In my daily Bible reading, I recently covered Matthew 22. This parable of the marriage feast has always left me with questions. So I decided to dig into the meaning of it and figure out just what Jesus was trying to say.

Here’s the passage; Matthew 22:1-14:

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

This has always raised several questions in my mind. Why did the king get so angry? What caused the people to refuse his request? Why such destruction?

This part is the easy part. The King is God. And the feast is the kingdom of God. God has extended an invitation to the nation of Israel to be a part of the kingdom. However, “they paid no attention and went off.” They ignored God’s invitation. Just take a look at the Old Testament, where the people of Israel turned their backs on God time after time.

God’s patience and forbearance are almost inexhaustible, but not quite. This passage tells us twice that the King sent out his servants with the invitation. The first time the invitation was refused. The second time, it was ignored by some, and the servants bringing the message were mistreated and killed by others. The King’s patience had just run out.

He sent his army and destroyed those people and their city. Why would he do this? His vast patience was finally exhausted. Enraged, he judges them, and finds them guilty. This could be a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

But then, the king invites some other people to the banquet. His feast is still going to happen, and he wants to share it with whoever he can. And so he invites others, indiscriminately.

What an offer! The Kingdom of God isn’t simply for the nation of Israel; it’s for everyone!

And here is where my questions really start to pile up.

The king invites anyone and everyone to come to the feast. But there is one man who isn’t wearing wedding clothes. Why not? And why does the king react so harshly to him?

All, without exception, were invited to the banquet, so this man isn’t to be seen as simply a common party-crasher. In fact, all of the guests were hastily rounded up from the streets and therefore none of them could be expected to come to the banquet with the proper attire. They simply didn’t have it. That means that the wedding garments must have been supplied by the king himself. This man’s lack of the proper garment indicates that he had purposely rejected the king’s own gracious offer of provision. This seems like it might actually be a greater insult to the king than the refusal of the first people to come at all, because he committed this offence in the presence of the king himself.

The idea here seems to represent those who identify with the kingdom externally, professing to be Christians, belonging to the church in a visible sense – and yet spurn the garment of righteousness that Christ offers. Ashamed to admit their own spiritual poverty, they refuse the better garment that the King graciously offers. And that means that they are guilty of sinning against the King’s wonderful goodness.

The man was speechless. He had no excuse for not accepting the king’s offer of proper clothing. And as a result, he was cast out into the darkness, farthest from the light, where he would suffer from inconsolable grief and unending torment because of his rejection of the King’s offer. Jesus often used this description of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” to refer to hell.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This call is a summons to repentance and faith. It is inherent in the Gospel message. And it is extended to all who hear the message. Sadly, many hear it; few respond. This shows the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty: the ones who reject the invitation choose to do so willingly. Those who respond to the call enter the kingdom only because of the grace of God in providing the proper clothing.

Look at Isaiah 61:10:

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

This clears up some confusion about this passage for me. I hope it helps you as well.

Now, on to the next challenging passage…

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

What an incredible idea to keep before myself daily.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites prayed often that their sacrifices would be acceptable to God. This Psalm uses similar language, and this verse uses a term that is often associated with God’s acceptace of properly offered, literal sacrifice. But here, David uses it, refering not to bulls and lambs, but to “lip and life” sacrifices.

This needs to be something I pray daily, and strive for daily. That my life, the things I do, and the things I say, are acceptable before God.

How To Reach Your Full Potential For God

That’s what I think after reading Charles Stanley’s new book How To Reach Your Full Potential For God.

I really didn’t like the book. Oh, sure. There were some valid points made. In fact, Stanley lays out seven essentials necessary in order to reach your full potential: a clean heart; a clear mind; using your gifts; a healthy body; right relationships; a balanced schedule; and taking God-approved risks.

I agree that each of these seven areas are necessary for growth. However, Stanley’s writing style made me feel a little like I was an elementary student sitting in the principal’s office. I don’t feel like it helped me to grow much at all. That’s disappointing to me.

I did my best to milk what I could out of it. And I will readily admit that Stanley makes some valid points. But maybe it’s his writing style; I felt like he was “talking down” at the reader.

If you are a new believer, then How To Reach Your Full Potential For God may be more helpful for you. Otherwise, I don’t recommend that you read it.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Get Motivated!

You can read Part 1 of my review here.

