1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,180 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:19,500 Speaker 2: Life Audio. 14 00:01:21,481 --> 00:01:25,461 Speaker 3: Good morning and welcome back to another episode of The 15 00:01:25,541 --> 00:01:30,801 Speaker 3: Story Behind. Behind what? Oh, behind the news that's not 16 00:01:30,860 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 3: as fun, where we still remember the days where the 17 00:01:34,061 --> 00:01:37,721 Speaker 3: local newscast would end with positive stories or things that 18 00:01:37,761 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 3: make you feel good and today we've got two about 19 00:01:40,321 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 3: things that people love some of God's creatures in their 20 00:01:44,321 --> 00:01:49,511 Speaker 3: wild habitat and where we need to remember to respect 21 00:01:49,521 --> 00:01:54,051 Speaker 3: the power that is out there in the wild that 22 00:01:54,451 --> 00:01:57,051 Speaker 3: gives us awe and wonder but which we also need 23 00:01:57,111 --> 00:02:00,591 Speaker 3: to respect so much so I'll be back in just 24 00:02:00,651 --> 00:02:04,141 Speaker 3: a minute with a couple stories that one you may 25 00:02:04,201 --> 00:02:08,471 Speaker 3: actually remember from this summer that took place at Yellowstone. 26 00:02:09,331 --> 00:02:09,930 Speaker 3: See you in a moment. 27 00:02:17,981 --> 00:02:18,401 Speaker 2: All right. 28 00:02:18,461 --> 00:02:20,881 Speaker 3: Well, I said good morning earlier, and it certainly is 29 00:02:20,941 --> 00:02:24,621 Speaker 3: very early morning where I am. But as this is 30 00:02:24,661 --> 00:02:27,641 Speaker 3: a podcast, you may be listening at any time. So welcome, 31 00:02:27,861 --> 00:02:30,660 Speaker 3: especially to those of you who may be new to 32 00:02:30,701 --> 00:02:33,651 Speaker 3: the story behind where we try to give you positive 33 00:02:33,691 --> 00:02:37,191 Speaker 3: and encouraging stories for you to share with others. and 34 00:02:37,211 --> 00:02:40,430 Speaker 3: where there's also always a video component to the story 35 00:02:40,471 --> 00:02:43,971 Speaker 3: that you can catch at GodTube.com, where you can watch 36 00:02:44,031 --> 00:02:49,291 Speaker 3: without worry. Our first story on this natural wild animal 37 00:02:49,441 --> 00:02:54,621 Speaker 3: episode of The Story Behind is by Heather Riggleman. You 38 00:02:54,661 --> 00:02:57,601 Speaker 3: may recall, I certainly heard this one earlier about the 39 00:02:57,641 --> 00:03:01,061 Speaker 3: man who was thrown eight feet into the air by 40 00:03:01,081 --> 00:03:04,501 Speaker 3: a bison at Yellowstone, but lived to share his story. 41 00:03:07,171 --> 00:03:10,071 Speaker 3: A man thrown eight feet into the air by a 42 00:03:10,111 --> 00:03:15,331 Speaker 3: bison at Yellowstone lived to tell his story. And the 43 00:03:15,371 --> 00:03:19,731 Speaker 3: video is enough to leave you in awe. As someone 44 00:03:19,751 --> 00:03:23,671 Speaker 3: who grew up around bison, I've lost count of the signs, hoodies, hats, 45 00:03:23,731 --> 00:03:28,441 Speaker 3: and t-shirts that jokingly warn, do not pet the fluffy cows. 46 00:03:29,281 --> 00:03:32,561 Speaker 3: That's what Heather writes, and I also am familiar with bison. 