LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

A couple of snow storms passed through our area last week; three inches of snow fell one day and five inches fell a few days later. That’s not a huge ordeal for the upper Midwest; in fact, three inches of snow really isn’t that much for us. Sure, it's enough to shovel, mess up the roads for a day, and maybe we even get to break out the snow blower, but not much more than that. Now, a snow fall of five inches on top of the three inches already there, that really starts to build up. Initially, it’s very peaceful, the fresh coating of snow absorbs a lot of noise, and everything is bright from the fresh white snow. However, eight inches of snow can have a lot of weight to it. Some of the strains from the snow fall come in several forms; noise from all the snow blowers, sore muscles from shoveling, or a dented car bumper from sliding into something that doesn’t move. Over time, those things quiet down, heal, or can be repaired, until the next storm.

This picture displays how the weight of the snow is a burden on the pine. Photo credit: Shakyphotography.com

There are many pine trees in our yard. One of the characteristics I like about them is that they keep their needles year-round. In the winter, they have a deep green foliage, which is a nice contrast to the bright white snow. The downfall of keeping their foliage year-round is that there’s more area for the snow to gather on, thus adding a lot of weight. It’s not obvious at first, but over the years that extra weight has broken many branches on the pine trees. The oaks and maples in our yard shed their leaves in the fall, leaving just the spindly branches. These branches don’t have nearly as much mass as the pine trees and can handle the weight of the snow without breaking -- sometimes it’s beneficial to get rid of the extra layers in life to better handle these storms.

From years of burden you can see how several branches have been broken.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

BE PREPARED

In the upper Midwest, it’s going to be a very cold week. In some areas, the temperature during the day won’t even get above zero degrees Fahrenheit (that’s -17 Celsius)! My job requires me to work outside on occasion, especially when it’s extremely hot and cold, as more stuff tends to break under those conditions. Working outside and being an outdoor enthusiast, I’ve purchased the correct gear and clothing needed to do my job effectively and still enjoy the outdoors. That reminds me of a time when I was learning what it meant to be prepared.

As a boy, my father encouraged me to join cub scouts; in fact, he encouraged all us boys to join. As a parent now, looking back it made a lot of sense - four boys within 5 years meant a lot of energy, and energy meant things were going to get broken. Scouts gave us the opportunity to get out of the house, go camping, and learn many life skills. Around middle school age, one would transition from cub scouts to boy scouts.

Boy scouts was more intense with harder life skill challenges, longer hikes, and more extreme camping situations. On one occasion, we went on a winter camping trip. I don’t remember the exact temperature, but it was cold! The year was close to 1982 and the camping gear was not as advanced as it is now. The scout leaders (my dad being one of them) gave us advice on ways to try and stay warm. Some of the options were; put newspaper on the ground first, foam pads for comfort, furniture pads for a layer of warmth, a crummy sleeping bag (they didn’t recommend a crummy one, but that’s what I had), and blankets from home for more warmth. It was quite a sight as we set up camp. There were many different colors and styles of little one man tents; newspaper and plastic underneath them, with blankets and sleeping bags spilling out the half-zippered doors. After dinner, we went for a short hike to enjoy the winter wonderland, and then eagerly retreated to our tents for the night.

There was chatter among us scouts as we settled into our personal tents. It didn’t take long and the temperature started to drop, and so did the eagerness about winter camping. The chatter changed from talking through our teeth and then shivering started to overtake our bodies. I made it a few hours and then couldn’t take anymore. I grabbed my sleeping bag, with my head hung low, and headed to the cabin where the adult leaders were sleeping. To my relief, there was several other scouts already in there.
.
When morning arrived, there was one scout left in his tent. We went out to check on him, thinking we would be scraping his frozen body from the ground, but he was fast asleep and looked very comfortable. After looking at his gear, he had a state of the art sleeping bag and ground coverings to keep him warm. It was obvious he was better prepared and therefore reaped the rewards of his efforts.

Mark 13: 33-35 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task. And tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Here it is, December in the upper Midwest. The air is cold, there’s some snow on the ground, and…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  People are decorating the outside of their homes with lights and nativity scenes. Radio stations are playing plenty of Christmas music to get you in the mood and yes, people are putting up Christmas trees in their home.

Some trees are artificial; quick to set up, easy to take down, and no mess from the actual live, pine needles. Well, this is the Timber of Faith blog, and what kind of timber enthusiast would I be if I allowed an artificial tree to be set up in my home? A fake one, just like the fake Christmas trees, that’s what I’d be.  (Yes, I just answered my own question).

