April 15, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . He Was Right and Shortly After . . . . (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Mark 1:14-18 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed Him. (NIV) Thoughts A few years ago, I went on a fishing trip with an older man to a secret little trout lake in northern Arizona. He had been fishing there himself about two weeks prior; and on our first morning, he pointed out a set of well-defined footprints in the mud on the edge of the lake. "I stood in this exact spot for two days and caught my limit without moving anywhere else," he said, pointing to the footprints. I then watched him give a repeat performance, standing in the same tracks, as I flung lures along a half-mile of shoreline with hit-and-miss success. No matter what I put on the end of my line, I could not get into the trout as he had.  "Come stand right here," he said, pointing at his foot prints. However, I didn't want to take his suggestion. I wanted to do it my way. Until after a few hours, I reluctantly gave in, followed his lead and stood in the muddy footprints. He was right; and shortly after, I was enjoying myself catching my limit of beautiful Rainbows. (Ruben C) Action Point Some of you undoubtedly know parallel scenarios, right? We men can be so stubborn sometimes ("Sometimes?" my wife says). We want to do things in our own power. In II Corinthians 12:9, Paul states, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me, " (NIV). Boy, to be like the Apostle Paul, just some of the time! The world teaches us that we have to be independent, the strongest, and have all the answers all the time. That is a lie of the world, my brothers. God says different! He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6); and that is a promise you can count on! Be honest about your weaknesses and let God take the lead for you in those areas where you are weak. Better to stay "on track" with God than the world, for His reward for your efforts is greater! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Though not a fly fisherman (five words that will have me persecuted among you purists, I know!), I have found that the trick of tying a fly a few feet past a clear bubble on my ultra-light spinning rig will fool a lot of trout that just don't know any better. My Dad taught me that after I tried and failed with nearly everything else in my tackle box. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 14, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . God Has The Standard To Which We Must Align Ourselves, and Everything Else Will Fall Into Place (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Matthew 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (HCSB)   Thoughts I'm sure you've heard practice makes perfect, but that isn't always the case. If I practice using wrong form or bad follow- through when I am shooting, it won't matter if I shoot ten or a hundred shots, I won't get any better. In archery, there is a term called "punching the trigger," which describes what many archers do that is a shot-killing No-No. "Punching the trigger" is similar to how you shoot a shotgun. With a rifle, you squeeze the trigger; but if you use a bow with a mechanical release, you should pull through the trigger.    I may shoot repeatedly, until I am so tired I can't even hold the bow; but if I have been "punching the trigger," I will have been inconsistent with my shots. My cure for my archery shot is to set close to the target, then close my eyes and practice the perfect shot. At this point, my shooting is not about aiming, but getting a sense that my form is right.  (Dennis W) Action Point I struggle in my life, trying to get everything right - juggling work, family, bills, to-do lists - and I am not being consistent in my life with God. So, In my spiritual life, when I just can't get everything right, I must stop, close my eyes and make sure my form is right.    God has the standard to which we must align ourselves, and everything else will fall into place. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day If your arrows are flying erratically, first, take them to a pro shop and try a new string. Do this now, in early Spring to make sure all the kinks are worked out. Next, get your pro shop technician to give your bow a good tuning. Lastly, work on your memory--that is, muscle memory. Set up about six feet from a target, close your eyes and shoot, concentrating only on your form.   Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April1 13, 2013    Today's Photograph . . . . Palm Canyon, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

Palm Sunday      Bible Study Verses Matthew 21:4-6 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:  "Tell the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:  "Hosanna to the Son of David! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' "Hosanna in the highest!" (NKJV) Thoughts A friend and I hiked up the remote Palm Canyon in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge to photograph the California fan palms tucked away within this narrow deep canyon. While hiking the palms drew my memories to past Palm Sundays. Action Point Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem just one week before His resurrection that the prophet Zechariah depicted. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey," Zachariah 9:9 (NKJV). Note, He rode in on the unbroken donkey colt that was as gentle and reverent as a lamb. People were everywhere and the donkey was obedient. That in itself was a miracle! He is the Master of all!!! Today we celebrate this predicted fulfilled event and refer to it as Palm Sunday because of the Palm branches that were laid on the road by the worshiping crowd as Jesus rode the unbroken donkey into Jerusalem. But, the same crowds that were shouting Hosanna just 5 days later would shout, "Crucify Him!" Do each of us honestly reflect back on these events? Do we take a week out of the year to think about it? I encourage you this year to remember what was given freely at such a great price to you and to all mankind this coming week. Whether it's taking a special hike into Palm Canyon or just going to spend time in the outdoors to be still and to reflect on this upcoming week's celebrations.   