47 00:03:32,661 --> 00:03:37,061 Speaker 3: It was my college mascot, and We had them aplenty 48 00:03:37,521 --> 00:03:40,741 Speaker 3: in Oklahoma, where I went. It's funny when it's printed 49 00:03:40,781 --> 00:03:44,401 Speaker 3: across a sweatshirt. It's a whole lot less funny when 50 00:03:44,441 --> 00:03:49,141 Speaker 3: you're standing in front of one. Because these aren't oversized 51 00:03:49,191 --> 00:03:54,751 Speaker 3: and docile cows with shaggy coats. Bison are magnificent creatures 52 00:03:55,151 --> 00:03:57,831 Speaker 3: that can weigh over a ton, run faster than most 53 00:03:57,851 --> 00:04:02,731 Speaker 3: people realize, and react in an instant. That's why when 54 00:04:02,831 --> 00:04:06,291 Speaker 3: I read Carl McDaniel's story, I couldn't stop thinking about 55 00:04:06,941 --> 00:04:13,141 Speaker 3: God's mercy. Carl, 65, was visiting Yellowstone National Park near 56 00:04:13,401 --> 00:04:19,341 Speaker 3: Bridge Bay Campground in Wyoming with his 13-year-old grandson when 57 00:04:19,401 --> 00:04:24,641 Speaker 3: what started as a peaceful wildlife encounter turned terrifying. We 58 00:04:24,681 --> 00:04:29,651 Speaker 3: were about 100 yards away, Carl recalled. The bison was 59 00:04:29,731 --> 00:04:35,650 Speaker 3: not aggressive. After taking a few photos, they moved on. Then, 60 00:04:36,331 --> 00:04:40,881 Speaker 3: another vehicle drove by and honked its horn at the bison, 61 00:04:41,741 --> 00:04:47,301 Speaker 3: startling and enraging the massive animal. Within seconds, everything changed. 62 00:04:49,081 --> 00:04:53,081 Speaker 3: There was little time to decide what to do, Carl recalled. 63 00:04:54,641 --> 00:04:57,601 Speaker 3: At that point, he was within a hundred yards. He 64 00:04:57,621 --> 00:05:00,761 Speaker 3: could be to us in seconds. so I told my 65 00:05:00,821 --> 00:05:03,351 Speaker 3: grandson to run in one direction and I went in 66 00:05:03,371 --> 00:05:06,851 Speaker 3: the other to try and draw him away. It was 67 00:05:06,891 --> 00:05:10,311 Speaker 3: the instinct of a grandfather, willing to risk everything for 68 00:05:10,331 --> 00:05:15,341 Speaker 3: the child beside him. The bison charged Carl, struck him 69 00:05:15,931 --> 00:05:20,141 Speaker 3: with its head, and launched him roughly eight feet into 70 00:05:20,181 --> 00:05:24,820 Speaker 3: the air. When he landed, his femur was broken in 71 00:05:24,861 --> 00:05:29,041 Speaker 3: four places near his hip, leaving him unable to move. 72 00:05:31,641 --> 00:05:33,561 Speaker 3: Then came the moment that stopped me in my tracks. 73 00:05:34,101 --> 00:05:37,901 Speaker 3: He was right on top of me, Carl said. He 74 00:05:37,940 --> 00:05:40,301 Speaker 3: could have stomped on me. He could have gored me. 75 00:05:41,731 --> 00:05:44,231 Speaker 3: He could have done almost anything to take my life, 76 00:05:44,331 --> 00:05:50,491 Speaker 3: but he did not do so. Those words linger. A 77 00:05:50,551 --> 00:05:54,101 Speaker 3: wild animal capable of ending his life in seconds simply 78 00:05:55,481 --> 00:06:00,781 Speaker 3: did not. Photographer Mike McCloud, who witnessed the attack, stopped 79 00:06:00,861 --> 00:06:04,981 Speaker 3: filming because he feared the worst. Instead, he ran toward 80 00:06:05,001 --> 00:06:07,841 Speaker 3: the bison, shouting and making himself appear as large as 81 00:06:07,901 --> 00:06:14,211 Speaker 3: possible to distract the animal and help Carl. Carl was 82 00:06:14,271 --> 00:06:17,231 Speaker 3: then rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery. 83 00:06:18,571 --> 00:06:21,580 Speaker 3: Just days later, he was already taking his first steps 84 00:06:21,641 --> 00:06:26,781 Speaker 3: in physical therapy. Looking back, he simply said, it was 85 00:06:26,861 --> 00:06:31,571 Speaker 3: not as catastrophic as it could have been. I'm so 86 00:06:31,591 --> 00:06:36,601 Speaker 3: grateful this story didn't end in heartbreak. And the next time, 87 00:06:36,731 --> 00:06:38,721 Speaker 3: Heather says, she puts on one of her Do Not 88 00:06:38,781 --> 00:06:43,041 Speaker 3: Pet the