Subscribe
Latest Activity
-
This week on CrossExamine.com -Kyle West Story-Truth Project - :
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.
-
About
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.
-
By Month
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Links
What Guides You? Trusting the Right Cairns
Posted on June 8, 2010
Filed Under Personal, Veritology, Worldview | 8 Comments
On several of our hikes in Utah, there were no “trails” as you might think of “trails”—worn paths in the grass or through the woods. Most of the time the “trail” was over solid rock beds or similar terrain where there was no clear pathway.
We stayed on the trail by following the cairns (pronounced ‘cairns’). 
There is a dispute over how the word is supposed to be pronounced.
I pronounce it this way: ‘tray-uhl-mahr-kuhr’.
Someone in our group asked me if I had gotten any good Karen pictures. I responded with an intelligent “huh”? I may not know the exact pronunciation, but I’m sure it isn’t “Karen” or “Sue” or “Elizabeth”.
I do know something for sure—we couldn’t have gotten to our intended destination if it weren’t for the cairns (‘tray-uhl-mahr-kuhrs’). We would have certainly reached ‘some’ destination without them but in this territory that would have probably been Buzzard Café or Bone Valley.
For those of you who have never done this before, basically the markers are within sight of each other, so you hike to one then look for the next and so on.
Nothing really complicated, but very, very important—especially in hostile places where it is easy to lose your way.
Well, on our last day, Ed (‘ed’) and I (‘aye’) took a particularly rigorous hike beyond where the rest of the group stopped. We were attempting to climb a distant rocky peak to get a better vantage of Upheaval Dome (I will write about that soon).
The trip took us several miles through crevices and over ledges—basically hither & yon, with more yon than hither.
I will show you pictures of the end goal later. It was phenomenal.
To get there, however, we had to go beyond the marked trail and basically keep our eye on the rocky peak.
…which worked out quite well.
When it was time to go back, we simply headed in the opposite direction, expecting to pick up the trail at some point. However, we started to encounter some cairns that both of us had a sense weren’t right. We began to wonder if we had come across another trail—or had we? Maybe it was ours after all.
…or maybe it wasn’t.
The issue became: which cairns were “right” and which were “false”?
At the time, we were thinking we had stumbled across a very long 18-mile trail that looped the entire Upheaval Dome area. Either that or it was the old Chisholm Trail, which certainly would not have taken us back to the trailhead and my truck, but would have taken us—well, I guess to Chisholm. I have no idea where that is, but I know my truck wouldn’t be there.
—
We live in a world that is filled with trail markers. They are everywhere—offering promises of leading you down an exciting path.
The question is: are they good cairns or bad cairns?
We know there are bad trail markers out there because Jesus told us so. He told us there were basically two paths to follow. One path led to life; the other led to death and destruction.
But, with so many markers, which are the right ones?
Great question.
And a question we must pursue because there are consequences associated with following the wrong ones—serious consequences.
That is why it is so critical to study and to know the true markers well. God has given them to us—written in plain language. We need to learn them just as counterfeit experts learn how to recognize a counterfeit bill by studying the real deal over and over. Doing that means that when they see a false bill, it will be obvious.
We must do the same.
Why? Because we live in a world that is awash in false markers.
Are you off the trail? Are you lost? Have you trusted in the wrong markers?
If so, be of good cheer! One of the most remarkable things about the right trail is that it is never more than one step away.
You just have to decide to start following the right markers.
It turned out, for Ed and me, that those were wrong markers. We eventually picked up the right trail again and made it back safe and sound. (Obviously!)
It was a great hike…made even more special by the friend that hiked it with me. Without him, I might have followed the wrong markers and would be writing this from somewhere over the rainbow.
By the way, travelling in pairs makes a lot of sense. If you are hiking this road of life alone, let me strongly encourage you to find a buddy.
If for no other reason, you’ll have someone to take your picture so you can remember the journey!
Comments
8 Responses to “What Guides You? Trusting the Right Cairns”
Leave a Reply
Comments are moderated and will not appear until they've been approved. While we are eager to facilitate conversation by publishing most comments, we may withhold one from time to time if we deem it to be inappropriate, i.e. offensive, vulgar, overly personal, cynical, disrespectful, irrelevant, redundant or unnecessarily contentious (what a list, huh?). Check it over for spelling and grammar before you submit so that nothing will hinder your eloquence!
Del,
http://www.dictionary.com says:
cairn /kairn/ -noun
or….
carn /kahrn/ -noun
“…a heap of stones set up as a landmark, monument, tombstone, etc.”
But the Lord says:
Psalm 23:3 (NIV) 3he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
and…
Matthew 3:3 NIV 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
Thanks for the thought provoking posts!
Dan H.
I had my first cairn experience last week in Arches and some of them weren’t very easy to spot. Like you, we made it, but reading your post made me think about how easily believers (myself included) can get “off the trail” by not paying attention to God’s direction. And when we (I) do, we don’t even know it always and can give others a hard time about not going our way. So I really am glad that His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Now just help me pay better attention Lord!
“Tray-uhl-mahr-kuhrs” does it for me! Great & enjoyable reading, but then I’ve come to expect that from our tour guide. Our Bible study is on tour 11 this week. We are a group of about 20 and representing 4 or 5 denominations. Inspired is what we are! Your analogy of the markers reminded me of our study of Pilgrim’s Progress (modern version!) and how easily Christian was lured off of The Path…..and, again, how easily he found the right path again through the Holy Spirit’s leading. Thank you, thank you for your ongoing teaching.
Hey…you got some great pictures of me! ;p
According to Strongs the word for ‘horns’is : h7161 ??? ‘qeren’. The meanings for qeren are: horns of an animal, or musical instrument kind of horn, or a protusion or prominent marker (like the horns protruding from a ram, i.e. ram’s horn). Our word for coronet has it roots in this word as does the cairn and the name Karen (not Dolly, but… well…nevermind). Good article!
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
I’ve enjoyed the Truth Project and your blogs. Thank you for being a true trail marker enabling us to pick up the pace and run faster!
In CA we call those cairns ducks. Looks like a neat place to hike.
I was recently hiking in Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. In that park is Mt. Cadillac which is the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard. If you are at it’s summit at Dawn, you will be the first person in North America to see the sunrise (though I’m not quite sure how that is possible). There are many kairn-marked trails and many signs along the way prohibiting hikers from moving, disturbing or adding kairns for obvious reasons of safety. Unfortunately we have an enemy that is constantly throwing up new kairns along our path. It reminds me of the wisdom of my life verse from Jeremiah 6:16:
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
We will be more likely to stay on the trail if we see how the markers point to previous markers. History, especially Christian History, is a vital study for every Christian. It will help resist the urge to go after everything labelled as “new”.
Happy Trails,
Chris