Tag: Purpose

“Vision Update” #4

Path Without End

20181007_141704 We now have a very big task before us, the night warrior in the sky. 

There will be considerable writing involved, and only the truly hungry will enjoy. I hope to write it before I leave this Friday to the teepee for 3 days of separation. I hope to blog during that time and see what God will have me share, so I need to get this “Night Warrior” explained before Friday.

In the 24 hour event I experienced in late October of 2018, as I explained before, I did not choose the timing of it, nor did I know it was the weekend of Orion’s meteor shower! This was another unplanned surprise, as I arrived that day and found my 87 year old dad trying to blockade the gate shut against those 50 mph winds. I have spent some time explaining those gates, and what I believe to be a picture of the connection between Donald Trump and the church. This would also be a picture of the church turned very political. When this tie is broken and the gates swing open, LOOK OUT! Those 50 mph winds were wrecking havoc on those dry corn shucks, and the old gates!

One more point on this before we leave the gates and enter the teepee. Donald Trump is a symbol of financial prosperity. During the forced lock down of the Corona Virus I heard many many people speaking of how good it was to be forced to slow down and possibly seek God more than before, especially Christians. So many were speaking of how they had ignored God and they needed to maintain this quiet time with Him and with people even after society opened back up. This is a type of gates opening too.

Many weeks ago I predicted these same people would rush right back out into the world forgetting everything they had the chance to learn. Like those corn shucks whirling in every direction, they pursue their own little kingdoms on earth, their own comfort zones. But the warrior in the night sky is about pursuit of a “Discomfort Zone”, and like Gideon’s army, few will be chosen because of the way they drink this world’s water! So…a word to the wise virgins…“watch the rush”! The gold rush! Gold fever! It will happen! The flood gates open and God’s people rush back into the worship of idols…Baal! God of fertility and prosperity! And this will set up the next judgement on God’s people, the church, because they chose the rush over His peace.

So…now we leave those gates and I drive my old 1990 Ram truck back to the teepee. I have “WORDS” painted on the sides of the teepee…special WORDS…Powerful WORDS… because they are God’s WORDS!

I climb out of my truck and start heading into the teepee to get out of the wind and chaos! Corn shucks flying everywhere! But as I enter under the large shade tree and draw nigh to the entry, the winds ceased! Complete calm! I look around startled and just inches away all is still as a hurricane! The big red barn is completely blocking the wind! The teepee is sitting in complete peace and protection! What is going on this day? God is giving me a living picture, but they are jigsaw puzzle pieces, and what will I see when they are all put together?

The puzzle pieces so far are these: I rise that morning and discover my fairly new watch has stopped at 6:56:22 a.m.! (I dug out my journal and found the records I wrote.) I gather all my stuff and finally head to farm, arriving in afternoon and finding my dad in a battle with the gates and the wind! I send him in the house and I open those gates, and I leave them open. The wind is crazy and a freshly harvested corn field is sending corn shucks everywhere! As if being in a corn shuck hurricane! I finally get back to the teepee after my own battle with the gates and wind, but I am then totally amazed as I enter complete peace in the teepee zone. And this is where we have gotten so far. Next main event comes that night with the Orion constellation.

There is great meaning in what God has shown me through this warrior/ hunter in the night sky. That weekend it was mostly about the time my watch stopped, and a window of time between the moon setting and the sun rising. But a little later, God would lead me to hearing a message about something called the “Gideon Anointing”, and when He did, I immediately knew this was connected to the night warrior in the sky! But first, what of the “window of time”?

As I googled information about the meteor shower because I was unfamiliar with it, I learned there was a window of time for best spotting a meteor. This window, as a time of “greater darkness” because the moon would set, and the sun not yet risen. My journal records the greater darkness would begin at 4:59 a.m. and sunrise was at 7:59. My interest was completely peaked when I realized my watch had stopped at 6:56:22! Within this window of time with only a little over an hour left! Of course, I immediately started bugging God as to what he was revealing? And the question occurred to me, “How long is an hour with God?” As explained in earlier articles I came up with 41.6666 years. But then there was still the roughly 3 minutes of time before entering 6:59 which leaves one hour of time before 7:59.

