Thoughts
During an elk hunt in New Mexico last December, we had a day of rain followed by a day of snow. Hiking on partly frozen snow-covered mountainsides was quite treacherous; and, as the morning wore on, I put less thought into where I was walking. As soon as I stopped paying attention to my footing, I slipped on an icy rock, dropped my rifle, hit the ground hard, and slid several feet before coming to a stop in a painful heap of camo and mud. I was fortunate to wind up with only nasty scrapes and bruises. The sad part was that I knew better. (One of the last things my dad said that morning was, "Watch your step!") All I needed to do was heed the signs, listen to my old man, and respect my environment. (RC)

Action Point
More than once Jesus said, "He who has ears, let him hear." In one parable Jesus compared our ears to soil. In each of the cases that He described, the seed was the same seed, the sower the same sower, the message the same. What was different? The listener.
It's not that we don't have ears; it's that we don't use them. It's one thing to not hear and so, not to know. It's another to hear, but not learn.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:22).

That morning in the woods, I should have listened to my dad's advice, but I thought I knew better than he and didn't heed his words of caution. If I had just listened and acted on what he said, I might have avoided the painful fall. God loves you, and just wants an opportunity to show you that He does. Take time to really listen to Him when he talks to you.

Thoughts
I sincerely hope that impatience is not one of your traits. I say this because it is in my nature to be an extremely impatient person--perhaps as the result of being a spoiled only child, or due to my arrogance. Regardless of what other excuses I may come up with, impatience has affected me most of my adult life; and the funny thing about it is that whenever I pray for patience, God does not give it to me. Instead, He gives me a situation where I am forced to have it!

Currently, I am in the midst of such a situation--waiting for something--and by the time you read this, I may have my answer, though I may not. When the waiting began, I thought I would have it by this time. However, now I realize that I am in the middle of another "God lesson", and the outcome will be according to God's timetable, not mine. So, I am sure that sleepless nights and clock watching will result in what God wants. It took a long time for me to learn that no matter the answer, God's plan for me is always worth waiting for. He brought me to this place, and He will bring me through it! (JC)

Action Point
The outdoors is a wonderful place to develop a lot of different traits and talents that help build character, responsibility, and among other things, good ethics. I find it easiest to submit to God when I am outside in the midst of a hunting or fishing adventure. That's where I feel comfortable and more at peace. I see God in sunrises and sunsets; hear Him in every splash of a jumping fish, every call of a duck or goose, and in the cackle of a rooster pheasant. At those times, when I submit to God, the simplest of things become my biggest rewards.

Thoughts
As hunters and fishermen we so much like to sit with others and talk about our last outdoor trip--the successes we had or the beauty we enjoyed in the outdoors. With that in mind, as Christian outdoor men and women we should have no problem sharing His wondrous works and deeds. We, of all people, have more opportunities than most to experience His beauty and majesty in the outdoors and to appreciate how unique the critters are that He has created (JS).

Action Point
Next time you're sitting around telling hunting and fishing stories, try to incorporate God into the conversation. What a perfect opportunity to give Him credit for all He has done in your life and for all He has created.

Thoughts
My son's first big game kill was a Javelina he killed on the last day of a three-day hunt. In 2002, my son killed an elk on the fifth day of a six-day hunt. In the fall of 2001, I killed an elk on the fifth day of a six-day hunt. (Is there a pattern here? Maybe we should sleep in on those first four days and just go out on the fifth day!) As I write this, I think of how many times I've walked into camp late in the morning, not paying attention to my hunting, only to have an animal I hadn't seen jump up and startle me--one that if I'd been hunting I might have seen and been able to kill. The problem was, I had given up, I'd quit hunting; I had reached the point where I thought the hunt was all over and that I had no chance of finding and killing an animal.

