Author: Kevin Corbin

Just for a change of pace this morning, a short story.

After that one encounter, my life was changed forever. Looking back now, it seems like yesterday, not a lifetime ago. 

Back when I was a boy, I spent one whole winter and spring preparing for a quest. I would take my canoe and venture all the way up Grizzly Creek to the falls. Even back then, most people didn’t use the creek to get to the falls. A short drive on the new two-lane, blacktop highway was quicker and easier than a full day of paddling. As a kid, I liked the trip to the falls by road just fine, but I itched to make the “real” trip, like my heroes, the mountain men. 

Finally, school was out! My gear was safely stowed in the canoe, and I was ready to go. Shoving off from shore, I felt that brash sense of power and

Indestructibility that only an adventurous boy with an attitude can have. 

The creek meandered through heavily wooded canyons, calm and peaceful much of the way, with small, lively rapids here and there to keep it interesting. Nearing the head of a set of rapids, I paddled hard, fighting the surging white water. One last push, and I was free, back into a tranquil part of the creek. Catching my breath and enjoying the break, my eyes scanned the beauty of the forest around me. At the base of a gnarled old spruce tree, its roots tenaciously grabbing the rocks, a glimpse of red and black checkered fabric caught my eye. 

Twice I hollered, “hello there!”. I heard no reply except my “hello” echoing hollowly off the steep canyon walls. That was odd. People around these parts were usually pretty friendly. 

I wanted to ignore the feeling that something was wrong. It probably wasn’t any of my business, but my curiosity got the better of me. I pulled ashore and went to check it out. Moving closer, I realized it wasn’t a person but a body. Well, sort of a body, it looked more like a skeleton with clothes on. Anyone could tell that it was dead. 

I had never seen a dead body before, not even at a funeral. Not knowing whether to run away screaming or take a better look, I did neither. For an eternity, I froze there staring, hardly daring to breathe, my heart racing a thousand beats a minute. My mind scrambled frantically, recalling every ghost story I had ever heard. I could frighten other kids with my stories, but here I was, face to face with a real cadaver. 

I was petrified, intensely aware of being alone with the body and miles from anyone else. I was also morbidly fascinated and couldn’t look away. Nothing in my whole twelve years had prepared me for what I was seeing. 

Guessing by the corpse’s state, it had been there a long time. I figured it was a man. Seemed unlikely to be a woman alone up here. He mainly appeared intact, although a few of his bones had been dragged around by animals. The plaid shirt and faded jeans looked like little more than rags; torn, tattered and full of holes. Only the left boot was on. I couldn’t see the other one anywhere near. There was a book clutched in his hand. 

What had he been reading? I had to know, so I wrenched the book from his lifeless fingers. It was a journal with faded handwriting in pencil. Many of the pages were ruined from being outside so long, but now and then, I could make out some of the writing. It was a journal.

“June 15 …. saw a cow moose and her calf today.” 

Followed by more illegible entries, then; 

“June 24 . …out of supplies. I thought wandering and living off the land, like the old trappers did, would be easier …. I’ll just have to make do with what I find on the way …. just follow the creek down and I will eventually come to some town.” 

This stranger wanted to be a mountain man, just like me. I wondered what happened and read on. There was another page of writing I couldn’t make out, followed by; 

“July 3 …. bad day. How could something like this happen to me? Being lost was bad enough. I should have known better than to strike out by myself. A partner could go get help.” 

“July 5 ….pain is bad today ….. tough to keep my spirits up… battling feelings of loneliness and isolation.” 

“July 6 …. I thought a lot today about my friends and family. So many things left unsaid, so many petty differences left unresolved. Do they know that I’m gone? Do they know where I am? Do they even care? 

I never had much time for people before. Couldn’t be bothered with them. Now I feel so terribly alone. It feels like forever since I had someone to talk to. I was so desperate for company that I talked to a squirrel today. He just seemed to laugh at me and scold me for my foolishness. I don’t blame him; I’d have done the same. I never want to be alone again. 

