Devotionals

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the camp out

This was a wonderful campsite. Nestled deep in the valley with mountains and hills rising wherever the eye rested. Trees, bushes, plants of all types were abundant, as were the little winged and furry creatures that inhabited them. Wide foot paths branching out into the unseen indicated the popularity of the region. The owners managed to fulfill their advertising claims of a clean wilderness experience.

After I decided against using my tent,( because an hour latter I still didn’t understand the directions) I set up my bed roll under a large tree on the perimeters and observed most of the campers and day visitors were all hiking into the same course, ducking under tree branches. All were going out, none were coming back. Was it a land faring Devil’s triangle?

I spread out my primitive cooking gear, binoculars, and coolers within easy reach of any bear that happened by and reclined against a tall oak.. pine…maple. Oh heck, it was some type of tree with leaves and twigs of assorted sizes. I’m not a girl scout, I just needed to get away for a while from my private hell, but not to far from other homo sapiens. I’m not going to embarrass myself having a search party hunt me down….again.

Cars and campers continued to flow in to the area with multiple occupants. Motorcycles circled quietly around (yeah, right!) like colorful butterflies, hunting down parking spaces, gathering in groups, (or gangs) of men and women in leather vests, tattooed extremities, pierced noses, lips, eyebrows, and whatever’s, sleeveless shirts with ragged armholes, and headbands representing some bunch of hooligans or other. Hikers arrived in cars, apparently only planning a day outing, while others came in expensive souped up recreational vehicles in anticipation of spending some time here, parking separately from the “rejects“. My serene camping trip was turning into a Woodstock style jamboree, I had envisioned a peaceful night of inner contemplation devoid of the masses of humanity. People disembarked with cell phones attached to their ears, or those blue tooth-ie thing-a-ma-gadgets that made it appear people were talking to themselves,(for all I knew they were talking to themselves!). How's that, getting out in nature and staying connected with the harried world on the other side. What fools. I left all semblances of civilization behind, including (gasp!) my cell, to enjoy this moment. (except of course for my battery operated lighter to start the campfire, weather radio, and GPS. I did say I refused to get lost….again.)

Snippets of conversation reached me, from those who got to close to me, appararently the new comers were contacting their friends and families and encouraging them to come to the campsite, or informing some one deep in the interior that they had arrived and would be there soon. It seems word was spreading about some group of wanderers that everyone was recommending their associates to come hear. Where, oh , where was my serene night heading?

I pulled out an inspirational book in an attempt to immerse myself into tranquility, connect with God, and find a salve for the battered emotions that brought me here in search of renewal. The darn interruptions kept filing in, parking and calling more comrades. I finally let curiosity (fueled by annoyance) get the better of me. Dusting leaves, dirt, and little buggies off my rear side, brushing some compact powder over glowing cheeks, nose and chin, and painting my lips Flirtatious Pink ( did I forgot to mention make up as a semblance of civilization, in case I did get lost (again) I wanted to be found in a presentable condition!)

I don’t know why I didn’t just go search out another campsite in this vast wilderness, I thought as I fell in with a recent bunch of arrivals that looked the most normal, so to speak, and trekked into the “Devil’s Triangle”. And of course we had to be going down the most constricted trail available, the chunky foliage making it almost tunnel like. Branches from above, below,right and left scraped millimeters of skin from me. We didn’t pass a single soul returning to the parking lot or campsite, which, though eerie, was good since we were traveling single file.

Finally patches of light indicated we were coming out of the forest‘s darkness. What I saw caught my breath. Thousands, I really mean thousands, of people were seated all around the slanting hill sides in family groups, in odd groups, in single groups, in blended groups facing a dozen or so men down in the middle. One man seemed to be talking, rotating in a circle so he could see every one that was listening to him. His voice carried up and over, yet he wasn’t shouting. We were in a natural ampitheater. His words were educated and reeked with authority. He spoke of subjects that caught everyone’s attention. He had people thinking, me included. The men with him walked the parameters keeping law and order. Parents were trying to bring their children up closer while the “guards” discouraged them. The central man held his hands out though, inviting the youngsters to get up close and personal and used them for show and tell during some of his speech, letting them occupy his lap. His comrades just shook their heads, indicating that they didn’t agree with his decision to be smothered with germ factories.

