Some things in life are utterly beyond our control. You've worked hard, done everything that you know to do. You've been striving and figuring and worrying and giving everything you have... but the problem remains. Perhaps it's time to wait. When we counsel one another to 'trust in God,' it's not a religious platitude, it's an act of faith. God himself tells us in Psalm 46:10- "Be still, and know ...  Read More

5 AM, partly cloudy, dark... but off in the distance two lights are shining- not in the sky, from the earth. You could go 100 miles in that direction without hitting a road. I see the light, but I'm in the dark and I don't understand it. This is how much of the world 'sees' Christians and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, "In Him was life, and that life was the light o...  Read More

Cold last night. Condensation is frozen like raindrops on my tent. The horizon in one direction shows signs of blue sky while the other direction looks ominous with black clouds. The trail coming in brought back memories. It seems like only yesterday (but it was more than a decade ago) that I struggled out with 5 fractured vertebrae, a crushed foot and broken ribs. I was all alone, 44 miles into t...  Read More

Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 1:7- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.Knowledge requires understanding.To 'know what to do with what you know' requires wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of both. What is the root problem of the criminally corrupt leadership of one political party and the criminally corrupt judges who make their ...  Read More

I've had a chill in my bones recently. This is largely due to the fact that I have refused to break out any of my warm clothing. Add to this that I was working outdoors in continuous rain for several days. I go through this every year in September. Believe me, I am properly equipped when it comes to warm gear. But what good does 'being equipped' do me if I refuse to use what I have? This is the st...  Read More

I had a strange feeling this morning. For some reason when I looked outside I thought I was seeing a blanket of snow. I was relieved when I turned on the outside light. Two of my friends got snowed on last week out hunting- that must be it. Maybe it's the chill in my bones from working out in the rain the past four days. Whatever it is, I'm ready for some blue sky, crisp fall days. Life marches on...  Read More

Dazzling intellect.Near photographic recall.Almost intuitive understanding of the complexities of modern culture and the solutions needed to move forward.Charlie Kirk was first and foremost an ambassador for Christ in this generation. He was a loving husband and father and a lover of this nation.His murder was undoubtedly inspired by the hateful rhetoric of the party of slavery, the party of the K...  Read More

Rained all day yesterday and harder all night- still raining. This makes excavator work tricky for an amateur. Clay soil quickly turns to mud, and I was stuck twice yesterday. I have a great deal that I want to get done today, but at this point in my walk with Jesus I've learned not to stress over unwanted delays. True, my patience is still tested at times when I'm driving, but I most often recogn...  Read More

Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP) "In all your ways know, acknowledge and recognize him and he will make your paths straight and smooth, removing obstacles that block your way." I took a giant step up from a chainsaw (which is still needed) to an excavator. I'm trying to remove obstacles. I'm trying to make paths at my cabin. Those who love the outdoors understand the pleasure of discovering a good path or tra...  Read More

And so I finally learned. My 'empty' pack when hunting in the wilderness includes warm gear, rain gear, spotting scope, tripod, binoculars, rifle, ammo, knives. game bags, food, water, fire starters, phone and more. If I am packing for overnight, then add a tent, sleeping bag, cook stove, fuel, sleeping pad, extra clothes, head lamps, first aid kit, and more food. Carrying all of that weight is a ...  Read More

After the disaster with my plastic rain gear, I agreed with Laura to begin purchasing quality gear. We were on a tight budget, so one year was rain gear, the next year was a tent and the third year was a sleeping bag. My first 'geared up' trip out, the weather was beautiful and sunny. I exited my warm sleeping bag and waterproof tent, stretched my legs, packed light, and began my climb. Since this...  Read More

With my thin, plastic rain gear shredded and gone, I continued to climb up above treeline in my white cotton jeans and T-shirt. As I gained elevation, the temperature dropped quickly and it was blowing hard and raining sideways. I began to shiver and my teeth were chattering even through the heavy exertion of the climb. These were warning signs. Hypothermia was setting in. Both strong and fit, phy...  Read More