Treasures of Evidence

by Rollie J.

The Red River snakes along its course bending, twisting, turning, and squiggling lazily but steadily northward towards Lake Winnipeg. For every mile northward as the crow flies, the river likes to double or triple its miles. Like a small intestine, the Red River maximizes is surface area and shoreline as it bends and twists, meandering steadily downstream but, ironically up north.

Over many years of searching and exploring, I have found that many of these bends in the river hold hidden treasures embedded in the farmlands above the river. Each spring and fall I walk the barren fields in search of these cryptic clues to a life lived long ago.

These unique treasures do not reveal themselves easily. They are not obvious nor blatantly calling attention. They lie silent, quiet, and hidden in the mud and dirt, and chaff of the previous crop. Often when I walk these sites alone or with my kids, I come up empty-handed. But with persistence and optimism, perseverance pays off and we strike gold. Historic gold that is.

Upon arriving at a new location, we scan the area and begin searching for certain clues that include a lot of white buffalo bones and fragments, buffalo teeth, clamshells, and pottery sherds. We also frequently find bits of flint or sherds that were knapped off the mother rock. These are clues that we are on target. For every 10-15 pottery or flint sherds we find we may find one actual arrowhead or scraper if we’re lucky. Odds are always in favor of the field keeping its secrets.

But more often than not, with time multiplied by effort, we find these wonderful and unique bits of evidence. This evidence points to a period when wildlife was abundant here in the forests and plains along the Red River. Black bear, wolf, elk, deer, moose, and buffalo were bountiful and woven into the fabric of this unique landscape.

More importantly, though, are the critical bits of evidence pointing to the activity and presence of humans here in the Red River Valley long before European contact. We have been privileged to find all sorts of unique man-made implements and tools. Numerous varieties of projectile points; arrowheads, atlatl and spear points, knife blades, pottery sherds, pipe stone, arrow sanders, hammers, mallet heads, scrapers, and celts or axe heads. And with each new discovery, there is great joy and celebration as the earth chooses to reveal to us one more of her secrets. I always say a silent prayer of thanks and gratitude for each unique new find. (And frequently a private little dance of celebration!) There is always such great joy in discovery!

My question for you today is what will you do with the evidence? Deny it? Ignore it? Walk away and pretend it doesn’t exist? Conspiracy theorists abound! “Rollie probably made those and then planted them in the fields for his own discovery!” “It’s a scam by the government!” “They were put there by aliens to throw us off!” Excuses, theories, and denial are all too prevalent. Who cares if Native Americans lived close by so very long ago? What’s that to me?

What you do with this evidence of Native American life will most likely not impact your life in any significant way. But this next question will be the most important one you will ever confront. What about Jesus?

How you respond to this question will significantly affect your daily life here on planet earth and more importantly beyond this life when your heart ceases to beat.

Jesus' life was and is a fact. He was a historic figure that roamed our planet some 2,000+ years ago. His life was well noted and documented by historians. More books, songs, and writings have been done about him than anyone in history. He even changed time; B.C. and A.D., "Anno Domini” after the birth of Jesus. Time revolves around the birth of Jesus. Even if you’re a non-believer.

Then we’ve got the first-hand, eye-witness accounts of John, Luke, Mark and Matthew. These four were close, intimate, personal friends, and followers of Jesus. They each give us detailed, play by play storylines of the roller coaster ride of Jesus’ life and ministry.

History even verifies Jesus’ death on a cross. This historical fact is backed up outside of the Bible. And it is at this juncture that the world divides into believers and unbelievers or disbelievers. Jesus claims to have overcome death in rising to life post-crucifixion. Many others verified this and witnessed and testified to this in our scriptures.

Where most non-believers get tripped up these days is the poor witness and evidence that many believers offer. Our behavior doesn’t match our words and beliefs. Most of us are by nature hypocrites in some way, shape, or form and that includes and is especially true for us in “the” church. Our selfishness, prejudices, craving for comfort, and wanting to be with only those who look like, act like, and believe as we do have pushed many out the door. The ranks of the unchurched, de-churched, turned-off, or spiritually abused is ever-growing. The prognosis is not good. Church membership and participation are on the decline. You and I are partially responsible for this downward trend.

But then…miraculously…hope, light, grace, and beauty appear. A quiet color-filled sunset. Warm sunny days in a normally cold December.  A random act of kindness from a stranger. The loving phone call from a friend. A card or letter received offering gratitude and affirmation for our gifts. An answered prayer. Healing takes place in a relationship. News of cancer in remission. A coworker offers and asks for forgiveness. A grandchild hugs. There is food on our table. A bill gets paid. Sobriety and a clear head overcome addiction. A baby is born. Communion and forgiveness are given and received. A vaccine arrives. A songbird on our deck sings praise to our creator. We share our resources with those in need. Anxiety lessens. Fear decreases. Depression eases its grip.

These are all evidence of God’s Holy Spirit moving in our midst. Of Jesus living in and through our own hands, feet, and words. This is Jesus incarnate. Jesus made flesh. This is Jesus practiced rather than preached. This is evidence of a living God. Of Jesus, God Emmanuel… God with us here and now.

I’ll admit, some days it’s hard to believe. Some days, especially if your eyes never leave the TV news, the world appears dark and gloomy. Yet if you, break away from the media, hunker down in some one-on-one time with Jesus, and open yourself to His spirit, He will quietly reveal the evidence of his presence moving in our world. It is often hidden, quiet, and subtle. Listen, watch, observe, and pay attention.

I leave you with this unique short video. Dr. Mary Neil is a highly-skilled, highly intelligent orthopedic surgeon. She’s not a kook, not a nut job, but rather a highly educated and literate professional woman.  For me, because of who she is, her experience and her words carry weight. Her testimony and evidence ring true. May her words affirm and confirm your faith. One more clue, one more bit of evidence; God is real. His name is Jesus.

Watch video here... Drowning Victim's Visit to Heaven | CBN.com

-- Rollie J.