Photo by Hans Hallgren
James Strickland walked his way through Craig on Thursday with an almost 12-foot-tall cross slung over his shoulder. Strickland, who began his journey with $5 in his pocket, is walking from Longview, Texas to Aberdeen, Wash., to see his two children.
Man bears large cross walking from Texas
Man from Texas on his way to Washington with large cross on his back
Friday, July 17, 2009
Craig — With $5 in his pocket and a 12-foot cross on his back, James Strickland left Longview, Texas, on foot 11 weeks ago hoping to make his way to Aberdeen, Wash.
The only other things he had with him were determination and a cell phone to call family.
"I'm walking for the Lord," Strickland said. "It's a sign of obedience. I was in a pretty deep pit, and it was something I needed."
In Aberdeen, Wash., Strickland plans to meet with his 3-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, whom he hasn't seen since November. He hopes to stay there to be close to his children.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Strickland made his way into Craig and stopped at the Westward Motel, where he met Diane Kalsow, the manager.
"He came in and asked for a room at the lowest price I could give him, and when he told me what he was doing, of course I gave him the room for free," Kalsow said.
She didn't think he was crazy.
"It was really a blessing," she said about meeting Strickland. "You don't meet those people everyday. I'm a Christian, and my point of view is that we all have to carry our cross. He just chose to do it in this way."
Strickland rested for two days in Craig then resumed his journey Thursday, walking west on U.S. Highway 40.
He figures it might take him two or three more months to get to Washington. His journey is not rigidly planned, though. He was given a map in Kremmling, but he hardly uses it.
He said the Lord will guide him and help him along, as he already has.
During one of his first nights, Strickland camped out in the middle of east Texas and realized he was surrounded by wild hogs.
"I know they will eat a man, but I just said, 'Lord, I trust you,'" Strickland said. "They were close, though."
The wild hogs didn't bother him.
The cross Strickland carries is almost 12 feet high, made with help from a friend in Texas.
The man and the cross have had their share of hardships along the way.
There are three wheels at its base, the fourth set of wheels he's had to use. In the beginning, there also were foam pads on one side to help relieve the pain of the weight on his shoulders, but he has found that a wrapped blanket works better.
He cut four inches off of the base of the cross after breaking its axel, and he's gone through four sets of tennis shoes that have been provided to him by people he has met on his journey.
Strickland hasn't had to do it all himself, though.
People also give him food and water, sometimes without his asking.
"I've had a few hand gestures that were inappropriate, but mostly I've had support," Strickland said.
When Strickland thought of his idea to walk more than 2,000 miles across the country, people thought he was crazy. In the beginning, he thought so, too.
"I thought it was an original idea, but of course my pastor told me about Arthur Blessit," he said.
Arthur Blessit is a Vietnam veteran who has been carrying a 12-foot cross for 40 years all across the world. Through his Web site, Strickland found ideas and more inspiration.
Eventually his family came around, too. He said they support him, and he keeps in contact with a cell phone he carries.
New friends he has made along the way also send him inspirational messages on his phone.
Leaving Craig on Thursday, Strickland already was feeling energized and excited to see his children in Washington soon.
"It's in a pretty dark county," Strickland said. "It has a pretty high suicide rate, and it's just bad, you know. I hope to bring some people to the Lord."
Strickland didn't start out with the latter mission in mind.
"I do seem to be helping others, but I didn't expect that," he said. "I thought it was going to be a personal journey."
Walking for so long, it has been a journey that he said has helped him feel more at peace and closer to the Lord.
Strickland doesn't call himself a member of a specific church but simply a follower of God.
"I've always known the Lord, but I hadn't truly been walking the walk until now," he said.
"The first 50 yards, I felt kind of embarrassed, but the Lord has taken that away. Now, I'm proud. It's an honor."
Comments
Beavers 3 years, 10 months ago
Since there is a building enlightened majority of us who don't believe the Jesus fairy tale (Santa is a much nicer guy), I wonder how you might see yourself the way we do? Holy Cow! Mother of Mary. Jesus H Christ, what a nut job. Wild hogs approached in the night but you trusted in the lord and they were vaporized? I await the coming black bear encounter where you get eaten up, after spending 5 days in the belly of the bear, you are back and are quoted by this fine paper: that was 'just my cross to bear'. Faith leads us to do some crazy and often divisive things, but rather than relying on handouts and the generosity of the public, why not do something positive for your kids? Other than making a spectacle of your so called "faith". Hey, let me know if you are interested in putting a logo on that mobile billboard.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Chill the H out. Who are the nut jobs? The guy asked for a discount and was given a room by the owner of the motel. At least he isn't begging your boy Obama for our money. And don't bash me for what I am not, any type of Christian or religious. Just think this guy has a right and is not a danger to anyone. He may even be an inspiration to someone or many.
TWill 3 years, 10 months ago
Ease up on the religous slanders there, Beave. This person is not going to hurt anyone. He'll inspire others. Think of him kind of like Forrest Gump- with more to carry.
This is a refreshing story in comparision with the thousands of other broken household cases that are out there.
Duke_bets 3 years, 10 months ago
seeuski - We agree! Finally, we agree! This guy evidently fell on hard times and is going to see his kids. Good for him! I definitely think he is an inspiration in this jacked up world we live in.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
As a card-carrying non denominational skeptic, I am always baffled at anti Christian hostility. I'm an agnostic; a majority of my friends and associates are believers - none of whom deserve the sneering condescension some of you have directed at Mr. Strickland. In fact, your holier-than-thou ridicule says much more about you than it does about him.
Geary Baxter 3 years, 10 months ago
Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
I have a couple of questions. Do you guys think the mother of his children put 2,000 miles of space between this gentleman and his children for a reason? Where was his god guiding him during the period before this, did he just finally get the text message?? Do you think maybe if he spent the next three months getting back on his feet, instead of pulling this publicity stunt in the name of the lord (can I get an Amen), the mother of his children would be more receptive of his return?? She's gonna tell him nice stunt, you should have sold some advertising space on that thing. Look kids your father is here still pennyless, still unable to help support you. But look at the worn and tattered representation of god he drug all of the way across the country. So if it make me of bad character in some eyes to laugh at this bafoon and his beliefs then so be it! There are hundreds of better ways for this guy to help out his kids.
TEEJAY1309 3 years, 10 months ago
As for Beaver, jk'and all you others with the idiotic comments, WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, SO HIGH AND MIGHTY, PUTTING THIS MAN DOWN. DID YOU EVER THINK FOR ONE DAMM MINUTE THAT MAYBE HIS WIFE IS IN WASHINGTON STATE BECAUSE SHE HAS FAMILY THAT TOOK THEM IN, MAYBE THEY FELL ON HARD TIMES? DID YOU EVER THINK THAT MAYBE THIS IS THIS MAN'S WAY OF ASKING THE LORD FOR FORGIVENESS FOR NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT MIGHT HAVE GONE WRONG IN HIS LIFE. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO PASS JUDGMENT ON SOMEONE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW? JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW HIGHLY YOU ALL THINK OF YOURSELVES. GOD FORBIDE YOU EVER FALL ON HARD TIMES OR MAYBE FIND YOURSELF DOING SOMETHING FOR GOD, AND SOMEONE MAKES FUN OF YOU, YOU ARE NOT GONNA LIKE IT! GIVE THE MAN A BREAK! IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS WHAT HAPPENED WITH HIM AND HIS FAMILY! MORE POWER TO THIS MAN, I SUPPORT HIM ALL THE WAY. Oh, and by the way, one day you will call on God, and I'd advise you to watch it, because He may not answer. I'm not a religious fanantic and I don't go to church every Sunday, but I bet that there is at least one of you who are putting this man down that does and and what a hypocrite you are. Yea, the same person that sits in the pew and puts money in the basket and you probably wouldn't buy a poor man a burger if he was starving. Get off your high f***ing horse! You're just showing the world how low you really are!
