Wheaties With Sugar - June 27, 2018

An Arkie's Faith column from the June 27, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

The two men sat across from each other listening intently. They had a lot of catching up to do. The last time that they had talked to each other had been seventy years ago. They reminisced about their grade school days when they attended the Morehead School. They had fond memories of those years.

One of the men was my Daddy. While he was visiting a cousin who still lives in southeast Kansas where Daddy grew up, he mentioned that he wondered about his classmates from so long ago. His cousin asked, “what are some of their names?” As Daddy mentioned some names, his cousin said, “I know Marvin, he lives not far away. Would you like to go see him?” Daddy said that he would like to try and see Marvin.

I can’t imagine what it was like for Marvin to answer the door and find a classmate from seventy years ago standing there. Daddy and Marvin had been good friends during those grade school years, but once they graduated in 1948, they went to high school at different schools. They had not seen one another since graduation in 1948, until the afternoon that Marvin answered his door and found Daddy standing there.

They had a wonderful time visiting and remembering stories from when they were just boys. As they recalled their experiences at Morehead School, they fondly remembered a teacher, Miss Muchmore. She was a single lady who lived with her parents on a farm about ten miles from the school. Over the course of the school year, she would have each one of her students come to her parent's farm and spend the night. Even after all of these years, Marvin remembered every detail of his visit to Miss Muchmore’s home.

Marvin grew up in a large family. Like most of the kids in his class, he grew up poor. There was never enough money for extras. Even though it had been over seventy years, Marvin’s eyes still lit up when he remembered breakfast at Miss Muchmore’s house. She served him Wheaties, and he loved Wheaties. He never got Wheaties at home. If they had cereal at all, it was corn flakes; because corn flakes were cheaper than Wheaties. As he remembered how much he enjoyed the Wheaties, he also talked about being able to put a whole spoonful of sugar on them. During World War II sugar was rationed, so Marvin’s mother would only let them have a tiny bit of sugar on their cereal if any at all. To Marvin, that breakfast of Wheaties with sugar was a meal fit for a king.

I’m sure that Miss Muchmore had no idea of the impact she was making on Marvin’s life. How could she know have known that morning when she served him a bowl of Wheaties and told him that he could put a whole spoonful of sugar on them, that he would so fondly remember her kindness over seventy years later. She was simply following the Biblical command; “Be kind and loving to each other.” Ephesians 4:32 (NCV)

In today’s world, kindness is underrated. Often, kindness is considered a weakness. It’s mainly about smiling, getting along, and not ruffling feathers. If you want to get ahead in life, you can’t afford to be kind. But we as Christians, if we are lead by the Holy Spirit, will be kind. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22,23 (NKJV) When we are kind to others, even as small a kindness as a bowl of Wheaties with a spoonful of sugar, we are bearing the fruit of a Spirit-led life. We may never know how our kindness affects someone.

There are many simple things we can do that seem little but can accomplish so much. One of the easiest is to put a smile on your face. When you wear a smile, you become approachable, and that can sometimes make all the difference in the world to another person. A kind word is a small thing, but you never know how it will affect someone.

We also may never know how our hateful and uncaring acts affect others. Many devout Christians become mean, critical, and bitter when they talk about politics. Insults, name-calling, and slander are the order of the day. They don’t seem to remember that the Jesus they claim to worship said to “love your enemies.”

There is no need to tell everyone how Christian you are. Just act like one. Be kind, forgive, love, be merciful, help those who are abused, rejected and scorned. They'll get it. “You are chosen by God. He loves you and has made you holy. So then, care for one another. Be kind. Do not be proud. Be humble. Be patient.” Colossians 3:12 (WE)

Gentle Reader, kindness is a choice. It is something we can choose to put on every day. We appreciate a kindness shown to us. And by the power of God’s spirit, we can show kindness to others. Christians spend a lot of time arguing about politics and theology. Each discussion has a time and place. But following Jesus means doing simple things like being kind. What a different world it would be if Christians followed Paul’s counsel to “be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love.” Romans 12:10 (NKJV) Show someone kindness today, even if it is just a bowl of Wheaties with sugar; “Your kindness will reward you.” Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)

Running the Rapids - June 20, 2018

An Arkie's Faith column from the June 20, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

The little group gathered on the banks of the Yampa River. You could see the concern on their faces as they prepared for another day on this wild river. The Yampa River is the only major tributary in the Colorado River system that still runs wild and free; without a single dam along its course. It flows free with run-off originating from the melting snows and glaciers of the Colorado Rockies. The river is only runnable for a few weeks each year and permits are very limited, which gives the canyon a feeling of secrecy and surprise.

