Cade's First Deer

As a parent there are many special “firsts.” You know what I mean - your child’s first steps, their first word, or their first smile. Last week, I had one of those special firsts. If you’re a hunter you would probably agree that it ranks right up there at the top of the list with the others – your child’s first deer. My boy, 9 -year old Cade Elijah Harrill, put the smack down on a his first whitetail.
It was not our first time hunting together. We’ve hunted together several times over the past few years and he was even with me when I harvested a small buck several years ago. However, this year Cade was not just along learning the ropes from his old man, he was the “trigger man.”
The forecast looked bleak with heavy rain on the radar. We headed out for an evening hunt in a down pour. It was literally raining like crazy, but we decided to brave the elements because the season was winding down and our opportunities to hunt were growing fewer. Because of the rain we headed to a spot that we’d never hunted before. A friend of mine had offered us an opportunity to hunt a box blind that he had constructed on his property. I figured that there we’d at least be able to stay dry if it continued to rain. The driving rain finally broke and gave way to a spot of sunshine. Not long after the rain stopped, the “sacrificial deer” stepped out into the firing lane. We got the rifle in position, Cade found the deer in the scope, put the crosshairs behind the deer’s front shoulder and then asked me to cover his ears. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his request but quickly covered his ears liked he asked, flipped the safety and before I could hardly say a thing, BOOM!!!!! The round from the Remington Model 700 .223 found its mark on a doe and she piled up not 15 yards from where she was shot. Cade was proud of that deer and I was proud of Cade. It’s a special moment that this dad and son will cherish forever. Great job Cade!
Now, let me give you some background on how this season unfolded. Before the beginning of the season Cade had learned to shoot and had become very proficient with a rifle that my neighbor had let us borrow. That got me excited, because I knew that that was a major obstacle standing in the way of Cade actually being able to harvest a deer by himslf. Once this happened, my goal (really more like my life’s ambition) for the season had become to get my son his first deer. I worked and thought constantly on how I could make it happen. The stand had been moved to the perfect spot along the edge of a field. A food plot had been prepared in one corner of the field to bring in the deer. I cut limbs that might hinder any rifle shot from the stand. I added camo netting to block any movement from a 9-year old’s lack of attention and experience, and I bought and poured out countless bags of corn to sweeten our honey hole. I had worked diligently to make it happen. If you asked my wife she’d probably tell you that I was a little obsessed with the whole thing. We hunted and hunted once the season came in but I just couldn’t make it happen. Honestly, I got frustrated and really started to feel the pressure as the season wore on. I dreaded the thought of having to wait an entire year before we got the chance again. I even started to worry that Cade would get discouraged and never want to come back. All I thought was, “What else could I do to make it happen?” All that I had done and all the work was just not enough to get him that first deer. Then, on a rainy Thursday we ended up hunting at a completely different location than the one where we had been hunting . We had worked so hard trying to kill a deer at our spot but ended up at a place where we had done no work and were finally able to close the deal on a deer. Here at this spot, I had built no stand. I had not cut shooting lanes, prepared the location or spent any muscle or money putting out corn. It was all done by someone else. My friend, Hunter Norman had done all the work and let us hunt his spot that day – what a gift!
In this hunting story of a young boys first deer, there’s a great spiritual lesson to be learned. So many people look at their spiritual life the way I looked at this hunting season. I thought working hard and doing things right would guarantee success at our spot in the end – but it didn’t. Along those same lines in life, many believe that working hard, doing things right and being good will put them in the good graces of God and get them to heaven. Eventually this only leads to disappointment and frustration. Gods word tells us in Ephesians that “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works.” You see, the only thing that guarantees success in the end, has already been done by someone else. That someone else is Jesus. He died for you and me and nothing we could do could be good enough to earn salvation. If we could earn it, then Jesus wouldn’t have had to die. He died for you and for me. He loved us that much! Just like Cade’s deer, all the work I had done at our hunting spot didn’t result in the harvesting of his deer. It was all because of the generosity of a friend who gave us the gift of letting us hunt his stand that led to that momentous occasion. Had we not taken him up on his offer, we’d still be searching for that first deer. God too, offers a gift, a gift greater than any other and one that’s availaible to everyone. In Romans 6:23, God tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of god is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Take Him up on His offer and receive the gift of His son Jesus Christ.


Special thanks to our friend Hunter Norman for letting us hunt your stand – you’re the man. To Mr. Benny, the best neighbor a person could have - thanks for helping Cade on the firing range and letting us use your rifle. We are forever grateful – God bless you both!

Samuel's Buck

Top: Samuel pictured with his big buck and his proud father, Leonard.

Bottom: Samuel with hunting guide, Alan Kerley.

I don't know exactly where to start my story. I believe I will start from the beginning. The story starts at the Oakdale Baptist Church. We were having our annual yard sale and auction to help support our missionary family in Rwanda Africa. Now, being one of the top professional hunting and fishing guides in the state, possibly the World, I decided to donate one of my highly sought after deer hunts to the auction. Surely, by the grace of God, I had the entire hunting season available to provide such an experience. Now keep in mind, generally bidding on a guided deer hunt with me would most certainly sale for thousands of dollars, but apparently, not everyone at the auction could understand the auctioneer very clearly because the hunt sold for a mere $80.00. This was obviously the deal of the century. After the hunt sold, the family that bought the hunt came up and we talked...wonderful folks, the Tackett’s. I told them about the highly top secret spot we would be hunting off of Elmwood Road near the Cornerstone Baptist Church. As the big day arrived, I realized that I had to make sure that everything was just right, so I began my preparation two weeks before the hunt. First, I went and bought a 50 lb bag of corn and drove over to the highly top secret spot off of Elmwood Road and opened the two gates that I have to go through to make it down to the honey hole. I drove the Dodge Ram 1500 King Quad down to the creek, stopped the truck, hopped out, opened the bag of corn and poured it out over a 100 yard area. I then grabbed the Grizzly G30 hub pop up blind and set it up. The scouting and preparation was now completed.

