Our journey picked up after we dried off. We drove until dark. He apparently knew exactly where we were headed, though this was new territory for me. I just remember a lot of trees and winding roads. We eventually made it to a parking area that was only lit by the car’s headlights. There was a sign posted, “north ridge 9100 ft.” We shined the car lights over to an area around 150 feet from where we parked. There was a split-rail fence and a ledge that appeared wide enough to camp on.

My driver grabbed his stuff from the trunk including a small flashlight and we began to walk. The ledge overlooked nothing that could be seen from our vantage point but pitch black on a moonless night. There was an eerie cavernous dirge of a wind blowing through what seemed to be pine trees located near the precipice of the abyss. The ledge that we laid our sleeping bags on was slanted oh so slightly but comfortable enough. This was a ghostly feeling. The wind and the dark and the cold and also the unknown…what was out there? Why was there such a deep howling like I had never heard? The stars were bright but not enough to light anything more than the bit of black around them.

The wind was continuous, but we eventually drifted off to sleep. I slept well, considering the conditions, a light sleep though. The events that followed were normal at first but eventually became most incredible. My eyes peaked from behind my lids as the sun began to rise. The wind was still whistling through the pines, though not with as much a lamentation as the night before. The ever so faint sign of the dawn reflecting against what seemed to be something faintly orange got my keen attention. I couldn’t quite make out what I was beginning to see; but it became ever so clear in an instant. As the sun continued to rise behind me the reflection of a vast chasm wall continued to grow wider and deeper every second. Oranges, yellows and reds of every shade were being unveiled, thousands of feet above the canyon floor. I was totally mesmerized, my eyes glued to its magnificence, astounded beyond any wonder I had ever, ever experienced. The Grand Canyon was indeed grand, grander than I could have ever imagined. I was awestruck. I can only strain for the words to paint such an incredible scene. It was bigger than life itself.

This is an excerpt from my new book Seeking God, Searching for a Daughter

The  true story or my 20,000 mile trek by  faith and thumb across America in search of my girlfriend who I believed was carrying my yet to be born daughter Trinity.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending with only physical opponents), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)

OK…put up your dukes. That was the challenge I remember back in the “old” days. The days when Godly correctness ruled our society and before political correctness ran amuck. Back in the days when boys became men by standing against their aggressor or the playground  bully. Fighting used to be considered socially acceptable  behavior as a gauntlet to manhood. Back in Passaic New Jersey, a small industrial town 15 minutes from New York City, fighting was a way of life but through no choice of my own. Some days I would have to literally fight my way down the block to get to my paper route. And I did not like it. I was afraid of fighting. So why did all the bullies, and there were many, always pick on me? I guess now it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I never ran or backed down from a fight. I had my honor, more that a bloody nose, to protect.

Not so much anymore. Our current left of center society wants nothing more but to negotiate and compromise with the bullies so everyone will like them. But who are the real bullies we’re fighting these days? The Bible says it’s “the world rulers of this present darknes, against the spiritual forces of wickedness”. So if you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God and have a passion to defend yourself against the bullies of this age, you must take the apostle Paul seriously. If a person or politician is not for Jesus Christ and His ways, he is against Him. And if he is against Him he is on the side of spiritual wickedness. Therefore, are we to back down from the bullies, seek compromise or take a stand against them?

Many will defend compromise and say we only want a fair or “balanced” amount of Jesus. I say there can be no compromise. It is either all or none of Him. Love the person but seek no compromise with the rulers of this present darkness that control them.

If you value your honor and character, more than a bloody nose, or better yet, if you love Christ more than life itself, there is only one answer. Take on the whole armor of Christ and put up your dukes.

Have a Christ filled Sunday,

Mark

It’s a great morning in sunny south florida. I will take a short break from the olympics and spend some quality time enjoying our great outdoors. We have to wash Booda our English Bulldog and maybe take a walk to the Peace River. Here’s a picture of what that might look like.  Jan’s an animal rehabber and we get several litters of raccoons every year. This is probably DJ our foot sucker (see http://youtu.be/qxyuNq5MT0Q ).

I’ve already started my day on Facebook with an attack by an angry bitter homosexual who thinks Christianity was no better than Islam. He had some historical examples of Church Government brutality that were indisputable. All I could do was share the truth.

Jesus Christ is God..the only God. His Love for me and you led him to be brutally beat and nailed on a cross for our sin so we could have life, eternal life. That’s the bottom line. Any other religion or church teaching is man’s pride or erroneous interpretation of God’s will for us and it’s wrong. I will not pander to your mockery due to your bitterness towards the actions of others. Many people have done things in the name of Christianity with disregard for Christ and his teachings. But that doesn’t diminish His truth and teachings. If I hurt someone in your name I don’t think you would believe you were responsible. In the same way give Jesus Christ a chance based on His own merit. Take the time to read the New Testament and receive His gift of eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are we saved through faith, and not of ourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works lest any man can boast.

Have a Surreal Saturday Ya’ll!!!

Mark

Here’s our brood…at least part.