New Beginnings

It has been nearly five years since I have written on this blog and God has prompted  me, okay prodded me to start writing again.  Much has happened with God and me in the outdoor world, family, and life experiences.  I hope to post at least once a week about what an awesome God we serve and how he wants to be involved in every day of our lives. It is called a personal walk with Jesus as our life guide and friend.  Remember He called the disciples his friends before He left them.

God allows us new beginnings just as the seasons have new beginnings every year.  We have experienced heavy snows since Christmas in north Idaho and finally the last few days some thawing has taken place.  I noticed we have flowers up along the house where the snow has melted.  It is God's way to show us a rebirth of the earth every spring.  The Canada geese are flying around our house in pairs waiting for the ice to melt in the pond in the neighbor's pasture so they can start nesting.  The redwing hawks are back that nest on the mountain across from us and we have robins showing up looking for food.  Seasonal rebirth is starting and nothing can stop it because God ordained it to happen.

How about our rebirth?  Where are you with God?  Have you died spiritually or walked away from God?  He is ready to give you a new beginning.  In Matthew 7 Jesus tells us to ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be given to you.  Jesus goes on to say that we being evil , know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those ask Him!

It requires that we humble ourselves before God and come to Him in prayer.  God wants us to talk to Him about everything in our life both big and small.  Too often we see God as a Father ready to punish us for everything we have done wrong.  Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment so we can have God's forgiveness and grace.  Don't let life pass you by denying Jesus: He is ready to give you a rebirth of eternity. It is time for your new beginning!

Fierceness of The Father

As we approach Fathers Day, I remember back to my Dad who was very respected in our rural community.  Even though he only went through eighth grade, people sought him for advice and counsel.  He wasn't a man who quickly angered but I always appreciated  that he would stand his ground  on principles of right and wrong.  Thanks Dad for leading our family on Godly  living.

I recently witnessed a father's fierceness of a different kind but definitely put there by God himself.  Sadie and I were taking a walk along the Pend Oreille River and a bald eagle was trying to get a small group of coot.  The eagle had them in shallow water at the boat landing.  As the beautiful eagle dove and was just about to grab a helpless coot, a gander canada goose rose up to meet the large raptor and actually hit the eagle.  The eagle made three more dives on the coots only to be hit each time by the gander.  The gander's mate was nesting nearby on a rock jetty and the goose was going to defend her with his life.  The eagle decided to seek something else for lunch. 

The title "Lord God Almighty" means God of Angel Armies.  God is control of everything and everyone.  His fierceness of fire consumed enemy armies that sought to destroy Israel and swallowed up the Egyptian army with water.  But God gave us his grace and mercy through Jesus and saves us from his wrath.  The greatest gift we can receive is forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus.  It is a free gift for anyone who confesses Jesus as their Savoir.  If you haven't done that yet, do it today and rejoice in your new freedom through Christ.

Got Any Gopherwood

We have had so much rain that I read chapter six of Genesis so I can construct an ark.  Now I realize a huge problem.  North Idaho doesn't have any gopherwood.  We have plenty of gophers or did, but they may have drowned.  My ark only has to contain one horse, four llamas, one golden retriever, and twenty chickens, and one Daisy duck.  I might sneak in Popcorn, our three legged squirrel.  Ardella will be the deckhand; that sounds better than poop scooper.

We have had so much rain that water is standing on the hillsides!  Our house is over two miles from the lake but I'm afraid the county is going to tax us for waterfront property.  

A person could get depressed by so much rain but why not praise God for everything green.  The grass seems to grow as you watch it.  We will have an abundance of hay in north Idaho if the rains stop soon.  July usually turns dry.  

Ardella and I decided not to let a little rain stop us from going to the woods today.  We went up and checked out the camper which was dry inside.  Then we cut down a large birch tree that was dying from birch borers.  It nearly filled the back of the truck.  We took it back to camp and unloaded it there as our back yard is too wet to drive on.  I can always get it home later.  We went back to the camper and cooked smokies and tried to dry out a little.  Even though we came home wet; we praise God for a day in His awesome creation.  Remember, a wet day in the woods is still better than a dry day at work.  Plus we saw a cow moose and two young deer.