If you are out there, God, talk to me, tell me why this happened. ANSWER ME!!!! Maybe you don’t even exist.” 

“July 7 Thought about church today. I haven’t been to one since I was a kid. It was always painfully boring, and there were too many self-righteous fools. About now, I’d talk to one of those fools or even old Pastor Jen… Thinking of that talkative old pastor reminds me of the Psalm about the shepherd and walking in the valley of death; it was his favourite. 

God is my shepherd 

He makes me lie down on green grass near quiet water 

He restores my soul and makes me right 

When I walk through the valley of death, I won’t be afraid, 

His rod and staff comfort me 

He gives me a table even among my enemies, 

puts oil on my head and fills my cup 

Goodness and mercy comes from Him and 

I will live in His house forever 

Amen 

It helps me to think that maybe someone is watching over me. Felt strangely comforted.” 

“July 9 I think it’s the ninth. I slept through all yesterday, or maybe it was two days. Hard to tell any more. I’m so weak. Too hard to do much. So hungry and so much pain. I don’t know if I’m ever getting out of here.” 

“Lost track of days. I don’t know how long it’s been since I wrote last time.

Spent a lot of time getting things sorted out with God. I talked, yelled, begged, pleaded, and finally decided to trust Him. It feels good to have things right with Him. Wish I’d done it years ago.” 

“I’m dying …. Stay with me awhile God, I can’t do this by myself. I don’t want to die, but with you here I’m not afraid any more.” 

The page had a few pencil marks on the bottom of it as if to keep track of the passing days, then nothing more. I guess that was when he died. 

I knew I needed to go back and report what I had discovered. I had been known to tell the odd whopper or two and had already been in trouble with Deputy Johnson more than once, so I needed some proof that there really was a dead body. I took the journal and turned my canoe back downstream. 

During the long trip back into town, I puzzled over the miracle of a man who came to trust God even as he lay dying. In one way, I could relate to the story in his journal. I had gone to church with my parents many times, and I felt it was a boring waste of my time, but on that trip, I realized for the first time how real God was. There was more to Him than a boring hour of singing and sermons on a Sunday morning ever showed me. Maybe He was even worth paying attention to. 

I never went back to the falls, and the sheriff never solved the riddle of who the mystery man was or what happened to him on Grizzly Creek. 

I remembered his journal every time I preached on Psalm 23. As I locked the church’s front door and headed home to the parsonage, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way God works. He used a man I didn’t know to change the course of my whole life, from problem kid to preacher. 

After forty years, perhaps it was time to go back and finish my trip. 

A work of fiction but the idea was drawn out of the experiences of some people I know. Take some time today to reflect on people or circumstances the Lord has used in your life to draw you closer and shape your path. Give Him thanks.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin.

Gleanings From The Word.

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)

_____________________________

All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.

Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Never miss an issue. Subscribe to our email version today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

 ____________________________

#devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #love #joy #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #forgiveness #Holyspirit #pray #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #believe #dailybiblereading #dailybible #devotional #discipleship #holyspirit #pray #scripture #gospel #hope #truth #worship

#houseplants #africanviolets #grace #forgiveness

#Grizzlycreek #grizzly #canoeing #adventurestory

#mountainman

Charlie was an old-timer who had spent many years in the bush. I say was because 50 years ago, back in the days when I knew him, he seemed to be ancient. I cannot imagine him still living.

Charlie was a crusty old curmudgeon of a character. He could out walk, outtalk, out fight, out cuss and outwork just about everyone he ever met. He could build a fire out of almost nothing, and his skills as a fisherman and hunter were the stuff of legend.

Someone told me that there had once been a Mrs. Charlie, but he never mentioned her to the best of my recollection. It was the sort of thing you did not ask him about. If you wanted tall tales or practical advice about survival in the bush, he would gladly talk about those topics. Anything more personal was off-limits.

Charlie had been a hunter, fisherman, trapper, logger, and prospector at various times. His multiple occupations usually kept him miles from civilization, often on his own. Over the years, there were many occasions where Charlie had to depend on his wits and survival skills to survive.

