The mountains of Irian Jaya held a secret for 24 years, but on November 24, 1969, high in the mountains outside of Nabire, Jerry Reeder climbed over a small ridge and found himself looking at what he had been in search of for a year and a half. He had endured the disbelief of those whose support he had sought, and at times had himself begun to doubt. But, he was determined to know the truth.

It was Australian, and there were fourteen skeletons immediately recognizable; others were imbedded in the wreckage - an aircraft returning home after the war and reported lost at sea, had now been found. But one question remained -How did this happen?

The pilot's flight case was still intact, and the contents held the key. It was cloudy the day of the flight. The flight maps showed the highest peaks at 11,000 feet, and the pilot had apparently thought to give himself plenty of room for safety, by setting his altitude to pass nearly one-half mile above them. But, the maps were wrong, and the pilot, with those who had trusted him, met the truth at over 13,000 feet.

Truth, like the mountains, is that which "is", whether we like it, whether we agree with it, or even know it exists. And you can see that far more important is the Truth of that in which you trust or believe, than how much you trust your belief.

Truth, like the mountains, endures the ages, and the cool waters that flow from it give life in abundance. But, it can also be a harsh judge, and those who would assail it carelessly, usually do so at great cost.

Truth, like the mountains, creates a great division. One may choose which side to live on, but choose one side and there is abundant water, vegetation, and life; choose the other and you scratch out an existence in the desert.

Truth like the mountains, requires that we plan our lives in accordance with it, rather than in ignorance of it.

Over 2,000 years ago, Pilate put the question to Jesus, "What is Truth?" but then walked out not really wanting nor waiting for an answer. You see, he knew of Jesus and his teachings. He knew that Jesus had claimed to be The Truth, and His claim that no one would see God except through Him. But more difficult than this, was that Jesus had called all men to repentance - something few ever want to hear. Today, America is the mightiest nation in the world, and Rome is but history and scattered fragments.

America is a young nation, built through hard work laid over a foundation echoed in the words of our forefathers: "We hold these Truths to be self evident…" They laid a foundation with the Truth of God's Word, and a great nation was built upon it. They taught and spoke freely of rights, privileges, and blessings that are ours, not by our merits or strength, but by gift from our creator.

Today, we stand on the threshold of a technological revolution, the potential of which is almost beyond comprehension. But the foundation is now deeply cracked, for we have traded the Truth for 130 shades of gray.

What used to be the law of the land, is now increasingly being outlawed throughout the land. Immoralities that once turned the stomachs of almost every American, today barely turn our heads. While the people clamor for more freedom, our government works night and day to add law upon law to control a people who have lost sight of the Truth, that freedom is the privilege of those whose inner law puts integrity and responsibility ahead of their personal pleasures.

If America's is to remain Free, and if its greatness is to continue, we must renew our commitment to the Truth. We must uphold it, we must walk in it, we must never let it die. Then, there will be no limit to the height to which we might climb.