October 26, 2026
Good morning all! We start this one at 31 degrees, charging upward to 43 for a high. It looks like we could possibly get a sprinkle of rain this afternoon, mixed with a tad bit of snow. Moisture is moisture and we shall rejoice and be glad.
My “adopted” little brother Jowell, is here for a few days, trying to find an elk. We have hunted hard for the last two days, traveled miles and miles and so far, we haven’t seen anything we could even attempt to stalk, maybe today?
Yesterday, during our break for a sandwich, some chips and water, it dawned upon me that elk hunting greatly resembles being a pastor. Quite often Miss Deb refers to me as an “elk-oholic”. There is just something inside of me that says “we MUST go give this a try once again!” I know that someday, I will no longer be able to tromp a mountainside in pursuit of that “one more elk,” but until that time comes, I just must try.
I hope that for most pastors at least, there is a similar inward drive to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is something that they just must do. Whether a pastor teaches/preaches, to a group or shares God’s word one-on-one, there is an inward drive that declares, “we must give it one more try!”
So, on top of running around with my brother looking for a bugle cow, all day my mind is chewing upon the three lessons I get to proclaim this next Sunday! As we walk through the timber, I’m thinking of Romans 1:18-24 for the adult Bible Fellowship class at our home church, Ephesians 5:13-17 for a sermon at a different church, while trying to digest Matthew 6 for the sermon to share with the third group.
(Your prayers are greatly appreciated, that I will be able to properly prepare my spirit to follow the Holy Spirit with these lessons; and that I will be physically able to fulfill my duties for these dear folks. I’m to have a stent put in my heart on Friday and hoping that I will be able to teach on Sunday, thus the need of your prayers. Thanks!
But, as I was saying, the drive that propels a hunter to spend countless hours looking for the wily game, is very similar to that which propels a preacher to spend countless hours looking for the Spirit’s clarity concerning a portion of Scripture and then asking for His assistance when it comes time to teach that which the preacher has already been exposed to in his times of study!
For as a harvested elk provides physical food, while a harvested portion of Scripture provides spiritual food, both are best enjoyed when shared with those around me. Today I am reminded of the words of Dr. Howard Hendricks when he proclaimed, “Gentlemen, you cannot give out of a vacuum. You cannot give away that which you do not possess!” Oh, so true Doc.
Until that elk is in the freezer, there is none to share with others; and until the word of God has taken firm control of the teacher, there is nothing worthwhile to share with the student. Also, both the elk meat and the word of God often need a bit of “spice” to make them more palatable. That is where a good recipe and the Holy Spirit are both a great blessing for all to enjoy!
As the clock nears, 5:30 a.m. Jowell will soon be dragging himself out of bed and looking for fresh coffee and breakfast as we prepare to continue the search. As for me, I’ve already enjoyed a hearty meal of Scripture so that hopefully I will be a blessing to my friend and any others whom I have contact with today.
So, “a hunting we shall go,” while chewing of God’s word, both a great blessing to get to enjoy!
Praying for success with you, Neal
Leave a Reply