I love bird hunting! I have loved it from the first
time I did it some 10 or so years ago. The joy of watching a bird dog doing what he or she is
made to do. My friends, Marshall, Steve
and John have bird dogs. From what they tell me, their dogs start quivering the
moment the guys get their guns out of the closet at home. When they are put in
their kennels in the vehicles to go to the fields, they are shivering with
anticipation. Then they are released
from their kennels at the site of the hunt and they explode with joy. Chip, Buddy, Roscoe and Smoke are in their
element now, tearing across open fields, nose down looking for the scent of a
bird. Looking like miniature kangaroos, the dogs bound over the high cover,
running back and forth, searching, ever searching. They seem to be able to run
forever. They probably would run themselves to death, if allowed. The dogs are almost resentful at being made
to stop, rest, and drink water, much like our children when called to come in
and rest from play or swimming.
It is back to the fields. Running at full speed,
suddenly one of them comes to a sudden stop.
A slight shiver runs through their body. They appear to be made of
stone. While one dog is on point, an amazing thing happens. The other dogs
respect the "point" and freeze where they are standing. This is
called backing. This is a natural occurrence in most dogs. They usually do
not have to be trained to "back a point". As we approach the dog that is pointing, we
have no real idea where the bird might be taking cover. We just know that it is
somewhere near. With guns raised, we
gingerly walk on through the brush in breathless anticipation of the
"flush", the moment the bird no longer feels secure and takes flight
to escape. Many times this can happen
right at your feet or even behind you. You are momentarily stunned, trying to locate the bird
and fire. Many times the bird is gone before you can take a shot. When you do
succeed in downing the bird, it is a joy to see a well-trained dog hold by your
side until the command to "fetch" is given. Off goes the dog in a blur to find and
retrieve our quarry. When he locates it, he will mouth it to get it settled in
his jaw and then , with head held high, he brings the trophy back to its master
and lays it at his feet. When released,
he is off again at full spring. His joy
knows no bounds when he is hunting. This
is what he was created to do.
I have used this illustration before but I feel it is
fitting to use it again at this time. It is the story of Eric Liddell, the gold
medalist in the 1924 Olympic Games. His
parents and siblings were all missionaries in China. Liddell knew he was
destined to return to China after graduation from Edinburgh University. His
sister begged him to return to China and skip the Olympisc to which he replied,
"Jenny, I know God made me for China, but he also made me fast and I feel
God's pleasure when I run."
Just as a bird dog seems to express joy when he is
doing what he was made to do, so should we experience that same joy when we
realize and then do what God created us to do.
Are you experiencing that joy? If
not, perhaps it is because you do not realize that what you do well and take pleasure
from is a gift from God. At this time of Thanksgiving, give thanks to God for
the gift He has given you and then use it for His glory. As it is said:
What you excel
at is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
MINISTRY NEWS
On
Friday, November 4, Net Work Ministries and Marietta Country Club hosted a
dozen Wounded Warriors from Fort Gordon in Augusta for a day of golf and
fun. These brave men and women have
sacrificed so much to protect the liberties we all enjoy. After a continental breakfast, everyone was
assigned to a particular hole for a shotgun start. The morning was a cloudy and
blustery day but soon warmed in bright sunshine. After a great day on the golf
course, everyone retired to the dining room for a very nice buffet lunch. We all pronounced the day a wonderful
success.
We
would especially like to thank Randy
Rice, who is general manager of Marietta Country Club and Bruce Flower, this year's
president of Marietta Country Club for their gracious hospitality. We also
extend a hearty thank you to Stephen
Keppler, Director of Golf for the Country Club and his staff. Stephen
and his staff have gone beyond the call of duty for two of our events this
year. Finally, yet importantly, we owe a debt of gratitude to Ed Brooks, who has made both last
spring's Golf Tournament and the Wounded Warrior Golf Outing a huge success
with his tremendous organizational skills, as well as his servant's heart.
We
need your help to close out the year on a positive note financially. Last
year, we were unable to pay 4 1/2 months of salary. We would like to make that
up this year. We realize, however, that many ministries suffered great economic
loss this past year. Many worthy organizations need your help. Please pray
where God would lead you to give your year-end giving.
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