On a warm spring day in the late 1960s, in the vast landscape of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah, a group of scientist-engineer Jeepers lined up their vehicles at the base of one of Canyonlands' most treacherous roads: Shafer Trail. 

A narrow, intimidating, meandering dirt road that scales a mountain with steep grades, hairpin switchbacks, "cliffside exposure," and no guardrails will challenge even the most experienced off-road enthusiast. When my father and his Jeep-driving friends traveled this treacherous trail, one of his friends' Jeeps became stranded. They used a winch to rescue the vehicle.      

A second location, “Elephant Hill,” is aptly named for its technical difficulties. Warning signs for both Shafer Trail and Elephant Hill are posted. Vehicles other than high-clearance 4WD with a low-range gear (4Lo) are strictly prohibited, and permits to travel these areas are required.      
   
A third location my father and his Jeep buddies visited was the Salt Creek and Horse Canyon. Also known as the “Needles,” standing water, deep sand, and quicksand pose extreme danger. Unpredictable weather brings storms that quickly turn dry dirt into impassable mud. 
     
Travelers to desolate areas are warned to bring their own supplies (including water). Among other tools, a winch (a rotating mechanical device with a long arm that attaches to the front of a Jeep) is essential in case a vehicle becomes stranded. (In desolate areas, 911 is inaccessible).

While in the Salt Creek area, one of my father's friend's Jeep became stuck in quicksand. A perilous situation, the Jeep tires began to slowly submerge into the quagmire. Due to quick action, despite the difficulty of pulling the Jeep out of the quicksand with the "strong arm" of the winch, they were able to bring the Jeep and driver to safety. 

My father and his friends were expertly prepared for the trip to the Canyonlands. However, even with their knowledge, expertise, and abilities, they could not outsmart Mother Nature when the weather turned inclement.    

We like to think we are well-prepared for whatever may come in life, but we cannot always save ourselves from disastrous situations, or spiritual dilemmas. But, there is One we can depend upon—the Lord our God, whose strong arms will uphold us.    

My father was an intelligent and wise man. He had the heart of an artisan, inventor, teacher, and philosopher. He taught me many things. He was my earthly rock.  

But God is my spiritual rock—and in Him I stand firm. He keeps me safe from the proverbial "sinking sand" and lifts me from darkness into the light of His love and salvation.   

The vast landscape of the Canyonlands is composed of both solid rock and sand. My father's and his friends' Jeep experience reminded me of the Bible's teaching about building faith on solid rock.  
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When we face trouble—or err by getting spiritually "stuck" — we can rely on our Creator, who made the universe and all that is in it—including you and me.                                                                                                                                                              <><<><<><
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."  - Matthew 7:24-27 NIV.  

A beloved Christian hymn: "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" ("all other ground is sinking sand")
Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com

Have you ever felt alone, even when life is busy and you have family and friends in your corner of the world?  
     If so, it's not unusual to feel that way. I've been there, too. I describe the feeling as a longing of the heart, a yearning for life to be perfect, where goodness reigns and everyone feels loved.  
     At times it seems there is an unfilled spot in my heart continually yearning for that perfection, even though I know it is not possible. If only human beings could be perfect!        
      A recent answer to prayer opened my eyes to the great need that we each have for love, and especially the need the world has for Christ's love. 
     For feelings of emptiness or longing, may we have the courage to trust, by placing our hearts in the hands of Jesus. I learned as a child that 'God is love,' and perhaps you did, too. Three simple words. One huge impact—with the potential to change the world.  
     May you always know the One who loves you unconditionally,  Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the world. And be assured of this:  
       You. Are. Loved! 
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"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16  
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Next in line at the grocery checkout counter, I unloaded my cart-full of items onto the conveyor. I’d shopped this store for years and noticed the new, young associate.  

She greeted me with a smile and inquired, as was customary in those days, “Would you like paper or plastic?”

I preferred paper, especially for the heavy items, but was aware the store was trying to encourage customers to choose plastic.

“Could you please give me paper bags for the heavy items and plastic bags for the lighter ones?” I asked.

“Sure,” the clerk responded. She turned to her attendant: “Please give her paper bags for the heavy items and plastic bags for the lighter ones.”