The big day. I picked Leonard and his son Samuel up at 5:45 opening morning. We headed over to the highly top secret spot off of Elmwood road. The morning started off slow, and I must be honest, I was starting to have my worries when we had not seen a deer by 6: 40 am. It was around 19 degrees, but Samuel acted like a seasoned hunter and was hanging in there like a trooper with his 12 gauge pump in hand. I wasn't sure about the range of the shotgun but Leonard assured me that his effective range was easily out past the corn pile. At 6:50 am, Leonard spotted the deer first coming from our right. Leonard let us know that the deer was approaching, so I put my binoculars on the deer and quickly observed that the deer we thought was a doe had a nice set of antlers on his head. As the deer approached, Leonard told Samuel to ready himself and do it just like he had shown him. I ranged the deer and he was 70 yards away. I didn't know how this was going to work out, but when Samuel pulled the trigger I saw the deer hunker down, so we knew he had made a good hit on the buck. We gave the deer about 11 minutes to expire and we started on the track. One problem, no tracks, no blood, no sign. I watched the deer go into a thicket, so we went to the thicket. I went high and Leonard went low. I called Samuel up to where I was and told him that maybe he should do the tracking since he had much more keen eyes than his daddy and I, not ten yards from where Samuel took up the track he spotted the deer lying in the thicket. I have never seen a more happy young man then right at that moment. Let me tell you, God sometimes blesses you when you least expect it, and this was an experience I will never forget. I consider myself blessed to be able to go out and experience God's beauty. How many times do we take that beauty for granted, just like so many more of God's blessings? The next time you are out in the woods sitting in your stand, or in a duck blind watching the sun come up, or listening for that first gobble of the year, let's take a minute to give God thanks for this precious gift we have. And if you know a young person that has never experienced the gifts we take for granted, I challenge all of you to share our wonderful gift with them. We can't waste the gifts we are given, for example God has blessed me with an amazing Tri athlete figure, dashing good looks, spectacular personality, and I am truly thankful for his blessings. My wife tells me each and every day just how lucky she is. Did I mention God has blessed me with a great imagination?

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

God bless you all and happy hunting.
Alan Kerley "Professional hunting guide and plus size swimsuit model”

P.S. if anyone is interested in hunting with me in my highly top secret hunting spot just off of Elmwood road, let me know.
Happy hunting!

Thanksgiving Podcast

Its the Heart of a Sportsman Thanksgiving Edition Podcast. Have a great time in the woods and around the table!

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Hangin' with the Hunters - Opening Day

TOP: Charlie Steele with a nice 6-point buck
MIDDLE: Kacey Weaver with her first deer - 4-point buck

BOTTOM: Gary Gibbons - winner of the Bass Pro Gift Card

The sunset and sunrise. The cool, crisp air just after daybreak. The colorful fall leaves that carpet the forest floor. That familiar crunch of the leaves that signal an approaching deer. White oak acorns that drop like rain through the woods. That owl that hoots in the darkness. The smell of the fall woods.

If you’ve ever sat in a treestand you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, I might as well be speaking a foreign language. These are the sights and sounds and smells of deer season. More than that, these are the handiwork of God. For those of us who practice our God-given privilege to hunt, kill and eat deer each fall – such sights, sounds and smells stir our soul.

This past weekend the Heart of a Sportsman fellas spent the opening morning of gun deer season hanging out with some really cool folks whose souls get stirred this time of year. The kinda people who wear camo and love sitting in the stand in hopes of putting meat on the back of the truck. Our fellas set up at the Woodleaf BP Station and gave away hunting DVD’s, listened to hunting stories and we even made a few new friends.

Special thanks to Terry Collins of the BP for allowing us to hang out with the hunters at his place of business. We had a great time!

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
Romans 1:20

Seeking Mike's Deer

Seeking Mike’s Deer

KaBoooom!!!! The .45 cal muzzle-loader had seemingly found its mark on the buck. Upon impact the deer kicked so high that it nearly turned a complete summersault. During this acrobatic maneuver, the deer dug his nose deep into the ground throwing dirt into the air, before running into the brush. (The deer surely had a busted nose from the way it hit the dirt during this semi-flip). “Great shot,” we exclaimed as we congratulated Mike on his first deer ever.

The scenario had played itself out many times before from this same stand. We were hunting on my friend Mark Ridenhour’s property. We hunted from a large box stand situated in some pines next to a food plot that always seemed to draw the deer in like a magnet. Mark loves to take someone hunting for their first deer and for the last few years it has become tradition to sit a “newbie” in the stand and introduce them to the sport of deer hunting. I’ve been fortunate enough to be behind the camera to capture these moments on video. This year we were hunting with our good buddy Mike Eckmann.

After the high-fives and congratulations, and detailed replay of each second of the scenario that had just taken place we exited the stand and went to find Mike’s trophy. We were soon on a good blood trail. Just around each bend in the trail, I expected to find the buck piled up in the colorful fallen leaves. I couldn’t believe the deer had gone this far. After a couple of hours, Mark and I were beginning to feel that the congratulations had been a little premature. We were following blood, occasionally having to regroup when the blood got sparse, but always finding a place where the deer had turned and getting on “good blood” again. Unfortunately, we got to a place where the blood just disappeared. We tried everything but were unable to determine where the buck went. We desperately expanded our search until we finally had to call it quits. For anyone who hunts, you know how hard it is to call off the search, especially on a friend’s first deer. It was a long walk back to the truck, literally and figuratively. On the way back Mike made a comment that’s so very true. He said that when you’re on the blood trail you have hope that the deer is just ahead, but when you get off the blood trail, you just seem hopeless and helpless, just wandering around.

I’ve experienced all kinds of feelings while afield. Happiness, sadness, joy and sorrow. Anger and frustration. Desperation and exuberation. Deer hunting can be an emotional roller coaster sometimes, just like life. It makes me think back to that comment that Mike made while headed back to the truck. When we are following Christ, when times get hard and life throws us a curve, we press on because of the hope provide by Jesus. But, when we get off the “blood trail” so to speak, we seem hopeless and helpless and feel like giving up because of fear and uncertainty.

Many years ago the prophet Jeremiah wrote to a people who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Jeremiah reminds us of what the Lord wants for us in the words that he wrote to those who were experiencing distressing times - “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

While searching for Mike’s buck, we literally searched with all we had and with all our heart, but came up empty. It’s comforting to know as believers that if we get off the “blood trail” in life, as we so often do, that if we seek Him with all our hearts, we WILL find Him. Jeremiah 29:11-13

POST HUNT COMMENTS: It was great to hunt with friends, whether we had meat in the truck or not. These memories will last a lifetime. Thanks to Mark and Mike for letting me hang out with ya’ll. I’ll be on the lookout for a deer with a nosebleed!

The Redneck Olympics Competitor Video!

It's the post Redneck Olympics Podcast!

Its the wrap up edition podcast of the 2nd Annual Redneck Olympics!

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Big Investments

I made a “big” investment lately that I’m beginning to think my wife may not like so much. We have a satellite TV and have the most basic TV viewing package that DISH network offers to customers. After long consideration, months of justification, deep thought, budgeting alterations, and just plain succumbing to my addiction – I made an executive “man” decision and added a new channel to our viewing package – The Outdoor Channel. Now, I’m in a hunting coma! I can watch dudes hunt elk, monster bucks, turkeys and critters whose names I’ve never even heard of before. With my new channel I can learn about the latest line of camo clothing and guns and bullets and bows. The best thing is I don’t have to wait till a certain time of the day. It’s hunting and fishing 24/7. Recently a good friend of mine, Mrs. Kelly, affectionately described the stuff found on this channel as "sportsman’s porn." Sounds like Mr. Robbie (her husband) has that channel too?

