ARE YOU PLANNING YOUR BUCKET LIST?

SLICK ROCK INVESTIGATION

THREE DETECTIVES ON VACATION

On a remote trail, Three Detectives wait by a popular overlook on a trail in Utah, shared with mountain bikers and hikers.  Heidi and Jim riding full suspension bikes stop to take a break to drink water.

Lead detective Jack smiles at the couple, as Gloria prepares to take notes, and Valerie pulls out her cell phone preparing to shoot video.

Heidi grins, "You are hard core hikers."  Jim adds, "Your the first ones we have seen up here on the trail today."

Detective Jack smiles, "That trail is narrow, with rocks, and exposure to steep cliffs.  I must admit, you must be good riders to stay on that trail."

Heidi adds, "If your eyes are off the trail, your bike may go off the trail.  Rule #1, keep your eyes on the trail ahead of you."

Gloria speaks, "Is it mandatory to stay on the narrow trail?"

Jim laughs, "Going off the trail three feet in either direction can mean certain death or severe injury.  Life flight can be expensive."

Valerie talks, "What do you do when you see a rock on the trail?"

Heidi explains, "If we can't navigate around, speed is our friend.  We pedal as fast as we can to ride over to rocks."

Detective Jack explains, "The reason we are hiking up here today is to ask adventurers a serious question.  Are you planning your bucket list?"

Heidi blurts out, "You must be sent by God, it's exactly what I've been thinking about all day.  There are so many places in Utah I want to explore seeing arches, slot canyons, dinosaur bones, waterfalls, National Parks and Monuments, and Gobblin Valley!"

Valeria asks Jim, "What's on your bucket list?"

Jim take a deep breath, "Moutain biking Slick Rock in Moab, White Rim around the Island in the Sky, Rainbow Rim overlooking the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton parkway from Moose to Jenny Lake, and Hiawatha trail in Idaho."

Gloria asks Heidi, "What National Parks?"

Heidi replies,  "Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, and Canyonlands!"

Valerie adds, "My favorite park is Bryce Canyon, it is so beautiful what God has created.  It's a certified Dark Sky area where you will see the Milky Way."

Jack asks the couple, "You got a bucket list.  Are you making future plans so you can really go and explore these places?  Have you reserve campsites ahead of time before they are all booked?   Do you plan meals in advance or places to eat out?"

Gloria adds, "On my bucket list was a trip to the Holyland.  I saved money for 5 years, because this was a trip I wanted to go."

Valerie speaks, "Personally, I write down my top ten bucket list.  Then I spend hours investigating each possibility, things to do, places to stay, travel costs and time.  Every thing is preplanned."

Heidi talks to Jim, "We need to get serious and plan our lives!  Jim, we wouldn't be here if we didn't plan this vacation.  I got a bucket list of things I want to do before I die."

Gloria speaks, "We always pray for God's protection before we started hiking.  I don't think anyone knows the day you're going to die."

Valerie adds, "People die of heat exhaustion in the desert from lack of water and falling off cliffs, not staying on the narrow trail."

Jack explains, "When we see difficulty on the trail of our lives, we run to the rock...Jesus!"

Jim speaks, "Are you folks religious?"

Jack continues, "I believe in a relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Salvation comes from God, not religion."

Gloria reads, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16  NASB ~ New American Standard Bible)

Heidi adds, "I believe there are many pathways to heaven.  How do you know your way is the only true way?"

Valerie reads, "You can enter true life only through the narrow gate. The gate to hell is very wide, and there is plenty of room on the road that leads there. Many people go that way.  But the gate that opens the way to true life is narrow. And the road that leads there is hard to follow. Only a few people find it." (Matthew 7:13-14  ERV ~ Easy to Read Version)

Jack adds, "Only a few bikers can follow the narrow path, and live to see another day."

Jim replies, "There are other prophets who proclaim to be true.  How do I know which one is correct?"

Gloria reads, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

(Acts 4:12  NIV - New International Version)

Heidi remarks, "Aren't you narrow minded?"

Jack replies, "Absolutely yes!  I must remind you, you also are narrow minded staying on the trail."

Valerie speaks, "I hope you will have a wonderful time planning your bucket lists.  Do you have a bucket list of things to do after you die?"

Jim replies, "I'm too busy enjoying life now!"

Jack speaks, "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven or hell?"

Heidi adds, "I never think about these things."

Gloria smiles, "On my bucket list, I'm going to heaven and enjoying everlasting life with Jesus.  I will have rewards in heaven and a wonderful life because I made my plans with God."

Valerie smiles, "Jesus made me a new person when I trusted in Him, repented from my sins, and received His Holy Spirit."

Jack continues, "...for He says, 'At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.'  Behold, now is 'The acceptable Time,' behold, now is 'The Day of Salvation."  (2 Corinthians 6:2 - NASB 95)

Gloria adds, "Would you like to plan your eternal bucket list right now?"

Valerie speaks, "Would you like to follow Jesus?"

Heidi looks at Jim in silence, non-verbally communicating to each other then speaking, "Yes, what do we need to do?"

Jack speaks, "Jesus told his disciples to repent and follow me.  His salvation is free gift and not something we have to work for."  

Gloria adds, "We ask for His Living Water on the trail of life, and we receive His Holy Spirit."

