May 18, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . The Man Cave (Cliff S)

Bible Study Verse Matthew 7:15-16  "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" (NIV)     Thoughts My son and I live in what we refer to as "the man cave."  There is nothing feminine about our home.  When you enter it, you know immediately that hunters live here.  You don't have to guess, you see it.  When you come in the front door, the first thing you see is Adam's 2002 elk shoulder mount, then, the racks from the two elk we killed in 2009.  There's gun cleaning stuff in the living room, a reloading bench where the dining room table used to be, more gun and archery stuff in the den, multiple dead animals on the walls, a .22 bullet trap and an archery target, leftover pizza in the fridge, and, when using the bathroom, remember MAN CAVE RULES are in effect!    For Christmas, we didn't get around to putting up a tree.  So Adam printed a picture of a Christmas tree off the internet and taped it onto the lampshade.  Hey, there's no watering a dry tree, no pine needles to clean up, and we can leave it up all year!  Add a little pine smelling cover scent and you've got it.  The perfect Christmas tree!  Maybe there's a reason why we're both still single.  You think?  But, hey, you don't have to ask what we do in our spare time.  We hunt!  (Cliff S)     Action Point When your friends, business associates, the waitress at the diner, the salesman at the gun counter in the sporting goods store, or new acquaintances cross your path, do they see that you are a Christian?  Does it show?  What fruit do you produce?    Jesus said that we're to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16) and that the world should see Him through us.  That the world would know Him by the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They should see in us, fruits that we can't produce.  They have to come from God.  The world should see Jesus in our attitudes, our words, how we handle difficulties and successes, and in how we treat others.  We should also be telling people around us about Jesus and His love and grace.  Yes, the false prophets are out there.  But, God desires to produce fruit in our lives that will provide evidence to others that He loves them, too, and that they can be in relationship with Him just as we are.    Sportsman's Tip of the Day It's OK to leave your trophies and gun paraphernalia visible to folks who enter your house.  But, keep the guns locked up in a safe place.  The guns should be in one location, the ammunition in another, preferably under lock and key.  This will protect against tragic accidents, and potential loss to thieves.

May 17, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . The Next Time You're Climbing A Hill Imagine The Burden Jesus Carried Up The Hill To His Crucifixion   (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Psalm, 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV) Thoughts Mountains are majestic in their glory of God and His creation. This verse is not talking about the hills being our source of help. It is acknowledging that our helper is the Maker of the hills-- none other than God, Himself.  But, this verse did prompt my thoughts to go to hills of significance in the Bible: the hill where the Sermon on the Mount was preached, the hills where Jesus went to be alone and to pray, the Mount of Transfiguration, and, especially, the mount called Calvary. You see, our help does come from that hill, in the form of Jesus' death and His subsequent gift of salvation.  (Cliff S) Action Point The next time you're climbing a hill, burdened down by your pack, rifle, and maybe even the trophy you sought, imagine the burden Jesus carried up the hill to His crucifixion.  Take time to give Him thanks for not turning back. Jesus was seeking us, you and me, to draw us to Himself and the Father. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When you're investing in a pack frame, try on several until you find one that makes you say, "This one feels good." Then, add some weight to be sure that it's the one for you. Your pack must fit correctly or it will take a lot of the fun out of your outing.

May 16, 2013

Today's Photograph . . . . It's Usually That We Have Walked Away From Him  (Dave W)

Bible Study Verse Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)  Thoughts I purchased my first trail cam this fall, and I've loved the results of having it on my food plots.  I've been able to see deer at all times of the day.  I've got some twins who come in just about the same time every afternoon; I've got a spike that frequently comes in during the morning; and I've got some nice bucks that frequent the food plots at about 3:00am.  The part that I've enjoyed most though is being able to see the bucks that come in the middle of the night.  I've got some bruisers coming in that I never even knew were in the area.  The knowledge of their presence has increased my motivation to continue to hunt.  There are some mornings where I just don't feel like getting out of bed, but the fact that I've discovered that they are there propels me to get up and out there. (Dave M) Action Point God says that He is always with us.  We can never go to a place that He is not.  I can hike out in the bush, and He is there.  I can venture off into the middle of nowhere fishing, and He is still there.  I can hunt in the most remote area, and He is right by my side.  What a comfort it is to know that God is always with me.  There are times in our lives that are dark, and there are times where we wait on God for what seems like an eternity, but have faith. He is right there.  He never has left your side, nor will He ever.  Usually, the issue is not that he has left us; it's usually that we have walked away from Him. Turn back; He's there! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day If you are using a trail cam, keep extra batteries in your backpack.  You don't want to get to your trail cam, have dead batteries, and not be able to immediately fix it.