Could you have ever imagined 15 years ago that there would be a TV show just about hunting. Much less, an entire TV channel devoted to hunting and fishing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Did I mention that there are several channels that do this, not just the Outdoor Channel? It tells me two things. Men are passionate, maybe even obsessed with this hunting and fishing stuff and I am not alone!

Realizing that we are not alone, the "Heart of a Sportsman" fellas try to take the Gospel to others just like us. Who better to talk to a hunter or fisherman about Jesus than, you guessed it, a hunter or fishermen. It’s easier to get into the mind of people who are passionate about the same things that you are. The HOS guys are always coming up with creative ways to reach sportsmen. We occasionally make plans to bring people to us with events like the Redneck Olympics and the Deer Hunters’ Breakfast. But, we realize that the most important part of it all is forming relationships. Not just by binging them to us as a group, but by us as individuals meeting them where they are at; our workplace, kid’s ballgames, at the country store, and in our neighborhoods. For us what better place than in the duck blind, the deer stand, the turkey woods and while casting a line into our favorite fishing hole. It’s not about just starting relationships though, but investing in them as well - for the long haul.

You may be a hunter or fishermen or maybe you’re not. I’m sure that God can use your passions, whatever they may be for His glory. So, go do what you are passionate about and along the way, form relationships. Most importantly, take time to invest in those relationships too. You just might be surprised at what might happen after making these "big investments." You may just make a good friend and you might just introduce someone else to Jesus, the best friend a person can have.

I’ve started to hear sighs and grunts lately when my wife finds me glaring at the TV watching the latest episode of Realtree Roadtrips, Buckmaster Classics or Muzzy’s Bad to the Bone Bowhunting. Kinda like right now as I multi-task by typing on the computer and listening to one of “my hunting shows” at the same time. She even makes me a little ill because she makes fun of the guys on the hunting shows because they whisper to each other all the time while on the treestand. (She probably believes that wresting is fake too!) I guess I’ll never understand why she doesn’t understand – but, that’s another relationship I need to do some investing in too. So, go do some huntin’ (for people) and make some lasting investments!

Jeremy B. Harrill

Redneck Olympics 2008

You thought that the Olympic Games in China were good...we'll you ain't seen nothin' yet! It's time for the 2nd Annual Redneck Olympics. The Heart of a Sportsman guys have put together another event of, well, "olympic proportions." It'll be one of the biggest gatherings of good 'ole boys you've ever seen - complete with an outhouse, fishing rods, deer corn, tractor tires, moon pies and RC Colas. When: Saturday October 25th, 2008 from 2pm til 7pm. Where: Cornerstone Baptist Church - 200 Clearview Road, Cleveland, NC. And by the way, lots of cool prizes for participants. Who will be crowned the biggest redneck of all? Do you have what it takes?

Click on the title for a video preview of the Redneck Olympics.

Pre-Redneck Olympics Podcast

Discussions about the Red Neck Olympics, opening day of deer season, idol worship and building relationships!

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New Podcast: Kirks Moose Hunt

After a hiatus the boys are back with Kirk Fessler talking about a moose hunt in Newfoundland, shout outs galore, and swan hunting...whoever heard of that!

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The Youth Camp Moose

This past summer, a group of guys from Cornerstone Baptist Church took a mission trip to Alaska (see previous blog "Fishing with a mission: Combat style"). We had a blast while there. One of the main reasons that our trip was such a success was because of the fearless crew that made things happen: Brenda Crim, Charlie Parnell and Spring Pungowiyi. They spend hours preparing, praying, planning, searching, and digging through life to make sure that people of Alaska are able to hear about Jesus Christ. These hard-core, devoted Christ followers are always on the move and thinking of intentional ways to introduce people to their best friend Jesus. I just got an email from Brenda that confirms that they are still hard at it. They just got back from an area in the Arctic looking for a location to build a youth camp. Just imagine a place where 200-500 Alaskan native children could come and learn about the risen savior. They asked all that could to please pray for the provision of the land to build the camp, for the teams of people that it would take to build the cabins and the children that will one day come to this place. Keep Benda and her team in prayer as they continue to keep their nose to the ground like an old coon dog sniffing out new ground and new ways to reach people with the gospel.

Oh, yea - while they were there they did put the smack down on a few caribou and Brenda smacked a bull moose. It can't get much better than that. Sounds like a great place for a camp to me!

Jeremy B Harrill

Mr. Whiskers and the Noodle

Over the years fishermen have tried a multitude of methods to catch catfish. One of the most fun and productive ways to haul in these “whisker-kitties” is by a method known as jug fishing, or juggin’. A fishing jug is basically a device made by using strong fishing line tied to a floating object like a milk jug. You tie one end of the fishing line to the floating jug and on the other end of the line you tie on a hook. After baiting the hook, the fishermen will drop the jug into the water and wait for the catfish to take the bait. A single jug fisherman may put out 50 or more jugs at one time. Periodically, the fishermen will check the jugs and knows that he’s got one when the jug bobs up and down and races across the water. Jugs can be made from a variety of floating materials. Today, a popular material used to make such a fishing device is a swimming noodle like the ones kids play with in swimming pools. These long foam noodles are perfect when cut into 12 to 20 inch sections. Therefore, sometimes in these here parts you’ll hear this sport called “noodling” instead of jugging. There are specific laws that pertain to this type of fishing. For example, there are specific baits that can and can’t be used, laws pertaining to the maximum number of noodles that can be fished at one time and a law that each noodle must have the owner’s name and address written on it to be legal.

A few weeks ago, the “Heart of a Sportsman” fellas held a noodle-making clinic for the kids. We taught them how to make the noodles, how they work, and what the law says about using this type of fishing device. Then, a few nights later, we headed to the lake and put the noodles (and the boys) to the test. As the moon’s light shimmered off the lake, we baited the hooks and threw in the noodles, each one inscribed with the name of the kid that it belonged to. It wasn’t long until one of the noodles was dancing across the water, and then another…and another. The kids had a blast (and the old dudes did too!) pulling in those fish. Each time we noticed that we had one on, the kids couldn’t wait to see whose noodle had the fish. It didn’t seem to matter how big the fish was, but the question that was most important to the kids was whom did the noodle belong to that caught it.

I recently read about a similar question posed in the Bible. In the book of I Samuel, a man named David came across an Egyptian slave that had been left to die by his master. After David and his men revived the man from near death, David asked him an important question, “to whom do you belong…?” What a question. It’s a vital question that we must all ask ourselves. Who do we belong to? Just like the kids who looked to see who’s name was written on the fishing noodles, what name would be written indelibly on your heart as your owner. Would it be a company’s name or a hobby? Would it be your own name or the name of someone else? There could be as many possibilities of ownership as there are ways to catch a catfish. Or would the name written there be the creator of the universe, the one who sent his son to die for each of us, and who loves us more than we can imagine. This simple question posed by the little guys fishing that night and the same one posed by David to the Egyptian slave long ago, should cause each of us to look at our heart and the inscription thereon of the owner. I know that it sure made me think about mine. My hope is that on each heart, the writing is clear and the script perfectly legible, spelling out “Jesus Christ, owner.” Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Paslm 100:3

To whom do you belong?

