am I going to do when I grow up?”
How about you? Have you answered that question?
Proceed on.
Whiskey
The Fourth of July 1805 marked the last liquor consumed by the men of the Corps of Discovery. A few days ago they were given enough tobacco to get them to St. Louis. Today, they each have a shot of whiskey after they meet another trader coming up the Missouri River from St. Louis.
“…we purchased a gallon of whiskey of this man [NB: promised to pay Choteau who would not receive any pay] and gave to each man of the party a dram which is the first Spiritious licquor which had been tasted by any of them Since the 4 of July 1805.”
“Several of the party exchanged leather for linen Shirts and beaver for Corse hats.” After covering seventy-three miles today the men know they are coming home. They evidently want to look the part. Exchanging buckskins for linen and beaver pelts and hats for “coarse hats.”
The wilderness required a different style of life than did civilization. And this mighty river was carrying them from the place of its birth to first the sharp edge of civilization and onto the heart of western man captured in our nation’s capitol.
Don’t you wonder if the effect of the alcohol loosened the men’s thoughts and lips as they spoke of home? Were they bragging or fearful? Were they hopeful of great reward or concerned that the nation had abandoned them to the grave? Did any have girlfriends they hoped had waited a year longer than they may have expected? How many had worried mothers? How many would have proud fathers?
A gallon of whiskey among about thirty men. Nobody could get in too much trouble at two ounces each. Funny how a smoke or chew and a drink brings a taste of the life the men had grown up knowing. Familiar. Comfortable. At this point, longed for.
Do you wonder if these soldiers realized they had become mountain men somewhere along their journey? They had all proven themselves as river men or woodsmen or tradesmen or more to qualify for the expedition. Could they see the changes in one another? Could they see the changes in themselves? Many questions. Most of the answers lay in St. Louis and beyond.
“I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.” (Ecclesiastes 2:3)
King Solomon asked the same questions millennia before and it was recorded for all to ponder and grow wise from. We ask the same question today as must have been asked during these days on the Missouri. “What are we going to do with the rest of our lives?” We will talk about the fate of the men later this fall. Today people young and old still wonder, “What am I going to do when I grow up?”
How about you? Have you answered that question?
Proceed on.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sgt. Floyd's Bluff
Journal 2006 09 04
Sgt. Floyd's Bluff
“I rose at the usial hour found all the party as wet as rain could make them.” Captain Clark had a good night's sleep in a dry tent. Captain Clark then asked to purchase tobacco for his men from Mr. Aird. “...as we were in want of Some tobacco I purposed to Mr. Airs to furnish us with 4 Carrots for which we would Pay the amount to any Merchant of St. Louis he very readily agreed to furnish us with tobacco and gave to each man as much as it is necessary for them to use between this and St. Louis, an instance of Generossity for which every man of the party appears to acknowledge.”
“Mr. Airs also insisted on our accepting a barrel of flour, we gave to this gentleman what Corn we Could Spear amounting to about 6 bushels, this Corn was well Calculated for his purpose as he was about to make his establishment and would have it in his power to hull the Corn & The flower was very acceptable to us. we have yet a little flour part of what we carried up from the Illinois as high as Maria's river and buried it there untill our return...”
Freely giving, freely receiving. Something special was going on between these travelers headed in opposite directions. The soldiers were glad to have tobacco and the traders were grateful to learn of the dangers and that might lie ahead. I pray we still show the same hospitality today. The two parties set out in opposite directions at 8:00AM.
“...at 11 A. M. passed the Enterance of the big Sieoux River which is low, and at meridian we came too at Floyds Bluff below the Enterance of Floyds river and assended the hill,...” Can't you picture the men somberly ascending the river bank and then the bluff to the grave markers they had constructed in August of 1804 for their “beloved” Sgt. Floyd. Floyd was the only “casualty” of the Corps of Discovery. Medical experts think he most probably died from a ruptured appendix. As the men approached the grave to pay their respects they found “the grave had been opened by the nativs and left half Covered. we had this grave Completely filled up, and returned to the Canoes and proceeded on to the Sand bar on which we encamped from the 12th to the 20th of August 1804...” Can you imagine the thoughts passing through the minds of these men? More than one must have wondered when they buried Floyd if any of them would ever live long enough to return and visit his grave. Most were probably angry that his grave had been desecrated. And I'm hoping all the party was feeling grateful to God that they were returning from their mission whole.
I have other thoughts in my mind for us today, but I want to stop right here with that last sentence. Have I, have any of us, arrived at a place that requires reflection over our accomplishments? What is the reply of my heart? Do I acknowledge my God and His sovereign care over me and my compatriots or do I grumble and complain about the hardships endured? I hope I would stand in front of that gravemarker inscribed with the name of Jesus Christ, Messiah, King of the Jews, Savior and be grateful that I am alive and blessed to transverse the unknown. No more reflection is needed at a moment like this. Grateful to be alive is enough for today. And I am grateful to count myself in the land of the living this day. It, like pain, reminds me I am alive and that God is not through with me yet!
Proceed on.
Sgt. Floyd's Bluff
“I rose at the usial hour found all the party as wet as rain could make them.” Captain Clark had a good night's sleep in a dry tent. Captain Clark then asked to purchase tobacco for his men from Mr. Aird. “...as we were in want of Some tobacco I purposed to Mr. Airs to furnish us with 4 Carrots for which we would Pay the amount to any Merchant of St. Louis he very readily agreed to furnish us with tobacco and gave to each man as much as it is necessary for them to use between this and St. Louis, an instance of Generossity for which every man of the party appears to acknowledge.”
“Mr. Airs also insisted on our accepting a barrel of flour, we gave to this gentleman what Corn we Could Spear amounting to about 6 bushels, this Corn was well Calculated for his purpose as he was about to make his establishment and would have it in his power to hull the Corn & The flower was very acceptable to us. we have yet a little flour part of what we carried up from the Illinois as high as Maria's river and buried it there untill our return...”
Freely giving, freely receiving. Something special was going on between these travelers headed in opposite directions. The soldiers were glad to have tobacco and the traders were grateful to learn of the dangers and that might lie ahead. I pray we still show the same hospitality today. The two parties set out in opposite directions at 8:00AM.
“...at 11 A. M. passed the Enterance of the big Sieoux River which is low, and at meridian we came too at Floyds Bluff below the Enterance of Floyds river and assended the hill,...” Can't you picture the men somberly ascending the river bank and then the bluff to the grave markers they had constructed in August of 1804 for their “beloved” Sgt. Floyd. Floyd was the only “casualty” of the Corps of Discovery. Medical experts think he most probably died from a ruptured appendix. As the men approached the grave to pay their respects they found “the grave had been opened by the nativs and left half Covered. we had this grave Completely filled up, and returned to the Canoes and proceeded on to the Sand bar on which we encamped from the 12th to the 20th of August 1804...” Can you imagine the thoughts passing through the minds of these men? More than one must have wondered when they buried Floyd if any of them would ever live long enough to return and visit his grave. Most were probably angry that his grave had been desecrated. And I'm hoping all the party was feeling grateful to God that they were returning from their mission whole.
I have other thoughts in my mind for us today, but I want to stop right here with that last sentence. Have I, have any of us, arrived at a place that requires reflection over our accomplishments? What is the reply of my heart? Do I acknowledge my God and His sovereign care over me and my compatriots or do I grumble and complain about the hardships endured? I hope I would stand in front of that gravemarker inscribed with the name of Jesus Christ, Messiah, King of the Jews, Savior and be grateful that I am alive and blessed to transverse the unknown. No more reflection is needed at a moment like this. Grateful to be alive is enough for today. And I am grateful to count myself in the land of the living this day. It, like pain, reminds me I am alive and that God is not through with me yet!
Proceed on.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
News Report
Journal 2006 09 03
News Report
It has been over two years since the Corps of Discovery has received any news regarding the United States.
It is storm season in the Midwest. The men have no home or shelter to retreat to when thunder, lightning, high winds and rain pummel them. Last night was rough on them because of it. They camped on a sand bar hoping to avoid the ever “troublesome” mosquitos only to see the wind shift “...last night to the S. W. and blew the Sand over us in Such a manner as to render the after part of the night very disagreeable.” During a morning lull in the storm the explorers set out for the day. Around 4:00PM “...spy two boats and several men...” led by a Scotsman holding a permit from the United States Government to trade with the Sioux for one year. This Scotsman, James Aird, presents himself as an American to the Indians. He was one of the founders of Wisconsin and later worked as a British agent during the War of 1812. He lived the balance of his life in Wisconsin. Today he is sick with “the agu” which I believe is the flu. He greets the Captains and men warmly and in friendship. He has lost one boat laden with trading goods already during a storm.
