TO GET BETTER, LEARN FROM THOSE WHO ARE BETTER

If you want to get better at something, what’s the best way to make that happen?  First, you may start with some research, i.e., read books, or look it up on line. Then, you may talk to other people who are really good at it and finally, ask one of those people to mentor you. Ever since I saw the movie, A River Runs Through It, I was intrigued with fly fishing and wanted to learn how to do it.

A good friend of mine, Scott, is an expert fly fisherman. So, when I made the commitment to learn how to fly fish and get good at it, he was the obvious choice to teach me. The first step was to do some online research and to take one of his fly tying classes, next we talked a lot about fly fishing and finally, I took action. The taking action phase is where I learned the most. During this phase there was challenge and accountability. It can be relaxing to watch an expert fly fisherman because their motions are smooth and hypnotic…mine were not. The first time to the river was the most humbling for me. Like a good mentor, he gave me valuable advice, watched me make a few casts, gave more advice, and then sent me down stream on my own. Every so often he came to check on me and give more advice. Even though I tangled the fishing line countless times and snagged myself twice, a few fish graced me with their fight.  We’ve had several outings since and I continue to improve. Thanks to my mentor, I’ve recently ventured out on my own with success! I look forward to passing this skill on to others.

 



Scott working his magic under the canopy of timber of course.



 

 Becoming a better Christian can happen the same way.

·         Do your research: read the Bible;

·         Talk to those who know more: go to church and get involved;

·         Find a mentor: ask a spiritually mature person to teach you;

·         Finally, pass what you’ve learned on to someone else.

 

1 Peter 5:5-7 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 

 

 

 



ARE OTHERS SEEING THE REAL YOU?

Visit any florist and you’ll notice all the different colors of flowers. There’s red, white, pink, orange, purple, blue; the options are unlimited. My wife is a fan of tulips and her favorite color is purple, so that makes it an easy decision for me. Have you ever wondered how they get all those different colors? Most of it is due to genetics and some is due to artificial coloring. My genetics are of Scandinavian decent, which gives me a fair skin color. I can go to a tanning booth and get artificial coloring, but it won’t change who I am on the inside.

How you nourish your roots will affect your outward appearance. By appearance, I mean how people see you the person; not just your looks. Your work environment and what you do in your free time affects your appearance.  Many people try to come across differently than what they really are.  Maybe they want to project a certain lifestyle by dressing a certain way, driving a fancy car, or living a lavish house. Striving to better one’s identity is always a good thing, but portraying an artificial image is not. How a person spends time on the internet can shine some light into who they really are. Are they constantly shopping for items they can’t afford?  Maybe they’re posting on social media trying to portray something they’re not.    

 

Photo credit: possumology.blogspot.com

In autumn, trees lose their leaves; then the flash and beauty are gone. That is when we can really see what the tree is made of.  What would others see if you lost your leaves?  Would your flash and beauty be gone or would people see beyond that and know what you’re really made of?

 

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

 

 

 

 



THANK GOD FOR SECOND CHANCES

When was the last time you made a mistake? Did you have to think very long to come up with an answer? If you were to make a list of all the mistakes you’ve made in your life, how long would it be? Mine would probably span the world several times over. Sometimes, I haven’t even gotten over my last mistake and I’m already making another one. Most of them are small ones, like taking a wrong turn, calling one child by a different child’s name, or hitting that snooze button one too many times. A few have been really big ones, the kind that can change the way you go about life. I only make those really big mistakes once. I learn my lesson and do my best to move on. The point is that we all make mistakes; but what’s more important is that we learn from them. If your mistake involved another person, make it right with them before you move on. A valuable lesson I learned early on was to own up to my mistakes; don’t deny it and don’t lie about it. Admit the mistake, make amends, learn the lesson, and move on to new beginnings.

Spring is a season of new beginnings. There is new life all around in nature. Ducklings and goslings paddle around in the water, baby rabbits and whitetail fawns clumsily wander around the forest floor, and trees sprout new buds and flowers. It can be a breathtaking experience to witness nature’s new beginnings.

Photo credit: shakyphotograhy.com

Just like nature has new beginnings in spring, we can have new beginnings too. In nature, spring comes about the same time every year. Your spring time of new beginnings can happen whenever you want. After you’ve gone through the process of learning from a mistake, you’re ready to sprout new growth. That may be starting a new enriching hobby, rekindling a relationship, or strengthening your roots to prepare for what the future holds.  It’s never too late and you’re never too old to sprout a new beginning; even the oldest trees still sprout new growth from time to time. 

 
As a Christian, our sins/mistakes are forgiven thanks to Jesus. He paid the ultimate price to allow us new beginnings. John 3:16 states: “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 



WE ONLY GET OUT, WHAT WE PUT IN

Our church is currently going through a series titled, “It’s a hard knock life.” The focal point is that we all go through trials and tribulations. The Pastor is teaching how the bible can prepare and help us through these trials. A couple of weeks back, Pastor preached about how some of the choices we make can lead us down a path of trials and tribulation. As he preached, I thought about poor decisions I’ve made and the negative outcomes. I also thought about the hard decisions I’ve had to make and the positive results of them. It was a good sermon; little did I know this would play into my upcoming turkey hunt.

 

Turkey hunting is by far my favorite thing to do in the woods. Since the first time I heard the thundering gobble of a tom (the male turkey), I was hooked. Turkey hunting typically happens in the spring. In the upper Midwest, that means winter is in the past.  Since turkey hunting is my favorite thing to do, I spend a lot of time preparing for the season. Usually, two months before the season opens I’m in the woods scouting and plotting the hunt. This year was different; there were a lot of things that kept me from my routine. Some were things that God wanted me to take care of; others were just poor choices on my part. My brother and I have hunted these woods with our sons for many years and I knew where the turkeys would be…so I thought. There were things that needed to get done right up to the night before hunting. That meant I had to leave my house before 3:00am in order to get to the woods well before sunrise. Eventually I made it to the woods, setup the blind and put the decoys out. A little information about male turkeys - in the spring, they are always looking to mate, and gobbling is how they let the hens know where they are. Needless to say, they typically gobble a lot. Sunrise arrives and there was no gobbling. I sound a few of my calls and they go unanswered. Then, something across the field catches my attention. It’s another hunter. I’m a little concerned, but he’s 250 yards away. The time ticks away, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and still no turkeys; now I’m starting to get worried. Finally, there’s movement to my right…it’s a turkey! However, it’s a hen, which you can’t shoot in the spring. No problem, where there’s a hen, there’s usually a tom. I anxiously wait and scan the area for the tom. No tom. The hen walks the entire field and eventually disappears into the woods. Still no toms. An hour later another hunter comes out of the woods. At this point there’s too much activity for any turkeys to come around. I get out of my blind and realize there’s another hunter on a different edge of the field. Four hunters on one field? In my opinion, that’s three too many. I packed up my gear and hiked back to the truck.

The lone hen had the attention of four hunters as she crossed the field.

During the hike out I concluded that I didn’t deserve to see a tom. I didn’t scout to prepare for the hunt and instead chose to spend the preseason doing other things. Pastor was right; my choices led me down this path.

Proverbs 28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chases fantasies will have their fill of poverty.