I spent much time making these calculations and praying for God’s help. I was at the teepee alone and seeking God anyway, so what else did I have to do? But I eventually came up with the estimate of June 2020, and I considered it was an election year and would probably be linked to that, but the actual election would still be like 5 months away. So…what might be going to happen? My mind was racing and I was waiting… watching and waiting and praying and preparing for what might be…as I still am.

I only saw one meteor that weekend, but it is still special. However, the most amazing thing, and it is still emblazoned in my mind, was the Orion constellation itself! The sky got so dark out there in the country! No clouds blocked my view! And it was awesome! The stars showed like diamonds on black velvet! It was powerful! His sword! His bow! (or shield). His belt! And his hour glass shaped body! Signifying TIME! A period of ONE hour! It was all too much for me! Until now, I have really not been able to explain it to anyone in a way doing it justice. What I’m writing in these blogs will be my record of it, and my best attempt to share it with others.

There is so much to share on this night warrior in the sky. Realize…the moon sets! Even as our modern churches have lost so much of their light! As if under a bushel! They shine the world more than God! Greater darkness takes over! The SON not yet to rise! But there are still the stars! MESSENGERS! And a night warrior in the sky like Gideon! Made up of those stars! The messengers! And I believe there is a Gideon anointing God has prepared in these last days for his remnant people!

I’m ending this portion here, so as to act like chapters in a book and portion out the message. I’m writing much “today”. More coming.

Note: If you live in Indianapolis and would like to meet, leave a message and it can be arranged.

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The big barn completely blocking the 50 mph wind gusts.

 

“Vision Update” #1

Path Without End

I did not expect to be writing this today, but I simply must. Faithful readers of this site know I speak of a vision (of sorts) I had back in October 2018. It happened at the teepee you see above. I built it as a spiritual retreat, and I had just gone to it to do that very thing for the first time, when all this happened. I’ve logged all of it in my journals, but I have not wrote many details of it because in some ways it’s not very detailed. The meaning of it all. However, in recent days it has been further developing like a photo in a dark room!

So… the Super Powers series will continue, and now we also start this Vision Update. This true story goes like this: > My wife was going to be away visiting her dad in Florida for a couple months. This was something she had never done before, but since she was going to be gone, I saw it as a good opportunity to go on a spiritual retreat at my teepee which was just “barely” ready for such a thing.

The timing of her trip hit in the last week of October and winter cold was already rushing in, but I enthusiastically went anyway. I did not choose this time. My wife did. But as I entered the first day, and the first weekend of my retreat, I was about to experience several things. Believe it or not, when I got up that morning, still at home, my watch had stopped! Okay…that happens, right? But this watch wasn’t even 2 months old yet! My Spidey senses began tingling! What’s going on here? Oh well. Must be a cheap watch, but it wasn’t “that” cheap. Hhmmm. I made note of the time it stopped at. I believe it was 6:57 a.m.. (As best I remember. It is in my journal.)

Anyway, my day went on. It took half my day to get ready. The teepee is built on my mom and dad’s small farm of 35 acres. They have a fence that runs around the house and barn property, and a farm type gate closing off the entry drive into property. They always keep it closed. So when you arrive, you have to stop, climb out of vehicle, open the two halves of the gate, climb back in vehicle, put it back in drive, pull in, stop again, climb out again, shut the gate… sheesh! You get the picture. But this day...

We had 50 mph winds blowing straight against those gates! I arrived to find my 87 year old dad at the gates trying to tie them shut! The wind kept blowing them open and threatening to destroy them! Not only was he tying them, but he had cement blocks at the bottom trying to hold them! And he was barely hanging on himself! At 87, a good wind can just about take him away!

Yes…these were highly unusual conditions and right at the time of me starting this spiritual quest? Hhmmm. I climbed out of my 1990 black, Dodge Ram, short bed truck, (just thought you might like to know. The small Ram head with curling horns on the hood, you know, the Shofar?) Well anyway, making matters worse, the wind was coming straight out of the west across an open corn field that had just been harvested. Dry, empty, corn shucks were flying everywhere!!! Including straight into the fence and gate making it almost solid! Corn husks were pinned to the fence and gates! This was part of the reason the wind was hitting the gates with such force instead of simply passing through!

So I climb out of the truck to rescue my dad. “What are you doing?” I yelled over the roar. “I’m trying to save our gate!” he yelled back. “Get back in the house!” I yelled to him. “We need to open these gates before they burst! Lets just leave them open! I’ll get it!” “Okay!” he yelled back, and slowly turned to be blown towards the house and fight his way in, while I fought to untie and unblock the gates! I finally got in and blocked the gates open.

