4 Mile prayers

---

November 29 In these days of trial and mistrust, we are witnessing the true defeat of what satan has contrived for man. It would appear that there is no end to what evil mankind is capable of. The hearts of the timid are melted in the battle around them and they remain silent. I am reminded of these words, "Courage, we must really act like men today if we are going to save our people and the cities of our GOD." Throughout history it is those who remain courageous that win the war! Today we are fighting against the enemy, we use words instead of swords, our armor remains GOD'S WORD! Be strong! Don't fall prey to what satan sows. Be with courage, spreading HIS WORD and actions wherever you find yourselves. We are GOD'S WARRIORS! GOD bless you.

November 28 With a winter storm approaching it would be a perfect time to be in a tree stand. But we must do our weekly grocery shopping and I want to visit a friend in the hospital so this morning's hunt will not happen. Sometimes there are more important things to be done. Serving GOD may cause a loss of what we want to do, but how do we show our service if we put ourselves before GOD? I am put to shame by the way the Amish follow their belief. Willing to be a peculiar people that have set themselves apart from our 'normal' and follow what GOD has told them to do! How should we be any different? Help us to place GOD first in our lives in actions and not just 'lip service'. We are not faking out GOD by what we do. As a song says, "He chooses to use His people instead."  GOD bless you.

November 27 In all the 75 years I have been on this earth, I have never been as thankful as I am today. Though all the people I have met and worked with, love and been upset with, the whole experience has combined to make me as I am today. There is nothing that can be changed, no regrets or sorrow of what has transpired. The one thing that made the difference is the WORD of GOD that was presented at times during my life that have concentrated today into a changed soul. The difference between being lost and being saved! By the BLOOD and the WORD, GOD'S lessons have begun to take root and grow. We each can change lives. Perhaps not immediately but over time, by simply passing on the WORD. Today we can be thankful for many things but only what is in the eternal future can hold the key that will unlock life. Thank you, CHRIST, for opening the door for all who choose to enter. GOD bless you.

November 26 This morning is cold and the wind is over 25mph, it is not a good day to be hunting. But I spoke with the Amish boy and he remained excited to go. So; we will try to find a place out of the wind and hope that we see some deer. Even though it looks hopeless, we do not know for sure what this day may hold. One thing for certain, GOD DOES! When things are bleak, in HIM there is HOPE, when life gives us pain, in HIM there is a CURE. MIRACLES abound in the presence of GOD; we just fail to have FAITH! Just as I fail to trust that today's hunt will become a success. We fail to TRUST in what GOD can do. Oh, ye of little FAITH! Give us more FAITH, help us to realize that the POWER of GOD is ENDLESS. Our FAITH is so small.

November 25 Yesterday when I visited a friend who has been in the hospital 6 months from a stroke, when I put olive oil on his head and asked if he believed I JESUS CHRIST, he halfheartedly shook his head no. My heart sank but I told him that it was his decision to make and his alone but he was still my friend. I can feel his despair and understand the lack of faith after a prolonged illness, but isn't that when we need GOD the most? JESUS said, "I came to be a friend to sinners," and since we all sin, what other course is opened to us but to love our neighbor? We can love the sinner and still hate the sin! Our lives touch others in different ways but it takes us all to be a church. Offer the lost hope, live in a way that represents CHRIST, to the best of our ability and thank GOD for the good that we are bestowed. At one point or another we all reach a point of choice, make the best choice you can, eternity awaits.  May GOD bless you.

November 24 I always look forward to taking someone hunting. And whether we see some or not, it's always fun. But with my grandson its different. From our first deer hunt with a BB gun to the 8pt he got at 8 years old, each time is special! Through the years he has become a master and often his experiences are captured on video. I so enjoy watching those videos he brings home it's just like I was there with him when he was young! During the season I have something to look forward to every time he goes afield. But the true treasure ahead is not another hunt, it is the presence of GOD. Each day the value of CHRIST'S teaching is alive and visible in love, friendship and honor. Satan attempts to gain a foothold, but age has its valuable asset, we can see that eternity is just ahead. As wonderful as these days can be or as awful as satan can make them, the true GLORY of GOD lays just ahead. And to many that day is feared, but to those whose eyes have been opened, what a day of rejoicing lays ahead. May we each put our TRUST into the hands of GOD and not this world. May GOD bless you.