May 15, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . God Will Not Be Mocked.  He Will Do What He Said He Is Going To Do (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (NIV 1984)    Thoughts I've been blessed recently with a wonderful new piece of property to lease for whitetail hunting.  In getting myself acclimated with this new property, I've been going over to do some scouting and get the lay of the land.  What I have discovered is that there are lots of deer sign.  Scat abounds, trails are well-worn, and I've been able to locate several fresh rubs - all within a very short time of walking the property. This sign has led to increased hope!  The land that I've hunted on for the last decade has been fine, but it's been primarily a cedar swamp, and the deer just aren't that big.  The new location of the property is right next to corn fields.  In the pictures my Cuddeback has been taking, the deer seem to be significantly larger in their bodies.   As my kids and I have been talking about the potential of this new land, there has been a definite increased enthusiasm for this upcoming deer season.  Why?  Because the signs are there! (Dave M)    Action Point It's all in the signs.  Friends, I am no theologian by any stretch of the imagination. But, I can tell you that every day I live is a day closer to Jesus' return to this Earth.  He says that He is coming back to claim His bride (believers in Christ).  He also says that no one knows the day or the hour that this is going to happen.  What we do know is that God has commanded us to be ready! In my finite knowledge of scriptures, I know that there are signs to look for when this is going to happen.  We need to be good students of God's word and study what these signs are.  God will not be mocked;  He will do what He said He was going to do.  And our lives - well, they should be full of hope, because we serve a God who fulfills all His promises.    Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Aerial photos are a great way to scout a piece of property.  It lets you see the big picture of what your land is surrounded by and helps you to figure out the best course of action in working with what you have.

May 14, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . We Are Trying To Live Double Lives . . . (NPS)

Bible Study Verse I Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness." (NIV)    Thoughts One of the more memorable hunts of my life occurred about a decade ago, but the irony of this memory actually has nothing to do with an animal or an actual hunt.  A group of us connected up at a friend's hunting property in northern Michigan.  We had been hunting together for several years and had always camped out on this property as we hunted.  Well, the owner of the property decided that he wanted a more permanent camping scenario, so he bought an old full sized camper to leave on the property for us all to sleep in.  The camper had been placed there during the summer months, and none of us had gone in it to check its condition prior to us using it.   We all just showed up -ready to sleep in this rig. As we tossed our gear in the camper, we were all looking forward to being in this bigger and better outfit.  That night, we all were trying to drift off to sleep when we started  hearing sounds coming from the walls - scratching noises.  We laid there awake trying to figure out what it was. But, it wasn't until the middle of the night that we finally figured out what was happening.  The "new" camper was infested with mice!  Several of us awoke to the pitter-pattering of mouse feet across our sleeping bags. They were everywhere!  We did stay in there for the night. But, I took my sleeping bag, pulled it over my head, and cinched the draw string down to the point where the opening of the sleeping bag was about the size of a quarter. Just large enough for me to get a breath of air through...and of course I was praying that no mouse hopped through the little hole that led to the interior of my sleeping cocoon.  I'm not sure if I got one second of sleep that night! Wow!  Did we have an infestation.  We had hundreds of mice that were scampering around the camper everywhere.  It was disgusting! (Dave M) Action Point There are times in our lives where we need to sit down and take a serious assessment of our lives.  How are we doing as husbands/wives?  How are we doing as a parent?  How am I doing as a son or a daughter...? It is my personal belief that way too many of us as Christians are being absolutely infested by the messages of the world.  We are trying to live double lives . . . a Christian life and a worldly life!  It flat out doesn't work to do this.  Technology is great and can be used for wonderful ministries (such as this one). But, how much info do you need in your life?  How much time are you spending on the internet?   Your cell phone?  Social Networks?  Blogs?  The list could go on and on. But the point is simple. Are you controlling these "tools" or are they controlling you?  An addiction is an addiction!!! I would venture to say that each of us would be better off to spend more time in God's word and less time collecting information from the world.  Satan doesn't need you to necessarily worship him; he just needs you too "busy" to get God's work done.  Live a simple life and keep the infestation at bay! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Make sure if you are going to leave a vehicle out in the woods for later use, that you seal it up tight as a drum, so that you don't have unwanted or unexpected visitors later on.

