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Kyle West Story-Truth Project
Why would God use a boy with cerebral palsy? That’s what 7 year-old Kyle West asked. Now 18, God has used Kyle in incredible ways, including on The Truth Project. Despite Kyle’s difficulties, God has a plan and purpose for his life and for yours. Watch Del's bonus teaching looking at the topic now or watch the full episode online now at Cross Examine's Facebook page www.facebook.com/CrossExamine.
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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Road Guard Duty
Posted on February 3, 2009
Filed Under Personal | 23 Comments
On my morning run today, I spotted a young mule deer making its way out of the woods and readying for what appeared to be a subsequent bound across the road. At the same time, I was aware of several cars that were barreling down the highway, unsuspecting that they were about to meet this four-footed friend.
I started to wave my hands violently over my head to warn the drivers and at the same time made a desperate plea to the deer. This was, of course, in my best “muley deersy”…my understanding of the common language of mule deer. (It sounds like a cross between “baby talk” and “horse talk” for those of you unaccustomed to talking with mule deer…with a few whistles and clicking of the tongue thrown in to make them think you’re just one of good ol’ venison boys.)
Anyway, it worked. The drivers saw me and came to a stop, both ways; and the deer waited patiently, including the rest of the herd of six that I had spied queued up in the woods behind her.
After everything had sufficiently come to a halt, I nodded in satisfied approval and then took charge. Holding up my hands like a traffic cop, I then motioned for the deer to proceed. On cue, the first one bounded across the road. It took some coaxing and a few persuasive “mulesy deersy” words, but the rest eventually crossed as well.
Sensing the drama of this, I kept my hands up a little while longer, looking deeply into the woods on the right and then on the left, and then, with a nod to the eastbound cars and the westbound cars I waved them forward again.
This felt really good.
I think I’ll apply for a job as a New York city traffic cop.
By the way, I can’t think of many things that I enjoy more than watching the creatures of God in their natural habitats. It reminded me of Job 12:
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish of the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this?”
I just imagine that every one of these creatures has an inward understanding that God made them.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the two-legged creatures acknowledged that as well?
Comments
23 Responses to “Road Guard Duty”
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Dr. Tackett,
Wow, when I started reading this I immediately thought of you reading Job 12 from The Truth Project’s lesson on sociology, and look what I scrolled down to…great post
Del, in our Isaiah 6:3 Tour of America in an RV, we are also loving the things of nature–the whole purpose of the tour is to behold the glory of the Creator in creation. Job speaks for us, too, daily as we travel. Thanks for an eloquent story.
I love to see your post’s Del, I feel as if they are helpful water stations for my weekly run threw life. My small group just finished the 3rd video in the “Truth Project”. And Nature is one area that helps me get away from Man’s evil.
Del,
I love it and it’s so you! See, there are good reasons and benefits to getting up early and running while the rest of the world is sleeping peacefully!
Dr. Tackett,
I loved your playing “traffic cop” for the dear. It reminded me of a day my grandson and I took a walk at the Nature Conservatory in MO. We had gone fairly deep into the woods and were just crossing a bridge over a stream when 8 dear crossed over the stream right in front of us. The dear stopped to look at us as we held our breath watching them. It lasted maybe a minute or two, and then they left. We talked about all the beautiful animals God has made! Thanks for bringing back that memory.
Also, if I may comment on the video of the artist who believe Christians should be in all artforms, I say, “God bless him”; he is singing my song! I loved his video!
Del
Do you think you will be offering a course in “mulesy deersy”? I live in a big city but love to drive to the county, and you never know when I might need it.
My husband and I attended a Truth Project training in Phx. last year. We opened our home to a group from our church and included our two children one in high school and one in college. The project has been so wonderful in helping my children get a grasp on what they believe and why. It was great to have something so dynamic to help reinforce what my husband and I had been teaching them since childhood. We will be doing another project in our home for college and graduating high school students in our church starting next month.
