Memories of 2010

12.31.2010

As 2010 comes to a close, we wanted to share a friend's "Memories of 2010" with you all...in hopes that you will take the time to reflect on your own year as well...time with friends and family, with God...we all have much to be thankful for...and much to look forward to!

Memories of 2010
This year was definitely about the quality of the memories, not the size of the horns.  We went fishing, camping, exploring, and hunting, and God blessed every outing.  Nothing from this year will be noted in the record books, but these are the memories that last a lifetime.


Boat ride at the pond--Good thing this isn’t the Nestucca...


 Spring Bear--A small one, but the sausage sure is good!


Successful outing--Limits of trout from South Lake with Brant and A.J.


A mouthful of teeth--My brother’s lingcod from the Newport jetty


Road trip to SE Oregon--No worries about lines at Disneyland


Hope for the future--Mama and babies near Steens Mountain


Hawk Valley--Camping the way it's meant to be


Fishing at Ana Reservoir--Do you really think a two-year-old can sit still long enough to catch a fish?


Muzzleloader antelope--A successful spot-and-stalk hunt


Imnaha River canyon--You can't get this backdrop fo a family picture at Sears!


Favorite wild places--A visit to the Hat Point lookout


On the steps at Hat Point--What happens when you give a two-year-old too much attention


Sled Springs mule deer--My first muley (the lucky shirt came through again)


Amanda’s first deer--One shot with the .308


Minam River canyon--I hunt for the sight of more than just elk.


My new hunting rig--Complete with a Faith in the Field decal!

Wishing you all a great 2011 with more wonderful memories!
-Quinton and family

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The Greatest Gift

12.24.2010

Last night I finished up my Christmas shopping.  That's right December 23rd at about 8:30pm.  Actually that is about 13 or 14 hours earlier than I finished my Christmas shopping last year so I'm getting better.  But out looking around last night I found myself thinking about gifts and the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas.  You know, you hear it all started by some guy named St. Nick who took some toys down to an orphanage or by the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus.  But I'm convinced that the reason gift giving began is because we received the greatest gift ever imaginable that first Christmas.


We got Jesus.  We got rescue. 


His life was a demonstration of how to walk with God.  He was loving, fierce, compassionate, devoted to his Father, passionate about his mission.  He was the greatest man to ever walk the earth. He came to heal, to restore, to encourage,  to bless and to fight for our freedom!


His death on the cross and ressurection 3 days later paid the price for our sin and paved the way for us to be saved.  Romans 6:11 says we are now dead to sin and alive in Christ.


By his ascension into heaven we were given the Holy Spirit as our counsel.  We were given authority over satan and we are now seated with Christ. (Eph 2:6, Eph 1:20-22)


Indeed, we were given the greatest gift ever conceived. Have you accepted it?


I know that for most of us who enjoy spending time in the outdoors we don't really need to question whether or not God exists.  I think most of us deep down have that understanding.  The sunrise and sunsets, the moon phases, the tides, the wind and thunderstorms.  The beauty and ruggedness of the mountains, the changing seasons.......The life cycle of a salmon, hatched in a tiny creek high in the mountains of Idaho.  How does this creature make its way out to the ocean, spend its life 50-60 miles off the shore of Alaska and then find its way back to the very same creek high in the mountains of Idaho 4 years later?  There is a design, and that design points to The Designer.  We know that down deep if we are honest with ourselves.


And if we are honest with ouselves we will also know that we have a deep longing for life as it should be.  As it was meant to be.  We were created for more than this life.  God has put eternity in our hearts. (Eccl 3:11) Nothing that we grasp for will fill that void short of a relationship with God and the promise that it is all coming.....soon.  And it is unfathonable. (I'll talk more about heaven next time.)


We need to accept the gift.


I don't need to tell you that there is an ending.  For all of us.  Have you faced this?  Even if we do manage to find a little of heaven on earth, if we are some of the few find love and happiness and moments of fulfillment.... I hope you do experience that, but you cannot hang on to it.  Your health will not last forever. You will get old and frail.  Your friends and loved ones will slip from your grasp one by one.  Your work will never be finished and just like everyone who has gone before you, you will die.


Then what?  Is that the end?  Isn't that hopeless! "Life is a tale, told by and idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".  It is tragic how many people satan has led to believe that.


So do you want to accept the greatest gift ever given?


