WOULD YOU RISK YOUR LIFE IN A SLOT CANYON?

 CASE OF THE STORM WARNING

THREE DETECTIVES SCRAMBLE

Diego and Sofia arrive at the trailhead to Little Wild Horse slot canyon in Utah.  

Diego says to his newly wed wife, "Sofia, have you ever been in a slot canyon before."  

Sofia answers, "No Diego, where is it?  All I see is one tree in a sandy wash."

After hiking 1/2 mile they see a sign.  Sofia asks, "Do you want to go to Bell Canyon or Little Wild Horse?"

Diego smiles, "Little Wild Horse has better narrows.  Some people hike the 8 mile loop.  But we didn't bring water to hike 4 hours."

They come to a huge crack in the sandstone wall.  Sofia says, "How are we going to squeeze through that?  What if I can not fit through it?"   

Diego laughs, as the enter the slot canyon.

Walking up the slot canyon, Sofia stares at a bizzare gray rock formation with holes in the wall.  She says, "Diego do you see that?  It reminds me of a horror movie."

Diego climbs up a chokestone rock and grabs her hand pulling her up.  Diego states, "Are you having a fun time?"

Winding up the slot canyon, they hear three voices coming down.  Sofia says, "Diego, can we stop and rest for a moment?"

Sofia and Diego observes the high walls of the sandstone canyon seeing a Raven fly by.

Three Detectives come down the slot canyon, and stop to talk with Sofia and Diego.

Jack the lead detective speaks, "Where are you from?"

Sofia speaks, "I'm Sofia, and this is my newly wed husband Diego.  We're from Redondo Beach, California."

Gloria writes down notes, saying, "We are the Three Detectives and would like to ask you a few questions about your experience in the slot canyon today."

Valerie holds her cell phone to video the interview.  She asks, "Is this your first time hiking in a slot canyon?"

Diego replies, "Yes, I never knew that Utah was so fun.  It's like one big playground."

Sofia adds, "Fun for you and all work for me!  We are on our honeymoon."

Gloria asks, "When you were a child, did your mom ever warn you not to touch hot pans on the stove?"

Diego laughs, "Many times!  After a few burns, my mom showed me her pot holders."

Jack talks, "Are you aware there are two types of warnings.  A warning not to do something, like touching something hot, and a warning to do something, like seeing a warning sign to slow down before driving around a sharp curve."

Sofia adds, "I don't like to risk my life racing around curves."

Valeria asks, "Do either one of you have any bars on your cell phone?"

Diego replies, "Nada, no bars!"

Jack speaks, "Utah has Monsoon storms during August afternoons.  Have you check the weather report today?"

Sofia replies, "When we started it was sunny and blue sky.  No clouds anywhere."

Gloria speaks, "We met Joshua carrying a satellite phone.  He warned us to turn back, because of a severe weather alert and possible flash flood heading to this area."

Valerie states, "You need to turn around and leave right now.  The storm can be miles away and still cause a flash flood in a slot canyon."

Gloria says, "I want to warn you that water can get high in this canyon and sweep you off your feet." 

Valeria adds,  "You'll see new waterfalls pouring over steep cliffs, with falling rocks."

Diego hesitates, "A little water never hurt anyone.  Besides, Utah is the second driest state in America."

Valerie asks, "Do you believe in God?"

Sofia replies, "I met Diego in church.  He is so handsome."

Jack says, "Adam and Eve were warned not to eat of the tree of good and bad knowledge.  Because they did not listen, God said, they shall surely die."

Gloria states, "Noah was a preacher of righteousness, building an ark and warned people to turn back to God, before the great worldwide flood.  Did they listen to his warning?"

Diego replies, "That's Old Testament."

Gloria asks, "Are you Born Again?"

Both Diego and Sofia have blank faces.

Valerie reads, "Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”  (John 3:5-8  NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Sofia replies, "I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Why do I need to be Born Again?"

Diego hurries, "We are going to continue hiking up Little Wild Horse.  Do you know how many miles until the end of the narrows?"

Jack speaks, "It's 3.6 miles total each way and 505' elevation gain. I'm not sure how many miles we have all ready hiked.  If the storm comes, wait on the other side, and get out of the wash for a few hours until the weather clears."  