November 23 Yesterday I took an Amish boy hunting and it is our signal that if he was to get one, he would go to my vehicle and honk the horn 3 times. Around 745 I thought I heard the horn honk once, then from the opposite direction the neighbors honked their horn. 10 minutes later I thought I heard my horn honk 4 times. Then the neighbor's horn must have been activated by the panic button as it honked many times. Then I thought I heard my horn honk 3 times! I texted my wife and asked if she would drive up to where my vehicle was and see if the Amish boy was in it. She replied that he was not! I asked her to check closely as his clothing blends into the car and was hard to see and later she texted and said that he got one and she took him to the house! Well, he had never even honked he horn and she saw him dragging the deer and had stopped and picked him up! We often are led off course by the signals that we think we hear, we just have to investigate to find the TRUTH. GOD'S WORD remains the rock that we need to stand on, despite the many sounds we hear that call out and confuse. Grant us the wisdom to hear clearly YOUR WORD alone. GOD bless you.

November 22 I am always struck by the words of JESUS after casting out the demons that entered the pigs. "Go home to your friends and tell them what wonderful things GOD has done for you and how merciful HE has been." We were not told to preach to the millions or become the pastor of churches, although if HE opened those doors that would be great, HE simply said, go and tell your friends and neighbors! The world would be filled with GOD'S WORD if we did just those simple things. GOD has done many things for each of us; we just need to tell others. May GOD open our hearts and mouths to do these simple steps. GOD bless you.

November 21 Yesterday I learned that 2 of the first group of Amish boys that I taught to shoot bows had both got a deer. I was so excited and glad that they had stuck with it and were now receiving the rewards of their work. Just as we can follow GOD, and in HIS time, receive the reward that we have worked for. If we work in an evil way, we receive an evil gift. If we work for GOD, we receive a HEAVENLY gift. We get what we sow. Some will rejoice in the great fortune ahead, others will weep at what their seed has produced. GOD is so good, HE gives to the just and the unjust, but our reward will be what we have done in our time on this earth. The testing place for all ETERNITY is now. Work in FAITH to produce good. GOD bless you.

November 20 "For a son will be against his father."  Todays world is revealing the downfall of mankind and the exact fulfillment of GOD'S WORD. Sons against fathers, daughters against mothers. Satan can enter into anyone that will not serve GOD. The lure of riches entices, the soul becomes lost, but judgement is mine says the LORD our GOD! We are deeply disturbed by their indifference to human need and the power of greed. Vengeance is mine, says the LORD, my judgement will be fair and just! We are all accessible to the power of satan, we can also select GOD'S grace and love. The decision remains ours. The judgement remains GODS. May our conscience remain clear, our joy in the LORD, our trust in the POWER of GOD. May we each remain faithful. GOD bless you.

November 19 "At last the time has come. GOD'S kingdom is near! Turn from your sins and act on this glorious news." Those words of CHRIST are repeated every day. Our lives are filled with the opportunities to repent and turn to GOD. But far too often we have waived our salvation for another day of sin. These days will not continue forever, the end is near!  Failing to grasp ahold of the WORD that is offered results in death. The body will die, for each of us but the soul lives on. Constructed to live for eternity in HEAVEN, but the soul can also survive forever in hell, tormented for eternity. The choice remains ours alone. At last, the time has come. GOD'S kingdom is near. Is it time to make a change? To act on this glorious news? May GOD bless you.

November 18 "What is the benefit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?" The older we become the more those words strike home. We work to gain a greater foothold and what have we really gotten? We say that we want our children to be better off than we were and yet allow them to be desolate of the spiritual matters that really make the difference between life and death. The better that we think we have it, the farther we are from GOD! Worldly wealth takes precedence over our spiritual wealth and destroys a nation. Today the reset button must be pushed. An awakening of GOD'S spirit in the hearts of mankind must change our world toward the eternal. We can witness the result of placing GOD on the back shelf; HE must be moved to the front. There remains nothing but doom without HIM. What is your gain? GOD be with you.

 November 17 As my cousin and I texted back and forth, he described his health issues and how he wasn't hunting because of them. He misses being out in the woods and the tasty venison that can result. We decided that we are all get older and have to make concessions in our life in order to get along. We also agreed that GOD had made a difference in our lives, even though it was later in our years. What if we had turned to GOD when we were young? What could we have done? The important thing to remember is, that no matter our age, we can still serve GOD. No matter how much health affects our life's, as long as our mouth works, we can spread the message. Perhaps then someone will be changed and do what we failed to do. No matter what our condition may be, we are a voice,  for good or evil. We are a voice. We need to spend the time that remains doing what we failed to do in our youth. Thank GOD that HE has given us time to rectify our past actions. Do not waste the time that you have been given. May GOD bless you.

