Bible Study Verse
Matthew 5:33-37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (NIV)

Thoughts
Have you ever been recreational fishing with someone that made you swear an oath of secrecy to the location of their fishing hole? Personally, I have just the opposite attitude toward fishing. A favorite fishing hole is like a favorite restaurant, a favorite path to hike, or an overlook of beautiful scenery. It should be shared with your closet friends. (Marshall M)

Action Point
God is not in the secret business. In fact His Word teaches that He knows all things and is all knowing. Many of us have secrets from one another and things we would not want others to know that we have done. Sometimes there are good reasons for these secrets sometimes it’s just shame, fear, and pride that keep us from revealing these secrets to God. God is all about forgiveness. You don’t have to keep a secret from God. You can’t. God wants to be your friend and share your life, even your secrets.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you are outdoors, keep an eye out for bee and wasp hives the way you watch out for snakes and other natural dangers. If you do find a swarm or colony, leave it be and keep family and pets away.

Bible Study Verse
Ezekiel 37:1-3
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” (NIV)

Thoughts
Head bones and skulls are displayed on a shelf in my office. Skulls of a 10 point buck I found in the spring one year, of a Sitka black tail buck from Kodiak Island, AK, of a Dall sheep (a ram) that was killed by wolves, and of a grizzly bear. There are other skulls including more deer, a beaver, a woodchuck, a black bear, coyotes, a possum, a raccoon, and numerous others. You could call my office “the valley of bones”.

I often find bones out in the woods. Sometimes it’s just a skull, a jawbone, a leg bone, a vertebrae, or a whole skeleton. Bones are interesting.

When I was a kid I wanted to take all the bones of an animal and put them back together, a procedure called “articulation”. We have all seen examples at a museum. It’s what God did in the valley of dry bones. I can rarely look at a skull, a bone, or a skeleton, without thinking of the words we find in Ezekiel 37:3, “Can these dry bones live again?” Of course, we know they can or can they? (Steve S)

Action Point
Things aren’t always as they appear to be. No situation is hopeless for the believer. Dry bones can live again through the power of God. When we give up on dry bones, we’re giving up on the sovereign God who sends his Holy Spirit where he wills. God has been redeeming lost people and lost causes since the beginning. He repairs broken relationships. He turns despair into a positive outlook. He forgives sin. In Christ, the past has no hold on us. When the Holy Spirit breathes his quickening into us, the past is of no account.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you find bones in the woods, think about what it means. Bones sometimes show clues about how the animal died. There might be a story to tell your hunting buddies. If you find the bones of a deer, there might be a good deer stand nearby

Bible Study Verse
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (NIV)

Thoughts
A man that I once went to church with borrowed his brother’s truck and deer rifle for a hunting trip. After a few unsuccessful days, he and his son were driving out for the last morning’s hunt when they saw a nice buck on the side of the road. Keeping the headlights on the buck, the man rolled the window down and shot his trophy. Much to his surprise, flood lights came on everywhere. The deer was a decoy to catch poachers. It cost him a large fine, his license, his brother’s gun, his brother’s truck, and great embarrassment at church. It also brought shame to his God’s name. He didn’t truly love the sport of hunting. (Brian H)

Action Point
Maybe I’m a little naïve in this area. I’m from the school of thought that says, “If I love the outdoors and appreciate the sports associated, I will obey the laws that govern the sports.” Think about the laws that we obey without much thought: one-way signs, stop lights, speed limits, game limits, fishing slot limits, and flotation device laws. With each of these laws, there are breakage consequences if we get caught.

When we disobey God, it’s more like trying to break the law of gravity. There will always be dire consequences. But, let’s not succumb to keeping God’s laws just to avoid consequences. Let’s dig deeper into our relationship with Him. Let’s learn to obey, because we love Him and want to please Him. Charles Stanley put it this way, “God is like the ocean. He is to be feared greatly, but He is also to be enjoyed fully.” Let’s enjoy God and obey Him, because of our great love and devotion to Him. Make the focus about Him and not on the consequences of disobedience.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Always carry a copy of the game laws for your hunting area while in the field. The AR AGFC manual is a small day-pack sized booklet that I can carry easily and check quickly. I always carry a copy to ensure that I’m 100% legal when in the outdoors. These are usually free from state wildlife offices.

