Thoughts
I took a new friend on an archery deer hunt with me and my hunting buddy years ago. He was a very intelligent sort and just out of the military. We were hunting in the desert that first day when I spotted the herd of deer we were tracking several 100yd ahead. I got my hunting buddy's attention, about 100yd to my left, and gave him hand signals which indicated there was a big buck, small buck, and the number of does. My friend just stared at me. "What was that all about?" he asked. I explained what I was doing, and he replied, "Well I learned all kinds of hand signals in the military, but I've never seen anything like that!" Even applying all his advanced analytical training, he never did catch on to our signals. (RC)

Action Point
Not everyone who buys a rifle or bow and takes to the field becomes a hunter. It's much more than a dress rehearsal; and just because you're "out there" doesn't mean you're gonna "get it". Nature talks to all of us, but not everyone understands what she's saying!

To whom does God reveal Himself? ....children, learners, the humble. I am so glad that the verse above indicates that His revelation doesn't have anything to do with IQ! It's really a matter of desire, isn't it. As a child who has a desire to know and is willing to be taught--we need to come to God with the heart of a child if we want to hear God speak to us (Matthew 13:9). He reveals Himself to those who want to know Him.

Thoughts
We teach our children, and we are so happy when they "get it" and we can move on to something else.
I recently was hunting with my sons. The older of the two was sitting in the blind with a friend of mine; the younger one was with me. My older son left the blind to answer the call of nature; and when he hadn't returned within an hour, my friend called me. I called my son on his cell phone (which worked, fortunately), and he proceeded to tell me how he got turned around in the woods and was lost. It was about two hours before nightfall. I asked him if he remembered what he had been taught in Hunter Ed. --that he should first stop, then think, then observe and plan. He said, " I forgot everything." He had continued to walk after he realized he was lost (first mistake); then, when he came to a road, he crossed it and continued through the woods even though he didn't recognize the road (second mistake). Thankfully, we found my son before nightfall by riding up and down the road on our ATV's and whistling; but this situation could have had a much poorer outcome.
The most eye-opening part of this experience:
My son had been taught what to do in case he was lost and yet ignored the information. Had he forgotton?
Another point that stuck with me:
Even though he was fully prepared to spend a night in the woods in sub-zero temperatures had he stayed near his ATV; he left the blind with only his shirt and pants, cell phone, and two matches which happened to be in his pocket. (RK)

Action Point
Lessons learned are only truly learned after you have practiced what you have learned and you have taught what you have learned to someone else.

Thoughts
My son and a friend traveled to Wyoming to visit my wife and me and to do some trout fishing. We decided to pack into a remote mountain lake at 10,000ft elevation. There were five riders and two pack horses to carry the float tubes and camping gear. The trip in went fairly well. While we stopped once to tighten the packs, one of the horses, Molly, decided to be independent and wander off the trails looking for fresh morsels. Brock, a young and inexperienced rider, got a little frustrated with Molly; but with some instruction, he became more assertive. The horse began to cooperate and stay on the trails. We unpacked the horses and set up camp, apparently just in time. A severe, unexpected storm hit the mountains. It poured for what seemed like hours. It was flooding, so we trenched around the tents and the camping area. One of the horses got spooked in the storm and ran away. We tracked him and managed to get him back to camp. The temperature dropped after the storm went through. Wet and cold, we tried to start a fire, but had difficulty. After finally finding dry kindling under a large cut back rock, we started a fire under the rock and transferred the coals to a spot near our campsite. We dried out our clothes and eventually warmed up. The fishing was slow because of the storm. On the way down the mountain, a pack slipped, so the gear had to be repacked.

Even with all the difficulties, I never heard a complaint or any angry words. How often is this the case in our outdoor activities? I'm thankful that these Christian men followed Phil 2:14, "Do everything without complaining or arguing. . ." They had the strength to endure and made the trip a memorable one. (TL)

Action Point
It is critical that we set an example of strength to our children and friends without complaining or arguing. When troubles come our way, ask God for His strength and wisdom. He is always faithful.

Thoughts
I love boats. It hardly matters what kind--rowboats and powerboats, speedboats, ski boats, canoes, and kayaks. But I think I love small sailboats most of all; not tiny ones necessarily (although I love them too!), but about the size that Jesus' disciples used on the Sea of Galilee. In a museum near the Sea of Galilee, I remember seeing one that they believe is from the time of Christ. I have one of my own about that size. When I take it out, I enjoy fantasizing about being with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. Can you just imagine what it must have been like? As much as I would have loved to have been there with Him, in some ways we actually have it better than the Lord's disciples. Think of how often they were confused by the Master's teachings. On this side of the cross we have the complete picture and the whole counsel of His Word that His disciples did not have. But one thing they always knew to do was to run to Jesus with everything. Even though they were experienced seamen, when they thought they were going to perish on the sea, they ran to Jesus. (DWH)

Action Point
Don't wait till you think you are perishing! Run to Jesus now! Stay by His side continuously. Remember: the disciples did not attempt to rebuke the wind and waves, it was Jesus! Let the Lord fight your battles for you (2 Chronicles 20:15b). We don't struggle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). We have no power of ourselves to fight these forces, we need the Lord! Now I am not suggesting that we be unprepared. We are told to prepare for the battle, but it is the Lord that gives the victory. Continually ask yourself the question the Lord asked His disciples: "Where is your faith?" Make sure it is in the Lord!
This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4b).