It's not difficult to do and there is no magic to it.  God is real and He hears the cries of an honest heart.  So pray something like this:


Dear God, I know you are real and I know I need you.  There is an emptiness inside of me that I need you to come and fill.  Please forgive me for the ways that I've tried to fill the void with other things.  I know now that I need you and you a lone.  I admit that I am a sinner and that I am in need of your forgiveness.  Please send your Holy Spirit to counsel me and to lead me into a deeper relationship with you.  I don't really know all that I am suppossed to do but I do know that I need to turn my life over to you and let you lead me.  And so I accept your free gift of salvation and I claim that you are now king of my life.
Thank you Father. Amen.


If you said this prayer or your version of it.  Congratulations!  Eternal life begins today and let me welcome you to the family!  All of heaven is throwing a party in your honor right now.  You are saved, your future is secure!  But you will want to keep moving forward in your new life in Christ.  Satan will come for you now and try to get you to believe all of kinds of lies to keep you from becoming fully alive and to prevent you from becoming big time trouble for him.  Send us an email at info@faithinthefield.com  We would like to get you access to some more information, be praying for you and try and suppoprt you in anyway we can as you begin an exciting new life in Christ!


Likewise, if you read this and you have more questions, contact us. We would love to be a resource and explain things in greater detail.  Don't hesitate, please!


Merry Christmas!


-Scott

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Christmas Act of War...

12.17.2010

There's no better time than now to reflect on the true nature of Christ's birth...the following is an excerpt from "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge...

Many people think the theme of war ends with the Old Testament. Not at all. Jesus says, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). In fact, his birth involved another battle in heaven (Rev. 12:1-5, 7-8, 17).

The birth of Christ was an act of war, an invasion. The Enemy knew it and tried to kill him as a babe (Matt. 2:13). The whole life of Christ is marked by battle and confrontation. He kicks out demons with a stern command. He rebukes a fever and it leaves Peter's mother-in-law. He rebukes a storm and it subsides. He confronts the Pharisees time and again to set God's people free from legalism. In a loud voice he wakes Lazarus from the dead. He descends to hell, wrestles the keys of hell and death from Satan, and leads a train of captives free (Eph. 4:8-9; Rev. 1:18). And when he returns, I might point out, Jesus will come mounted on a steed of war, with his robe dipped in blood, armed for battle (Rev. 19:11-15).

War is not just one among many themes in the Bible. It is the backdrop for the whole Story, the context for everything else. God is at war. He is trampling out the vineyards where the grapes of wrath are stored. And what is he fighting for? Our freedom and restoration. The glory of God is man fully alive. In the meantime, Paul says, arm yourselves, and the first piece of equipment he urges us to don is the belt of truth (Eph. 6:10-18). We arm ourselves by getting a good, solid grip on our situation, by getting some clarity on the battle over our lives. God's intentions toward us are life; those intentions are opposed.    (Waking the Dead , 15-16)

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A Case for Discontent

12.10.2010

"He has made everything beautiful in it's time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  - Ecclesiastes 3:11


The footnote for this verse in my NIV Bible says the following-
"God's tantalizing world is too big for us, yet its satisfactions are too small.  Since we were made for eternity, the things of time cannot fully and permanently satisfy."


Pascal said, "We are never living, but hoping to live."


And George Eliot said, "It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are alive.  There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger for them."


In the last year one of the things I have been trying to is to pay attention to the movements of my heart (I am aware that sounds really feminine, but hang with me).  Seriously though, when something stirs me I've been trying to pay attention to it.  The beauty of creation and the things I've seen and experienced in the wild this year has moved me.  Certain movies have brought me to tears.  Situations have come up in my life and I have experienced all sorts of emotions like anger, frustration, dissapointment. And on the other end of the spectrum I've experienced laughter, joy, love and connecting with close friends on a deep level. 


But there has also been this underlying discontentment with my life and I have been really confused by it.  I mean I love my life, I'm not depressed for heavens sake.  But I'm well aware that I'm not fully content.  And I've been feeling a little guilty about it to be honest.  Really, haven't we been told that we should learn to be content?  We should just be happy and love everybody and be a light for all to see, right?


But what I'm learning is that life as usual is not the life I want.  It is not the life I need.  And get this, It is not the life I was made for!  God set eternity in our hearts.  That is, in our desire.  I don't need to apologize for wanting for, I was created for it!  Ecclesiastes tells us fairly plainly I think that contentment is not even possible.  We are all longing for something more.


And most of us have tried to fill the void with just about everything except what we truly long for.  A new job, a new car, a new girlfriend, a new wife, go to more parties, drink a little more, live a little higher lifestyle, take an exotic vacation, etc.