Today was the day that they would run the most challenging rapids on the Yampa, Warm Springs. Before 1965, the Yampa River was as a family-friendly river with only a couple of big rapids that were pretty straightforward. But on June 10, 1965, a flash flood created a huge rockslide that filled the river near Warm Springs with boulders and transformed a minor wave train into one of the most famous river rapids of the West.

Warm Springs is one of those rapids that everyone has a story about; you don’t just run it, it’s always an experience. It is the most talked about rapid in the main Yampa Canyon and inspires fear in even the most veteran boaters. Beneath a towering 1,700-foot sandstone cliff, Warm Springs Rapid drops through boulders for about a quarter of a mile, creating intensely churning whitewater. It is rated among the ten biggest drops in the country. The little group were not experienced whitewater rafters. The knew the reputation of these class IV rapids but were not sure what to expect. As they gathered on the banks of the river before taking off in their six rafts, they prayed for safety, guidance, and help from God.

From a distance, Warm Springs is just a band of whitewater on the river’s horizon line. But as the group got nearer, the sound of the rapids reverberating off the cliff roared louder and louder. They pulled to the right bank where the passengers were dropped off so they could walk around the rapids. But each boat had to be piloted through the rapids. While they were preparing to run the rapids, they were approached by a group that said they were with a joint search and rescue training exercise between the National Park Service and the Moffatt County Sheriff’s Office. Would they like some assistance as they ran the rapids? They were relieved and happy to accept the help.

The most dangerous aspect of the rapids are two roiling holes where submerged boulders make the current churn backward. The first boulder in the middle of the rapid has been dubbed, Godzilla. The last hole in the rapids is named Maytag and can flip rafts and work over boaters. According to the website riverbrain.com; “If you miss the entrance and setup on warm springs, you are guaranteed a white-knuckle beating in Godzilla and probably Maytag holes.”

My son-in-law piloted the first boat into the rapids. He said, “that feeling when you see the rapids up close is an adrenaline rush like no other.” When he tried to navigate the turbulent waters of Godzilla, he was thrown out of his raft. As he was being swept down the river, the rescue team was yelling at him, “swim, swim to shore.” He said, “as soon as I hit the water, it seemed that every ounce of energy was sapped from my body. Even though I knew that my life depended on it, I couldn't find the energy to swim to shore.” After what seemed like an eternity to my son-in-law, someone from the rescue team was able to throw a rope to him and pull him to safety. After getting to shore, he collapsed and just lay there for several minutes before he had enough energy to stand. The ordeal had sapped every bit of energy from him.

Four of the remaining five boats, including the one piloted by my daughter, made it through. But one of the boatsmen was thrown into the water and had to be rescued. After getting all of the boats through the Warm Springs rapids, the group got back into the boats and made their way on down the river. As they floated on through the canyon and looked at the amazingly beautiful scenery, they thought about their prayer that morning. They had prayed for safety and God’s help. They had made it safely through the rapids even though there had been tense moments. After being rescued, my son-in-law found out that the joint search and rescue training exercise was a yearly training and had been scheduled a year ago.

As my son-in-law and his family were recounting their experiences on the Yampa River raft trip, and especially their struggles at the Warm Springs rapids, I thought of the scripture found in Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV). “Before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” The little group had no idea when they were praying that morning that God had answered their prayer one year before they asked for His help. “Before they call, I will answer.”

Gentle Reader, David wrote about his near-drowning experience in Psalms 69:1-3 (NIV). “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.” Every one of us has experienced the need to be rescued. God has made a promise to us. "Call to Me, and I will answer you." Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)  When God answers our call, he will bring us to a place of safety. “He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” Psalms 18:19 (NLT) When you call on God, you can count on Him to answer you, rescue you, and save you.

