Bible Study Verse
Matthew 7:25
The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet, it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. (HCSB)

Thoughts
The January retreat in Rockport, TX, was an outreach ministry aimed at introducing the Word of God to men who might not make it to church, but surely would not miss a duck hunting trip. The next morning the invited speaker hunted with the event leader and the pastor of the sponsoring church. The bay flat the group planned to hunt was surrounded by some pretty mucky stuff. A quagmire would be a better term. The speaker waded off in a hole trying to retreive decoys and sunk to his chest in mud. The pastor was beside himself, worried that the speaker would sink past his head. I laughed; I had been in this predicament many times in my younger days. Short story – they tied a rope to me and pulled me out. (Bink G)

Action Point
After the pastor settled down and realized I would be alright, I assured him that my sinking would make a good devotional.

My experience brought to mind the hymn, The Solid Rock, that I have sung countless times:

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Just like a house built on a firm foundation that stands the test of times through wind, rain, and hurricanes, our lives stand firm on the solid foundation of Jesus. All other ground is sinking sand

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Stocking foot waders with separate wading boots work better in the mud than boot foot waders

Bible Study Verse
Luke 21:34-36
“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (MSG)

Thoughts
I had been sitting near the water tank for a few hours, with a cow elk tag in my backpack. Nothing had come in and darkness was near. As I grew tired and my senses seemed to dull, I suddenly detected the unmistakable smell of elk. It hit me in the face like a Mike Tyson upper cut, but I could see nothing. For several minutes I searched the areas in my line of vision, nothing in front of me and nothing to the sides of me; it must be behind me I thought. After fifteen minutes of waiting and the sun setting, I decided I needed to turn to see if it was behind me, even at the risk of alerting it to my presence. Slowly I turned and there it was, a large bull elk standing 20 feet behind at the edge of the tree line. Fortunately he hadn’t seen me. For the next twenty minutes he stood motionless. With an extreme amount of patience and diligence, he slowly scanned the area for danger. His head moved so slow as to be undetectable, until I noticed his antlers where now facing a different direction. He continued this for the better part of an hour and well into the darkness. (Brett M)

Action Point
Jesus tells us to look at the fig tree. When the leaves begin to change colors we know that the season is beginning to change. He says that we will be able to recognize the season of His return in the same way. We will not know the day or time, but we will know the season. Many of the signs He tells us to look for are all around us. Many believe we are in the season of the end times. Whether we are or not, Jesus instructs us to be watchful. We are to be like that elk and diligently watch out for the signs and dangers, to “look to the heavens” for His return. Many of us have seen the surprise when an animal steps into our line of sight during hunting season. Do not let that day take you by “complete surprise”.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
During rain or snowy weather place a small piece of black electrical tape over the tip of your muzzle. It will keep the moisture out of your barrel and will easily give way when you take your shot

Bible Study Verse
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV)

Ash Wednesday, First Day of Lent

Thoughts
There’s an old saying that my Dad used to quote whenever we were preparing for a hunting trip. It went like this: “Anticipation is ninety percent of participation.” Dad’s point was that the actual preparation for the trip was a large part of the pleasure of the hunting experience. My son and I have proved this point on every trip we’ve gone on, be it hunting, camping, skiing, or scuba diving. Getting ready for the trip is almost a sacred part of the overall experience and is a bunch of fun! We as outdoors folks also understand that preparation for an outing often means setting things aside for a while and maybe doing without some things for a while. For example, we may have to save a little money here and there to pay for tags, ammo, and gas for a trip. We may not eat some of our favorite foods (McDonald’s fries) in order to take off a few pounds and to be able to climb those hills a little easier. We may even climb on an exercise bike for a few weeks to get the lungs and the legs in shape for the exertion that will be involved with the particular activity. While we may not relish the sacrifices that we’re making, we know that what we are doing will make the actual trip more enjoyable. (Cliff S)

Action Point
Lent is a season where we as Christians are challenged to offer something to God in order to remind us of His gift to us, our salvation. Make no mistake; we aren’t doing anything here to earn our salvation, that’s purely a function of the grace of God. But, what we do during this season should remind us of how much God loves us and what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross. A good friend shared with me that whatever she “gives up” for Lent serves as a reminder of Jesus’ love during this time of year. The way she put it, every time she thought about doing whatever it was she gave up for forty days, it served to remind her that Jesus loves her. I would add a suggestion, if you participate in Lent, whenever you are thinking about what you’ve sacrificed for those forty days, let it not only remind you of Jesus’ love, but also let it serve as a reminder to pray for somebody that needs God’s gift of salvation.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you’re preparing for a trip, make a list of the various things you’ll need. I make four columns: camping equipment, hunting equipment, clothes, and food. After each item is placed in the pile in the living room it gets a check by it. When it’s in the truck, it gets a second check. That way I know not only that I have the item, but that it is in the truck

