Time Well Spent

You know, some people would argue that getting up before the dawn to sit in a tree stand for hours on end, is a waste of time.  I would have to disagree!  Sure there have been several times that I have sat in the woods for hours, only to be disappointed.  And I have spent many afternoons on the waters edge, with not so much as a nibble on the end of the line.  So why go back?

Well, I didn't go to that fishin' hole because I knew I would catch a world record bass; and I didn't sit in that cold tree stand for hours because a successful hunt was in the cards.  I go because I am called.  Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that Jesus has called me to be an outdoors man, but I will tell you that almost anything outdoors is a passion of mine.

I love hunting, fishing, and disc golf.  I have said this before, but when I am in the outdoors, I really take time to reflect on the Good Lord, and the things that He has blessed me with.  I have a true passion for being in the woods, or on a creek bank fishing; and when I am sitting there listening to the ambient sounds of nature, it brings to light the wonderful creation He has set before me.                                                                          
Not one precious moment of my time has been wasted while hunting or fishing.  It's what I look forward to.  The time I spend with the Savior during those moments is priceless.  Sometimes just being in a quiet place with God is what we really need.  The next time you find yourself in that place, think about everything that surrounds you, and how the Father knew you would be there, and He is waiting for your call. 

Time Well Spent, is the time you don't regret spending                                            

Another Season

Well folks, once again hunting season is upon us here in the Southeast. The changing of seasons got me thinking about how we go thru seasons with God.

We go thru different seasons in our life; some bad and some good. Even when we are walking a faithful walk with the Lord, we can go thru some tough times. This why the seasons must change from time to time.

God doesn't want you stuck in the same old place you have always been. He wants freedom and change for your life.

For the last couple of years I have hunted with my buddy Patrick Waters at a local club that he was a member of. This year however, he became a member of a new club, in another state; a state I can't afford to hunt in. I have accepted the fact that the good Lord has decided it is time for me to move on. Sure I will miss the hunting club, but I am sure new opportunities at a great buck await for me in the Escambia River WMA.

This how we should deal with our church life as well. Do not become complacent. If God is calling you to do something else, then I suggest you listen; you won't be happy until you do! Sometimes we need a good shake-up to get us out of our seats and into the world to do God's work.

If you need direction, just ask for it. God is listening.

True North

Anyone who has used a compass probably knows that North, is not North. Compasses use the magnetic poles of the earth to point North; but that is considered Magnetic North. True North is somewhere around 15 degrees off from Magnetic North. So how are you getting from point A to point B in your life?

Throughout our life we try to stick to the "Straight and Narrow" but from time to time we stray from the path set before us, and as a result we sin. If we are following Jesus we must be following him at True North. Throw away your compass. Your compass will fail you, and lead you so far from The Father that you will be truly lost. God, once invited into your life will provide you with the True North compass that you need to navigate your way through life.

Father, I pray that your word finds its way to those lost, or off track today. I pray that they find in you all that they need for their life and that you will guide them in your footsteps. I ask you Lord to help us keep our focus on you at True North. Amen.

Depth Chart

Well football season is coming to a close, and Whitetail season will soon be a memory. Fishing however, is just around the corner. I don't know about you but I am more of a freshwater fisherman. I love to fish for Reds in the Pensacola pass, but there is nothing quite like a bass hitting a top water lure at full speed.

The only reason I mention it, is because each type of fishing is associated with a certain depth. Deep Sea fishing is self explanatory, whereas lake or pond fishing depths can vary depending on the the season. Warm weather you fish top to middle, and cooler months you fish middle to deep. So how does this relate to God? Let's examine the depth of our hearts.

A good fisherman knows that you won't have much success going to your favorite spot with one lure; you have to be ready to adapt to the water temp, barometric pressure, and other elements, by presenting multiple lures to the fish. It's the same way in our walk with Jesus. When we approach the Lord, we must have our Spiritual Tackle Box stocked full, and ready to adapt to what He calls upon us for. You see, when you are dealing with The Father, you are not aware of the season until He chooses to inform you of it. Casting your line with the lure you choose, will leave you empty handed.