Sportsmen's Tip of the Day In a pinch water through condensation can be collected from a palm frond hanging on a palm tree. Tie a plastic bag around the frond completely encasing the leaf. As the water collects, empty the bag into a water container and retie to the frond to collect more.   Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 12, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . I Must, In A Sense, Kill All My Selfish Desires and Take On All Of His Perfect Desires  (MQ)

Bible Study Verse Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from Heaven saying, "Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed." "Yes," says the Spirit, "let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!" (HCSB) Thoughts Yesss!! My last arrow struck the target in the same area as all my others. This group of arrows tells a story. If my arrows are all hitting the same spot, it means that my bow is tuned properly, and also that I can adjust my sights to make my bow shoot true. It is true that my works will follow me: If I don't have my bow tuned properly, the arrow flight will be erratic; If the bow is not sighted in properly, the arrows won't hit where I aim. Life is the same way - I can try to hit the mark, but if my life is not tuned with God, I am doing useless works. God has a plan for my life. When my arrows hit their intended mark, I am excited; but when I am off, I worry. God feels the same way. The Bible says, "And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption," Ephesians 4:30 "(HCSB). When you fail to hit the goal that God has set for you, He is disappointed. Not disappointed as a teacher, but He has a great heaviness and sorrow for our lives. Understand that He loves and cares for us much more than we even care for ourselves. (Dennis W) Action Point Just as I can adjust my archery equipment to find a better group and be in tune, my life must be adjusted also. I must align my sights to God's goal. My life must be tuned to Him in every way. How do I do that? I surrender my will to His will every day. I must, in a sense, kill all my selfish desires, and take on all of His perfect desires. This is called crucifying the flesh. I can't expect perfection from my archery equipment if it is not in tune, and not being in tune will be shown. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day To determine if your bow is out of tune, try shooting your arrows through newspaper or butcher paper stretched tight on a frame from a distance of about six feet. You can find out how to "paper tune" at On Target Sportsman's Ministries website or Easton Archery website.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 11, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . These Things Tell Us That God Places Immense Value On All Human Life (MQ) Bible Study Verse Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (NIV) Thoughts God's existence, goodness, and provision for all creation is evident in His care of animals and birds. Instinctual actions and reactions protect wild creatures from danger.  I witnessed a hen pheasant fake an injury from a cycle bar mower to protect her young. I thought she was hurt. She crawled away from me, dragging a wing, walking lopsidedly, and pretending to be severely hurt. She would attempt to fly as I got closer, seemingly able to fly only a few feet. After I was about 50 yards from where my efforts had begun, she sprang into the sky, flying away completely uninjured.  She had pretended to be injured in order to lead me away from her young. God instilled that ability into her genetic code to protect her and her young. His goodness is manifold, yet He says that you are more valuable than they are! (Jack M) Action Point Pause to think about how God provides for you--clothing, shelter, food, medical care, health, and things to enjoy! These things tell us that God places immense value on all human life.  He values us so much that He provided a Way for us to spend all eternity with Him in Heaven. That Way is found singularly in Jesus Christ.  Psalm 46:10 encourages us to "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth,'" (NIV).  Meditate on God's providential care of all creatures. When on stand, take time to reflect on how it all points back and gives glory to God who is the Creator. Thank God for His goodness and providential care of yourself and all created things. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Optics are important in the field. Buy the best you can afford when it comes to binoculars, optical sights, and spotting scopes. Carry a small repair kit for eye glasses. Even if you don't wear them, another person's day may be saved by having a kit available. They are very small and lightweight. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 10 , 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . Desert Hunting (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Luke 23:42-43 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (NIV) 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!  (Cliff S) 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! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day From the first step out of your camp until you step back into camp, hunt! You never know where the animals will be. On a Javelina hunt this year we found the pigs 150 yds from our tent. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 9, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . If You Choose To Isolate Yourself And Not Be In Fellowship, You Put Yourself In Jeopardy  (Jack M)