But, the deepest thirst, that holy longing that we feel down deep can only be quenched by walking with God into the desires that he has placed in our hearts.

Isn't that kind of amazing to think about.  What I long for, the life I desire, is the very life God intended for me.  His will and my longing are one in the same.


"If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would ask me for a drink and I would give you fresh living water" John 4:10 The Message


"The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life" John 4:18 The Message


We were not created for this world.  We were created for a perfect paradise.  We were created for deep soul communion with God.  We don't get to have it all right now.  And what we do get we have to fight pretty hard for.   I think a little holy discontent is appropriate if we let those longings drive our hearts closer to God and his purposes.


-Scott

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2010 Photo Review

12.03.2010

Jeff and Boone, anxious to get outside in early spring...

Don't worry, mom wasn't far away...

First hunt of the year...

John Sr and Jr after a successful spring bear hunt...

Spring Turkey's in SW OR 

Setting up the 3D range...

Or are they decoys???

Wildlife are abundant at "Dirt Greens" golf links...

Bowfishing to fill the downtime of summer...


Summer scouting...

Torrey's once in a lifetime Oregon bighorn...

David's first buck!

Mike's rain-soaked blacktail...

Winter kill...

Scott on the camera...


Proud dad...Morgan's first deer!

Landscape of anticipation...




Scott's first Rocky Mountain experience...

Muley's in the field...

Dad with his boys...click HERE for more on this, our latest hunt...



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Thanksgiving reflections...

11.26.2010

As Turkey Day neared this year, I had a rather lazy approach to the reason for the season. It has no obvious spiritual tie like Christmas or Easter, and it's easy to simply look forward to a tasty meal and time with family. But as the fam and I made the eight hour drive to Boise for my cousin's wedding today, I had time to reflect on Thanksgiving...in between feeding time for Finn, stopping to look at deer and "cantalope" with the "minawcoolers" as Boone would say, and swinging through the occasional drive through for mom and dad as the boys slept.

I found myself reflecting on the usuals to be thankful for...my wife and kids, our home, a job, life in America...but I was also diagnosing my lack of a deeper interest in the all too common celebration of Thanksgiving Day...turkey, stuffing and everyone mentioning something they're thankful for...simply another family get together with food!

Somewhere along our journey today, as everyone else was fast asleep, God reminded me that every holiday is an opportunity to glorify Christ...and Thanksgiving is a chance to be thankful for the selfless gift God's given us...eternal life for all who believe in Christ. We are so often sidetracked by things of this world, and focused on the surface of our life. Of course I want to reflect on and thank my wife for the home she's made and the way she cares for all three of her boys, but don't want to overlook the way God's sought after me, fought for me and saved me...and you. I hope you all found the time to thank the Lord as you reflected this week. May we run the race with out eyes fixed on Heaven to come! We have more to be thankful for and look forward to than we know!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff

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Window decals now available!!!

11.19.2010

This week's blog is a little informal, but we wanted to send out an announcement and reminder...

After several of you requested window decals, WE NOW HAVE THEM!!! They are available on our website or by clicking HERE. They're high quality vinyl decals, and we have 3 sizes to choose from. If you have any questions, email us!

Also, thank you to all who've submitted a photo for the photo contest! We have some great entries! However, because we've got several new folks on our email list and there are hunting seasons going through the end of the year, we've decided to extend the contest to include photos from the entire year! We're offering the same great prizes...winners will be picked the first week of the new year! Also, for those who submit appropriate pictures and give us the okay, we'll add your photo to the slide show at the end of our 2010 hunting DVD, due out by February!

To revisit the photo contest rules and prizes, CLICK HERE

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Hanging in...

11.11.2010


Last Thursday night at this time (9:30 pm) Jeff and I had just gotten our last load of meat out of the canyon and were back at the truck. What a hunt it was!

So many emotions. So many highs and lows. So much anticipation and so much dissapointment. So much hard work. So much pain. Many hours spent talking with God. Many hours experiencing the silence of God. Doubt that God would come through. Doubt that my knees would hold up. Discouragement. Fear that it wouldn't happen. Hope that it would happen. Realization that I had no control of the outcome. Helplessness. No control over the weather. No control over the elk. Trying to maintain a positive attitude. Really sucking at trying to remain positive! I was in a place of utter dependence on God and I wasn't enjoying it very much.

