Today's Thought - God

 

Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”

One of my heroes is the sixteenth president of the United States who did tremendous things for our country, and he earned the lasting respect and loyalty of American citizens. But was he a Christian? A minister from Illinois just a few short months before Lincoln’s death asked him, “Do you love Jesus?” Lincoln responded, “When I left Springfield, I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But, when I went to Gettysburg, and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated my life to Christ. Yes, I do love Jesus.” (Source: William J. Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, The Christian, p.172).

Lincoln was a humble and forgiving person, and he exemplifies our need as a nation to humble ourselves before God. In our day, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we would do well to heed Lincoln’s words, “it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” (Source: “Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day, March 30, 1863.” Abrahamlincolnonline.org). Today, let us humble ourselves before God, and ask Him to grant His mercy upon us.

Clark County Museum - Southern Nevada

The Clark County has a long and fascinating history. To learn about Southern Nevada's colorful past we've visited the Clark County Museum.

 

Most of Nevada was covered with warm, shallow, inland seas and lakes. As the years passed and the water receded, coral reefs became limestone, seafloor sediments became sandstone, plankton remains became shale.

    

                 

The Dire wolf was a very successful hunter and scavenger.

To the Paiutes, the desert valleys and surrounding mountains were a treasure trove of food, clothing and shelter. The diorama depicts a small encampment. The woman is wearing a rabbit fur robe and a basketry hat. The baby is wrapped on a basketry cradle.

Among the early explorers in Southern Nevada were Francisco Garces, a Franciscan monk (1770s - 1840s)

Mining in Nevada. The 1849 Gold Rush brought people from all over the world to California, across the Sierra Nevada mountains and into Nevada's mining districts.  

Las Vegas Ranch Bell. O.D. Gass had this bell cast in Pioche and installed it on the ranch house in the 1870s.

Most pioneers had very little with which to set up a household. Settlers were sometimes isolated and unable to buy or trade for goods they needed. They were further hampered in their efforts to begin farming by the harsh desert environment which required irrigation for crops to grow. Despite these difficult conditions, many people persevered and eventually prospered in their new home.

Temporary camp on Las Vegas Creek. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, J. T. Mcwilliams created the "Original Las Vegas Town," as he called it. However, it was the auction of William A. Clark's Las Vegas Townsite in early May of 1905 that brought in hundreds of speculators from many areas, particularly southern California. They set up haphazard, temporary camps along the creek and waited for the auction.

We hope you enjoyed few photos and learned little about Southern Nevada's pass. Thank you for reading.

Today's Thought - The Son

1 John 5:12 - "Whoever has the Son has life."

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.

The young man held out his package. “I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.” The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later.

There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?”

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?” Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?”

“Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!”

A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now let’s get on with the collection!” The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I’m sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!” (Source: “The Painting of The Son,” http://www. turnbacktogod.com/story-the-painting-of-the-son).

God did not spare His own son, but delivered Him over for us on a cruel cross. The eternal life is inseparable from the Son. The Son and eternal life, together, are one gift, given from God the Father. 

This verse is not an offer of eternal life, such as John 20:30-31, but a confirmation of what God had done for those who takes the son. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything. 

Seven Magic Mountains - Sloan, Nevada

The 30-foot fluorescent “totems” artwork located near Jean Dry Lake and Interstate 15, approximately ten miles south of Las Vegas, Nevada. A nice experience to see the internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s large-scale public art installation.

Today's Thought - Work

Luke 12:15 – And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

The rich man had it all! He had built a successful business and had made all the right investments. And with this year’s abundance in profits, he decided it was time to reap the benefits of his hard work. He said to himself, "You have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry" (v. 19). 

We work hard all of our lives and plan out our finances carefully so that we are able to look forward to a relaxed retirement. It seems to make a lot of sense, saving up for our future retirement and we would think that the rich man in this parable would be commended for his wise planning. Instead, God said to him, “Fool!” (v. 20) But that’s not because he was rich or because he had planned for his retirement. It’s because he had missed the most important thing in life. He had not been rich toward God. In all his careful planning and hard work he had left God out of the picture. He had stored up treasures on earth without storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). 

Martin Luther says, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”  (Source: Quotes, brainyquote.com).  How are you living your life? Are you being rich toward God? Are you investing in his kingdom?

Today's Thought - Strength

Matthew 6:10 – “…Your kingdom come, your will be done…”

During the U.S. Civil War, Abraham Lincoln met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. Lincoln was not a church-goer but was a man of deep, if at times unorthodox, faith. At one point one of the ministers said, “Mr. President, let us pray that God is on our side”. Lincoln’s response showed far greater insight, “No gentlemen, let us pray that we are on God’s side.” Lincoln reminded those ministers that religion is not a tool by which we get God to do what we want but an invitation to open ourselves to being and doing what God wants. (Unknown source but widely used over the internet.)

The strength of the Lord’s Prayer brings comfort to people when they are confronted with difficulties of life. Faithful people throughout the centuries witness to dramatic deliverances from difficulties. Sometimes we aren't relieved by God. Sometimes we merely endure. In these times, the answer to our prayer is for God's help. Sometimes the answer is "Lean on me, and you will survive and thrive." Whom have I in heaven but you? I am weak with my difficulties but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. Are you having difficulty today? Invite the living God to inhabit you with His power and strength.

Muffin Ridge Hike

There are many hiking trails around Red Rock, NV. The other day we went on a 5.5 mile moderately trafficked hike up to Muffin Ridge located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, but the trail is not on the Scenic Loop Road. To get there, drive out West Charleston Blvd, past the entrance to the Scenic Loop Drive (main gate) to the Cowboy Trail Rides Trailhead on the left. Park here; this is the trailhead.

Start of the hike through this sign.

This is a fairly safe hike.

Starting up steep hillside

Trail has several switchback heading up.

Looking back down across side canyon to Red Rock cliffs

Nice view of Las Vegas Valley.

View of Las Vegas Strip.

Muffin

"I've crested the Muffin..."

A quick selfie at the summit.

View of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

After few minutes of rest and snacks we continue southeast over the ridge, turned left on Little Jimmy down to Boneshaker back down to the trailhead. Thanks for reading. Travel safe!