Fatherless Mountaineers

There were 12 people standing on top of Algonquin Peak in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. It was May 26, 2007, the beginning of  the Youth With A Purpose and Xertion Youth Wilderness Adventure Program for young people. In a sense, the Directors of both programs combined to become fathers for a season. We began to teach young people how to climb the mountains of life.

We are all learning to climb the mountains of life.

 We were standing tall at 5,114' on top of the second largest mountain in New York State. All of us were proud of making it to the top of the mountain. Some of us took longer than others and some of us wanted to get down off the mountain quicker than others. 

 

We took pictures, ate lunch and began our descent. The weekend trip from Buffalo, NY into the Adirondacks began Friday morning and ended Sunday evening. A 3 day trip that would shape 12 lifetimes. Lives were changed, destinies were forged and fortitude was defined. A whole book could be written about the experiences on that trip. For now, here in this book, soak on this:

 Eight of the people on this trip have either been victims or intended victims

Wisdom in the valleys provides

a map for the mountains of life.

of gun violence.

Eight of the people on this trip have either been in jail, know somebody in jail as a friend or relative who is either guilty or innocent.

Eight of the people on this trip know somebody as a friend or relative that died from gun violence.

Eight of the people on this trip do not have an active father in their lives.

You could call them: "Fatherless Mountaineers."

Who will point the way for the fatherless?

  Removing fathers from families is moving the ancient boundary lines. As a society, we have sown the fields of the fatherless and reaped orphan-hood. Continued fatherlessness will result in forefatherlessness.

Here is today's Wise Saying from Proverbs 23:10-11

Proverbs 23:10-11

New International Version (NIV)

Saying 11

¹⁰ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
    or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
¹¹ for their Defender is strong;
    he will take up their case against you.

Proverbs 23:10-11

The Message (MSG)

^10-11 Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines
    or cheat orphans out of their property,
For they have a powerful Advocate
    who will go to bat for them.

Proverbs 23:10-11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰ Remove not the ancient landmark and enter not into the fields of the fatherless,

¹¹ For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.

Proverbs 23:10-11

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
¹¹ For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

I wonder if Fatherlessness began with Forefatherlessness? Years ago our ancestors passed down wisdom from generation to generation. Fathers taught their son's the family business. fathers taught their son's about character, ethical behavior, integrity and how to honor a woman.  
How does a man learn how to honor a woman without having an honorable man to guide him?
Do we practice what our Forefathers taught us?

I was fortunate to have had 3 fathers. My first Dad was my biological father who died before I was born. I learned a lot about who he was and how he knew God from his letters. My second Dad raised me and gave my a solid rock foundation for my life. I watched him in church every Sunday. I watched him serve and love his neighbors. I also have a Father in heaven who sent His Son to die for me.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.

A young man honoring his Father in heaven?