Valerie adds, "You can hike north on the 'Behind the Reef' dirt road 10 miles to the 'Temple Mountain campground' and beg for a ride back to your vehicle."

Gloria says, "Can we pray with you before you leave?"  Diego walks away up the canyon, ignoring them."

Sofia turns her head, saying, "Sorry, we're in a big hurry.  Enjoy the rest of your hike."

Valerie talks,  "Let's go, it's time for us to get out of here.  It's their free choice to do what they want."

With sorrow they watch Diego and Sofia disappear around sandstone walls.

Suddenly, TWO BLASTS of THUNDER RUMBLE the canyon walls!!!

Sofia SCREAMS!

Sofia and Diego hurry back down, meeting the Three Detectives once again.  Diego's face in shock, and Sofia's body shaking.

Dark clouds appear above their heads.

Diego cries out, "Let's get out of here!"

Everyone hurries down the slot canyon.  No one stops for breaks.

Valerie shouts, "HOPE WE DON'T HAVE A HAIL STORM."

Diego says, "Sophia, be careful, don't slip and fall.  I want you back in one piece.  It's our honeymoon."

After exiting the narrows, they enter the dry wash, feeling rain drops on their heads.

Jack yells, "IF YOU SEE WATER COMING DOWN, GET OUT OF THE WASH IMMEDIATELY AND FIND HIGHER GROUND!"

Wind blows with lightning and THUNDER.

Running through the sandy wash they reach their vehicles in 12 minutes and were out of breathe.

Everyone is soaking wet standing in the parking lot.

Sofia asks the Three Detectives, saying, "Before you leave, we would like to know how we can become Born Again."

Jack says, "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)

The rain lets up with a cool breeze.

Gloria states, "Repent from your sins, make Jesus the Lord of your life, trust in Him, and ask for the Holy Spirit."

Sofia looks into Diegos' eyes, saying, "Would we risk our lives on our own, or follow Jesus knowing he will lead us and give us everlasting life?"

Jack leads them in prayer, as they huddle together with arms wrapped around each other.

Diego shouts out, "I'm a new man, a new creation in Jesus Christ!"  

Sohia has a great big smile on her face with dripping wet hair.  Diego and Sophia kiss.

Jack concludes, "Go tell all your family and friends that Jesus is your LORD and SAVIOR."

CASE ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP

 THREE DETECTIVES CLIMB

BALD MOUNTAIN

Jack, Gloria and Valerie climb to the summit of Bald Mountain in Utah enjoying cool temperatures and breezes.  The summit is a plateau with 360 degree views of the Uinta mountains and many lakes below.

The Three Detective take off their packs and prepare to eat lunch, while looking down at Mirror Lake below.  Sitting down they relax.

Sitting on rocks nearby, a friendly Hispanic family waves, "Hi" to them.

 

Marco the father says, "This is our first time up the Mirror Lake highway.  We drove all the way from California."

Rosa adds, "We live near sea level and not use to hiking in high mountains."

Gloria remarks,  "Bald Mountain is 11,943' above sea level and the air is a lot thinner.  Would you like me to take a picture of your beautiful family?"

Rosa smiles, "I'm Rosa, my husband Marco, my daughter Ana, and my son Carlos."

Rosa passes her cell phone to Gloria to shoot their family portrait, saying, "Take two or three photos.  I'm going to send this to all of my friends to show them what we accomplished today."

Gloria takes a photo, saying, "Carlos, you're not smiling!  Put on a happy face."  

Passing back the phone, Carlos mumbles, "Cell phone coverage is spotty up here.  I can't contact any of my friends."

Jack smiles, "We are the three detectives.  I'm Jack, Valerie is our note taker, and Gloria shoots videos.  We are here investigating mountain top experiences and wonder if you would like to share your thoughts."

Ana speaks, "Some of the hike was scarey walking near steep cliffs.  I don't know how anyone can climb Angel's Landing in Zion."

Carlos adds, "I almost fell running on loose rocks today."

Jack speaks, "You all made it to the top of the mountain.  Have you made it to the top of the mountain in your career, goals or life?"

Rosa blurts out, "Yes, I'm married to Marco, and have Carlos my son and Ana my beautiful daughter.  With my family, I'm on top of the world."

