From Trail Thoughts by Eric Kampmann: Jan. 16

The hand of God in creation should be obvious to all, but since the 19th century, many leaders, under the influence of the philosophy of scientific progress, proclaimed God dead and therefore not a factor in the creation of the world.

Matthew Arnold, the poet, captures the desolate spirit of this “enlightened” new age in his poem “Dover Beach”: The Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. But now I only hear its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar, retreating, to the breath of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear and naked shingles of the world. But as we now know, the god of that age became the shipwreck of the next century with its sinister technologies resulting in world wars, mass murders and atomic weapons.

When we no longer see God’s hand in the stars and the seas and splendors of the earth itself, we consign ourselves to the desolate and dark places of this world without the possibility of rescue. As Moses approaches the end of his long journey, he tells the people of Israel (and us) that we have a choice and that we should choose wisely: “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction…Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him.” (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19-20)

Review by Sabrina Sumsion on August 15, 2008:  www.sabrinareviews.com 

Many people can pinpoint an experience in their lives that changed them forever. Some call them “defining moments.” Others refer to significant “turning points.” But Eric Kampmann calls it his “Jonah Moment.” For Kampmann, it was after emerging from a personal crisis with a new perspective that he committed himself to encountering the words of the Bible on a daily basis in order to gain an understanding of God’s Word. In part, Trail Thoughts was inspired by Kampmann’s love of hiking the 2,185 miles of arduous, beautiful paths that comprise the Appalachian Trail. His time on the trail has taught him that we need to step out of our normal routines in order to experience firsthand the mystery and majesty of God’s universe. He wrote this reader-friendly devotional to help others who are on their own journeys, whether they have just begun the trip or they are seasoned travelers. It is designed as an accessible entryway into the beauty and profound truth of the biblical narrative and its relevance to everyday experience. Each day includes a wisdom passage from the Old Testament along with a short reflection to help readers in their own explorations of faith. Sure to become an oft-read, dog-eared favorite, Trail Thoughts is aptly dedicated to stargazers and trail-thinkers everywhere.

Do you get caught up in life? Do you forget there is more to life than the day-to-day grind? I do. I am so worried about paying the next bill, what the next raise will look like, who hit whom first and many other distracting details I forget to step back and look at the big picture. I am also one of those Christians who really means to read the scriptures every day but only remembers when my head hits the pillow. 

Trail Thoughts is elegant in its simplicity. It isn’t long lectures telling you how things should be but rather an open door waiting for you to walk through and discover God’s desires for you. Trail Thoughts is the perfect gift for yourself or anyone who needs five minutes to re-center everyday. (In other words, practically everyone on this earth!)

I think I have found a solution to my problem. Trail Thoughts is a beautiful compilation of scriptures and companion explanation to be read one at a time. There is a scripture for everyday of the year. If you’re curious like me, yes, February 29th is included with a heading “Leap Year”. I will keep this book on my night stand and get my daily scripture everyday from now on!

THE SWEET POWER OF MUSIC–Excerpt from Aug. 11 Trail Thoughts

Music has enormous power over our souls because it is able to open our hearts to intimations of the original state of harmony of God’s universe. When we sing songs of praise to God, our hearts are lifted up into the company of angels choiring in heaven. Holy music speaks to us about the presence of God in all dimensions of creation, both at the beginning and even now.

Music is God’s universal language that speaks even to wild animals that intuit the natural harmony of the universe: “For do but note a wild and wanton herd, or race of youthful and unhandled colts, fetching mad bounds, bellowing and neighing loud, which is the hot condition of their blood; if they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, or any air of music touch their ears, you shall perceive them make a mutual stand, their savage eyes turn’d to modest gaze by the sweet power of music.”

“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”  —Proverbs 9:1–6

From Trail Thoughts by Eric Kampmann (7/28)

Wisdom is a house built with stone and on stone and supported by seven pillars. This is the house that Jesus describes at the end of his Sermon on the Mount. It is a house that can withstand the worst storm: “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blow and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

But there is another kind of house built to entrap the simple and the foolish. It is the kind of house that leads to destruction. “At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house…(Proverbs 7:6-8) All at once he followed her…little knowing it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:22-23)

God invites each of us to enter His house of seven pillars. Other houses, and there are many, are prisons filled with sorrow and regret. Beware of entering such places.