Bible Study Verse
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”(NIV)

Thoughts
Conservation groups maintain and record the detailed measurements and weights of world record harvests. They specify the scoring criteria and stipulate rules and regulations on the game we pursue. While some of us only chase world records, most realize that taking a record fish or animal is merely a byproduct from the challenge of the pursuit. Nevertheless, we adhere to those specific rules and guidelines set before us; a system by which we recognize as an ethical benchmark of success in the field. (Will D)

Action Point
The world’s system used to record man’s earthly successes is a bit different. Its criterion measures things like the size of our house, our bank account, or the kind of vehicle we drive – usually without regard of rules, ethics, or fair chase. God doesn’t use that system. His is a Heavenly one. Only the heart is measured. He keeps no record of where it’s been nor what it’s said, thought, or done. His standard begins with and relies on simple faith, one found in and through His son Jesus Christ. Are you His world record trophy?

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
There are many groups that promote game conservation and seek the best for our resources. Investigate them carefully. Make sure they carry out what they sell and promote. Support the ones that do

Bible Study Verse
Romans 5:3-8
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (TNIV)

Thoughts
This fall held one the most challenging trips we had taken. Nothing was going right. The weather was nightmarish, the deer weren’t moving like expected, and we had tried various locations while moving to three different motels. We weren’t seeing hardly any deer, let alone the big ones we had gone there for. Yet at any point the rut could change, so we kept getting up at 5 in the morning and hunting the whole day. Finally after six days, someone flipped the switch. I harvested a really nice 10 point.

I’m sure you can think of challenging times you have had in the field or on the water. You wanted to give up, yet kept at it, and your perseverance was rewarded. Sometimes in life we want to give up due to circumstances, yet we are reminded of all Jesus has done for us. We have something to hope for, no matter what is happening at the current time. (Ross G)

Action Point
Putting your faith and trust in Jesus is easy to do when things are going well. Use the challenging times to develop your character and to remember the love Jesus has for you. It’s the tough times that will strengthened your faith in Him.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Have a back up plan. On this trip, we had several. Sometimes when things aren’t going like you hoped, having other options will be enough to keep your spirits up. Planning for the unexpected can keep you in the field instead of encouraging you to head home

Bible Study Verse
Matt.5:13a
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. (MSG)

Thoughts
Here’s another way to put it, “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in this world. God is no secret to be kept.”

When I think back to my years growing up, I was most attracted to men like you reading this article. Sportsmen, hunters, adventurers, cowboys that rode rodeo & risked their lives, and especially if they had wall mounts of their conquests. My Christian parents worried that their maverick, rebel, and renegade ways would influence me away from Christianity, but they didn’t. Instead they opened my eyes to the God-colors of this big beautiful world and encouraged me to explore and to expand my horizons to discover all that God made available to us as men. (Wes W.)

Action Point
Most of us are dads, grandpas, uncles, employers, guides, husbands, and friends. There’re young men watching and looking for a hero. You may not think you have much of a christian testimony, but hero you do have an audience. Be “the Man”, be courageous, live the adventure, fight the battle, and win your beauty. Get the book Wild at Heart by John Eldridge; it will get you started.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Ever since my wife bought me this little point and shoot camera that fits in my shirt pocket, I’ve been noticing God-colors everywhere, God-flavors that I use to not notice

Bible Study Verse
Psalm 42:1
As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. (NASB)

Thoughts
As a teenager I stayed hunting in the field much longer than planned. I had walked a lot further in the Sonoran desert than I had wanted to. I got so dehydrated that my legs started to cramp and my tongue was literally sticking to the roof of my mouth. Finally, I came across a small barrel cactus and plunged my knife in again and again. For two hours I sat sucking moisture from cactus sections. It was God’s provision for a thirsty, foolish body. (Randy E)