May 13, 2013

Today's Photograph . . . . But In Our Own Efforts To Get Rid Of It, It'll Always Be  (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Romans 3:11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. (NIV)  Thoughts Showering.  Showering.  Showering.  Every hunter has their routines or fetishes that they observe as they prepare for their hunts.  This fall, I have been trying to see exactly how big of a difference going scent free would make while I white tail hunt.  So just about every time I've gone to the woods this fall, I've showered with scent free shampoo and soap.  I've made a conscious effort to get rid of any odor that might be present - looking for any advantage I can get in the woods. I'd really like to say that I took one shower and was good for the whole season.   But, you know what I've discovered, I stink!  (Keep your comments to yourself on this one).  Yep, I can take a shower in the morning and I wake up with an odor.  I can take a shower for a mid-morning hunt and I already have smells of the day on me.  I can take a shower for an evening hunt, and yep - I stink then too.  For all the efforts that I have placed on being "odorless", there just seems to be a natural odor that I carry with me wherever I go. (Dave M) Action Point In a spiritual sense, this is true of all of us.  We all stink.  We naturally carry an odor with us wherever we go.   It's called original sin.  When Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, a great fall took place.  Every human since then has carried the odor of sin around with them wherever they go.  You can try a million different things to take this odor away or cover it up.  But in our own efforts to get rid of it, it'll always be there.  The only way we can get rid of this sin odor is to repent - to turn to God and ask Him to forgive us of all of our sins.  The beautiful thing with God is that He doesn't just put a cover scent over us - leaving the original smell still there.  He actually takes it away!  Through God's forgiveness, the stench of sin doesn't have to go with you or me!  There is nothing you've done that is so horrific that God can't forgive you!  Ask Him to cleanse you and forgive you of your sins right now and be stench free! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Do what you can to keep the scents away.  There's a whole market out there with products to help you do this - deodorants, shampoos, soap, and laundry detergent.  Just leaving your clothes outside to air out helps tremendously.

May 12, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . We Call, We Listen Temporarily, and If We Don't Get A Quick Answer, We Move On   (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Isaiah 30:18  Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! (NIV) Thoughts This past week I was blessed to harvest a nice buck while bow hunting. I had my grunt tube out and was calling periodically. At 8 am right after giving a few low grunts, I had a buck that ran directly towards me. He started out about 100 - 150 yards away. I couldn't see him, but I could hear his hooves crunching on the leaves as he ran. He stopped about 40 yards away on the other side of some pine trees and was making a scrape - I still couldn't see him. I decided to grunt again just a touch, and low and behold he left his scrape and headed down the trail towards me. At 20 yards, he stepped out from behind the pines, finally revealing himself to me. After a couple of minutes, he presented me with a perfect shot opportunity - slightly quartering away. His life soon ended, and my family had a deer to put in the freezer. The way I grunt throughout a hunt is very simple: Call - wait - listen. Call - wait - listen. Call - wait - listen.  (Dave M) Action Point Many people, myself included, often call out to God asking for guidance in a particular area and want an answer immediately. We don't always exhibit a whole lot of patience. We call, we listen temporarily, and if we don't get a quick answer, we move on - trying to resolve issues in our own power. Let me encourage you - if you are calling on God and asking for His guidance - be patient. He will answer you, but He needs you to be at a point in your life where you can really hear Him. Don't make a drastic move without His guidance. Call -WAIT- listen! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When using a grunt tube, variety is good. A deer is not going to grunt the same way throughout the course of the day. So why would we sit in a stand all day long using the exact same grunt pattern? Mix it up. Long grunts, short grunts, soft grunts, and loud grunts.