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
Beavers,
The difference is that Jesus didn't use wheels.
It's understandable for a lot of people to not believe that Jesus existed, and if He did, if He is the Son of God.
I'm going to give you the argument that makes sense to me in historical terms.
In the days following Jesus' crucifixtion, His followers were persecuted mercilessly. Those who were captured and refused to renounce Him were killed. They were driven into hiding, and lost everything. So, why risk it over a fairy tale?
In the days following the Resurrection, people who had known Jesus before he was crucified recognized him, and knew who he was, and were shown physical proof that he continued to live. They believed that life after death was possible, because they witnessed the death of a man and then saw the resurrected Christ. His ascension into heaven was witnessed by his followers. They knew they need not fear death, because they had seen and they believed what they saw.
If not for the fact of the Resurrection and Jesus' time on Earth with his followers, people would have abandoned Christianity as a hoax. It would have died out just like so many other cults, like the Branch Davidians, and Jim Jones' cult, and all the others.
To those who understand history and can put the story of the Resurrection into a historical context, denial that it happened is no different from denials of the Holocaust, or denials that Americans ever landed on the Moon, and all the other facts that we know to be associated with true events.
I am a scientist, and I am a person with faith. I am not necessarily what christians (little C) would call a Christian (big C) because I have doubts about the truth of the various denominations that claim to be Christian religions. It is a logical fact that, if God and Jesus and Satan exist, the way for Satan to "win" is to lure people into religious practices which make them think they are saved when, in fact, they are just putting on a show that's no different from a rain dance or any other made-up belief system (such as the Aryan mythology of Hitler's Nazis). For Satan, athiests are a "gimmie."
I have a theory that the Second Coming occurred in the distant past, and that the Dark Ages are a result of having all the educated people (who were mostly clergy, because they had to read and write to copy and preserve the Scriptures) taken up from Earth. We may be living in the time of the Tribulation, which would explain a lot.
One of my friends, hearing my theory, said, "But what about the Chinese and the Arabs? They continued to advance in science, etc. during that time." Well, of course they did . . . they were not Christians, and were not taken up in the Rapture.
When you analyze the facts in an historical context, it's not as cut and dried as the Santa Claus myth.
How many people do you know who would die on the cross rather than renounce Mickey Mouse? Think about it.
TEEJAY1309 3 years, 10 months ago
aichempty I apologize for my rant and wish I could have put the words down that you did. Thank you for saying what I wanted to say, but could not find the right words for.
Have a wonderful weekend.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk throwin stones in a glass house. Real nice. jk, what about the unemployment rate in this country? Maybe you can hike on over to the unemployment office and give the people looking for unemployment money some heck.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
So if I throw a cross on my back I'm more deserving than the next. Give me a break I was just raising a few questions. As was stated before we don't know a thing about this guy. Yet everyone feels sorry for the burden he carries. TeeJay went on such a rant that she was cussing and wishing ill will upon people. That doesn't seem very positive. And sorry seeu but your Obamanoia is starting to make you a pretty good target too.
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
I congratulate the man on his conviction, whether or not it means anything to anyone but himself. To naysayers or supporters- this story tells you very little of his plight. Just that he said was in a pretty deep pit.
It doesn't say he is out of work. It doesn't say he can't afford to support his family. It doesn't say he is a Republican or Democrat. It doesn't say why he only left with $5 in his pocket.
All this story is just about a man trying to honor God in his own way for something that put him in a pretty deep pit.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
Stoddard beat me to the punch. I respect Mr. Strickland's commitment to his beliefs, even though I don't share them.
jk says: "...we don't know a thing about this guy." Doesn't stop you from engaging in pure speculation about the private life, circumstances, and family of a guy we know nothing about, though, does it?
Can you say 'raving hypocrite', boys and girls?
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, "I respect Mr. Strickland's commitment to his beliefs, even though I don't share them." I think this is a more hypocritical statement than what you have highlighted sorry.
pj 3 years, 10 months ago
Beavers I am suprised by such an "enlightened" individual, that you hold so much judgment and hate inside. Isn't the point of enlightenment to free yourself from such things and achieve a new level of spirituality? Maybe there is another way? Maybe the the guy with the cross is simpy a physical representation of the brokeness that we all experience in our life?
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk:
Hypocritical how?
It never occurred to me to ridicule my grandmother as she knelt & prayed daily in front of the Buddhist shrine in her living room. I never felt it necessary to treat her with condescension because she embraced beliefs I didn't share. I respected her convictions and her right to express them openly. And I'm a hypocrite as a result? You're going to have to explain that to me.
Some people are Catholic (my dad's side of the family). I'm not. Others are Buddhist (the maternal contingent). I'm not. Still others love okra, Johnny Cash, and Las Vegas. I loathe all three.
Disagreement with someone else's beliefs/affections/personal choices doesn't translate into derision and hostility because my lifestyle isn't in lockstep with theirs. For you, evidently, it does.
What a sad, pathetic way to lead your life.
beentheredonethat 3 years, 10 months ago
this guy needs to get a life.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
What a slap down for jk. It is heartening that although we may all disagree about politics a mans right to his peaceful journey without being assaulted is worth defending. And I never mentioned your dear leader, you did. So go ahead, make my day, target away.
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
seeuski- you mentioned Obama in the 3rd post on this thread, which was your 1st post on this thread.
"Chill the H out. Who are the nut jobs? The guy asked for a discount and was given a room by the owner of the motel. At least he isn't begging your boy Obama for our money. And don't bash me for what I am not, any type of Christian or religious. Just think this guy has a right and is not a danger to anyone. He may even be an inspiration to someone or many."
"What a slap down for" seeuski. Not everything is related to Obama or Bush. Politics were never mentioned in the story, but you had to take a nice story and pervert it as such.
Anthony Cyrnak 3 years, 10 months ago
Who you callin' "boy"?
Beavers 3 years, 10 months ago
I suppose you wish your dad was doing this? One has to have an opinion -and act on it. The days of peace love and tranquility are gone, gone, gone. Gone to the big dc power groups who vote for big cars over global warming, war for oil, jesus freakdom over woman's choice, religion over biology and evolution, the right to own an ak 47 over the murder of innocent victims, acid rain pouring down over the zirkels so the coal biz can sell electricity. If you don't have an educated opinion, which facts say are most of those people who claim they have faith in the man playing a lyre up there on cloud number 9 and he's gonna take care of you, you ought to go get one. Wake up. This wack job with the cross is not gonna ponder how come the Paiutes, Shawnee and Sioux no longer harass him as he heads west is he? He is oblivious to the fact his ilk have wiped them out, as they have the indigenous all over the planet, in the name of converting them to jesus. I like you if you believe what I do-ness. Or I'll make you. I say we get this guy into a loony bin. Then maybe we can save a couple of kids from coming under his insane influence. I'd institutionalize my father right away if he pulled this stunt.
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
Beavers- you sound like you have nothing of worth to believe in or put faith in. You sound like your on the opposite side of the ranting spectrum as those on Right- you only see yourself as being the correct one.
There is nothing in this article saying this man is trying to convert anyone to anything. He's on a personal journey that he is doing for himself in God's name. Just like those on the Right who give a bad name to themselves when they discount the things you profess in that post, you give just the same type of bad name to those who actually want something done for the Native cause or for Global Warming or the others things you mention. I don't think I would trust you to save anyone's children, from anyone, in anyone's name with a rant like that.
Everyone is making this story out to be something that it doesn't seem to be.
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
Beave,
You may be right about this, and you are right about an awful lot. Your observations go right along with my theory that we are already living in the terrible times prophesied in the scriptures. These are the times when true believers will be persecuted because of their beliefs, and also the time of the false prophets.