Don't let bad weather get you down.  Look for the blessings from it.  The sun is shining; we just can't see it.  God is with us in all our storms.  

I better sign off and see if there is any gopherwood around here.  

Blessed in Libby

We were in Libby Montana last week for the Nordic Fest Show and it was a great weekend. After we set up our booth, we went out to our Amish friends for dinner. Roy makes the best hickory rockers that you can find. I was able to visit his shop to see how they are made with a labor of love.


On Friday a couple from Creston, British Columbia stopped by and before they left we had some new friends up north. They are great Christians praying for revival in their area. We look forward to seeing them again.

Later a white haired gentleman, named Richard Lang, came to the booth raised his hands and said God would bless our work and make it successful. He also had a prophesy for me that was the same as Pastor Tracey Armstrong prophesied to me two weeks earlier. That got my attention! Richard also had one for Ardella. Over the next three days we visited with Richard and were very encouraged by his words. Ardella is working with a prayer team to transform Sandpoint for Christ and Richard is for Libby. We have common ground across state lines and in British Columbia. The Lord is working!

We stayed at our friends, Trent and Peggy who have a beautiful home on the Kootenai River. One morning as we enjoyed a cup of coffee, a bald eagle flew up and perched in a tree on a small island. A person could spend all day on their deck and enjoy the river and beautiful scenery.

We said our goodbyes to everyone Sunday afternoon and headed home feeling very blessed. Richard was right; we had the best show in the four years at Libby as we had very little to load in the van. Selling the carvings was nice but the new friends we have made the weekend priceless.

Remove the Training Wheels

Our granddaughter, Hannah, recently announced that the bicycle we had for her when she stays here was too small. Grandma and Aunt Connie found one at a yard sale and Lizzie claimed it so Hannah gladly took the pink bike that Lizzie had been riding. Hannah’s old bike had training wheels and the one Lizzie had been riding didn’t so this presented a challenge to the little girl.


As the family gathered here on Sunday, the girls wanted to ride their bikes. Uncle Thane went out with them and it wasn’t long before Hannah burst into the house with a proud smile that she could ride without training wheels. Everyone ran out to watch Hannah ride with confidence. She has discovered a whole new freedom in her life.

Christians are often reluctant to get rid of our training wheels. Jesus tells us to raise up disciples, pray for the sick, and help those in need. Just going to church twice a month isn’t enough. Jesus wants us twenty four seven and that is a challenge to most people. It is easy to hide behind the pastor and let him help us along.

God expects us to use the gifts He gave us to serve Him. So if you are still peddling around with training wheels, it is time to remove them and find the freedom in Christ that will propel you to new levels.

Anticipation

The seasons are changing and I am anticipating spending time in the woods pursuing elk and deer with my bow. I am looking forward to the quiet time among the trees as I listen for the grunt and bugles of bull elk. My practice groups at thirty yards are good and now I need to fill my pack with only those items needed to be in the woods after dark and pack out an elk. Extra flashlights, game bags, sharp skinning knives, water, and some food will fill my pack. A big can of bear repellent is necessary since I don’t carry a hand gun as there are grizzlies around. It is always important to carry everything I need to spend a night alone in the woods.




I like the bow season and being alone in the woods as it provides me time to talk to

God and listen to what He wants to tell me. We need to slow life down and listen for his voice; Jesus did and it worked for him. Have you ever noticed that God sent men into the wilderness to teach them? I feel God calling me to use the wilderness to teach men his principles and truths. There is a lodge just west of Sandpoint in a forest setting that God keeps in my mind for his work. I need to get off my procrastinating and develop a plan to teach men in the wild. So this bow season, God will be revealing to me just how that should look.



We all need to take some quiet time and listen to what God wants each one of us to do to serve Him

Forty Five Years

Ardella and I celebrated forty five years of marriage yesterday. It doesn’t seem that we have been married that long. Marriage is about teamwork and some give and take. I have learned a few things like not suggesting a shortcut when we are hunting in the mountains. I also learned a number of years ago to not buy your wife a chainsaw for an anniversary present. I was redeemed when I took her to Alaska for our thirtieth anniversary.