So what is the depth of your heart when approaching the Lord? Is your tackle box stocked? If you only allow God to be shallow water, then you will certainly miss out on the big catch the rest of the year. If you are willing to cast deep however, then your lure will climb to the middle, and the top of the water, while being reeled in. That is when you will land the promises and blessings God has for you.

Country Christian

I remember as a kid, sitting on a creek bank with my dad catching catfish. That was such a simpler time. A lot of times I think back to those memories and I can't help but think of how God made all of this for us. The trees, lakes, creeks, fish, deer, ducks...anything and everything you love to do in The Great Outdoors was provided by the Alpha and Omega.

Sometimes the worries and stress of life can get to be too much, and we forget about what keeps us at peace. I don't know what it is for you, but for me being in the woods or on a bank fishing, and sometimes even playing disc golf, helps me relax and unwind. That's how our walk with God should be. We can't focus on all the things we love all the time, but we can focus on Him all the time. The Lord has given us plenty to help us keep our cool, but he has also given us Himself for the times we are not able to enjoy his creation.

I challenge you to make Jesus your focus, and I assure you, your life will be simpler; just like when you were a child, fishing on a creek bank.

Little Faith

How many of you have ever gone fishing or hunting and thought to yourself... "I bet I ain't gonna catch a darn thing..." or "I bet I don't see one deer!" Not too many? That's what I thought. Every time I rise hours before the sun, I went to bed believing that the next day I was going to sit in that tree stand and observe a 160 score Boone & Crockett buck cross right under me. Not a single time have I approached a lake or pond and thought... "There ain't no fish here."

Faith. That is why the fact that I did not see one single deer last season, is not going to keep me from quiet, cold woods this season. It is also why I continue to fish the same ponds I have always fished, although they usually only yield small bass. I know in my heart that "faith without works is dead." (James 2:20) So I continue to pursue. As long as I am able, I will put in the time to hunt and fish, in hopes that the payoff is coming; but if it never does, that's fine with me. When I am in the Great Outdoors, I find myself thanking God for his creation and for the opportunity to be in it. Its not about the kill or the hunt, or even the trophy buck; it is about being in a quiet place with The Creator, and waiting to see what he sends your way.

When I go out I have faith that I am going to kill or catch something. Almost like the faith a child has that on the morning of December 25th, they will have a present waiting for them. Little Faith. This is all God asks of us. "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Mathew 17:20)
Little Faith. It's all we need.

Man On Fire

With much respect to the Denzel Washington blockbuster, that's not what we are talking about today. Last Friday I went out to mow the back yard and burn some brush that I had cut down a couple of weeks earlier. The rain had been relentless for two days so I knew there wouldn't be any burn bans; I also knew the brush would difficult to light. I used dryer lint (great for fire starting), and gasoline with my first attempt to ignite a blaze. As expected the gasoline quickly burned leaving the brush pile in tact. I proceeded to cut the grass hoping the heat of the day would dry the debris out a little more.

As I finished the yard, I noticed the embers left behind from the first attempt were no longer smoking. I put away the lawn mower; then picked up my gas can as I approached the charred, yet un-burned brush. I was certain that with a little extra boost from the gasoline, the pile would catch fire and burn as intended. I began to pour the gas; then the unmistakable sound of igniting fuel filled my ears. I was suddenly surrounded with flames. Consciously I try to protect the near full gas container in my hand, what is most likely a few seconds seems like eternity as I struggle to get out of the flames. Finally, I dropped the can and ran toward the house. Almost instantly the shock of what just happened begins to set in; my hands are shaking, I am breathing hard, and my chest feels like it has touched the sun. Fortunately I received only a few minor burns on my face and chest.

You see, I had no idea that deep down, there was still a red hot ember waiting to ignite. I didn't know, but God knew. God also knows that we sometimes fall away from him and as a result our flame is diminished, but not out. Certainly there are times when our hot coal may need fuel to re-kindle itself, but Jesus is in control of how much. Under no circumstances do we have the authority to pour gas on God's fire. I tried to spark a flame that in truth, was already burning; and as a result, I got burned. This is what I perceived from the incident and it is my prayer that you will always check the brush pile first, to see The Lords plan; I know I will.