Grasshoppers or Butterflies - June 13, 2018

An Arkie's Faith column from the June 13, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

The little engine chugged out of the station with its cargo of sightseers and excited children. Its narrow tracks snaked around the side of the mountain and led to an amazing view of the valley below. As the miniature train followed the curve of the tracks away from the mountains edge and into the woods, the kids nervously hoped they would spot a bear. The movement of the train and the shade of the woods helped cool the passengers on the hot summer day. All too soon the little train completed the loop and pulled back into the station.

For over fifty years this little train has thrilled generations of riders as it made its way around the beautiful views atop Rich Mountain. My first visit to the area in the 1970’s included a drive up to the top of Rich Mountain and a ride on the little train. My daughter first rode the train as a baby, and now her daughters love to take the train ride on top of the mountain.

Earlier this year when the Department of Parks and Tourism announced plans to do away with the train ride and transform the tracks into a walking and cycling path, the local outcry against the plan was unlike anything I have seen in the forty years I have been in the area. The Arkansas State Parks Director said that “the commission felt like the space the track used would be better utilized for the trail and special areas along the trail for activities everyone could enjoy year around.” Local park users vehemently disagreed with a loud and almost unanimous voice. When an online petition was started to keep the train, over 4,000 people took the time to sign it. State leaders reported that their phones were “ringing off the hook,” with people asking that the decision be reconsidered, and the train be allowed to stay.

At a time when our country seems so divided, it was refreshing to see as a community come together as this community did in support of the train. Because of the public outcry, State Parks Director Grady Spann says that “negotiations are in the works to save the miniature train that carried tourists around Queen Wilhelmina State Park each summer for the past 60 years, paving the way toward a reopening this summer.” He added, “It's a neat thing to see a community coming together. It shows a great emotional connection to the park, which I'm really glad to see. It's always good to see people are invested in their state parks. And we paid attention to that."



Over the years I have ridden the train many times, but one of my favorite rides was with my three-year-old granddaughter. It was a beautiful September day, and as we entered the brushy wooded area of the ride the grasshoppers along the path of the train would fly away. As each grasshopper flew away, my granddaughter would point and say butterfly. There were so many grasshoppers, that she was constantly pointing and saying “butterfly, butterfly, butterfly.”

To her, the grasshoppers were beautiful and exciting butterflies. I don’t feel the same way about grasshoppers. When I was growing up in Colorado, we seemed to have a constant battle with the grasshoppers eating our garden. A single grasshopper doesn't do much harm, even though it eats about half its body weight every day. But when you have large numbers of grasshoppers, their combined feeding habits can be very damaging. In the U.S. alone, grasshoppers cause more than 1.5 billion dollars in damage to grazing lands each year.

If you've handled grasshoppers, you've probably had them spit a brown liquid on you. Scientists believe this behavior is a means of self-defense, and the liquid helps them repel predators. But it isn’t very pleasant. Very few people find grasshoppers as attractive as butterflies.

Unlike my granddaughter, who saw the beauty in the grasshoppers, most of us don’t see beauty in those around us. Instead of seeing the good in people, we tend to be critical. When we are critical of others, we become harsh, vindictive, and cruel. A critical spirit leaves us with the idea that we are somehow superior to others. Jesus’ instructions about being critical and judging others are very simple; He says, “don’t.” His words are recorded in Matthew 7:1 (NKJV), “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

Instead of judging, God wants us to “encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV). The word “encouragement” means to support. When we encourage we speak words that support someone and help bring change for the better. By our words, we need to let them know that we support their dreams, pursuits, and goals. We all tend to get discouraged from time to time and need encouragement.

Gentle Reader, the choice is yours; you can either criticize or encourage. I hope that your choice will be to encourage others. If you do, God will encourage you! Most of us see the potential for bad in others. We look first for their flaws. We see their deficiencies and shortcomings. Instead, we need to see them as someone that Jesus loves. Just like my granddaughter looked at grasshoppers and saw beautiful butterflies, I hope that you will see the potential for good in the people around you. “God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.” Colossians 3:12 (ICB). If we follow this instruction, we will encourage others instead of criticizing them. We will see them as butterflies.