So by now you are probably wondering what we did on our special day. We went up to the woods and I pulled out logs with my tractor for firewood. That’s romantic isn’t it! The evening before, we went out to our favorite restaurant. We came home after wood getting and cleaned up and went to dinner at our friends Ken and Dee. Today we had dinner at Connie and Thane with the rest of the family and then everyone watched Thane drive a race car at the track in Post Falls.

I’m fortunate that Ardella likes the outdoors as much as I do. It helps to marry someone with similar interests. See, I’m smarter then you thought.

When Tragedy Strikes

Tuesday morning I turned on Fox news and saw that a plane had crashed north of Dillingham, Alaska. That is where I flew out of during the five years I was a hunting guide so my anxiety level shot up and I knew I wouldn’t be okay until more information came forth. I know the pilot and his wife from one of the flying services and the outfitter that I worked for is still operating both fishing and hunting camps in the Wood River Park. While I was there I got to know other outfitters and guides so the news really hit home. I said a prayer for the people as they indicated there might be survivors. About two hours later I found out the type of the plane and thought it probably didn’t belong to anyone I knew. That didn’t end the twisted feeling in my stomach because someone was out there in the wilds in need of help.


Alaska’s weather is very unforgiving and can change in minutes. I found out that it isn’t the brown bear that is the most dangerous thing in Alaska, it is the weather. I have seen storms rip tents to shreds, pick up a boat with a motor and toss it one hundred feet. Alaskan storms can last for days and stop everything from moving. An Alaskan storm can definitely improve one’s prayer life. The storms were often devastating on some men’s morale but I looked at them as an adventure and realized the power God can unleash in nature.

It is hard for us to understand why tragedy happens. It helps me to go back to the Garden with Adam and Eve when the serpent entered the picture. Until that time everything was at peace and God walked the earth and sought a close relationship with them. Sin caused separation and chaos. Jesus Christ came to bridge that separation between us and God but we are never fully immune from tragedy. We are required to walk by faith no matter what happens.

It is important that we pray for people that experience a loss of someone and ask that they will seek comfort from God. My prayers go out to the families in that plane crash and may they find the peace that only comes from God.

Random Thoughts

I haven’t written for a while as life has been extremely full. For those of you wondering how our horse Spud is doing, I’m happy to say he is walking much better. Spud is still on a diet to lose about one hundred pounds. He is on a high vitamin and mineral supplement that seems to be helping his hooves.


I have been busy carving birds and trout for the art show at our city beach today and tomorrow. Over one hundred vendors will be there and usually a large crowd shows up and our weather is forecast to be great. We no longer have a website, instead Ardella created a blog site which we can have for free and she can change easy. The new site is woodnwings.blogspot.com.

Ardella is on her way to Iowa with our daughter Connie to visit relatives. They are already missing the mountains.

Yesterday I turned sixty five and thought back to simpler times. I remember when:

Gasoline cost twenty nine cents a gallon. A handshake was a good as a written contract. All stores were closed on Sunday. When I looked under the hood of my car I knew what everything was. Our country honored God. Prayer was allowed in schools. Fountain sodas at the corner drug store were five cents. Doctors made house calls. A milkman delivered milk to the door.

We need to pray for our neighbors, town, country and people in this world that don’t know Jesus. These are dangerous times but we can have faith that God is in control. The Apostle Paul always had complete confidence in God even in the darkest prison. Paul could see the victory no matter what happened to him. We need to ask God for the same confidence in our lives. Have a great week in Jesus Christ.

Testing Our Faith

This has been one of those weeks that seemed to be a month long. As I wrote a while back, our horse Spud has been battling founder or sometimes called laminitis for quite some time. He has slowly been getting more lame. Dr. Bob came out and took x-rays and called that they didn’t look good and Spud might have to be put down. This has been a week of tears and restless nights thinking how much the little horse has captured our hearts in a year. Bob recommended that we call Jim Walker, a farrier, and have him look at Spud.