Action Point
There have been times in my walk with the Lord, I have become spiritually dry and very weak. Always I have wandered further away than I ever intended to go and have stayed longer than I realized. Finally, “dry, thirsty, and very weak”, I cried out to the Lord for relief. He quenched my thirst with Himself. He is the only provision for a dry and foolish soul or for a quenched and wise soul!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Always carry more water than you “think” you will need! Try the hydrators that ride on your back with a tube and a mouthpiece for hands free use

Bible Study Verse
Psalm 95:6-7
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! (NLT)

Thoughts
I recall fond memories when I hunted whitetail in Minnesota. Vivid were those crisp, cold opening day mornings waiting for that first light on the eastern horizon. Due to the dense brush, my first indication of wildlife was not visible, but the sound of the crunching snow or the dry fallen leaves of fall. Excitement increased with the anticipation of the approaching deer coming my way. Often times it was a grey squirrel scurrying from tree to tree, once it was a pine martin looking for a small rodent around the dead falls, and another time it was a ruffed grouse walking down a deer trail with a coyote tracking 30 feet behind. My fondest memory was a very still morning when I heard the periodic footsteps of what seemed to be a deer. He chose the deer trail I was on and finally came into view. My heart was pounding! I shot my 30-30 and bagged my first whitetail buck. (Tom L.)

Action Point
Just as listening to the sounds of wildlife is important to having success in hunting; listening to God during meditation enables us to experience a personal relationship with God. In the book, How To Develop a Powerful Prayer Life, Dr. Frizzell says, “I even go so far to say that listening to God is the fundamental key to an effective prayer life. Prayer is our discovering what God wants to do and joining him as co-laborers though our prayers. Through meditating you learn to hear God’s leading and thus your prayers initiate from His heart and mind.”

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When the snow or leaves are crunchy, allow yourself extra time to get to your stand. Always travel in the dark walking slowly and carefully.

Bible Study Verse
Psalms 23:2
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides quiet waters.” (NASB)

Thoughts
What is it that really draws us to the outdoors? I’m sure there are a multitude of reasons depending on who you talk to. For me, I long for a sense of serenity. I have always longed for that. When I’m by a babbling brook or high on a majestic mountaintop, that is where I experience a rare peace and a comfort that I usually don’t find during the everyday grind. (Tom H.)

Action Point
Over the years I have been blessed with many great insights from christian writers and speakers. One theme I have seen repeated is that of security and significance. Maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something. Here’s what I think it is. It’s that, my longing for serenity really is a deep heartfelt need for the intimacy of a secure and meaningful relationship with the Lord. The bottom line is that He truly is the only source for my need. Find peace in the outdoors, but find a greater, more satisfing peace seriously relating to Jesus.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
If you have an old thin foam backpacking pad that you can spare, cut a section of it off about 18″ long. It can be used as a pad to sit on in the woods or by a stream or for landscaping when I need to kneel down to lay rocks or other materials

Bible Study Verse
Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (NIV)

Thoughts
Last summer I had the opportunity to spend some time on a sport fishing boat in Alaska. Eight of us left Wrangell and headed out to sea for a week. During the day there was plenty of commotion; baiting lines for halibut or salmon, checking baits, landing fish, cooking meals, watching for bears and wolves, and cleaning various pieces of equipment; you know the drill. There was always something to do. We were always busy. When night came and we all went to bed, it would get quiet and so wonderfully peaceful. To fully appreciate this, you have to understand that I live in Phoenix, AZ and hear noise from two freeways, a railroad, a nearby fire station, and the airport. It’s never quiet where I live. The quiet is one of the primary reasons that I spend time in the mountains, or in this case, out to sea. In the middle of the night, I would go out to the fantail of the boat and just stare at the sky and listen, to nothing! I just couldn’t believe how quiet and peaceful it was in the middle of the night on the Alaskan sea. (Cliff S.)

Action Point
We all live in a hurry-up world. Where can you go where there’s not a phone, a radio, a television, a computer, or some other source of interruption to your day? Take time to get alone, preferably somewhere where it is as quiet as possible. You will be amazed as to what it will do for your state of mind. And when you’re there in that quiet place, listen for God’s still small voice. It’s there in the quiet that He can speak and you can hear Him the best.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Many times when I go to the mountains as soon as I hit the edge of town, the radio gets turned off. Upon my return to the city, the radio can go back on. The time in between is used to enjoy the quiet, to read, to think, and to pray. Try it the next time you head out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised as to how refreshing it can be to escape the noise of daily life for a couple of days