One of my father's friends started a business after WW-II and made a lot of money. He claims he had a vision/dream in which he was instructed to go all over the country and erect crosses. He did so, and if you have ever driven by a place where three ten-foot high or taller crosses appear by the roadside, there's a good chance they are a result of this man using his own money, buying the land, and erecting the crosses as he believes he was directed to do by God.
This man taking the walk could have done things a different way. He could have worked a fews days as a day-laborer, bought a super-saver, and flown most of the way. I think the reason he didn't is because the cross would not fit in the overhead compartment, and would have cost $50 extra, at least, to check in the baggage compartment.
I knew a man who used his income from selling used cars to do all kinds of charitable mission work. He once used a $5000 loan repayment from one of his sons-in-law to fund a water tower for a village in the Philippines. Oh, he also molested all four of his daughters and probably "worse" with at least one of them. They bore that damage and showed the results of it in many ways that the good church folk who saw them every Sunday couldn't understand.
No, friend, you are right. We live in terrible times, and horrible things are being done in God's name. Just don't buy into the thought that every person who has faith is crazy, just like I don't buy into the idea that every one who acts in the name of God is known to Him. The scriptures talk about this situation, and on the day of judgment, many who think they've been doing God's work will find that He "never knew them."
Just this week, I have reconnected with two friends I hadn't seen in over 20 years. When I met the woman, back in college, she was an athiest. Now she thinks that God has guided her life and blessed her with a long, happy marriage and a wonderful husband and four great kids. I don't know how she'd feel today if things in her life had not gone so well, but for now, she's thankful for what she has.
There's nothing in the scriptures that guarantees us peace on Earth. At the same time, when we reach 30, do we remember how we felt during the "terrible two's" and potty training and all that? Maybe our time on Earth is insignificant in the big scheme, and all these things we suffer will mean nothing in eternity.
(continued)
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
I'm not going to tell you you're wrong about the way you feel. Just don't fall into the trap of agreeing with other people so vociferously that you ignore the little voice inside, if you have one.
Fear of punishment is the way our modern religions have chosen to make us comply with their stupid family rules. Has anyone ever used fear to make you love them? I doubt it. That's where men have failed. Don't be sucked into what men do. It's almost always wrong.
There is a thing I learned about many years ago from a licensed psychiatrist who taught the college-age Sunday school class my fiancee and I attended. It's called "pleading the Blood." In prayer, you call upon God for his protection, or to heal someone, through the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If you can do that and not have a physical reaction you feel in your body, then for you, there is no God.
I've known several agnostics and athiests who did this, and they were unable to explain the sensations they felt. So, whether it's real, or just something in our genes, some people have a connection, and some don't. It's all in how you feel.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
Beavers:
That is one of the most disjointed and angry rants over something that has zero impact on your life that I've ever seen.
I am particularly struck by this non-sequitor: "I like you if you believe what I do-ness. Or I'll make you." You clearly despise Mr. Strickland because he DOESN'T believe as you do. You'll forgive me if I find that to be a tad hypocritical; especially since Mr. Strickland isn't proselytizing anyone but himself. He's taking some lumber for a stroll for his own reasons, and the perpetually bitter among us are free to complain about it at their convenience.
In the 17th century, a handful of Bible-thumpers decided to leave the most advanced nation of the day, so they could, among other things, "advanc[e] the gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world."
They didn't have a clue how to survive in the wilderness. 44% of them died during the 1st winter. Of 102 emigres, only 53 survived to chow down at the fabled 1st Thanksgiving.
These people clearly posed a lethal danger to one another. Should their families have "institutionalized" them & vetoed the expedition? If not, why not?
honestabe 3 years, 10 months ago
Good luck and safe travels!!! hope your time in the valley was good, and gets better on your way!
beverly lemons 3 years, 10 months ago
The guy may have a screw loose, he may be a wingnut, or he might just be trying to humble himself. If he was walking across the country without a giant religious artifact, he would just be another bum, and no one would notice. Frankly, I am curious about him. Interesting way to get your life together. It sure beats killing your family and then yourself as some other desperate men have done recently. I am an atheist, by the way.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, I did nothing more than pose a few questions regarding this mans family. I was more worried about his children than him. It seems that religion among other things has gotten in the way of him providing for his kids. In my journey of wondering about him I expressed my disbelief in god and religion. The hypocrites on this blog, including yourself chastized me for my belief. Does the door not go both ways? Or do I have to have a cross to bear and believe in religion to not be hypocritical. And no where in my posts did I wish any ill will upon this man as was wished upon me by several "believers" here.
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
jk- where does it say anything about being able to or not being able to provide for his kids? It doesn't. Where does it attribute his religious beliefs as the reason his kids are in Washington? It doesn't.
It also doesn't say why he only had $5 with him. Maybe since he was walking and in possibly dangerous areas, he didn't want to bring a lot of cash or have credit cards on him to be stolen. He might just be a millionaire and had inner turmoil or a mid-life crisis. Or maybe, he's trying to show his kids what having a little faith in the world can accomplish. It's an extraordinary amount of miles to walk while carrying that cross, I'd bet. Not something I would think to try. It just doesn't say.
You may not have wished him ill will, but you immediately judged him based on pure speculation with no facts due to maybe just having a suspicious mind. Why not wish him the best in his travels instead of immediately showing a "we don't take kindly" type of attitude?
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk:
What Stoddard said. And you have yet to explain how respect for another man's beliefs is hypocritical.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep you are beig hypocritical because you don't respect mine get it??
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Matt, It doesn't say anything about any of that you are correct. I was raising a few maybees and commenting on them. It seems to me through most of your posts that you fight for peoples freedoms to speak here yet you argue mine. What does it matter to you if I say in my opinion I think he should spend his time with his kids rather than carrying a stupid religious artifact across the country. I am sure they would rather have the time with their father than hearing about his escapades dragging a cross across the country. It probably isn't something you would think to try because you are a fairly rational person from what I gather. You would rather spend the time with your kids. Hey Matt rather than going to church tomorrow I bet we can catch up with this guy. We will ask him a few questions and see who is closer on there theory.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk:
Your post at 4:58 yesterday cited my respect for Mr. Strickland's convictions as hypocritical.
I said nothing about your beliefs. I spotlighted the incongruity of this statement:
"":we don't know a thing about this guy."
with your pronouncements on Mr. Strickland's personal life as though you know EVERYTHING "about this guy."
Is English your second language?
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sorry I meant their I know how that bothers people here.
playa46 3 years, 10 months ago
I yearn for a day in which Atheists, Theists would shut-up and start getting over themselves. So many people believe everyone should think the way they think. Tell me one time in history that has ever worked.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, I never proclaimed to know a thing "about this guy" I was only raising a few what ifs? Now you may thumb through the thesaurus more regularly than me but I still know that you are a hypocrite.
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
jk- I'm all about free speech, but making suppositions based on no information and speaking that you think his kids would be better served one way or the other doesn't make sense. Again- we know nothing about the guy. Did his wife leave him or did he get hosed in a divorce? Was he working in Texas and had to finish up and the wife/kids moved 1st? Who knows. Whatever brought this journey about may be harsh or it may not be, but it's personal to him. He mentioned he uses a cell phone to keep in contact with his family and they support him. That should be good enough to quell that his kids are better off if he wasn't doing this. At least it is for me.
As for me, while I was baptized Catholic many years ago, I keep my religion between God and myself. I've maybe gone to church for Mass probably 4 times since the mid-70's. God knows I get bored in church & I believe He doesn't hold it against me. He also knows that I have questions for Him instead of Strickland, but He hasn't answered those questions convincingly to me, yet. Again, I don't believe He holds that against me, otherwise I'm sure He'd have let me know in some way. He allows me to do what I believe is best for me. That means tomorrow, I'll be mowing the lawn and maybe hanging with friends or playing video games afterwards. (I have a lot of XBox 360 Achievements to catch up on! LOL!)
