Thoughts
Many years have passed, but I will always remember this fishing trip.

I had been asked by a family friend to take her nephew from out-of-state trout fishing. So we four-wheeled and hiked into a remote back-country stream that I had been wanting to fish. It was August, monsoon season in Arizona; and about half way through the day, the sky opened up and poured rain. Earlier, I had spotted an old cabin up stream, so we made our way there and weathered the storm under the small front porch roof. We had both caught several nice fish and were sharing our stories when I noticed a large blackberry patch at the edge of the stream. After the storm subsided, we found a couple of old three-pound coffee cans and picked them full of luscious wild blackberries to top off our trout dinner that night. As I remember those berries, I don’t believe I’ve seen any that large since then. (BFS)

Action Point
Jesus’ words in John 15:4 fit the example of the berry patch that I found. That patch of berries grew right along side a mountain stream with the roots going deep into the earth and out into the running water. Those berries were constantly fed with nutrients from the life-giving water. No wonder they were so large and luscious.

We can be like that if we do as Jesus says: plant ourselves in His Word and take Him, the Living Water, into our lives. If we do so, He promises that we will grow in faith and bear much fruit. Knowing and understanding His Word not only guides our daily lives, but also provides us with the right thoughts and words when we need them. For example: It may not be easy for me to get through a day without an unhealthy thought crossing my mind, or perhaps having a plan go wrong. When I try to handle these on my own, my mind might linger too long on the thought, or I don’t handle the situation as I should. But I have found that when I stop and take time to ask Him for help, He is always true to His Word–the thoughts are blocked, or somehow, the plan begins to come together in His way. So, abide in Him and let Him abide in you; and surely, whatever you ask of Him will be done for you. His Word is His bond.

Thoughts
One of my favorite parts of teaching hunter education classes is listening to the students’ experiences from past hunts. I have picked up many things about wildlife behavior from the observations of other hunters. One of the things I learned from listening to a veteran hunter was that mule deer are very curious by nature. He explained that if a mule deer sees you but does not smell you, it will most likely try to figure out what you are. On my oldest son’s first mule deer hunt, we were busted by several does. The wind was right, so the deer didn’t spook. Taking the knowledge that I had learned from the observations of the veteran hunter, I told my son that he should get ready for a shot. Because the deer hadn’t winded us, they moved to our right and stopped to get a better view of us. My son was prepared for the shot and was successful in taking his first deer. (EW)

Action Point
I sometimes forget that the Bible was written by men who, in many cases, actually walked with Jesus. The Bible is not fiction. When I studied this verse I was reminded of the fact that the disciples had heard, seen, observed and touched many of the things that they wrote about. Take full confidence in the Bible.

Thoughts
I have to say thank you to my dad who instilled in me the joy of hunting. He was never a big game hunter; as a matter of fact, he liked fishing more than hunting. Yet, I remember toting my Daisy Red Rider BB Gun through the fields as we hunted rabbits, quail, and grouse. I was the hardest working dog He owned–excited to jump into the thicket and try to kick up a rabbit. I would go as long as my legs would allow me. Just a boy–those moments of target shooting and shooting clay pigeons were exciting. I loved it.

When I was 12, I received my first single-shot 20-gauge shotgun. That season, I was using a real gun; yet the safety lessons my dad taught me were already in place. He taught me the right way to carry a gun, to cross a fence, and the right way to hunt in a group. He also impacted my life in other ways as I watched and learned how he acted and reacted. I looked to him for a lot of things that I wasn’t sure about. He was building my character, and was my example of what a man should be. I sometimes wondered if he understood how greatly he affected my life. (DW)

Action Point
Now that I am a father, I believe my dad understood fully what kind of man he was influencing me to be. We should take the time to be with our boys as much as possible. They not only need to learn about hunting and fishing, but also about becoming a man. We must live out what we want our boys to know. Take time to be a dad. Our boys need us.

Thoughts
Who in the world ever thought up the idea of climbing to the top of a mountain (or in my case, taking a ski lift), strapping two boards on your feet, pointing them downhill, and sliding at high speed between the rocks, trees, and bushes? This guy had to be nuts! But, every January, I find myself on top of a mountain in Colorado doing exactly that same thing. Am I nuts, too? Probably, but I wouldn’t miss the trip for anything. This trip is a father-son outing that has been going on for some ten years now. It is a special time for my son and me to bond and share a common love–skiing and snow boarding. And, yes, my son is very kind and lets me keep up with him, some of the time!