Then there was beauty. There was solitude. There was room for my heart to take a sigh of relief from the normal day to day. Time for my mind to rest. God did speak in moments. Like a wise and loving Father he gave me some advice on how to live. He used situations from the hunt and spoke into those moments to convict me on issues in my life I need to deal with. He encouraged me to keep pushing myself.

By day six I was really beginning to doubt that an elk was going to happen. And I reached a place in my mind that was okay with not filling my tag. Resignation. I really was, I think, at my limit both physically and emotionally. I was missing my family. I was tired. I was frustrated. I was thankful for the good hunt and the good experience but I was a little tweaked that my prayers had gone unanswered.

And then, walking over the 153rd ridge top in 6 days it happened. And it was all worth it.

I think maybe....
maybe that is what life is like. Frustration, blessing, defeat, beauty, resignation, hassle. And then you find it. That which is truly life. And then all of the hassles and the exhausting journey to get there become worth it. You end up with set of antlers for the wall and a good story to tell.

Enjoy the video below,
Scott


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A Great Season...

10.27.2010

I started hunting deer when I was about 6 years old with my dad. He would let me carry around my toy gun and follow him through the woods while hunting. When I got a little older he let me carry a .22 rifle and a little later on I got to tote around a break action, single shot 16 gauge shotgun. Finally, when I was eleven years old I got to carry a lever action .30-.30, and in my pocket hold my very first deer tag.

I can't remember all of the emotions of my first experience truly hunting big game, but I can remember some of them. I remember the feeling of power being able to carry a loaded lethal weapon through the woods with the intent to shoot, kill and bag meat for the table. I remember the excitement every time I would hear a noise or see movement in the forest. I remember sitting over clear cuts on a stump and waiting, hoping and praying that something would step out. I remember getting the shakes, jellied knees and heart pounding through the chest rush when one finally did appear out of seemingly nowhere. And I remember the dissapointment after emptying my gun at several deer that first year before I finally got one. But I set out to get a deer and on Halloween night of my first deer season I finally punched my tag.

I was hooked. I've been hunting deer every year since, and I've had some amazing times in the woods. I missed big ones. I've gotten a few big ones. I've been with friends and relatives when they have gotten some nice deer, or maybe their first deer. I've been really blessed to enjoy this "sport" for most of my life. And then there is the streak I've had going. Every year since I was eleven years old I've gotten my deer. The streak is still alive and I'm kind of proud of it.

But things are changing for me. This year I had my most successful hunt, and my most memorable hunt ever. This year I took my daughter, Morgan, on her first hunting trip. She has never really been hunting with me before though she has been to deer camp a couple of times and stayed back and played in camp when she was younger. So she was green, and I had lots to teach her. And it was fun to be able to pass my hunting knowledge on to her. It was fun to watch her walk through the woods with a rifle and an orange vest and probably feel some of the same emotions I felt on my first hunt. It was a down right amazing feeling when she squeezed the trigger and dropped a deer dead in it's tracks on her very first shot. It was fun to celebrate with her. I was amazed at how she hung in there and helped field dress and skin it.

I was more proud that evening than any evening of insuring
my streak was still alive. And the message I got felt so true...."It is more blessed to give than to recieve." Passing on the heritage, the knowledge, the excitement and the fun of the outdoors is way more rewarding than drinking it in for your own enjoyment. I'm glad my dad learned that, and I'm glad I'm learning that as well.


Morgan- I am so proud of you. Not just because you are a good hunter and a great shot. I'm proud of how well rounded you are. How you are always up for trying something new. How you are not afraid to be yourself. I'm proud of how you are doing in school. I'm proud of you for being a leader. I'm proud of how well you are doing in your sports. I'm proud of how pretty you are. I'm proud of what a good sister and daughter and friend you are. I love your heart for horses, goats, dogs, cats and any other animal you could find to care for. Most of all I'm proud that you love God and that you want to find His will for your life. And I am honored that I get to be a part of helping you find that.

Thank you for the wonderful memory this fall. I had a blast hunting with you.

-Dad


We were able to capture Morgan's hunt on video and it will be on our DVD coming out this winter.

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Why do you hunt?

10.21.2010

Have you ever stumbled through an awkward conversation with an "outsider" about why you hunt? Have you ever been unable to put words to the unexplainable feeling, emotion, desire and longing you feel?

