March 9, 2012   

Today's Photograph . . . . Goose Lake, White River National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas (NWRC.USGS.GOV)

Bible Study Verse

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)

Thoughts

One of my family's honey holes for fishing is in the wilds of the White River National Wildlife Refuge in central Arkansas. We take a small twelve-foot boat, motor until we can't motor anymore and wade through the mud pulling the boat to get to the remote lakes. 

As you can imagine, we see and hear some pretty strange things back in the deep woods. On one such trip, we heard what I now surmise to be a bird; but at the time, it was downright eerie! It went, "WHOOOOOOOPPP!" 

We looked wide-eyed at each other as the weird sound echoed through the river-bottoms. Then my brother whispered, "I guess a sasquatch slipped in the mud!" We literally rolled in the bottom of the muddy boat laughing. I laughed until my sides hurt. We still don't know what made the eerie sound, but my hat is off to it. We had a great laugh at its expense! 

(Brian H)

Action Point

I hate the fact that the world and Satan has taken so much of our joy away. Often we live so focused on our jobs, the economy, making ends meet, family priorities and more, and leave little time or energy for any joy. 

We serve a God of joy. I can just see Jesus when the children would pile up in His lap. Can't you see Him tickling their belly as they playfully pulled at his beard? I can imagine a sweet smile on His face as He lifted a little one up in the air and spun around; and a smile now as we obey a command or use His strength to overcome a weakness. 

The bottom line is that He is a God of warm joy. Let's seek to know Him deeper. Let's determine to allow His joy to penetrate our lives. Let's demonstrate Him to the world by being a people of infectious joy!!! Be a contagious laugher. Then tell the world that it's Jesus who brings the joy!!!

Sportsmen's Tip of the Day

In Arkansas, we warm up for deer season by squirrel hunting. September, when our squirrel season opens, is a great time to slip around quietly through the woods. You can practice your stalking, your marksmanship, and bring home some meat that is great with dumplings or in Cajun stew or gumbo, all in one trip. Give it a try!