Okay… we’ll start here next episode…but as a peek at the future…at the teepee that night in October of 2018, God warned me we would be crossing a line in June of 2020! The wind, corn shucks, and storm was to be a picture of it all, but He did not explain much. Also, Orion’s Meteor shower was taking place that weekend! I’ve been waiting for over a year to see what would be happening in June of 2020! I will explain more next episode, but as my wife and I sat in our living room on May 31st, just having celebrated Pentecost, our phones lit up with an official alert that Marion county (Indianapolis), was on a forced 8:00 pm curfew! Due to riots! Ten minutes from us downtown! This had never happened before! Not in my 30 years of living here! And we’re still dealing with COVID 19! These were the circumstances as we crossed the line into June 2020 at midnight that night!

It all has meaning. The warrior in the night sky, Orion. The watch stopping at 6:57. The corn husks, the wind storm, the gates and much more! This is my first time trying to give all the details of this event, hopefully in a way that will make sense when I’m done.

Story continued soon!

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“Our Legacy”

Path Without End

photo-1540946485063-a40da27545f8 (1) “OUR LEGACY”

In our spirit lives eternity, as we deny passing time.

But our flesh reminds, ever so gently at first, or if need be harshly so, cause we need to know…to be aware.

Our bodies warn that day will come, when the heart beats no more and we are released into what?

Our Legacy.

Bitter and sweet together, ugly and beauty conspire…beauty of ashes… ashes of beauty… what message do we sire?

In the bitter and the sweet, the coffee of life we drink… but to what end? What will be because of me?

And if not for me, would never be, whether bad or good. For what do I weather the rain and sleet, the storms of life, the fading light? What will be because of me?

That will be my legacy.

Build a tower of peace, that tower inside your heart and soul…be intentional. Count the cost and pay the price. Look within…hear His voice.

Each day as you rise, look in the mirror and ask, this day…

What will be because of me. And if not for me, would never be? In the small and in the large, what will be because of me? It’s not too late.

Your Legacy.

5883

“Your Strongest Super Power”

Path Without End

20190820_115546 All Superheroes have a super power, but what did God give you? The very fact you’re not good at a lot of things, but very good at a few, shows where your powers lie. How much are you using them? Do you get to use them?

Obviously I’m not talking about your ability to dodge bullets, leap over tall buildings, or throw cars around, but I’ll bet you’re like me, not very good at a lot of things, but above average in a few, and that’s where you love to live. That’s where you come alive!

I’ve heard people with a gift to sing sending chills up my spine in awe! But I can’t. I’m also not mechanical. I love hot cars but I’ve never had one because I hate working on them! And hiring it done is too expensive! So no sleek muscle car for me. But I can live with that, because those are not my super powers, as much as I might enjoy it if they were.

After all, Spiderman can’t be Wolverine, he has to be Spiderman! And the world needs a Spiderman! How would it look if Aquaman tried to be Thor? Or Black Widow, Captain America? We each must be who we are, not who we are not, and each of us have our own powers.

What would be my top three? I love writing… and teaching spiritual things of God… and I’m pretty good at remodeling a house. I hate working on a car, but I enjoy improving a house. I seem to understand what it takes for a house to work much more than I do a car. I also understand a life that flows in Spirit, walking in the power of God. I understand how God has designed things to work, and I love studying it, digging for deeper understandings.

So what would I choose as my top super power, out of those three? Teaching the power of a life with God. No question about it, that’s me. Even all my writings pertain to that in some way. But I made my living as a truck driver. As of yet, writing and teaching has never paid the bills, but that’s alright, Spidey was under appreciated too, and I still love my powers. In fact, God never meant for our powers to be about the money. For many of us, the lure of money is a danger to the proper use of our super powers.

But why am I bringing this up? To ask you if you’re using your super powers? Do they have a place on a front burner, or are they lost in a life out of control? And are you using your powers for God, the one who gave them to you? Oh you may think you’re just that good! But no, you accidentally fell into a vat of weird unknown chemicals and instead of it killing you, YOU BECAME YOU! I hope you like yourself. God wants you to.