Charlie had walked away from more than one bush plane crash. He had walked more than 200 miles through the virgin forest after a lightning bolt had left him without a usable canoe.

There were several things Charlie never left home without. Charlie carried a roll of brass snare wire, a sharp pocketknife and a hunting knife in a sheath on his belt. In his pockets were a couple of bandannas, numerous boxes of waterproof matches, a small candle and a compass. He kept some fishing line, flies, and simple hooks in an old breath mint can. Lastly, he carried a battered, old Winchester, lever action .22 with at least a box of ammunition.

There was always plenty of gear besides those things, but Charlie told me that he felt naked in the bush without those constant companions. He believed in being prepared, and it had been the difference between life and death for him more than once.

I feel that Charlie and King David would have gotten along well. David knew what it was like to be out there on his own for long periods. They would have differed in one area. I do not remember Charlie ever once mentioning the Lord unless it was as an expletive.

David travelled with constant companions as well. He had a sling, a staff and undoubtedly a knife of some form. 

King David also had an even more powerful companion. David seldom travelled very far without keeping the Lord close at hand. There were times when David drifted, but he always found the Lord close at hand when he looked for Him.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,

nor are there any works like yours.

All the nations you have made shall come

and worship before you, O Lord,

and shall glorify your name.

For you are great and do wondrous things;

you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead. Psalm 86:8-13

The best companion you can have on any journey is the Lord. Until next time, make sure He goes with you.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed. 

Kevin.

Gleanings From The Word.

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)

_____________________________

All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.

Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Retalk.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required. 

 ____________________________

#devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #love #joy #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #Holyspirit #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #dailybiblereading #dailybible #pray #believe #devotional #discipleship

Railroad tracks have always fascinated me. There is something about the romance of train travel that has an appeal, but it’s tracks that capture my interest.

I find something about two parallel lines that never come together strangely satisfying. I’m not sure what it is, but it is comforting that the two lines are running equidistantly side-by-side forever. I know some people who find that the lines never meet to be disquieting. I suspect most people have never thought about it one way or another.

A pair of themes in the Scriptures run parallel to one another. Efforts to reconcile those parallel themes inevitably damage or distort one or the other.

I am speaking of divine sovereignty and individual responsibility. Both are taught clearly in the Bible and sometimes seem to be a paradox.

God has clearly ordained those He has called to salvation. Salvation is entirely of God.

Here is a small sampling of the verses that teach that concept.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Romans 9:13-18

Yet, individual responsibility is also clearly taught. Every person is accountable for what they do about Jesus.

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12

…as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-16

I could cite many more verses supporting both the truth of God’s sovereignty (divine election) and personal responsibility (our choice) from old and new testaments. Whatever theological position you take on the issue, you must deal with the other track.

I have been asked, “How do you reconcile the two?” I don’t.

I have also been asked “Which is true?” They both are.

I know that without a doubt that my salvation is entirely of God and not of me. He provided even the faith I needed to be saved. I also know that there was a point at which I chose to believe, at least from my perspective.

I don’t need to resolve the seeming paradox. I couldn’t if I wanted to. The Bible teaches both, and God’s Word never lies.

I’m not responsible for solving the issue. I am responsible for trusting in God by faith and sharing the gospel with others.

Maybe God will reveal the answer to us in glory. Then again, perhaps He won’t. He is God and will always know and understand things I cannot comprehend.

I don’t know who the elect are, so I will tell anyone who will listen about Jesus. I know that God is perfect, righteous, just, holy and merciful. His plans will always be perfect. That is more than enough for me, not that God requires my understanding or approval anyway.

Praise Him for your salvation and for the opportunity to tell others about Him.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed. 

Kevin.

Gleanings From The Word.

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)

_____________________________

Subscribe today 

Find us on Facebook

Find us on Instagram

Visit our Homepage

Find us on Pinterest

___________________________

All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.