November 16 Yesterday my grandson and I were hunting a spot that we had not been to yet this year. It was proving to be quite productive as he saw many deer, except that they acted like they could smell him. Which was very funny as these was a strong smell of hog manure in the air and that was all we could smell! But somehow the deer could sort out human smell from the hog smell! Often, we think that GOD won't notice our sin in a world that has abandoned HIM. But HE knows!  HE is able to see the darkness inside us even though the world around is rank with sin, HE knows! There is no 'little white lie', they are all the same shade of sin! Every day we are presented with the opportunities to do good or evil. Just remember, someone IS watching!  May our hearts be cleansed by the SAVIOUR'S blood and our souls be found guiltless because of our FAITH and actions. GOD bless you.

November 15 Yesterday I received a text that my cousin had harvested a nice buck in Pennsylvania. I was so glad to hear it, as we are getting older and each remaining hunt is special. We have no way of knowing how many more times afield we may have, but GOD does. I was most excited by the last 3 words of his text, they were, "GOD is good!"  We experience so many thrills in our lives and we know how good GOD is, but we can never totally understand the GLORY that HE holds. We just experience the fringe of that greatness. And until we are with HIM in HIS GLORY, we can only say, GOD is good, because we know that HE is! As we go through this day, we will all have moments that show HIS love for us. In those times tell HIM how much you are thankful for HIS goodness.  GOD bless you.

November 14 "But finally  all that generation died and the next generation did not worship GOD. They did many things the LORD had expressly forbidden, including worshiping heathen gods. So, the anger of the LORD flared out against them." Doesn't that sound familiar? Aren't we witnessing that same change today? When the generations turn away from GOD destruction follows. That destruction continues until the people come to their senses and return to GOD! We are on that downward spiral, we do not have to wait for the crash before we return to GOD. The revival has begun, the search for something better than what is present today. The hope of our ancestors has once again risen. Do not turn away or neglect the opportunity to return to GOD. The balance of our future pivots on our return. We must revive our minds, cleanse our spirit and return home. Only disaster awaits those who do not reform. May GOD bless you.

November 13 Each time I read the story of the two blind men that were yelling for Jesus to come to them, I am stricken by the words of JESUS, "What do you want me to do for you?"  They didn't ask for riches or material things, they wanted to see! Our eyes can also be opened to the GOD that is around us if only we would cry out like those blind men. Knowing that JESUS can change our world completely, in an instant, IF ONLY WE ASK! Imagine being blind and your sight is walking by! How much they wanted to see. LORD, open our eyes, make us want YOU more than anything else. Provide the sight that can save the world through FAITH. Thank you for your blessings each day. THE darkness of the world lays silent, content to be blind, as it's SAVIOUR is nearby. GOD bless you.

November 12 When you travel around and see how so many people live, you soon realize how fortunate you are. Sometimes you see those who appear to be fortunate and all too often those who are less fortunate. However, we all deal with what we are dealt and do our best to get along. Those who TRUST in GOD often have the best attitude and outlook on life and deal with challenges the best. It's just a brighter path. Those who choose to not believe are often troubled by the pitfalls of discouragement and pain. Why? Look at the two masters! Can you see the difference in the master they serve? One blessed and the other cursed. Which do you want? There is a choice. Choose wisely today whom you will follow. Life or death remain in the balance even after this world ends. May GOD be our focus and blessing each day.

November 11 Many of you know the time that I experienced the wonder, in the mountains of Colorado. It has been 8 years ago that GOD made HIMSELF manifest to me there and changed my life. And since that day these messages each day have gone out, in the hope that those who do not know GOD will step toward HIM and be received by FAITH. And that those who do know GOD will grow in their FAITH and LOVE and share those truths within an ever-darkening world around them. I have found that EVERYTHHNG that happens is a blessing, both good and bad. Those who still think I am crazy, can continue to watch as GOD pours out a message to each of us daily proving HIS control of all world events so that we may turn to HIM in FAITH. For those short years that followed I have met many people that I call friends and remain heart touched together through the time that GOD has allotted. As long as HE lenses the health to continue and those who help so faithfully, we will continue to tell of GOD'S WORD, GRACE and LOVE that HE has for those who turn to HIM. Stand strong on HIS WORD, grow daily in HIS strength and allow HIS blessings to guide your way daily. Believe on the name of JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved! And that is the greatest blessing.