September 17th Podcast

After a two week absence the guys are back and live from Cleveland with special guest Brent Sears and issues like noodling, community, and shimmying up pine trees.

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The Truck with a Purpose

Recently I had the opportunity to get together with friends and fling some steel shot at Canada Geese. We planned to meet early on the morning of the hunt. Not long after I arrived, my friend Joe drove up in his vehicle. The bed of his truck was filled with goose decoys that stood at attention and ready for duty.

At first glance, Joe’s truck may appear to be an old rust bucket, nothing really special. Dents, scars, scratches and rusted rear quarter panels decorate its body. However, there is more to this rig than meets the eye. No, it will never win any blue ribbons at any car shows. It definitely doesn’t smell that good or isn’t that comfortable to ride in. But, this beat up old pick-up has a much greater purpose. You see, this rig is a huntin’ truck. Its purpose is to take hunter to and from the woods and waters in pursuit of furred, feathered and finned quarry.

This special piece of equipment carries all that’s needed for the hunter on his adventures. Guns, ammo, knives, and extra camo. Deer lure, decoys, backpacks and empty drink bottles to be used as spit cups later. Fishing rods and lures, extra oil for the truck, and McDonalds sausage biscuit wrappers in the floorboard. A Hank Williams Jr. CD (one with the song, A Country Boy Can Survive), extra dog collars, turkey calls, duck calls, grunt calls and three or four extra flashlights. This vehicle dons aggressive grip tires for inclement weather and muddy terrain and a trailer hitch for pulling a boat. The hunter needs not worry about missing days afield because of bad weather, for this vehicle is also equipped with 4-wheel drive. It will push through water and brush, and bang up against trees and rocks without fear of losing its dollar value. In fact, the added dents and dings give it character – evidence that it is fulfilling its purpose. To the hunter who owns this heap of metal, it only becomes more beautiful with such war-wounded blemishes. No, the truck is not much to look at, but it is extremely valuable to its owner.

That old truck has a very special purpose. And guess what, so do you. God has never created anything without a purpose. Colossians 1:16 says: “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in God and finds its purpose in him” (The Message). God has shaped you in a special way. You are unique. God can use you: dents, scars and rusty quarter panels and all, to serve Him in ministry. He made you for a mission to tell others about the love of Christ. You may have reservations. You may think that you’re not properly equipped. Don’t be afraid. It’s common to feel like you can’t be used or that you are just not good enough to be used by God. Nothing could be further from the truth. He has probably equipped you more than you realize. Equipped just like that old huntin’ truck, complete with a powerful 4-wheel drive to push through the rubbish of life and the traction to pull up the mountain from the valley. You come complete with a hitch to pull others along with you who are marred up in struggles on ground that you’ve driven through before. You may think you’re just common. Not much to look at and beat up from a past. However, like that old truck, you are extremely valuable to the owner, GOD. God can use you! Let him – ‘cause God don’t make no junk!

Read below to learn more about your SHAPE for ministry.

YOUR TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE


Discovering Your SHAPE for Ministry

God has uniquely shaped everyone He has saved to serve Him. We serve God by serving other people. At Cornerstone, we call it your S.H.A.P.E., and it’s your special fit for ministry.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

Note the two underlined words. The first, “workmanship,” is a translation of the Greek word, “poema.” It’s obvious that we get our English word, “poem,” from this word. In addition to “workmanship,” it can also be translated, “masterpiece.” The word has the idea of a unique creation; not something made by cookie-cutter. God has made each of us uniquely different so that all that He wants accomplished on the earth can be done.

The word “good works” is another word for “ministry.” The Bible is communicating the idea that our unique design is for the purpose of carrying out God’s plan on the earth. These “ministries” include both actions within the church AND the things we do outside of the church – roles as a spouse, parent, deeds, vocations, etc.

You need to understand your S.H.A.P.E.

Spiritual Gifts – When you are born-again, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit gives you a supernatural gift or gifts to enable you fulfill God’s unique purposes for your life. Often times, this spiritual gift will complement your natural talents. For example, if you can sing, that is a talent; you were born with ability. But when you become a Christian, God may give you the spiritual gift of evangelism. And now, when you sing, people become convicted of their need to receive Christ as Savior. We will help you discover your gifts.



Heart – God has made you the way He wants you to be made. He has given you a unique emotional heartbeat. There are things that interest you that don’t interest others; there are things that move you to tears that have little or no effect on others. God has given you the heart you have to use to serve Him. Ask yourself, “What things move me with passion?” Is it seeing children taught the Bible? Youth giving their testimonies? These are keys to your heart-shape.

Abilities – Some people have natural abilities with words – they were born talking. Others have athletic abilities. Some can sing. Some people have the ability to make people feel comfortable by simply being outgoing and quickly offering a hand. God has given everyone of us some abilities to use for Him. He wants all of our abilities used for His glory. And He doesn’t want us to look at others’ abilities and feel like we were shorted. God wants you to use your abilities to serve others.

Personality – There is no right or wrong personality for serving God. Some people are quiet; some are loud. Some people are outgoing; some are introverted. Some love to laugh; some are very serious. God wants you to serve “with the grain” of your personality. When you have to do something that requires an unnatural personality, you will become frustrated. God made you to be you!

Experiences – Think of the road your life has traveled. You have experiences that are unique to you. Your experiences are: your family, education, vocational, spiritual, ministry, and pain and struggles. God wants to use all of these to prepare you for ministry. The last category, pain and struggles, is the surprising area that God most wants to use in your life. And, interestingly, we often think that it is the area that disqualifies us.

Nothing could be further from the truth. For example, who can better comfort a women whose husband dies than another woman who has been through the same experience? Who can better relate to a drug addict than the recovering addict who has been there? God, by way of His supernatural grace, wants to use your most painful, shameful hurt for His glory and the good of other people.

You will be most successful, most fulfilled, and most effective when you use your S.H.A.P.E. for ministry.
How has God uniquely shaped you?

Romans 12:1

September 3rd Podcast

Shout outs galore! Opening of deer season, geese, the wilderness and other musings by the Heart of a Sportsman guys.

Lodge Creek Calls

Featuring Joe Finney, Scott Isley and Lodge Creek Calls.