Camp is set up as another violent storm breaks. Clark records that he is invited into Mr. Aird's tent of which he “partook” and found it dry.
Clark records, “our first enquirey was after the President of our country and then our friends and the State of the politicks of our country &c. and the State Indian affairs to all of which enquireys Mr. Aires gave us as Satisfactory information as he had it in his power to have Collected in the Illinois which was not a great deel.” Aird then gives the Corps their first news report in two years. The list surprised me because so much of it is recorded and familiar to us yet today.
First is news of their host and friend in St. Louis losing his house and possessions to fire.
Revolutionary War General Wilkinson has been appointed Governor of Missouri.
Three hundred U.S. soldiers are stationed near St. Louis in preparation for any Spanish military attacks after a U.S. vessel is fired upon by Spain in the Mediterranean.
Two British ships fire upon an American ship in New York harbor. This is one of several incidents leading up to the War of 1812.
“Mr. Burr & genl. Hambleton fought a Duel, the latter was killed” (in Clark's words and spelling!)
And finally, two Indians had been hung for murder with a third receiving a last minute commutation indicating a rapidly growing problem with whites and Indians as the nations clashed along the western edge of the swelling United States.
“Dr.” Clark adds to his medical chart regarding his patient Lewis, “I am happy to find that my worthy friend Capt L's is so well as to walk about with ease to himself...”
While not directly stated here, you'll notice that the first inquiry is to the political scene and the Presidential election. Meriwether Lewis' life would be greatly affected by who won the election of 1806. As it is today it was two hundred years ago. Friends in high places can do great good to an individual. And the converse is still true. Enemies in high places can do great harm to an individual. We will touch on this concept later as it applies to Lewis post mission.
“...a good report makes the bones fat.” Proverbs 15:30 (MKJV) William Clark slept in a dry tent after hearing a good report. Like Solomon said in this proverb centuries before, Clark had to feel as contented as if he had just finished a great meal. From yesterday's journal record we learn that the men stopped during a lull in the storm and took six fat buffalo cows. It is safe to deduce that William Clark had both a great meal of fat buffalo meat and a heartful of good news and slept like a baby for the first time in a long time.
Proceed on.
News Report
It has been over two years since the Corps of Discovery has received any news regarding the United States.
It is storm season in the Midwest. The men have no home or shelter to retreat to when thunder, lightning, high winds and rain pummel them. Last night was rough on them because of it. They camped on a sand bar hoping to avoid the ever “troublesome” mosquitos only to see the wind shift “...last night to the S. W. and blew the Sand over us in Such a manner as to render the after part of the night very disagreeable.” During a morning lull in the storm the explorers set out for the day. Around 4:00PM “...spy two boats and several men...” led by a Scotsman holding a permit from the United States Government to trade with the Sioux for one year. This Scotsman, James Aird, presents himself as an American to the Indians. He was one of the founders of Wisconsin and later worked as a British agent during the War of 1812. He lived the balance of his life in Wisconsin. Today he is sick with “the agu” which I believe is the flu. He greets the Captains and men warmly and in friendship. He has lost one boat laden with trading goods already during a storm.
Camp is set up as another violent storm breaks. Clark records that he is invited into Mr. Aird's tent of which he “partook” and found it dry.
Clark records, “our first enquirey was after the President of our country and then our friends and the State of the politicks of our country &c. and the State Indian affairs to all of which enquireys Mr. Aires gave us as Satisfactory information as he had it in his power to have Collected in the Illinois which was not a great deel.” Aird then gives the Corps their first news report in two years. The list surprised me because so much of it is recorded and familiar to us yet today.
First is news of their host and friend in St. Louis losing his house and possessions to fire.
Revolutionary War General Wilkinson has been appointed Governor of Missouri.
Three hundred U.S. soldiers are stationed near St. Louis in preparation for any Spanish military attacks after a U.S. vessel is fired upon by Spain in the Mediterranean.
Two British ships fire upon an American ship in New York harbor. This is one of several incidents leading up to the War of 1812.
“Mr. Burr & genl. Hambleton fought a Duel, the latter was killed” (in Clark's words and spelling!)
And finally, two Indians had been hung for murder with a third receiving a last minute commutation indicating a rapidly growing problem with whites and Indians as the nations clashed along the western edge of the swelling United States.
“Dr.” Clark adds to his medical chart regarding his patient Lewis, “I am happy to find that my worthy friend Capt L's is so well as to walk about with ease to himself...”
While not directly stated here, you'll notice that the first inquiry is to the political scene and the Presidential election. Meriwether Lewis' life would be greatly affected by who won the election of 1806. As it is today it was two hundred years ago. Friends in high places can do great good to an individual. And the converse is still true. Enemies in high places can do great harm to an individual. We will touch on this concept later as it applies to Lewis post mission.
“...a good report makes the bones fat.” Proverbs 15:30 (MKJV) William Clark slept in a dry tent after hearing a good report. Like Solomon said in this proverb centuries before, Clark had to feel as contented as if he had just finished a great meal. From yesterday's journal record we learn that the men stopped during a lull in the storm and took six fat buffalo cows. It is safe to deduce that William Clark had both a great meal of fat buffalo meat and a heartful of good news and slept like a baby for the first time in a long time.
Proceed on.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Came Together
Came Together
Ever had a plan “come together?”
Haven't every one of us hoped that things would “come together” so we could be finished with something or proceed on with something else?
William Clark records three separate “coming togethers” in this record.
“...at the lower point of the Island all the Canoes & hunters Came together. Labeech killed an Elk only the flesh of which was brought on in the perogue. at this island we brought 2 years together or on the 1st of Septr. 1804 we Encamped at the lower point of this Island. after we all Came together we again proceeded on down to a large Sand bar imediately opposit to the place were we met the Yanktons in Council at the Calumet Bluffs and which place we left on the 1t of Septr. 1804.”
Meeting the needs of this day the hunters and the canoes “came together” joining the party traveling east with their supply of food for the day as provided by the hunters.
More significant to history and to us today is when Captain Clark records that “at this island we brought 2 years together on the 1st of Septr. 1804.” Work had been driven by purpose and mission required time. Here today the work accomplished between September 1, 1804 and September 1, 1806 rested the heart and soul of the Corps of Discovery fulfilling their mission.
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, also find themselves resting on the same piece of ground. Between them rests a body of work that still breathes life into our spirits today.
I think we spend most of our days looking for either the Alpha or the Omega in our lives never believing they could rest in the same spot!
What would our lives be like if we could see in this example that our work could end at the same spot it began, changing the world in the process? Would it change our attitudes? Would we approach the time between the joining of the years differently?
Let's ask the One who is the Alpha and Omega, the One who set Genesis and Revelation in place to open our eyes to see how He would send us on a mission where we would find the end was also the beginning and the only thing separating them was the work and purpose that filled the time between Beginning and End.
Proceed on.
Ever had a plan “come together?”
Haven't every one of us hoped that things would “come together” so we could be finished with something or proceed on with something else?
William Clark records three separate “coming togethers” in this record.
“...at the lower point of the Island all the Canoes & hunters Came together. Labeech killed an Elk only the flesh of which was brought on in the perogue. at this island we brought 2 years together or on the 1st of Septr. 1804 we Encamped at the lower point of this Island. after we all Came together we again proceeded on down to a large Sand bar imediately opposit to the place were we met the Yanktons in Council at the Calumet Bluffs and which place we left on the 1t of Septr. 1804.”
Meeting the needs of this day the hunters and the canoes “came together” joining the party traveling east with their supply of food for the day as provided by the hunters.
More significant to history and to us today is when Captain Clark records that “at this island we brought 2 years together on the 1st of Septr. 1804.” Work had been driven by purpose and mission required time. Here today the work accomplished between September 1, 1804 and September 1, 1806 rested the heart and soul of the Corps of Discovery fulfilling their mission.
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, also find themselves resting on the same piece of ground. Between them rests a body of work that still breathes life into our spirits today.
I think we spend most of our days looking for either the Alpha or the Omega in our lives never believing they could rest in the same spot!
What would our lives be like if we could see in this example that our work could end at the same spot it began, changing the world in the process? Would it change our attitudes? Would we approach the time between the joining of the years differently?
Let's ask the One who is the Alpha and Omega, the One who set Genesis and Revelation in place to open our eyes to see how He would send us on a mission where we would find the end was also the beginning and the only thing separating them was the work and purpose that filled the time between Beginning and End.