November 10 Yesterday I was talking about when we become lazy and don't do what we were going to do. Then last evening I learned the blessings that come when you fight through and go for it. The same weather was taunting as the cold and wind bent the trees, but I had prepared with my best clothing. The reward was that I saw 3 bucks and a doe. And harvested one of the bucks. GOD remains so good to us! The effort that we put forth never remains void. Just as GOD'S WORD does not return void. The saying that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction also applies in the spiritual world. When we make the effort to apply GOD'S message even when we don't want to, good things happen. If we don't, satan relishes in the outcome. May your encouragement come from the LORD. God bless you. P.S. a special thank you, to my grandson who went out of his way to help me. That applies both to work here and in the world around us.

November 9 Some days when I get up to go hunting and its raining, the want to go is replaced with the new want to go back to bed. Then, and all to often, when I get up it had turned into a beautiful day. The same thing happens in life. When the things around us look dreary we tend to hold back spreading GOD'S  WORD, only to find out that it was the perfect time to have been an example. Rarely do we see all that forms the entire day, we just witness parts of it. The balance is shown to us as we advance through it. Just as GOD'S WORD is revealed as we read it. Don't give up on reading when you encounter things that are difficult to understand. The more we read the clearer it becomes, revealing a bright new day. GOD bless you.

November 8 So often when hunting I will hear the sounds of a deer walking and get ready, only to find that it is a squirrel going about their work of gathering food. They can be quite masterful at tricking me with these noises! On the other hand, sometimes the deer sound like squirrels and surprise me too! It is like the devil when he wants to trick us; he makes sounds like GOD. We become confused and can't distinguish the fake from the real. Then when the real appears before us; we are surprised because we thought it was fake! The only thing that we can do is focus on what is GOD and identify HIS characteristics and judge the fake by the real. It is important to know the differences between the two, so we can know the TRUTH. Pay attention to what is going on, be able to tell the difference, follow only the WORD of GOD. Beware of the tricks of what is fake. May GOD bless you.

November 7 As the father grows increasingly weaker, the family divides the 'treasures' of his life. They seek the spoils of his labors, the remains of the things he had worked for. Their sights set on the things of this world. Forgotten is the soul of the man they now plumage. A soul either lost or gathered within the shell of his former body. Lost within depression, the downhill slide begun, the end awaits! Those who are supposed to love him, search with greed. Those who knew him care about his eternity. What is love? The brutal collision of the world against FAITH. His want to give them the best, results in scorn. Painfully we watch as wolves null at the bones, unable to help. Inside we are dying with him, we are at a loss. We don't know if another soul is lost or will live eternally, but GOD knows. For even in the blink of an eye salvation comes to those who will believe. May GOD entrust our spirit, guide our hearts and receive our souls for eternal comfort beyond this world.  

November 6 Do you remember that game at the circus or fair where you would guess how many jelly beans were in the jar?  The one that was the closest would win a prize.  Well, consider this, "Not one sparrow can fall to the ground without your FATHER knowing it. And the hairs of your head are all numbered." It is no guess that GOD knows the amount of hair that remains, even after combing that head with growing age. HE is no magician, it just shows how much attention HE has for each of us. So much love and care that HE KNOWS every detail. And we just guess at the number of beans!  GOD bless you.

November 5 One thing that stands out to me over the years that I have spent hunting. You never see a male animal wanting to have sex with another male animal or female with female. You never see a deer trying to be a turkey or a squirrel pretending to be a chipmunk!  They know what they are and do what they are supposed to do according to GOD'S plan. They instinctively know and obey. Humans are the only species that willingly disobey GOD'S law. The BIBLE tells us that there are rules that are not to be broken. Yet our broken society flaunts before us the sin of men with men! How displeased we must make GOD, that even the animals obey HIS command and humans willingly flaunt their arrogance right in front of HIM, as if HE cannot see! And we say that animals are dumb! It should make us search deeper into the plan that GOD has for the human race. 

November 4 After harvesting a doe from the park, the hardest chore of getting it out of the woods was ahead of me. I thank GOD for the bounty that HE provides, but being unable to use my 4 wheeler in the park requires it to be done manually. My misfortune is that the animal never makes its dash toward the easy way out and lay at the bottom of a ravine. Thank GOD the park ranger and the assistant were on duty and were glad to help. They know the park better than me and we went a direction that I would not have, but we were shortly to a path where we could get to the animal. Just as we often wander through life doing things the hard way, GOD knows the way. All we have to do is agree to follow the ONE that knows. As old age sets in more each day, it is important to follow the advice of those who know. The family that received the animal were happy for the blessing, as I was happy for the help That was given. May we all be glad on that day CHRIST returns, prepared and faithfully strong, ready to follow HIM home. GOD bless you.