As many of you know, we frequent www.ifish.net for many reasons...to learn, share, encourage, make friends, promote Faith in the Field, etc...and occasionally there are topics brought up that should be shared with the world! The link below is one such thread we'd love for you all to take the time to read...and share...with other outdoorsmen, and especially those who don't understand why we do what we do or why we love what we love...even those closest to you...spouses, children, parents and friends.

We would never encourage skipping church, or replacing time spent with God's people, but there are those who resonate with God at a much purer level, in a more genuine way, while in the wilderness...and there are ways in which God is experienced outdoors that can't happen indoors. It's biblical. "Wilderness" is defined biblically as "a place or state of withdrawal from the world to face the reality of God." As we've mentioned before, outdoor recreation isn't required to find God, but certainly all those who do venture into raw creation will find God there. Many men would not know God and have a relationship with Christ were it not for time spent in the field.

Click the link below, and as you sift through the jokes, humor and horrible spelling, you'll read some very telling views that reveal the untamed heart God's given each of us...after all, Adam was created in the wilderness.

Why do you hunt? Click here for Ifish.net discussion...

Some lines that stick out to me:

"To get out of the fake world, and back in the real world once in a while."

"It's so pure."

"Being out in the woods helps to keep me centered and gets my kids away from all the crap in the world that is trying to drag them down the wrong path. It's not about filling the tag, it's about the spark and fire I see in my boy's eyes."

"To Enjoy the World the way it was intended to be enjoyed. Concrete Free."

"I hunt to feed my family."

"Because being in the woods, on a river, or on the ocean makes me feel closer to God than being in a church ever has, or will."

"Its that primal instinct. Stalking and killing an animal involves all your senses. It brings us closer to who we are than anything else."

"Solitude..."

"Adventure..."

"To get out into the wilderness."

"Why do I hunt. . . . . . . how can I not? "

"To confirm that I am a participant and not just an observer."

"It is the one time of year to get to spend alot more time with my dad and brother."

"In this crazy modern world, its the only thing that feels natural and right."

"No matter how wore out I get, it is still the most relaxing feeling. I don't know exactly why I hunt, but I do have to."

"...and mostly, because golf seems really stupid to me."

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The Greatest Teacher (video below)

10.13.2010

We men have goals. They’re usually big, as we are dreamers. Lately, mine have included some changes in my walk. I have had some goals not come to fruition as I would have liked.

Enjoy the following recap of my latest adventure with God...as well as video of my biggest buck to date.

The Greatest Teacher

It’s funny isn’t it? The many creative and inventive ways God speaks to us are incredible. Sometimes he does so through a sermon; sometimes a song; sometimes through our children and their many questions. Often times, it’s through a mistake.

I had been praying about our hunting trip for a couple of weeks. I wanted to be safe and successful, to be sure. But, the biggest thing on my radar was for God to bind the enemy and keep him from stealing my joy.

I don’t know why, but that was my focus.

I wanted to spend time getting to know God better. I wanted to spend time with him, to know what areas of my life I could improve in and in which areas he was proud of me. It had been a while since I was really intentional about my own spiritual growth. I had left that up to my pastor. It’s his job isn’t it?

Obviously, the answer is no. It is up to me to become more Christ-like. It is not the job of my pastor, my worship leader, my wife or anyone else. It is my job and this trip was to be a kickoff to that adventure.

As my close friend and I settled into our spots on the side of the mountain the morning of opening day, I could sense God’s presence in a way that I had not for some time. The sun had not yet made its appearance above the mountains to my left, but the orange glow of that sunrise and the sweet smell of sage made for a quiet moment of solace. “Thank you, God. This is beautiful.”

“It gets better,” was the reply.

I was excited. A smile crossed my lips as I sat and waited for the hunters below me to push the animals up the mountain and right into my sights.

As I sat, the sun began to peak over the horizon and warm us with its soft morning rays. I began to thank God for all he has done in my life - my family, my friends and the many ways he has blessed me. My mind began to wander. On occasion, I would scan the hillside across from us or the draw below us for movement. But, most of my time was spent communing with God. It was great!

The occasional gunshot from afar would pull me back to the task at hand. They would also push more and more animals over our ridge to the draw below us. I would scan for bones and then drift off with my thoughts.

Another gunshot, another casual scan and then, back to my thoughts.

A small herd of 12 or 13 animals approached from the left while 5 or 6 came over the ridge in front of our position. While the deer milled about, a call on the radio got the adrenaline pumping. “There’s a nice fork in that group of 6!”

