How often do we take for granted our families as we trudge along comfortable with working each day, providing dinner each night and paying our bills as they demand. Day after day, week after week we get up and function through the basic routine. The problem occurs when one day you’re awoken to call from the cops, notifying you that your child just broke the law and you must pick them up from “Juvie.”

How painful is the sudden reality that you do not have perfect kids and you are not a perfect parent?

As we close this evening, I offer this verse of hope and strength:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”      – Joshua 1:9

The Ten Commandments C4C Style

1. God is number one… and das’ All.

2. Don’t pray to nuttin’ or nobody… jus’ God.

3. Don’t cuss nobody… ‘specially da Good Lord.

4. When it be Sunday… pass yo’self by God’s House.

5. Yo mama an’ yo daddy dun did it all… lissen to dem.

6. Killin’ duck an’ fish, das’ OK… people – No!

7. God done give you a wife… sleep wit’ jus’ her.

8. Don’t take nobody’s boat… or nuttin’ else.

9. Don’t go wantin’ somebody’s stuff.

10. Stop lyin’… yo tongue gonna fall out yo mouf!

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Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

This verse literally means: The Holy Spirit is able to move freely and unexpectedly, making itself noticed through it’s voice; a voice recognizable by the words spoken by men of God. As mysteriously as it appears it departs, leaving no track or sign of its intended destination. In regards to the birth of the spirit, different from the gifts of the spirit, once you have heard or by faith been used to speak through, you have been born of the spirit.

John 3:8 clearly establishes the Holy Spirit as God’s voice. It is the method by which he communicates directly to us.

My fifteen years in a career dominated by communication, one thing I have learned is that the most important step to effective communication begins with a strong ability to listen. Not to speak. Just listen.

The University of Texas at Austin teaches in their Introduction Effective Communication class to “listen first and speak second.” It’s a simple approach to achieving excellence in communication.

Dale Carnegie, Author and noted communications educator, promotes the ideal in his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, to “Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.” Critical advice for influencing others.

In the New Testament, we are told and even commanded to listen.

l Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. - Matthew 15:10

l While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” - Matthew 17:5

l Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.  - Mark 9:7

l Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” - Mark 9:7

l Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” - Luke 8:18

The bottom line is this: By improving our ability to listen, we will become more valued to our family, attentive to our children, effective in our jobs, sought after by friends and most importantly knowledgeable of God and his plan for our life.

As you sit in the tall pines during this weekend’s turkey hunt, listen to the quiet winds rustling through the wilderness. Imagine God is trying to speak to you. What is he saying? Do you hear the peace and tranquility in his presence?

Think about how awesome it is that God chooses to stop and spend a few quite moments with you despite all the demands of the world. Much is the same with your own children. You as a father or mother model God when you stop what you are doing and spend time with your child.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we offer thanks for the beauty you have created in these woods. We rejoice in the peace and quiet you have made available on this day. I pray that in this moment each of us will hear you speak. Through the wind in the trees and light in the sky, I pray all will be aware of your greatness. Lord, watch over those who could not be here with us and keep us all safe from harm as we head out for this year’s Spring Turkey hunt. In your son, Jesus name, Amen.

Now C4C Campers, I offer this verse out of context, but offer it for thought as you all head out on the hunt…

“Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out into the field and hunt game for me….”  - Genesis 27:3

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Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

What does God mean be still?

Literally and historically, he meant to warn to those who persecuted the Church to immediately stop their cruelty.

But, have you ever read a verse and had it speak directly to you. Words taken out of context, shouting in your face, saying “I have a much deeper meaning for your soul.” For me the first 8 words of this verse do just that.

Be still, and know that I am God…

I hear God clearly telling me to stop and recognize his existence, control and power. Think about the following struggles in many of our lives:

Finances: Over and over again, I hear others talk about the mess and stress this issue has brought them. I personally struggle with this issue. The rising cost of gas, utilities and debit combined with an unmatched growth in salary is enough to keep you up at night. Often it does.

Family: Whether the issues are caused by personal disputes and disagreements, or the natural progress of a growing child to adolescence, family issues are the hardest to control. Until the issues are resolved, you simply can’t regain your comfort or happiness.

Career: Dead end jobs, lack of respect from your boss or dealing with difficult co-workers on a daily basis. These are the obstacles we all face. Everyone has been there and everyone has advice. Still, every situation is unique enough to leave you feeling alone and responsible for fixing the problem.

