New Year Resolutions

Every year people make resolutions that, if carried through, will improve or enhance their lives.  It is tempting to look back over a year almost completed and see the glass half-full: missed opportunities, regrets, "should haves" and "ought tos" and other times and instances where we have fallen short.  So we look ahead and make a laundry list of resolutions that will address those areas we feel need improvement.

Nothing wrong with making resolutions, however, keeping them is the problem.  In my experience, I find that I make too many resolutions and then have trouble carrying them out.  They are often overly ambitious and difficult to achieve.  Some resolutions are too vague, like "I am going to be a better person."  To me, such a nebulous resolution is easily discarded.

So this year I have decided to make ONE resolution for 2014.  I will keep this resolution before me all year.  It is based on Scripture that you will recognize.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.   

- Micah 6:8 

As a resolution, this speaks to two areas in life that always need attention - how I act toward others and my relationship with God.  Letting Justice and Mercy guide my relationships with others will mean putting others ahead of me and seeking ways to help others.  It entails patience, kindness, generosity, and gentleness.  Walking humbly with God is a self-discipline that requires faithfulness and self-control.

So there it is, my one resolution for 2014.  It looks like I will be busy!

A Season of Thankfulness - November 2013

Thanksgiving has always been important to me. While the we have romanticized Thanksgiving to some extent with Pilgrim stories, the sole purpose of a national day of thanks is just that: to give thanks for our blessings.  In recent years, Thanksgiving has lost ground to Black Friday/Material Christmas excesses.  More and more stores were open on Thanksgiving this year, and sales people missed family time and just time to rest before the madness of Black Friday.

This year I decided to post a daily Thanksgiving thought on Facebook that named one thing I reflected on and gave thanks for.  Many others did similar postings.  It was good to intentionaly reflect on things I am thankful for and name them.  It was a good exercise, and one that should not be confined to one month.  Being thankful should be a way of living each day of our lives.

So I don't lose track of my Season of Thankfulness, I decided to list all of them on this blog.  I can scroll through the archive to remember what a blessed life I have.  Perhaps it will help me remember blessings and not take them for granted.

A Season of Thankfulness: One

Driving home this morning watching the clouds give way to blue sky and sunshine and seeing the vibrant colors of Autumn washed clean from the rain, I was reminded of the beauty of God’s creation that I live in and call home.  Giving thanks for the beauty of our mountains.

A Season of Thankfulness: Two

Giving thanks today for God’s Presence in my life.  I do not need to go to one place like the Temple in Jerusalem to be in God’s Presence.  He is Omnipresent; present everywhere at all times.  What a comfort to know that wherever I go, He walks with me.  “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you; who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord” Psalm 89:15

A Season of Thankfulness: Three

Our lesson in Sunday School on the Parable of the Good Samaritan has me reflecting on compassion.  Whether it is the life-saving compassion the Samaritan showed or the “everyday” compassion one extends through a smile, a greeting, or a simple blessing to lift us through our day; I give thanks for the God-given capacity to show compassion, and for the compassion so many have shown toward me.

A Season of Thankfulness: Four

All Saints’ Day was celebrated at church yesterday.  Remembering those who have passed on and the ways many of them helped shape my faith over the years.  Paul wrote of “a great cloud of witnesses” – those who have and continue to walk with us on our journey.  I am thankful for all those who have and who presently give faith encouragement.

A Season of Thankfulness: Five

“Your Word, is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps. 119:105)  Where would we be without the Word of God?  The Word as we have it in the Bible teaches us and guides us through life.  How lost we would be without it!  Giving thanks today for the Word - instruction and wisdom for my life.

A Season of Thankfulness: Six

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)  We like to plan, to be in control, to micro-manage our lives.  But it would be better if we realized that God’s purpose for us far outweighs any plans we try to make for ourselves.  I am thankful for those moments when I understand this.

A Season of Thankfulness: Seven

My Bible concordance has a long list of verses containing the word “joy.” Biblical joy is more than an emotion that comes and goes (think happiness); but rather, it is an attribute that remains at our core and impacts how we live and see the world. Jesus spoke about joy and love together, “…that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. My command is this, love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12) I am thankful for true God-given joy and love I see in others and try to live in my life.

A Season of Thankfulness: Eight

We hope for a lot of things: good weather, that our team wins the game, or even those lottery numbers match. But those hopes are mainly dependent on external influences out of our control. How different the Christian hope that God loves us enough to send His Son to assure us eternal life. So thankful for this assurance He placed in our lives.

