High Bank Twin Falls - April 19, 2023

My An Arkie's Faith column from the April 19, 2023, issue of The Polk County Pulse.

I struggled as I climbed over the rocks alongside the creek I was following. The trail had been evident initially as I meandered among tall thin trees that weren't fully leafed out this early spring. When the path became undefined, with only a jumble of rocks visible, I knew I needed to follow the small creek to my destination.

My son-in-law told me about a beautiful waterfall a quarter mile off Highway 215. Because there were no signs marking the trailhead, he had given me instructions on how to find the waterfall. "When traveling on Hwy 215 past Byrd's Adventure Center," he explained, "you will come to a sign with an arrow pointing to the right that says High Bank Canoe Launch. Continue a short way to a small bridge. On the far side of the bridge, there will be a small, unmarked area to the right with enough room for two or three cars to park. After parking, cross over the highway and follow the creek."

It was a beautiful, warm spring day as we set out to find the waterfall. We quickly found the place to park and the unmarked trail. As we headed upstream, we encountered another stream to our right with a tiny cascade. The path became rougher and steeper, with rocks and boulders directly beside or within the stream. The footing was a bit dicey, especially with my worn-out knees, but I carefully tested each step with my hiking pole as I carefully climbed over the rocks.

Before I could see the waterfall, I could hear the plunging water. At first, I could barely glimpse the falls through the trees, but when the view opened, I saw a double waterfall flowing over a steep bluff, then cascading down the grotto before plunging into a pool below. The side-by-side tumbling waterfalls dropped over seventy feet. I climbed onto a large flat rock in the middle of the stream and spent several minutes enjoying the beauty and tranquility.

Arkansas has many hidden gems, from gorgeous rock formations to scenic overlooks and beautiful forests and rivers. I have been exploring Arkansas' natural beauty for over forty years, but there's always another treasure waiting to be found. I had never heard about High Bank Twin Falls until my son-in-law told me about them. His enthusiasm made me want to see the falls for myself.

After enjoying the beauty of the falls, we hiked back down the trail to our truck. As we continued down Hwy 215 on our way to Oark, we pulled into a turnout with an impressive view of the Mulberry River below. There was another family there enjoying the view. My wife, who never met a stranger and talks to everyone she meets, initiated a conversation with them. She had noticed a Dome Life decal on the back of their vehicle, and because we follow the outdoor adventures of Kellie and Cody Oden on the YouTube channel Dome Life, we began talking to them.

We love watching Kellie and Cody each week on YouTube and were excited to meet other people who follow them regularly. While talking, we told them about the fantastic waterfall we had just seen. They knew nothing about the falls but were interested in seeing them. We gave them directions to the falls before getting in our truck and heading to Oark General Store, where we planned to eat lunch.

After we returned home from the day's adventure, I posted photos of High Bank Twin Falls on my Facebook page. The next day, I was surprised to see a comment on the post from the fellow Dome Lifers we had met. They wrote, "I'm so glad we crossed paths and met you all yesterday. Thanks for convincing us to go find this. It was beautiful."

As I thought about the beauty of High Bank Twin Falls, I realized something. I would have never seen the falls if my son-in-law had not been so enthusiastic in his description of them. He gave us detailed directions and encouraged us to hike to the falls, so we went. Without going to High Bank Twin Falls, we would never have told the people we met about the falls and given them directions. Indirectly, my son-in-law was responsible for our newfound friends discovering the beauty of High Bank Twin Falls.

When Jesus gave his disciples and us his final instructions before he left this earth, He said, "You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world." Acts 1:8 (NCV) A witness testifies to what he has seen, heard, or experienced. Like a witness in a courtroom, we share what we've seen, heard, and experienced as a follower of Jesus.

We are to be witnesses for Jesus. But too often, we, as Christians, act more like lawyers and judges than witnesses. I hear Christians judging the actions of others and condemning them. They refer to these harsh, unloving actions as witnessing. But witnessing and judging are very different things.

Jesus tells us, "Do not judge other people. Then you will not be judged. You will be judged in the same way you judge others. You will be measured in the same way you measure others. You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend's eye. But you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye. How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye'? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye? You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 (NIRV)

Gentle Reader, instead of being prosecuting attorneys or judges, we are called to be witnesses and tell our stories. Tell someone of your experience with Jesus that is so compelling that it makes them want to experience it. "When you speak, make sure it's always full of grace, and well flavored with salt! That way you'll know how to give each person an appropriate answer." Colossians 4:6 (NTE)