September 6 , 2012   

Today's Photograph . . . . Fog Traveling The Cumberland Gap  (NPS)

Bible Study Verse

John 14:6 

Jesus answered, 

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NIV)

 

Thoughts

There's something magical about hiking in a historical area! As my family and I hiked several trails in the Cumberland Gap on the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia this past year, we found ourselves surrounded by a sense of awe and wonder at what the past held in that very gap. 

We stood peering around in the middle of a 12mile-long opening of the Appalachian Mountains. For hundreds of miles to the north and hundreds of miles to the south, the Appalachian Mountains seemed impenetrable to the early settlers. 

Daniel Boone had been sent out through this wilderness to explore and carve a road to Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. With 35 men at his side, they cut down trees and developed a road that wagons could travel. Access to the West became an option for the pioneers due to the labor of these men. As many as 200,000 to 300,000 immigrants passed through on the Wilderness Road.

During the Civil War, this same gap was a key to travel for both the North and the South as it served as an entry point to both sides. Supplies and troops made their way to the other side through this gap, on some occasions even crossing through the gap at the same time and leading to skirmishes along the way. Though no major military battle occurred here, the fortifications located in the gap changed hands four different times by the time the war was over. It was an important location in our nation's history! It was the only way through to freedom--freedom that the West could bring for immigrants and settlers, and freedom for a country united, rather than torn apart. 

(Dave M)

Action Point

We frequently celebrate the founding of our country and the freedom that it holds dear; but we have a daily opportunity to celebrate the freedom that we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only way through to true freedom. He broke the chains of bondage through His shed blood at Calvary. If you have not accepted Him as your Savior, make today the day--the day of freedom!!!

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day

When hiking through a historic area, it's a nice surprise to your hiking party to pull out a small book or pamphlet that details the history of the exact spot you that you're hiking. Besides that, it's a break!