The Shooting Began In The Early Afternoon!

Gentle breezes and cool temperatures were the first indications of an unusually gorgeous day on the plains. Stepping boldly through the knee high grass I approached the spot where a full bore reenactment of the attack would take place. Western sidearm slung low, tied at the leg and hammer tethered in place, the ravenous trio of wolves were chosen and positioned for their silent attack. Bending low I waited for the sound that would indicate my brother's warning of danger and the demise of one of the approaching denizons of the tall timber. Before the first was dropped from a distance of over 300 yards they had broken into a lope across the frozen face of Maritou. A sound that was out of place on the mountain alerted every nerve in my being to danger! The thundering report of the .270 down slope was just reaching my ears as I whirled, clearing leather and bringing the .41 magnum Colt single action into a two handed combat stance. In an instant the first target running toward me was aquired, less than 30 yards separated us as the Colt spoke and the recoil bucked my hand. Eyes no longer focused on the lead wolf, somewhere the hit had registered in my mind and was dismissed in less than a heartbeat. The reflexes were tuned by a massive surge of adrenaline as the heart pumped wildly and my thumb automatically drew back the hammer, centering a fresh load. My next target lined up in the sights as snow dusted upward from my brother's second round. The report of the Winchester's lethal voice was simultaneously joined by the .41 magnum as both attempted to halt the third adversary. Again my mind registered events as they unfolded faster than the eye could follow. Caught by the .270 in the right flank the wolf was partially skewing to my right as the steel jacketed lead of the Colt threw him back and away. Suddenly as it had begun it ended. Silence reigned again on the mountain as I listened to the blood pounding my ears and the labored breathing of my lungs.
I had to give this a try to see if it was realistic, time wise, from the way it was written in the book. It spans less than five seconds on a stop watch! I had an opportunity to bring down a few of the bad guys, too, yesterday afternoon. After all, it was the 4th and people shot stuff off for days prior to last evening's finale of outdoor rock and roll followed by a display of fireworks that had the crowd cheering. During the festivities it occurred to me that we should celebrate the freedom we have in God's grace like this(maybe without handguns and explosions), too. Not as a replacement for Christmas, but rather, in addition to the current christian celebrations, during this time of the year that some ecumenical calendars mark as "Kingdom Tide." It probably wouldn't be sanctioned by the powers that be(catholic(universal)church) and might even be decried as pagan in practice and appearance by some, but for others I think it could be a time of renewal and revival. Didn't they use to do this and call them "tent" meetings? In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Celebrating The Fourth In South Dakota! 

One Last Time For THis Year! The Memorial To Our Fallen Brothers And Sisters And All Those Who Carry On! 

The Family That Prays Together, Stays Together! 

Bear With Me, It's A Long Weekend!

Backtracking for just a moment today I wanted to let any "new visitors" know that my "Freedom Bear" overlooks the workspace on my busy office desk. He is only one in a collection that includes hundreds. The bears seem to embody a freedom that is present in the spirit shared by Cheryl and I. Our anniversary is coming up again this month and it doesn't seem possible that we've been together serving the Lord for over 20 years and married for 10 of them. Neither of us had any suspicion when we got together that bears would become a part of our shared "history."
Locally the Spirit of the 4th has been dampened by the deaths of several motorcyclists. Tourism being what it is in SD during the unfrozen months we are accustomed to fatalities, especially of the two wheel variety during the rally(Sturgis)weeks. One really never gets used to the tragic deaths of people, though, even if you aren't personally aquainted. The media via the net has made it possible for us to share globally as never before in the lives of folks. Along with this ability to view the "horror" that happens we could quite easily get "used to" the images and life shattering details. So much so that they cease to have an effect on us. I shared with my wife shortly after the first beheadings in the middle east that the outcry would decline with the number of broadcast depictions people became exposed to. Human nature is to take more lightly that which is commonplace. We are both so thankful for the little girl that was found at a Denny's, that is the upside to domestic violence, sometimes it works out to a "happy ending" in the life of a single individual. This is good! We prayed for that little girl and her brother daily, but only for a week or so. Then it was placed in the prayer book and was lifted up weekly, until she was(praise God)found. We haven't quit praying for him, but we know it does not bode well thus far. A community in Christ is called to undending prayer. Remember the praying that was done on 9\11? And it continued, and still does to this day, for every facet of the tragedy that took place. We are a nation of "praying believers!" We may not agree on some issues, but in our faith I believe our nation to be unshakeable. It is the simplest of things we can agree upon that make us, you and me, and millions like us "more alike than we are different." If we can agree that a "stuffed bear" is cute, and that prayer is vital to the life of our nation, we can be in agreement concerning so much more! We can celebrate our freedom in Christ and in our nation every day. God bless the USA, Preacher.

Bear On Wheels Celebrating Freedom! 

A Friend Forwarded This One Just For The Sake Of Fun. I Watched And Dreamed about Clouds Often As A Child.