The thief on the cross had to have had similar thoughts. I can picture him saying to himself, "Today's my day to die. It's all over. In a few hours I'll be dead and I have no hope." But, what the thief didn't know was that one of the other criminals being crucified that day was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Son of Almighty God. What specifically it was that Jesus did to open the thief's eyes to this we don't know for sure, yet, we do know this: God opened both his eyes and his heart, just as He does for all sinners who find the truth and accept Him. Because of God's love, this man repented and asked Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. And we also know this: Jesus forgave him and promised him that he would be with Him in paradise, that day! Jesus gave the man the one thing he desired, hope! (CS)

Action Point
Wherever you are in your walk on this earth, a young pup or long in the tooth, it's never too late to turn to Jesus. He is there with arms open wide just as He was for the dying thief. Turn to Him today, ask Him to forgive your sins and to come into your heart. Don't worry about the words you use, Jesus will hear you and Jesus is faithful; He will do as He has promised. It's never too late!

Thoughts
One day, one of my mentors asked me about my favorite meal. I began to share with him how much I enjoy a juicy steak at camp, hot wings and cheese enchiladas. He could see how excited I was getting just thinking about these meals and how I was going to have one of them for lunch that day. I even told him how far out of the way I will drive for that perfect steak or my favorite wings joint.

He then proceeded to ask how far out of the way I go to eat up God's Word; how excited do I get to spend time with the Creator? Ouch! He threw me a curve ball. I have never forgotten that moment in my life and wanted to pass it along to you today. (GD)

Action Point
Is God and His Word my joy and heart's delight? I am reminded that I bear the name of the Lord. How much more important is this than some meal that will only satisfy for a short period of time and then the urge to eat comes right back in a few hours. Rest today in Him and His Word; and find joy and delight in bearing the name of the Lord God Almighty!

Thoughts
Thinking about basic provisions: If you go for a long journey into the Grand Canyon mid-summer without an adequate water supply, you are going to wish you had brought some. God knows that every beast of the field needs water, and He provides accordingly. God also knows that every human needs Living Water and He supplies that in ready supply as well. The trick is to drink plenty of water before you become dehydrated. (TH)

Action Point
Drink plenty of Living Water so that you don't become dehydrated spiritually. Drink of God's Word just as you drink water each day.

Thoughts
When I think of running, I think about pronghorn antelope. Now, they can run. As the second-fastest land mammal in the world, they can hit speeds of more than 60mph, only bested by the African cheetah. I have known a few unethical hunters that thought a Chevy 350 could outrun them. One in particular was gaining on a herd of antelope just before he hit the prairie dog mound that put an end to the chase. After several hundred dollars of repairs and a fine for harassing wildlife, he learned that stalking was a much better method for hunting antelope. (RT)

Action Point
God gave the antelope great speed and eyesight to avoid predators. God has given us the Holy Spirit, and Spiritual gifts, and He does not want us to be ignorant of those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and staying in God's Word, we can avoid those things that entangle us and prevent us from crossing the finish line of the race He has marked out for us.

Thoughts
After going to work for a Wyoming outfitter, I purchased a seven-year-old horse. The former owner said that Dakota had some mountain experience. After taking a six-mile ride, I found out that Dakota needed some training: When he came to a creek, he jumped across; if he saw a log across the trail, he jumped over it; when faced with a high obstacle, he walked in circles. He had to be directed around the obstacles. To insure a safety for the rider, Dakota had to be disciplined. So, whenever he approached an obstacle, I pulled back on the reins; and, if he tried to jump, I pulled back harder.
(How often has God had to pull back on our reins and point us in the right direction?) Gradually, discipline and trust paid off--Dakota made the right decisions. When he saw and approached obstacles, he walked around, through, or stepped over them. As he acquired more training and experience, his nervousness decreased. During the hunting season, Dakota turned out to be a good lead horse for the pack train. (TL)

Action Point
Hebrews 12:10 states: Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we share in his holiness.

Just as Dakota had to be disciplined and eventually learned to make right decisions, God wants us to be righteous by following His Word. As we become more like Christ, God promises us peace in our heart.