November 3 Hunting now is both fun and challenging. There are enough leaves left on the trees to make identification difficult, but better than a week ago. Sometimes you wonder if the animals are on a trail just 100 yds away or in the next county. But that's why its called hunting. One thing about GOD'S WORD. It is not trying to hide from us, it is always available to be found. There is always an abundance of ways to find GOD and capture HIS WORD both in our minds and hearts, it just takes our willingness to search for it. May we each have the desire to follow what we find, performing the tasks that we are made to accomplish and not waste our lives hunting for that purpose. May GOD bless you.

November 2 As we know, every day we are presented with choices. How we act when things don't go our way, what we say and how we react. All choices that can make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. But there is no greater choice than this. For GOD is giving you a choice today between GOD'S blessing or GOD'S curse! There will be blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your GOD and a curse if you refuse them! That's the choice, life or death,  the choice is yours alone. May GOD'S blessings follow what you do. 

November 1 There was a song that said, "You don't always get what you want, you get what you need." Or as my mother would say, " It's not what you want that makes you fat, it's what you get." As humans we want more than we need. And when we get that... we want more! We are warned, "for when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine houses to live in and have flocks becoming large and your gold and silver have multiplied, that is the time to watch out that you don't become proud and forget the LORD your GOD." We owe everything to GOD, we just need to remember it, an TRUST HIM. GOD bless you.

October 31 Too often we concentrate on the bad and reject the good things happening to us and all around us. We get to hung up in ourselves and forget about GOD. Sure, things are not always perfect, but as a friend of mine would say, "It's better than I deserve."  We are so blessed to be born and live where we have plenty of water and food. The rest of the world may be struggling but we have plenty. And what is our reaction? We want more and better than what we have. Take time to look at what GOD has blessed you with and be THANKFUL. May we each then share our bounty with those with less. GOD bless you.

October 30 Just like the Israelites we know what to do, we just disobey and do what we want! Then when things crash down around us, we 'weep before the LORD, but HE wouldn't listen'. Our denial and disbelief causes us more pain and suffering that we know. Each time we are walking a different path than GOD'S, we are in peril! And why should HE care, WE have done it to ourselves. Thank GOD that HE does not act like mere men. Holding grudges and trying to get even. GOD is love but hates the sin! Satan knows GOD and has spoken to HIM. He knows GOD'S WORD yet rejects it for self. He thinks he is better. Just like we do when we fail to follow our GOD. Sometimes it is scary to witness how much we are alike. Separate from the worlds way of thinking and follow what GOD is saying And HE will bless. GOD be with you.

October 29 As we watch world events, we see that what was so popular 3 months ago is losing its momentum.  The great hope that is driven by what was once our enemy is losing its lead. Perhaps people can still remember that and how our enemy has treated their citizens and the future looks dim! The BIBLE tells us, "The people of GOD who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away, those destined for death will be killed. But do not be dismayed, for here is your opportunity for endurance and confidence." While the world wonders around and has no direction, following their own desires, watch as GOD'S WORD becomes reality. GOD bless you.

October 28 As I saw the calendar, it read Oct.28! Where has the time gone? Archery season is half over and I feel like it had just begun. Time flies when your having fun! But, consider those days when you were sick or in the hospital and each day seems like it would never end. The LORD has HIS set time. It is neither fast nor slow. But in perfect alignment. Our minds may think that HIS timing is off, but it is we who are confused and out of step. Our time on earth is numbered, each day and event recorded long ago. Yet we weep and worry when sickness strikes. Our soul is the only thing that will last! Our body's gone through the period of time. Our spirit guided by our faithful actions during our time here. Short or long, we will all return to the earth of which we were made. Not in our time but in HIS. What will tomorrow bring in your life? Will it be in confidence or meandering? Saved or lost? The answer can be found today, at this very moment, if we turn to GOD. May our soul be saved when HE makes the final judgement, by our actions today.  GOD bless you.

October 27 This world is filled with games. From football, baseball, soccer, volleyball to different series of car racing. There are winners and those who lose in each. But salvation is not a game. It is greater than a battle of life and death, because it is eternal! Yet so many go about their lives and do not seem to care. What a shock wave will be felt when the doors of HEAVEN are opened and judgement begins! Those bound for HEAVEN will enter, those found guilty cast into the lake of eternal fire. A day of rejoicing and a day of bitter crying mixed. Thank GOD there is a way to prepare, to be ready for the time that will come, indeed it is fast approaching CHRIST has given a pathway to all who choose to follow. Open our hearts to your WORD oh LORD, show us that life is not a game, but a serious endeavor toward eternity. GOD bless you.