Bible Study Verse I John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. (NIV)   Thoughts This winter has been brutal in Michigan with the temperatures often below zero. We had several days that were 20 degrees below before the wind-chill dropped the temperatures even more.    I've been really concerned about our turkey population in northeast Michigan because of the cold temps. When the temps drop that low, it's hard on the birds, and we can end up with a ton of "winter kill" because the birds just couldn't handle the brutal environment they were dealing with. The subsequent turkey hunts are a wash, and it can often take a couple of years to really bring the birds back into a healthy state. Being out in the cold for too long literally kills them off! (Dave M)   Action Point As Christians, it's vitally important that we stay in fellowship with other believers! There are a lot of reasons to become disenchanted with "church" or become offended by individuals within the church. To stay away from authentic believers is to jeopardize your spiritual well-being.    God designed us to need to fellowship with one another. Often times, it's not about what you need from a relationship, but it's what you have to offer other people.    Maybe you are the bearer of true love or are a healing balm to someone else's time of need. If you choose to isolate yourself and not be in fellowship, you put yourself in jeopardy - just like the turkeys who literally froze to death because of the cold they were experiencing. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day If you are a turkey hunter who uses chalk, make sure to take your chalk out before season and make sure that no moisture got to the chalk since the last time you used it. You want to be able to sound like a turkey - not look like one, because you weren't prepared. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 8, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . Abused Lure (Will D) Bible Study Verse 1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered  a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (NIV)   Thoughts Some lures, especially those made to catch fish with sharp teeth, must be made with rugged construction--ball bearing swivels and chomp-proof materials--components that make them indestructible. Even if the toothy critters that swim our waters may not totally destroy them, they can affect the lure's performance and fish-catching abilities, rendering them useless or ineffective. What qualities are you made of? Do you allow the toothy critters or the trappings of this world take away your effectiveness? There was a time in my life when I fell victim to such things.    Thankfully, God answered the prayers of my wife, and used a friend to introduce me to my Lord and Savior. (Thanks, G.S.) Although I suffered the consequences of my actions, Jesus Christ restored me and made me strong, firm and steadfast.  (Will D) Action Point There are people suffering because they are held captive by this world. Pray for them. Ask God to place them in your path; and be ready to explain how a relationship with Jesus Christ can restore them and make them strong. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Large diving lures are expensive. Take time in the off-season to repair them as much as possible. Automotive paints work well and can bring them back to life. Replace the hardware with equal or better than the original components.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 7, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . This Season On Earth Only Lasts So Long (Ron H)

Bible Study Verse Luke 15:7  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who  repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)   Thoughts I'm not sure if our southern readers get stir crazy in the winter, but living in the North can be a challenge. This past winter has been absolutely brutal for us here in Michigan. There were parts of Michigan that got hammered with some pretty good snow storms. But where I live, it was just cold - really cold - for a loooong time!    The kind of cold that makes me not want to cross-country ski, rabbit hunt, ice fish, or even take the snowmobile out. Those are the normal things that we do where I live to break up the winter monotony. But this year, it was so cold that I just didn't want to get out.    So needless to say, when I was driving to church this morning and saw the sun shining down on the fields and melting away the snow, I was excited! When I crossed over the bridge in town and I saw that the river was open and flowing with no ice on it, I was pumped!    The seemingly eternal cold winter is over! (Dave M) Action Point The excitement that I feel is because I am looking forward to what the next season will bring. The winter is done and spring is on the way. Just like this drawn out winter has an end, our lives also have an end date. When that end date is, none of us know, but God does.    The beauty of being a believer in Christ is that no matter when that end date comes, I am able to be excited for what the next season will hold for me - eternity in Heaven with Jesus! However, though we all have an end date to our lives, not all can look forward to life beyond with excitement or anticipation. As a matter of fact, many will not enter into Heaven. They will be in hell.    Each of us has a choice as to whether to accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins. To not accept what Christ did on the cross is to choose hell.    If you have not accepted and believed that Jesus truly is the savior of your soul, then let today be the day.    If you have a friend you've been contemplating talking to about this, let this be the day. Take action on this important decision today.    This season on earth only lasts so long, and without making a decision to follow Christ, there is no anticipation for the season to come. Sportsmens Tip of the Day As we shift into a new season, pull out all the hunting and fishing equipment and take an inventory. Make sure to update your gear before you need it. Planning for the upcoming outdoor events is half the fun anyway.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 6, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . We Are Not Responsible For The Challenges The World Brings Our Way, But We ARE Responsible For How We Handle Them (MQ)