It was a simple request, but one that stuck in my mind. The clerk had repeated the exact words that I had used. She could have expressed it differently, but she didn't. Perhaps that is because of the manner of communication or the power of words.   

If the words came out in a not-so-nice manner, such as "I want paper bags ONLY!!!" or "Who gives a darn what kind of bag is used!?" the effect would have been much different for the clerk and the person bagging the groceries.   

The rest of the day, I thought about the impact our words can have: from positive, encouraging words to ones spoken without thought or care.   

A Bible verse from Proverbs 25:11 provides a wise saying for the way in which we should speak: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." 

I don’t always use words fittingly. Sometimes negative things slip from my tongue. I think of times in the past when I said things to those close to me that caused hurt feelings, discouragement, or even angry feelings. I felt bad, knowing my words had caused harm, and prayed for forgiveness and asked God to help me do better.      
 
We know words can change lives. Your life—and mine have likely been impacted by positive words or phrases, such as when we hear, "You can do it!”; “I have faith in you!”; "Great job!"; “You are going to be successful!", or "Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”

What good things have people said to you that made a difference in your life? 

Even a simple greeting can make a difference. We often hear the words, "Hello," "How are you?" or "Have a great day!" when visiting a store or other business. Yet, when we don't receive these greetings, we get the feeling that something is missing.      
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To use "words fitly spoken," as mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, benefits not only those on the receiving end of the words, but we also benefit by speaking from our hearts with kindness and compassion.     
     
May your week be a positive one, and may your words shine brightly!   
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​Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com

Take a look at any U.S. bill or coin you have in your pocket, purse, or wallet, and you'll see "In God We Trust,” our country's motto, imprinted on each. 

The original motto, “E. Pluribus Unum,” Latin for “out of many, one,” was replaced with “In God We Trust,” which Congress adopted as our official national motto in 1956.

We are a nation founded on the belief in a Creator. The first line of the Declaration of Independence includes the phrase, “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Other references include people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…,” that they have “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” and “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

The Constitution does not specifically refer to religion; however, the words “the year of our Lord” appear in Article VII.

In 1954, Congress passed a law amending the Pledge of Allegiance to include the words “One Nation Under God.”

We are fortunate to be a free and independent nation. The First Amendment guarantees each citizen the right to practice the religion of their choice—or the choice not to practice. Each can decide as they wish. 
 
For those who believe in a higher power, remembering the “In God We Trust” motto on each bill and coin is a way to remind ourselves to trust in the One who created us.   
 
I hope you had a joyful celebration of our nation's 250th Independence Day. My prayer for this new "birthday year" for our Nation is that it will be one in which our collective strength, courage, and perseverance will uphold the values we hold so dear. 

May we learn to gather as one people, undivided, no matter our differences, for our country was not intended to be merely called the "States" of America, but this great Nation was proudly named the United States of America.
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A few verses from the Bible describing the freedom found through Jesus Christ: 
"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:32
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." - Galatians 5:1
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" - 2 Cor. 3:17

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com

“I’ll never forget you!” my friend said as we hugged. My words echoed hers. I turned, then boarded my flight from Argentina to my home in Colorado. I'd spent a lovely summer with a wonderful Italian family in a suburb of Buenos Aires, where I attended school and made good friends.        

Certain people touch our lives in ways we never forget, leaving a lasting impression on our hearts. We cherish them and remember them.  

I thought about friends I had during childhood and an incident that took place in third grade. My teacher got mad at me because I wrote my friends' names on my hand with an ink pen. She made me scrub off the ink in the bathroom. I was upset to get in trouble for this. My friends were special to me, and writing their names on my hand was my way of thinking about them.

We hold a special place in our hearts for our friends. God's Word speaks of friendship, too. A verse from Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is one friend "who sticks closer than a brother." That friend is Jesus.  

There is another verse I'd like to share with you (and if I'd known about it in third grade, I wouldn't have felt so bad about getting in trouble). The verse is from Hebrews 13:5; where the Lord says, “I will not forget you. See. I have written your name on my hand.”  
What beautiful, comforting, and reassuring promises! 

As you begin your week, may your heart be joy-filled, knowing how much God loves you! Your name is written on His hand—and no one can erase it!        
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"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

P.S. - A beloved hymn that relates to today's story:  "What a Friend we Have in Jesus."  

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com