Monday, January 7, 2008

Enjoying the Ride?
Are you enjoying your daily ride? In our rush-rush world, you tend to get caught up in the time game. Maybe you allot the minimum time between appointments, then get caught in a traffic jam, and proceed to worry the rest of the way about the consequences of arriving late. You feel your temper rising until it bursts out at the first motorist who dares to cut you off and, before you know it, the rest of your day is in shambles. Been there, haven't you? Come on, 'fess up – at least once in your life, right? I can't be the only one that has happened to.

Yesterday was one of those days. I had included a whole five extra minutes in my neatly calculated appointment schedule. Backing out of the driveway, I hastily asked the Lord to direct me to the route that would have the least amount of traffic. Off I went, confident that I had "heard" right. Although my signal lights were indicating a right turn, I felt the wheel pulling to the left. "Hey, what am I doing," I thought, pressing my foot on the pedal, "I never go this way; this is not the fastest, most direct way!" Yet, I felt a strong impression to turn left. The route I followed winded through tree-lined streets with friendly homes and nicely manicured, flowered yards. Suddenly I was no longer in a rush.

Meandering along the slow curves, I suddenly heard very clearly: "How are you enjoying the ride?" Then again: "Are you enjoying the route I chose for you?" "Yes, Lord, Amen" I acknowledged, and promptly burst out in a song of praise. I realized I was raptly taking in the scenery, appreciating the flowers which added so much to my enjoyment, and felt totally at peace. This route took me to the same expressway I had felt led to use. Yet, despite the slower speed limit, there were fewer stop signs than my usual road, making it just as time-efficient! Most importantly, it heightened in me the importance of loving the moment. It was a valuable lesson I don't intend to ever forget.

The route itself is merely a means to an end. You have a divine purpose. The object is not to get to your destiny as quickly as possible. You must make a conscious effort to direct your focus to the beauty, potential, and opportunity in every single step of the journey.

Your road through life may have many curves, seem too dull and slow, or have many roadblocks and stop signs. If you listen closely to the Lord's direction, you may find Him turning your "wheel" in a direction you're not accustomed to. Allow Him to lead you in all things and show you the marvels along the path He has prepared for you. He wants you to be malleable like putty in His hand so that you can be shaped into His purpose. "Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and he shall lift you up." (Jas. 4:10)

Make it your priority to: "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord; and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Prov. 3:5-8)

You have heard no doubt the expression: "Stop and smell the roses?" That's how the Lord wants us to live as much as possible. Take time to appreciate all the seemingly insignificant things along the way. He not only has created you to enjoy life, but has made all the provisions for it on the cross. As His child, He wants the very best for you." Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:24)
In closing, as I was reconsidering the title, it just came to me that indeed your life's journey is a ride! It is not a race; nor is it an arduous walk or uphill climb! "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut.33:27) "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Ps. 91:11-12) Enjoy the ride!


The Boy's First Shot – Fathers Remember Your Role
It was January 2006 and the snow had begun to fall on the mesa. The boy wished to take a single shot on his father's 12 gauge. It was his first shot on a big gun and you could see the lack of confidence in his eyes.
He paused to ask his dad if it was going to hurt. His father knew it would. "No boy. Just pull the trigger." Two deep breaths and then Kabloom! The boy's eyes were wide open with excitement. He took a breath and then yelled, "Yahoo! Did you see that dad? Did you see my shoulder pop out?"
The father asked, "What did you shoot?" Quick witted, the boy replied, "Your gun dad." With that, the boy turned his attention to the future and asked, "Can we go turkey hunting now?"
As it is with many fathers and sons, this was my son's first time pulling the trigger on a big gun. The anticipation, uncertainty and thrill of trying something big, was almost more than he could bear. I am sure, like many boys, this will be a memory he will keep forever.
In an ever-changing society that is tearing the masculinity out of raising children, I find myself in a fight to emphasize the value of my son becoming a man. After all, the single biggest issue facing society today is the absence of the father in the home.
As mainstream society tries to change family values and child rearing, I ask, was not the most important teachings of Jesus based on his own relationship with the Father, which is God?
In John 5:19-20, Jesus defined the role of a father saying, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel."
Society, in the name of tolerance and political correctness, has managed to destroy that which God himself holds sacred.
My challenge to you is to push aside this modern movement and live up to God's expectation of you as a father. Embrace your most important mission and teach your sons what you have learned. They will grow up to bring you honor.
Author Russ Chastain writes, "Nothing in hunting is more important than the future. No hunter should value his "serious" hunting higher than that done with a kid."
The same can be said of life, fathers and sons. Next time you go hunting, remember your role, let your son take his first shot.
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, cherrydesigns@excite.com or visit the Crosshairs for Christ website, http://www.crosshairsforchrist.com


Enjoying the Ride?
Are you enjoying your daily ride? In our rush-rush world, you tend to get caught up in the time game. Maybe you allot the minimum time between appointments, then get caught in a traffic jam, and proceed to worry the rest of the way about the consequences of arriving late. You feel your temper rising until it bursts out at the first motorist who dares to cut you off and, before you know it, the rest of your day is in shambles. Been there, haven't you? Come on, 'fess up – at least once in your life, right? I can't be the only one that has happened to.

Yesterday was one of those days. I had included a whole five extra minutes in my neatly calculated appointment schedule. Backing out of the driveway, I hastily asked the Lord to direct me to the route that would have the least amount of traffic. Off I went, confident that I had "heard" right. Although my signal lights were indicating a right turn, I felt the wheel pulling to the left. "Hey, what am I doing," I thought, pressing my foot on the pedal, "I never go this way; this is not the fastest, most direct way!" Yet, I felt a strong impression to turn left. The route I followed winded through tree-lined streets with friendly homes and nicely manicured, flowered yards. Suddenly I was no longer in a rush.

Meandering along the slow curves, I suddenly heard very clearly: "How are you enjoying the ride?" Then again: "Are you enjoying the route I chose for you?" "Yes, Lord, Amen" I acknowledged, and promptly burst out in a song of praise. I realized I was raptly taking in the scenery, appreciating the flowers which added so much to my enjoyment, and felt totally at peace. This route took me to the same expressway I had felt led to use. Yet, despite the slower speed limit, there were fewer stop signs than my usual road, making it just as time-efficient! Most importantly, it heightened in me the importance of loving the moment. It was a valuable lesson I don't intend to ever forget.

The route itself is merely a means to an end. You have a divine purpose. The object is not to get to your destiny as quickly as possible. You must make a conscious effort to direct your focus to the beauty, potential, and opportunity in every single step of the journey.

Your road through life may have many curves, seem too dull and slow, or have many roadblocks and stop signs. If you listen closely to the Lord's direction, you may find Him turning your "wheel" in a direction you're not accustomed to. Allow Him to lead you in all things and show you the marvels along the path He has prepared for you. He wants you to be malleable like putty in His hand so that you can be shaped into His purpose. "Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and he shall lift you up." (Jas. 4:10)

Make it your priority to: "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord; and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Prov. 3:5-8)

You have heard no doubt the expression: "Stop and smell the roses?" That's how the Lord wants us to live as much as possible. Take time to appreciate all the seemingly insignificant things along the way. He not only has created you to enjoy life, but has made all the provisions for it on the cross. As His child, He wants the very best for you." Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:24)
In closing, as I was reconsidering the title, it just came to me that indeed your life's journey is a ride! It is not a race; nor is it an arduous walk or uphill climb! "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut.33:27) "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Ps. 91:11-12) Enjoy the ride!