We were torn between losing Spud and being greedy keeping him alive but in extreme pain. Jim showed up this afternoon and said he could trim Spud’s hooves to shift the weight and make him walk better. So I held onto Spud as Jim worked on the hooves. Spud was very good and soon started nibbling on my belt loops and anything else he could find. As soon as Jim finished, I let Spud go and he reached over and gave Jim a kiss. Spud is walking much better and is on a strict diet to lose one hundred pounds fast. This will take stress off his hooves. I hope he likes the diet as much as he enjoyed the trimming.



Was I stressed this week? OH YA! I felt deep down that the condition with Spud was really an attack from Satan since he knew this was a way to shake my world. I had a few talks with God, especially this morning as I worked on a landscape project in town. I desperately wanted to turn the whole night mare over to God but found it hard to completely let go of it. I know God cares about everything in our lives even Spud. I also know that my God is all powerful. Peter said the devil goes around like a roaring lion devouring everything in his path. As Christians, we have the blood of Jesus to protect us from the lion as He defeated the devil on the cross. “The battle is mine” says the Lord.



God also sent two wonderful people in our lives. Our friends, Ken and Dee came over at noon to be here when Jim arrived. Their concern and feelings were a blessing. I can never thank them enough for what they did. They even brought a get well card from their mule, Blanch for Spud. What about those friends

A Day at Moose Lake

My son-in-law, Vance and I went to Moose Lake which sets near the Montana border above Clark Fork, Idaho. Vance rode his horse Amos while I elected to walk in with Sadie as we both could use the exercise. Archery season is about six weeks away and I need to get my climbing legs in shape. The trail to Moose Lake is a gradual two mile uphill climb through spruce timber. Sadie and I took off while Vance saddled Amos and we had the trail all to ourselves. The dark spruce trees stood like stately spires pointing toward Heaven while numerous wildflowers bloomed on the forest floor. There was bright yellow arnica along the path’s edge and beautiful white plumes of bear grass flowers that are so delicate and sweet smelling. Moose tracks were prevalent on the trail but fortunately we didn’t encounter any of the huge animals. I wondered how many tourists meet these sometimes short tempered creatures and have to abandon the trail.


Sadie and I arrived at the lake and I took in the beautiful scenery of crystal clear waters with trout rising to catch insects and rugged forested ridges surrounding this magnificent creation. A cow elk was feeding in an open area above a rock slide and I watched her for about a half hour before she turned and went into the brush. The cow probably had a calf hid there from predators. Sadie soon was wading in the lake and wanted me to throw a stick for her to retrieve. It has been a while since Sadie had gone swimming so she enjoyed the water.

Shortly after Vance and Amos arrived so did some families. Everyone enjoyed the spectacular scenery. Vance caught several trout but released all of them so someone else could catch them another day. On our way down we met two families headed in with fishing poles and told them the trout were biting.

I thank God for the wonderful creation he made in North Idaho with so many majestic places reflecting his glory. It got me wondering how many people visit Moose Lake but don’t see the majesty of God’s creation. He made these wonderful areas just for us. I’m afraid too many people worship the creation instead of the Creator. On the way down the trail I stopped to closely examine how intricate God made the bear grass flower which is really a cluster of hundreds of small white flowers that form a beautiful white plume. Then I thought how wonderful He made each one of us.

Trusting In Dad

We went camping last weekend at Jolene and Vance’s remote property to escape the noise and crowds of Sandpoint. It was a little chilly and some rain but we enjoyed the granddaughters and some great dutch oven cooking. I cut two loads of firewood and also cut down two dead trees for carving.


When we came home Sunday evening the neighborhood was erupting with the bang of firecrackers from all directions. Our horse, Spud, was very terrified and was actually shaking and breathing hard. I went out to calm him but that didn’t help much. I finally haltered him and lead Spud into our art studio. It has eight inch thick walls and so the bangs and booms couldn’t penetrate the walls. Spud willingly followed me through the door. He looked the place over and quickly decided everything was good. The studio has not been open to the public lately as I am storing various driftwood bases to use on fish and cardboard shipping boxes. The floor is made from two inch planks so Spud’s hooves clopped at every move. I sat down on the wood step going into the shop and Spud put his head down by me and wanted petted. We stayed in the studio until nearly midnight and as a steady rain came down I lead Spud back out to his pen and gave him some hay. All was good again in Spud’s life. Spud put his trust in Dad.

