Author: joingodscountry

Guiding hunters for a living allows me to get up close and personal with God’s Creation. To sneak up within 7 steps of a wild boar is probably too personal! What a beautiful animal and experience.

I pulled some pics off a motion-sensor camera today. The forest is lush and green. A beautiful backdrop for 3 does and a fawn. They are a reflection of God…His beautiful Creation.

An important part of wildlife management at my hunting lodge is game cameras. The game camera is in a small box that straps to a tree. A motion sensor triggers the came to capture an passers by.

Pulling the SD Card to view all the pics is like opening a Christmas present. The cam captures the beauty of wildlife and God’s Creation.

I have been guiding hunters in South Carolina for 18 years now. Hunting Guide would be my professional title, but I think “Memory Maker” is more appropriate.

There is nothing more gratifying than to see a youth hunter harvest his first animal. Chase Bullard and his dad were in camp last week for a hog hunt. From the beginning, the 16 year old was quite anxious.

The memory was made when Chase made a fantastic shot on his first wild hog. He was ecstatic, as was his dad. It’s a sweet moment that we will all never forget.

The Congress Ave bridge in downtown Austin is home to 1.5 MILLION Mexican free-tail bats.

I stood on the bridge with a thousand people last night before dark and watched them roll out like a tornado. The city embraces the bats as they are a popular attraction.

The event left me awestruck. It was beauty and power in flight. While the bat is a scary looking critter, I’m left to wonder at God’s Creation.

In Austin, Texas for a few days at the National Charter School Conference. No time to squeeze in a hunt. Something about The Lonestar State that makes you proud to be an American.

I’m not a Texas Longhorn fan, but always loved Earl Campbell back in the 70s. He won the Heisman Trophy at Texas and would RUN you over in a minute. I ate at the Earl Campbell Sports Bar yesterday. I’m at the Vince Young Steakhouse today…former QB for the Longhorns.

Today is a special day….Father’ Day. We recognize our DADS for all they have done for us. I am fortunate to have a Dad that provided for the family and loved unconditionally. He was right there in the stands for all my ballgames. I am who I am because of him.

I also understand that some of you did not have a father present in your life. Take comfort in the fact that we all have a Heavenly Father who loves us. He is Father to the fatherless. We are blessed.

Wheels up. My flight is ready for take off to Austin, Texas. Cowboy hats, boots, and brisket….I will fit right in.

I was privileged to go on a 10-day in the Zulu region of South Africa. While the hunt was a thrilling adventure, the life lessons learned were just as memorable.

With my rifle slung across my back, I crawled through the bush to sneak up on a Zebra Stallion. He was elusive, but eventually crept to a position for a 40 yard shot in thick cover that found its mark.

As I respectfully admired the beautiful animal, my guide and professional hunter Toby provided a most unexpected lesson. He said, “While all the Zebra look alike, NO stripe patterns are the same….a young foal even recognizes their mother by her unique stripes!”

How much more does God recognize you and I? We have unique appearance and DNA. As our Creator, He knows everything about us. He loves us for who and all that we are. Embrace Him. Jesus took our sin and shame to the Cross. The Bible even says…”and by His Stripes, we are healed.”

Working in the swamps is an adventure. I have to be especially mindful of the venomous viper…the Cottonmouth. Some people call them a water moccasin. Why do they call it a Cottonmouth? When they open their mouth to threaten you, it looks white like cotton. Doesn’t look as soft and cuddly as cotton does it?!!!

What a beautiful day to be out on the farm. I had my cowboy hat on, leaning on the fence…trying to look like the Marlboro Man. Nobody was around to notice so I was only amusing myself. Nevertheless, I was overjoyed to watch my daughter ride her horse Willow.

Amidst the solitude, I notice this Praying Mantis crawling down my arm. It turned around to look at me as I pulled out my phone for a pic, as if to say, “Hey Bubba, how ’bout a little privacy?…I’m trying to “pray” here!”

Silly you say, but proof again that God is evident in His Creation. A bug ironically named a Praying Mantis reminded me to reflect on life. To pray…communicate with a loving God. Livin’ a bug’s life!