May 11, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . Thankfully He Didn't Leave Us Stranded On A Shoreline All Alone    (Will D) Bible Study Verses I Timothy 4:7-8 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (NIV) Thoughts Winter wade fishing on the Gulf coast is all about stamina. When you are standing waist deep in cold water surrounded by cold air, about the only thing left to warm your soul is the smack of a trophy trout. Tired, wet, and freezing, and not getting bit, you'll find yourself tempted to give up. Fighting through for rod-bending action is what we like to call grinding. The payoffs can be spectacular. (Will D) Action Point No one said all this was going to be easy. Not even Jesus. Thankfully He didn't leave us stranded on a shoreline all alone. Spiritually train. Ready yourself for the eternal reward that awaits you. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Physical training is not just for scaling mountains or stalking animals. Staying in shape for fishing will make those long grueling days more enjoyable.

May 10, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . .Something Infinitely Better Did Though, A Living God Named Jesus Christ  (Will D)

Bible Study Verses Hebrews 11:26-27 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him Who is invisible. (NIV) Thoughts As a young man I got the chance to deck hand several big marlin tournaments. I was mesmerized by big boats, big tackle, and big fish. Seemed everything was big. I wanted to be big. When my ship to comes in . . . I thought. Will D) Action Point Moses grew up surrounded by all things grandiose and gold. Yet he found himself at a crisis of belief. Burning bush or silver spoon. Discernment or desk job. Who knows, maybe his own pyramid one day. In the end, Moses couldn't be swayed from his God - given purpose. Not much has changed in a world that still tempts and trades the good life. Yes - blessings do come our way and we should certainly enjoy them. However, remaining true to our purpose should always trump our successes!!! Oh. That ship I was waiting on? Never really came. Something infinitely better did though; a living God named Jesus Christ!!! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Big bait = big fish. It certainly does.

May 8, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . .Jesus Tells Us In His Teachings To Have Faith  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Matthew 9:28-29 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." (NKJV) Thoughts When I am flying my airplane to Europe, I look down from 33,000 feet and see a cold North Atlantic Ocean below me. Here I am, sitting in the cockpit of an airplane that weighs 500,000 plus pounds, and I wonder why it stays in the air. I know and understand Bernoulli's Principle and Newton's Laws that tell me how it stays aloft; but that does not give me faith that it will fly. I, also, know that, if the three engines quit, we just became test pilots flying what will soon become a submarine. Again, I understand all the principles that make it fly. But when I look out at the wing, I cannot actually see them at work. It takes a lot of faith to know that something that I cannot see will keep this monster aloft. I heard a statement, or read it somewhere, and always remembered it: "Faith is believing what you cannot see, and God's reward for that kind of faith is seeing what you believe." (Chris Q) Action Point Hebrews 11:1 states, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see," (NLT) Faith is believing in something that you cannot see and cannot touch. Jesus tells us in His teachings to have faith. According to Matthew 9:28-29, by believing, we are exercising faith. I look out at the wing on my airplane and I believe that it will work. Seeing it happen is the reward for my faith. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day To be prepared for emergencies, Ann Southerland would make her students tie a bowline behind their backs . . . hanging upside down in their kayaks. Don't forget to check your emergency equipment and know your emergency procedures before you go afield. Also, it is important to take a CPR class as well as First-Aid courses.

May 7, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . Copperhead (USF&W) Bible Study Verse I Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV) Thoughts While driving down the road, the strange posture of a cow caught our eye. We soon realized she had just given birth to a calf. As we pulled off the road to watch, she appeared to walk away from the newborn. We couldn't understand how the cow could just walk away from her calf like that, leaving it vulnerable. My thought was, "That calf' is coyote bait." That statement immediately brought to mind Peter's above warning. Today's society is full of dangers for all of us. How often do we leave our kids or even ourselves at risk because of our carelessness? (Chris Q) Action Point We need to constantly be on our guard. Rest assured, our adversary is diligently watching for any opportunity. He unsuccessfully tempted Jesus three times after His baptism. Yet, he wasn't finished. In Luke4:13, we read, "And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time,"(ESV). The bottom line is:  Don't become a  coyote's or Satan's bait. Sportsmen's Devotional Always use a flashlight when walking into your hunting area after dark. I was entering a ground blind that was very familiar to me, yet unfamiliar to my hunting partner. Had he not flashed his light into the blind, I would have stepped on, or worse, sat on, the resident Copperhead.