As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, one of the benefits of blogging book reviews for me is that I can process what I’ve read by writing my own thoughts about it. This helps me own the material much more effectively than otherwise.

So, as much as I’m excited when I see higher traffic to my blog, I would still do this even if no one ever read it, simply because of the help it give me to articulate my thoughts on paper (ok, a screen).

In this second part of my review of Get Motivated! I will try to describe a concise description of each of the six Motivational DNA characteristics. After that, I will reveal what my Motivational DNA looks like, as well as that of my wife, Heather.

So, here goes…

The Drives: The Internal Forces That Mobilize A Person To Act

Drives: Production & Connection

Producers are hardworking, often with little or no guidance from others. They take the initiative to get things accomplished. Producers can multitask, often exceedingly well. Producers excel under pressure and respond quickly in times of crisis.

Since Producers are results-oriented, they can often be insensitive to the needs of the people around them. They are highly competitive and can be perceived as headstrong and demanding. Producers will do things themselves, just to make sure they get done right, rather than allowing someone else to do it, perhaps in the wrong way.

The Connection Drive
Connectors are more people oriented. People with the Connection drive are usually friendly, and likable. They are reliable people. Connectors empathize when listening to others. Teamwork and community are essential for a Connector. Connectors celebrate the successes of other people as often or more so than they do their own successes.

Connectors are people persons. They listen well and strive for quality relationships with others. Connectors are friendly and approachable, and are always willing to pitch in and help when needed.

Connectors stress easily when feeling overwhelmed by projects or deadlines. Connectors can be too trusting and eager to please. With a fear of offending or hurting others, Connectors have a hard time saying no. Connectors fear the disapproval, or the appearance of disapproval, from others.

Needs: The Core Requirements That A Person Must Have In Order To Feel Fulfilled.

Needs: Stability & Variety

A Stabilizer will read the manual before trying to assemble or operate something. They hate operating by guesswork. People with a Need for Stability are resistant to change, especially quick change. Stabilizers are quick to find patterns and are quick to pick up on inconsistencies. Stabilizers are very thorough and organized. They have a strong ability to carry tasks through to completion and are skilled at defining ideas and sorting priorities.

However, people with a Need for Stability can come across too intense. They can be seen as strict and unapproachable. Stabilizers seek perfection; in themselves and in the ones around them. Often over-analyzing things, Stabilizers can be paralyzed by their analysis, and slow to take action.

The Need for Variety
Variables enjoy change. People with a Need for Variety tend to be spontaneous and animated. With a love of variety, Variables are not flustered when changes present themselves. In fact, Variables welcome the change, especially when it represents a challenge. Variables are often adventurous and crave new experiences.

Variables are often impulsive and creative. They tend to make decisions based on emotion rather than facts. Able to easily influence others, Variables can also be seen as self-centered and loud. They may lack focus and discipline. People with the Need for Variety are easily distracted, and often start projects without ever finishing them.

Awards: How A Person Desires To Be Compensated For Achievement

Awards: Internal & External

Internals tend to display virtue and compassion. They jump in where there is a perceived need and are willing to help, without assuming that someone else will do it.

However, Internals can become too narrow in their focus. They can become self-righteous, because they are not motivated by money or other public recognition, and can become judgmental of those who are. Internals can become so absorbed in a cause that they love that they can lose sight of significant relationships and other responsibilities.

External Awards
Individuals with an External Award system love being in the spotlight. Special privileges and bonuses are especially important to Externals. Perks and public recognition are of primary importance to Externals.

Externals are enterprising and resourceful. They are goal-oriented and desire to be the very best; and they are unwilling to give up. Determination and diligence are common characteristics of people with an External Award system.

Externals can be very high-maintenance people. Unrewarded Externals will quickly become discouraged and go where they feel more appreciated. It’s ease for an External to feel like the hero, and that can go to their heads. While successful, Externals feel invincible and need an occasional reality check to keep them grounded.

Being very competitive, Externals can drive on toward the goal regardless of who might be in the way, or even at the expense of their own lives, health, and relationships.

Conclusions
While there is a lot more detail about each of the Motivational DNA characteristics in Lowe’s book, I hope I have described them accurately. These descriptions are the aspects of each characteristic that stood out to me.