This got me thinking about what we do when life hands us some bangs and booms. Some people will just hunker down and tough the situation out. Going it alone is not a good way to get through a crisis. A better way is to turn the problem over to God since he knew you were going to have it anyway. Let Him take control and you follow along. David knew the importance of God’s protection when he wrote the twenty third Psalm. If you are having a problem in your life right now, read the passage and turn to God in prayer for peace.

Remember God is a relationship not a religion

The Price of Freedom

Our founding fathers paid a horrible price for the freedoms we enjoy today. Many of them lost their homes and wealth; some lost their families yet they knew the price of freedom always comes with a sacrifice. The men and women of our armed forces fight daily with their lives so we can be free. Many of the freedoms written in our Constitution are under attack by our elected officials as they deem them obsolete. Our country is in peril of loosing personal freedom by the big carrots the government dangles in front of us in the name of progress. The men that founded this nation would be horrified at the assault on the Constitution. Now, as never before, is time to pray for our country, government officials, and our military.




In the fourth chapter of Luke, Jesus proclaims freedoms for us. He refers to us as the poor, prisoners, blind, and oppressed. Our only true freedom comes from Christ because of his sacrifice on the cross. We are all captive of something, yet we can lay them at the feet of Jesus and he will set us free. This is the unending love and grace that God has for each person. Today can be your freedom day if you choose. No matter what is holding you captive, Jesus can release it now.



Jesus didn’t die just because he was a good guy; Jesus is the Good Shepherd that sacrificed his life so you can have a personal relationship with him. He is waiting to break your chains of bondage and set you free through the power of the Holy Spirit. No other religion can do that. Christ can because he lives!

Oh Deer

We are used to having deer in the yard during the winter but usually this time of year we only see them in our neighbor’s field occasionally. The other evening, Ardella looked out the window and there was a doe munching her way around the garden. Our garden has been fighting to stay alive with all the rain we have had and it is finally looking like there is hope of a future harvest. I walked out to scare the doe off and went through the gate and finally got about six feet away asking her to please leave the cabbage alone. Instead of running away, the doe stretched out her neck toward me and walked closer. I guess she thought I wasn’t a threat so the doe proceeded over to the dwarf apple tree and plucked off some newly formed apples. I chased her from the apple tree so she pranced through the corn and stopped to eat some pears. Finally she jumped over the fence and joined the llamas.




Today the doe was out in the back of our property munching away and we suspect there is a fawn hidden somewhere in the tall grass and brush. Spud has been kept out of the grass areas so the doe figured this would be a safe place for her fawn. We like the idea of having a fawn in the backyard but don’t appreciate the doe eating off the garden. I took a blanket Sadie has laid on and hung it in the middle of the garden. So far it seems to be discouraging the doe from munching the vegetables.



We thank God for all the wildlife there is in north Idaho. Many people move here and can’t understand why a deer, moose, or bear visits their yard. What they don’t realize is that these animals have used the area for hundreds of years and we are the newcomers. Patience and understanding of their needs is important. Our friends left their garage door open and a bear helped itself to the garbage. Bears will never turn down a free meal so a little precaution of putting food items away is important.



Ardella and I appreciate all the varieties of birds and ducks that use our property this time of year. The baby robins at the front door are now flying around searching for worms, the catbirds sneak about in the flowering quince, and mamma mallard still brings her four young ones everyday to the pond to eat. So we will put up with the doe and hope to see the fawn soon.



Go out and enjoy God’s wonderful creation and thank him for the birds and wildlife that we can enjoy.

