February 27, 2012
Today's Photograph . . . . Butchering Livestock And Wild Game Was Nothing Out Of The "Norm" (MQ) |
Mark 7:14-16
Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them." (NIV)
Thoughts
I come from a ranching and farming heritage. Growing up in a very rural area, I was tasked from my earliest childhood with taking care of horses, livestock, and hunting--the only kind of life I knew until adulthood. Butchering livestock and wild game was nothing out of the "norm".
Along with that, harvesting various parts of animals for consumption, not considered edible by your average urban dweller, was also normal--the stomach of a cow or the liver of a deer to name a few. I have mentioned this to some friends throughout my life with less than positive responses: "Ugh! Cow tongue?!" "You eat rattlesnake?! You can't eat that stuff!"
(Ruben C)
Action Point
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Read James 1:23-24.
Just as eating the less popular parts of an animal will not make you unclean, if your actions are not forthright, affiliation with a respected sportsmen group will not make you a true sportsman. Likewise, it does not matter what church you belong to, if your life and doctrine are not in agreement with it, membership will be of no advantage to you. "But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do," James 1:25 (NIV).
Do not be tempted to cut ethical corners in the field, but be an ambassador for Christ wherever you are. You never know when the clean bright light that comes from you will shine on someone who will be influenced toward Christ!!!
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
When dealing with anti-hunters or anti-meat eaters, try not to overpower them with your opinions on the subject. They expect that from us. I always find it interesting to listen and take a philosophical approach. I have influenced at least one non-meat eater this way. Though he still does not eat meat, he is actually an advocate of hunting!