After reading the book, Heather and both I went to the Motivational DNA Assessment Tool at www.getmotivatedbook.com. Our results were very interesting. Here they are, quoted directly from our results page:

Jeff’s Motivational DNA Type is: CSI – (Connection-Stability-Internal) – The Supporter

Supporters are practical, dependable and loyal. They are both people-oriented and detail-oriented. Supporters are natural supervisors. They thrive on helping others excel in their positions and will fight for the underdog. Methodical in their methodology, they like to have the facts before they act. They respect authority and organizational structure. Caring and careful with people and projects, Supporters are skillful at implementing procedures. They possess a strong work ethic. Having a clearly defined goal to work toward is important to them and they follow through on objectives with steady conscientiousness. Psychological pay is of primary importance to them. They need to feel good about what they are doing and sense that their work makes a positive contribution.

CSI Motivators: Facts and information, peer respect, sincere appreciation, private recognition, specific positive feedback, an inspiring work environment, co-workers they enjoy, clearly defined objectives, a sense of accomplishment, and time to reflect and plan.

CSI De-Motivators: Hype and hyperbole, infringement on personal or family time, perceived inequity and demands for rapid change.

Quick-Start Tips For Achieving Goals
1. Your motivational type can become discouraged by the enormity of huge goals. For that reason, make sure that your aspirations are realistic. Set manageable goals that can be achieved in a reasonable time frame.

2. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t expect perfection. Slow and steady progress should be your expectation.

3. Involve others. Make a list of the people, organizations and resources that will assist you in achieving your goal. Supporters excel when they are working toward an individual and team goal with others who are equally committed to achievement.

Heather’s Motivational DNA Type is: CVI – (Connection-Variety-Internal) – The Relater

Relaters are caring and creative. They relish life and cherish relationships. Relaters are outgoing, friendly and well-liked. They are resourceful and inventive, with an ability to compromise to get the job done. They are team players that bring out the best in others. Warm and enthusiastic, they balance concern for others with a zeal for personal growth.

Relaters are personal and practical in their approach to problem-solving. They have an innate ability to creating win-win solutions. Relaters value what is really important and desire to make a positive contribution to society. Blending loyalty with adventure, Relaters are fun friends and devoted partners.

CVI Motivators: Genuine appreciation for a job done well, opportunities for personal growth, fun co-workers, teamwork, new experiences and an inspiring work environment.

CVI De-Motivators: Isolation, rigid routine, pressure-cooker deadlines, quenching creativity, disapproval and conflict.

Quick-Start Tips For Achieving Goals
1. You are a people person, so the best way for you to achieve your objectives is to collaborate with a partner or group of people who share the same purpose. Find or create a support group that will cheer you on until you reach your goal.

2. Follow-through is a challenge for your motivational style. You must become accountable to your goal and do something each day, no matter how small, that moves you closer to your target.

3. Take some time to soul search and ask yourself why your goal is important. Write down those reasons and refer to them often. It is the “why,” not the “how,” that inspires your motivational type.

Hmmm… It seems we are more alike than we ever thought. We are both Connectors. And we both Internalize our Awards. However, my Stability keeps her grounded, while her Variety help us to enjoy life more.

And there you have it.

In my next post, I will evaluate Tamara Lowe’s Strategic Goal Setting ideas outlined in Part 4 of Get Motivated!

Spiritual Warfare And Missions

I was able to read and review a pre-release copy of Spiritual Warfare And Missions, watching for content and clarity.

Suffice it to say that this is an incredible book about missions that has opened my eyes to new thoughts and ideas concerning the strategies of our enemy, as he strives to keep us from sharing the Gospel with the Nations.

Without going into detail here, since the book hasn’t even been published yet, I would recommend that anyone grab this and read it as soon as it comes out. You will not be disappointed!

After the official release of Spiritual Warfare And Missions, I plan to post a review detailing my thoughts and ideas. Stay tuned…

Get Motivated!

Tamara Lowe is the founder of the Get Motivated! Business Seminars. She, and her husband, Peter, take their team to dozens of cities across the country every year. They spend a day, along with several others known for their motivational and leadership skill, teaching and boosting the motivational levels of thousands of people.

I had the privilege of attending a Get Motivated! Seminar in Springfield, Missouri, in October of 2009. It was at that seminar that I received a copy of Tamara’s book, Get Motivated! It took me a few weeks to get to a point where I could read it, but once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.