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Fishing with a Mission: Combat Style

Fishing with a Mission: Combat Style

The lady evidently felt a tug on the line and went to set the hook on a Red Salmon along the mighty Russian River. The only problem was that her brightly colored red fly was hooked in my left hand. Unknowingly (I assume) she jerked on the line and soon realized that she had hooked a 180-pound North Carolinian wearing a camo hat and a backpack. I quickly pulled the hook from my hand and tried to smile through my watery eyes as I handed her hook back to her. I felt like it would be a good idea at this point to move to another spot down stream. Along the way I met up with Mark Ridenhour who was headed the same way and we soon encountered a large grizzly bear patrolling the stream looking for something to eat. I’d heard that sometimes mission work can be dangerous, but this was not what kind of danger I expected.

Each summer, Alaskans and fishermen from all over the world descend on certain Alaskan rivers to catch a variety of salmon species as the swim up stream to spawn. Once these summer salmon runs begin the banks are literally lined with people standing shoulder-to-shoulder attempting to land these gilled beasts. This kind of fishing was very different to me and it actually took a while to get used to it. People often refer to this particular type of fishing as “combat fishing.” One man said that it resembles “a crowded subway station in the Bronx.” With all the fishermen standing in such close proximity to one another and hooks whizzing back and forth, it’s not unusual for people to get hooked in the ear, nose, head or hand as I can attest to. I read that the hospital in Soldotna, Alaska actually has a human silhouette hanging in the emergency room where they place all the hooks that they remove from combat fishermen each year; and there are many!


The Heart of a Sportsman fellas headed to the “last frontier” of Alaska with a mission. The mission was to fish, however, not “fish” in the normal sportsman sense of the word, but fish for men. Our objective was to help break down stereotypes of what a Christian, especially of what a Christian man is. So many men believe that to be a Christian means giving up your manhood. They think once you become a follower of Christ, you must become a wimpy nice guy who has no adventurous spirit and that you must flee from any kind of confrontation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was definitely not that way. Hoping to begin dispelling these misconceptions we hung out with guys along the stream, formed friendships, engaged others in conversations while handing out DVD’s and giving away fishing lures. All the while forming relationships and building on relationships that had already begun by the teams before us. We even had the opportunity to personally share what a life following Jesus was all about with a few men.

Jesus asked us to follow Him and he would make us fishers men. I guess that’s what fishing with a mission is all about. We had a wonderful time on this awesome adventure and I trust that as we continue to follow Christ daily, he will transform us into better fishermen. FISH ON!!!

Matthew 4:19

Jeremy B. Harrill

FOXNews.com - Man Makes Record Catch With Barbie Fishing Rod - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Don't spend all that money on that new G-Loomis Rod!


FOXNews.com - Man Makes Record Catch With Barbie Fishing Rod - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Back In Cleveland

We are back home, jet-lag, Dog ear rubber bands, Pastor Mack and Cookin Keith Sell, the wildlife wild man!

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The Podcast is huge....Check out the Poll

OK, we had no idea how big the podcast was going to be, we have a massive listener base of 14.5 people tuning in...man this thing is worldwide. We also still have no idea what we are doing, basically we just start talking and well....it shows! We were toying around with the idea of having a theme song for the ministry and we took some requests and made a poll on the side bar. Now if you hate the selections you may make another one in the comment box on this post or email us. Either way, we are too un-creative (is that a word?) to come up with one on our own. We appreciate your input. We'll put our crack creative team together as we meticulously evaluate all the intro music suggestions and a winner will be picked in 1 week. The person who submits the best suggestion will get a major award...or a really cool shout out on the podcast which will make them famous on the internets for all eternity!

We'll be putting up another podcast this week so be on the lookout for one on itunes or here!

Live from Salt Lake City

Our last Alaska Podcast, short but sweet with our new snowboarding friend, Greg Bombeck. We met him on the plane from Anchorage to Salt Lake City. We spent an hour with this bright young man who is pursuing the Living God and just had to interview him. Now we'll start once a week podcasts so your inbox won't be so full, thanks for listening!

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The Wayne Myers Interview

The last official podcast from Alaska with our most hilarious guest yet, cattle rancher, knife maker, and all around good guy, Wayne Myers!

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The Ron and Robbie Interview

Walking with Jesus, Cod Catching, Halibut off shore and sportsmen Ron Ridenhour and Robbie Fero in this podcast recorded live in Kenai, Alaska.

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Podcast Delayed

If you're wondering where the latest podcast is from the guys, well, it's been delayed a bit. However, don't worry! The last two podcasts should be up tomorrow night. Thank you for all the support you've shown the guys on their trip, and keep an eye out for their last installment!

Campfire Podcast

The campfire addition of the Heart of a Sportsman Podcast recorded live from the banks of the Russian River, special guests, outdoorsmen Shane Brock, Trent Smith and Scott Isely along with Pastor Mack who has a new nickname!

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Fridays Podcast

Interviews with Spring, Abby and Brenda, missionaries in Alaksa, and a bonus....the top ten list of things not to do when your man goes on a man trip.

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Bear Day

Jeremy and Brad talk about the day of seeing bears and building relationships.

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Live From The Shack

The heart of a sportsman podcast recorded at 3500 ft at the base of a glacier lake in the Shack!

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Tuesday In Alaska

Special guests today outdoorsman Mark Ridenhour and Charlie Parnell, guitar maker. Both guys following Jesus in Alaska.

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Live From Alaska: Aubrey Interview

Fishing with a mission in Alaska. Its the first full day of fishing and building relationships, seeing bears, catching salmon and a great time with guest Aubrey Junker. More to follow!

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Live in Alaska: Day 1

Another podcast from the Heart of a Sportsman guys!

Click to listen.

Live From Alaska - Arrival

Hey!
Sarah here!
Letting you all know that The Heart of a Sportsman group has put up their first at-destination podcast!

Give it a listen!
Heart of a Sportsman - Live From Alaska - The Arrival

Gone Fishin Again: Podcast #2...Off to Alaska!

Gone Fishin Again: Podcast #2...Off to Alaska!

Oh my goodness, those hicks can Podcast!

Its amazing but true, Jeremy and I have with the help of our techno diva Sarah, figured out how to do a Podcast. I know what your thinking, those guys have absolutely no idea what they are doing, and you'd be right! We are going to give it our best shot. We recorded the first installment today live from the T.A.G. room and it should be pretty dad gum amazing. Sarah has it posted now so get your ipods and ear buds and all that other techno jazz up and running and come and listen! We'll be broadcasting from Alaska next week, with special appearances by world famous anglers like Shane Brock, Robbie Fero and a cast of dozens! So without further ado, here it is, hope you enjoy it! Just click here or on the title of this post!

Amol slays the Gobbler

I went to India on a mission trip back in 2000 with my buddy Clayton King to work at an orphanage and teach at a pastors conference. While there I met a young Indian named Amol Pawar. He was getting married to a young lady named Rachel from Bakersville NC. She had given her life to mission work, met and fell in love with Amol. We attended their wedding and it was glorious!
We stayed in touch with Rachel and Amol and they started an orphanage on their own in Amol's hometown. Periodically they come back to the States to bring awareness to the minisitry and to raise support to care for the nearly 50 kids they house there. This past spring a friend from Kentucky took Amol on his first hunting trip ever.