Fluffy Cows t-shirts, I'll smile, but I'll also 89 00:06:43,081 --> 00:06:47,501 Speaker 3: remember that God's protection and his power is no joke. 90 00:06:49,561 --> 00:06:53,921 Speaker 3: Thank God Carl lived to tell his story, because every 91 00:06:53,940 --> 00:06:57,591 Speaker 3: day we're given is a gift. And every close call 92 00:06:58,031 --> 00:07:01,091 Speaker 3: is a reminder to hold life And the God who 93 00:07:01,130 --> 00:07:07,221 Speaker 3: gives it with a little more awe. As it says 94 00:07:07,291 --> 00:07:12,741 Speaker 3: in Psalm 104, 24 and 25. How many are your works, Lord? 95 00:07:13,481 --> 00:07:17,321 Speaker 3: In wisdom, you made them all. The earth is full 96 00:07:18,301 --> 00:07:23,921 Speaker 3: of your creatures. Including you and I. So take a 97 00:07:23,961 --> 00:07:27,291 Speaker 3: second to think about that mighty awe and power. And 98 00:07:27,331 --> 00:07:29,671 Speaker 3: we'll be right back with our second story. 99 00:07:37,821 --> 00:07:42,161 Speaker 2: Welcome back. Before I tell you our second story about 100 00:07:42,181 --> 00:07:46,431 Speaker 2: a mischievous little bear cub, I want to remember that today, 101 00:07:46,551 --> 00:07:52,631 Speaker 2: the episode is airing today on September 11th, the 25th anniversary. 102 00:07:52,851 --> 00:07:55,371 Speaker 3: And of course, that causes us to do a lot 103 00:07:55,411 --> 00:07:58,711 Speaker 3: of thinking of our own, even as we are listening 104 00:07:58,751 --> 00:08:03,341 Speaker 3: to an episode about respecting nature and the forces and 105 00:08:03,381 --> 00:08:06,561 Speaker 3: remembering that every day we're here is a is a 106 00:08:06,601 --> 00:08:10,741 Speaker 3: mercy and a gift. And so take a pause sometime 107 00:08:10,801 --> 00:08:15,741 Speaker 3: today and remember that. And those whose lives were lost 108 00:08:15,761 --> 00:08:18,361 Speaker 3: a quarter century ago, especially for those of us who 109 00:08:18,401 --> 00:08:22,761 Speaker 3: can still remember that day so vividly, whether we're in 110 00:08:22,781 --> 00:08:26,001 Speaker 3: the city or out in nature, there are always things 111 00:08:26,501 --> 00:08:28,851 Speaker 3: that we need to be on the lookout for and 112 00:08:28,931 --> 00:08:33,491 Speaker 3: for others. Because as you know, we are not guaranteed 113 00:08:33,810 --> 00:08:38,180 Speaker 3: anything except God's love here. So let's take a little 114 00:08:38,221 --> 00:08:41,841 Speaker 3: bit more time to appreciate what's going on with some 115 00:08:41,881 --> 00:08:46,461 Speaker 3: of God's creatures in this story by Michaela Gordonei. A 116 00:08:46,601 --> 00:08:51,201 Speaker 3: curious bear climbs into a Colorado man's truck and makes 117 00:08:51,261 --> 00:08:57,271 Speaker 3: itself at home. In Colorado, a little bear found his 118 00:08:57,351 --> 00:09:01,231 Speaker 3: way into one man's truck, much to the man's shock 119 00:09:01,671 --> 00:09:06,831 Speaker 3: and surprise. His truck's passenger door was closed when He 120 00:09:06,931 --> 00:09:10,081 Speaker 3: opened it up, and the bear was sitting there in 121 00:09:10,111 --> 00:09:13,420 Speaker 3: the seat. He had to pull out a wooden plank 122 00:09:13,461 --> 00:09:15,660 Speaker 3: to prod at the bear to get it to leave. 123 00:09:17,521 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 3: After he opened the driver's side door and prodded the bear, 124 00:09:21,181 --> 00:09:24,981 Speaker 3: apparently a cub, with a long plank, he went outside 125 00:09:25,501 --> 00:09:28,801 Speaker 3: of the vehicle and ran away. The person who captured 126 00:09:28,821 --> 00:09:32,591 Speaker 3: the footage on their surveillance camera, Justin E. Picard, said 127 00:09:33,331 --> 00:09:36,271 Speaker 3: he was scared when he first saw the footage. but 128 00:09:36,331 --> 00:09:40,091 Speaker 3: laughed when he realized the man, Andy Kerrigan, could handle himself. 