A Walk in Time

The poles were raised in the air and set in the form of a tripod. Quickly other poles were placed until the circular support structure was in place. The canvas skin covered the poles enclosing the tipi into a cozy home. Working with speed and experience, the inner lining was soon in place, a fire pit dug in the center and the items of primitive life set in place. With a small fire in the pit, the chill of the autumn day was quickly dispersed as their home for the next week took form.

All around the encampment people set up their homes. Soon a small sea of canvas filled the area. The smell of cooking over open fires tempted them as people settled in for the upcoming days. Each group centered around a specific time period and adapted their living, cooking, and clothing to the time they depicted: 1770s Colonial, 1830s Mountain Men, 1860 Pony Express, 1860s Civil War, Native American Village, 1880s Wild West, 1918 World War I, 1920s Between-The-Wars America, 1940s World War II, and the Patriot Guard were all represented. It was a time to look back upon history through a different lens.

What drove the participants to re-enact life as it had been at those times? For some, it was a fantasy game . . . for others it was an opportunity to teach others about the time period . . . and for a few it was a chance to learn from the mistakes of past, the strengths of the past to build a better future.

People tend to ask what the purpose of reading the Bible and going to church is all about. For some, it is a ticket to heaven . . . an avoidance of hell. For some it is habit built throughout their lives. For others it is an exploration of the past with hope for guidance through the future.--a walk back in time.

God teach us from your word and worship how to live our lives. Help us to learn from others successes, failures, insights, and walks so that our lives now and in the future are better, just, and filled with peace. So be it. Amen.