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
Playa,
It worked very well in Nazi Germany from the mid-1930s until around, oh, 1944 or 1945.
Whoops! Let's not leave out Japan during the same period.
And don't forget all the kids who've gone through public education in the last 20 - 30 years who believe the liberal coddling crap that their teachers have quoted to them as truth.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk:
Your "what ifs" are all based on very malign assumptions about his personal life, financial health, and his family's welfare. Assuming the worst, in other words, about "a guy we know nothing about."
It's worth repeating: What a sad, pathetic way to lead your life.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, Thanks for your judgement of me. I would expect nothing less. Hopefully my concerns about Mr. Strickland's character are wrong. At least you know where I stand. Your stance however is still unclear. Maybe you need to jump off the fence and figure it out before you judge people. In my opinoin it is sad and pathetic to ride the fence as you do.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Matt, I have better things to do with my day also. I have taken care of my lawn,but still need to catch up on some fishing. Whew, I am glad you didn't take me up on my offer lol. Enjoy the xbox.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
My stance is simple: Mr. Strickland has been able to use religion & faith to lever his way out of some personal trauma, and I congratulate him for it.
You and Beavers and your your ilk piss on him for it.
No fence-riding involved.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Live and let live. If it ain't illegal and he is not bothering anybody who are we to judge this man? It is no ones business to judge this mans character. Stop while you're only so far in arrears.
Pat attention to what Stoddard tells you.LOL!
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, Mr. Strickland has used his religion and faith to lever his way down US 40 into the high plains desert that is all. I hope things, work out well for him but I don't think religion will play a part in it. That is my belief and you have condemned me for it. Enjoy the fence.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
seeuski, this comment"Pat attention to what Stoddard tells you." Is going into the memory bank for future reference. LOL Have a good night everyone.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Yea, you will buddy up for sure. That's your style as expressed here against this wandering person who posed no threat to you. Nice guy you are.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
And I obviously meant pay.
MrTaiChi 3 years, 10 months ago
Beavers, LTFO and jk,
I understand agnostics. I don't understand atheists.
Human beings are hard wired to believe in something. If we don't we become social rogues, castouts from the tribe, nihilists, people with whom no one wants to associate because of their incessant negativism or anti-social behavior. You must believe in something, or you are worthy of pity.
It's still a free country. You are entitled to be free of religion if you want. You can be rude to Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons at your doorstep if you want. You can stand on the back of a poor soul dragging a cross across America as your soapbox to mock religious belief if you want. But what do you believe in?
Do you believe in the capacity of mankind to act in disinterest of individual selfishness? Do you believe that laws can replace religiously based concepts of right and wrong? Do you believe that love can overcome evil behavior? Do you believe that government can coerce mankind to perfection?
If you believe these things in the face of the proof of history and what we know, then your belief system is more fantastic than a diety in the cluds that you ridicule.
It's still a free country, thanks to the Bill of Rights, a constitutional amendment that guarantees the free exercise of religion just as it guarantees that the govenment can't punish you for your exercise of free speech. Reading your recurrent postings here, however, I am reminded of President Eisenhower's comment about Joe McCarthy: "He keeps forever unanswered the question, 'How stupid can one man get?"
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Seeuski, you are truly very self absorbed. I was not trying to be your buddy by any means. In my opinion you are the most foregone person posting here. I was just amazed that you agreed with Mathew as that never seems to happen, and I knew what you meant.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
MrTai Chi, It makes me wonder how a person of your wisdom and understanding can group a section of people with different beliefs than yours into this,"Human beings are hard wired to believe in something. If we don't we become social rogues, castouts from the tribe, nihilists, people with whom no one wants to associate because of their incessant negativism or anti-social behavior. You must believe in something, or you are worthy of pity." I am guessing it is because of religion?I figure then this pertains to you also "He keeps forever unanswered the question, 'How stupid can one man get?"
playa46 3 years, 10 months ago
Aich- Until logic stepped in to put down what was one man's thoughts about how people should be. Nothing good comes from that, does it?
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk -
Mr. Strickland is quoted as saying "I'm walking for the Lord. It's a sign of obedience. I was in a pretty deep pit, and it was something I needed."
You say that his expressed devotion is fraudulent, and that "Mr. Strickland has used his religion and faith to lever his way down US 40 into the high plains desert that is all."
Which means you believe him to be
a) a liar, or b) delusional.
Assuming the worst, in other words, about "a guy we don't know a thing about." Heaven forbid we should ever take a man at his word. And when we "don't know a thing about him", call him a liar.
If your diagnosis has other explanations, I'd be interested to know what they are.
MrTaiChi:
Nicely said. Something I'd appreciate you shedding more light on - you say: "I understand agnostics. I don't understand atheists."
The best definition of agnosticism (at least as it applies to me) reads as follows:
Agnosticism - the belief that the existence of any ultimate reality is unknown, and likely unknowable.
In other words, jk can't prove (to me) that there isn't, and Mr. Strickland can't prove (to me) that there is.
Until I'm confronted with convincing evidence either way, I'm quite happy to sit on the fence and honestly admit that I don't know; and refrain from ridiculing the Stricklands and jk's among us because they've chosen one side or the other.
You say you don't understand atheists. Take the "hard wired to believe in something" out of the equation, and it's just as easy not to understand the devout. Two sides of the same coin, it seems to me. Is it just the 'hard wiring' that facilitates your understanding of the faithful, or is there more to it?
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, Your initial statement was " Mr. Strickland has been able to use religion & faith to lever his way out of some personal trauma." I was merely stating that he has done nothing more for himself than hike his way out of Craig with a cross on his back. Nowhere did I say his devotion was fraudulent. I only voiced my opinion that there were hundreds of ways better for him to help his children than dragging a cross 2,000 miles across the country. So I guess if I can't take c) none of the above, then I will choose b. Because yes in my opinion if he wants to be with his kids and help them in any way, it is delusional to think that dragging a 12' cross 2,000 miles across the country is doing anyone any good.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
So you're not calling him a fraud. You ARE calling him a fool. Thanks for clearing that up.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, as I said if there wasn't a c) none of the above, then I would choose b) delusional. If you choose to interpret that to mean fool I guess that is what YOU were fishing for.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
I also invited you to offer alternate explanations. Reading comprehension isn't your strongest suit, evidently.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, I merely posed a few questions and interjected my opinion about a man carrying a 12' cross 2,000 miles across the country. Now my character has been attacked again by you. I never said he didn't have the right to his beliefs or that he was fraudulent for believing what he believes. Yet my character has been attacked by a fence rider that doesn't know what he belives in. How hypocritical of you. Have a good day.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
You don't say Mr. Strickland doesn't have the right to his beliefs. Fine. You claim to respect his convictions, while simultaneously ridiculing and denigrating the manner in which he choose to express them; calling him delusional in the bargain. That's respectful, all right.
Hypocrisy writ large.
Beavers 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep: to most of us- and those who drive by- he is indeed just 'humping lumber'- and being a traffic nuisance. Problem is that he is really trying to make a statement just like a billboard might. And that's where he has put himself in communicado with us and has opened up this dialogue. He's not just wasting his time being humble or praising his maker or being humble -he is not a tree falling in a forest, he's actively trying to impress us with his humility, which is to say, HE IS NOT HUMBLE AT ALL. I consider him a fraud, a phoney, a dilettante, mere road-side detritus who has sought to place himself on my horizon. Again, if he were my dad, I'd get him a massive dose of phenobarbitol and end it for him now, before he screws up the kids his wife/kids' mother saw fit to separate from him. I hope for their sakes she is long gone by the time he tries to meet up. As for being angry or ranting, so not. Just responding to this wack job's claim to take space/time in my life for absolutely no good reason at all. I'd rather watch golf. Hope you make it to church today. Thanks
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
Sep, I never said I respect his convictions. Again you put words in my mouth to help your argument, and you gave me 2 choices in your little quiz a) fraud b) delusional. Since there was no c) none of the above, I chose b). Have a Nice Day.
