PBS Chaplain
Gene Thorn
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I am retired from 30 plus years as a Wildlife Biologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
My wife Sandy and I live on our farm in Queens, WV with numerous deer, turkeys, and a beautiful trout steam off our back deck. Bowhunting and FlyFishing are my year around passions. I have been an Ordained Minister for 24 years and Pastored a Church in Southern WV for 14 years. We have been traveling around the country to archery and living history events conducting Sunday services and speaking at Wild Game Dinners for 20 years - "Olde Pathes Outdoors Ministries". |
"Inspiration"
Matthew 16:13-18
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Who do you say Jesus is? We who are Christians say He is the Christ, the Son of God, our Savior, our Master, our Lord, and our Friend. He is not just a teacher. He is not one of many ways; He is the Way. He is our healer, our deliverer and the list goes on. Throughout the Bible, over and over God refers to Himself as the I am. What does that mean to you?
Who are you? I am a bowhunter. That is not all I am, but that defines me. It is my greatest pastime passion. I am also a flyfisherman. I am a husband to my wife, Sandy. I am a son to my mother. I am a Wildlife Biologist. Two degrees and a 30 plus year career proves that. Whatever we say we are has to have the weight of proof behind it I am a Christian. I am lots of other things as well. We are complex when it comes to defining us. P B S is made up of people who are different in many ways but have Bowhunting in common. What does "I am" mean to you?
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Who do you say Jesus is? We who are Christians say He is the Christ, the Son of God, our Savior, our Master, our Lord, and our Friend. He is not just a teacher. He is not one of many ways; He is the Way. He is our healer, our deliverer and the list goes on. Throughout the Bible, over and over God refers to Himself as the I am. What does that mean to you?
Who are you? I am a bowhunter. That is not all I am, but that defines me. It is my greatest pastime passion. I am also a flyfisherman. I am a husband to my wife, Sandy. I am a son to my mother. I am a Wildlife Biologist. Two degrees and a 30 plus year career proves that. Whatever we say we are has to have the weight of proof behind it I am a Christian. I am lots of other things as well. We are complex when it comes to defining us. P B S is made up of people who are different in many ways but have Bowhunting in common. What does "I am" mean to you?
The moment
I saw a flicker of brown in the distance out the flat of hickory trees as the dawn’s dim light grew brighter. I saw it again and it was closer. I picked out the form of a deer as it came closer yet, following the trail I was set up on, high up in a yellow poplar tree. I began to hear the steady crunch of dry leaves under his feet. The refracted sun rays glinted off the buck’s white antlers. As he came even closer I saw the puffs of his breath condensing into vapor. At 20 yards he stopped and scanned the open flat ahead of him. After a minute or so he started walking again. The trail passed my tree at 12 yards. I let him walk past that point and his eyes disappeared behind an oak tree. I began my draw and as my hand settled into the corner of my mouth the buck came out the other side of the tree. First his nose, then his eyes and his rack, then his neck and shoulders. As the crease behind his shoulder cleared the tree I let another foot of his chest come into view and I settled my focus on that sweet spot low and just behind the shoulder. This was the moment that felt good and I released the arrow. It zipped through the exact spot I was focusing on and the buck exploded for 40 yards and began to stumble. Then it was over. He skidded in the leaves and lay still. I stayed in my treestand and just reflected on what just transpired. I let 30 minutes go by enjoying the sun’s rays hitting in where I quietly sat and watching squirrels scampering in the leaves as they gathered and buried hickory nuts for the long winter ahead. A breeze rustled through the trees and a few leaves spiraled their way to the ground. I climbed down and made my way to the buck. After the routine tapping of the eyeball with and arrow and seeing no movement, I knelt down in the leaves and lifted his heavy rack and admired it as I gave thanks to the Lord for the clean kill and the delicious venison meat He provided for our table. It was a great moment!
There is a distinct moment that is right for us to release an arrow. There is a learning curve in the beginning of our bowhunting years to know just when is the right moment to draw and shoot. Too soon and the distance may be too far, the angle may be wrong, the animal may detect our draw and be alerted
. Too late and the best opportunity, or perhaps any opportunity, may be gone. There is one distinct moment that is just right. There are other very important moments in life. The moment you asked your beautiful wife to marry you is one of those special times. For the lady bowhunters out there it may be the moment the man of your dreams asked you to marry him. The moment the preacher or judge pronounced you man and wife. For those of you that have children, the moment they were born is very special. There are many other precious moments in your life. Life is a connection of special moments with time in between.
The most important moment in life is when the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and draws you to give your life to God, and you respond to become a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Bible says God will not strive with man always. If a person rejects Him over and over there could be a moment that is too late. Life is like a vapor; we are not guaranteed another moment. Let us take advantage of the moments when the Lord is close.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.
The moment we accept the Lord as our Savior everything changes. We step into a life of joy, peace, right standing with God, hope, a future, and every promise of His Word is ours. I have always been amazed how fast things can turn around when we are bowhunting. We can hunt for hours, even days or weeks, and then in a moment the right deer, elk, bear, antelope, caribou or whatever appears and a shot opportunity presents itself. In a moment! Let us embrace the moments in life. There are moments to share our faith with someone else that needs the Lord, or a word from the Lord in a time of need. Let us be ready for The Moment!
There is a distinct moment that is right for us to release an arrow. There is a learning curve in the beginning of our bowhunting years to know just when is the right moment to draw and shoot. Too soon and the distance may be too far, the angle may be wrong, the animal may detect our draw and be alerted
. Too late and the best opportunity, or perhaps any opportunity, may be gone. There is one distinct moment that is just right. There are other very important moments in life. The moment you asked your beautiful wife to marry you is one of those special times. For the lady bowhunters out there it may be the moment the man of your dreams asked you to marry him. The moment the preacher or judge pronounced you man and wife. For those of you that have children, the moment they were born is very special. There are many other precious moments in your life. Life is a connection of special moments with time in between.
The most important moment in life is when the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and draws you to give your life to God, and you respond to become a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Bible says God will not strive with man always. If a person rejects Him over and over there could be a moment that is too late. Life is like a vapor; we are not guaranteed another moment. Let us take advantage of the moments when the Lord is close.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.
The moment we accept the Lord as our Savior everything changes. We step into a life of joy, peace, right standing with God, hope, a future, and every promise of His Word is ours. I have always been amazed how fast things can turn around when we are bowhunting. We can hunt for hours, even days or weeks, and then in a moment the right deer, elk, bear, antelope, caribou or whatever appears and a shot opportunity presents itself. In a moment! Let us embrace the moments in life. There are moments to share our faith with someone else that needs the Lord, or a word from the Lord in a time of need. Let us be ready for The Moment!