A Season of Thankfulness: Nine

“MERCY is God withholding from us what we deserve; GRACE is God giving us what we don’t deserve.”  I don’t know who came up with that quote, but it rings true.  Where would we be without God’s MERCY and GRACE?  Ever thankful for a GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL God.

A Season of Thankfulness: Ten

Our Sunday School lesson today is the Parable of the Prodigal Son, or “The Parable of the Compassionate Father and His Two Lost Sons.” So many lessons in this familiar story. How wonderful that God fully restores us and reconciles us with Him. Thankful for God’s LOVE and RESTORATION.

A Season of Thankfulness: Eleven

Giving thanks this day to all who have served in the armed forces.  My Dad served in the Pacific in World War II as did my father-in-law.  Let us not take for granted the sacrifice and honor brave soldiers have shown in peace and in war.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twelve

Direction in life can come from many sources.  We can allow this world to influence our direction, or we can take direction from our God who knows the plans He has made for us.  Giving thanks that God will continue to “direct my footsteps according to His word” (Psalm 119:133).

A Season of Thankfulness: Thirteen

Thankful that I live in a country that cherishes freedom.  Prayerful that I do not abuse that freedom by using it as an excuse or cover-up for evil (1Peter2:16)  Ever thankful for freedom from sin that can only come through the Lord.

A Season of Thankfulness: Fourteen

Psalm 31 is a plea and acknowledgment of God’s mighty protection.  How often do I take for granted God’s sanctuary and protection?  Giving thanks and reflecting on God’s provision of protection and sanctuary in my life.  “Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 31:2-3)

A Season of Thankfulness: Fifteen

Thinking about friendship today and the many true and faithful friends I have in my life.  Ever thankful for friends who listen, share joys and sorrows, and are always there for me.  Remembering too, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus!”

A Season of Thankfulness: Sixteen

Giving thanks for prayer; for the privilege of being able to approach God in prayer, to be honest with God, and knowing that God hears our prayers.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philppians4:6)  Keep praying!

A Season of Thankfulness: Seventeen

Truth and truthfulness is a character trait we all strive to consistently demonstrate.  Truth is also a foundation upon which we should build our lives.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32)  Thankful for the Truth.

A Season of Thankfulness: Eighteen

“God is Good…All the Time, All the Time…God is Good.” When we say this in church, it reminds me of the basic goodness of God.  We can BE good, but God IS good -always.  He pronounced each step of His creation “GOOD” and declared His people “VERY GOOD.”  I am thankful for the unwavering goodness of God and for the goodness of people in my life.  “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

A Season of Thankfulness: Nineteen

Technology is very useful; the fact that we are using it to communicate right now is evidence of that.  But it seems we are never content with it; we are always after the next new thing, upgrading to a newer, faster device.  Contentment is a rare commodity in this world; indeed being content takes discipline and effort.  I am thankful or those moments when I am content with what I have.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty

The promises of God are true and constant.  From His promises to Abraham and His people to the promise of everlasting life through Christ, God has kept his promise of redemption, reconciling us to Him.  Thankful today and always for our God of promises.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-one

“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)  God wants us to look ahead, to look forward to the possibilities and promises He has for us.  How easy is it to dwell on the past -count our mistakes, relive failures, and harbor “ought’s” and “should haves.”  Each day is a gift from God to seek out that “new thing.”  Giving thanks today for renewal and new things.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-two

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  What is it that holds us back and keeps us from pressing forward? Often we don’t think we have the strength, power, or the confidence to step out of our comfort zones.  But as Paul reminds us, we have a spirit of power and love.  I am thankful that God supplies the power!

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-three

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)  Knowing we are forgiven is a great comfort and reason to give thanks.  We readily accept forgiveness from God. As the verse above reminds us, we are to forgive others as the Lord forgives us.  Thankful for forgiveness and pray that I will forgive others.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-four

I once referred to the people at my church as the congregation.  But as our fellowship deepened and love for each other increased, they are my CHURCH FAMILY.  How thankful I am for these wonderful brothers and sisters with whom I worship, learn from, and grow spiritually.  They are truly family!

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-five

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)  The Prince of Peace promises us peace – a peace that passes all understanding.  That peace is a peace of the spirit: an untroubled and fearless heart.  I believe we are to work for peace on this earth through justice and mercy, and claiming the peace that only Jesus can give.  Ever thankful for that peace!

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-six

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)  Call it strength, endurance, or perseverance; we all need a healthy dose to get through busy days.  Physical strength can wane and tiredness can slow me down, but real inner strength is from God and He does not run low. Isaiah tells us that “even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (40:31)  I am thankful for the days I am soaring with the eagles on God’s strength.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-seven

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.” (James 3:13)  We live in an information age: instant communication, 24/7 news and entertainment, and seemingly perpetual connectivity to the Internet.  While all this informs us and adds to our knowledge – at least that which is true and beneficial – it is not a source of wisdom.  Wisdom comes from God. James tells us to live well and humbly.  He adds: “Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”(3:17)  I am thankful for God’s provision of wisdom and pray that I seek it from Him and not from the world.