Perhaps you’re not happy with his choices? You’re stuck with being Spiderman and you’d rather be Thor? Well I suggest you get over it! Be thankful you’re still alive! (After falling in that vat!) Start being the best Spiderman you can be. There are a lot of people out there needing what O’Spidey has to offer. They need help and Spidey can save the day, if he will. Get right with God and get those super powers in gear. And don’t forget to thank him for your incredible life. The life you have the chance to live, if you just begin to truly appreciate and develop your God-given gifts. It’s supernatural.

So what’s your top three? And what do you choose as your number one?

This is just something a little different from Soul Sailor tonight. Just the mood I’m in.

 I built this teepee as a spiritual get-away. Jesus was both a physical and spiritual carpenter too. 

“Life at Sea”

Path Without End

87b5395405443fa98fcdb798cb2bf489

“The Devout”

Life at sea, life in Spirit, it’s all the same to me.

Lovers of land and I do not agree.

  Life in Spirit, not in flesh.

Live by the Laws of the Sea!

When Jesus said, “Abide in me, my words in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be.”

But what is this “abiding” which he speaks?

To be filled with the Sea?

To live by sails alone?

Just the Wind and I?

Come Holy Spirit, I need thee.

Fill my sails I pray.

 

“Willow Tree Wisdom” #1

Path Without End

20190709_133833 “Our Father’s House is alive!”

Outside my house things are coming alive, spring has come, rebirth; but my house is a dead thing in which I live.

Mother Nature is very big and strong. She does not realize when she steps on us, like perhaps now. Outside my house are dangers of every kind, but also tremendous life, so much so we must be careful lest we fail to survive.

Man is a living being who builds his shelter from the dead, and lives within, but also must go out to drink in that great life of outside.

The Indian teepee made from fallen trees and dead skins. The Eskimo igloo, ice so cold to the touch. Shelters and houses of every kind, and yet they are dead in themselves. We are the life within. And there is life without, trees not yet fallen and animals not yet dead. Life so strong and bold we dare not be foolish in our adventures.

My house is such a comfort zone of death; made from dead lumber, drywall, nails, cement, glass, plastic, wires, and paints. This dead thing in which I live, so I can go out, and come in again.

But I must go out. Should this house cease to be a house and become a prison? Even at this moment a live bird, outside, manages to penetrate these dead walls with his song announcing the rising sun, and I hear it…outside…life…sun…wind…song. This bird confirming my every word.

But some are in prison at home. Do they even know? Their lack of adventure, lack of love of nature, fear of discomfort zones and hardships, bugs and dirt, sweat and strain. They stay inside… a lot!!! They run from box to box. Boxes of every kind. Dead boxes of every kind, even unto the coffin. Big boxes and small. Boxes on wheels and boxes in malls. Doctor boxes and money boxes but so little time in the simplicity of “no box”, just open sky.

But not I. Like the wolf, the bird, the tree, the flower… I need some wind, some sun, some green grass and blue sky, some wet leaves and rain, a mountain stream and quiet lake. I need some sweat and strain, a bug or two, a sudden view to surprise my soul, perhaps even a little cold to make me whole. Only then can I go back inside and be the life of the dead thing I live within.

But God is different. He does not live in the dead. My Father has a living house. I am that House. Easter cometh. Selah.

20190708_172612 The above article and others like it can be found at “Sitting Under the Willow Tree”. We invite you to the wisdom of the willow tree. willowtreewisdom.home.blog

“Something Demanding of Me.”

Path Without End

5882 “From the Journal of Grandpa White Feather” > 4/28/19.

“My enthusiasm knows no bounds, but as for my flock of 2? Our little Fellowship this day? We should not have gone out to eat. Neither Brenda nor Jason could hardly keep their eyes open as I tried so hard to share such treasure from God’s Word. It was like Jesus praying in the garden. How shall this rag-tag trio accomplish the Kingdom of God in the earth?

How shall this group make this great journey? We shall see. Some kind of progress, no matter how small, made every day. I remain hopeful, even against all odds.

Things can change in an instant. With no warning. “An unexpected something, suddenly.” Ever have that happen? My current status? > An old house. A Fellowship of 3. A vision from God, but much work on an old house must happen and only one old man to do it, “ME”. (And the drama thickens.) Miles and miles of journey ahead one step at a time. I see no other future than this long road, and no unexpected change. A vision from God not expected to change.

Whatever change may come, it will only serve to grow and fine tune the vision. This will be because of me, because of us, unless it’s not.