Proceed on.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Ascending Eminence
Journal 2006 08 30
Ascending Eminence
“...I assended to the high Country and from an eminance, I had a view of the plains for a great distance. from this eminance I had a view of a greater number of buffalow than I had ever Seen before at one time. I must have Seen near 20,000 of those animals feeding on this plain. I have observed that in the country between the nations which are at war with each other the greatest numbers of wild animals are to be found.”
Huge herds of buffalo have been seen over the course of the past two years and yet today Clark records once again that he has seen twenty thousand buffalo! He observes that the land separating warring tribes the animals are found in abundance. One has to wonder if the animals were not a little like oil in our time. We see the animals in today's context, domesticated and constrained by fences and civilization. To the Indians, these herds were their lifeblood. Food, housing and most of what they ate and wore came from buffao, elk and deer. These huge herds represented great value to the native people who lived west of colonial America. In our modern world we fight over oil and we fight to protect our free way of life in America. Horses and big game were worth fighting over in 1806 on the plains of North America. Sgt. Ordway observe further value, “...we Save all the buffaloe horns we can find to take to the States as they would make excelent kife and fork handles &C &C.”
William Clark ascended to the high country and from an eminence he elevated his view and gain perspective. This viewpoint resulted in perspective not gained in the valley. Are we struggling for survival on the edge of our civilization holding on to that which is of great value to us? How about if we had a little perspective and could see the supreme abundance of supply before us? William Clark had that view today. It helped him place the tribal battles in better context. This larger view would serve him well later when he is appointed governor.
I've written the higher view earlier in this epic. It is worth covering briefly here. We find a pattern in the journey that we would still be well to emulate. Travel through the lowlands. Work is done in the lowlands. From time to time ascend the high country for the big view. It will make the work easier because the high view places the work in its proper place.
So if work has become just that instead of progress to complete the mission look for high country. Ascend to an “eminance” and regain the view that reminds you of your Creator's abundant supply and course of travel. It is the path and pattern to follow.
Proceed on.
Ascending Eminence
“...I assended to the high Country and from an eminance, I had a view of the plains for a great distance. from this eminance I had a view of a greater number of buffalow than I had ever Seen before at one time. I must have Seen near 20,000 of those animals feeding on this plain. I have observed that in the country between the nations which are at war with each other the greatest numbers of wild animals are to be found.”
Huge herds of buffalo have been seen over the course of the past two years and yet today Clark records once again that he has seen twenty thousand buffalo! He observes that the land separating warring tribes the animals are found in abundance. One has to wonder if the animals were not a little like oil in our time. We see the animals in today's context, domesticated and constrained by fences and civilization. To the Indians, these herds were their lifeblood. Food, housing and most of what they ate and wore came from buffao, elk and deer. These huge herds represented great value to the native people who lived west of colonial America. In our modern world we fight over oil and we fight to protect our free way of life in America. Horses and big game were worth fighting over in 1806 on the plains of North America. Sgt. Ordway observe further value, “...we Save all the buffaloe horns we can find to take to the States as they would make excelent kife and fork handles &C &C.”
William Clark ascended to the high country and from an eminence he elevated his view and gain perspective. This viewpoint resulted in perspective not gained in the valley. Are we struggling for survival on the edge of our civilization holding on to that which is of great value to us? How about if we had a little perspective and could see the supreme abundance of supply before us? William Clark had that view today. It helped him place the tribal battles in better context. This larger view would serve him well later when he is appointed governor.
I've written the higher view earlier in this epic. It is worth covering briefly here. We find a pattern in the journey that we would still be well to emulate. Travel through the lowlands. Work is done in the lowlands. From time to time ascend the high country for the big view. It will make the work easier because the high view places the work in its proper place.
So if work has become just that instead of progress to complete the mission look for high country. Ascend to an “eminance” and regain the view that reminds you of your Creator's abundant supply and course of travel. It is the path and pattern to follow.
Proceed on.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Still Wild
Journal 2006 08 28
Still Wild
The Corps of Discovery traveled one hundred thirty seven miles closer to home these last three days. In the breadbasket of our nation their rations of meat are running thin. They find abundant evidence that the Sioux have been hunting buffalo ahead of them. The plains and river bottoms are pummeled with the hooves of thousands of bison. But only a few poor deer are brought in by the hunters. The men hear the buffalo “bellowing” in the night restoring their hope of a tasty meal.
“…as we were now in the Country where we were informed the Sceoux were assembled we were much on our guard deturmined to put up with no insults from those bands of Seioux, all the arms &. in perfect order.” Captain Clark orders the men to full alert. For those who have been reading these postings for a while or are familiar with the Expedition, the first tense moments and closest conflict for the Corps was in this spot in September 1804 when the Teton Sioux attempted to intercept the men on their upstream course. All weapons on both sides were aimed at someone of the other party. Lewis and Clark were resolved not to be intimidated and the Sioux were standing their ground. Only the action of lowering arms by one Chief averted conflict. The Captains expected worse on the return trip. They also knew if they could negotiate this stretch of the river safely they were home free.
Yesterday, as Clark was away from camp with the men, Lewis did what most of us do when recovering from injury. “My friend Capt Lewis hurt himself very much be takeing a longer walk on the Sand bar in my absence at the buffalow than he had Strength to undergo, which Caused him to remain very unwell all night.” He pushed it and is back on his belly. Ouch!
“Sent out Reubin & Joseph Feild to hunt for the Mule deer or the antilope neither of which we have either the Skins or Scellitens of, we derected those two men to proceed on down to the places we encamped the 16th & 17th of Septr. 1804 and which place the party had called pleasant Camp from the great abundance of Game Such as Buffalow Elk, antilopes, Blacktail or mule deer, fallow deer, common deer wolves barking Squirels, Turkies and a variety of other animals, aded to which there was a great abundance of the most delicious plumbs and grapes.” Don’t know about you, but I think my stomach leads much of my travel habits. Spokane, it’s the Onion with its Whisky Jack’s Steak or Spinach Salad. Seattle waterfront, gotta be Ivar’s Fish Bar. Walla Walla, the great deli in the middle of town. Yakima, its Santana’s for just about anything on the menu. Fairbanks, mud pie at the restaurant on the river. In hometown Auburn it’s a Big Cubby basket with chocolate shake! Now I’m drooling on the keyboard even talking about it! I could list a whole lot more! I bet most of us could.
These young men were no different. They remember this abundant camp of meat and fruit and look forward to returning to more of the same. And they do.
Captain Clark, and I assume his friend Captain Lewis, find a piece of their mission incomplete. The antelope and mule deer of the Great Plains still elude them. Clark sends out his hunters again. Not for meat but for skins and skeletons of these two ghosts of the prairie. Antelope and mule deer hunting has not changed much in two hundred years. They are still elusive and difficult to get close to. Custom gun makers craft weapons and cartridges designed to consistently make three to four hundred yard shots just for antelope hunters.
Somethings are still wild. Like antelope. Like mule deer. Like elk. Wild requires more than a chase. It requires wisdom and cunning and skill and a little good fortune. Maybe, just maybe, it requires a blessing from God. Game left wild that we may be blessed. And that is a good thing for all of us.
Proceed on.
Still Wild
The Corps of Discovery traveled one hundred thirty seven miles closer to home these last three days. In the breadbasket of our nation their rations of meat are running thin. They find abundant evidence that the Sioux have been hunting buffalo ahead of them. The plains and river bottoms are pummeled with the hooves of thousands of bison. But only a few poor deer are brought in by the hunters. The men hear the buffalo “bellowing” in the night restoring their hope of a tasty meal.
“…as we were now in the Country where we were informed the Sceoux were assembled we were much on our guard deturmined to put up with no insults from those bands of Seioux, all the arms &. in perfect order.” Captain Clark orders the men to full alert. For those who have been reading these postings for a while or are familiar with the Expedition, the first tense moments and closest conflict for the Corps was in this spot in September 1804 when the Teton Sioux attempted to intercept the men on their upstream course. All weapons on both sides were aimed at someone of the other party. Lewis and Clark were resolved not to be intimidated and the Sioux were standing their ground. Only the action of lowering arms by one Chief averted conflict. The Captains expected worse on the return trip. They also knew if they could negotiate this stretch of the river safely they were home free.
Yesterday, as Clark was away from camp with the men, Lewis did what most of us do when recovering from injury. “My friend Capt Lewis hurt himself very much be takeing a longer walk on the Sand bar in my absence at the buffalow than he had Strength to undergo, which Caused him to remain very unwell all night.” He pushed it and is back on his belly. Ouch!
