{"id":2158,"date":"2019-03-19T22:29:50","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T02:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/?p=2158"},"modified":"2019-03-19T22:29:52","modified_gmt":"2019-03-20T02:29:52","slug":"use-the-correct-guide-and-always-stay-on-the-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/?p=2158","title":{"rendered":"Use the Correct Guide and Always Stay on the Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Use the Correct Guide and Always Stay on the Trail<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE:<\/strong> The following entry is from chapter 2 of Tale of the Tenderfoot,
<\/em>\u00a9<\/strong> 2017 Jeffery J. Michaels \/ Plain English Publications.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the more important rules to follow when hiking in the wilderness is to always remain on the trail. Unless the hiker is fully trained and completely confident in the use of a compass, topographical map, and trail guide, this rule is absolutely essential. It can be very easy to get misplaced in the woods, even just a few yards off the trail. In some situations, the hiker\u2019s life could very well depend upon following this rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
No hiker should be without the proper tools while on the trail<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even if a hiker has not risen to the level of expert in the use of a compass, the tools of topographical map and trail guide are helpful, even necessary aids. The topographical map has been prepared by an expert cartographer and the trail guide by someone who has hiked the trail before \u2013 perhaps many times. This person has carefully measured the distance and the altitude gained along the way. They have taken note of important features, both for visual description and for the provision of helpful information such as places to camp, a water supply, or a convenient swimming hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The map and guide are tools that give insight, clarity and guidance \u2013 confirmation that the hiker is on the right trail and therefore on the way to the correct destination. I am reminded of the need for a trail guide in life \u2013 something worthy of trust that will give insight, clarity, and guidance. Life should be lived based upon a set of principles, but some will place their trust in a weak set of principles \u2013 or worse \u2013 no principles at all. The result is that they end up going off the trail, on a type of bushwhack through life. They become confused, disoriented, lost. They forget the most important rule to be followed \u2013 to stay on the trail \u2013 and they neglect the tools that should be consulted and trusted most \u2013 a compass, map, and guide for living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I try to stay on the trail, whether hiking in the Adirondacks, or by application, in all aspects of life. I am not a risk taker, preferring security, safety and stability. I feel uncomfortable taking risks that can to lead to disaster. I naturally think of unpleasant consequences that come with making careless or poor choices. I am therefore very careful in my approach to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Departure from the clearly marked trail can lead to trouble, in the forest or in life<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Be\ncareful what you follow and in what or whom you place your trust. A corrupted\nor imperfect guide will lead you directly into danger. The guide you choose to\nfollow \u2013 in which you place your trust \u2013 must be accurate, trustworthy, and yes\n\u2013 easy to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trails in the High Peaks region that are maintained by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) are marked with small plastic disks \u2013 red, yellow, or blue. These three inch diameter markers are nailed to trees at or a little above eye-level. Spacing is intermittent, but far enough apart so that they do not become a distraction from scenic beauty, yet close enough that even inexperienced hikers can follow them with little concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, trail junctions are marked with signs (brown with yellow lettering), either on trees or posts that have been set in the ground. The signs use a combination of place names, trail color, and approximate distance to various places. These signs are important markers for hikers allowing them to confirm direction and distance, along with helping to maintain a sense of time along the way. The lengthening shadows of late afternoon combined with stated distance on the sign can indicate that the weary hiker should find a suitable place to set up camp for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since I am careful to remain on the trail supported by a compass, topographical map, and the trail guide, I never wander off the trail and into danger. I actually feel much safer and more secure in the deep wilderness than I do on the streets of a metropolis. I recall the time when our family was in New York City. Brandon had a weekend soccer tournament on Long Island, so the trip was required for the team and of course families were also expected to make the trip. Quite frankly, apart from the soccer, I had absolutely no interest in visiting New York City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the trip, there was some extra time to see a little of the city, an opportunity that most families thought they would enjoy. I\u2019ll never forget standing near Times Square with most of the families of our group. While trying to decide what we would like to do for the afternoon, someone suggested we split-up. Each family could do whatever they wanted to do, and then we all would reunite later. I confess that in that moment I felt a surge of panic rise up within me. I had no map. I had no guide. I was completely uncomfortable with the idea and it seemed much like a bushwhack, but in the city. We would certainly be lost without a compass, map, and guide. Disaster was nearly certain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am grateful to have a guide on the trail in the wilderness, allowing me to feel completely safe and secure. However, in a much greater way I am grateful to have a guide in daily life \u2013 the Bible. It also provides insight, clarity, and guidance. It can be counted upon for accuracy and completeness. It keeps me from becoming confused, disoriented, and lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you rely upon for guidance and to keep you ‘on the trail’?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A superior guide on the trail of life. God’s Word is better than a map and compass.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00a9 Jeffery J. Michaels \/ Plain English Publications 2019
(Quotations allowed with attribution to this blog)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Use the Correct Guide and Always Stay on the Trail NOTE: The following entry is from chapter 2 of Tale of the Tenderfoot, \u00a9 2017 Jeffery J. Michaels \/ Plain English Publications. One of the more important rules to follow when hiking in the wilderness is to always remain on the trail. Unless the hiker … Continue reading Use the Correct Guide and Always Stay on the Trail<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2158"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2188,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2158\/revisions\/2188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jeffmichaels.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}