As time passed, my friend and I spotted the group. They had made their way to some trees about 500 yards away and seemed to be bedding down for the day. No rush here. These guys aren’t going anywhere. I leaned back, basking in the glow of not only of the warm morning sun, but the even brighter glow of success!

Then, bang…bang.

“I got two good shots at that buck,” buzzed the radio. “They’re running up your way.”
Scott grasped the urgency of the situation. “This is gonna happen quick, Brian. Get ready.”

For some reason, my preparation was lackadaisical, at best. Slowly, I rose to my knee and lazily pulled the rifle into my shoulder. The deer bounded up the mountain. Leaping over the tall sage brush and zigzagging their way ever closer, I tried to locate them in my sights.

“Here they come, Brian.”

My shooting stick was too tall, so I rose to a squat.

The deer were within 200 yards. From this squatting position, the low-hanging branches of the tree were in the way and my barrel was unsteady. I had to get situated.

The deer were bounding fast now. They were just a few more steps from the cover of trees. I had to take my shot. The group paused to look behind them. They had no idea I was there.

“Shoot!”

I couldn’t find them. Up and down I fidgeted.

“Shoot!”

From a half-squat, I placed my cross-hairs on the fork’s shoulders. The sage was too tall for a vitals shot. The low-hanging branches eliminated the option of standing for a better view. They were on the move again. I had to shoot. The silence of the crisp morning was shattered as my rifle exploded and echoed down the mountainside.
I missed.

I wasn’t prepared. I had overlooked the little things that ensure a kill shot. As a result, I had to rush and my goal went unrealized.

The beautiful thing, though, was I didn’t feel bad or question God’s promise - It gets better.

I felt him speak immediately. “You weren’t prepared. You didn’t take care of those little things. Your big goal did not come to fruition like you planned.” He wasn’t talking about my missed shot. He was talking about my walk – my spiritual growth. He simply used my situation on that mountain to show me what he wanted me to work on…the little things.

The hunt was over for the day. We meandered down the mountain in hopes of scaring something up, and my conversation with God was unreal. I thanked him for his clear communication. I know what I need to be doing on a daily basis on my journey to being more like Christ.

It was crystal clear, just like that fine morning. Seek him daily. Search for areas of weakness. Be intentional with my communication with God. Encourage others. Have eyes to see where I can minister – every minute of every day. How can I bring others to the kingdom? Being conscious about that is really important. Doing these things will help me achieve my goal of being more Christ-like.

That’s it? I can hear you asking. “I could have told you that,” you say. I know, but for me, those things weren’t on my radar. I had left those things up to others to do for me. Praise God for the way he speaks!

The constant ribbing I received at camp was a tough pill to swallow. I had never missed before (I’ve only been hunting for four years now). It had me thinking perhaps I couldn’t get it done. I began to doubt.

But, God spoke again. “You can do it. Just watch the little things.”

The next morning, I was pumped. I was gonna watch those little things. I would be successful.

We arose before light the next morning to head out for the mountain. I would get a little lower down the mountain. I would set myself up real nice and bag a big one.
Due to some others in our camp, we got a late start. Doubt crept in.

Our party got up the mountain, made plans and split up. Four of us would find different spots and wait for the fifth member to push deer our direction. I finally found a great spot and set up for the kill. It was light already and I worried. The Lord assured me I would be successful if I watch the little things, so I did.

An hour passed - nothing. I scanned religiously. I made sure things were ready. All of a sudden, the hill I was watching came alive with movement, but not with that of the four-legged kind. A couple dudes from our camp didn’t stay where we planned and had wandered right into our area, scaring any game that may have been lurking. The hunt was done by 8:30am. I wasn’t happy.

I tried to stay positive as I hiked down to the meeting point. I couldn’t make heads or tails of my conversation with God. Had I misunderstood? I paid attention to the little things…but, nothing happened.

As I arrived at the truck after an hour and a half of walking and talking, I heard God…”Be persistent.”

We all arrived back at camp in a sour mood. Three of us had been affected by our nomadic friends. It wasn’t even noon and we didn’t know our next plan of attack.
“Be persistent.”

I told the others I was going out behind camp to hunt. I found some tracks and followed them out into the middle of a pumice flat. There was a highway of activity crossing the area. I found a nice little spot and got all the little stuff prepared. After 45 minutes of quiet solitude and no activity, I looked for a different area. Following tracks which showed the heaviest activity, I settled down about 300 yards from my original spot. The time with God was great, but didn’t yield anything I could shoot.
I thanked God for the conversation and headed back to camp. After a walk of about 40 yards, I heard the sound of leather squeaking against leather. I turned to check my pack. I continued to hear the sound, but it was out my other ear.