“Sent out Reubin & Joseph Feild to hunt for the Mule deer or the antilope neither of which we have either the Skins or Scellitens of, we derected those two men to proceed on down to the places we encamped the 16th & 17th of Septr. 1804 and which place the party had called pleasant Camp from the great abundance of Game Such as Buffalow Elk, antilopes, Blacktail or mule deer, fallow deer, common deer wolves barking Squirels, Turkies and a variety of other animals, aded to which there was a great abundance of the most delicious plumbs and grapes.” Don’t know about you, but I think my stomach leads much of my travel habits. Spokane, it’s the Onion with its Whisky Jack’s Steak or Spinach Salad. Seattle waterfront, gotta be Ivar’s Fish Bar. Walla Walla, the great deli in the middle of town. Yakima, its Santana’s for just about anything on the menu. Fairbanks, mud pie at the restaurant on the river. In hometown Auburn it’s a Big Cubby basket with chocolate shake! Now I’m drooling on the keyboard even talking about it! I could list a whole lot more! I bet most of us could.
These young men were no different. They remember this abundant camp of meat and fruit and look forward to returning to more of the same. And they do.
Captain Clark, and I assume his friend Captain Lewis, find a piece of their mission incomplete. The antelope and mule deer of the Great Plains still elude them. Clark sends out his hunters again. Not for meat but for skins and skeletons of these two ghosts of the prairie. Antelope and mule deer hunting has not changed much in two hundred years. They are still elusive and difficult to get close to. Custom gun makers craft weapons and cartridges designed to consistently make three to four hundred yard shots just for antelope hunters.
Somethings are still wild. Like antelope. Like mule deer. Like elk. Wild requires more than a chase. It requires wisdom and cunning and skill and a little good fortune. Maybe, just maybe, it requires a blessing from God. Game left wild that we may be blessed. And that is a good thing for all of us.
Proceed on.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Sun, Moon and Stars
Journal 2006 08 25
Sun, Moon and Stars
For the past two days the men have been slowly making their way downriver. They have been hindered by the storms that bring the high winds that make river travel difficult. Each day the Corps has had to put to shore and wait for the winds to pass. Severe storms and even tornados pass through the plains. I don’t know if any of these storms were of that genre, but they must have pretty extreme to hold up this determined cadre.
Two days ago Clark adds to his “chart” this update, “My Frend Capt Lewis is recoverig fast the hole in his thy where the Ball passed out is Closed and appears to be nearly well. the one where the ball entered discharges very well…”
The men make “ply the oars well” and make forty eight miles today. More than twice their upstream pace. They stop for the night near their camp of September 29th, 1804.
Game has been a little scarce and wary of men. They attribute this to the earlier passing of the Sioux hunting buffalo. They find “pore deer and Elk not so fat.” They also note the several camps or villages of the friendly tribes “interrupted” by the Sioux. The men are alert and their arms are prepared.
Today Clark’s goal is to be at the Cheyenne River before noon, or meridian, as the Captains call it. What they are calling meridian is the apex of the suns arcing path through the daytime sky. Two centuries later most of us have forgotten about those great celestial bodies of ancient travelers throughout time; Sun, Moon and Stars. We look to watch, calendar and GPS for time and place. Some watches now have all three! And that is good. We’ve created a man-made constellation of satellites that allow us precision unthought of only fifty years ago. My now outdated waterproof Magellan Tracker GPS that I found for $1.50 at my local thrift store will get me to within nine feet of my physical location from just about anywhere. Given enough satellites in the sky it will many times have a margin of error of zero!
No one loves modern technology more than me. I get jealous every time I watch an action thriller and some new device allows communication or live satellite video feeds that I want coming into my TV or some device attached to my wrist or belt. However, in putting our trust in the creations of men have we lost our ability to receive the natural guidance provided by sun, moon and stars? I have. I’m trying to learn celestial navigation. It is difficult. I am not a man who by habit spends most of my evenings outdoors looking up and noting the path of the constellations through the night sky. Nor do I rise and sleep by the rhythm of the sun’s rising and falling. I set my dual alarm clock to rouse me. I bet most of us do. I’m not suggesting we move back. I am suggesting we’ve let go of something that should be foundational to our advanced use of gadgets. It’s like enjoying a burger and shake yet not understanding that milk and hamburger come from cows. Time, place and seasons are measured by sun, moon and stars. Watches, calendars and maps simply make observing them simpler and more convenient.
Enjoy the precision and ease of technology. I do. Take the time to understand their underpinnings that you can still live should the gadget fail. Enjoy the cheeseburger and savor the shake. Just don’t get indignant about the meat packing plant killing cattle.
See the rhythm, learn how to find the way and trust in the One Who set it all in place that we might ultimately find Him.
Proceed on.
Sun, Moon and Stars
For the past two days the men have been slowly making their way downriver. They have been hindered by the storms that bring the high winds that make river travel difficult. Each day the Corps has had to put to shore and wait for the winds to pass. Severe storms and even tornados pass through the plains. I don’t know if any of these storms were of that genre, but they must have pretty extreme to hold up this determined cadre.
Two days ago Clark adds to his “chart” this update, “My Frend Capt Lewis is recoverig fast the hole in his thy where the Ball passed out is Closed and appears to be nearly well. the one where the ball entered discharges very well…”
The men make “ply the oars well” and make forty eight miles today. More than twice their upstream pace. They stop for the night near their camp of September 29th, 1804.
Game has been a little scarce and wary of men. They attribute this to the earlier passing of the Sioux hunting buffalo. They find “pore deer and Elk not so fat.” They also note the several camps or villages of the friendly tribes “interrupted” by the Sioux. The men are alert and their arms are prepared.
Today Clark’s goal is to be at the Cheyenne River before noon, or meridian, as the Captains call it. What they are calling meridian is the apex of the suns arcing path through the daytime sky. Two centuries later most of us have forgotten about those great celestial bodies of ancient travelers throughout time; Sun, Moon and Stars. We look to watch, calendar and GPS for time and place. Some watches now have all three! And that is good. We’ve created a man-made constellation of satellites that allow us precision unthought of only fifty years ago. My now outdated waterproof Magellan Tracker GPS that I found for $1.50 at my local thrift store will get me to within nine feet of my physical location from just about anywhere. Given enough satellites in the sky it will many times have a margin of error of zero!
No one loves modern technology more than me. I get jealous every time I watch an action thriller and some new device allows communication or live satellite video feeds that I want coming into my TV or some device attached to my wrist or belt. However, in putting our trust in the creations of men have we lost our ability to receive the natural guidance provided by sun, moon and stars? I have. I’m trying to learn celestial navigation. It is difficult. I am not a man who by habit spends most of my evenings outdoors looking up and noting the path of the constellations through the night sky. Nor do I rise and sleep by the rhythm of the sun’s rising and falling. I set my dual alarm clock to rouse me. I bet most of us do. I’m not suggesting we move back. I am suggesting we’ve let go of something that should be foundational to our advanced use of gadgets. It’s like enjoying a burger and shake yet not understanding that milk and hamburger come from cows. Time, place and seasons are measured by sun, moon and stars. Watches, calendars and maps simply make observing them simpler and more convenient.
Enjoy the precision and ease of technology. I do. Take the time to understand their underpinnings that you can still live should the gadget fail. Enjoy the cheeseburger and savor the shake. Just don’t get indignant about the meat packing plant killing cattle.
See the rhythm, learn how to find the way and trust in the One Who set it all in place that we might ultimately find Him.
Proceed on.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Sleeping with the Sugar Smacks
Journal 2006 08 22
Sleeping with the Sugar Smacks
A wet windy night for our homeward bound travelers. The chiefs confirm with Clark that they will stay and not accompany him to Washington D.C. They reiterate their desires to heed his words regarding their neighboring tribes. Part of their reluctance is the fact that the Chief who left to visit Jefferson two winters ago has yet to return.
So Clark smokes a pipe with the leaders of these nations and sets out down the Missouri once more. As he writes his journal later in camp he recounts the anthropology of the Cheyenne in detail. Clark recounts the following diplomatic gesture and inquiry for aid by a Cheyenne Chief, “…as I was about to leave the Cheifs of the Chyennes lodge he requested me to Send Some traders to them, that their country was full of beaver and they would then be encouraged to Kill beaver, but now they had no use for them as they could get nothing for their skins and did not know well, how to catch beaver. if the white people would come amongst them they would become acquainted <with them> and the white people would learn them how to take the beaver—. I promised the Nation that I would inform their Great father the President of the U States, and he would have them Supplied with goods, and mentioned in what manner they would be Supplied &c. &c….”
Clark has become something of a wilderness doctor during the journey and his “charts” regarding Lewis for today reads, “I am happy to have it in my power to Say that my worthy friend Capt Lewis is recovering fast, he walked a little to day for the first time. I have discontinud the tent in the hole the ball came out…” Nobody has mentioned it to date and I don’t remember if they do, but one of the biggest problems with a wound like Lewis’ two hundred years ago was the infection that might set in. I’m sure the lack of infection contributed to the happiness of the recovery.