BUT IT ALREADY IS! Yes, I see that now! This is the vision!

This is the message already being lived for all to see. For Brenda, Jason, our kids and grand kids, for our friends in Churches we left, for anyone and everyone! This growing light slowly reaching out of a trio of underdogs ready to be crushed at any moment by a vision from God! This is our message and light! We already succeed with every feeble step!

Any unexpected changes suddenly, we must embrace. Nothing threatens us except selfishness, our own unwillingness to die. We already have what we need to succeed. God’s love, light, wisdom, peace, in us. We are fully equipped. We soar more and flap less! This light grows no matter what! A few more take note every day. A small crowd begins watching. This light growing through us!

Yes…this is the vision…one lone old man fighting against all odds. He has a vision. He is the underdog. He is likely to be crushed, but keeps going anyway. Now 2 more unlikely characters join him. Jason and Brenda. They are underdogs too. Now we have a trio of unlikely characters most likely to be crushed! And the world loves to watch a good wreck! But what if something beautiful actually comes of it? The world loves to watch that too. We love to be inspired.

How shall this story end? Even if they fall short, as long as they remain true, this is the light the world cannot resist. We all are drawn to the faithful underdogs of the world. Was not Jesus himself the ultimate example? Did he not go to his slaughter without even a word of defense, as a helpless lamb? Had God the Father himself not saved the day, what a sad ending, indeed, it would have been!

But this also is the light, is it not? Those willing to be a faithful underdog, to bring the Kingdom of God into the earth will know the power of God the Father in their behalf, even if it be after death!

Yes, this is the vision we’re already living. This light springs forth in this city and begins to grow. It may be feeble, small, and weak now, like a baby in a manger, but the light grows. It grew a little more yesterday, even with heavy eyes that wanted to sleep, and it grows a little more today, however God sees fit.

This is our ACT III. I am the old man, at 63, and aging. They say ACT III is the most important of any play! The whole movie can be ruined by a horrible ACT III! It is the ACT meant to bring meaning, understanding, victory, inspiration, make sense of everything that has preceded it, and make the audience glad they spent their money to watch that show!

I am moved to share a personal note: My mom and dad own a small farm of 35 acres. They are both in their eighties now. When I visit the farm it is so sad. There is so much potential in that place. There always has been. Money comes in from it every year, but it is squandered on useless and selfish living, and yet my parents are both so unhappy in their final years. They are ruining the movie of their life with a horrible ACT III. No one will leave their theater feeling happy or inspired. I lived there for two weeks in my teepee and it was depressing. I am not of that way.

They have chosen to dare no great things, and to live such small lives. Chase no dream with God. Help few people. Shine little light. For example, my daughter, their grand child and only “girl” grandchild, just had a baby shower for her very first baby, which is also a little girl, (of which we have so few)! But my mom sent a card only, with some money and a note. She said coming to the baby shower would be too much for her, and yet she went to Church 3 times on Easter Sunday! Sunrise service, which is very early. Then the normal service and the evening! Wow! And to top it off, my daughter said the card was very sad and hard to read. Such a sad ACT III. This is what their grand kids will remember after they are gone.

But we do not choose such a life.  We embrace the hardness of a warrior life to overcome evil with good deeds, even if we be the underdogs in such a world as this. And we put ourself intentionally, with the leading of our God, into something demanding of us!

God sets a mountain before us and invites to climb. It is always an invitation. Like my mom received an invitation to her grand daughter’s baby shower.

The mountain becomes our ACT III! This climb fills me with such delight! I am never bored! I never lack something to do or a reason to rise! I live another day to shine a light true of God’s Kingdom! Not the dead-end street of the mortal kingdom of man!

As I live in my spirit man, I know what it is to soar more, and flap less. Like the eagle, I live in high places where the wind may blow cold and hard, but the air is also rare, the sun bright, and the view spectacular! This is what I see as I walk each day! I do not see the old house and the unfinished garden! I see what might be because of me, if I’m willing! And the “ME” becomes “US” if we all embrace such a vision. What might be because of us?

Consider this, which movie would you pay good money to see? An old couple slowly dying in an old house, while complaining of every day and squandering every potential they have?

