DANGERS

Storm clouds are brewing over my soul
& waves of confusion they buffet and roll
Be thou my anchor,
be thou my stronghold
As I am crossing over…

Carry me, carry me carry me
Over this ocean, carry me. (2x)

Before me, horizons of uncertainty
Behind me, the shadows
of what might have been
Be thou my rock, be thou my constancy
As I am crossing over...

Be thou before me a beacon to guide
Be thou beneath me,
my home-coming tide
Be thou around me on every side
As I am crossing over...

Nick / Anita Haigh © 2002 Break of Day Music/Daybreak

DANGERS
Danger loomed all afternoon. Zephyr was already feeling skittish. She could not read the abundant coyote warnings that I could: Wild in the City. No, she was sniffing something she did not like and she would not walk another step. We had already abandoned one dense trail where I first saw signs posted warning us of coyote. Dog-strangling vine gave her no worries, nor threat of thunderstorm, nor poison ivy. But something dark was still in the air and trusting her better judgment we backed out - again.

The notion that coyotes might be lurking in the bushes shook me, too. The travesty the Maxell’s experienced in their own back yard - a coyote jumping the fence grabbing their beloved Chihuahua and disappearing with a hasty lunch… Zephyr and I would be no match for that wily a hunter. We would have to content ourselves with an equivalency walk – covering elsewhere the distance we skipped here in fear. Maybe next time we’ll book a guide.

That's what the signs recommended.

Everything I needed to know in life I learned from Rouge Trail signs:

“For safety, never walk alone”.
We need each other. We were made to live and walk in fellowship. It’s a tough challenge to coordinate than doing it all on your own. But you miss so much of the view by yourself not to mention the dangers (I told you not to mention that).

So many dangers. Windat (Huron) “Indians” moved north once the New York Iroquois moved into town. Windat were also mighty hunters – but there was plenty of land enough for all to share if it can be worked out. First contact Europeans who joined up with one set of tribes/nations were often in danger among competing tribes. French feared the English and vice versa. All feared disappointing those who sent them. The presence of others could make the journey that much wiser.

Last night, we saw the movie Forks Over Knives about the health dangers of eating animal based foods. We're not vegan yet - but it is a sobering documentary. Today on the radio on the way to what would become our aborted walk, I heard that someone was stabbed just blocks from where we live. On the way home, we saw a van that had been badly rear-ended on the Don slip road. So many dangers.

Whoever else comes along, the journey must be walked with Jesus. He is more than our guide along the changeful way, who will, when need be, carry us when storm clouds of confusion are brewing. He is the Way itself.

Steps and slopes may be steep. Watch your footing.
We have met the enemy and he is us. We so often are our own enemy. The treacherous paths we are on require caution. I find I fear less making a mistake than I do forgetting something. Neglect can also be our downfall. Watch your step.

What to do if approached by a coyote: Remain calm. Do not run away or turn your back. Slowly back away.
In the face of metaphorical coyotes it’s good advice.
Remain calm: Trust the Lord who has brought you this far.
Do not run away: face what confronts you head on.
Slowly back away: when necessary REPENT - often!


Read [and obey] the Signs
In the big book of creation and also in the little book of Scripture. John Stott, God rest his soul, dedicated his life to expositing the Bible and guiding the wanna be faithful, from you and me to the Queen. It is worth studying: See…

http://geochristian.wordpress.com/2008/09/28/visualizing-bible-cross-references/
Chris Harrison, of Carnegie Mellon University, and Christopher Romhild, of Nordelbische Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Germany, have created a graphic that shows 63,779 cross-references between different portions of the Bible. The colored lines are the cross-references. The white bars at the bottom represent the number of verses in each individual chapter of the Bible; the long white bar at bottom center would be Psalm 119, which has 176 verses. National Geographic Best Science Images of 2008 #6
Do the above- The God of that word will bring you to...

Celebration Forest
At the clear end of the dangers, near the Twin Rivers carpark is an area set aside to commemorate those who during their lives made contributions to Rouge Park: a meadowed valley circle surrounded by forest wildlife - a celebratory symbol of safety found.

Thoughts for any day from a frustrated foray into into the forest.

Lord, save us from dangers and also from ourselves.

“Be thou around me on every side, as I am crossing over.”