And as almost a footnote to the anthropology report Clark makes sure he records something he must not have wanted to forget. “I have before mentioned that the Mandans Maharhas Menetarras & Ricarras, keep their horses in the Lodge with themselves at night.” I have asked the question many times in my own mind, “Why would you bring the barnyard animals in the house at night?” During the winter at Fort Mandan I assumed it was because of the bitter cold temperatures. But now, in late August? Protection from theft? Couldn’t have been for what they contributed to the décor and overall aura of the earthen huts the tribes mentioned use. I think it must have been for protecting them from theft.
I am famous in my family as a kid for sleeping with my favorite box of cereal. I know my motives. I didn’t want any of my brothers or sister eating my box of Cocoa Puffs or Sugar Pops before I got up! Seemed pretty reasonable to me at the time. Sure gets a good laugh even now whenever it is brought up. And that practice of gathering our precious possessions continues today and begs the question, “Are we bringing anything into our ‘houses’ for protection that would seem strange to most people?” More likely we are bringing things into our “spiritual houses” that we protect through allegiance and argument and an unwillingness to risk their loss. Got any mindsets or ideas that seem strange to others yet you’re hanging onto with all your might? What would a foreign observer record of those transactions?
Whatever we are holding onto so tightly that we bring it into our beds is almost universally a hindrance to our trust in God to preserve and protect us. Since most of us don’t have any horses in the bedroom (I’m not asking about dogs and cats!) what I’m really asking is, “Do any of us need to let go of the box of Sugar Smacks?”
Proceed on.
Sleeping with the Sugar Smacks
A wet windy night for our homeward bound travelers. The chiefs confirm with Clark that they will stay and not accompany him to Washington D.C. They reiterate their desires to heed his words regarding their neighboring tribes. Part of their reluctance is the fact that the Chief who left to visit Jefferson two winters ago has yet to return.
So Clark smokes a pipe with the leaders of these nations and sets out down the Missouri once more. As he writes his journal later in camp he recounts the anthropology of the Cheyenne in detail. Clark recounts the following diplomatic gesture and inquiry for aid by a Cheyenne Chief, “…as I was about to leave the Cheifs of the Chyennes lodge he requested me to Send Some traders to them, that their country was full of beaver and they would then be encouraged to Kill beaver, but now they had no use for them as they could get nothing for their skins and did not know well, how to catch beaver. if the white people would come amongst them they would become acquainted <with them> and the white people would learn them how to take the beaver—. I promised the Nation that I would inform their Great father the President of the U States, and he would have them Supplied with goods, and mentioned in what manner they would be Supplied &c. &c….”
Clark has become something of a wilderness doctor during the journey and his “charts” regarding Lewis for today reads, “I am happy to have it in my power to Say that my worthy friend Capt Lewis is recovering fast, he walked a little to day for the first time. I have discontinud the tent in the hole the ball came out…” Nobody has mentioned it to date and I don’t remember if they do, but one of the biggest problems with a wound like Lewis’ two hundred years ago was the infection that might set in. I’m sure the lack of infection contributed to the happiness of the recovery.
And as almost a footnote to the anthropology report Clark makes sure he records something he must not have wanted to forget. “I have before mentioned that the Mandans Maharhas Menetarras & Ricarras, keep their horses in the Lodge with themselves at night.” I have asked the question many times in my own mind, “Why would you bring the barnyard animals in the house at night?” During the winter at Fort Mandan I assumed it was because of the bitter cold temperatures. But now, in late August? Protection from theft? Couldn’t have been for what they contributed to the décor and overall aura of the earthen huts the tribes mentioned use. I think it must have been for protecting them from theft.
I am famous in my family as a kid for sleeping with my favorite box of cereal. I know my motives. I didn’t want any of my brothers or sister eating my box of Cocoa Puffs or Sugar Pops before I got up! Seemed pretty reasonable to me at the time. Sure gets a good laugh even now whenever it is brought up. And that practice of gathering our precious possessions continues today and begs the question, “Are we bringing anything into our ‘houses’ for protection that would seem strange to most people?” More likely we are bringing things into our “spiritual houses” that we protect through allegiance and argument and an unwillingness to risk their loss. Got any mindsets or ideas that seem strange to others yet you’re hanging onto with all your might? What would a foreign observer record of those transactions?
Whatever we are holding onto so tightly that we bring it into our beds is almost universally a hindrance to our trust in God to preserve and protect us. Since most of us don’t have any horses in the bedroom (I’m not asking about dogs and cats!) what I’m really asking is, “Do any of us need to let go of the box of Sugar Smacks?”
Proceed on.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Pow Wow
Journal 2006 08 21
Pow Wow
Two days ago Clark writes, “…the wind rose and become very Strong from the S. E. and a great appearance of rain. Jessomme the Interpreter let me have a piece of a lodge and the Squars pitched or Stretched it over Some Sticks, under this piece of leather I Slept <under> dry, it is the only covering which I have had Suffecient to keep off the rain Since I left the Columbia.” Shelter from the storm. Seems pretty standard to us. Notable to the wilderness Captain on August 19th, 1804.
Clark also notes how different the course of the Missouri is compared to when they ascended it. He also noted how the buffalo bulls had quit “running” and had become “poor.” Poor usually meant too lean to be palatable. I’m guessing that Clark means that the buffalo were in what we call “the rut.” Or mating season. The elk are just entering into it. Several times over the past few weeks the buffalo have kept the men awake with their loud bellowing. I’m guessing we’ll read something about elk bugling soon.
The winds continued to blow. This morning Clark commands all the men to “…put their arms in perfect order…” He didn’t know what today would bring. He did know that there could be trouble. As his boats approached the upper Ricara Villages the women and children working near the river must have run to tell the chief of their arrival. Clark delayed about an hour talking with fur trappers headed upriver. They had met these men in the Mandan villages over their winter here.
At about 11:00am the villages came into view. “…we Saluted the village with four guns <on St> and they returned the Salute by fireing Several guns in the village, I observed Several very white Lodges on the hill above the Town which the ricaras from the Shore informed me were Chyennes who had just arived—. we landed opposit to the 2d Village and were met by the most of the men women and children of each village as also the Chyennes they all appeared anxious to take us by the hand and much rejoiced to See us return. I Steped on Shore and was Saluted by the two great Chiefs, whome we had made or given Medals to as we assend this river in 1804, and also Saluted by a great number both of Ricaras & Chyennes, as they appeared anxious to here what we had done &c. as well as to here Something about the Mandans & Minetarras.”
In this simple welcome Clark is able to put to rest any fears of war. Isn’t a warm greeting far better than a cold shoulder? And in this extension of friendship by the Ricaras and even the Cheyennes William Clark turns from his military mission to his diplomatic mission. And he performs admirably. Big White supplies tobacco for the pipe and all chiefs express their great desire to live together in peace. All point to a few bad apples from their own tribes and the Sioux downstream as the inhibitors of peace. Clark continues in his gifts with the few small medals and things in his possession and in the process is able to dispel a threat to Big White. A chief of the Cheyenne who was not present when the Corps of Discovery came through in 1804 pulls a young man who had volunteered to go to Washington, DC and then “The Cheif then envited me & the Mandan Chief to his house to talk there.” And there he confesses that he has heard the words of the other chiefs and Clark. He declares that Big White will be as safe in this village as if he were in his own. And he pledges to not attack his neighbors. Only to defend himself.
While the Captain was conducting his diplomacy the men where trading for moccasins and robes “some of which are handsome.”
The work of the mission has now changed. The vision has not, but the daily work has. The unknown has been conquered. The report needs to be filed. The first Pow Wow is complete. Reason for hope of peace has been born.
He doesn’t record it, but Captain Clark must have been satisfied at day’s end with the accomplishments of today. He said, “I Set my self down on the Side of the Bank and the Chiefs & brave men of the Ricaras & Chyennes formed a Cercle around me.” Jehovah God said, "Come. Sit down. Let us reason.” And that is what William Clark did this day.
Proceed on.
Pow Wow
Two days ago Clark writes, “…the wind rose and become very Strong from the S. E. and a great appearance of rain. Jessomme the Interpreter let me have a piece of a lodge and the Squars pitched or Stretched it over Some Sticks, under this piece of leather I Slept <under> dry, it is the only covering which I have had Suffecient to keep off the rain Since I left the Columbia.” Shelter from the storm. Seems pretty standard to us. Notable to the wilderness Captain on August 19th, 1804.