OR… an old man smiling with hope and passion as he tries climbing a mountain too big for him? He declares he will climb this mountain! But how can he? He will surely fall to his death! How can this be? But what if he does somehow climb it? Wouldn’t you like to see? And see what he sees from the top? And would we not be inspired by this old man, even if he died climbing? Even if he falls, while living a good dream? Fighting for something good and precious in this mortal land?

Who are these people who would dare such a lovely thing, even to their dying day? Lives truly living. They be people filled with the Spirit of God. Jesus himself said, his purpose for coming to earth with the Kingdom message was…

“I have come…that they might have life…and have it more abundantly.”

The details of what God has shown me to do with this place has still not been given. What I simply had to write today were feelings rolling in my soul after a Fellowship revealing how weak we all are, in the face of great things. The details are soon to come in the next article of “Learning to Share – Part IV”. Among other things, this blogsite is now also the story of a rag-tag group hoping to climb a spiritual mountain unto God. May this site contain the details of what ends up being because of US. May it somehow bring glory to the name of Christ, we pray in Jesus name. Amen. So be it.

5882

 

 

“Yinneythought” for the day.

Path Without End

Sloth-Hanging-Out_300x300 “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”        (Proverbs 18:16)

Have you created YOUR room? Perhaps this is a little different spin to the verse, but if you have not created “a” room from your particular gifts, and live in that room, then don’t expect your gifts to ever bring you into great opportunities.

This room must be built from the material of your gifts, and nothing less, but that’s hard to do if you don’t even know what you’re about.

Seek your Vision. Who are you?

Don’t waste your life living in rooms less than who you’re called to be. God placed your foundation stones even before you were born, but you choose what is built from there.

How have you done so far?

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“Yinney” Chapter 34

Path Without End

angelwings On the eighth day a rare occurrence was happening in Frank’s hospital room, even though he was unaware. Rachel, Clara, and all three of Frank’s sons were visiting him at the same time. It had not been planned, it just happened.

Over the eight day period, Rachel had met the young men one by one. They all knew of each other, but had never met. Tommy had been the last to arrive to NYC after having to take personal leave and arrange a flight. He was involved in building some road somewhere in another country. Frank had mentioned his son that he rarely saw due to his job. Rachel had not given it much thought as to exactly what he did. He was still young and wanted an adventure, Frank said. Probably not a career path for him.

The older two sons, John and Dave, had moved farther out of downtown proper, but still came to it on a regular basis. Clara, Rachel’s daughter, had met none of them until now, so you can imagine the noise level of finally having everyone together for the first time. Even Frank seemed to be there, though he wasn’t really.

As everyone began settling into a more normal flow of conversation, of course Frank became the main topic.  The sons all admitted they expected something like this to happen. New York City is just too dangerous a place. How could their dad take such high risks for so many years and not have it catch up with him? So the news had not been a surprise, but it still hurt just as much. And would they ever have a conversation with their dad again?

“I have a confession to make,” Rachel quietly said, and all other talk ceased. After a short pause to gather her thoughts, she continued. “I have been afraid to love your dad. I know I’m in love with him, but I’ve held back and been afraid to go forward because of this very thing. I just couldn’t imagine kissing him good-bye every night knowing what he was leaving to face, and wondering what might happen? How did you boys live with it?”

John, the oldest, was the first to answer, “You could say we didn’t have any choice. We just had to accept dad might not come home one day. Of course, it didn’t even occur to us till we got a little older. But we always had each other, and we were brave together.”

“Yeah,” Tommy agreed, “But mom always said she would have grey hair early, and she was starting to turn, but…well…that ended up not mattering.”

Clara tried to imagine what these boys had been through, but they had parents who loved each other. They had grown up being loved and knowing what love was about. They did not fear their dad, only the fear of what could happen to him. Perhaps by someone like her dad had been.

The conversation revolved around this topic of learning to live with the fear, for the sake of love, for a while. Then Dave said, “But someone has to do it, right? I mean, what if everyone just said it’s too dangerous, too hard, too ugly, and the darkness took over? It’s a calling, I think. Some answer the call.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and then Clara asked, “But what about now? You know your dad better than us. How will he handle no longer being a cop? Perhaps even being confined to a wheelchair?”

“He’s gonna do just fine,” John answered. “Dad always said the ability to adapt is the number one survival skill, and dad’s a survivor.”

“Yeah, but,” Dave added, “he’s gonna need something, or someone, he can find meaning in. Dad’s always been about purpose and passion, having a mission, a vision. If he fails to find a new purpose, he will wilt on the vine like a dying flower.”