Mighty Mountains - June 6, 2018

An Arkie's Faith column from the June 6, 2018, issue of The Mena Star.

The sun beat down relentlessly with a sweltering heat. Even though I was sitting under my pop up canopy, beads of sweat ran down my forehead into my eyes and trickled down my back. Despite the shade, the heat still lingered. The sultry air was stifling and oppressive. I was dripping with sweat from my head to my toe.

As storms clouds started rolling in, I hoped for a break in the oppressive heat, but the clouds only increased an already suffocating humidity. The air was heavy with the dampness of a coming storm. Because we were under a severe thunderstorm watch, I secured my merchandise the best I could and lowered my canopy to try and protect it from the rain that was heading our way.

I joined the crowd behind me to watch the Flying Houndz Frizbee Trick Dog Show. Jeff and his dogs did a great job entertaining the audience with jumping tricks, aerial acrobatics, and catching frisbees. The crowd, and especially the kids, were excited and amazed at the performances of the dogs. During the show, the rain started with a slow pitter-patter. Jeff shortened the performance because of the rain.

The rain soon began to fall so heavily that I was soaked before I could get to shelter under the large arts and crafts tent. From the shelter of the tent, I could see heavy rain, sheets of water falling from dark skies. For a short time, hail was mixed in with the rain. Then almost as quickly as it had started, the rain stopped. Within a few minutes, the sun was shining again.

As I was drying off my canopy and getting set up again, I couldn’t help but notice that most of the festival goers were gone. I couldn’t blame them; I hadn’t enjoyed getting soaked. With the rain over and the temperature a few degrees cooler, I thought that the crowds would come back to enjoy the festival, and especially the free concert that opened with Alaina Blake & Dylan Hawf performing. The audience enjoyed Alaina’s warm and beautiful vocals paired with Dylan’s masterful fiddle work, but the crowd was sparse. The rain kept many people away.

At 8 pm the headliner, National Park Radio, took the stage. As I listened to the incredibly talented band play, I was saddened that so many people were missing the opportunity to hear a free concert by a great band. One song that they sang seemed very poignant. I loved the lyrics and asked the band’s singer/songwriter, Stefan Szabo, for permission to use them. He graciously permitted me to quote the song and even sent me the lyrics.

The song is titled, “Mighty Mountains.” It reminded me of times in my life that I have been too easily discouraged. In the song, Stefan writes; “That crooked road seemed all too steep. It stretched beyond what I could see.” But the song is not about giving in to life’s problems. It is about a positive outlook and the determination to not let life pass you by. The song continues, “But at last I saw the future; Every moment that could be. Oh, I found that life was waiting there for me. Only for a moment I'd forgotten why we came. Not unlike my father mighty mountains call my name. Oh the explanations and excuses we could find. But unlike my father those mighty mountains I will climb.”

All of us are faced with mountains. Sometimes there are mountains of discouragement. Sometimes there are mountains of hopes, dreams, and aspirations. All too often we have “explanations and excuses” for why we can’t climb those mountains. But God says that you can. In Psalm 18:33 (NLT) David  says, “He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” You can climb that mountain.

Stefan says that some of the writing he is the proudest of is the last verse of the song. “It's strength we find when we are weak. It's faith that moves the tallest peak. And love that lasts for long after we're gone. But few can truly know the cost. And all who wander are not lost. For love will lead the tired and troubled home. 'Cause at last I see the future. Every moment that can be. And I've found that life is waiting here for me.”

The day's events left me thinking about how easily we are distracted. A quick cloudburst can keep us from climbing mighty mountains and receiving the blessings that are there for us. I was truly blessed by the music of National Park Radio, and I wonder how many people missed out on a wonderful evening of music just because it had rained a few hours earlier.

Gentle Reader, Don’t miss out on the blessings that God has for you because you are too timid to attempt to climb mighty mountains. If you never climb the mountain, you will never be able to see the mountaintop view. God says, “do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIRV) He wants to climb mighty mountains with you.