Marco looks in Jacks eyes, "I grew up in a large family, we were poor, but the good Lord always provided for us.  After I married Rosa, I had to work two jobs to provide for my family."

Rosa adds, "He was working so much, he was never home.  I told Marco, he should start his own business.  That's when he started his food truck."

Ana speaks, "Papa's food truck broke down, and he decided to start his own Mexican restaurant."

Carlos talks, "He's rich now, tearing down the old building to construct a larger restaurant.  Me and my sister will be going to college after we graduate high school."

Valerie states, "Sounds like you have reached most of your dreams of life and are on the top of the mountain.  Have you ever thought about your afterlife?  Do you have any mountain top goals with Jesus?"

Marco's family is silent, looking at each other waiting for the first one to speak.

Marco scratches his ear, "Won't we be floating in heaven with all the angels?"

Valeria replies, "I'm going to be living forever with Jesus.  'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV - New International Version)

Jack speaks, "After the great tribulation, Jesus the Messiah will set up his kingdom on earth for 1,000 years."

Gloria adds, "Marco, this life is short on Earth now.  Should you be preparing to be apart of God's future kingdom.  Is there another mountain top you should be seeking?"

Rosa smiles, "We don't attend church as much as we should.  Carlos needs to do homework,

Ana stays up all night, and Marco either wants to watch games or go fishing with his friends."

Jack speaks, "When we meet Jesus, he will be on the Bema Seat to judge our works of what we did for God during our lifetime."

Gloria reads, "Because all of us must go and stand in front of Christ as our judge. He will decide about the things that we have done during our lives here on earth. Whether we have done good things or bad things, we will receive what is right for us." (2 Corinthians 5:10  Easy - Easy English Version)

Rosa replies, "We are a good and loving family."

Jack reads, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

(1 Corinthians 3:11-15  NKJV - New King James Version)

Valerie adds, "After athletic competion, winners would go to a raise platform called the Bema, to receive their reward for their accomplishment.  Jesus said, "Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done."  (Revelation 22:12  HCSB - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Ana speaks, "Reminds me of the Parable of the Talents, I learned in Sunday school."

Valerie summerizes, "Yeah, a wealthy man gives workers bags of silver to reinvest while he goes out of town.  His first worker he gave five bags of silver, second worker he gave two bags of silver, and third only had one bag to reinvest.  One Talent is one 75lbs bag of silver coins or bars."

Marco smiles, "I wish I had ten bags of silver."

Rosa smirks, "Maybe five bags."

Valerie continues, "When the master returned he wanted to check on his investment.  The first worker doubled his silver to ten bags.  

He was rewarded with the position over 10 towns.  The second worker doubled his silver to four bags.  He was rewarded with the position over 4 towns.  And the worker who was lazy and afraid of his master and buried the silver, had his reward taken from him.  His reward was given to the worker who had ten bags."

Gloria adds, "God has given us gifts, talents and resources to accomplish His works.  Whether we feed the poor, teach Sunday school, pray for the sick, help our neighbor, or preach the gospel, Jesus wants us to be His hands and feet.  Jesus ascended to Heaven, and when He returns and you approach the Bema Seat, will you receive any rewards?

What are your motives for doing good works?

Will your works burn up like wood, hay and stubble; or will your works remain like gold, silver and precious stones?"

Marco says, "My life is too busy...I'm still trying to do good works to earn my salvation."

Valerie reads, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10  ESV - English Standard Version)

Jack asks, "Are you Born Again?  You cannot see or enter the kingdom of God unless you are Born of the Spirit."

Ana speaks up first, "I love Jesus and want to be Born Again."  

Marco's entire family desires a relationship with the Son of God too."

Jack says, "Repent from your sins and follow Jesus!"   Jack leads them in a pray of salvation, then says, "Go and be baptized, and make a public proclaiminon of your new faith in Christ Jesus."

Marco being filled with God's Holy Spirit, jumps around, saying, "I am a new man in Jesus Christ!  I'm a new man!"

Rosa smiles, "I'm filled with bubbling Joy!"

Jack concludes, "Now that you are Born Again, the Holy Spirit will give you power to accomplish your good works, to show the world that God lives in you!  Are you going to reach your new mountain top?"

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