Tuesday 19 August 2008

Keep Out - No Hunting without permission




I use to be an avid hunter - both small game and big game. I have taken white-tail deer with rifle, shotgun and bow & arrow. I was a certified hunter safety instructor at one time for the State of Michigan. One important thing that a hunter does is make sure he is hunting on property that he has permission to hunt. I have on several occasions hunted on private property where I needed permission. I also have owned property that others have had to ask my permission to hunt. Usually permission is granted with some conditions. Such as having a permission slip, times you can hunt, and be sure to close all gates and do not destroy anything.

I have been checking my heart lately - the question I have been dealing with is how much permission have I given God to arrange my life? What can He have permission to do? Anything?What about my health? If I get a terminal disease, and He chooses not to heal me, can He have my permission to work with that to make me a witness for him? Or will I become angry if He does that? What if He needs more of my finances? What will I permit him to have?

My prayer today is Lord, you have my permission to do anything with my life you want to. Help me to serve you better as I surrender completely to you.

Amen - Papa

18 comments:

Heather said...

Mmmm. Good prayer Papa. It's one we ALL need to pray. Love and Hugs to you and Mama!

Unknown said...

i think i am finally learning something in life...instead of giving Him permission when the time arises or when i see it as convenient...i need to daily give it ALL to Him. that way when He asks for something, it doesnt feel as harsh - because its typically less than ALL. do i do this fully yet? NO. WAY. but it is my hearts intent. as hard as it may be...

i love you Papa!!! and i am so very looking forward to our little talks soon!

Robin said...

Excellent post, excellent questions, made me think of a song Carol posted on her Genesis 28 blog -

http://reflectionsongenesis.blogspot.com/2008/08/genesis-chapter-28-gift-exchange.html

"I’m yours, Lord, everything I’ve got, Everything I am, everything I’m not; I’m yours, Lord, try me now and see, See if I can be completely yours!!"

(Gary Chapman, Copyright 1979 Paragon Music Corp.)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Heather - it is not a one time prayer. Like Tam says below, we need to pray that daily.

Tam - as our life circumstances change we need to be sure our commitment to him stays true,and taht we give permission to him to change us as needed.

Robin - that is it! it is completely - and we need to check up on ourself to make sure we are still doing it.

Anonymous said...

What an awesome reminder. I've spent too much time trying to align God with what I want and not letting him take control over what He wants for me.

p.s - Do you know Ted Nugent? Another avid hunter from the great state of Michigan...

Indian Lake Papa said...

Praise 365 - Don't even tell me you shoot flaming arrows on stage like Ted Nugent! I hope you are a little more conservative on stage than he is! lol I love his hunting shows - he is a character though!

I try to get God to align with me! That's when I get in big trouble!!!

CrossView said...

Great reminder! It's so easy to follow when we're getting everything we want and life is good. But "longsuffering" is one of the fruits of the Spirit and definitely not my favorite! =P

Anonymous said...

My grandfather like to hunt on his property in Maine. He took me out a few times, but I can't say I enjoyed the experience. I spent most of the time freezing my behind off.

Surrendering isn't something I have ever been very good at. I am a lot better at being stubborn and pig headed. :)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Crossview - I have to admit I have to work on "long suffering" - He has to keep getting on me to get my permission on that one! By the way, I am into the book - enjoying it!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Ed - are you sure we aren't twins?? I hated the cold out hunting! I always wore the warmest clothes you could find from Cabela's! By the way, its not being pigheaded or stubborn when your always right is it ??? lol !!! I can get a little pushy at times - ha!

Anonymous said...

Why is it that we have to put limits on everything? I too often wonder why something is going on in my life and I could almost bet on it that a lot of it has to do with the boundaries I put on my relationship with the Lord. What a great reminder, thank you!

Indian Lake Papa said...

One Dir: I don't know why we put limits on God - but we do - He understands, and fortunately for me He is patient!

Carol said...

Those are questions we all need to think about from time to time...just a reevaluation of our relationship with God....am I totally surrendered? I'm glad you make blog posts that causes us to think, and not just smile and go on. We are going to need a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ to make it in the days ahead as our country continues to mark toward a time of crisis like we've never seen before. But if our hand is in the hand of God, we will make it...He will see us through. If we stubbornly choose to go our own way, fight our own battles, be our own god...we are fighting a losing battle, and time is not on our side. Letting go, and letting God...remember that old phrase? Today I stand for Him, Him alone, or I do not stand at all.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Papa,
Surrendering my all is a daily issue, but several times a day I need to do it again...seems as my day begins, I just pick a few things up again..then back to lay them down again..its quite a cycle! had fun chatting with you and mama last night..everyones getting excited to visit with you both! love you

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - being totally surrendered is not something we do easily. We tend to do the opposite - we take control. When issues come up we tend to jump in and take control - we need to check w/our Savior first to see what He wants.

Anonymous said...

Amen Papa. I have been going through the same convictions lately. I have to allow God to do what He wants versus only "letting" Him do what I want and feel comfortable with. Complete submission is hard but so fruitful. My prayer is that all of us in the body are able to come to a point where self-sacrifice and complete submission override the "needs" of our flesh. Love you :)

Akprestons said...

thank you for the comment! Yes, Alaska is GORGEOUS. Have you ever been here? Hunting is a huge thing up here.

I loved your post. Good reminders!

Indian Lake Papa said...

GCH - I believe every Christian struggles with "permission". We would prefer to keep control of some areas of our lives.

Charley & Jess: Haven't been to Alaska - yet1 mama hasn't given me "permission"! Thanks for stopping by!