Most of us over 60 grew up watching Westerns on television. Marshall Dillon, Cheyenne Bodie, and Rowdy Yates were our heroes. We also watched a show called "Wagon Train," but only occasionally as it aired on Wednesday nights. We had to be sick at home to see that one. Otherwise we would have been at Wednesday night Bible study.
None of us were told about the real adventures and tragedies of the Old West until we grew up and read some of them. I am sure you know of the infamous Donner Party, a group of emigrants traveling west to California that wound up trapped by snow in what is now called "Donner Pass." Unable to get through the mountains, their situation led to disease, starvation, and ultimately cannibalism to survive. Of the 87 who began the trip, only 45 reached California.
Could it all have been avoided? On August 6, 1846, they came upon a note from their guide, who had gone ahead. The note told them that the route was worse than he had thought, possibly impassable, and they should wait for him to return. After 8 days, he sent another message to follow yet another trail and they did. Now we view their guide, Lansford Hastings, as an unscrupulous man, completely unconcerned with their safety. The route was not better, had never even been blazed for something like a wagon train, and cost them 18 days, putting them squarely into the winter in those higher elevations.
It is difficult to say that they should have known better, that his words about the pass being impossible to travel should have sent them scurrying back to safety, rather than forging on ahead with this guy. It remains a tragic episode in the history of Westward expansion, the site of which is now the Donner Memorial State Park. Not only does it commemorate this particular event but all the trials of all pioneers in the nineteenth century.
It is easy for us to look back and criticize. It is even easier to say, "I told you so," which helps no one at all except perhaps a weak ego. But it also serves to remind us to pay attention to all the warnings in scripture. Look through the prophets and see warning after warning, not only unheeded, but the messengers persecuted. Surely we, who pride ourselves on our "superior" knowledge would do better. Would we?
Do you realize that wealth in the New Testament is never pictured as anything but dangerous? Yet, we all confidently affirm, "I would do better than they did, Lord!" as we work ourselves into a frenzy to make more money. False prophets are shown to be handsome, friendly, and flattering, tickling ears with their smooth speech. "We wouldn't fall for them Lord," and yet knock one another over like a snaky row of dominoes as they stroke our feelings and condemn those who disagree with them.
Do yourself a favor this week. Run a search and see all the things we are warned against. Put them into categories so you can get the brunt of the impact for each. These things God warns us against. Don't make a fool of yourself by arguing against God's opinions. His "I told you so" could be the last thing you hear.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray Matt24:4.
Dene Ward
None of us were told about the real adventures and tragedies of the Old West until we grew up and read some of them. I am sure you know of the infamous Donner Party, a group of emigrants traveling west to California that wound up trapped by snow in what is now called "Donner Pass." Unable to get through the mountains, their situation led to disease, starvation, and ultimately cannibalism to survive. Of the 87 who began the trip, only 45 reached California.
Could it all have been avoided? On August 6, 1846, they came upon a note from their guide, who had gone ahead. The note told them that the route was worse than he had thought, possibly impassable, and they should wait for him to return. After 8 days, he sent another message to follow yet another trail and they did. Now we view their guide, Lansford Hastings, as an unscrupulous man, completely unconcerned with their safety. The route was not better, had never even been blazed for something like a wagon train, and cost them 18 days, putting them squarely into the winter in those higher elevations.
It is difficult to say that they should have known better, that his words about the pass being impossible to travel should have sent them scurrying back to safety, rather than forging on ahead with this guy. It remains a tragic episode in the history of Westward expansion, the site of which is now the Donner Memorial State Park. Not only does it commemorate this particular event but all the trials of all pioneers in the nineteenth century.
It is easy for us to look back and criticize. It is even easier to say, "I told you so," which helps no one at all except perhaps a weak ego. But it also serves to remind us to pay attention to all the warnings in scripture. Look through the prophets and see warning after warning, not only unheeded, but the messengers persecuted. Surely we, who pride ourselves on our "superior" knowledge would do better. Would we?
Do you realize that wealth in the New Testament is never pictured as anything but dangerous? Yet, we all confidently affirm, "I would do better than they did, Lord!" as we work ourselves into a frenzy to make more money. False prophets are shown to be handsome, friendly, and flattering, tickling ears with their smooth speech. "We wouldn't fall for them Lord," and yet knock one another over like a snaky row of dominoes as they stroke our feelings and condemn those who disagree with them.
Do yourself a favor this week. Run a search and see all the things we are warned against. Put them into categories so you can get the brunt of the impact for each. These things God warns us against. Don't make a fool of yourself by arguing against God's opinions. His "I told you so" could be the last thing you hear.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray Matt24:4.
Dene Ward
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