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, dinosaurs, waterfalls, National Parks, 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 place 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."

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 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 were 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 plans."

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 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!"