Del, Thank you for the post. I can picture you out there directing traffic with authority… Here in Dunfermline, Scotland you would have been greeted with a cacophony of car horns I’m afraid. Please keep us in prayer… We are begining lesson 1 this evening at 7:00 (London time)
First time I am coming to this website. My church is doing the Truth Project and has about 5 more weeks to go. This is a beautiful post that attests to the glory of God in everyday life. Thank you for your witness.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I have just logged on to your blog for the first time this evening. I have truly been blessed by being able to participate in the Truth Project being held at my church. My husband is a very new Christian and has a heart on fire for Christ. Through the Truth Project I am re-discovering my desire for knowing God more intimately and finding His will for my life. Thank you for creating this series and may God bless you in all the abundant ways that only He can.
Sincerely,
Kay
Even the “dumb” animals are wiser than the “brilliance of man. They are in harmony with their Creator; no rebellion.
That is a cool story.
Very nice story! They are probably wondering what kind of deer you are. Your story reminded me of a time some years ago(3?)that my sister and I were on a walk. There was a tiny baby rabbit stuck in a tiny pot hole. I stopped the traffic and she picked up the startled rabbit and took it to the side of the road. When I said that it was the wrong side of the road(it must have wanted to go across it to the left I thought) she picked it up and took it to the other side! Crazy but true!
Deer often remind me of the saints and I had to giggle as I thought to myself… “Why does this surprise Del, he is doing the exact same thing with his Truth Project; just helping the saints to see the dangers so that they might cross safely.” All of creation testifies, even you my friend! All Glory to Jesus!
Genius story and great life question at the end!
Thanks for the smile, I’m glad you found yourself at the right place at the ring time
I got to see a couple deer close up when I was backpacking in Wyoming, and though my enjoyment of seeing them in their natural environment doesn’t involve any idea of a creator, I think perhaps our feelings are the same.
Del…thank you for the wonderful story – I can just picture the scene as we play this out in our neighborhood often. Our deer love to hop the back fence and munch on my roses. I’ve decided that I don’t care if they do as it is just so amazing to watch them. My mind goes back to this summer when I was using my exercise bike and looking out the window, saw a beautiful deer taking a nap in the shade behind the greenhouse. How peaceful. Reminded me how I need to “rest” in Jesus.
Our small group is going through the Truth Project for the second time. We viewed Tour 11 last night and once again it was awe inspiring to see the majesty of God’s creation.
Blessings to you!
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish of the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this?”
as i read this and see how much it says ‘Listen’ and ‘they will teach’, and how it says ‘Speak’ once, I can’t help but think of the long-taught lesson of, “God gave us two ears and one mouth to listen twice as much as we speak.”
Del … loved the story but my BIG question is: who took that awesome photo? Seriously, it was the beauty of nature that clinched my heart knowledge of the Creator. I had lots of head knowledge but the connection to the heart is crucial. And its a continuous renewing of my spirit each day.
My husband and I recently had the blessing of hearing you speak in Tucson and it was awesome. We are in our second week of leading The Truth Project. The reaction from our group members is nothing short of amazing.
Blessings, Francine
I was a police officer in the 70′s and 80′s.
One day…I stopped traffic on an interstate round about and got a large turtle off the pavement…
Another time…many years later as a MOM…I stopped and tried to get a snapping turtle off the road…now that was a scene…this turtle kept snapping at me…not realizing I was only trying to help! ha! I had to use a large stick and push him off the road…it took some time! But I persevered and got it done!
Don’t you just love those wonderful animals!?
Thanks for sharing Dr. Tackett….oh what we learn from the animals!!!
Melody
Del the Deer whisperer. Wow!
Dr. Tackett, pardon the comment, but the way this story was going, I was sure you were going to tell me that you had stopped traffic for a half dozen decoys!
Dear Del,
Heard you for the first time yesterday on the SimulCast. Everything you presented resonated deeply for me personally. There are few, if any, things that speak more fully and overwhelmingly to my heart about our Father than His created order. At every level it overwhelms and cries out and makes one just want to hug the ground. Well done! MY VERY DEEPEST THANKS!
Scott