Bible Study Verse
Galatians 6:6
Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor. (NIV)

Thoughts
Anglers, especially bass anglers, are known for their ability to take an “off-the-shelf” lure, make a few adjustments to the bait, and have it performing better than the manufacturer ever planned.

Jerk baits, the Bomber Long As or the Storm Thunder Sticks, rest on top of the water when not retrieved, but dive under the water between 1-2 feet when retrieved. Some enterprising professional bass anglers strategically place a weight in the bait so it would suspend under water at a certain depth in the water column. Now they are reaching a whole new group of bass that they weren’t getting to before. Adding weight to a lure has become the hottest new thing out there.

Lure manufacturers quickly took instruction and advice from the pros. Soon they were mass producing suspended crank baits for all anglers.
(Tom B)

Action Point
Sportsmen share information amongst themselves on how they are finding deer and how they are catching fish. “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need…” II Corinthians 8:14a, (NIV).

When I spend quiet time in the word, physically and mentally blotting out all outside distractions, most of the time the Lord speaks to me in his quiet, small voice. I journal my thoughts and the Lord’s prompting. I don’t want to lose these precious moments. I share my gleanings with the Lord; sometimes I share these thoughts with other people.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
One of the most basic angler modifications is correcting a foul running crank bait that is not running straight. You bend the eye or the line tie of the bait either one way or the other to straighten out the retrieve of the bait.

Same principle when you are fishing around a dock and you sure would like the bait to dart or run up under the dock on the retrieve. Bend the eye or line tie in the correct direction to make the lure go where you want it to run. The bass that was just looking before might become a striking fish now.

Bible Study Verse
Jeremiah 23:23-24
“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. (NIV)

Thoughts
Trail cameras have become very popular and valuable for some hunters and sportsmen. It’s pretty cool to be sitting in the comfort of your home and still have a set of eyes watching a game trail or some elk wallow, capturing on digital card just what critters are moving around. We have been using trail cameras for our lion research so we can tell what lions are coming into bait and know if they have been previously captured or not. In this photo the lion coming into her kill liked to cross this downed tree, as you can tell from her tracks. I was warm and cozy in my house when we got this “Kodak moment” with the trail camera.
(Ron T)

Action Point
I can understand being in one place and having a trail camera (that I set up) being somewhere else and taking a picture. But, to understand God’s omnipresent power is something difficult for me to wrap my brain around. Mr. Webster’s definition of omnipresence is,” The state of being everywhere at once.” Psalms 139:6 says, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain,” (NIV). Isaiah 40:28d reveals, “His understanding no one can fathom,” (NIV).

Luckily, I don’t have to understand God’s wonderful power or how it works. I just know that it does work.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you set up your trail camera, set it up about 5 to 6 feet off the ground rather than eye level with your target. This will help avoid detection and damage to the camera. I learned this tip after a lion stuck its canine through the lens of my camera.

Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (NIV)

Psalms 37:23
Stalwarts walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he’s happy. (MSG)

Thoughts
While crossing Skull Mesa with our half Native American guide, Wayne, the trail would totally disappear for some distance. Even with the forest service map and GPS, we’d have to circle out ahead numerous times to pick up the resemblance of a trail to continue. We planned to cross over and be in Cave Creek before dark. But, these detours were crowding our time. With all the modern technology available to us, I was following the Indian home.
(Wes W)

Action Point
Often times in life we just seem to lose our way. We try to make wise decisions, plan ahead, and use modern technology, but life just becomes uncertain. When life becomes uncertain? God is my GPS:

* G. – God
* P. – Points
* S. – Specifically

God directs my paths and my decisions

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Hunting, fishing, and camping are uncertain. In WY there are enough streams & lakes that I don’t worry too much about extra water. But, in AZ I’ve learned to take extra water, sun screen, and even sun glasses. We do get wiser with age and pay attention to the unforgiving elements of creation.