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
(continued)
Another verse, "Many are called; few are chosen," means to me that many people hear "the call" to spread the Gospel, but only a few are chosen by God to be his messengers. There are a bunch of Bozos on TV who have engaged in "preacher scams" such as the late Jim Bakker, Robert Tilton, etc. I know someone personally who used his "calling" to escape combat service in Vietnam and raid the henhouse back home while all the other boys were serving their country. He was a notorious drinker and womanizer in college, and now he's senior pastor at a large church in a medium-sized town in Tennessee. Listening to him talk is like speaking to the Jack-in-the-Box clown. Called? Surely. Chosen? I don't think so.
Our problem as human beings is that the words that have survived to come down to us in 2009 were written in allegory in many cases by primitive people speaking different languages more than 2000 years ago.
When a teenager says, "Whatever . . . " and rolls her eyes, you know what it means. Would a person living 2000 years from now who couldn't see the eye-roll know what it means?
We've got something that's as complicated as pastic bags full of individual components for a personal computer (the unassembled components that are soldered or mounted to the circuit boards) with assembly instructions written in Cantonese and translated into French, and a LaRousse French-English Dictionary to try to figure it all out and build a working PC. This is why Christianity is based in faith, not in performance of a ritual, and why you don't have to know how to assemble it or how everything you don't see from outside the case works in order to obtain the benefits.
In my experience, there are two easy ways to find out who believes and who does not among the so-called "Christians." Those who truly believe have no fear. No evil will come to them because they have renounced Satan and all his works, and those who do evil go elsewhere as a result. The ones who really want to believe, but are not convinced, are the ones who continue to fear death and mourn the departed as somehow "lost" when they are taken.
There is a third group, and those are the ones who give Christianity a bad name. They are the ones who use religion for a profit (financial, personal, political, sexual, etc.).
And, finally, there are the mentally ill who fall into cult practices and do things like shoot abortion doctors in God's name. Hey, uh, all you BOZOS out there -- if God wants somebody dead, he can handle it.
So, I wish Mr. Strickland well and his actions will be the proof of his purpose. In the meantime, at least I know that he won't be the guy coming up to me at the gas pump and asking for a handout to buy fuel.
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
Playa,
Exactly right, friend. People want to believe. It goes on for Star Wars and Islam and Shinto and Hindu and all kinds of intellectual constructs. Same with the "green movement" (which is good), Global Warming (where are the hurricanes this year?), and "You can't get pregnant the first time."
I'm a bit surprised that nobody has brought up the Biblical example of what Mr. Strickland is doing. Jesus told his disciples to travel throughout the world and spread the Gospel. He also told them to take the clothes on their backs, and their faith, and depend on God to provide for them. Apparently, it worked, because 2000 years later the Gospel is still being spread.
I happen to be one of those people who believes that some people are destined not to find salvation. That's what it says in the scriptures, too. The denominations that think differently are going against the Word. It's there for everyone to find, and hear, and believe or not.
The Pentecostals are an interesting bunch. They're the ones that "speak in tongues." This is based upon a Biblical event called, not surprisingly, "The Pentecost," where people were able to spread the gospel speaking in languages they had never heard before. In the "real" event, those languages included Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Hebrew and who-knows-what. Obviously, such an event would take supernatural powers to endow people with the ability to speak a different language in an instant. This is quite different from those who "speak in tongues" sounding like someone reciting the preamble to the Constitution while blowing bubbles in a bowl of oatmeal.
It's truly a shame that the message Jesus brought has been lost in ritual, interpretation and brainwashing. Let's also not forget that God allowed Jesus to be beaten, broken, bloodied and nailed to a cross to die of exposure even after Jesus prayed to be spared the night before. When people pray to God and don't get what they asked for, or wonder why "God lets things like this happen," we have an example that shows us he's not in that business unless it suits Him for some reason known only to Him.
You could also say that the scriptures provide examples of how God gets off the hook when such things occur; a perfect alibi for our clergy and faithful to use when the miracles they've prayed for do not occur. It's an iron-clad deal, no?
(continued)
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Sure your right jk, no, I meant you would buddy up with Stoddard not me for sure. And I'm sorry you missed the sarcasm in my listen to Stoddard comment.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
seeuski, My apologies sarcasm can be a tough thing to interpret on this forum. lol Enjoy your day.
jk 3 years, 10 months ago
aich, thanks for the long warm breeze. lol
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 10 months ago
jk:
You write: "...you gave me 2 choices in your little quiz a) fraud b) delusional."
You conveniently ignored the subsequent invitation from the same post: "If your diagnosis has other explanations, I'd be interested to know what they are."
Reading comprehension rears its ugly head once again.
You write: "Sep, I never said I respect his convictions." I stand corrected. I gave you credit to which you are not entitled, and I appreciate the clarification.
You m.o., evidently, is that those with certain religous convictions are not due any respect. They deserve scorn, ridicule, and derision. Please correct any misinterpretation I may have stumbled into here.
And then there's Beavers, who claims he'd subject his own father to involutary sedation and confinement if daddy ever presumed to engage in certain religious beliefs without Junior's consent. Kind of like the Chinese policy re: the Fa Lung Gong.
You boys are wanna-be totalitarians. Fortunately, thanks (arguably) to those 17th-century Bible thumpers, and the subsequent Christians who authored the Constitution, childish spew on an annonymous forum is as far as you'll get.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
I think those posting here against this Christian should direct their attention at the Muslim Jihad conference that was held in Illinois this weekend. A group that can claim such members as Khalid Sheik Muhammad. All they are preaching is death to the infidels and for a Sharia Caliphate to run the world.
Kevin Chapman 3 years, 10 months ago
Nut job Why did he lose his kids to begin with? Can't wait for Fred Duckel to chime in with his right winged rhetoric.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Stones in glass houses. Another critical perfect human being.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Where is the worldwide outrage over what takes place in Iran everyday?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534116,00.html?test=latestnews
Stoning, public hangings, rape torture. Amnesty International will go out of their way to condemn Israel though.
oldskoolstmbt 3 years, 10 months ago
IF, if's and but's were candy and nuts,...we would all have a better christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
knee_dropper 3 years, 10 months ago
Gotta love how seeu has tried to change the topic to outrages perpetrated by muslims. What does what this man is doing have to do with what you're posting? Like a broken record you are seeu. What's next, trying to squeeze in some hate for Obama and how Saddam was really behind 9/11? lol
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
knee- Here you go:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-06-cheney_N.htm
and then this one:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090602/pl_politico/23228
And now back to our regularly scheduled "cross" country trek...
(I can't believe nobody used that context before this post. LOL!)
knee_dropper 3 years, 10 months ago
Nice, thanks Matt. The picture of Cheney in the second link is a classic; don't look into his eyes or he'll eat your soul! I guess old Dick forgot to "cross" his T's before acting on half-baked intelligence.
stephb 3 years, 10 months ago
Everyone has thier own story. He is showing an outward picture of his faith. Fair play. I am thankful that I have the freedom of speech, and the freedom of religion. How about anyone else on here?? Bravo to him for exercising his freedom. He isn't hurting anyone!
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Why in the world would any human defend the likes of Saddam Hussein or the Iranian regime?