May 6, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . The Only Thing That Stubbornness Will Get You Is An Early Grave  (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Psalms 41:1-3 Dignify those who are down on their luck; you'll feel good-that's what God does. God looks after us all, makes us robust with life- Lucky to be in the land, we're free from enemy worries. Whenever we're sick and in bed, God becomes our nurse, nurses us back to health. (MSG)    Thoughts Just recently I was asked to take part in a mentored youth deer hunt .   This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I felt honored to be asked by a dear friend.  Not only participate in this event and mentor this young man, but a chance for me to be in the field with one of my mentors as well.      I got to tell you that this was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had when it comes to mentoring teenagers.  I am a youth pastor and have seen God move in many ways in teenagers lives. To be big part of this young man's life was stellar!     Being on the top of that mountain with God mentoring me, and me mentoring that young man as well as being mentored by my friend as well, you would think that it just doesn't get any better than that. Yep, it did! I am glad to report that that young man took a very nice 28 inch buck that day and all was well in the land or at least I thought it was.  This is the part of the story where everything goes south. This is where the once in a lifetime, perfect, God honoring, life changing experience turned into one of the most painful experience of my life. The next day after lunch I wasn't feeling so good and decide to turn in early.  I woke up with one of the most painful stomach aches I had ever experienced.  To save you all the gore and details, let's just say it wasn't pretty. I was sick for the better part of the night and into the early morning.  We were camped out in very remote and isolated location (a nice way of saying IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE), about 60 miles from civilization.    After what seemed like hours of endless pain, my friend loaded me up in the truck and made a mad dash to the nearest hospital.  After a lot of IV fluids, antibiotics and pain medication, I was released from the hospital with a bad case of food poisoning.  I honestly don't know what I would have done that night without my friend there; I thought I was going to die.     You see not just because I was sick and needed someone there to help me, but because my friend is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ who has spent a better part of his life mentoring and raising up men to become passionate "men of God" who will in turn mentor and rise up other men of God.  He, also, was able to intercede on my behalf with God for me.  I was in so much pain I couldn't see, I couldn't hear, but he heard just fine that morning and God spoke volumes to me through him.  (Donny N)   Action Point Sometimes as men, we tend to avoid assistance for pretty much everything we do and sometimes we even have this same mind set when it comes to God. Especially when He's trying to help us out.     One of the sad realities of today is that men are no longer mentoring other men to become men of God.  It doesn't make you less of a man to ask for help.  It's what makes you a man of God when you do ask for His help and allow Him to do it.  Men of the 21st century are trying to prolong their adolescence due to the lack of mentors.     It's time for us as men of God to rise up and show the young men of today "HOW" to become a man of God. Anyone can tell you how to do it, but it's the real man of God that says, "Here, let me show you." I challenge you to find a young man today, invest in his life, allow God to use you and we together can transform humanity one man of God at a time.     If my friend had not been by my side, I don't know what would have happened.  It's not unmanly to allow someone to help you.  I could have not allowed my friend to help me that night and been stubborn.     But, the only thing I have found that stubbornness will get you is an early grave.  Stubbornness is basically a lack of trust in God.  Let yourself be used by God, and together we can change the future.    Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Always have a hunting partner or partners.  Have a detailed plan to include hunting location, duration of intended stay and any alternate locations you might be in.  Make sure each hunter in your party understands and agrees to the plan. Always leave a copy of the plan with someone at home.

May 5, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Ask God To Reveal Your Riches To You Today  (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Mark 10:25  "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  (NKJV) Thoughts Sometimes I wonder if God gave me a simple life with a humble income just to save my soul. When I read this verse, I think to myself, "I would probably be as far from God's kingdom as possible if I were rich with money."  But instead, He has made me rich with a great appreciation for His creation and the critters that abide here. I work outside every day, usually doing good things for wildlife.  Better yet, I have a wonderful wife and daughter who love to enjoy God's creation with me. I am thankful that He has blessed me with such.  (Jimmy S) Action Point Ask God to reveal your riches to you today. Search your heart for your spiritual gifts and ask God to help you put them to use for His glory. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Remember: always give someone an itinerary-- where you will be and when you plan on returning-- no matter how short the outing may be.