Now most of us who hunt turkeys know how difficult it can be. Some guys hunt for many seasons without bagging one. I was shutout this year and so were alot of my friends. Amol as God would have it, would not go that route. On his very first hunt and very first time he ever pulled the trigger on a shotgun nailed this huge gobbler that you see in this picture. Let me give you the stats. It weighed 26lbs, it had a 12.5" beard and 1.5" spurs! Holy Moly! He told me he was so scared he could barely even raise the gun.

What a blessing from God that this faithful man, faithful to God's call on his life got to go hunting in America and take a trophy turkey. He and his family had it for lunch that day!

Amol and Rachel are amazing people following and even more amazing God. I am inspired just being around him. On Thursday, July 17th, Amol will be at Cornerstone Baptist Church in the evening to share with us about his mission in India. I hope many of you will come by and meet him. Maybe he'll tell you about this turkey!

To God be the Glory!


Brad

Conquering Everest

I had barely caught my breath from plummeting down a massive hill when I opened my eyes to see that the track in front of me had been destroyed. I nearly pushed a hole in the floor beneath my feet in a feeble attempt to stop the vehicle from jumping off the side of the mountain. Just before jumping into oblivion, the vehicle stopped – along with my heart! I had just enough time to make one of those “God-deals.” You know, one of those deals where I promised God that if he would get me off this ride alive, I’d be a better person. As quickly as I could make the deal and begin to suck all available oxygen to re-inflate my lungs, the roller coaster started its decent, only backwards this time, toward the hard asphalt hundreds of feet below. I tried to think of scripture to comfort me, and all that would come to mind was, “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me.”

When we had finally finished the ride, I tried to regain my composure. As I sat there my color began to come back as my vital organs decided to spare the blood it had so recently stockpiled. I checked and quickly realized that I had not soiled my britches and I began to shake out my stiffened arms that had been placed under extreme stress from gripping the handrails. I limped away with my chest stuck out, thinking, “I’m one bad dude.” I believe I was even able to muster up the broken words to my son, “You see, boy, that wasn’t all that bad was it!”

I don’t do roller coasters and I’m afraid of heights. Get me above my 15’ deer stand with safety harness and I’m out of my element. Riding this roller coaster was totally out of my character. Having said that, you may be asking, “Why did you do it then?” Well, I told my son, Cade (pictured above) on our recent vacation to Disney World that if he would ride Disney’s new roller coaster, “Everest,” then I would too. By now you already know what his horrific answer was.

When the feeling came back to my body and I reflected on what had just happened, I was so proud that I had done it. Had it not been for my son, you would have never gotten me near that roller coaster. It was totally out of my character and way out of my comfort zone. Because of my son, I was able to experience “Everest” and subsequently enjoy many of Disney’s other adventurous rides on our vacation.

We all have our own “Everest’s.” I surely have many, the least of which is a roller coaster. For many Christians, a major Everest to conquer is the fear of sharing your faith with an unbeliever. It’s also more difficult for some to step away from the familiarity of home and venture to a place far away where things are different and tell others about Jesus. Just like my son, who helped me overcome some recent roller coaster fears, there is another “son” that helps us ascend these mighty Everests in our lives. This August, 15 of our HOS fellas are facing these two fears head on and venturing to Alaska to share the Good News of Jesus. It’s the 2nd Annual HOS mission trip, the first mission trip ever for many of the guys. Our hope is that others will come to know the hope and love found in Christ and we as men will continue to discover the life of adventure and thrills that come with a life with the “son.”



"The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
1 John 5:13-13

Snow Bird Trout Camp

Deep in the heart of Nantahalah National Forest light gave way to darkness as night fell on the Heart of a Sportsman fishing camp. As the temperature dropped you could literally hear the music from the movie Deliverance being plucked out on a banjo by our buddy (and comedian) Bruce LaRue. There we were (Mark Ridenhour, Shane Brock, Kevin Simon, Nick Jones, Bruce LaRue and me) sitting by the campfire warming our hands on the first ever HOS Trout Fishing Adventure Trip along Snow Bird Creek. And it was just that: an ADVENTURE. Colder than anticipated temperatures, rain on the first day, hard to find camp sites, blown out tires, monster trout, improvising to cook (because someone forgot to bring the cooking stuff), leaky waders, slipping on rocks and falling in the stream, and meeting some really cool folks made for an interesting time to say the least.

We caught lots of trout and some were enormous. Mark and Shane literally put on a fishing clinic on Friday evening and Saturday morning. We definitely ate better because of them. After a morning of hard fishing on Saturday we were returning to camp for lunch and a tire blew out on LaRue’s vehicle, right there in the middle of Wilderness, USA. We knew that we had to get something done, because we had rough roads to cross, a 4-hour drive home, and tomorrow was Sunday and nothing would be open. Bruce and I set out for town and quickly found out that everything shuts down after lunch on Saturday in Graham County. We limped into town and found a place called Ellers Service Station. The mechanic looked everywhere, made calls and tried everything he could to find the right size tire but to no avail. Now, we were on our way on the “doughnut tire” through the mountains to another town nearly 40 minutes away. I’ll admit I was a little worried, especially when the axle started making this crazy banging noise every half mile. We decided to turn around and eventually found our way back to Ellers on our literal last leg. Thankfully the store was still open and a quest was started by the mechanics to get us back on track. Here’s where the story takes an unusual twist. We were desperate. Vulnerable. Between a rock and a hard spot you might say. The mechanic knew this and we held our breath as we waited to hear the damage (to the pocket book). But, instead of taking advantage of our misfortune, the mechanic worked tirelessly to try to save Bruce money. At one point we even heard the guys talking about “stealing” a used tire from the lot of someone else down the road just to get us on our way. Finally, they figured out how to get us on our way safely. While we were waiting on the work to get done, a very nice older man came in and we struck up a conversation. He noticed the shirts we were wearing that donned the HOS logo and after a while he asked us what church we were affiliated with. We told him and we talked for a while and with tears in his eye he asked us to pray for his daughter, “Cookie”, a 37 year old with 2 kids who has terminal cancer. Wow! We thought we were having a bad day. Bruce summed it up great on the drive home when he said that that man’s story really puts things in perspective. It sure does. Our situation didn’t even compare.

Bruce said another thing that will always stick in my mind on the winding ride back to camp. He said that he’s found in his 51 years of life that a good philosophy to live by is to “make the most of the best and the least of the worst.” On this trip we had done just that. We caught lots of fish and we ate ‘em, and they were good. We had some bad stuff happen, but put into perspective, they were opportunities to meet new people and have an experience of kindness that restores your faith in humanity.