To the terrorist defenders here you go. http://www.husseinandterror.com/ http://www.americanthinker.com/2006/06/saddams_wmd_discovery_and_deni.html http://lauriemylroie.com/ http://jaynadavis.com/
I brought the story about the rape and murder of innocent young girls in Iran into this stupid discussion because that would show who is truly humanitarian here and who is idealistic and hateful. Bashing this guy for his personal faith while ignoring true threats like the rise of Sharia Islam, as was propagated in Chicago this weekend, and the crimes against humanity that are occurring daily from those corners of the earth is quite disturbing to me. We can argue about the purity of Saddam Hussein, I say he is gone along with the acts of terrorism he brought the US, and we will certainly disagree but I am dismayed at the lack of curiosity from those bashing me about what goes on in tyrannical societies like Iran.
OK, back on topic, leave this guy alone.
knee_dropper 3 years, 10 months ago
Looks like someone's getting a little "cross" here. Seeu, you're as predictable as they get with your tired links to Saddam and terror. Nobody's saying that Saddam was a great guy, it's just fun to poke at you because we get the same reaction EVERY time. Anyways back to the guy dragging his crucifix across the country.
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
Saddam lovers unite. He was so sweet. knee-pads, who do you hate more, Saddam or Bush?
Matthew Stoddard 3 years, 10 months ago
How did a man on a personal journey for God degrade into how the Muslim world hates us? Gee. Wonder how that one came about. Must be some Far Right Conspiracy. Wait fooooor ittttt...
knee_dropper 3 years, 10 months ago
Oooo, looks like I pushed a button there suue. I don't hate either, the bible says it's wrong to hate. You should really start working on that, it's obviously a large cross to bear.
aichempty 3 years, 10 months ago
Matthew,
Now, now. The Muslim world does not hate all of us. They only hate the Infidels, as they are commanded by Mohammad.
Jesus said, "Love your enemies." Mohammad said, "Kill them."
So, it's nothing personal. God told them to. Isn't that enough?
seeuski 3 years, 10 months ago
I think you two used the same amount of words in your responses. Hmmm........ wait foooor ittttt..... knee_jerker help stoddard understand the Islamic movement for a worldwide caliphate if you can. Then maybe you two can see the silliness in worrying about the cross bearer in this article.
knee_dropper 3 years, 10 months ago
I'm about as worried about the cross man as I was worried about Saddam before the war sue-ee. Like I've insinuated above, if he wants to go on this pilgrimage/trek across the desert, the more power to him. The likelihood of dying at the sword of some Islamic radical is a lot less than some drunk running over the guy dragging his cross down the highway; even if I choose to go to a predominately Muslim country.
MrTaiChi 3 years, 10 months ago
Time on my hands again, so some random thoughts....
The underlying beef arises from the perception that there is a movement of critics of anything Christian who don't apply the same criticisms to members of other faiths, the most prominent being Islam.
Carrying a cross, (not a crucifix), is a powerful personal symbol to many devout Christians. They do it all over the world at Easter time. Orthodox Jews wear skull caps and hair styles that are strange to some. Sikhs wear tubans. Muslim women wear the hajab, although there is no support in the Koran for compulsion to do so. We tolerate that in America, so why is this man's outward expression of Christian faith so threatening? Why does it challange those who have to attack him here?
This man appears to have been emotionally shaken to his core. He found comfort in demonstration of his faith and a harmless pilgrimage. It may be threatening to some commentators as a symbol of the influence that Judeo-Christian values have on our culture. It is obvious that many of you feel constrained by that, although the hyperbole is in some examples ridiculous. Here, I think, is where the arguments have digressed into Islam, which, if I may translate, commentators are trying to say, 'If you think a Judeo-Christain value system cramps your style look at Islamic cultures in which this guy would have been imprisoned or worse.'
If you are democrats you should tolerate this form of diversity. If you are Democrats maybe you want state intervention to correct his thinking.
jayers 3 years, 9 months ago
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. James Strickland here in Park City, UT last night. I saw him camped-out at a rest stop and stopped to ask him what he was doing. By the way, he asked for and was denied permission by the local Mormon Church to camp on their property for the night. After talking with him, I offered to pick him up this morning and join us for breakfast with the men's group from the Park City Community Church (United Methodist).
He told us his story: His name is James Strickland and he is 39 years old. He is a heavy equipment operator on the North Slope oil fields (Prudhoe Bay, Alaska), where he makes ice roads for the oil companies in the winter. He starts in November-December (depending on the weather) and continues to March-April. He works 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off, 12 hour days. Because he works the "night" shift, he sees the sun for maybe 30-45 minutes a day after the month of January. He said that there is a lot of drug and alcohol abuse on the North Slope. He is married with two children (3 yr old daughter and a 5 year old son). He had an older son that was killed in a car accident. After three days on life support, they made the decision to donate his organs to others in need, and his son now lives on in those that received his organs. He and his wife have been experiencing some challenges (as most relationships do) and so he went to Longview, TX, to visit some of his family. While in Longview searching for answers and being "at the bottom", he prayed for an answer. He said that the first Bible verse he turned to was: • James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says."
jayers 3 years, 9 months ago
(cont.) He kept being told that he needed to "carry the cross." Everything he read referred him to "carry the cross." He decided that he needed to "carry the cross." He admitted that his family members discouraged him and thought that he was "nuts" but this was something that he needed to do. He started his journey around the beginning of May and is walking to Aberdeen, WA, to be reunited with his wife and children. He acknowledged that not everybody is agreeing or is supportive of his endeavor, but those that do agree far outnumber those that don't. I found, we all found James to be very polite, considerate, gentle, well mannered, well versed on a number of topics, courteous and grateful to Him and those that have provided assistance. I asked him if he has a knife or gun for protection and his response was "oh heavens no. I wouldn't even think of carrying a weapon." He was interviewed by our local paper here yesterday "The Park Record" and will probably be featured in this weekend's edition. It will be very interesting if his journey though Park City sparks the same kind of discussion/debate that has been generated in Steamboat Springs. When I dropped James off north of Salt Lake City this morning in Bountiful, UT, at 10:30 AM, it was already 90 degrees. He hoped to make it 15 plus miles by the end of the day. He hopes to be with his family by the end of September. Godspeed James
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 9 months ago
jayers:
Thanks for the insight. This non-believer wishes Mr. Strickland and his family all the best.
Beavers 3 years, 9 months ago
Ah, Ok, maybe Strickland had these visions whilst smoking crack and slamming Johnny Walker up in Sarah's state? Maybe they're pals? I bet they both can see Russia... I imagine if I got jacked up on drugs, booze and jesus, I could too- a hat trick of disorientation. You can bet his wife will see this ridiculous behavior as a reason to get back together. Not. But she did marry the guy. Let's all pray she keeps the kids safe. Rather than "blessing" him with 5 bucks and a place to crash, somebody ought to give him some shrink dough. I hope they call him what he is: a public nuisance and mentally unbalanced and get him off our public right of ways. He's a danger to himself and others.
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
Oh, Beave,
Even Wally could figure this out.
The message to "carry the cross" was an analogy. Jesus bore the cross to the site of his crucifixion. It was an analogy of his bearing the ridicule and pain to become a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Now, if you think that's abusive, take it up with his Dad. In any case, that's what Jesus did.
If you'd ever attended the Methodist church, you'd have probably sung the song, "Gladly the Cross I'd Bear." When my wife was a little girl, before she could read, she thought the song was about a cross-eyed bear named "Gladly." Children and newcomers often misinterpret the meaning of the words, because man's mind fails to understand God's meaning due to ignorance and inexperience.
Have you ever heard someone say, "I need to stop and refuel my belly before I go back to work," when they're talking about getting something to eat? If you heard someone say that, would you think he was going to drink gasoline? A child might.
I understand how Mr. Strickland interpreted the scriptures and why he is doing what he's doing. "Many are called, but few are chosen." He was "called" to "carry the cross," meaning to spread the Gospel and live by the requirements of Jesus' commandments to us. Not to carry a wooden cross from Texas to Washington. Oops. He was "called" to spread the word, but he was not "chosen" to understand how.
