Recently I was visiting my brother in-law Devon Rolf, a patent attorney with Garmin International (Most of you outdoorsmen know Garmin by their handheld GPS units and fishfinders). Our families were getting together, the girls catching up on the news inside while the guys (Devon, me and three of my sons) were out workin' in the woods. A few years ago Devon moved out on some acreage outside of town, and we were clearing some walking trails... no doubt we were checking out all the signs of deer activity while we were out... rubs, scrapes, droppings, etc. My 8 year old son Christian found a nice antler from a 12 point buck out there. He wants to mount it somehow in his room to hang stuff on.

After we were done with our work, we sat down in the pasture to rest a bit. (You know how good it feels to sit and rest after doing some good ol' hard work.) The girls, anxiously awaiting our appearance, spied us sitting there from inside the house and they (My wife Nancy and our two daughters, and her sister Becky and her four daughters) promptly brought out some soup, homemade wheat bread with butter, and refreshments. (The men are teaching the boys to work, and the women are teaching the girls to bless the men... ain't that the way it should be?) As we were sitting there eating the fixin's the girls brought out to us "hard working men", I was observing Riley, Devon's old Golden Retriever. I said, "I bet Riley really likes it out here in the country." Devon responded, "You know, since we moved out here I've really seen his natural instincts come to the surface." I sat and thought about that for a minute, and replied, "You know what Devon, its the same for men..."

Have you ever watched a dog that is chained up or stuck in a house? All he does is lay around and sleep. He's depressed! But you let him off that chain... give him some room to roam... he's running and tracking critters down! Just like ol' Riley is happy chasing after a couple deer or coyotes... doing things he was created by God to do... (He sure wasn't created to be cooped-up in a house in the burbs...) Men are happiest when they are outdoors... workin', sweatin', freezin', and gettin' rained on... you know what I mean. And we're really happy when the girls bring out the refreshments, and make such a big fuss over their hard working men.

There is something about the corporate America scene that robs a man of his manhood. His hands get soft... He doesn't get out in the fresh air... He's away from his family... the wife he loves and his dear children. Men, I guess that's one reason why I have such a passion for the outdoors. It's more than the hunting. It's more than the fishing. It's about getting outdoors, with the ones you love, and feeling like a real man.

You bring back some great memories. I love the outdoors and most of the things mentioned. Yet, I have to tell you my greatest love. That is Jesus Christ. He saved me! He forgave me! He is my hope and joy in life! Sometimes that is in the woods, home, corporate, church and just about anything. I simply love to serve God. To give Him all the honor and glory I can. God has given me so much when I know full well that all I really deserve is **** and punishment. Jesus set me free and that is a joy only a Christian can know. My life is simply a blessing. I know that the same God who sent his Son to die on a cross for me is the same God who has allowed trajedy into my life. No matter how bad/horrible things have ever gotten, I know it is all out of the love of God. That is to say He has had to beat me about the head and shoulders quite a bit to seperate me from an evil hopeless world, to bless me. My great joy is in thriving in an ever more intimate relationship with God. It is to always strive to be a better servant. It does not really matter where that is physically (thinking of Paul and Silas in prison) since serving God is done where He wants it done. God has given me so much. Yet if He takes it all away, His character is not different.... just harder to understand.

You see, I am a rich man. Not money but in the blessings and love of God. Nobody and no place can be a substitute for that. I am forgiven. I am headed for a wonderful eternity with God. God is with me every moment. His blessings are like an incomming tide in my life. Of course this should not be a suprise since God, The Father, gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ , to die for me and you. What fantastic love He has for us! He loves us all so much. He wants so much to bless us, care for us and draw us to be with Him.

Wherever you are or what ever your situation, God's love and desires for us are unchanging. When you cannot see His hand, trust His Word (Bible). It is a very good ride. All, despite their past, are invited to come along and be loved by The Perfect Love.

There is still lots of room on the "train"... until it pulls out.

There have been times when life's burdens have been so heavy that if not for the soothing relief of the woods I dont know what would have become of me. There have been times of refreshment, hearing from God and a quickening in the spirit during those short forays. I'm so glad the Lord brought us back to country living.

Perferator