Ever since I’ve lived on my own and able to have my own Christmas tree, it’s been a real one. I love the smell of a real tree, and it’s kind of cool for me to bring the woods into the home. The first one came from a fellow that worked with my dad. This guy had a tree farm and would bring the trees to work pre-wrapped in plastic mesh. My dad was kind enough to bring one home for my wife and I and help set it up. We put the tree in the stand and then cut away the plastic mesh. The branches slowly sprawled out into the living room. My dad recommended letting it warm up so the branches would relax and completely spread out before decorating it, so we did. By the next morning, the tree was completely relaxed and it was as wide as it was tall. Our living room was pretty small back then, so there was a coach, a TV in the corner, and this immense tree taking over the rest of the space. From then on, we decided we would pick out our own tree.

Right away we started the tradition of cutting down our own tree. We’d travel to different tree farms each year with different family members; picking out the perfect tree and drinking hot chocolate. It was quite fun. As time went on and after our boys were born, they’d come along too. The boys would help cut down the tree and get into snowball fights, we’d take pictures and videotape the whole experience. These were Normal Rockwell moments. Sure, a lot of the time it was freezing cold, someone would have to go to the bathroom, or the hot chocolate was way too hot for the kids, but they were all great moments to me. As time went on the family voted (against me) to not cut down our own tree anymore. Yes, I stomped my feet and threw a tantrum.

One of the last times we cut down a tree. 

Now we go to a local tree lot and pick out the perfect “pre-cut” tree. It’s still a real tree and it still makes the house smell wonderful. The boys don’t come with anymore, they’re in high school and college and have other things to focus on, so it’s the wife and I, and that’s just fine by me. I look forward to the time when I can drag the grandkids to a tree farm, cut down a Christmas tree, burn our lips on hot chocolate that’s way too hot, and deliver a tree that’s way too big for their living room.

Mighty Lumberjacks

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

ADAPT AND HAVE FAITH

This time of year, deer hunting consumes most of my thoughts. I think about it at work, at home, and most of my dreams are about deer hunting as well.

I was 16 when I went hunting for the first time and was fortunate to harvest a deer that first year…I was hooked for life!

The woods we hunt are public land and that can create many challenges. The first ten years I hunted, the hunting pressure around that area was pretty low. We would typically harvest one a deer a year for our entire group. My brother and I quickly realized we needed to step up our game and learn more to increase our success rate…and we did. After those ten years, the woods around our area started to change. Certain sections become leased land, which means it wasn’t open to all hunters anymore, only those that leased (paid) to hunt it could use it. That put a little bit more pressure in our area, but not too much. We continued to harvest a few deer ever year, and that was enough for us. Over the next few years more and more of the land around us became leased land. Eventually, it got to the point that the section of land we hunted was the only public land in that area. Less and less hunters stayed around, until it was just our group and the hunters who leased the land around us, and still we continued to harvest a few deer every year. We continued to fine tune our woodsmanship and taught what we learned to the younger hunters who started to join our group. Adapting and applying what we learned over the years, we continued to harvest a few deer each year.

In 2011, myself and a few others from our group went to do some pre-season scouting and were blown away to see that most of the woods we hunted were gone. The DNR allowed a timber company to clear cut and harvest the trees from that area. After the initial shock wore off, we adapted and made a new plan for the season. Remarkably, we filled every tag. A few more years passed and the DNR reclassified the area to a Scientific and Natural Area, which meant no vehicle or ATV traffic allowed and all stands had to be removed every evening. This also meant a lot more hiking and carrying of equipment and gear. We adapted and shot several deer again.

WINDS OF CHANGE

All these changes freaked me out every time they happened. I never knew what the outcome was going to be. We would adapt and make changes, and things usually turned out just fine...but it still freaked me out. This past season started out the same way. I was anxious and not sure what changes there would be and how things would turn out. Sure enough, we all saw deer and a couple guys were able to harvest one.

This was my 30^th year deer hunting and I finally realized how important it is to be willing to adapt, and most importantly…have faith.  That is, until this time next year.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

A couple times a year my wife and I take a short trip together; no kids, no dog, just the two of us. We pick a destination within a few hours of home, leave Saturday morning and return the following afternoon. We came up with the idea a while back. We figured there are so many things to see and places to visit within a few hours of home and it’s also a good opportunity to spend some quality time alone.