October 26 The cover is worn and the binding is torn and broken. The pages are marked, underlined, or circled. The pages have been folded and are loose, yet it remains in use everyday. It has not always been read, in those days of rebellion it was nearly lost. But today it is a treasure. The inside cover reads, "Happy birthday 1972, May God bless and keep you!" The gift was barely acknowledged at the time was to become the reading material daily. The Living Bible, given in faith that lives may change in time, providing what they couldn't in their own time. Today my heart says thank you to my parents long passed who brought life to the dead many years later. I hope the same story may live within you. GOD bless you.

October 25 Last evening as we returned from an Amish fund raiser, we saw several deer cross the road and go on a route through our yard. When we pulled into the drive way we saw my grandson's car and he soon texted and said he was behind the house. I text back to be ready; they were on the way. Ha!  When he came in at dark, he reported that he had seen no deer. Those things are wiley animals! Just as satan can trick and deceive without us realizing what is happening. We must be on the alert all the time. We cannot let down our guard for a second. When we do that's when the deceiver steps up his front. Whether we are hunting or working or spending time relaxing, there is no where we are free from attack. Keep up your guard with the TRUTH of GOD'S WORD.

October 24 While having lunch yesterday I turned on the news, there was a press conference on an many of the questions asked were about the remodeling at the capital area. One question was,  "Is President Trump thinking of rebuilding the Holy Temple in Jerusalem?"  My thought was that now the seed has been planted and a planted seed will quickly grow. As we live our daily lives, the acts of GOD are unfolding around us. HE guides events to unfold just as HE has foretold. Watch as these world leaders move into the perfect posture to unveil what was foretold long ago. What exciting days we are living in. GOD bless you and unveil HIS truths upon your heart.

October 23 Once again, after reading through the Bible, I come to Revelation. And once again I am excited to read that particular Book and see again just how much closer we have come to CHRIST'S second coming. I recall the words that GOD spoke to Moses, "When did I become weak? Now you shall see whether my word is true or not!"  With each reading the world has changed and we can witness the closeness of reality and the WORD of GOD colliding with today's society. Each year we can see the control that satan has over this earth and the truth in the WORD of GOD. From the creation story and into these last days, men have walked without the knowledge of the POWER GOD has over these days. Walk through these wonderful times with me in the WORD of GOD each day. GOD bless you.

October 22 Yesterday the Amish boy told me that he had seen 5 deer and that he had made a clean miss on his shot. It was farther away than I thought, he told me. Sometime later I was thinking of those words and they reminded me that GOD is NEVER too far away, HE is always with us. We can never over or under shoot in our search. HE is near when we sin or when we praise. However, HE will turn us over to our sin when we make our choice to leave. Never binding, always loving, never too far away, that's GOD'S way. Life reminds us of the better days ahead unless we miss the target completely. May GOD bless you.

October 21 We are often deceived by what we see and led to do what we really don't want to do. Yesterday morning just after it was getting light, 2 deer came toward me. One was larger than the other and I assumed it was a doe and fawn. When the 'doe' stepped into an opening I let the arrow fly and saw a good hit. After getting down and tracking a short distance, I was shocked to see 2 small spike antlers on the animal! In Iowa a non-forked antler buck is considered a doe, so there was no penalty, except my pride. However, I thought that we often are deceived into sin because we are not paying enough attention to the sign around us and other times, we just want it to be a certain way and just overlook the signs. Either way we do what we don't want to do. Help us to be more aware of the trickery used against us and to be certain that what we see is what is real. May GOD help us be clear in our attempts to follow in FAITH. May we be able to discern right and wrong and follow in GOD'S light. GOD bless you.

October 20 Friday evening a 3-year-old Amish girl was backed over by a truck. She was taken by helicopter to an emergency hospital and I have not heard what has happened to her. It is always sad when things happen to the innocent young. However, we all make mistakes that can cost us our lives both earthly and eternal. Choices that we make each day are eternal in nature. Each day we are dealing with life and death matters both here and in the spiritual world. They both matter! Just as we value the lives of our family, the consequences of sin can destroy, leaving our soul venerable to eternal death. Be aware of what is going on around you, stay clear of the dangers that lurk nearby. Pray for those who may be taken. Protect those who are venerable. May GOD bless you.