As the fire popped and crackled on our last night in camp, we talked about the events of this “adventure” and the adventure called life. We talked about the trials of life and read from Philippians, which incidentally was written by Paul who was experiencing a trail of his own by being unjustly imprisoned. It was nice. When I zipped up my sleeping bag and was serenaded by the rushing trout stream, I thought of “Deliverance” again, but this time, without the banjo music, but to the tune of God’s grace. Thank God tonight for what he has given you, especially His son Jesus. Also, pray for Cookie and that she is delivered from the grip of cancer. God is an awesome God!

“For you, O Lord, have delivered
my soul from death, my eyes from
tears, my feet from stumbling, that I
may walk before the Lord in the land
of the living.” Psalm 116

Jeremy B. Harrill

First time!

Recently I had the privilege and honor of taking someone hunting for the first time. Darrin Jordan, a friend of mine is no stranger to the outdoors. He had been known to “sore-lip” a trout with a dry fly on many occasions, however had never taken to the woods with heavy artillery in hand. Darrin had recently taken a Hunter Education course and thought he would like to put to use what he had learned so I obliged with an offer to turkey hunt. He accepted, and agreed to trade the suit and tie for camo and a 12-gauge shotgun for a mid-week hunt.

We hadn’t been in the woods long when we heard several old Toms thundering off in the distance in the early morning light. Their gobbles shook the treetops. I believe that Darrin got excited at this point. The gobblers decided not to cooperate at his point so we made a tactical retreat to another set-up. They must have liked what they heard then because they started heading our way. After several minutes of silence, they finally appeared – 3 Toms looking for love. The gobbler out front came within range but never offered a clear shot. I was an emotional wreck. With my heart pounding in my chest, I could already see my friend posing with his first turkey in front of the camera. And then it was over – the gobbler just walked away resisting to come back at my feeble attempts to call out to him with yelps, cuts, clucks and purrs. Darrin did a good job. He decided not to take a shot that many hunters would have tried to make. I guess he was paying attention in the Hunter Education class after all – “only take good clean shots that deliver a quick, ethical kill.” Not long after all this happened, I heard Darrin call his secretary and tell her to cancel his evening appointments because he was going to be hunting. I think he may trade that fly rod for a turkey vest and some decoys.

Later in the day, as I reflected on our day of hunting and Darrin’s first hunting experience, I couldn’t help but think of another first time. The time when I first realized that I was a sinner in need of a savior. It was during my college days that I found out that being a Christian was not about being “religious,” but about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Up until that point in my life, I believed that being good was what it was all about. I was a “good guy.” I was nice. I didn’t cuss, or drink, or kill people. Then, I realized that no matter how good I was, I couldn’t be good enough. If I could, Jesus would have never had to die on the cross. I realized for the first time that God loved me so much that he sent his son to die for my sins and that He desired a relationship with me. Then and there, I decided to accept God’s free gift of his son Jesus. The good news is that Jesus didn’t just die for me, he died for you too. If you don’t know Jesus as your savior, why not try Him for the first time today.

We had a great time hunting, but I must admit that I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to help Darrin get his first turkey. Since he didn’t get one, I guess we’ll just have to go hunting again. It was a beautiful day – perfect for turkey hunting. I will always remember something that Darrin said while hunting during the day. While we were trying to locate another lovesick bird, we were talking about the wonderful weather and Darrin said, “It would be a beautiful day to kill a turkey.” The fact of the matter is that any day is a beautiful day to kill a turkey – Amen!

Jeremy B. Harrill

Close Shave!

Joe Finney and the “Gillette” Gobbler

When I answered my phone early this morning I heard a humming of the music to that old song “Another one bites the dust.” I instantly knew that another bird must have gobbled its last gobble. Sho nuff, Joe Finney had dropped the hammer on a nice Tom and was calling to share the story. I love hearing interesting hunting stories from my buddies and I must admit that this story was interesting to say the least. I noticed while I was listening to his story, he never said anything about the bird’s beard. When I inquired about how long the Tom’s beard was I heard a chuckle on the other end of the line and then a pause, followed by an interesting response – “I shot it off,” Joe said.

Evidently the bird popped up about 20 steps from the end of Joe’s gun barrel. It quickly found himself on the receiving end of some #5 turkey shot and in the process got a shave at no extra cost.

It just seems fitting that this Big Tom is given a name. After all, all extraordinary whitetail kills are given names to distinguish them from one another. All deer hunters will recognize the “Hanson Buck” or the “Hole-in-the-Horn Buck.” I’m sure that if this gobbler still had a beard it would be impressive and surely be a record book bird. I can hear the stories now. I bet each time the story gets told, the turkey’s beard will get bigger and bigger. When thinking of a name, one came to mind that just had to be it. “The Gillette Gobbler.” Remember Gillette, the shaving company. They prided themselves on being able to give a man the closest shave that a man could get. Our good friend Joe knows exactly what they were talking about in those commercials, but he doesn’t need a razor, just one round of 12 gauge turkey load. Congratulations Joe. “Gillette, the best a man (I mean turkey) can get.”

Gobble Gobble!

The turkey killin’ has begun. Opening day of the spring turkey season started this past weekend and many were hunkered down next to a tree during the wee hours of the morning with shotgun in hand. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to bag a Tom, but a few of the HOS fellas put some lead in the heads of a couple “thunder chickens.” Kirk Fessler (pictured) and Shane Brock got the season started off right by each waxing a bird on opening day. I can’t wait to hear the stories.

This is one of my favorite times of year. After being introduced to my first “gobble” a little over 10 years ago, spring has had new meaning for me, and life had a new purpose – chasing after longbeards! Those of you who turkey hunt know what I’m talking about. There’s nothing like hearing that ‘ole Tom thunder off at your calls. Then, knowing that you’ve found a love sick strutter and he’s headed your way, your heart races. The spitting and drumming, the strutting, the double and triple gobble all send your heart into overdrive and chills up your spine. Finally, you send lead down range and send the gobbler “home to glory” with one pull of the trigger. What excitement!

All experienced turkey hunters know that turkey hunting can be as frustrating as it is exciting. These wary birds can be hard to figure out sometimes. They’ll gobble their heads off one day, only to be tight-lipped the next. Once you think you’ve got them figured out, they throw you for a loop and do something different. It seems like each time I go into the turkey woods I get another education in gobblerology. When it comes to matters of turkey hunting I guess we really like not knowing what to expect from the birds. It makes it thrilling, keeps it interesting and keeps us coming back to the woods with our slate calls and strikers. However, when it comes to spiritual matters it’s awesome to know that as a Christian we serve a God that is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He loved us so much that He died for us yesterday. He loves us that same amount today and He’ll love us that much tomorrow – in spite of who we are. God is good!