“I think Dave’s right,” Tommy agreed.

“Or maybe a rotting tomato,” John interjected. “Dad’s too rough around the edges to ever be compared to a flower,” That statement caught everyone by surprise and laughter broke lose in the room again. They all knew how true it was, and the brothers began relating stories. “Remember when…” each brother would begin. “Or what about the time he caught you, Tommy, skipping school?”

“Oh man,” Tommy moaned. “That was bad.”

The noise level once again raised the roof when a low but deep voice was heard, “Hey… what’s all the noise about? Hold it down everybody. I got work in a few hours.”

“Frank?!”

Dad?!”

Everyone was on there feet in an instant! The button was pushed calling for a nurse or doctor to come quickly! “Dad, can you hear us?” John yelled in his excitement.

“Yes.” Came the answer, though he did not open his eyes. “Why do you think I’m saying hold the noise down?”

Cheering erupted in the room even as a male nurse burst in. Frank couldn’t make sense out of what was going on. He just knew he was very tired. Must have been in a very deep sleep and the fog still hanging on. His alarm had not gone off yet, so he still had time, but why was everyone in his room? It just didn’t make sense and he was too tired to worry about it. He just wanted more sleep, but now someone was roughing him up! What’s going on?

“Wake up, Frank!” the male voice was insisting. “Your family is here to see you. You can’t let them down.”

None of it was making any sense. “Who is this guy? Am I being attacked?” Against his will, Frank forced open his heavy eyelids and tried to focus. Everything was a blur. He saw Tommy first. “Tommy?” Then he saw Rachel and Clara. “What are they doing in my room? And who is this ugly guy?”

It took a couple minutes, but he finally realized he was in a hospital room, and then the killer in the park and the fall all rushed back into his mind. It was actually painful as it hit him with such force. He laid his head back, raised his hand for everyone to quiet, and said, “Okay everyone…I remember now. Must be pretty bad if you’re all here. Especially you, Tommy. I guess I’m going to need some bringing up to date. How many days have I been out?”

“Eight,” Rachel answered, as she stepped forward to hold his hand.

“Wow…I never been out that long before. And I had the strangest dream. Something about a sloth.”

Everyone in the room were smiling. They were just so happy dad was back. Then he speaks of dreaming about a sloth? Once again emotions overflowed in laughter, tears, and hugs.

“Welcome back, Officer Frank,” the nurse said. “You’re still in the land of the living.”

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“Yinney” Chapter 6

Path Without End

images Today was the day. Yinney was on the move through the trees, covering about 13 feet per minute. Rain was a normal thing in the Amazon Rain Forest. He had never known anything different. Lots of rain, almost like all the time, and this day started the same way as he steadily hooked each limb with his claws. Normally the rain mattered not to him, but today it was somewhat of a problem.

The limbs of trees were Yinney’s roads and pathways. Once he chose his 7th Day Tree he would learn his area just like anyone learns where they live. He would know the best paths, the shortcuts, and places having the best leaves for eating. But today all he had was that flashing glint he saw yesterday. With today’s heavy rain, the sparkle had disappeared.

So far the urge to poo had not arrived, but it was like a ticking time bomb within. It could start at any moment, and he would only be able to hold it so long. Yinney the sloth would need to poo! And he needed a safe place. He needed his sacred tree. Was it just ahead? This would be the perfect time to panic, but he was of the “Old Ways”. He was of the three-toed brown throated sloth family, still faithful to soul, and something called faith.

Yinney had been taught that true faith is a state of rest. Fear, doubt, stress, discontent, greed, none of these states of mind are faith. They disrupt faith. Faith is a powerful force if not disrupted. But faith in what? Well… the Creator, of course. What else? His heart was still full of peace and joy for he knew his Creator loved him and always provided if he stayed in the Creator’s ways.

Actually, sloths of the three-toed family were highly sought after in the jungle, as spiritual teachers. Once Yinney had his tree, he would begin growing his algae mantle of green and hang out his simple shingle as spiritual teacher. The 7th Day Tree was so important to everything, his reason for being, his purpose in life.

