The Road Not Often Taken

I'm driving to work one morning this past week in yet another one of our region's recent snow bursts. As has become habit to this die-hard sportsmen, I am checking out all the fields and waterways that I pass for various types of wildlife. Well, I approach one particular wheat field that is often frequented during Spring by a large flock of turkeys, and I am thinking, they certainly are not going to be out in this weather. Surprisingly, in the back of the field, I see the boss gobbler in full strut amongst the large flock of hens and jakes. There he is in all his glory, un-phased by the adverse conditions around him. He's one of God's creatures, doing what he was made to do, just simply living out his God-given purpose.
 
Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message)
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

Investments that Always Pay Dividends

On Saturday afternoon, the Cool Spring Outdoor Sportsmen hosted their Wild Game Banquet. I had the opportunity to serve alongside them in preparing for the meal, as well as providing the message which revolved around a turkey that I harvested last spring. Of the five wild game dinners and banquets that we have done together, our guys agreed that this weekend's was the smoothest running and least stressful of any conducted thus far. But what stood out most on Saturday was the amount of interaction and depth of conversations amongst our guys and those that attended. In fact, they began long before the event officially began, continued throughout the event, lingered on well after it ended and will likely continue for days and weeks to come. And as a result, I believe that we learned a little bit more about why we do what it is that we do.

Matthew 6:19-20 (NASB)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,