I have to admit up front that I’m not sure I agree with everything she wrote, much of which will reveal itself in the following reviews. However, there are massive amounts of information in this book, and I learned much from it; even from the portions that I didn’t necessarily agree with or didn’t like.

There is a lot from this book that I’d like to process as I write about it. As a result, I will make several posts about this book over the next few days.

The New Science Of Success

Tamara Lowe’s first section of the book is entitled “The New Science Of Success.” In this section, she outlines her goals for the rest of the book, and sets up the reader to gain as much from her writing as possible.

We are all designed to be the best we can be. God has created each of us with specific gifts and talents that enable us to accomplish our purpose in life. In order to achieve that success, we need to motivate ourselves, or get motivated by someone or something outside of ourselves.

According to Tamara,

“The more motivated a person is, the more success he or she experiences. Motivated people advance farther and faster in their careers, earn more money, are more productive, experience more satisfying relationships, and are happier than the less motivated people around them. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that motivation is one of the greatest keys to success in every area of our lives.”

That’s a pretty compelling statement. I wanted to continue reading, if for no more reason than to see if she could justify that idea in itself.

Tamara’s first chapter deals with the four laws of motivation. Let’s just list them out, and then talk about them.

Law #1 – Everyone is motivated differently.
Law #2 – Each individual has a unique and distinct
      motivational type.
Law #3 – What motivates one person can de-motivate another.
Law #4 – No one motivational type is “better” than any other.

Law # 1 – Everyone is motivated differently.
Each of us have our own unique styles and personalities. What motivates me to accomplish something may be different from every other person around me.

As I read this, I couldn’t help but think of my children. Of our four kids, three of them have very distinct personalities. And our youngest, at just over a year old, shows every indication of differing from the others just as drastically.

As I thought about my kids, I realized that each one of them is motivated differently. What sparks an interest in one of my kids may seem dull to another. The ways my son is challenged to do something is a foreign concept to my daughters.

For example, my son, Titus, loves a challenge. When it’s time to do his chores, he thrives at it if we tell him we are going to time him to see if he can beat the clock. That fires him up to fold his laundry. Now if I could just get him to fold mine…

But while Titus is challenged by a goal of beating his best time, our daughter Hannah could care less about how long it might take her. She prefers to take her time and make sure everything is folded right and stacked neatly and precisely, and is in exactly the right place.

Everyone is motivated differently.

Law #2 – Each individual has a unique and distinct motivational type.
Tamara suggests that each one of us has a unique achievement pattern, what she calls Motivational DNA.

Just as your genetic DNA determines your height, eye color, and other physical attributes, Motivational DNA dictates how you are best motivated. This DNA is made up of three areas: your Drives, your Needs, and your Awards.

Within each of these three main categories are two different divisions. Your combination of these six areas, your motivational Drives, Needs, and Awards combine to form a unique profile: your Motivational DNA.

If the quality of your life is determined in a large part by your motivation, then it stands to reason that you will succeed or fail in your life goals, relationships, career, finances and other areas all based upon your Motivational DNA.

So, in order to be successful in any or all areas of my life, I need to identify what motivates me the most, and learn to recognize that pattern. Plus, if I learn to recognize the motivational patterns in others, it will enable me to help them become more successful as well.

Law #3 – What motivates one person can de-motivate another.
This idea simply expands upon the idea presented in Law #1. If we are all motivated differently, then it makes sense that what works for one person might not work for another.

If I tried to challenge Hannah to fold her laundry with a timed challenge, her response would be to totally ignore the clock. And if I pushed her toward that type of motivation, she would simply not fold her laundry at all. She would quickly become de-motivated by what excites her brother.

Law #4 – No one motivational type is “better” than any other.
It is a testimony to the grandness of God’s design that he created us all differently. But just because you are not like me, in gifts, talents, personality, or Motivational DNA, that does not imply that one of us is better than the other. We are simply different.

DNA

“Motivational DNA is made up of Drives, Needs, and Awards.

The Drives for connection and/or production are the internal forces that mobilize a person to act.

The Needs for stability and/or variety are core requirements that a person must have in order to feel fulfilled.

Internal and/or external Awards are the types of compensation or remuneration a person desires to reward achievement and encourage performance.”

You and I, and everyone else on this planet, are motivated by a combination of these six traits. In fact, we are each strongly motivated by one of each pair. We each have a definite preference for three of these motivators.