To understand the Word, you must be touched by the Holy Spirit. That's what happened on the Pentecost when people were given the ability to speak and understand languages they did not know before (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, etc.).
The word "agnostic" comes from Greek. "Gnostic" means "knowing," or "knowledgeable." Agnostic means, "not knowing." Agnostics have heard the words, but don't know what they mean. Agnostics are not knowledgeable about the spiritual aspects of our lives on Earth.
You deny that the Word means anything. Mr. Strickland doesn't understand what the Word means. He's going through the motions based on what he understands, and I hope he comes to learn what he is really supposed to do. He's supposed to love God, believe that Jesus is his Savior, and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It's simple, elegant, and not a burden for those who believe. Why? Because those who walk in the Spirit don't even think about hurting anyone else, or doing anything God would consider sinful. God didn't say, "don't drink alcohol." He said, "don't be a drunkard." He didn't say, "live in poverty." He said, "don't make money and possessions more important than your family, community and spiritual life."
Our problems with religion in this world are a result of ignorance and lack of faith. "Knowing" is more than being able to read or hear the words. Just as there is no explanation that can convey the physical sensation of an orgasm before you've experienced it, that's why people who don't "know" don't understand.
Brian Kotowski 3 years, 9 months ago
seeuski sees Al Queda in the woodwork; Beavers sees Sarah Palin lurking around every corner. Lions and tigers and babes, oh my!
I also suspect that Beavers may posting provocatively for provocation's sake. Whether genuine or a poseur, he's difficult to take seriously.
Kevin Chapman 3 years, 9 months ago
Oh look some right winger adding a link to fox news.........how new and refreshing.- not
TWill 3 years, 9 months ago
Well said, Aich. I'm not sure that will sink into the rodent brain of the angry little Beaver though.
Mr. Strickland, is approaching each day with more purpose than most people can say they do. Although his tactic could be construed as slightly eccentric, this is still a man that is making a concerted effort to improving himself while spreading the Word to others along the way. I applaud his commitment to his faith and pray for his and his family's well being.
Beave, you really should do something about all that animosity you have. It can't be good for you:
charliecigar 3 years, 9 months ago
96 comments and counting. It figures that religion is behind a group of people imposing their beliefs endlessly upon each other. It's time to let this one go..
stephb 3 years, 9 months ago
jayers, thankyou so much for sharing more of his story... It is a known fact that when a married couple loses a child, the marriage can suffer immensely. There is fear, guilt, and blaming of others. I applaud them for donating thier childs' organs. This man clearly has alot to deal with, think over and work out. His pain must be deep. Again I applaud him, and I wish i could have met him too! Like I said in an earlier post. "we all have our own story"... And that is what jayers just shared with us. thanks!
jayers 3 years, 9 months ago
Not being from the Steamboat area, but making a contribution to the discussion regarding James Strickland, I feel it necessary to keep you informed of the developments that have transpired since my dropping off James yesterday morning. Below is the email that I wrote to the men's group a couple of hours ago that had breakfast with James yesterday. This was immediately after a call I recieved from James. It is only fair that I share this with the citizens of Steamboat Springs....
I just received a call from James Strickland. He told me that he didn't make it out of Bountiful yesterday as they were having their (Days of '47 Parade) there. The road (Hwy 89) was too congested w/ parade participants. He tried to go onto the interstate but was stopped by a highway patrol and was told he couldn't walk on the interstate. He said that yesterday, after I dropped him off in Bountiful, was one of the most difficult days he's had on his journey. He told me he was laughed at, ridiculed, made fun of, etc. He also confessed to me that he wasn't completely forthright with us yesterday. He neglected to tell us that he was on a parole violation in Washington for burglary. He said that he violated his parole by leaving Washington to see his family (mother) in Texas, like he told us, and that in addition to "carrying the cross", upon his return to Aberdeen, he will surrender himself to authorities for his parole violation.
I'm telling you this because his story is to be printed in tomorrow's Park Record with the addition of his parole violation. In case you've told some about our guest yesterday, I didn't want this fact to come as a surprise. James wanted me to let you all know how welcoming we made him feel at breakfast and that that has been one of his bright spots during his journey. As uplifting as breakfast was for him yesterday, his experiences in Bountiful made him feel ashamed. He acknowledged that he should have told us the whole truth and apologized for not doing so. He knows that he has to live up to what he's done and is trying his best to make it right. He apologized for not being completely honest with us.
jk 3 years, 9 months ago
It's amazing how fear of incarceration turns so many to the Lord.
jk 3 years, 9 months ago
The religious zealots quieted by the lies of their poster child.
Kevin Nerney 3 years, 9 months ago
I've said it before and I'll say it again (even though it's only slightly relevant to this discussion). There are no athiests in a smokey hallway.
Those of you who doubt it can step into my old office, in the big city of New York in any high rise building seven stories high, flame blowing out 3 windows and people trapped in the back bedroom.
Beavers 3 years, 9 months ago
Now the guy's not only a wack job but a crook on the lam, too. Sly like a fox? I croon 'Ol' Lang Zyne' for his plight. Drugs, alcohol, Alaska, divorce, robbery, faithlessness, religion, guilt, repentance- somebody quick, find the sex and murder- we have a budding Truman Capote novel! If every criminal pulled a stunt like this, I suppose you jesus fearing folk would assume he's an innocent card carrying christian brother/sister and applaud this self centered circus act? Don't you have parables about the "sin" of conceit and making a spectacle of yourself in your good book? The people's law says he's a public nuisance, a vagrant, probably a truant, he's told us he's a parole violator and he ought to be picked up and extradited to stand for his crimes. Where are the cops when you need them? Forgot to mention, he's also a self acknowledged dead beat dad. I wonder how you folks would feel about this brother if he were an edgy looking young black male doing the same thing? I leave you to it with no animosity or hatred. Maybe just a little sarcasm about the cross bearing criminal nut case paying tribute to a flying, bearded, cloud dwelling father who has put you under his spell. Same faith some claimed in patriotism and godspeed for the Iraq war -based on Saddam's WMD, yellow cake, his relationship with Bin Ladin and everything the Bush Cheney gang of stupid mongers told the good, freedom fry eating, red blooded "americans". All this faith while Dick Cheney is firing his bob white gun into the face of his NRA paid off, gun-toting pal and is quietly VP'ing Halliburton into becoming the biggest recipient of OUR public funding for cleaning up what these very same stupid people voted to destroy? Wish I'd bought stock. I suggest some of you- those of you who rely on crazy beliefs in place of education in math and science- yea, the faithful, wake up and THINK. A little travel might help, too. Though Rush and Dick and W claim faith-based knowledge over scientific fact from EVERY responsible scientist, our world IS melting. I remind you, big coal has been screwing up the Zirkels for years now. Dang, I gotta go bike the hill before it gets too hot. Beav
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
jk,
There are millions of people in this country -- somewhere near half the voters -- who believe that Obama's "true believers" were, and are, just as misguided as anybody who makes this kind of public demonstration of faith.
There are so many people buying into the global warming issue without understanding it.
There are so many people who believe a statistic that is crafted to serve a political purpose.
Oh, and by the way, there were three crosses on the hill where Jesus died. The other two were criminals being put to death. Jesus told them they would be together with him in Paradise "this day."
Here's the real question: Why do so many people have a visceral and negative reaction to a demonstration of faith, even if misguided. Why even bother to read the story or post a comment?
Don't claim that faith isn't real and then spend so much energy trying to convince everybody else. The energy you expend denying it is an indication of how powerful it really is.
jk 3 years, 9 months ago
Aich, I never said anything about faith being unreal.
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
jk,
Point taken.
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
Beave,
All the things you talk about, and a lot more, support my theory that we are living in the time of the Great Tribulation.