October 19 When the Iowa vs Penn St game started, I got a text from my cousin saying 'go Penn St.' And since I reside in Iowa that was supposed to get me going! However; since I was transplanted from PA it didn't. At half time I went to bed and told him to text me the final score. Since there was no text, I assume it was not in his favor. I often think that we get excited about what GOD knew the answer, since the world began. We amuse ourselves with things that don't matter and discard what is truly important. Playing games is fun, but not when it comes to eternity! With our eternal future we cannot play. I know our banter is all in fun and that he knows the difference between life and eternal death. However far too many do not! Thank you, GOD, for allowing us to find your saving grace and GOD bless you.

October 18 "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." That was a saying by Benjamin Franklin, but the early rising just makes me want to go to bed early and has little effect on my health or financial situation. We hear these sayings and fairy tales all throughout our lives. But "we are not telling you fairy tales when we explain to you the power of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and his coming again." From the eye witnesses of CHRIST'S disciples to the wonders we witness each day, GOD is ALIVE!  By FAITH we enter into the realm of HOLINESS provided by CHRIST BLOOD. Without FAITH then life is but a fairy tale with a very bad ending. FAITH changes our hopes into eternal reality. May GOD be with you.

October 17 I was asked how my hunting was going and as I thought about all the great times that I was experiencing, my reply was that I moved slower and fell more often. Old age creeps up on us a little at a time, then all of a sudden it has overcome us! I still feel young, but can't seem to do those things that I used to do. Our lives on this earth will end in death, everyone will experience it. Everyone witnesses it throughout their lives. We have a choice to have eternal life or eternal death after we pass from this earth. The choice is how we live while we are here. This life could be called a test, but the future is known! Many are going to be lost because of the choice that was made. Make a wise choice and pass along the offer that CHRIST has paid. The field is ready for harvest. GOD bless you.

October 16 Yesterday we had an appointment at our insurance office to get a different policy as the current company is no longer renewing in our county. We don't have a hard time deciding on a new company because we trust our insurance man, he is a friend. After we had completed our new policy and signed the new contracts our conversation turned to spiritual matters and not those of this world, but the world to come. Our faithful GOD will not drop us because HE did not make a profit! Once we knew very little of GOD'S kindness, now our very existence is changed by it.  Always there, HE gave us the precious gift, our insurance of eternal life, non-cancellable in our FAITH to HIM! Every day GOD presents HIS choices to us, we must be worthy of that love. May GOD bless you.

October 15 As I read through Leviticus and all the things that the Priests and people had to do as offerings for the cure of leprosy, it makes me glad that we have Doctors, hospitals and clinics. We have not heard much about leprosy lately, but there is still sickness and injury. Thank GOD we don't have to offer those sacrifices that were required then. As James said, "The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results." When there is sickness or disaster, who do people turn to? When all is lost, GOD is sought after! Shouldn't we be reaching for HIS hand each day? An open heart receives much. GOD bless you.

October 14 This evening I have plans to take an Amish boy hunting. We have planned our trip several times but things come up that detoured our plans. Although today will be warm and the chances of seeing anything are greatly reduced, we will go because 'you never know' that's why we call it hunting.  With GOD there is no wondering or worthless trips. We always have a mission and the opportunity to be a witness for CHRIST. There is never a wasted trip or outing. May GOD show us the fullness of HIS WORD during our time spent on earth and Our lives not be a waste time. We are made to do GOD'S mission, let us not fail. GOD bless you.

October 13 GOD has quite a sense of humor. Yesterday at Church we had the bread and cup ceremony and many of us could not hold back a laugh. You see, as many of us had visited a Church while our Pastor was at conference, they had the bread and cup and when we drank the cup, it was a surprise to have syrup instead of grape juice!  As everyone was trying to clear their thoughts the pastor exclaimed 'that's not grape juice', so when ours was grape juice, it was hard not to yell 'that's not syrup!' We all have things happen that make us laugh, even in Church. Since we are created in GOD'S image, I am sure that HE enjoys laughter just as we do. However, it is no laughing matter that many are not prepared for their next life and pay no attention to the roads they travel while here on earth. GOD will be in sorrow with each soul that HE casts into hell and rejoice with each that receives a crown! It is our own actions and FAITH that we are judged upon. It is never too late to accept the gift. Hell is no laughing matter. May GOD bless you.