As I turned to look, the biggest horns I had ever seen began to rise above the ridge about 25 yards away. What followed was too good to be true – the biggest buck I had ever seen. I froze – stunned. It didn’t slow one step. It looked straight at me and continued his hurried gate. I expected him to turn or start or stop…something. When he didn’t, I dropped to my knee and slammed my rifle to my shoulder. The beast was 20 yards away and moving fast. I scoped him quickly, and as he made his way down a shallow gulch I set my crosshairs on the back of his shoulders. As he came up the near side of the dip, his head came back into view and he continued to come closer, his neck exposed itself to my crosshairs.

The rifle bucked against my shoulder.

The animal reared back, pawing at the air as if trying to climb right into heaven. As his pawing slowed, gravity took over and he slammed forward into the ground not 13 yards away from me.

He was truly a gift. He never saw me. He trundled right into my sights. How can I explain it any other way?

It gets better. Be Persistent.

When you actively seek, God speaks.

When his children listen and obey, they are blessed.

Do you have goals you have not seen fulfilled? Are you paying attention to the little things?

What does God want you to focus on? Ask him.

It does get better!

I hope God speaks to you through this adventure of mine.

-Brian

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FACEBOOK!!!

10.08.2010

We're now on Facebook! Please "like" us and help us grow by spreading the word and suggesting our page to all your friends!

We want to unite those who love the outdoors and Christ...who enjoy time spent in creation, and with our Creator. There's no better classroom than the outdoors, where "God's invisible qualities, eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen" (Romans 1:20)

Find us on Facebook here!

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Unexplainable Backcountry

10.01.2010

This week we want to share a piece written by Andrew Johnson, one of our Faith in the Field team members, who had a dream season with his stick and string. Click the link below to enjoy some incredible photos and story of what Andrew refers to as the "unexplainable backcountry."

"Unexplainable Backcountry" click here



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Recurve Rooseys...video below

9.22.2010

Thanks for all your prayers as I chased elk with my own stick and string last weekend...but pray harder...I'm still after one! :) I may give it a day or two this last weekend of the season. As we all know, hunting is about far more than the kill...it's about the company, where it takes you, the memories created and what you learn about yourself, the world, life and our creator. At times I feel the pressure of notching tags for this year's DVD, but I'm relieved each an every time knowing that God is in control...of everything...from each and every blog that gets posted, to what goes on our DVD and into the programs and activities we will put together...and the adventures you all are having as well! He is in control...and this last weekend I was reminded that I need to have "faith in the field," whenever and wherever that may be.

Over Labor Day weekend I headed out with a good friend, David Brinker, from Sitka Gear, and his dad after some Northwest OR roosevelt elk. We found some screamers, but getting within the magical 30 yard range with traditional gear was a challenge. I wanted to share a short video with you that encompasses so much...from the beauty of the coastal mountains and it's inhabitants, to a father and son's epic journey together...as well as the reality of the hunt and a traditional bowhunting theme. It's a quick recap I hope you'll enjoy watching while taking a break from the grind.




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Fall Photo Contest!

9.16.2010

Before I get to the details of our first photo contest I just thought I would ask for your prayers this weekend for my brother, Jeff. After spending all of his time this archery elk season filming other hunters, he is finally getting out this weekend with a chance to be shooter! He really wants to get one....which I'm sure is why I didn't get invited along. Would you please pray that God sends the perfect elk along. Since we should pray specifically, here is what the perfect elk will be like. A bull, or a cow. Deaf, blind and have no sense of smell. Three legged would be good, two is better yet! This elk will need to come within 3 yards and stand still. If it came with a bulls eye painted over the vitals, that would be good too! Please join me:)

Now, on to the business at hand. We've been enjoying a few of the photo's that friends have been sending our way of the trophies you have bagged already this season. It got us thinking that it would be cool if all of you would send us a photo or two of the animals, birds, or fish you bag this fall. We'll get a panel together and judge the photo's and declare some winners.

Here are some rules....honor system.

-Photo must be taken of an animal, fish, or bird(s) legally taken this year, 2010.
-If you shoot an animal from your hot tub (Dad) please put a shirt on before photo is taken.

Photo's will be judged on picture quality, backdrop scenery, the presentation of the game or fish and we will probably give a little preference to kids with big smiles and trophy size beasts, or maybe we might be swayed by anything that grabs at our heart strings in your photo summary paragraph.

