I came late to the sport of hunting. Oh, over earlier
years, I had tried my hand at deer hunting. The times spent in a tree stand were times of
frozen feet and boredom, seeing nothing but a few squirrels and birds. Deer
hunting also seemed to be more of a solitary pursuit. Early in my childhood, my
father took me with him on some dove hunts. Mostly I spent my time as either a two-legged
retriever or sitting in the front seat of my father's car while sneezing my
brains out because of a ragweed allergy. It was not until about ten years ago, friends
introduced me to dove hunting and, soon after, quail and duck hunting. I soon fell in love with everything about bird
hunting. In the ensuing years, I have had
the privilege of hunting bobwhite quail in South Carolina and much of middle
Georgia, Chukkar and Hungarian partridge and California quail in Idaho, Mearns
quail in Arizona and even dove and pigeons in Argentina (that particular trip
came through the kindness of the men in my Friday Morning Bible Study.)
What is it about bird hunting that appeals to so
many? I do not think it has to do as
much with the taking of the prey as it is with other things involved in the hunt.
There is the excitement of the stalk,
the shared struggles of navigating difficult landscape, the long hours of
walking together trying to keep up with the dogs. The resurrection of the
world, coming alive once again, sitting in a duck blind, seeing the sunrise
through the early morning's mist is almost a religious experience. There is the
shock and thrill of a covey rise or the sight of doves flying in your direction
at top speed, twisting this way and that with every other beat of their wings. These
things are sure to quicken your heartbeat. I believe all this touches something
primal and spiritual in each of us.
I think, however, one of the best things about the
hunt comes after it is over. The time around the dinner table enjoying a great
meal together is a time when stories of the day's hunt takes place and laughter
and jesting usually ensues. This is a truly great time. However, the time spent
after dinner, sitting by the campfire or fireplace, in quiet conversation and
reflection on the day's hunt is something I treasure the most. Deepening
friendships seem to occur at this time. This is where, many times, ministry has
taken place for me, when true hearts sometimes show themselves.
Young Life has a phrase that describes the process of
ministry…"Face to face, friend to friend and heart to heart." Hunting
together can be a great facilitator of ministry as long as it occurs naturally
and not manipulatively. Folks can usually spot this in a heartbeat. The person
you are with must know that you care about them as a true friend and are not
just after "another scalp or notch on your gun." Sharing your heart
and being transparent may facilitate the same things happening with your
hunting friend.
You say, "I am not an evangelist or a discipler
of men." "Au contraire", my friend, you are! If you can care about a friend, if you can
listen attentively to him or her, and if you can, with God's help, share your
spiritual experience, strength and hope, then you are one! Good news, my
friend, this can occur during a fireside conversation after a day of hunting or
over the breakfast table or most anywhere. In all of this, it is about our willingness to
make ourselves available and open to the Spirit's leading. Are you willing to" hunt' for
opportunities to share the greatest joy of all with a friend. the joy of
knowing and following Christ? I hope so!
Net Work News
and Needs
It is a new year! I am
excited about the prospects for the ministry. We are always on the lookout for
new avenues of ministry so we welcome any suggestions you might have.
I have a heartfelt
sense of gratitude to all of you that were partners in ministry last year. You
were a great source of blessing and encouragement.
Our Friday Men's Group
has begun a very interesting and challenging new study this month. We are
discussing C.S Lewis, "The Screwtape Letters." We meet at 7:00 a.m.
in the Card Room at Marietta Country Club. Our group is comprised of men
between the ages of 40 and 90 years old. Some are retired; others of us work
full time. We would love to have you join us. If you are interested, call me at
678-986-4814.
As St. Paul says in
Phillipians 1:3, "I thank my God in all of my remembrances of (each one)
you."
NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC. EXISTS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF BRINGING TOGETHER GOD’S PEOPLE AND HIS RESOURCES TO PRESENT THE
HEALING MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, THROUGH WORD AND DEED, TO A HURTING AND LOST WORLD.
NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC.
2671 OLD HICKORY DRIVE, N.W.
MARIETTA, GA., 30064-1833
678-986-4814
E-mail address – buckreese41@yahoo.com
Website: www.networkministries.blogspot.com
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