One thing that I always look forward to on these trips is standing on the very top of the mountain and surveying the massive peaks that surround us. There is nothing grander than the Rocky Mountains shrouded in snow. Seeing the mountains, I am reminded that all of creation reflects God and His presence. What do I see of God in the mountains? Magnificence, power, immovability, and durability. The mountain has been there since the beginning of the world; and it is there to remind us of the God who made it, and to show us a little of Himself. (CS)

Action Point
Next time you’re in the mountains, or just about anywhere you consider a special place, take time to look around and see what God has made for you. Think about it in those terms: “God made this place just for me, just for this moment.” Then, thank Him for the gift of the outdoors.

Thoughts
Being lost in the woods without the guidance of an external source can be a frightening experience. That external source might be a companion who knows the way, a topographic map, compass, or GPS–all valuable sources for guidance in finding your way out of a lost and confused condition. These tools can be a blessing when you don’t know how to direct your own steps.

No Christian who has ever lived is so experienced in walking the paths of the Lord that he doesn’t need these helps. God has given us these tools. He wants us to use them. (SS)

Action Point
Make a list of what God may be guiding you to do in each area of your life: home, church, work and/or school. Use the tools He has provided to determine what He wants. Then, set one or two goals and prayerfully ask God to help you get where He wants to take you.

Thoughts
How many things do we actually devote ourselves to? We have many interests, but we are not devoted to most of them. However, I do not know an outdoorsman who is not devoted to his/her outdoor interest–be it hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, four-wheeling, etc. Devotion to an outdoor activity is, after all, what makes one an outdoorsman in the first place. And, there is nothing wrong with being devoted, even passionately, to it, as long as it does not take precedence over more important areas of devotion…..like prayer. (RE)

Action Point
Prayer is key in our relationship with the Lord. It accentuates our devotion to Him and His purposes. It keeps our minds alert to His leading and direction. It gives us greater awareness of His presence and His care for us. Filled with a sense of His presence and care, one cannot help but have “an attitude of thanksgiving”.

Diligence in prayer is the result of a mind that is fixed on, devoted to, Jesus Christ. If we are right in our relationship with Him, He will be pleased with our devotion to our outdoor pursuits. If Christ is pleased with our lives, we cannot help but be happy! Who doesn’t want that?

Thoughts
Winter wade fishing for trophy seatrout and redfish is a great passion of mine. It is a stealthy and exciting way to fish. However, there are hazards. Shoreline bottoms are intermittingly made up of soft muddy spots, rocks, shallow holes, and reefs of various sizes. I have not fallen, although I have come close. Tripping in the cold winter water, and thus, ruining my trip is always a concern for me. Cognizant of the perils of each move, I carefully step over rocks and avoid soft muddy areas.

Giving one’s life to Christ does not take away the hazards of life. But, if you are steadfast, the Holy Spirit will guide you and help you side step the many rocks and soft spots that will be in your path. (WD)

Action Point
It is distinctly possible that there are places and/or people in your life that may cause you to stumble. If so, consider Paul’s charge: But you man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11 NIV).

Thoughts
Have you ever fallen while walking over some slick rocks in a trout stream? Maybe you were trying to climb a steep hill in pursuit of large game, you hit some loose gravel, and on your face you went. We all have fallen at sometime in our lives; but, it is my experience that I get right back up as quickly as I can.

Several years ago, the late Adrian Rodgers gave a sermon on the radio in which he talked about how a certain animal falls and is not able to get back on its feet without help. Have you guessed to which animal he was referring? It was the sheep! When a sheep slips into a ditch and ends up on its back, it cannot get up without the shepherd’s help. This is called a “cast” condition; and is, for obvious reasons, a very dangerous situation for a sheep. (TH)

Action Point
The “cast” condition is very dangerous for us as well. If we are not walking uprightly with the Lord, we are in a “cast-like” condition, spiritually. We can’t get any traction in the Word or in the things of God. The greatest danger is that we are sitting ducks for the enemy to attack. If you ever find yourself in this predicament, call out to the Great Shepherd of your soul. He will bring you back into the upright walk where no good thing will be withheld from you!

Thoughts
As followers of Christ, we must acknowledge His words by living them today. Most of us can identify with being spitefully used by someone, unless you’re the one guilty of the selfish, spiteful action. Let’s go deeper: think about your deepest life wound–one that you never dreamed you would experience, and received from one you never suspected would deliver it.

Your response:
“Why?” Because character is formed through our Christlike responses to trials; and none of us want to miss any of God’s blessings coming our way! (JQ)

Action Point
My passion is being outdoors! Hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and hunting are awesome fringe benefits. Devouring God’s promises in my Bible while retreating has been soul healing especially through those overwhelming times of hurtful, spiteful use or life wounding. It’s easier to pray for the enemy or the person who chooses not to understand or tolerate you when you are in the middle of God’s beauty. A mountaintop escape, a glimpse of a deer, an elk, an illusive trout, or the babbling of a meandering creek have been my landmarks of a growing faith.