50 Miles in Yellowstone

I spent a week in the Bechler Region of Yellowstone National Park last summer with a group of Boy Scouts and leaders. We hiked over 50 miles through some of the most beautiful country on earth.

This is a picture of me and my son as we take a rest one afternoon in a meadow at the base of the Tetons.

We can do much more than we think we can. One of the great lessons these young men learned was their ability to push on even when they felt like quitting. I wish all children, and many adults, could learn this lesson. You can do more than you think you can. Even when you're tired and hurting, you can still keep going. Physical fitness is important, but I constanly saw less fit young men surpassing some who were in better shape.

Union Falls, shown here, can only be reached by walking or horseback. It's probably about a 12 mile hike from the Bechler Ranger station. It's truly a sight to behold. I've never seen anything like it. We hiked up for this view on our second to last day. By the time we sat down overlooking this beautiful sight, we were about 45 miles into our trip. Self discipline and teamwork had brought us to this point. Everyone gazing at the wonder of Union Falls had earned it.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28

The Purpose of Life

“Our role as humans is to embody here, upon this shadowed and sorrow-bound side of the Veil, those qualities which arise from beyond and are the same on both sides, ever-sustaining, eternal and divine…Courage, Selflessness, Compassion and Love.”
– Diomache, Gates of Fire, pg 295

Remembering September 11

Like most of you, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of an airplane crashing into the World Trade Center. Within minutes, additional reports came in telling us America was under attack. I'll never forget the feelings of that day. None of us should ever forget.
Today we remember the brutal attack upon our nation, our homes and our families. We must never forget the reality of evil. We must stand strong in the face of our enemies and do all that is necessary to protect our families, our homes, our nation and our way of life. We cannot retreat. We cannot surrender. We must stay the course and destroy those who are willing to kill innocent men, women, and children. We are at war with radical Islam. We should unleash the full power of our military and utterly destroy this threat from the earth. There is no room in our world for people who seek to achieve their goals by slaughtering others.

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Joel 3:9 - 10