May 4, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . He Who Has Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear (NWS) Bible Study Verses Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (NKJV) Matthew 13:9 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (NKJV) Mark 7:14 and 16 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" (NKJV) Luke 8:8 "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (NKJV) Thoughts Hearing must be important! Jesus stresses the point four times in three different gospels. I can tell you how important it is. A few years ago while hunting with my son in the Kofa Mountains of Arizona, I was almost struck by a rattlesnake that I could not hear. My son heard it and pulled me out of its path just as it struck. Years of skeet shooting, rifle and pistol practice, without proper ear protection have left me with a hearing impairment. Just this year, I purchased a pair of "pro-ears" to wear while hunting so I can hear and, also, protect what hearing remains. In these verses, Jesus was emphasizing the point to his disciples--Hear what I am saying! He was not talking about hearing protection, but rather was teaching them to hear the Word of God. (Byron S) Action Point God speaks to us now, just as He spoke to His disciples. He speaks through His Word, our Bible. Spend time daily reading His word, and you will hear His voice, if you listen quietly. Take time to pause and reflect on what you read. How do His words fit into your life; what do they say? After all, He made the point four different times, so it must be important to Him. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Find the best hearing protection you can for your children and grandchildren. Their hearing is too important to ignore.

May 3, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . We Are Sparring Satan With A Dull Pocket Knife.  (Yvonne M)  Bible Study Verses Ephesians 6:16-17 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. (HCSB) Thoughts Each Spring I watch these elk--they bunch up during antler drop and stay together until early Fall. During that time, they progress from antlerless to soft new antlers; then finally, begin to spar with one another, sharpening the antlers and their skills. When they part ways for the rut, the sparring becomes battle, sometimes ending in death. We are like these elk--if we don't practice the Word each day, our defense is puny, and we are sparring Satan with a dull pocket knife. (Byron S) Action Point If you read and study the Word each day, you will be given a sharp two-edged sword with which to go into battle. Be ready with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God!!! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Carry a good whet stone or pocket steel with you when out in the field. You will be better prepared to clean, skin, and bone out your game with a good sharp knife.

May 2, 2013   Today's Photograph . . . . We Need To Understand The Times In Which We Live By Keeping Ourselves Immersed In God's Word  (MQ)

National   Day of Prayer   James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)     Bible Study Verse Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (NKJV) Thoughts In just a few weeks, hunting season opens.  I am already seeing seasoned hunters out, watching their favorite spots and probably wondering, "Is the game still there this year?" Watching is an important part of the hunt if we want to find a trophy. Jesus tells us to watch for His return--be mindful of His return and be ready! He is our Trophy!!! (Byron S) Action Point Watching is not passive; it involves our interaction with the Word of God. We need to understand the times in which we live by keeping ourselves immersed in God's Word, the Bible. Use your knowledge to encourage your family and friends to also be watching for His return.   Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Sitting on a high overlook, glassing with a steady pair of binoculars, is a great way to find out where the game is hanging out. Try securing your binoculars on a tripod. It is amazing how much more you can see with a steady hand.

May 1, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Chances Are The Most Important Part Of Any Memory Will Be The People You Spent That Time With  (Ron T)

Bible Study Verse Psalms 145:1  I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. (NIV) Thoughts When you think about it, God should be put above everything else. We have all we have because of Him. Everything we own, see, and do was given to us by Him to have and use during our time here on Earth.  What we own will merely be ours while we are here; they will be someone else's when we are gone. With that being said, always do the best you can to take care and preserve your firearms. They will make a nice gift to pass on to someone else when your time with them is done. (Jim C) Action Point Although it can be hard to not get attached to material things, remember that those items are just objects. They can be part of a memory, but not the most important part. Chances are the most important part of any memory will be the people you spent that time with. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day After a rainy day of hunting, always allow your firearm to dry out before storing. Wiping it down and applying gun oil to it will help it to fight off rust and to make sure that is in proper working order for the next hunt.