Bible Study Verse John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV) Thoughts Deer hunting is a passion that has been passed on to the next generation of my family. One cold, Alabama December morning, while teaching my oldest son to hunt, a life lesson took place.    A small spike buck came walking down the trail in an oak bottom we were hunting. We both sat absolutely still, yet the buck locked up at about 25 yards and looked right at us in our tree stand. He then slowly turned around without presenting my son (11 years old at the time) a clear shot.    He looked at me with tears in his eyes and mouthed the words, "What happened? I didn't do anything wrong!" (Brian C) Action Point We climbed down the tree, sat there in the woods together and talked about life for several hours. I shared with my son that sometimes we do everything "right", but life still gives us hardships.    In this scripture, Jesus spoke to Christians in order to share that we are not responsible for the challenges the world brings our way. But, we are responsible for how we handle them. If we do that in the way that God leads us, we can relate to Jesus when he says, "I have overcome the world."    Since that December day, my son has taken several nice deer. The valuable lessons we both learned about life that day have made us better men for God. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Be sure to always identify your target before squeezing off a round. Remember, you can never take your shot back once it has left the chamber.    Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 4, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . Spend Time In God's Word And Become Refreshed  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Isaiah 35:3-7  Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you." Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes. (NASB)   Thoughts I think I learned the love of the outdoors as much from my mother as from my father. They were not your typical outdoors type. We lived in what we called the "country" in Western Pennsylvania. We weren't poor, but we surely had no money.    One of my parents' favorite things to do was to go to the mountains - this would be up in Emlenton country - certainly not mountains from a Westerner's point of view, but they were mountains to us.    I can vividly remember one particularly hot, sticky summer day that mom took us wading in a mountain stream. It was wonderfully cold. Mom was so enthusiastic about it. She always carried a washcloth to wash us boys up with before the days before things like "Wet Ones.".    Having lived the last 30-some years in the Arizona desert, my love of water and streams has increased more and more. There is hardly anything that I would rather do than to hike into a remote desert stream. You are so hot and thirsty by the time you get there that you think you will faint. Then you get to the stream and it is SO refreshing!  (Dave H) Action Point The Lord's Word can be as refreshing as a cool mountain stream. When I need to be refreshed, in addition to these verses from Isaiah, I frequently turn to the Psalms, passages such as Psalm 23 that many of us learned as children. He makes me lie down in green pastures; "He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake," Psalm 23:2-3 (NASB). Leading me beside the water, whether still or not, always restores my soul!    Spend time in God's Word and become refreshed! Sportsmen's Tip of the Day If you ever have to hike out of the desert and run out of water, hold up in the shade somewhere until nightfall; then hike out after dark. You will consume much less water and have a better chance of survival. This is especially true if you are not acclimated to desert climates. Always have a hat with you in the desert or make one out of your shirt.  Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 5, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . Creation Escape  (MQ)

Bible Study Verses Romans 8:19-22 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (NIV) Thoughts Like many outdoorsmen, I find myself longing for opportunities to spend time in God's great outdoors. At this point, I probably have too many outdoor hobbies for my own good: A fishing trip to Canada sounds great.  Bow hunting for white tail, an adventure.  A backpacking trip.  Refreshing; turkey hunting in the Spring is a ball. Each of these gives me a sense of freedom. When participating in any one of these passions, my heart comes alive. (Dave M) Action Point I've often viewed these "creation escapes" as my way of getting back to the way things were intended to be - as they were in the Garden of Eden, pure perfection. However, God recently revealed this scripture passage to me. Now, I realize that leaving my imperfect daily world to escape to the perfect outdoors is actually a fallacy. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, not only was sin brought into the world, affecting mankind, but a curse was also placed upon the land, actually preventing it from being fully pure and perfect. I don't know how you look at it, but God's amazing creation, as it stands, is not perfection. I stand in awe just trying to imagine how great God and His pure creation must be in Heaven!  