Shade Tree Wisdom 7/10/12

         Nearly everyone knows of the Grand Canyon. Few ever heard of the Palo Duro Canyon which cuts through the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. This canyon, the second largest in the country, is 120 miles long, up to 20 miles wide, and 820 feet deep.

          It is a State Park with all the things that make such parks worth a visit. And this year it celebrates the 45th anniversary season of the Official Play of the State of Texas.

          The show, offered Tuesday and Sundays during June through August, begins with a lone horseman carrying a flag atop a 600 foot cliff. It is set against an authentic tapestry of history and brings to life the struggles and triumphs of the early settlers of the Texas Panhandle. Song and dance, special lighting effects, including the famous Dancing Waters of Texas, and concludes with fireworks if conditions allow.

          Millions of fans come from around the world to see this event.

          As I said the play brings to life the struggles and triumphs of the early settlers. Today we live in this land, and we take so many conveniences for granted, do we not. So much that it becomes front page news when a lady has her water supply cut off over a dispute of an erroneous water bill.

          Reading Joshua, for example, tells of a people who knew God was with them in every struggle, and when Gideon was called to lead the fight against the marauding Midianites, he only consented when God assured HE would fight for him.

          Somehow, we tend to forget the presence of God in our daily life. So when Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” and then added, “I will be with you till the end of the world”, it is true. And our life will be richer if we take that thought along into every situation we face daily.

          It’s all right with me if you do not know about the Palo Duro Canyon, but I do hope and pray you will remember the strong promise of Jesus each day.

GPD 7/10/12