So how do you determine just what your Motivational DNA is? Tamara has developed three probing questions that will get you started down the right track. Here they are in her terms:

1. Do you tend to be more competitive or cooperative?
Competitive people have what I call a Production Drive. They are inclined to be task-oriented. Cooperative people, on the other hand, have what I term a Connection Drive – in other words, they tend to be people-oriented or people-centric.

2. Do you prefer constancy or change?
People who prefer constancy have what I refer to as a Stability Need – a desire for consistency, order, and routine. In contrast, people who prefer change have what I call a Variety Need. They are stimulated by new experiences and energized by change.

3. Which would make you feel more valued at work: sincere appreciation without a financial bonus, or a bonus without appreciation?
If you’d rather have appreciation, you possess what I call an Internal Award system – one characterized by private recognition and contribution. If you’d rather have the monetary bonus, you have what I call an External Award system – one characterized by public recognition and opportunity for advancement.

In my next post, I will dig a little deeper into each of these six characteristics of Motivational DNA. I’ll do so for two reasons: first, to deepen my understanding of each of them by articulating each of them in my own words; and second, to share them, as well as my thoughts, with you, the reader.

Take The Test

My initial discovery showed that my Motivational DNA is a CSI. I have the Drive of a Connector, with a Need for Stability, who prefers Internal Awards. After using Tamara’s assessment tool, I found that my initial discovery was right on target. I was confirmed to be a CSI.

However, after reading the next few chapters, which describe each of these six traits in more detail, I was surprised to see that all six of them described me quite accurately. I reflect different traits when facing different circumstances; and sometimes I reflect different traits for seemingly no reason at all. I was confused…

But regardless of my lack of clarity, I began to see some of these traits displayed in the lives of the people around me: my wife, my children, my friends, and my co-workers. And as I began to understand what motivates them, I can tailor my communication and interaction with them to reflect their traits, and in doing so, move those relationships to a deeper level.

In my next post, I will dig a little deeper into the specifics of each of the six different character traits. But until then, I challenge you to purchase a copy of Get Motivated! Read it. And then take the assessment found at www.getmotivatedbook.com.

So, what is your Motivational DNA? Please share…

Life Change - Philippians

It’s hard to review a Bible study guide without also speaking of the passages of the Bible studied using the guide. Philippians has always been one of my favorite books. So, when the opportunity arose to review a study guide on Philippians, I jumped at the chance.

NavPress has put together a great Bible study guide in the Life Change series. These studies are fairly well written and have a lot of rich features to add to your study.

First and foremost, is an opportunity for personal discovery of God’s Word. Life Change Bible studies give you the opportunity to really dig into the Word and gain a lot of insight from it. Life Change studies break the subject material up into easily read and managed portions. You don’t have to worry about reading too much or missing something because the study takes too long.

The historical background pages at the beginning of the study help a lot as well. With maps and timelines, along with an overview of Paul’s ministry, you have a solid, yet concise, grasp of the era in which Paul lived and wrote to the Philippians.

Each chapter also has varying levels of application. There are several application questions to make you think, as well as optional projects that enable you to put into practice what you learn. This is my favorite feature of the Life Change Bible study series.

NavPress has included a lot of other great features, such as a group discussion guide, making this an easily led small group study. With study skill suggestions, word and idea definitions and text boxes full of interesting insights and historical snippets, this Bible study series if full of useful information.

NavPress has done a great job of putting this series together. However, nothing really makes the Life Change series stand out above any other series on the market, in my opinion. InterVarsity, College Press and Willow Creek, to mention a few, have similar study series available. All of these have great features and assist you into deeper knowledge of the Word.

NavPress has done a good job creating another tool and resource. But ultimately, the change in lives comes from the power of God’s Word. Thanks, NavPress, for helping people study and apply that Word into their lives. You’ve created a helpful tool in the Life Change series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Burn by Ted Dekker

Burn is the story of a gypsy woman named Janeal. Janeal is frustrated with the life of a gypsy; she wants to go out into the world and make her own way. And then she is offered that chance by a criminal named Salazar Sanso. He offers her freedom from the gypsy culture if she will help him recover a large amount of money from her father.

When Janeal’s plan backfires, Sanso deals with her harshly. Her gypsy camp, with all of her family and friends, is completely burned to the ground. And during that fire, Janeal is faced with a choice that can change her entire existence.