We need to make sure we are careful to worship the Creator of the creation rather than the "creation escapes,", themselves. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Before heading out to the wild on your "creation escape," make sure to have your backpack prepared for the unexpected (snake bite kit, poison ivy or poison oak supplies...). You never know what you're going to run into! Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 3, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . Human Nature Being What It Is, If That Were The Case, We Might Just Take Salvation For Granted (Will D) Bible Study Verses Ephesians 2:12-13 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (NIV)   Thoughts A couple of years ago I received an email "alert" from a conservation organization stating their concerns over a proposed amendment to state law that would make hunting and fishing a constitutional right. At first glance, a sportsman might say, "Right on!"; but a little more in-depth research may (or may not) change one's mind. Currently, hunting and fishing in my state is a privilege (like driving), not a "right"; meaning that, a person could lose their privilege to hunt or fish based on, let's say, a serious violation of laws governing hunting and fishing (like poaching). What if there were no consequences for someone who illegally harvests a game animal? What would be the incentive for following hunting regulations, or harvest quotas, if everyone else was ignoring them? Let's be grateful for the laws and the justice system we have that protect the best interests of our game animals.  (Ruben C) Action Point Worshiping God is a privilege because salvation is a gift. What a miracle it is that we are even breathing. We all, at one time or another, were one breath, one heartbeat away from an eternity without God. It's by God's grace, alone, that we can be here.    My question is, would we feel the same way about salvation if it were a guaranteed "right", if there were no consequences for sin? Everyone would go to Heaven whether or not they acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Human nature being what it is, if that were the case, we might just take salvation for granted. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it," Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV). Jesus describes the path that leads us to salvation should we decide to make the commitment. This same advice, I think, is a good carry-over (I love it when that happens!) for what our attitude should be toward our privilege to hunt and fish. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Stay informed on what is going on in your state with regard to proposed legislation for conservation laws that affect outdoor sports; and special interest groups that are trying to push bills through your state legislature that may or may not be in your best interest. Most state conservation agencies have open houses and town hall meetings that allow sportsmen the opportunity to present their arguments for or against such issues. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up

April 2, 2014    Today's Photograph . . . . I Then Think Rationally About Solutions And Act Accordingly  (Janet B)

Bible Study Verse Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (NIV)   Thoughts Recently, there have been several areas of my life that get me rather upset. They range from things that happen at work to the continuing efforts of politicians who try to ban guns and ammunition in my state! I usually don't get upset very easily; however, when I feel my rights are being infringed upon, I have a tendency to react right away and not think too clearly.    Two things seem to alter my course back to objective, logical thinking. First, I always talk things over with my wife, who often has a clearer picture of the situation and one that's not shaded by my angry feelings. Secondly, God somehow shows me another side--this seems to happen more and more in my life. He may do this through something I see on TV, something I hear, or sometimes, it's as simple as reading His Word.    Usually in the end, I calm down, the joy is brought back to my heart; and most importantly, light has been given to my eyes. I then think rationally about solutions and act accordingly.  (Jim C) Action Point When it comes to fishing, losing a big fish can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I remember some of my younger tournament days when losing a fish could ruin my entire day. I would be out of the tournament both mentally and physically.    The older I got, I realized that there was nothing I could do about this tragic event once it happened. Constantly thinking about it would not only take my focus off the rest of the day, but there was no way to get that fish back!    So, I began to think about that situation differently: If I lost a fish, I would try to think about what made that fish bite, where and how it happened; refocus my efforts to get another fish to strike; continue on, and strive for a better day. Once I looked at the event from another angle, it seemed a lot better and also became an occurrence from which I could and did learn. When you have a problem or something upsets you, it may help to just take your Bible and flip to any page. You will be amazed at how God will bring joy to your heart and light to your eyes. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day Sharp quality hooks are a must when fishing top waters or crankbaits for bass. Spend the time to replace worn or cheap hooks with quality ones of the right size. Thinner wire, needle-sharp hooks will penetrate faster and with less effort and give you a much better chance to a positive hookset that's needed to land more fish consistently. Sportsmen's Devotional Web Site  Sign Up