Christian beliefs have been perverted in almost every imaginable way, including outright perversion.
You are 100% right about people learning science and math. The more I learned about these subjects, the more I came to believe in the elegance of the universe and the underlying design which is revealed to us in mathematics. Calculus, for example, where a thing as simple as implicit differentiation ties together the equations which describe the position, velocity and acceleration of an object falling under the influence of gravity reveals laws of the universe which are too real and logical to arise solely by chance. Sir Isaac Newton discovered these relationships and then he and Liebnitz went nuts trying to figure out how to "prove" them mathematically. The solution was to invent the "limit" which is as unseen, imaginary construct which fills the gaps in logic necessary for a mathematician to "prove" mathematical concepts instead of just having to "believe" they work (which they do, and is easily demonstrated).
The evidence for creation is all around us. It is in us. We were created in God's image, and we create everything from art to space stations.
The only place I seriously disagree with your opinion is that a man dragging a cross on a personal mission (pun intended, because that's what he's really doing -- provoking people to witness, and maybe causing some to believe) is not much of a threat compared to the dope-smoking, drug using violent hooligans that knock over convenience stores and bus' into houses in the rest of the country. If they were all walking around with a cross on their shoulders this country would be a much safer place.
People who claim that the scriptures are the infallable word of God are correct. The problem is that God's infallable words have been edited and altered by men who were out for a profit (sex, money or both) or just wanted a divine hammer to use on other people for personal reasons.
Love is the answer.
Recognizing love is the problem. Too much harm is done in the name of love, and that's what's wrong with the world we live in.
Strickland's walk had a purpose. Look at this thread. Truths have been revealed. Now it's up to us to recognize them and move ahead.
MrTaiChi 3 years, 9 months ago
So filled with anger; so lacking in compassion and humility; so certain, so intolerant...... When you come to the point in your life when you stare into the abyss, whatever that will be for you, the foundations you have built to support your beliefs will give you no comfort. There is dispair in your future that you are unequipped to deal with. Edward Arlington Robinson's poem, 'Man Against the Sky' dealt with the concept that we all feel in our deepest soul, that we are ultimately alone in this world. It is to be human to seek spiritual meaning for our lives and something less than fully human to mock that quest in others. It is just being small. Imagine yourself as colorblind and railing against the stupidity of the sighted world for seeing color.
sklwest7 3 years, 9 months ago
I also live in Park City, Utah and had breakfast with jayers, (who posted previously), and James Strickland on July 23rd. Like so many of us, James is a wounded man. His cross bearing is definitely out of the ordinary for most of us, but he feels called to do this. He's not some religious wacko, deadbeat dad, tramp, convict, etc. as so many of you who never even met him have astutely pointed out. He has skills, had employment, (Hello? recession?), and his marriage breaking up sent him into a funk.
But take all that out of the equation: what damn business is it of any of us if a man wants to drag a 2X4 down the street cross-country? The 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states that "men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." If this is James' definition of that, what right do any of you have to deny him this? I bet if one of you ATV driving, beer guzzling, Steamboat Springs red necks were told to stop doing those activities, you'd have something to say about that. (See how nice it is when people who you have never met make judgments about you?) He's not bothering a soul and if any of you took the time to say hello to him, you would have seen that he has a strong character, owns his life's mistakes, has deep faith, and is trying to make his life right without any gov't help. Reading many of Steamboat's finest citizens' comments on this page and then hearing about how poorly he was treated by the religious hypocrites in Bountiful, Utah really makes me fear about the future of communities in this country. Where is your shame?
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
7westy,
You know nothing about Steamboat. Beer guzzling, ATV riding red necks cannot afford to live here. The people who object to Strickland's mission in this town are bike-riding intellectuals and/or agnostic dope smokers who don't want to have to answer to anybody for anything unless they choose to.
Many people who come here are escaping from life, and some of them have the money to do so because they have trust funds, etc., that let him live without doing much that they don't choose to do.
I think that most people around here accept Strickland at face value, but there are many who are here to escape from spiritual accountability, and people like Strickland make that difficult.
The usual thing around here is for somebody to do something stupid and dangerous, get killed, and then everybody comes out with flowers and teddy bears for a memorial. Somebody killed a bear in town last week, and I'm surprised they didn't put out little GI Joe and Barbie dolls where the bear died. It's an eccentric place, and not necessarily friendly.
I've lived in a lot of places, and it has been rare to be around people who are openly hostile towards Christians. But, that goes with the territory (Jesus was mocked too; remember?).
If Mr. Strickland is a parole violator, then he needs to get home by the fastest means available and turn himself in. This walking trip is a misuse of the symbolism he's trying to portray. I hope someone offers him a ride, and I hope he takes it.
Beavers 3 years, 9 months ago
I object to stupidity, not faith. I believe the earth is round, that sea temperatures are rising, there is hard acid rain falling in the Zirkels and some drunk punk who should not have had a gun kilt that bar in town. Do you know that anybody you might have asked in jesus' day swore the world was flat? Do you know he would have only lived another 3 years because nobody knew about the importance of sanitary, clean drinking water or how to treat infections or broken bones? Do you know he was not a blue eyed white guy, he was a person of color? Do you know pigs can't fly and neither can a person? Do you know that almost every war-torn area in the world today sits on a line dividing people with different "spiritual" beliefs? Ever heard of ethnic cleansing? Put down that racing form and pay attention. Or the missionaries, pilgrims or the holy crusades? How about the mormom FLDS right down the road who are still today selling off for favors their pre-pubescent little girls to wise men closest to their "apostle"? Or fundamental islamic terrorists? This guy with a couple of two x fours is as brain washed and brain dead as any of you faithful that side with and polarize our planet in the name of YOUR so called faith. You want to discuss what being the "most faithful" means in your world of harp playing winged and nubile cloud dwelling young ladies (like, might they kinda make the muslim ideas of 21 vestal virgins in paradise sound sane to people who believe there are angels lying around up there above Sidney Peak?)? Seek that knowledge from Tammy Faye Bakker, who, like most of the other folk you upraised and made rich to spread the stupidity, promoted, elevated and yea, enjoyed a little fear of god the same way any other cross bearing thief might. I sure hope there aren't any of these lunatics on my cloud when I get one. My beef is simple- 2 kids max and make people learn science and math. Get smart! I am willing to bet our dear cross pulling pal and thief Mr. Strickland does not hold many academic qualifications. Probably didn't pay for the wood he carries as a public traffic nuisance either. I can't wait to hear how overjoyed his wife is gonna be when he shouts, "Honey, I'm home".
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
LT,
Easy enough to say.
Now try going through life only relying on what is absolutely real.
No TV except news and documentaries.
No movies, games, fiction at all.
To live like this denies man's creativity.
And like I already said, our creativity is the evidence of God's creativity.
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
LT,
It's a lot like medical marijuana. If you believe it will cure everything, you'll use it for everything.
Same idea. Different addiction.
TexasPoet_CBD 3 years, 9 months ago
I have read all of AICHEMPTY's posts here...
And smile...
Because you have searched for truth...
And have found it!!!
Thanks for sharing it here...
Focused... loving... and clear.
Amen... and amen.
TexasPoet_CBD 3 years, 9 months ago
LTFO,
"Religious Nutters" and "real Christians" should find this "interesting"... the interesting part is that all the others do.
AICHEMPTY,
Peace.
Over and Out.
aichempty 3 years, 9 months ago
If this man was walking to raise money for AIDS research, breast cancer, or even (back in the day) to get to a Grateful Dead concert, people around here would be singing a much different tune.
Oh, by the way, despite the Biblical story of Jesus, archaeological evidence recently discovered seems to hint that he was hanged with a hemp rope while Roman soliders smoked the stuff at his feet. If this gets around, every doper in town will be "converting" and wearing a little noose on his lapel in addition to the marijuana leaf.
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