A couple weeks ago, the destination was to see waterfalls and enjoy the autumn colors. We planned to see two different waterfalls in two different towns, with plenty of scenery along the way. It was shaping up to be a beautiful day, so off we went. When we arrived at the first location, it was apparent everyone else within a few hours had the same idea. There were high school seniors having their graduation pictures taken, family photos being taken; even cute babies rolling around in the leaves. People were in awe of the waterfall; some took photos, some took videos, and others just stared. The waterfall was mesmerizing - the roar of the rushing water, the water mist cooling your face from the afternoon sun, and the continually changing pattern of the water. The second waterfall was less busy, probably because it was a little further off the beaten trail…which I like. The waterfall had the same effect on people, myself included. After breaking out of the trance from the waterfall, we took a short hike through the woods and finished the day sitting on the shore of a lake.

Ramsey Falls Redwood Falls, MN

We stayed at a hotel near the second waterfall. In the lobby, there were old pictures of the falls, but they were shorter and narrower. Over time, the constant flow of water carved the banks wider and deeper. 

Some of the allure of rivers and waterfalls is that they’re constantly moving and changing; the key word being constant. If the water isn’t constantly moving forward, it would be a lake and lakes don’t go anywhere but stay put.

Philippians 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

A SEASON OF CHANGE

It’s autumn in the upper Midwest and the woods are truly beautiful.

The hot and humid summer air recently gave way to a more crisp and refreshing sensation. There seems to be more people out and about enjoying it as well. Whether hiking in the woods or walking down the street, the people I encounter seem more pleasant. The animals that stay for the winter are busy fattening up and the birds are preparing for their journey south. Of the four seasons, autumn is my favorite.

The variety of trees go through their own change differently; all going through the same change and preparing for the next season, but the process for each tree looks very different. The mighty white pines will shed their needles and instantly replace them, retaining a green foliage through the winter. The leaves of the oak will turn from green to brown, while certain maples turn a brilliant crimson. It creates quite a sight!

For people, it’s important for us to go through a season of autumn as well. Call it a time to shed some extra baggage if you will; a time to get rid of those things that keep us from preparing for our next season of growth. For some people that may appear seamless, like the white pine. For others, it may be kind of dull, like the oak. Of course, some will go through the season in a spectacular fashion that invokes oohs and ahhs, like the maple. Whichever way you get through your season, it’s that way because God created it just for you.

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.

DECISION DECISIONS

I have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to sit right next to both my sons when they had the opportunity to shoot at their first deer. This was a monumental moment in their youth.

 

“The boys,” as they are routinely called in our house, have heard deer hunting stories since birth. The stories range from the incredible food we eat (like beef stroganoff, homemade spaghetti and meatballs, and the “deer hunting cookies”) to stories of success and defeat in the woods. The boys had a good idea of what the woods looked like from pictures. So, when they turned 12 and had completed firearms safety training they could go with deer hunting. Once that happened we would start planning the trip. The boys would receive plenty of advice from the older men in our group. I gave them plenty of advice as well, but my final words were, “it's better to regret not taking a shot than to regret taking a bad one.”

The morning of the hunt would finally arrive. We’d pack up our gear and head to the woods. Once in our deer stand I’d offer a few last bits of advice. We’d quietly sit side by side in pitch black and wait for the woods to come alive. Whoever saw a deer first would tap the other person’s foot with their boot. For both boys the deer came from my side of the stand, which meant the boys could move about without being seen. In our woods, you typically only get a few seconds to make a good shot. That is when the adrenaline starts to pump. You can hear your heart pounding and wonder how the deer can’t hear it. The boys would shift back and forth trying the find the target in their sights. I could imagine them filtering through all the advice they received, and now it was time to make a decision; only a second left and the opportunity would be gone.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation where you’d had to make a difficult decision? Maybe it was a career path or relationship choice; you probably had all the information you needed and all that was left to do was to pull the trigger…or not.

As beautiful as this tree is, it seems unsure if it wants to change to autumn colors

For the boys, they each made a different decision. One shot and the other didn’t; and both decisions were correct for each situation. Both boys did harvest a deer during their first season, but they made sure it was the right decision for them in each situation.

In our family, we do a lot more praying about big decisions than we used to and because of that, we know we’ve made the right decision.

Proverbs 14:11 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.