129 00:09:41,671 --> 00:09:43,710 Speaker 3: It's a bit of a cartoonish thing that happened here. 130 00:09:43,731 --> 00:09:47,341 Speaker 3: This is one of the ones we recommend coming to 131 00:09:47,461 --> 00:09:53,061 Speaker 3: godtube.com slash blog because it's funny to watch. However, encounters 132 00:09:53,101 --> 00:10:00,461 Speaker 3: with bears can be very serious and life-threatening. Earlier in June, 133 00:10:00,541 --> 00:10:03,181 Speaker 3: hikers saw two young grizzlies running down a trail in 134 00:10:03,221 --> 00:10:09,881 Speaker 3: Glacier National Park. In Ohio, wildlife rangers captured a 576-pound 135 00:10:09,961 --> 00:10:13,261 Speaker 3: black bear and fitted it with a GPS collar to 136 00:10:13,321 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 3: study the state's bear population. Also at Glacier Park last month, 137 00:10:19,341 --> 00:10:23,521 Speaker 3: a hiker was attacked by a grizzly and survived with 138 00:10:23,601 --> 00:10:28,690 Speaker 3: severe injuries. The park has about 300 grizzlies and 600 139 00:10:28,691 --> 00:10:34,731 Speaker 3: black bears. Bears are very dangerous animals, and so are 140 00:10:34,751 --> 00:10:38,751 Speaker 3: bison for that matter. Wildlife experts say... you should never 141 00:10:38,871 --> 00:10:43,391 Speaker 3: even approach bears or offer them food. Bears use their 142 00:10:43,431 --> 00:10:48,691 Speaker 3: noses to hunt down food. Officials recommend keeping vehicles, homes, 143 00:10:49,591 --> 00:10:54,631 Speaker 3: even trash cans, locked and removing food or scented items 144 00:10:54,921 --> 00:11:00,641 Speaker 3: whenever possible. The National Park Service says it's important that 145 00:11:00,691 --> 00:11:04,071 Speaker 3: you try not to surprise bears or get close to them. 146 00:11:05,511 --> 00:11:07,271 Speaker 3: If you are in an area where bears are known 147 00:11:07,331 --> 00:11:11,251 Speaker 3: to be, try to be noticeable so that a bear 148 00:11:11,291 --> 00:11:15,050 Speaker 3: can know you are nearby and avoid you, as bears 149 00:11:15,171 --> 00:11:20,851 Speaker 3: typically avoid humans when they know they are there. I 150 00:11:20,891 --> 00:11:24,251 Speaker 3: chose these stories this week because I have experienced a 151 00:11:24,291 --> 00:11:28,670 Speaker 3: couple of unique animal stories in just observing things in 152 00:11:28,691 --> 00:11:34,351 Speaker 3: my own backyard. A beautiful red-tailed hawk came to visit 153 00:11:34,410 --> 00:11:37,131 Speaker 3: us this week and just stared at me through our 154 00:11:37,171 --> 00:11:42,421 Speaker 3: backyard window for about 10 minutes. And the next morning, 155 00:11:43,581 --> 00:11:46,441 Speaker 3: he was under the maple tree in our backyard, just 156 00:11:46,561 --> 00:11:51,021 Speaker 3: chasing and jumping up, snapping and flapping at the squirrels 157 00:11:51,181 --> 00:11:53,581 Speaker 3: as they ran around the trunk of the tree. The 158 00:11:53,601 --> 00:11:58,611 Speaker 3: hawk wasn't even really trying his best to eat them. 159 00:11:58,651 --> 00:12:02,541 Speaker 3: And then he flew to the top of our neighbor's swing, 160 00:12:03,601 --> 00:12:07,401 Speaker 3: where the squirrels continued to come down the pear tree 161 00:12:08,001 --> 00:12:11,621 Speaker 3: and sit on the shed roof below it and flick 162 00:12:11,660 --> 00:12:15,501 Speaker 3: their tails and chitter at the hawk as if trying 163 00:12:15,621 --> 00:12:21,401 Speaker 3: to taunt him into continue playing with them. It was 164 