October 12 By 8 o'clock my grandson had seen multiple bucks and does. One of the nice ones passed near the blind he was in and as he contemplated whether or not to shoot, it disappeared into the woods. Soon afterward he snuck out of the blind to see if it had laid down over a small rise and while sneaking, he noticed a large buck sleeping. I didn't hear the shot from where I was, but the text read, 'I got him.' As I was going on the 4- wheeler to assist, my thoughts turned to how GOD blesses us in so many ways. HIS many gifts, blessings and love give us joy. HIS gift of eternal life is priceless. Given by HIS SON, on the cross, to pay the price for our sin. What a gift, what a SAVIOUR! Thank you for each moment You have given me breath, to enjoy the bounty of this life, but how I wait for the next, yes thank GOD for that next life with HIM, eternally. May GOD enrich you time here and may you accept the gift HE offers.

October 11 There is always an excitement when my grandson comes to go hunting. Today is the 1st day of muzzleloader season and the visions of monster bucks have again filled the night. The hope that Mr. Magnificent will walk past our stands, fills me with the challenge and uncertainty of the day. I know that CHRIST'S return is imminent and that fills my soul with a burning desire. There is no hoping or wondering. There is only the knowledge that in HIS time it shall be! While today we try to decide which stand and how things may go as dreamed, we are assured that in GOD'S time CHRIST will return. For that we must be prepared. May GOD bless and keep you ready for that appointed time. Let our hearts burn with desire and confidence of that new day dawning.

October 10 It started to thunder and lightning after I had been up and reading for a while. And it made me wonder what today would hold. If I can't get to the woods I could use the morning to complete the butchering process of the deer I got yesterday and get our muzzleloaders ready for Saturday. There is also the yard to mow, yes mid- October and still mowing! Regardless of what the day may bring, how grateful I am that GOD has seen fit to bless me with it! Each day brings new blessings that I am thankful for, new challenges that HE helps conquer and a growing insight of the new home HE is making for us. May you enjoy what GOD has blessed you with and defeat evil around you through HIS LOVE. For those whose FAITH has made them good in GOD'S sight must live by FAITH, trusting in HIM in everything. GOD bless you.

October 9 It doesn't matter what we buy, it comes with an instruction book. Whether it's a tree stand or a stove, there is a book that tells us how to use it and what not to do with it. It even gives warnings, lots of warnings! We usually pay no attention to that book unless it doesn't work properly.  There is also a BOOK that tells us how we are to live our lives. What to do and not do, along with the warning signs of danger. And just like those other manuals we often don't pay any attention until we are broken. It is no wonder that GOD called us 'stiff necked and unruly people.' It is never too late to read the Manual for our lives and change the way we operate. There is no need to be completely broken before we change. Show us, oh GOD the way to YOUR PLEASURE and bless our paths as we travel toward YOU. GOD be with you.

October 8 This week the alignment of things seemed awful. Instead of being in the woods, I have appointments at the dentist, the eye Doctor and blood donations. Mix in volleyball games and shopping and all the other grandparent things and that doesn't leave much time to be in the woods. So, when I am hunting, it is very enjoyable. Throw in the excitement of having deer feed within 10 yds of you and you can't help but PRAISE GOD! In all our hustle, it is great to see the things GOD puts into our lives. We often do not deserve such rewards, but HE is a loving GOD. Looking forward we see the ultimate reward, not for our works but for our FAITH! May we each see those hints of HEAVEN that are shown us on earth and PRAISE GOD.  GOD bless you.

October 7 Hunting can be challenging, you never know if you will see your quarry or if it will see you and escape, it is not a sure thing, you are always in search. Unlike hunting we know what

GOD expects of us. We may try to hide from HIM by consuming ourselves in pleasures of this world, but in the end, we will be standing before the throne of GOD. When we answer the question that HE asks there will be no lie, no shirking away, we must answer. The sentence will be true, there is no lawyer other than the BLOOD that CHRIST has laid down for us, as our witness. Today we make a choice, to receive that BLOOD or to reject. GOD will know our choice. There is no place to hide. There is no reason to hunt for salvation, it is given at the base of the cross. May you find and select the sure spot that has been given to you. GOD bless you.

October 6 Early in the hunting season it is easy to forget to do things. Like forgetting to spray yourself with mosquito spray, then setting in a blind that has become a mosquito harbor! Slowly we learn by our mistakes. Our lives are no different, we sometimes fail to arm ourselves with GOD'S WORD and are attacked relentlessly without the armor to protect us. Each day we need to apply the WORD to our lives, adding a layer of protection. Without HIS protection we are a target for the swarming pests. May GOD'S GRACE and PROTECTION through our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Be armed with the repellent that keeps the attack of satans arrows, the PROTECTION we need throughout our life. GOD bless you.

October 5 After reading both the Old and New Testament this morning, I picked up a note pad and opened it to a page written o