Prophesy or Political Correctness

Events in the Middle East and Israel have been in the news lately with most of it being against God’s nation. Israel lives surrounded by hostile nations that would like to wipe it off the map. Even our country has distanced itself from Israel to appease the Muslim nations. Yesterday, while reading the Jerusalem Post, I read an interesting article about a mainline denomination in the U.S. that is meeting in July and one of the items on their agenda will be the condemning of Israel. They state that the whole unrest in the Mideast is due to Israel and that the Jews should go back to Europe where they came from. I guess they never read the Old Testament where it clearly says God gave the Jews that land when God directed Joshua to invade and take the land He had promised Moses. Joshua is also mentioned in the report as being the original trouble maker.

Is it any wonder our nation is in deep trouble since it is more concerned with political correctness than God’s plan for mankind? The Bible tells many times in the Old and New Testament that Israel is God’s chosen people and He will annihilate any nation that rises up against it.

Jeremiah 7:12 states that God wrote his name in the earth at Shiloh; you can go to Google Earth and see the actual place where God wrote his name in the land. Of course it is written in Hebrew so you may not recognize his name. Now if God signed his name in the land for Joshua it just might mean God intends to keep it for his people.

I would rather rely on the prophecies of the Bible than the political correctness of man. Because of Christ’s death and resurrection we can inherit the same promises God gave Israel. We can have the confidence through Jesus that we are on the winning side.

Have You Ever

Watched the sun slowly rise on a beautiful morning? Then you witnessed God’s renewal for your life.

Seen a spectacular double rainbow? Then you have seen God’s promises written in the sky.

Marveled at a hummingbird in flight? Then you know how wonderful you are made.

Watched a mother hold her newborn close to her body? Then you know how much God loves you.

Heard children’s laughter fill a room? Then you have seen the smile of God.

Walked in a forest full of giant stately trees? Then you understand the majesty of God.

Sat down under a canopy of trees and watched water endlessly tumble down a rocky stream? Then you realize how eternal God is.

Been on a mountain top and felt the wind blow without ceasing? Then you understand the power of the Holy Spirit.

Watched an approaching storm with fierce lightning, loud booms of thunder, and dark clouds driven by unseen wild winds? Then you have witnessed God’s awesome power.

Gazed at the cruel rough hewn cross and fallen on your knees to ask forgiveness knowing Jesus died just for you? Then you felt the Father hug you.

Have you ever told God you love Him? He’s waiting to hear from you.

Spud's Recovery

Our Norwegian Fjord horse, Spud, came down with founder from grass about a month ago. It is a very painful condition in the lower legs that can be fatal for horses. Dr. Bob says he has had several cases this spring. So Spud was put on a strict diet and I am still giving him an oral medication daily which he hates. He is not happy that the llamas get all the green grass they want and he is eating hay. Spud was my best buddy before he got sick but now he isn’t so sure. I finally got a kiss on the cheek yesterday but Spud is still afraid that I will poke something down him.





It is good to see him nearly recovered and begging at the gate for food. Our granddaughters and Spud have a special relationship and he is always glad to see them. Hopefully they will be able to ride Spud soon. We thank God the little horse is getting better.

Our relationship with God can be similar to Spud’s sickness. People often fall down in life, thinking everything is always going to go great and then the train wreck happens. Many of us don’t seek God until the pain hits and is unbearable. We usually don’t like the medicine either. We can’t change our life until we change ourselves with God’s help.

Jesus walked the shores of Galilee and healed many people of various diseases. This made Him very popular but most people missed the point. Jesus wants to heal us completely from our heart. Yes, he will heal our diseases, but Jesus wants to do much more in our lives. He wants an everyday relationship not just when we get into trouble. That relationship will transform your life beyond anything you could ever imagine.

Jesus is a relationship not a religion because he lives and wants the Spirit to live in us. There are many religions out there and their gods are all DEAD. Which would you rather have? A dead god that is still in the grave or a risen savoir that died for your sins. A lifeless idol or a Lord that cares and loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him.

You can change your life today by inviting the Lord of the universe into your heart. He is waiting and will heal you from the inside out. You will never be the same again! Invite Jesus in today and start really living.