Thoughts
It was the middle of June, a Monday I think, and I hadn't had a day off in about ten days. My charter for the day had won a trip that I had donated to an organization I cannot remember. All I knew was that I was not getting paid that day. Honestly, I did not have the best attitude.

After about an hour, it was obvious that the man, wife and friend on my boat were novices. The fishing was kind of slow as well, so we began talking about who they were and where they were from. Out of nowhere, the man said, "We got baptized yesterday!" Talk about hitting me in the head with a 10lb redfish. We then talked about their relationship with God and why they had been baptized. God was speaking to me. My eyes began to water. Thank the Lord I was wearing dark polarized shades. Needlesstosay, it was a wonderful day on the boat. (BG)

Action Point
The Lord got my attention quickly. He showed me that I am always a servant, even on a boat. He did plenty of ministering on a boat to fisherman. He showed me that my lifestyle is a blessing from Him, and I should take a ministering attitude to the dock and my daily life every second of every minute. I should be prepared to be a witness to every person, even when I am tired and not in the best of moods. I am always a servant and should look out for the interests of others before my own.

Thoughts
I grew up hunting and fishing with my old man and one other older family friend. It was not until I was about 20 that I even considered hunting with any other partners. Why was that? I grew up feeling a sense of family toward those with whom I hunted. I didn't care to have anyone else hunt with me, or where I hunted because I didn't feel as though they were part of my family. I'm sure many potential friendships were lost because I didn't want to make a commitment to someone outside this small group of individuals. It took a very persistent friend to convince me otherwise; and after spending time with him in the field, I learned that there were others who feel as seriously as I do about hunting. This family of hunters is bigger than I thought! (RC)

Action Point
When I first became a Christian almost ten years ago, my wife and I experienced various degrees of persecution from our friends and family--"Why can't you go to the game with us on Sunday?" They didn't understand our commitment to God; and when we tried to explain, the response was usually the same: "But we're your family!" or, "You're just going through a phase." God clearly tells us not to ignore the well-being of our family, but He also tells us we must love Him more (Luke 14:26-27). Remember to seek His Kingdom first, and He'll take care of the rest. My wife and I were not going through a phase; and we have since been blessed with members of our physical family who have become part of God's spiritual family with us!

As for hunting partners, I'm glad I opened my eyes to those outside my physical family. I have had the pleasure of learning and teaching others when I let them into my family of hunting partners! We all have one or more hunting or fishing spots that are known to the very few. Sometimes we may have a tendency to decline new partners in the sport because we don't want to reveal these places. You are missing out on an awesome opportunity for fellowship if you continue down this path!
'Nuff said, brothers!

Thoughts
Have you ever been on a tough hike or some grueling outing with a pack that's too heavy in terrain that's too steep and rough? You catch yourself and your companions stumbling and fumbling along and you get discouraged and want to quit. Or, you keep thinking that there has to be a better route to make it to the top, and you need to find it in order to go on. You find that you and your buddies have to continually help each other or you won't make it to your destination. You offer a hand up a bad spot, or maybe it's a word of encouragement when the other guy is ready to quit and give up. Maybe he's telling you that you have what it takes to get to the top of the mountain, even though you don't think you can make it. Maybe you point out a better route around a really bad spot.

It seems to me that this is what Job did for those around him. He gave instructions, he helped strengthen others, supported them, and somehow gave strength to those around him who were too physically exhausted to go on. What I see in Job is that he was an encourager. When things got tough, he somehow motivated the other guy to keep going, to accomplish the goal. In Job 1:3, Job is described as "the greatest man among all the people of the East". This statement had much to do with his possessions, but I believe that it also had a lot to do with his character and his treatment of those around him. (CS)

Action Point
We all have encouragers in our lives--a friend or loved one who helps with a kind word or deed, sometimes by just being there and listening, or by reminding us that we can finish strong. Encouragers are necessary to counteract the negative pessimists that seem to be everywhere. And often, we must take on the role of an encourager. When you see a friend that needs help, be there for him, and be positive.

Thoughts
I missed! I can't believe it! It is the first turkey I ever missed!
This happened to me this year: I shot three times at a huge Merriam's longbeard (mature male turkey) at twelve yards. Afterwards, I was in the dumps. I just knew I would not get another chance. But three hours later, another longbeard appeared! After a little coaxing on the call from my friend and just a little from me, he came in, presented a target, and this time the shot was accurate. My friend who called him said, "You redeemed yourself with that shot." God had given me another chance to fill my tag. He is the God of the second chance! (JM)

Action Point
I missed in another area as well. We all do. We miss God's mark of holiness. That is the definition of sin: missing God's mark. "The wages of sin is death"--the bad news--"but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"--the rest of the story (Romans 6:23). God offers a chance to be redeemed; and only HE would do that. He provided His Son as a substitute payment for our sin--mine and yours! Have you been redeemed? Has your sin been washed away? Will you enjoy eternal life with God? I received this offer of redemption as a gift from God when only six years old. He redeemed me. He forgave my sins.
You may be redeemed by believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He will redeem all who come to God by faith in Him. Redeemed! A second chance! That is a great feeling. I was happy and pleased to have the second chance at that gobbler; but I am even happier to have the redemption that results in everlasting life!