Please include with your photo, a short paragraph summing up the trip, GPS coordinates, your name, email address and a phone number. (We will keep this private) Kidding about the GPS stuff;)

We can't promise anything because we haven't started putting together the video for this year, but we may want to add your still shot photo's at the end of our video while the credits are rolling. Please indicate if that is okay with you when send in your entries.

Winners will be contacted the first week of January. 1st place will get first choice of prizes, 2nd will get........2nd choice and 3rd place will get what's left. 4th place will get whatever Cliff Bars and Capri Suns are left at the bottom of my pack at the end of the season.

The Prizes will be:

-A Winter Steelhead Driftboat trip for two on the Siletz or Trask river with me. I am not a guide and have only sunk 1 driftboat. We usually catch some fish though.

-$50.00 gift card to Cabellas

-A Faith in the Field T-shirt and free 2010 video.

To Enter: Send photo in email form to info@faithinthefield.com Please title the email "Photo Contest"

Good luck to everyone this fall season. May God bless you and keep you safe as you adventure in the outdoors this fall. And our prayer for you is that you will be struck by creation and the Creator in new and deeper ways this fall as you Seek The One!

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The Role of Nature

9.08.2010

We often allude to the beauty and revelation of the outdoors…that they speak of a Eden we’ve never known, but somehow know we were created for. Romans 1:20 says God’s divine attributes, invisible qualities and eternal power are clearly seen and understood through all that has been made. Creation reveals the heart of God. Through my ever-growing knowledge and understanding of the ways in which God is revealed in my outdoor excursions, I find myself meeting Him there more often…and there is more than meets the eye to what can be taken away from our time in the field. Enjoy the following excerpt from The Way of The Wild Heart, by John Eldredge.

There is a humility and a seasoned wisdom to be learned in the natural world, as they are learned no other place.

One of the great lessons nature has for us…there is a way things work. You cannot simply walk through this world any old way you want. Turn a canoe sideways and it will tip. Approach an elk upwind and it will spook. Run your hand along the grain of wood and you'll get a splinter. There is a way things work. Oh, what a crucial lesson this is for a man. In the realm of nature, you can't just order room service, or change the channel, or write a new program to solve your problems. You can't ignore the way things work. You must be taught by it. Humility and wisdom come to a man when he learns those ways, and learns to live his life accordingly.

So, yes, I am saying that an encounter with the natural world-the world God set us in-is essential for masculine initiation. I'm not saying that every man needs to love to fish and hunt. But yes-there are things to learn through nature, lessons that simply cannot be learned anywhere else. It might be out on the open sea. It might take place bicycling through farmlands. Does this mean that a man who loves the city cannot enter into masculine initiation and maturity? Not at all. C. S. Lewis was not an outdoorsman. He spent his days with books, in the academies of England. But I find it important that he felt his day was never complete without a walk outside. Not a fifty-mile backpacking trip. A walk in the woods. Time spent in the field.

It's worth a try, and I'll guarantee God will meet you there, if you'll let him.

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Astoria 2010

9.02.2010

Well, we had another good trip to Astoria for salmon camp again this year. The fishing wasn't as hot as in years past but we managed to get our share. We were able to avoid any skunk outings by at least getting one keeper each trip out and our best day was 5 salmon to the net. Most importantly we were able to grill up some fresh salmon for dinner almost every night back in camp. Here are a few pictures of the fish and the expert anglers....







Lot's of memories from this year like me falling off of the dock before heading out one morning, playing on the beach, riding bikes and of course catching fish. Morgan and Grant are turning into quite the fishermen. My favorite memory though was one night while sitting at the campfire a tired and weary 2 year old climbed up onto my lap, put her head on my shoulder with her cold little nose next to my neck and breathed a big sigh. It had been a long day, she was a little dirty, she missed her nap, had just gotten some camp fire smoke in her eyes and she turned to me for comfort. I was thrilled! She could have gone to grandma or mommy or big sister but she came to daddy which honestly is getting more rare as she grows. It made my day.
And it caused me to wonder. If I enjoyed being able to comfort my child so much, how much more does God love to be there to comfort us? We have long days, we get tired and weary and dirty and hurt....where do we turn? The refrigerator, the TV, sleep, a hot shower...or maybe darker things....addictions perhaps. But God is there, we just need to climb up in his lap and rest. We ought to be looking for comfort in the only real place there is to find it. I just bet it would make God's day as well.
-Scott

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