As one of the Creator’s teachers, he found it hard to believe so many people live lives contrary to their own spiritual design, causing much harm to themselves and all around. It really made no sense, but greed, hunger, desire; these were powerful forces causing great storms in people’s lives, and the lives of others. Obviously these Predator Cities Lu-Lu spoke of, were full of and driven by such people. People having no respect for their own Creator, and as such, they often did not realize, but in such a spiritual state one cannot have proper respect for others either, nor the environment, nor their own life. It’s all very sad, Yinney thought, as he reached for the next limb, moving like a slow flowing river. He thought of it as a vicious circle that once one is caught, they may never find a way out. But with the help of teachers, such as he, one might yet find transformation.

The word “suddenly” is not really a sloth word, unless something “suddenly” springs upon them. So…just as Yinney was becoming aware of the urge to poo, he slowly pressed through a limb full of leaves and suddenly saw the reason for the glint! And it was just as he hoped! The Amazon is full of many rivers, but this sparkle had come from a large pond, or type of lagoon, the offshoot of some river somewhere! Now all he had to do was hope there was a worthy tree for him to choose! “Oh that it would be so!” he prayed to his Creator.

Yinney considered his urge to poo. It was growing stronger. The Creator would guide if he let him. If the urge is growing quickly, then the tree must be close, on this side, not any of the trees farther away.

Still hanging upside down he looked to his right, then he looked left, and yes, there was a massive tree holding incredible potential! He knew what he was looking for. You see, Yenny had a plan. Most people don’t know sloths are actually quite good swimmers. And, in a meditative state they can lower their heart rate to one third of normal and actually hold their breath underwater for as long as forty minutes!

Most sloths are aware of their water abilities but still spend all their time in trees. Yinney was a little different. He actually enjoyed the water. Not so much to live in it, but to enjoy upon occasion, and one more thing, to have it as a possible escape route when pooing! If the tree was located right, he would have two ways of escape, not just one. He could either try to regain a high place in his tree, or possibly slide into the water! This was his grand plan, and now, his prayer just might be manifesting right before his eyes.

It took another hour of persistent moving to get there, but the tree welcomed him with open arms. He felt right at home from the moment he slowly climbed into the embrace of her many limbs. He could see it was close to the water with branches actually reaching out and hanging over! So…location was excellent! He could check off that box. Now it was time to taste a leaf.

Yinney wanted to fully enjoy this moment. The urge to poo was still under control. Slowly he chose his leaf. Slowly he reached for it. Slowly he plucked it with tender care. Slowly he gazed at the marvelous green thing that sustained his life. Slowly he brought it to his mouth, but first paused to smell of it. Slowly he savored the aroma, and then tenderly fed it in, and gratefully chewed. The leaf was good. Only one test left. Where to poo?

It was time. Downward he began traveling. Jag was not the only beast to watch for. There were many to consider. All the jungle said a sloth pooing was an easy meal. There was also the Anaconda. The largest of Amazon snakes. His mother had said the Anaconda was rare in this neighborhood. Jag had killed one once. He liked snake meat. Maybe that kept them away, she didn’t know, but one never knew when another might move in.

Downward he went, out of the high places, towards the dirt, towards the earth, towards the predator cats and other dangers. The urge was growing. So far so good. Finally reaching the bottom by way of a vine, Yinney dropped onto the ground and did not move. He was even more motionless than a solid stone.

Nothing was leaping at him. He could smell no danger either. His sense of smell was actually better than his sight. Looking towards the body of water, and the urge growing within, he began moving again.

Now he felt as crippled. On the ground he could barely move nine feet in a minute. He clawed his way along and finally reached the side of the trunk facing the water. He discovered a very nice indentured area that could become his bathroom. The Creator had blessed him greatly with this tree, and the water was only ten feet away. He could reach it in just over a minute assuming water levels remained fairly constant. This was indeed a sacred tree, and now he would bless it with his poo, and claim it as his own.

It was a great relief when the release came. Once done, he scratched some dirt over it and knew it would nourish his great tree. The long seven day search and journey was over. Yinney had found his home. Now he could begin to “know” his home. His days would be filled with simple pleasures and joy. He could hardly wait to show Lu-Lu the tree he had found, and hang his little sign.

The calling of teacher is a great honor. As once was said, the pen is mightier than the sword. Wisdom and values must be taught. In this way kingdoms change, swords are put away for another day, and peace can fill a land, a people, and a person. As history has proven many times, it can start with one, one simple teacher, and their words.

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<The story of Yinney is property of Don Allen, alias: Grandpa White Feather.>