Men of the Outdoors

Merry Christmas Bible Versus: Luke 2: 15-17 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby who was lying in the manager. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told about this child. Thought: I wonder. What thoughts and expectations were going through the shepherd’s mind as they traveled to Bethlehem?  When they got to the manager and saw Jesus lying in the manager, they were moved to share what had been told about this child. Action Point: As hunters or fishermen, we all look forward to opening day of the season. As we travel to the woods or lakes, we have expectations and visions for the day. The day could be a great success, but it can’t compare to what the shepherds experienced that night in Bethlehem. This year take some time and spend it with Jesus the...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents…. (NIV)  Thoughts: I’m a crazy midwestern whitetail deer hunter. I work at it all year in the prep and sometimes it pays off. I don’t get to hunt alone to often because I have twin sons that both like to hunt. However, they are both in college and don’t get out as much as they’d like right now. Coming home for the weekend and getting out to the woods creates challenges around schoolwork and other activities. It is nice when they are home because it gives me a hand or two when I actually score a deer in the woods. Sometimes they go hunting, sometimes they sleep in! It’s in those moments when I get to remind them that they should’ve went hunting instead of sleeping in, because that’s when I usually get a deer. However, they are always gracious with me and will always com...

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This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Psalm 90:12  "So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom."  Thoughts: This year has proven to be a year of change for me. Every aspect of my life and ministry seems to have faced changes to some degree. Some of those changes have been very difficult and some very enjoyable. For example, a few weeks ago I fell walking out of the woods in the dark after an evening bow hunt. I have fallen hundreds of times in the woods over the years, but this time was different. Every time before, I jumped right back up, dusted off, and kept going. This time my mind said, "Get up!" but my body said, "Hold on a minute!" It took me a second to gather my composer to stand again. This was a great reminder and revelation that I am getting old. Another change that happened recently that reminded me of the same truth was sending my son off to college. This is a c...

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission Bible Study Verse: Deuteronomy 31:23 The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you. (NIV©)  Thoughts: Something I frequently saw in Hunter Education classes was youngsters that were afraid of the gun, both the noise and, particularly, the recoil. Obviously, quality hearing protection took care of the noise. But, why were they afraid of the recoil? Because someone, usually a parent, had told them that the gun’s “kick” would hurt. Whenever I sensed this in a class, I would have an instructor put one of the .22 Long Rifle rifles the kids would be shooting to their nose and fire it to show the kids that a .22 LR rifle wouldn’t hurt them. The next step was to assure the students that the instructors would be there all the while they were shooting, to help with firearms, and to be...