Jeremy B. Harrill

“That’s a Good Name”

A couple of weeks ago the Heart of a Sportsman fellas took part in one of the dog gone coolest events in North Carolina, the annual Southeastern Treeing Walker Days. The Rowan County Fairgrounds played host to coon hunters from over half of the United States. There was more Carhart bibs, camouflage, 4 wheel drive trucks, hunting dogs and spit cups than you could ever imagine in one place. Needless to say, we felt right at home.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “a good name is better than great riches.” I know that this verse of scripture is talking more about the person behind the name than the name itself, but I couldn’t help but think of this verse while I was reading a list of the names of coonhounds in the Walker Days hunting competition. Coon dogs have really cool names! Hardwood Elvis, Goose Creek Slammer, Bolt Action Reverend Jones just to name a few. Now those are good names! Although these names caught my attention, to the seasoned coon hunter they are nothing really special, just run-of-the-mill names. However, I did learn that there was a name that would particularly cause a cooner to raise an eyebrow. A special name that would cause a seasoned coon hunter to stop in mid spit and swallow his ‘baccer juice when he heard it. The name seemed to demand attention. The name was “Yadkin River.” Whether it is Yadkin River Pete, Yadkin River Joe or Yadkin River Jinx, any dog that had the Yadkin River title was special. Collectively called Yadkin River Dogs, dogs from this bloodline seem to be a cut above other coonhounds. They have the amazing ability to sniff out and tree coons with incredible speed and ease. The bloodline has produced more champion coon dogs than one could ever count. To many in the world of coon hunting, Yadkin River is the name above all names. I guess you could actually say that in the coon dog world, “a good name can mean great riches,” cause often times the puppies from these hounds bring thousands of dollars when sold.

While thinking about the cool names that coon dogs have, another name came to mind - the name of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in Acts 4:12 that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." After putting your hope and trust in Jesus, you belong to an amazing bloodline. Romans 8:16 even say that when we accept Christ, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” It’s an amazing bloodline to be a part of that comes with great riches: forgiveness and eternal life. Now that’s a name above all names!

Jeremy B. Harrill

Nice Rack

Our boy Shane shows off a behemoth monster Whitetail rack at the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh NC. I'm going to get my food plot going right now!

Hop in!

“Hop In”
I had a sick feeling in my stomach. My hands were sweaty and I could barely hear the voice over the beat of the heart pounding in my chest. I won’t lie, I was nervous as he asked me to “hop in the car.” I took a deep breath and stepped into the passenger side of the State Trooper’s patrol vehicle. After I sat down the Trooper told me to make sure I was buckled in good. Those words made me more than a little uncomfortable. No, I wasn’t getting a speeding ticket but participating in some specialized high speed driving as part of my law enforcement training. Once I was buckled in, we were racing around the track at unbelievable speeds. I had never gone that fast before, especially in curves. It felt as if the car was going to come out from under us at any moment and we would spin out of control crashing into the trees. This dude driving was crazy, I thought! It took me a while to catch my breath, and to trust the instructor, but once I did it was awesome and a time that I will never forget. I’m so glad that I got in the car for that wild ride.
I was watching a movie with my son a week or so ago and was reminded of my high-speed experience. We were watching the movie Transformers, which is about these cars and trucks that turn or transform into robots. Of course, there are good transformers and bad ones and the movie is about the classic battle of good and evil. The main character, early in the movie is terrified to learn that his car is a transformer. The boy and a friend of his watch as his car has a fierce battle with another transformer. After watching his car defeat the other transformer, it drives over and opens the door asking them to “hop in.” One of the characters asks the question, “ Do you think we should get in?” Then the boy responded by saying, “If you don’t, in 50 years you’ll look back and wish you had the guts to get in that car.”
What a statement! I think we all, no matter what age, wished we had done some things that we were asked to do for God’s glory, but didn’t for some reason or other. I’m not talking about just anything, but those things that the Holy Spirit put on our heart. If you are a believer you know what I’m talking about. You know, the time that you felt overwhelmed to help someone or to talk to someone about his or her faith, and didn’t. Do you remember the time that you felt the urges in your heart to join a small group at church? The time you almost said that you would teach a class or help the youth group. The time that you were asked to give your testimony but didn’t because you were afraid. The thoughts you had of starting some kind of ministry, but convinced yourself that no one would be interested and you weren’t good enough. I’ve sure had those feelings in my life, more times than I care to admit. I’ve often chosen to watch instead of ride with Jesus, so to speak. We have opportunities to get in and ride with Him, but don’t for all kinds of reasons.
We may often wish that we could go back and do some of those things that we turned down or rejected, but guess what? I can hear the gravel popping under the tires as the 4-wheel drive comes down the dirt road and is headed your way. What are you gonna do when the truck stops this time, and the door opens and you hear the voice of Jesus saying “hop in.” I can bet that your hands will be sweaty and your heart will pound in your chest. You may even think that the driver is crazy asking you to go along. After all, you and I are not equipped to do big-time “Jesus stuff.” No, we’re not, but He is and He wants to use you to glorify Him. He gave you your personality, your likes and dislikes, your skills and abilities. He can even use all that bad stuff from our past to bring others to Him. Who knows where that truck will take you along life’s highway? Have the guts to get in. God has a great adventure mapped out, if you’ll trust Him and hop in. If you do decide to get in, you won’t regret it. So lock in the hubs and buckle up, man, it’s gonna be a wild ride!

Jeremy B. Harrill

PS – I know that Jesus had to have been a good ole’ boy because he hung around fishermen all the time. That’s why I can imagine Him in a 4 -wheel drive. I bet he would even have a horn on that truck just like the one in the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. Duh na nuh nuh nuh , nuh nuh nuh nuh na !!!!

The Duck Commander

The Duck Commander
Have you ever been to a Billy Graham Crusade or seen one on TV? He is awesome! He is known around the world as a man of God who preaches the Gospel to all who will listen. At the end of his sermons he will always give an “alter call” where flocks of people come to the stage and pray to ask Jesus Christ as Savior. After he issues the alter call, he ask a simple question. “Want you come, want you come?” And people do – they answer the call.
I thought of this recently when a friend of mine, Nick Jones, asked me to go to see Phil Robertson who was speaking in Conway, SC. You may know Phil better as “The Duck Commander.” He’s like the Billy Graham of duck hunting. He eats, sleeps and breaths duck hunting and he’s a killing machine from the duck blind. A follower of Christ, Phil Robertson was born with a gift to sound like a duck. He has his own line of duck calls that set the standard in the duck calling industry. When he blows on his duck call, it’s like he’s giving that Billy Graham alter call to the ducks saying, “Want you come.” And they do… by the hundreds.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go with Nick, but he told me all about the great time he had. It turns out that people got to hear more calls than just those of mallards and wood ducks when the Duck Commander got up to speak. He also spoke of the call of Jesus and the invitation for all men to follow Him. How cool is that! Nick hasn’t stopped smiling since he got back and I wouldn’t swear to it, but I think he’s even started growing his own Duck Commander beard.
“Arise, kill and eat.”
Acts 10:13