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-eight

When you think if your life does the word “abundant” come to mind?  Not the Black Friday kind of abundance, but a full, abundant life rich in love, faith, and peace.  Sometimes that abundant life seems elusive.  Jesus said,  “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b).  My sense is that the abundance Jesus speaks of is a QUALITY of life, while the abundance we most often see is based on the QUANTITY of material things.  We gain an abundant life by loving God and loving our neighbor.  May I always be thankful for life, and an abundant life.  Happy Thanksgiving!

A Season of Thankfulness: Twenty-nine

Being thankful has been a focus this month, and now with thanksgiving over, it is tempting to rush headlong into the Christmas season. I look forward to Advent, preparing with anticipation for the Prince of Peace; but I don’t want to let go of intentional counting of blessings.  A thankful heart is a gift. 

A Season of Thankfulness: Thirty

Family nurtures us in our formative years, we build a family in our adult years, and we bask in the love of family in our later years.  I am thankful for family – immediate and extended – that has guided and taught me over the years, has loved me always, and has become more precious to me as the years continue.

MST Hike 4 - Views and Wildflowers

It has been a few weeks since the last MST challenge hike due to a couple weeks off the trail and last week at the beach.  We planned a 10 mile hike from Pigeon Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Forest Service Road 816 in the Black Balsam area.  There was over 3,000 feet of elevation gain going the direction we chose, but it was a beautiful day and a good workout was in order.

We climbed to over 5,000 feet at the start of the hike and I immediately noticed a season rewind. Although the temperature was warn, the picture above shows trees just budding. It was like we hiked from mid-May to early April.  As we hiked along the MST we could see the green valleys to the south, but to the north the higher elevations of the Black Balsams still showed little green.  We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway twice.  At one crossing the view south gave a great view of Looking Glass Rock and the Davidson River Valley.

All along our hike we saw many wildflowers including painted trillium, wake robin, white violets, and bluets. Pink shell azaleas were in bloom as well.  A few pictures of the wildflowers we saw:

Both above: Painted Trillium

Pink shell azalea

Wake robin

Five miles into the hike we reached our lunch spot at Skinny Dip Falls.  These are very popular on warm summer days because they are easily reached by a connecting trail from an overlook at mile 417 on the Parkway.  There were only a few people there and we had a sunny spot on the rocks at the falls for lunch; and no I did not swim!

Skinny Dip Falls

Lower falls 

As we climbed during the afternoon there were more long range views to the south and east and views of Black Balsams and Tennent Mountain.  

View looking east

View toward Black Balsam

It was a beautiful warm day to be hiking in the woods.  The temperature was 77 degrees when we reached the car at the hike.  When I got to Old Fort it was 92.  Summer temperatures are here, but they can be escaped by going to higher elevations on the MST.

A Letter to Gov. McCrory

Dear Governor McCrory,
I am a retired teacher in McDowell County. I retired from teaching the sixth grade at Pleasant Gardens Elementary School after 31 years.  I currently serve as co-coordinator of the North Carolina Geographic Alliance, a position that allows me to stay in touch with teachers and spend some time volunteering in schools each year.

I totally disagree with your proposed budget that threatens to cut elementary teacher assistants. Teacher assistants are  such an integral part of early elementary classrooms.  They engage with students in reading, math and other subjects, assisting in instruction.  They perform clerical tasks and assist the classroom teacher with a myriad of other tasks. They  are the second set of eyes and ears in the classroom, helping students, reading with students, and being another adult figure for the students.

I strongly urge you to restore funding of teacher assistants in our early elementary classrooms.  Over the past several years, public education has been cut by state budgets. Proposals by you and our legislature only exacerbate the problem by further cuts and weakening the public schools.  In the past, North Carolina has been an excellent state for education with a very good climate for educators.  The gains of the past are eroding away. We are almost at the bottom in teacher pay, and now your budget will remove the asset of teacher assistants from the classroom. You will be putting many teacher assistants out of work.

North Carolina has had several "education governors" - governors who put public schools first and sought to improve K-12 education equitably across the state.  Your proposed budget and the policies and laws proposed by the current legislature will leave you as being remembered as the "non-education governor."