Bible Study Verse
I Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Thoughts
Many of us would love to spend every day hiking, fishing, or hunting. We would love to always have enough money to pay our bills, and still have enough for the latest rifle, scope, fishing lures, gas, truck, ammo, out-of-state licenses, cabin, or camping trailer. But, this is not reality for most of us. Our days are not perfect. They are filled with financial burdens, not enough vacation time, family stresses, illnesses, and struggles. We live in a not so perfect world trying to live for Christ.

One deer hunt when I was about 14, my brother-in-law had killed a deer in the afternoon on the backside of a mountain that my family had deservingly nicknamed “Misery Mountain”. This mountain had shale slides, cactus, and was so steep that one could stay standing and still lean against the mountain to rest. Everyone went to retrieve that deer with a burro, except my mother and me. We had the job of feeding the fire just in case those on the mountain did not make it back by night fall.

Just as the sun was going down, we saw our hunting party make it over the ridge of Misery to retrieve the deer. We knew we were in for a wait. We had gathered our wood or what you can in the desert. The night was quiet as the darkness settled around us. We waited as long as we could to light the fire to preserve our wood supply. The night grew colder and the darkness grew thicker. Mom had hunted with dad since she was 17. She was a good sport and a great hunter herself.

She decided we would light the fire, but we also needed to hike with a small flashlight across a dry gully to another hill in order to gather more wood. At 100 yards from that life reassuring fire, we suddenly heard something crashing through the brush. Minutes later came the high pitched, spine-tingling scream of a mountain lion. Mom, with a quiet resolve stated it was time to walk back to that fire. Hours later we would sporadically see our hunting party’s flashlight way up high on Misery. They were trying to save their light and would use it sparingly.

I Thessalonians 5:5-6 states, “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (NIV)
(Rebecca L)

Action Point
Mom and I were very alert waiting alone in that AZ wilderness. We felt much better when we made it back unscathed to our fire. It was even more reassuring when we could finally sporadically see a small flashlight beam of our hunting party maneuvering down that mountain. We didn’t feel so alone.

That hunting experience is so like life. We can become so bogged down with making a living that we don’t take time to see the “Light”. God has sent us His Word as a light to light our path. He has a plan for our lives. It is up to us to be joyful, to pray for His guidance and protection, to be alert, and self-controlled. He will be with us in the scary unknown times. He offers His love and protection. All we need to do is believe and trust Him for His care.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Become familiar with your local fauna. You never know when your simple hunting experience will last long into the night. You can eat the leaves and roots of the dandelion in a salad or as cooked greens. You can also dry the whole plant and use it to make tea. You can also eat the shoots of Cattails. Before the flower forms, you can peel the shoots and eat them. Acorns have very low sugar content and are great in breads and stews. The Native Americans would grind acorns to make them into flour. Make sure you do not mistake a similar looking plant for the one you choose to eat. A field guide for edible plants is recommended.

Bible Study Verse
Acts 20:22-24
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (NIV)

Thoughts
I was tooling around northern AZ looking at a commercial cattle ranch. It’s one of the perks of what I do for a living. I am a real estate broker and appraiser here in AZ and specialize in farm and ranch properties. Yesterday I was looking at the ranch property for an appraisal and got to spend the entire day in the outdoors and was getting paid for it, or at least I will when I complete the assignment! We saw a few deer and some really beautiful elk, deer, and turkey country. It was a good day for me. It makes up for all the days I’m stuck in front of my computer researching properties and comparable sale information.