00:12:21,501 --> 00:12:25,891 Speaker 3: something I'd certainly never witnessed that same morning. A green 165 00:12:25,971 --> 00:12:30,530 Speaker 3: frog was, for lack of a better term, skating in 166 00:12:30,571 --> 00:12:35,211 Speaker 3: the morning dew and condensation on our front window pane. 167 00:12:36,491 --> 00:12:39,851 Speaker 3: And by the time he was done, he had painted 168 00:12:40,651 --> 00:12:43,641 Speaker 3: almost what looked like a peace symbol. It was a 169 00:12:43,721 --> 00:12:47,961 Speaker 3: circle with a Y in the middle. So it was 170 00:12:48,001 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 3: more of a circular Y, but it was kind of 171 00:12:51,841 --> 00:12:54,601 Speaker 3: an amazing thing to see. I'd also never witnessed a 172 00:12:55,311 --> 00:12:59,631 Speaker 3: A frog having fun on a window with dew like 173 00:12:59,671 --> 00:13:03,411 Speaker 3: that before. So take some time today, especially on this 174 00:13:03,910 --> 00:13:07,911 Speaker 3: hard anniversary, to look to the natural world and take 175 00:13:07,971 --> 00:13:14,550 Speaker 3: its lessons. At this, my heart pounds and leaps from 176 00:13:14,591 --> 00:13:18,871 Speaker 3: its place. Listen. Listen to the roar of his voice, 177 00:13:19,011 --> 00:13:23,301 Speaker 3: to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes 178 00:13:23,341 --> 00:13:26,741 Speaker 3: his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to 179 00:13:26,780 --> 00:13:30,501 Speaker 3: the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound 180 00:13:30,551 --> 00:13:35,991 Speaker 3: of his roar. He thunders with his majestic voice. When 181 00:13:36,030 --> 00:13:41,851 Speaker 3: his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God's voice thunders 182 00:13:41,910 --> 00:13:46,331 Speaker 3: in marvelous ways. He does great things beyond our understanding. 183 00:13:46,791 --> 00:13:49,911 Speaker 3: He says to the snow, Fall to the earth and 184 00:13:49,931 --> 00:13:53,561 Speaker 3: to the rain shower, be a mighty downpour. so that 185 00:13:53,721 --> 00:13:56,621 Speaker 3: everyone he has made may know his work. He stops 186 00:13:56,681 --> 00:14:00,901 Speaker 3: all people from their labor. The animals take cover. They 187 00:14:00,941 --> 00:14:05,991 Speaker 3: remain in their des, or sometimes in people's cars. The 188 00:14:06,030 --> 00:14:08,811 Speaker 3: tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the 189 00:14:08,871 --> 00:14:13,710 Speaker 3: driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the 190 00:14:13,751 --> 00:14:17,741 Speaker 3: broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture. 191 00:14:17,981 --> 00:14:21,481 Speaker 3: He scatters his lightning through them. At his direction, they 192 00:14:21,521 --> 00:14:24,941 Speaker 3: swirl around over the face of the whole earth to 193 00:14:24,981 --> 00:14:28,381 Speaker 3: do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to 194 00:14:28,431 --> 00:14:31,851 Speaker 3: punish people or to water his earth and show his love. 195 00:14:33,651 --> 00:14:42,351 Speaker 3: Listen to this, Job. Stop and consider God's wonders. That, 196 00:14:42,391 --> 00:14:43,871 Speaker 3: of course, is Job 37, 1-14, and that's what we'll 197 00:14:43,891 --> 00:14:49,411 Speaker 3: close with this week. as we remember to experience the 198 00:14:49,651 --> 00:14:54,101 Speaker 3: awe and wonder around us, and take a look and 199 00:14:54,131 --> 00:14:58,401 Speaker 3: help others see it's just not all concrete and despair. 200 00:14:59,081 --> 00:15:02,341 Speaker 3: There is amazement and wonder still out there in the world. 201 00:15:03,221 --> 00:15:03,901 Speaker 3: Until next time.