Do you hear God speaking?

I hear God telling me, directing me to dig deeper and listen. Like a father giving advice, God is saying, “Let go of control and give me your problems to solve.”

In Ephesians 1:22 it is written: “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,”

As men we are always trying to control every situation ourselves, even at the expense of doing what’s right. James 4:2 describes it this way, “You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.”

Are you still trying to retain control?

It’s time to give it up, let go of control and ask God to take over.

As a final though, think about the consequences of continuing to let your pride and arrogance handle your trials and tribulations. The consequences of failing to let go,

“The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” - Isaiah 2:11

There is no glory in failure, only regret. As you finish the day on the creek, think about God’s words…

Be still, and know that I am God…

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, forgive me for failing to give you full control over my life. Lord help me to put my full trust in you and to show you faith by believing you will take care of my every need. Lord thank you for this beautiful sanctuary and allowing my soul an opportunity to heal. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Study prepared for Crosshairs for Christ 2006 Valle Vidal Fly-Fishing Trip – Aug. 12, 2006

Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

Let me begin by first addressing the attribution and history of this Psalm. The books beginnings can be directly linked to the following:

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

1. Written for the chief musician giving instruction to the sons of Korah (sacred musicians among the Levites).

2. Believed to be composed during the Babylonish captivity.

3. Used by the Israelites during their long captivity, as means of consolation.

4. The Syriac says, “It is a Psalm which David sung when he was an exile, and desired to return to Jerusalem.”

5. The Arabic says: “A Psalm for the backsliding Jews.”

6. Religious and moral songs of a general character; containing the poetical expression of emotions and feelings, and therefore subjective: as for example, longing for the worship of the temple

” As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, oh God”. – Psalms 42:1

When David was in exile, in Jordan, he faced personal grief and torment over the absence of a place to worship. Often God uses our personal comforts and the abundance of opportunity to teach us to value what we have, when we have it. We never know just how precious these things are until we experience the scarcity of them.

Consider the following current affairs and tour brother’s struggle for simple worship:

KAZAKHSTAN – Veteran Soviet-era Baptist prisoner Yakov Skornyakovm again faces prosecution for leading an unregistered religious community. Kazakhstan’s laws categorically lay down the requirement for a religious community to register and prevent a religious community from operating without registration. Congregations of the Baptist Council of Churches refuse to register on principle. They believe such registration leads to unacceptable government interference in their internal affairs.

AFGHANISTAN – Abdul Rahman, a 41-year-old former medical aid worker, faces the death penalty under Afghanistan’s Islamic laws for becoming a Christian. Clerics in Kabul condemned him as an apostate who deserved to die.

SAUDI ARABIA – A Catholic Indian priest was arrested and detained for four days and then deported to India for trying to organize a pre-Easter prayer meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

CHINA – Pastor Gong Shengliang’s, an evangelical Christian pastor, is serving life in prison for his religious beliefs and leadership at the South China Church. According to watch groups, Pastor Gong and other members of the South China Church regularly face torture including: sexual abuse, use of electrical rods to administer shocks, burning of skin, pulling of hair, torture with handcuffs and shackles, denial of basic necessities, physical beatings, invasive medical procedures, and death threats.

” As the deer pants for streams of water…

Now consider these 3 reasons a deer would pant for water:

1. Natural thirst – At one time or another each of us have experienced thirst. Remember as a child, gulping water before bed.

2. Summer heat – We are all no stranger to the effects of summer heat. Nothing is better than an iced down beverage to cool the burn.

3. Hunted by dogs – Why would a deer desire water during a hunt. Simply put it provides safety. A refuge to escape danger and extinguish the thirst brought on by fear.

In Psalm 42, David found comfort in the hope of one day returning home and finding relief. My prayer is that modern Christians can find the same comfort. Moreover, I pray they find the same conviction to worship.

“As the life of a deer depends upon water, our lives depend upon God. Those who seek him and long to understand him find never-ending life. Feeling separated from God, this psalmist wouldn’t rest until his relationship with God had been restored because he knew that his life depended on it.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, forgive me for being more often concerned with my life than I am with you and your gifts. Lord help me to experience the desire of my soul to worship and praise you. Create a thirst in me to do the things you would have me do. Not because of my selfish wants but because of your grace and because of who you are. In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

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Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org.

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