Faith in the Hills
by Joshua Heston
The Christian faith was an instrument of change in the Ozarks — transitioning the hills to a place now known for its peace and its warmth.
Remember, not long ago, these hills were a war-zone with roaming bushwhackers, vigilantes, and very little peace or justice.
These days, the Christian faith is ofen regarded as out of date and out of touch. It's important to remember just what that very faith can accomplish when given a chance.
The results can be beautiful...
Christian Faith in the Ozarks
Is Christian faith in the Ozarks? It absolutely is! One example is Silver Dollar City which does a great job of capturing the flavor of the Ozarks. I was told by a gentleman who worked there that, to him, Branson and this area, is different from any other place that he knew. He had been in the navy and had traveled all over the world.
There is just a feel. It is just different, and again, I think Silver Dollar City captures that feel.
As far as living in the hills, some are the real deal. And they enjoy that kind of lifestyle and culture and it gets portrayed. And one of the aspects of that is of faith. Of faith that Jesus was real, that he was resurrected, that he is still living.
That’s who they put their faith in and it shows. It shows in the genuine friendliness they have. So the Ozarks are a very warm place. — John Tilden
plate 1. Green-roofed Valley Center Baptist Church near Hartshorn, Missouri, was first organized as Caslo Valley Church in 1896. November 8, 2009.
plate 2. A shadowed stand of yellow pine frame the entrance to Valley Center, creating a contrast of sunlight and deep black. November 9, 2008.
Psalm 121:
- My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
- The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
- The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
plate 3. Truman Lake State Park, Warsaw, Missouri. October 30, 2007.