Clark also notes how different the course of the Missouri is compared to when they ascended it. He also noted how the buffalo bulls had quit “running” and had become “poor.” Poor usually meant too lean to be palatable. I’m guessing that Clark means that the buffalo were in what we call “the rut.” Or mating season. The elk are just entering into it. Several times over the past few weeks the buffalo have kept the men awake with their loud bellowing. I’m guessing we’ll read something about elk bugling soon.
The winds continued to blow. This morning Clark commands all the men to “…put their arms in perfect order…” He didn’t know what today would bring. He did know that there could be trouble. As his boats approached the upper Ricara Villages the women and children working near the river must have run to tell the chief of their arrival. Clark delayed about an hour talking with fur trappers headed upriver. They had met these men in the Mandan villages over their winter here.
At about 11:00am the villages came into view. “…we Saluted the village with four guns <on St> and they returned the Salute by fireing Several guns in the village, I observed Several very white Lodges on the hill above the Town which the ricaras from the Shore informed me were Chyennes who had just arived—. we landed opposit to the 2d Village and were met by the most of the men women and children of each village as also the Chyennes they all appeared anxious to take us by the hand and much rejoiced to See us return. I Steped on Shore and was Saluted by the two great Chiefs, whome we had made or given Medals to as we assend this river in 1804, and also Saluted by a great number both of Ricaras & Chyennes, as they appeared anxious to here what we had done &c. as well as to here Something about the Mandans & Minetarras.”
In this simple welcome Clark is able to put to rest any fears of war. Isn’t a warm greeting far better than a cold shoulder? And in this extension of friendship by the Ricaras and even the Cheyennes William Clark turns from his military mission to his diplomatic mission. And he performs admirably. Big White supplies tobacco for the pipe and all chiefs express their great desire to live together in peace. All point to a few bad apples from their own tribes and the Sioux downstream as the inhibitors of peace. Clark continues in his gifts with the few small medals and things in his possession and in the process is able to dispel a threat to Big White. A chief of the Cheyenne who was not present when the Corps of Discovery came through in 1804 pulls a young man who had volunteered to go to Washington, DC and then “The Cheif then envited me & the Mandan Chief to his house to talk there.” And there he confesses that he has heard the words of the other chiefs and Clark. He declares that Big White will be as safe in this village as if he were in his own. And he pledges to not attack his neighbors. Only to defend himself.
While the Captain was conducting his diplomacy the men where trading for moccasins and robes “some of which are handsome.”
The work of the mission has now changed. The vision has not, but the daily work has. The unknown has been conquered. The report needs to be filed. The first Pow Wow is complete. Reason for hope of peace has been born.
He doesn’t record it, but Captain Clark must have been satisfied at day’s end with the accomplishments of today. He said, “I Set my self down on the Side of the Bank and the Chiefs & brave men of the Ricaras & Chyennes formed a Cercle around me.” Jehovah God said, "Come. Sit down. Let us reason.” And that is what William Clark did this day.
Proceed on.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Creation and Fall Mandan Style
Journal 2006 08 18
Creation and Fall Mandan Style
Chief Big White was now traveling with the Corps of Discovery. Captain Clark was enjoying Big White’s account of the history of his nation and others along the banks of the Missouri. He explained how large his nation had been until small pox and Sioux war parties had decimated his ranks to the two villages Lewis and Clark had grown so fond of. In his memory, and he estimates himself to be about forty years old, his people occupied villages seven times their current population.
The high winds from the previous day were still retarding travel. The waters were rough. After about forty miles the Corps put to shore, sent out hunters and made camp. William Clark sounds as though he was fascinated with Big White and retells the story of the Mandan people as told to him by the Big White Man Chief as Clark called him. “…after the fires were made I set my self down with the big white man Chiefe and made a number of enquiries into the tredition of his nation as well as the time of their inhabiting the number of Villages the remains of which we see on different parts of the river, as also the cause of their evacuation. he told me his nation first Came out of the ground where they had a great village. a grape vine grew down through the Earth to their village and they Saw light Some of their people assended by the grape vine upon the earth, and Saw Buffalow and every kind of animal also Grapes plumbs &c. they gathered Some grapes & took down the vine to the village, and they tasted and found them good, and deturmined to go up and live upon the earth, and great numbers climbed the vine and got upon earth men womin and children. at length a large big bellied woman in climbing broke the vine and fell and all that were left in the Village below has remained there ever Since (The Mandans beleive when they die that they return to this village) Those who were left on earth made a village on the river below and were very noumerous &c.”
For those Bible students reading this it just fuels the imagination doesn’t it? We don’t see Creation of the earth but we do see that his nation came out of the ground to occupy a great village. Adam was formed from the dust and placed in the Garden of Eden.
A grape vine was their connection between their origin, mortal life and after life. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches.
When people ascended the vine to the earth they found buffalo and every kind of animal and fruit. “God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals--all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good. God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning-- Day Six. (Genesis 1:24-31 MSG)
And the “big bellied woman,” who I take to be pregnant, literally fell and stopped up the climb of the Mandan civilization. All who were yet to ascend by the vine where forever kept from the fruit of the earth. “The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. …So the LORD God sent them out of the Garden of Eden …. Then at the east side of the garden he put living creatures and a flaming sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life. (Genesis 3:6-24 GNB)
The Fall of Man. Quite literally the fall of a woman in the Mandan story.
Either way, there is something deep in the heart of man that understands the fall from the original plan of the Creator. Can we trust in the wisdom of the Spirit of God to allow us to use this Mandan story of origin as a scaffold to the Good News of the Living God? I bet the early missionaries to this tribe did. And we are to fulfill our Manifest Destiny, the Great Commission, in the same pattern. Like Paul in Athens, we are to use the local culture to springboard the Good News, the better news. “…Paul stood up in front of the city council and said, "I see that in every way you Athenians are very religious. For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which is written, 'To an Unknown God.' That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. From one human being he created all races of people and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live. He did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us; as someone has said, 'In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, 'We too are his children.' Since we are God's children, we should not suppose that his nature is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone, shaped by human art and skill. God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways. For he has fixed a day in which he will judge the whole world with justice by means of a man he has chosen. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising that man from death!" When they heard Paul speak about a raising from death, some of them made fun of him, but others said, "We want to hear you speak about this again." And so Paul left the meeting. Some men joined him and believed, …”(Acts 17:21-34 GNB) It was the right answer then and continues to be the message of our Manifest Destiny today as His Kingdom advances.
Proceed on.
Creation and Fall Mandan Style
Chief Big White was now traveling with the Corps of Discovery. Captain Clark was enjoying Big White’s account of the history of his nation and others along the banks of the Missouri. He explained how large his nation had been until small pox and Sioux war parties had decimated his ranks to the two villages Lewis and Clark had grown so fond of. In his memory, and he estimates himself to be about forty years old, his people occupied villages seven times their current population.
The high winds from the previous day were still retarding travel. The waters were rough. After about forty miles the Corps put to shore, sent out hunters and made camp. William Clark sounds as though he was fascinated with Big White and retells the story of the Mandan people as told to him by the Big White Man Chief as Clark called him. “…after the fires were made I set my self down with the big white man Chiefe and made a number of enquiries into the tredition of his nation as well as the time of their inhabiting the number of Villages the remains of which we see on different parts of the river, as also the cause of their evacuation. he told me his nation first Came out of the ground where they had a great village. a grape vine grew down through the Earth to their village and they Saw light Some of their people assended by the grape vine upon the earth, and Saw Buffalow and every kind of animal also Grapes plumbs &c. they gathered Some grapes & took down the vine to the village, and they tasted and found them good, and deturmined to go up and live upon the earth, and great numbers climbed the vine and got upon earth men womin and children. at length a large big bellied woman in climbing broke the vine and fell and all that were left in the Village below has remained there ever Since (The Mandans beleive when they die that they return to this village) Those who were left on earth made a village on the river below and were very noumerous &c.”
For those Bible students reading this it just fuels the imagination doesn’t it? We don’t see Creation of the earth but we do see that his nation came out of the ground to occupy a great village. Adam was formed from the dust and placed in the Garden of Eden.
A grape vine was their connection between their origin, mortal life and after life. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches.
When people ascended the vine to the earth they found buffalo and every kind of animal and fruit. “God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals--all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good. God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning-- Day Six. (Genesis 1:24-31 MSG)
And the “big bellied woman,” who I take to be pregnant, literally fell and stopped up the climb of the Mandan civilization. All who were yet to ascend by the vine where forever kept from the fruit of the earth. “The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. …So the LORD God sent them out of the Garden of Eden …. Then at the east side of the garden he put living creatures and a flaming sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the tree that gives life. (Genesis 3:6-24 GNB)
The Fall of Man. Quite literally the fall of a woman in the Mandan story.