Overcoming Obstacles

Tomorrow I will be preaching at the Cocolalla Cowboy Church about Slaying Our Giants. We will examine 1 Samuel 17 about David and Goliath, Philippians 4:6, Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 16: 17-19, and Psalm 121. These passages all point to the truth that God will help us defeat Satan by the power of the Holy Spirit. Like David, we just need to acknowledge the power of God and that He will take charge when everything seems impossible. Most of us want to hold onto the problem instead of letting God handle it. David focused on the power of God not how big Goliath was. Saul’s army thought Goliath was too big to kill but David knew he was too big to miss.

We have the power to overcome anything with God’s help. It might be a bad relationship, losing a job, sickness and disease. It requires us turning the matter over to God and acknowledging he has a plan for us. The answer may be immediate or can take a while. We live by God’s time not ours.

Our daughter Jolene was born legally blind but grew up a normal kid knowing she had some visual limitations. Due to advanced technology she has been able to gain improved vision yet still doesn’t see like most of us do. I’ve never heard Jolene complain about her vision. This spring Jolene undertook a huge obstacle when she decided to take up hunting. She practiced many hours shooting targets with a .22 rifle then advanced to a 30-06. Ardella, Vance and I have walked Jolene up and down mountains looking for a nice bear. Last night Vance and Jolene sat up by a rock outcropping and waited all evening for a bear to appear. About the last half hour of daylight a good sized bear appeared on the hillside over two hundred yards away. Jolene had practiced out to one hundred yards so this bear was way beyond any shot she had attempted. Jolene took her time and got the bear with one shot. She overcame all obstacles of her vision and became a hunter.

What giants do you have in your life to slay? God is ready to take charge like he did for David.

All God's Creatures

Our small piece of property has been blessed with an abundance of birds this spring. We have a large population of robins and some babies are already full grown. Last week a mother robin worked furiously for two days constructing a nest on a beam above our front door. I marveled how intricate she wove the nest and now mom is setting diligently on her eggs.

The pond has been a busy place with about ten wood ducks and that many mallards visiting to eat cracked corn. This morning there was a mallard hen with her new babies who were busy chasing bugs. I could spend hours watching the ducks in the pond. Our dog Sadie doesn’t think it is fair that she can’t go swimming.

We are starting to see baby squirrels venture forth and explore their new kingdom. Many of the squirrels have little fear of us and I could probably hand feed them if I took some time to try it. But I believe I’ll let them be so they don’t get too trusting of people.

While the llamas are enjoying fresh grass, Spud our horse is confined to a small pen while he recovers from foundering. He has been sick for two weeks but is slowly improving. Dr. Bob says he may need x-rays and special shoes put on his hooves. Wow, I can only imagine that bill!

Everyone needs to get outside this time of year and see God’s creation bring forth new life. I’m always amazed how everything fits into his grand puzzle. To think this complex wildlife came about by accident defies common sense. Just observe a hummingbird and how it can hover, fly up or down, and forward and backwards with ease. Get yourself outside to a park or woods and sit down and let God’s creatures entertain you. It’s free.

Hour of Prayer

Nearly 800 people gathered in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho today for an hour to pray to God . The Cowboy Church provided a half hour of great music prior to the event which was enjoyed under sunny skies. God turned off the rain for the first time in days to bless this gathering. Even though a federal judge says the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, our county commissioners spoke briefly about the importance of God in government. The sheriff sang the national anthem and several law enforcement officers attended ceremonies. Pamela Fay Houston sang If My People and one pastor asked us to kneel for prayer. People later broke into groups to pray for specific areas of our community. I joined the military circle and listened to retired Sgt. Major Art Larson inform us on the number of people that we have defending us around the world. Art lead us in a prayer of protection for our troops and their families. I’m proud to be a friend of this great American.

I’m most proud of my wife Ardella who planned and arraigned this hour for the community to show unity to God. She has worked hard for months planning every detail and it came off flawlessly. Ardella has the ability to work across church borders and bring Christians together. I thank her for patience and loving people.

Everyday should be in prayer to God who wants a personal relationship with us. Our country is in deep trouble of losing its Christian foundation. Christians need to speak up and start by bringing God back into our lives. Pray for our Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family.

What is Ardella going to concentrate on now? Probably the granddaughters and bear hunting. Have a blessed week!