Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
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!!!
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
Jeremy B. Harrill
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Back In Cleveland
We are back home, jet-lag, Dog ear rubber bands, Pastor Mack and Cookin Keith Sell, the wildlife wild man!
Listen Now.
Listen Now.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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!
Monday, August 18, 2008
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
Listen Now
Listen Now
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!
Listen Now
Listen Now
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.
Listen now.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
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!
Friday, August 15, 2008
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!
Listen Now
Listen Now
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.
Listen Now
Listen Now
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Live From The Shack
The heart of a sportsman podcast recorded at 3500 ft at the base of a glacier lake in the Shack!
Listen Now
Tuesday In Alaska
Special guests today outdoorsman Mark Ridenhour and Charlie Parnell, guitar maker. Both guys following Jesus in Alaska.
Listen Now
Listen Now
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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!
Listen.
Listen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
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
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
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
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!
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