Either way, there is something deep in the heart of man that understands the fall from the original plan of the Creator. Can we trust in the wisdom of the Spirit of God to allow us to use this Mandan story of origin as a scaffold to the Good News of the Living God? I bet the early missionaries to this tribe did. And we are to fulfill our Manifest Destiny, the Great Commission, in the same pattern. Like Paul in Athens, we are to use the local culture to springboard the Good News, the better news. “…Paul stood up in front of the city council and said, "I see that in every way you Athenians are very religious. For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which is written, 'To an Unknown God.' That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. From one human being he created all races of people and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live. He did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us; as someone has said, 'In him we live and move and exist.' It is as some of your poets have said, 'We too are his children.' Since we are God's children, we should not suppose that his nature is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone, shaped by human art and skill. God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways. For he has fixed a day in which he will judge the whole world with justice by means of a man he has chosen. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising that man from death!" When they heard Paul speak about a raising from death, some of them made fun of him, but others said, "We want to hear you speak about this again." And so Paul left the meeting. Some men joined him and believed, …”(Acts 17:21-34 GNB) It was the right answer then and continues to be the message of our Manifest Destiny today as His Kingdom advances.
Proceed on.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Goodbye to Four
Journal 2006 08 17
Goodbye to Four
“Settled with Touisant Chabono for his Services as an enterpreter the pric of a horse and Lodge purchased of him for public Service in all amounting to 500$ 33⅓ cents…” My mind wanders back to a cold winter morning two winters and two hundred years ago when Toussaint Charbonneau informs the Captains that he wants to renegotiate his contract with them. They say no, give him one day to change his mind and later send him outside the walls of Fort Mandan. Charbonneau later repents of his foolishness to the Captains and asks for reinstatement. They agree. And here we are at this day in history with the end truly better than the beginning.
Their friend and comrade in arms John Colter leaves camp back up the Missouri for two years of fortune seeking in beaver pelts. The Chief says his goodbyes to all who are weeping never expecting to see him again. Clark smokes one last pipe with the Mandan leaders and sets out downstream. He records the following, “…we then Saluted them with a gun and Set out and proceeded on to Fort Mandan where I landed and went to view the old works the houses except one in the rear bastion was burnt by accident,” The winds picked up and blew so hard that the men were forced to shore and made camp at only twenty miles this day.
Of significance today is that four members of the expedition will continue no further. For the three members of the Charbonneau family their cycle is complete. They started here and end here. For John Colter who had hoped to visit civilization the journey continues.
To me, of greater importance today is what Clark records next. “we also took our leave of T. Chabono, his Snake Indian wife and their Son Child who had accompanied us on our rout to the pacific Ocean in the Capacity of interpreter and interpretes. T. Chabono wished much to accompany us in the Said Capacity if <he> we could have provailed the Menetarre Chiefs to dcend the river with us to the U. States, but as none of those chiefs of whoes <set out> language he was Conversent would accompany us, his Services were no longer of use to the U' States and he was therefore discharged and paid up. we offered to convey him down to the Illinois if he Chose to go, he declined proceeding on at present, observing that he had no acquaintance or prospects of makeing a liveing below, and must continue to live in the way that he had done. I offered to take his little Son a butifull promising Child who is 19 months old to which they both himself & wife wer willing provided the Child had been weened. they observed that in one year the boy would be Sufficiently old to leave his mother & he would then take him to me if I would be so freindly as to raise the Child for him in Such a manner as I thought proper, to which I agreeed &c…”
William Clark, the rock, offered to raise and care for little Jean Baptiste, or Pomp as they all liked to call him, as his own. Charbonneau and his wife, Sacagawea, agree. What must have transpired during the year and a half of travel across our great land that William Clark, an unmarried man, would even offer to take the boy as his own? How deep was the trust and respect of mother and father for Clark that they would agree? We don’t read a lot about the littlest member of the expedition in the journals. My mind races when I picture him through some of the stages of this epic. Who carried him most of the time? Who carried him through the dangerous places? When did he start walking? At nineteen months he most likely was. Did the men reserve their best food for his mother and later for him? How many would see him as part of their family, like a son or little brother? Where was he as they marched across the Rockies near starvation? Where was he when they shot the rapids of the Columbia intent on reaching the Pacific?
This young infant participated in something that marked him for the rest of his life. He did come to be raised by William Clark at age four. Clark had married by then. As a young man he went to Europe with a prince to be exposed to more of the world and receive more education. He returned to America where he led many parties through the wildernesses of the West where he died in the Oregon Country in his early sixties. Pompy’s story needs to be told.
In the story of nineteen month old Jean Baptiste Charbonneau we see a picture of the adoption completed by God the Father. We are told, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 MKJV)
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:15-17 MKJV)
Something happened along the trail to the Pacific and back that joined William Clark to young Pomp and his parents. Something happened in the Garden of Eden that joined Father God to every one of Adam and Eve’s children to follow. He loved us and desired that we would be led by the Spirit of God. He sent his own Son to complete a journey ending in a sacrificial death providing the method through which He could adopt us and raise us as His own.
That is a hard concept to swallow, isn’t it? That God would love us so much that He would send His Son on a sacrificial journey to capture the opportunity for all Adam and Eve’s children to become His by adoption. But He did. And He does. Will I let Him raise me as His own? Will you? Will we give Him our children to raise as His own?
If we believe He is the Creator and truly God, why wouldn’t we?
Proceed on.
Goodbye to Four
“Settled with Touisant Chabono for his Services as an enterpreter the pric of a horse and Lodge purchased of him for public Service in all amounting to 500$ 33⅓ cents…” My mind wanders back to a cold winter morning two winters and two hundred years ago when Toussaint Charbonneau informs the Captains that he wants to renegotiate his contract with them. They say no, give him one day to change his mind and later send him outside the walls of Fort Mandan. Charbonneau later repents of his foolishness to the Captains and asks for reinstatement. They agree. And here we are at this day in history with the end truly better than the beginning.
Their friend and comrade in arms John Colter leaves camp back up the Missouri for two years of fortune seeking in beaver pelts. The Chief says his goodbyes to all who are weeping never expecting to see him again. Clark smokes one last pipe with the Mandan leaders and sets out downstream. He records the following, “…we then Saluted them with a gun and Set out and proceeded on to Fort Mandan where I landed and went to view the old works the houses except one in the rear bastion was burnt by accident,” The winds picked up and blew so hard that the men were forced to shore and made camp at only twenty miles this day.
Of significance today is that four members of the expedition will continue no further. For the three members of the Charbonneau family their cycle is complete. They started here and end here. For John Colter who had hoped to visit civilization the journey continues.
To me, of greater importance today is what Clark records next. “we also took our leave of T. Chabono, his Snake Indian wife and their Son Child who had accompanied us on our rout to the pacific Ocean in the Capacity of interpreter and interpretes. T. Chabono wished much to accompany us in the Said Capacity if <he> we could have provailed the Menetarre Chiefs to dcend the river with us to the U. States, but as none of those chiefs of whoes <set out> language he was Conversent would accompany us, his Services were no longer of use to the U' States and he was therefore discharged and paid up. we offered to convey him down to the Illinois if he Chose to go, he declined proceeding on at present, observing that he had no acquaintance or prospects of makeing a liveing below, and must continue to live in the way that he had done. I offered to take his little Son a butifull promising Child who is 19 months old to which they both himself & wife wer willing provided the Child had been weened. they observed that in one year the boy would be Sufficiently old to leave his mother & he would then take him to me if I would be so freindly as to raise the Child for him in Such a manner as I thought proper, to which I agreeed &c…”
William Clark, the rock, offered to raise and care for little Jean Baptiste, or Pomp as they all liked to call him, as his own. Charbonneau and his wife, Sacagawea, agree. What must have transpired during the year and a half of travel across our great land that William Clark, an unmarried man, would even offer to take the boy as his own? How deep was the trust and respect of mother and father for Clark that they would agree? We don’t read a lot about the littlest member of the expedition in the journals. My mind races when I picture him through some of the stages of this epic. Who carried him most of the time? Who carried him through the dangerous places? When did he start walking? At nineteen months he most likely was. Did the men reserve their best food for his mother and later for him? How many would see him as part of their family, like a son or little brother? Where was he as they marched across the Rockies near starvation? Where was he when they shot the rapids of the Columbia intent on reaching the Pacific?
This young infant participated in something that marked him for the rest of his life. He did come to be raised by William Clark at age four. Clark had married by then. As a young man he went to Europe with a prince to be exposed to more of the world and receive more education. He returned to America where he led many parties through the wildernesses of the West where he died in the Oregon Country in his early sixties. Pompy’s story needs to be told.
