By the River of No Return: Meditations from the High Country

by Don Ian Smith

Author Don Ian Smith was a rural pastor, rancher, and outdoorsman who found inspiration in the beauty of the Idaho mountains. This collection of 18 meditations was the first in a series of four.

In the rugged mountains that surround his ranch in the wild Salmon River country of Idaho, Don Ian Smith has found an approach to life unsullied by the pressures of civilization that so often push one's thinking out of focus. Here, he says, it is easy to know that God alone is great--that the God who put the mountains on their foundations and the rivers in their beds is also one who feeds his flock like a shepherd and carries the young lamb in his arms.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Don Ian Smith (1918-2007) was a pastor, rancher and outdoorsman who spent much of his life in rural Idaho. He also loved to write--and loved to share the inspiration he received from the land around him. His first four books were a series of meditations reflecting how the land and the people of the land helped him to better understand his faith in God. In these books, he shared many unique insights on how one can find God and relate to God through one's surroundings--whether it be the plunging waters of a mountain river, the view of lofty snow-capped peaks, or the windings of mountain trails. He tells stories of horses and cattle, of wildlife, of irrigating, of growing gardens--and in each story he shares a unique insight into how to live one's life. His four-book meditation series was reprinted in 2004 by his family book company, High Country Books, and all four are available. Titles are BY THE RIVER OF NO RETURN, WILD RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN TRAILS, SAGEBRUSH SEED, and THE OPEN GATE.

Smith later branched out into other genres, including biography (SYMON'S DAUGHTER) and historical mystery novel (MURDER ON THE MIDDLEFORK)--both of these titles were printed by BRIDGE HOUSE BOOKS. He also published a short book of rural poetry (RANCHLAND POEMS), through High Country Books.

Reviews

[Wayne C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful devotional emphasizing the goodness and wonder and power of God.

[Dan Fine Yoakum · Rating 5 out of 5]

How nice it would be to snuggle down in the mountains over looking the River of No Return. Not just to see the might of this river, but the solitude of being only with God. Smith may not have actually lived in such an atmosphere, but when I read his short stories, it's the picture i see. He makes me laugh and cry and mostly reminds me that God is good.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtful.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not earth-shaking, but some interesting thoughts