No matter how long Man spoke the people wanted more. I kept creeping up closer and closer during Man’s many intermissions during which individuals went up for private discussions or to be counseled, while others reflected on his words. His friends triaged those that could approach him, time in this valley seemed eternal, yet limited. It felt like we’d been here forever but that time was short. The lame in wheel chairs were pushed forward by friends, the terrain being hard for the wheels to maneuver, and were pushed away lighter by the handicapped themselves. An area to the right was filling with contraptions such as canes, braces, walkers etc. Amazing. Unbelievable. (I hope some one planned on removing these unsightly devices!) At one point I witnessed Man spitting, bending over to make a paste with the mud he made, then smearing it on some guys eyes. How gross! But the guy seemed to really appreciate this for some reason, (what a sick-o!) he started jumping about and pointing at things, he turned to his lady friend, wife, whatever, and held her face in his hands staring at her in awe with tears rolling down his cheeks, (her‘s also.) Had he never seen her before?

The sun was setting and I was beginning to fear traipsing back to my bed roll (and food) through that tight path in the dark. (No way I’d get lost this time since the way was narrow and straight, however, I didn‘t want to meet any nocturnal creatures looking for their dinner, rather I didn‘t want to be their dinner!) Still, my stomach was growling. I’d lost track of time and missed two meals while spending the day with Man and his entourage. I heard the men up front trying to persuade Man to send us off so we could eat. They argued it would take some time for the traffic to lighten enough for easy traveling. Cars had over flowed down the freeway’s side road, parking to get in here causing traffic jams. Plus,they added, there probably weren’t enough restaurants in the area to accommodate all the day visitors that had attended.

A small boy near Man walked up with phenomenal boldnessfor his age and offered Man his Superman lunch box to help nourish us. He opened it up to reveal two tuna sandwiches, some figs and grape juice. The dozen men laughed mercilessly at this suggestion. Man frowned at them and they stopped, ashamed of themselves. They started picking at their clothes looking every where but at Man, avoiding eye contact. There were twelve of them and one of him. Majority rules. I was on their side, it was a good gesture on the boy’s part but give me a break, I was starving! I’ll faint from hunger soon, then Man would have to perform another miracle. Only a miracle performed on me would be convincing! I kept looking to see if any one would leave so I could follow them, I sure didn‘t want to be the first to draw attention to the exit.

Man picked up one of the tuna sandwiches, raised it over his head, blessed it and presented it back to the youngster. Suddenly individuals rose and raced back to their campers returning with casseroles, coolers, ice chests and paper bags filled with treats. Some hauled in grills and charcoal. Soon it was one huge love fest with those that had sharing with those that didn’t. The haves and have not’s munching and drinking, talking and laughing. A global community of misfits and executives. Bikers and Mercedes Benz owners breaking bread, sharing wine and beer. Sharing experiences. At evening’s end there were truck loads of food left over. Man suggested to his buddies that they gather the left overs to donate to the soup kitchen in town the next morning. They weren’t laughing now as they walked the rows collecting sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salads, rolls and etc. etc. I even heard a burp or two come from their satisfied guts. As they passed me I even detected a whiff or two of Burgundy and Miller’s Light, nevertheless, no one was intoxicated with liquor, but we were all high on something, something totally legal and free.

In the early morning hours, a weary body carried my soul back to my bed roll. (or was it the other way around?) I was totally divided. My soul was soaring but by body collapsed in a heap and was soon expelling noxious snores. I had forgotten the reason for my escape to this “quiet” retreat. My sadness of spirit was gone, feeling rejuvenated I was prepared to face the challenges of the world once again. Bring it on Satan. I’ve been equipped for battle, coached by the Master and fitted with new shiny, impenetrable armor. Plus I’ve discovered others like me, Partners. Comrades. A family of my own to call on in times of want. We were united, born of spirit, not flesh. ‘On ward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war …………..’

When those of us who had slept at the camp grounds awoke in the morning, Man and his assembly were gone, having sailed to the other side of the lake by moonlight. Unfortunatly, respite would be denied Man as customers rushed to the boat rental office to secure their own transportation. They couldn't get enough of his philosphy and would hunt him down and clamor for more. Myself? I went home to spread his message to my contacts, after all I had left my cell phone at home. With any luck I'd be returning soon but if not, I'd got what I came for, I'd connected with God at The Be Attitudes Camp Ground and Water Rafting.

Math 5
Math 7:13-14
Math. 14:13-21
Math 15:30
Math 19:14
John 9:6
Eph. 6:10-18
2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Pet 5:8-11

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