In the story of nineteen month old Jean Baptiste Charbonneau we see a picture of the adoption completed by God the Father. We are told, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 MKJV)
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:15-17 MKJV)
Something happened along the trail to the Pacific and back that joined William Clark to young Pomp and his parents. Something happened in the Garden of Eden that joined Father God to every one of Adam and Eve’s children to follow. He loved us and desired that we would be led by the Spirit of God. He sent his own Son to complete a journey ending in a sacrificial death providing the method through which He could adopt us and raise us as His own.
That is a hard concept to swallow, isn’t it? That God would love us so much that He would send His Son on a sacrificial journey to capture the opportunity for all Adam and Eve’s children to become His by adoption. But He did. And He does. Will I let Him raise me as His own? Will you? Will we give Him our children to raise as His own?
If we believe He is the Creator and truly God, why wouldn’t we?
Proceed on.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Nation Building
Journal 2006 08 16
Nation Building
“a cool morning. Sent up Sergt. Pryor to the mandan village, for Some Corn which they offered to give us. he informed that they had more Corn collected for us than our Canoes Could Carry Six loads of which he brought down. I thanked the Chief for his kindness and informed him that our Canoes would not Carry any more Corn than we had already brought down.” The friendship and goodwill the Corps of Discovery established over their winter of 1804 with the Mandans is illustrated here in the abundant blessing that Big Cat and his tribe poured out upon these men. This group of white men had traveled to “The Great Lake” of the sunset and returned. Big Cat was fearful of going east through Sioux lands. Isn’t that the difference between fear and faith? Faith moves out while fear sits still.
“at 10 A. M the Chiefs of the different villages came to See us and Smoke a pipe &c. as our Swivel Could no longer be Serveceabe to us as it could not be fireed on board the largest Perogue, we Concluded to make a present of it to the Great Chief of the Menetaras (the One Eye) with a view to ingratiate him more Strongly in our favour I had the Swivel Charged and Collected the Chiefs in a circle around it and adressed them with great ceremoney.” I believe what Captain Clark was saying here is that because they would be carrying so much cargo through mostly friendly lands they could do without the swivel gun mounted to the bow of the peroque. So he gives it, ball and powder to the Great Chief, One Eye as a demonstration of trust and goodwill forming an early military and national alliance.
One Eye responds, “We will attend to your word and not hurt any people all Shall be Welcom and we Shall do as you direct—.["] The One Eye Said his ears would always be open to the word of his great father and Shut against bad Council &c. I then a good deel of Ceremony made a preasent of the Swivel to the One Eye Chief and told him when he fired this gun to remember the words of his great father which we had given him. this gun had anounced the words of his great father to all the nations which we had Seen &c. &c. after the council was over the gun was fired & delivered, they Chief appeared to be much pelased and conveyed it immediately to his village &c. Chief Big White agrees to go if his wife and children can accompany him. The Captains agree to the terms.
Westward expansion was called many things. It was correctly identified as “Manifest Destiny” in my opinion. Can you see its early roots here? The western world brought much of what the tribal leaders desired; the ability to defend themselves and make war when necessary that their people may live better lives. Clark was admonishing them to peace. He chastised them for making war within days of his leaving.
If you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ you have been given A Manifest Destiny. A destiny where your work brings blessing to individuals and nations. Your work will be rewarded. “Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38 MKJV)
You know, like William Clark, that you and your family will need corn on your trip in this world. Like Lewis and Clark you plan to bring horses to trade. Those are stolen. So you gather hides. But you cannot gather all you hoped for. You keep moving downstream anyway. And when you arrive you are blessed by the same measure you measured out with. You have more corn than you can carry. Abundant living through giving and receiving.
Westward expansion in the United States was called Manifest Destiny. Heavenward expansion in the Kingdom of God is called the Great Commission. Unlike Manifest Destiny the Great Commission continues.
Many books have been written regarding the Great Commission. I’m not writing one here today. What I’m hoping to do is point to a real world illustration that nations are intended to rule other nations. Most rule by strength. The strength and abundance of the United States was manifested in the journey of the Corps of Discovery. It was given generously throughout the journey and here we see the planting of those early seeds bearing fruit. I believe it was the strength, abundance and generosity that captured the attention of these tribal chiefs and the nations they ruled.
Can we present the Kingdom of God in a manner where its inherent strength, abundance and generosity bear fruit as light pushes out darkness and rules the day? The message of the Kingdom of God is the Manifest Destiny of our day. Are we willing to go in faith like the Corps of Discovery or will we sit in fear like the Mandan chiefs? As was God’s original intention through Adam to rule so it is our directive to so submit ourselves to Christ’s rule that we are able to govern nations as Christ Himself would. Eternal nation building that fulfills His Manifest Destiny for His Kingdom.
Proceed on.
Nation Building
“a cool morning. Sent up Sergt. Pryor to the mandan village, for Some Corn which they offered to give us. he informed that they had more Corn collected for us than our Canoes Could Carry Six loads of which he brought down. I thanked the Chief for his kindness and informed him that our Canoes would not Carry any more Corn than we had already brought down.” The friendship and goodwill the Corps of Discovery established over their winter of 1804 with the Mandans is illustrated here in the abundant blessing that Big Cat and his tribe poured out upon these men. This group of white men had traveled to “The Great Lake” of the sunset and returned. Big Cat was fearful of going east through Sioux lands. Isn’t that the difference between fear and faith? Faith moves out while fear sits still.
“at 10 A. M the Chiefs of the different villages came to See us and Smoke a pipe &c. as our Swivel Could no longer be Serveceabe to us as it could not be fireed on board the largest Perogue, we Concluded to make a present of it to the Great Chief of the Menetaras (the One Eye) with a view to ingratiate him more Strongly in our favour I had the Swivel Charged and Collected the Chiefs in a circle around it and adressed them with great ceremoney.” I believe what Captain Clark was saying here is that because they would be carrying so much cargo through mostly friendly lands they could do without the swivel gun mounted to the bow of the peroque. So he gives it, ball and powder to the Great Chief, One Eye as a demonstration of trust and goodwill forming an early military and national alliance.
One Eye responds, “We will attend to your word and not hurt any people all Shall be Welcom and we Shall do as you direct—.["] The One Eye Said his ears would always be open to the word of his great father and Shut against bad Council &c. I then a good deel of Ceremony made a preasent of the Swivel to the One Eye Chief and told him when he fired this gun to remember the words of his great father which we had given him. this gun had anounced the words of his great father to all the nations which we had Seen &c. &c. after the council was over the gun was fired & delivered, they Chief appeared to be much pelased and conveyed it immediately to his village &c. Chief Big White agrees to go if his wife and children can accompany him. The Captains agree to the terms.
Westward expansion was called many things. It was correctly identified as “Manifest Destiny” in my opinion. Can you see its early roots here? The western world brought much of what the tribal leaders desired; the ability to defend themselves and make war when necessary that their people may live better lives. Clark was admonishing them to peace. He chastised them for making war within days of his leaving.
If you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ you have been given A Manifest Destiny. A destiny where your work brings blessing to individuals and nations. Your work will be rewarded. “Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38 MKJV)
You know, like William Clark, that you and your family will need corn on your trip in this world. Like Lewis and Clark you plan to bring horses to trade. Those are stolen. So you gather hides. But you cannot gather all you hoped for. You keep moving downstream anyway. And when you arrive you are blessed by the same measure you measured out with. You have more corn than you can carry. Abundant living through giving and receiving.
Westward expansion in the United States was called Manifest Destiny. Heavenward expansion in the Kingdom of God is called the Great Commission. Unlike Manifest Destiny the Great Commission continues.
Many books have been written regarding the Great Commission. I’m not writing one here today. What I’m hoping to do is point to a real world illustration that nations are intended to rule other nations. Most rule by strength. The strength and abundance of the United States was manifested in the journey of the Corps of Discovery. It was given generously throughout the journey and here we see the planting of those early seeds bearing fruit. I believe it was the strength, abundance and generosity that captured the attention of these tribal chiefs and the nations they ruled.
Can we present the Kingdom of God in a manner where its inherent strength, abundance and generosity bear fruit as light pushes out darkness and rules the day? The message of the Kingdom of God is the Manifest Destiny of our day. Are we willing to go in faith like the Corps of Discovery or will we sit in fear like the Mandan chiefs? As was God’s original intention through Adam to rule so it is our directive to so submit ourselves to Christ’s rule that we are able to govern nations as Christ Himself would. Eternal nation building that fulfills His Manifest Destiny for His Kingdom.
Proceed on.
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