Just before dark a summer thunderstorm formed and I could see rain in the distance. Now, here in AZ the cowboys have a saying, “Never turn down a rain or a free calf.” We always need rain. We live in an arid area where some places only get a few inches of precipitation annually. So, it was good to see the rain. Except, this rain wasn’t hitting the ground. It’s what we call virga. It seems that the air is so dry that before this rain can fall and bring its life giving moisture to the plants, it evaporates and goes into the air, not doing anything for the parched earth, not completing its job, so to speak. (Cliff S)

Action Point
As Christians we are to walk in the Spirit and follow His leading whether it’s into comfortable circumstances or not. The Spirit may be telling us to share our faith with a neighbor, a business associate, or the checker at the local grocery store. We may be called to preach a sermon in a rescue mission. We might be told to sell all we have and go to a far away land where we can minister to a tribe of people that have never heard God’s word in their language. We might be blessed to have a comfortable home or a rustic bark hut. Either way, if we’re following the Spirit’s leading and doing the job He’s given us, it will be the best place in the world for us! Wherever you are called, in a local church, a business, or a group of some sort, do this: complete the work God has given you to do. That’s what Jesus said that He did in John 17:4, and by so doing He brought glory to the Father and set the example for us. So, finish your race, complete your job, and testify to the gospel of God’s grace wherever you’re called!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you’ve killed your animal, you’re just getting started. Now you have to take care of the carcass so it will be fit for the table. You have to field dress and properly store the carcass. Remember, three things will cause the meat to spoil: heat, dirt, and moisture. So, keep the carcass cool, clean, and dry. The meat from most wild animals is exceptionally high in protein and low in fat. Make sure it is good to eat by finishing the job of properly field dressing your animal and caring for the meat.

Bible Study Verse
Hebrews 6:9-12
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case–the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (TNIV)

Thoughts
I’m lucky enough to live just a few miles from Lake Michigan. Spring is one of the best times to troll for salmon and trout. The fish tend to be in shallower water and feeding heavily to gain weight after the long winter. I love this kind of fishing due to the average fish weighs 6-8 pounds. It is enough for a meal and you always have the chance of hooking into a 20+. The other reason I love this kind of fishing is when all the poles are set, the work is for the most part done till there is a fish on. So you get to relax, ride around, talk with the other people, and wait for the words ‘fish on’. (Ross G)

Action Point
In our faith there a lot of times where like trolling for fish, we put things on cruise control. We go to church on Sunday and do the things we are supposed to do in kind of a holding pattern. We don’t really seek out new opportunities or go out of our way to spread the good news of Jesus. We become lazy. As you read the verses above notice that God doesn’t desire us to get lazy and cruise through life. This surely isn’t what Jesus or the disciples did. They were willing to die for the cause of spreading the Gospel message. Where is your faith at?? Are you active and engaged or sitting and waiting?

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Fishing for salmon and trout is really about 2 very key things: water temperature and the presentation of your lures. When you find the water temp the fish are feeding in, stay. Lure presentation is all about the color and movement. You need to find what colors are hot at that time, what speed, and what direction are working to give the lure the action needed.

Bible Study Verse
II Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (NIV)

Thoughts
On a recent family vacation we visited Gatlinburg, TN, “Gateway to the Smokey Mountains”. During the days we hiked and drove around the beautiful Smokey National Park. At night, my wife and I would take our five children into the town in search of something to do. We ended up visiting Ripley’s Aquarium. Wow! What a fun time we had there looking at all of the amazing creatures that live in this world on land and in the ocean. It was pretty obvious looking at all of these deadly sea and land creatures that God, not evolution, created these awesome sights. We saw black with neon color poisonous dart frogs, killer jellyfish, deadly stingrays, man-eating sharks, and a ton of cute little fish that would bite your head off if you looked the other way. These fish definitely give new meaning to catch and release. (Michael T)

Action Point
Our world is filled with danger. Our spiritual lives are open to attack by the evil one. Be alert! Be prepared! Stand Firm in your faith and know that you have a King who will protect you from the evil that lurks around you. Read your Bible and pray without ceasing.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Before walking on the beach or playing in the ocean surf, check the water for jellyfish, stingray activity, or any other abnormal sign of danger, like strong rip-tide currents. The ocean is a beautiful place to play, but behind its beauty lies some deadly dangers.