The Black Mountain Crest Trail

We took a break from the MST 130 Challenge yesterday to hike the Black Mountain Crest trail, which as the name implies, follows the crest of the Black Mountains for 12 miles from Bolen's Creek to Mt.Mitchell.  One of the hikers in our group of four needed 3 peaks in the Blacks to complete the South Beyond 6,000 (SB6K) challenge.  This Carolina Mountain Club challenge involves summiting 40 peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation in Western NC and, in the Smokies, in Tennessee.  12 of these peaks lie in the Black Mountain, from Celo Knob in the north to Blackstock Knob in the south.  

We began hiking a little after 8:00 am off Bolen's Creek Road. The trail ascends 3,000 feet in about 4 miles, so our day started with a sustained climb.  It is evident when you reach the crest of the Blacks, because you can see virtually all the peaks you will be crossing as you hike south toward Mt. Mitchell.  The picture  above  shows the view looking south.  All the peaks shown are over 6.000 feet.  

Gibbs Mountain was the first of the three peaks needed to complete the SB6K challenge, and it requires an off-trail bushwhack.  We took off through the briars and trees, working our way up the short distance to the summit.  Several rocks are at the top, and the high point did not provide much of a view.  We worked our way back down and hiked south toward lunch and the next peak, Winter Star Mountain.  

The trail up WInter Star is a series of steep climbs often very rocky.  In some places you wonder where the trail went, then you realize that it is up and over the rocks ahead of you.  Look for the trail in this picture. It is directly in front at the center of the picture.

The main features of the Black Mountain Crest trail are lots of ascending and descending, lots of rocks, and lots of roots.  There is about the same amount of climbing along the crest as there was on the initial 3,000 foot climb at the beginning of the hike.  At the end of the hike we had a total ascent of over 5,700 feet.  The trail also provides expansive views east of the crest toward the South Toe River valley, and west of the crest toward the North Toe River valley.  Some areas we open and there were many interesting rocks.  Due to the extreme winters there are lots of blow downs, although the trail was mostly clear of them.  Environmental conditions and insects have harmed the older trees, as seen by the ghostly skeletons still standing.

The weather was sunny to cloudy during most of the day.  The temperature at 6.000 feet was comfortable, but we know the forecast was for rain later in the day.  As we approached Big Tom and Mt. Craig over the last 2 miles of the hike the wind and rain started.  Donning rain gear we continued on.  Everything was socked in by clouds, so we lost any views we enjoyed earlier in the day.  

After 8 hours of a steep and hard 12 miles we reached the car at the Mt. Mitchell parking lot.  All in all a good day on the Crest. 

A few more pictures from the hike.

View to the east

Fern rock garden

Looking southeast 

MST Hike 3

West of Asheville the Blue Ridge Parkway climbs from an elevation on 2100 feet at the French Broad River overlook to nearly 5000 feet at the Pisgah Inn.  The Mountains to the Sea Trail (MST) follows the Parkway in both miles and elevation.  Our most recent hike took us from Stony Bald overlook - elevation 3750 - to Pigeon Gap - elevation 4520.  Over the 13.8 miles we climbed over 3000 feet.  Our highest point on the trail was Little Pisgah Mountain at 5285 feet.

The first half of the hike took us over Little Pisgah to the Buck Springs Lodge site and the Pisgah Inn.  Buck Springs Lodge was a hunting lodge built by George Vanderbilt in 1896 (one year after the Biltmore House was opened).  Lying some 20 miles west of the Biltmore House, it was reached by the Shut-in Trail that connected the estate to the lodge.  Today, the MST follows part of this historic trail, and the 18 mile section is still called the Shut-in Trail.

There is a sign at the site of the Buck Springs Lodge, but the buildings are long gone.  The stonework of a root cellar remains.  The Pisgah Inn has an interpretive trail that connects the lodge site with the inn.  The Pisgah Inn is a popular restaurant and motel on the Parkway near Mt. Pisgah.  Most people recognize Mt. Pisgah by the WLOS TV transmitting tower on the summit.  A spur trail off the MST reaches the summit.

After the Pisgah Inn the MST follows the Buck Springs trail to Highway 276 and Pigeon Gap.  This trail has over a dozen water crossings as it winds in and out of several mountain coves.  The sound of rushing water is heard frequently; and the afternoon we hiked we also had a couple hours of rain.  It was the most scenic part of the hike, and despite the rain and occasional lightning and thunder, an enjoyable six mile ramble.  The last part of the hike was a 500 climb to Pigeon Gap and our car.

Some views along the Buck Springs TRail (MST)

With this section of the MST we have completed 35 of the 130 miles of the MST Challenge.  As we push farther west, our drive time to the trailhead will increase, but the views and the scenery is well worth the drive.

