TX High Plains Fun

This past week, I traveled to the High Plains of West Texas to hunt sandhill cranes. This trip with my Dad and my brother-in-laws, Mike (husband to my sister, Lori) and Neil (husband to Mel's sister, Tracey) has been in the works for almost a year. We hunted with Childress Guides and Outfitters in O'Donnell, TX. My Dad has been hunting out here for over 20 years with Pat and Melba Childress. Pat is "The Man" when it comes to hunting sandhill crane...he is the premier guide in TX, with folks from many states, even Canada, that come hunt here. Ms. Melba is a great host and an incredible cook! We ate every meal around their kitchen table and were treated just like family.

As folks have found out what I was up the last few days, I've been asked a couple of questions. First, "When did you start hunting?" and second, "What are sandhill cranes?" To answer the first, I've been hunting since I was 10 with my dad. I'm so thankful that I got to tag along and hunt dove, quail, deer, and ducks growing up. In 2 of the churches I have served, great hunting was a fringe benefit. In Marked Tree, AR (northeast AR) I was in the middle of some of the best and most legendary duck hunting around. I spent many mornings out on the St. Francis river with my hunting buddies, Hoot (real name!) and Bill. In Warren, AR I was in a great deer and duck hunting area. I loved deer hunting at Camp 13 with some great guys and spent many amazing mornings at the Promised Land Duck Club with one of the all-time greats, "The Captain", Steve Richardson! Since coming to Texarkana, I sort of "retired"...so busy with a new work and just have not pursued hunting much. That has changed this year, as my 2 oldest boys are starting to show interest in heading to the woods, water, and fields. Reid (my 10 yr old) killed his first deer this year at Uncle Neil's hunting club in Camden, AR. I've had a renewed interest because of the boys desire to hunt. I'm looking forward to checking into several options and having a great fall and winter with the boys this year!

Sandhill crane are NOT those birds that you see standing around the lake or your local pond. They are a migratory bird. Much like ducks and geese, they hatch in central and western Canada. They move south through the central grain states of Nebraska and the like, eventually spending the remainder of the winter on the high plains of west Texas. As you can tell by the pic, they are big birds. I would guess that they weigh in from 5-9 pounds! I'm not kidding when I say that we saw at least 100,000 crane! There are tons of these birds! During the season, you can harvest 3 crane per day. If you have ever been goose hunting, this is close to it. As for eating them, I have heard that crane is the "steak" of migratory birds. Melba fixed us her famous filet-crane-on for supper one night and it was awesome!

The 3 days we spent in the beautiful country of west Texas was so much fun! The time with family and in fellowship was priceless. We are already planning our next trip back to see Pat, Melba, and some sandhill cranes!

Tears for Haiti

I heard the news story that broke late yesterday about the massive 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti. After a busy day Tuesday, I honestly did not pay attention to the talking heads and the initial images. In my morning devotion I prayed for Haitian relief efforts and for opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus through this disaster. It was not until I slowed down enough to really look at the images and read some information that became broken and moved to tears. Haiti, in many ways, was a disaster before the quake. It is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with over 80% of people living on virtually nothing, about $2 per day. I read a report from a missionary who stated that the whole country is built of concrete and it has all either cracked or collapsed. Haitian government officials are saying that there could be as many as 100,000 dead, and after seeing the pictures, I could believe it. With such a dense number of people packed into this space, the dead and injured has to be overwhelming.
As I scrolled through several images, I was overcome with sorrow, conviction, and motivation in my own heart. I feel compelled to do something. As a pastor, my staff and I have been doing some research today in how we can lead out and encourage our church to give to Christian relief efforts in Haiti. I want to mention 3 that have stood out to me today. 1. The disaster relief efforts of Southern Baptists is focused through an agency called Baptist Global Response (www.baptistglobalresponse.com). Funds can be given directly to this organization or through a Baptist state convention. I have received word that the Arkansas Baptist State Convention is collecting relief funds to pass to BGR (www.absc.org). The Florida Baptist Convention is leading some relief efforts as well (www.flbaptist.org). 100% of funds given is going to Haiti and the disaster ministry. 2. I trust and respect Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org). I've been involved with Operation Christmas Child for several years and have been impressed with the mission and integrity of Franklin Graham. Samaritan's Purse has had teams on the ground in Haiti since last night. 3. World Vision (www.worldvision.org) is a ministry focused on helping children. It is not limited to children, but gives them a great deal of focus and ministry. Our family has sponsored a boy named Dedinho who lives on the western coast of Africa. Its been a joy to give to and pray for him. I can only imagine that there will be countless children who will need special aid and assistance after all this.
I pray that through my help...your help...the help of countless others...that the words of Psalm 147.3 will be come reality for the people of Haiti, both physically and spiritually. "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Mornings with God - Getting Started with a Quiet Time

One of the most often-asked questions I get this time each year is, "Can you help me get started having a quiet time?" Simply put, you must have a daily time where you are meeting with God. If you lack such a time, you better get accustomed to struggle. Of all the spiritual decisions and disciplines that I have made...committing a portion of my morning to God has been one of the greatest. Some of my most meaningful times have come in the quiet of my office as I have read, wrestled, listened, and yielded to God and His word for me on that day. If you have an established quiet time, great! Keep it up and keep it fresh! If this is a struggle for you, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind as you get started in 2010.

1. You must see a QT as a PRIORITY. I hear people say that they just don't have time to read the Bible or pray in the morning. Yet many, find time to read the paper or watch a morning news show. Spending this time is a discipline that has to be developed. Commit this task to the Lord...ask Him for help and strength to get started and keep going. Physically, we take and make time to feed ourselves. How tragic that many are spiritually starving themselves because they have not made spending time with God a priority. Your walk will suffer if you continue to neglect this priority.

2. You must have a QT PLAN. Trying to have a devotional time without a plan is a sure-way to have a "flame out" after a few days. You need some structure and direction. There are several good Bible reading plans that can be found on the web. The best tool that I have found is the One-Year Bible. It breaks the Bible into daily readings of the OT, NT, Psalm, and Proverbs. If you want to see more, check out the link on the blog to the right. I've used the One-Year 2 of the last 3 years. Last year I worked through the One-Year Chronological Bible (readings lined out in the order they happened vs. the order the Bible is written) and loved it for a change. For 2010, I'm trying something new out as I'm reading "The Message" Bible through daily readings and working through a One-Year Devotional Prayer Book. The point of all that information is...you need to have a plan or your passion will fall off!

3. You must have a QT PLACE. The depth of this next statement is sure to move you. To have an effective quiet time, you need to find and secure a quiet place. This is a task you can't do at the breakfast table with the family or in front of the morning news. To have a quiet moment you may have to wake up 30 minutes earlier to have the house to yourself. For several years, I have spent my time with God at the office. As soon as I walk in and turn on the lights, I get my books and read before touching or looking at any work. Finding that spot free of interruption and disturbance is key to the necessary reflection, listening, and talking of a healthy quiet time.

If you are not doing this...you can...and you must! Get started today and see the difference spending your mornings with God will make in your 2010!