Thoughts
Several years ago my husband and I were camped out for his archery bull elk hunt. He left early and I relished in a few more hours of quite sleep in the pines. I was awakened by his truck returning to camp and my husband jumping out yelling, "Get up honey. I killed my elk and I need your help! Hurry! It's going to be a warm day."
I quickly put my boots on as my husband drove us to his bull. When we got there, I was relieved to see he killed fairly close to the road so we were able to back the truck right up to it. My sweetie quickly connected a cable to the back legs and gave me orders to begin cranking on the "come along" just as fast and hard as I could while he lifted and pushed the elk into the back of the truck. I did this with all my might. When we hit the end of the cable, I turned around to see that only the hind end of the elk had made it into the bed of the truck; and the shoulders and head remained on the ground. My husband caught my defeated expression and pleaded, saying, "Babe, please, I need your help."
I stared at him and asked, "How can I help?" He said that I must get down on the ground, wrap my arms around its chest and lift with all my strength while he lifted from the antlers. "Okay," I said. "May I point something out to you?" He sighed deeply as I continued: "A... the front half of this elk outweighs me by about 200 pounds. B... It is smelly; and C... The chest of this creature is not only bloody and frothy from your well placed broad head, but also wet with who knows what else! You cannot be serious!" Well, he was quite serious; and after another long-locked stare, I understood that this was incredibly important to him (not to mention, he was desperate). After a monumental effort and one episode of near panic as the elk's front legs wrapped around my neck and my face smashed against its chest, we got that elk in the back of the truck. A hug and a high five ended our victory, and we drove back to camp with a memory to last a lifetime. (SDS)

Action Point
Genesis 2:18 tells us that God did not like Adam to be alone and so he made him a helper, a wife. Helping our spouses is taken to a deeper level when we consider that God asks that our hearts be a safe place of trust. This is a place where bountiful goodness and blessing can be found for a lifetime. It takes an act of God to make the necessary changes in our hearts and homes; but I know from experience He is willing.

Thoughts
I had driven this particular back road before that day. I knew that it crossed a "wash" that rarely had little if any water running in it. This time, however, there was water flowing from bank to bank. I exited my truck and pondered the obstacle before me. Not to be defeated in my journey, I quickly decided to forge ahead; after all, this was only a wash with a little water. Soon I found myself thigh deep in the middle of a roaring river, attempting to find traction for my truck that was now mid-door deep in water. Here in southwestern United States we can pass months without any rain fall; then abruptly have a torrential downpour--flooding the once-arid creeks and washes, and transforming a dusty creek bottom into an impenetrable river. (BM)

Action Point
Our Christian lives are a lot like the river described in Ezekiel. At first it starts out small and immature; but the further it travels, the more it grows. When we become saved, we are just getting our feet wet. As we grow in Christ, we wade deeper and deeper into the river of his knowledge and grace. Our spiritual life, like that river, will be ever growing and ever deepening.

Make sure that life never allows us to get bogged down. Daily stresses or unforeseen circumstances can stall our spiritual growth. Develop a daily habit of spending time with God. Read Sportsmen's Devotional every day and use that time to grow spiritually. Then, when unexpected obstacles arise in our lives, we will have a stable practice of devotion that will keep us from getting stuck.

Thoughts
Because we are made from the material of this earth, it should be no surprise that we have a natural affinity for this earth. We are connected to it by gravity. We are connected to it by the things we eat, which come out of this earth.

Have you ever noticed how often you look at the ground? We learn to do that from a very early age. We fall down frequently; this conditions us to look down at the ground (or the floor) so that if we fall, we can anticipate it and know to brace ourselves for the impact.

Looking at this world quickly becomes second nature; and the habit of looking at it so often prevails. We all do it-- we look at our immediate circumstances, and we fail to connect with the Creator God who breathed His breath into us. We fail to contemplate that, even though we have earthly bodies, we are made for heaven. As Christians, we need to train our eyes to look at Whom we're seeking a connection with. We should be reinforcing that heavenly nature by gazing at spiritual things. (SS)

Action Point
Every creature that is connected to this earth has a physical survival instinct. Christians must cultivate their spiritual survival instinct. Assess those things that may be a threat to your spiritual survival and avoid them, just as you would avoid anything that threatens your physical survival.