Next week wil be a break from the MST.  A small group will be hiking the Black Mountain Crest trail from Bowlens Creek to Mt. Mitchell.  It is a challenging hike that is lovingly referred to as the "death march."

Two MST Hikes in Two Days

Last Sunday and Monday found me on two different sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail in the North Carolina mountains.  On Sunday, April 7 the CMC hike scheduled a hike from Lake James (actually the end of Wolf Pit Road near the lake) to Table Rock on the east rim of the Linville Gorge.  I have been to Table Rock from the parking area and I have hiked from Wolf Pit Road trailhead to Shortoff Mountain, but I have never hiked the in-between section.  This hike would be my opportunity.
So, early Sunday I met a group of 13 hikers who showed up for a strenuous hike.  After a mile climb up to Shortoff Mountain we were treated to views of the Linville Gorge and far below the Linville River.  Shortoff has a very steep cliff that drops several hundred feet to the gorge below.  The MST  winds along the top of Shortoff through an area that has been burned in the past few years.

After a few miles Table Rock and the ridge called The Chimneys came into view.

Table Rock still looked a long way off, but the day was warm and the trail was good.  We hiked on and gradually dropped in elevation to Chimney Gap.  From that gap to the ridge the trail climbed almost 1,000 feet in about a mile.  Steep going, but we gained the ridge and hiked along the most distinctive feature of the day - The Chimneys, seen in the center of the picture below.

We hiked along and under massive rock formations that are typical of the Linville Gorge.  We reached the Table Rock parking lot and picnic area at 1:00 and then climbed up to the top of Table Rock for lunch with a view.  The distance was 7.7 miles from our start.  After a leisurely lunch and taking n the views we began the hike back.  We reached our cars at the Wolf Pit trailhead a 6:30.  Total distance was 15.3 miles with a total climb of 4,176 feet.  This was a rugged section of the MST that lies outside the Carolina Mountain Club MST 130 Challenge.

The next day a small group of CMC hikers did hike a section for the challenge.  This section followed the MST from Stony Bald Overlook to the French Broad River Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Asheville.  It was another warm spring day that had us hiking in short sleeves before lunch.  We had a steep climb up Ferrin Knob and a few other moderate climbs during the day.  The MST wound through several coves that has rhododendron and laurel tunnels that reminded us that this section of the MST is part of the Shut-In Trail that linked the Biltmore Estate with Buck Spring Hunting Lodge located near Mt. Pisgah.  

We saw our first wildflowers on Monday; bloodroot carpeted several areas along the trail.

By 3:30 we had reached the cars at the French Broad Overlook at the end of an 11.7 mile hike.  Our next MST hike will take us a little farther west to the Pisgah Inn and beyond to the Highway 276 crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Start of Two New Challenges

The Carolina Mountain Club in Asheville is celebrating its 90th  year with two new challenges.  The club maintains 130 miles of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) and 93 miles for the Appalachian Trail (AT).  The "90 in 90 AT Challenge" and the "MST 130 Challenge" require one to hike these sections during the 2013 calendar year.  Over the past several years, I have hiked most of the MST trail mile and some of the AT miles, but this challenge requires they be hiked in 2013.

These challenges are not so much a competition, but a personal challenge to hike almost 200 miles of trails in Western North Carolina.  They will require some planing and the logistics of car shuttles, particularly for the MST challenge.

My friend Rich and I are planning on completing both challenges, and we started the MST challenge with an 11 mile hike on the MST through the "Asheville Corridor."  For those who don't know, much of the MST follows the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Asheville area.  The section of the Parkway from the Folk Art Center to Highway 191 (Brevard Rd.) is heavily used by commuters looking for an alternative to highway driving.   This area is also within sight of houses and other developed areas.

We hiked from the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center (milepost 384) to the French Broad River Overlook (milepost 393).  This section of the MST is not particularly steep as it winds its way across wooded land.  Probably the most notable thing about this section is that the MST uses the Parkway bridges over major roads.  Highways 74-A, 25-A, a railroad, Highway 25, and I-26 are al crossed by walking on the Parkway bridges over them.  At the end of the hike we crossed the French Broad River on the Parkway bridge near the overlook and the access to Hwy 191 and Brevard Road.

 

It was a clear day with temperatures in the low 60s.  We completed the 11 miles in less than 5 hours.  Now that we have our first MST section done, we are committed to completing the challenge.  Next up: the 10 miles from the Destination Center north to Ox Creek Road/Bull Gap.  This is another Asheville section of the MST.

The French Broad River from the Parkway Bridge

All photos by Rich Sampson

For the AT challenge, we are planning to do them in three three-day backpacking trips.  More on that later.