Jack speaks, "Let's pray and ask Jesus into your lives.  He will help you plan all of your future bucket lists forever!"

GRAB THAT LIFESAVER

WHITE WATER ADVENTURE

SNAKE RIVER

After taking a bus ride to the snake river boat ramp a group of four women and three men walk over to a pile of personal floation devices and are fitted to their body size by the outfitter.

Jesus a Mexican American river guide gathers his group together, saying, "If you have anything important you don't want to get wet, leave it in the bus.  We have several dry bags in the raft to protect small personal items."

Bill, a nerdy 23 year old man complains, "The life jacket is too tight, can someone loosen it for me?"

Holly a blonde hair 21 year old woman, speaks, "I been on the snake river many times.  You need your PFD tight, or it could float up in your face!"

Bill continues, "I need to use the restroom before we leave.  I drank a gallon of green tea."  

Gloria, a 24 year old black woman, adds, "Sounds like a great idea.  I got to go too."

Mary a 22 year old woman asks, "How many miles are we doing today?"

Jesus replies, "8 miles with class II and III rapids.  It should take us 2 to 3 hours depending how fast the river is flowing."

Dan asks, "What are the names of the rapids?"

Jesus answers, "My favorites are Lunch Counter and the Big Kahuna."

Later after everyone jumps in, Jesus pushes out the raft, climbing on board.  "My name is Jesus, and I'm your river guide today.  It is important to follow my instructions if you want to have a safe river trip.  Is there anyone here who would like to show me the correct way to hold your paddle?"

Holly waves her paddle in the air, saying, "Your hand inside the raft should hold the T Grip.  Your other hand holds 2/3 down the shaft."

Jesus continues, "I have five commands you need to obey.  Forward, back paddle, right turn, left turn and stop.  We're going to demonstrate each one."

Dan smirks, "For those who disobey, you may end up in the keeper hole."

Gloria grins, "What are you talking about?"

Holly answers, "In the rapids, there are holes that can keep you under water, until you pop out or drown."

Jesus speaks, "Paddle in unison with the person in front of the raft."

Later floating down the river, Bill observes an nest on top of a pole, saying, "Jesus, is that an Eagle's nest?"

Jesus speaks, "Yes, there are Bald and Golden Eagles here.  Do you know which eagle is the U.S. symbol?"

A passing raft, shoots water with super soakers at everyone in their raft.  

They use their paddles to flip water, then race away before everyone can splash them back."

Dan blurts out, "Let's hurry and catch them and pay them back!"

Jesus looks at Gloria, saying, "What do you think?  An eye for an eye?"

Gloria replies, "It's too cold to be soaking wet."

The river is calm. Men on one side of the raft paddle, while the girls refuse to paddle.  

The raft begins floating sideways down the river heading for some rocks and rapids.

Jesus speaks, "We need to be in one accord or we are going to hit a rock and flip the raft.  Turn left!"

Seeing an approaching rock, everyone paddles forward instead of turning.

Jesus speaks, "Those on left please back paddle, and those on the right forward paddle."

Avoiding a large rock wall, they use their oars to block from hitting, then pushing off.  

Like a pinball game the raft bounces down the rapids with half of the people not paddling.

Bill is splashed in his face and falls overboard, crying "HELP."

Jesus throws out the lifebouy tied to a rope, yelling, "Grab the lifesaver and I'll pull you in."

Bill replies, "I can save myself.  I'm a good swimmer."

Holly yells out, "Bill don't be rebellious!"

Bill tries swimming closer, but the raft goes further away.

Jesus adds, "I am the only one that can save you, before we reach big rapids.  This may be your only chance to grab the lifesaver."

Bill replies, "I've got plenty of time."

Jesus grins, "For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."  (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV - New King James Version)

Bill's lifejack being loose begins rising up to his face with water splasing in his face.

Holly screams, "Grab the lifebouy and we'll pull you in!"

Gloria quotes, "Life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and vanishes away.  If today's your day to die, will you go to heaven or hell?"

Bill tries to speak keeping water out of his mouth.  "I am not perfect, but I consider myself a good person."

Jesus being a believer replies, "  As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;"

(Romans 3:10 - NKJV)  ...our righteousness is like filthy rags..." (Isaiah 64:6 - KJV)

Holly continues, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)

Gloria, "Repent from you rebellious ways and turn toward Jesus and he will give you life."

Dan, "There is a way that seems right to a man,' But its end is the way of death."   (Proverbs 14:12 - NKJV)

Bill goes under water and pops out.  He swims toward the lifesaver and grabs in, while still holding tightly onto the paddle.

Jesus begins reeling Bill in to the raft, saying, "Hand me your paddle.  In order for you to get in the boat, I need to dunk you and pull you up grabbing your lifevest."

Jesus dunks him, leaning back he pulls up Bill, soaking wet on board the eight man raft.

Gloria, "Bill it's your choice.  Would you like to follow Jesus Christ and make him Lord of your life?"

Bill replies, "Yes, what do I need to do?"

Jesus replies, "Repent from your sins, trust in the Jesus Christ, and receive His Holy Spirit."

Holly smiles, "I guess Bill has all ready been baptized.  Can we pray with you?"

Bill smiles, "Yes!  I came to close to death and now I seek everlasting life with God."