Burn is the story of Janeal’s life and the results of her choices made during that fateful blaze. With Dekker’s trademark stark contrast between good and evil; and his masterful suspense, Burn is a page-turner that is impossible to put down. It’s Dekker at his best. And with Erin Healy’s input into two successful novels, it’s a sure win. I’m looking forward to Healy’s first solo work, which comes out in May, 2010.

I would highly recommend Burn to anyone who enjoys a good thriller along the lines of Koontz or King. In fact, my opinion is that Dekker is better than either of those authors. And as long as he keeps cranking out the books, I’ll keep buying them.

Buy it. Read it. Now.

Sushi Etiquette

Agree? Disagree? Comments? Let me know if you eat sushi properly, and how you do it. Or if you even care…

And it was awesome!

I was a little nervous about the trip, to be honest. This may have been one of the more dangerous things I’ve ever attempted. Because if I’d taken a dip in the river, dry clothes and immediate warmth would be crucial for my health, perhaps even my survival.

Fortunately, I didn’t go in. We had a couple of close calls; but we stayed dry.

This float was actually a sort of youth minister’s retreat led by Joel and Ronnie from Discovery Ministries, near Eminence, MO. There were nine of us on the river together. I had the opportunity to share a canoe with my younger brother, Rick. We had a good time.

The Upper Jack's Fork River

It didn’t crack.

So we were stuck. We had to scootch our canoe across the surface and downstream until the ice thinned enough for us to break through. We had to use our paddle blades and other hard objects to chip out small holes in the ice to give us a place to leverage our paddles to help us move out boat forward. It took a while.

Once we got far enough downstream, the spring fed enough water into the river to keep it from freezing; we broke through the surface ice, and we were on our way.

The river was beautiful. The trees were bare of leaves. There was snow on the ground. And ice had formed along the bluffs and around the river banks.

That evening, we camped on a gravel bar across from Jam Up Cave. We set up camp, and enjoyed venison-ka-bobs over the camp fire. Quite tasty.

Campsite # 1

Snow On The River Bank

The next day, after a breakfast of pancakes and little smokie sausages, we crossed the river and went into Jam Up Cave. The cave had formed numerous icicles in the ceiling, which were dripping onto the cave floor, where the drips would re-freeze. The resulting ice formations were beautiful.

Jam Up Cave Entrance

Ice Formations In Jam Up Cave

After leaving the cave, we floated for several miles. We camped on another gravel bar across from Chalk Bluff. After a dinner of burritos, we set up camp again.

The next morning, the sun hit the river, lifting a light fog up in front of the bluff face. What an extraordinary sight! We enjoyed some biscuits and gravy and hit the river again.

Fog Rising Off The River At Chalk Bluff

Out pickup site was just a couple of miles down river. But it took us a while to get there. We came around a bend in the river and saw a huge deadfall in the middle of the river, dividing it in two. A couple of the canoes went to the right. Rick and I decided to take the left channel. As we were headed through that side of the river, we heard a loud scrape. And as we came out from behind the deadfall, we saw an empty, swamped canoe headed downstream. Two guys had hit part of the tree and tipped.

So while a couple of guys rescued them, and ferried them to the other bank, Rick and I, along with a couple more guys retrieved their canoe and gear. We waited while they changed into dry clothes and warmed up. And then we proceeded to finish our float. We were only about 45 minutes later than our projected pickup time at Bay Creek.

You Know It's Cold When...

We had a great view of the stars and the Milky Way Galaxy at night, with no lights to wash them out. We spotted about half a dozen bald eagles, among other wildlife. The majesty of God’s creation was amazing. And we got to witness a season of the river that most people never get to see.

And we had the opportunity to discuss God, life, family and ministry with several other like-minded guys.

This retreat and float trip was a great opportunity to get away and enjoy God’s creation. Kudos to Discovery Ministries for the idea and the implementation.

And many thanks to God for creating such a beautiful variety of scenery for us to enjoy. Our God is a creative genius; just one of the amazing qualities we often take for granted, or miss entirely.

Floating

If anything, this float trip has taught me to be even more aware of my surroundings. God has created in such a variety of ways upon this earth. My day to day living sometimes prevents me from seeing the things he has put here just for me to see.

Lord, open my eyes to see the works of your hands much more than I do.

What about you: What goes through your mind when you experience the grandeur of God’s creation?