Thoughts
The biggest whitetail buck I have ever seen was up in Canada on a camping trip. We were coming into our campground one evening while we were on vacation, and we glanced off to the side of the road. There stood an enormous majestic 12 + point buck just coming out of a thicket! He stood still with his chest puffed out in front - only 15 yards away. We had stopped our van, lowered the windows, and gawked. My family and I were just stunned and amazed! A few minutes went by before the big bruiser turned and jumped back into the woods. My entire family spent the next several minutes talking about how amazing and beautiful that buck was. We were trying to figure out how a deer could grow up and not get shot in an area where so many people traveled through. It wasn't until a couple of days later that we found the explanation. As we were driving out of the provincial park, I noticed a sign that said that the entire peninsula (about 30 miles) where our campground was located was actually a game preserve. No hunting or trapping of any kind was permissible there. This buck had grown up in an environment that was completely safe, and because of this, he was healthy and majestic! God desires our children to be healthy and whole, so that they can serve Him well! But in order for that to happen, they have to grow up in an environment that is safe. It's up to us to create a "safety zone" for our children in our homes. This means that we consciously have to choose to be encouragers. We cannot be the danger to our kids through the words we use around them. (DM)

Action Point
Children need our affirmation, our love, and our blessing. We need to be wise in how we use our language. We have the ability to impact our children in a way that can help them be healthy and whole, or we can tear them down and create fear and insecurity. It's pretty clear what God desires of us. We just need to do it God's way!

Thoughts
A few years ago a group of men from our church decided to go on a fly-in fishing trip to a remote Canadian lake.I had made several trips to this lake, so I was familiar with the lake and the fishing camp. I organized the trip, planned the menu, and made the necessary reservations with the camp and float base. The lake was thirty-five miles long and 6 miles wide with a lot of rock reefs that came up close to the surface. To avoid any collisions with the reefs, I led the way to the fishing spots. We caught fish every day and had and occasional shore lunch. We had great fellowship, ate well, and told a lot of fishing stories. Trips like these offer quality time with each other. As Christians we need each other to grow. Christlike character is built through relationships. Just like we need mentors to teach us about hunting and fishing, we also need other Christians to mentor and model us about life experiences and our relationship with God and our brothers and sisters.(TL)

Action Point
Start a fishing club or a small group in your church or community. It's a great way to build relationships and be an example and a help to others.

Thoughts
One of the most important things that we learn as sportsmen is safety. No matter what type of sport we are participating in, there is usually an element of safety involved. Some of it is common-sense stuff, but most of the time there are safety components that should be learned. Someone taught you about safety in your particular sport. As a child, my dad taught me about gun safety:
Always treat a gun as if it were loaded;
Never point a gun at somebody;
Always be aware of what is beyond your intended target;
Never climb a stand with a loaded gun.
The list goes on and on.

My education from my Dad went beyond sporting safety. He also took time to teach me spiritually. One of the things that he and my mother taught me was to never take the Lord's name in vain. It seems that we live in an age of ignorance when it comes to this principle. We, of course, have the normal secular culprits of television, radio, movies and other media that freely take the Lord's name in vain. But it seems we have a lot of "Christians" who freely throw God's name around without respect to its holiness. (JC)

Action Point
It should bother us when we hear God's Holy Name used in vain. Take time to educate your children about the holiness of God's name, and be bothered when you hear someone belittle it. There are a lot of other words that can go in place of His name as a common exclamation. Find one you like and use it instead.

Thoughts
Recently, I wrecked my truck and dealt with all of that mess. Two weeks later, I tore my Achilles tendon; and, let's just say that I am not the most graceful guy on crutches. About the time I was going into the whole pity-party thing, the phone rang.

When I was about ten years old, Warren, a family friend, introduced me to hunting. He bought my first shotgun for me, and from that point on, there was not a quail in Arizona that was safe; then, on to big game. Over the years, Warren was a model to me in so many ways. I watched how he dealt with his own trials and issues--not letting them keep him down or get in the way of what he wanted to do. Over the years, we kind of drifted apart; however, there were very few hunting trips on which I have gone that I have not thought of him. Sometimes, I told my son about the hunting and fishing trips he and I had taken. You might say that he launched my hunting career.

On April 1, 2008, God called Warren home. He touched so many lives in many ways. He will be truly missed. (DW)

Action Point
How long has it been since you contacted an old friend that you have not seen in a while?
Don't wait.