Does it matter… ?

Does WHAT matter?

The subconscious….

The littlest but most important thing….

Trigger pull….

Familiarity….

Confidence….

Vision acuity….

Range….

And the list goes on ….

There are a lot of “little things” that hunters and shooters do by habit while often taking much of it for granted. But who hasn’t shown up at the range with a new rifle and load while leaving their targets back home? Or their staple gun? Of course, we focus consciously on what seems most important while leaving what seems less important to the subconscious. Did we bring that small bag on the kitchen counter top while being preoccupied with that new rifle? In terms of hierarchy, taking care of the new rifle, insuring it goes into its new padded case, then safely into the pickup so stuff won’t be piled on top, has top priority? But really? What about that small bag left on the counter top back home? Oh yes, I’d asked my wife to make me a sandwitch and put an apple with it, please, before she left to teach at kindergarten… and she did! Ooops! Priorities: my happiness or hers? No big deal? Yes, it is a big deal if the focus is more on my happiness in having “that new rifle” while taking her act of love and faithfulness for granted. Or…. taking her for granted after nearly 66 years together (our 66th anniversary on June 28 off this year).

My “then” new CZ550 in .458 Winchester Magnum.

Trigger pull… or is it “squeeze”? Whatever. Shooters who fuss with that mechanism “till it breaks like glass” from a light touch, squeeze, pull or yank, often spend thousands in $$ and hours to make it happen! It’s in their touch… it’s a wonderful , fleeting feeling! Are they as conscious of the feelings of others? That trigger, by the way, has NO feeling… but what about our daughters and sons?

It has often been said that familiarity with our hunting rifle(s) is paramount for most effective results – I’ve said so multiple times! Nothing wrong with that… BUT there IS something greviously wrong with that if it trumps familiarity with those closest to us! Do we listen… really LISTEN to them and grandkids, and wife, when they need to share or be part of our lives?

Does our family and others have confidence in us because we’ve a record of trustworthiness? Faithfulness?

Vision acuity… how deep, sharp and broad is it? Let’s be very sure that we’re NOT missing the obvious… what’s happening around us, within us and in the whole world, because what’s “out there” affects all of us in ways that may become degenerative in moral and spiritual values! It’s NOW happening! And let’s be certain that what’s “IN” US will influence those closest to us, or any associates, in a wholesome and beneficial way THAT WILL ultimately determine our legacy before both humans and GOD! It was written down long, long ago that such would be so! Let’s not despise ANCIENT WISDOM that may be closer to the truth than most of what’s said and written today! The WOKE system was predicted by Jesus Christ and his apostles as a SIGN of “the LAST DAYS”! So also the B.C. prophets like Daniel, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Range… What am I living for? Just to finish out my days here in blissful harmony with the rest of the township, countryside, city, nation and world “going to hell in a handbasket”?

While I still like hunting, and the tools of the trade, yet my deepest affection is for GOD and His CHRIST! That’s why I often speak (compelled to) praises of Him and for Him – to the hundreds who read these blogs, and still privately with family, friends and even strangers!

When the weather isn’t nice – as during the winter months – I do my daily walk at the local mall. Recently, I noticed a senior man also doing his walk, among the crowds at times, at other times (late or early) with few people around. So recently I stopped him and introduced myself. Since then he’s been warm and friendly, and we’ve stopped and chatted about life and local and world conditions. He’s a decade younger than I but very concerned about the direction of Canadian politics and world-wide happenings. I shared with him what Christ and the Apostles had to say about “the last days”, and he agreed though not knowing much about the Bible. It was done in a friendly way, so I’m sure we’ll meet again and have further conversations over the erosion of health care in our hospitals and the worldwide prospects for future generations.

In the meanwhile, as I wait my turn to leave this world behind, or HIS RETURN, my strength is found in the truth of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in the city of Rome: “May the God of hope fill you with great joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Letter to the church at Rome, ch 15, verse 13.

Do you know there’s not one Christian in a hundred who knew that verse was in the Bible! No wonder that the majority of professed “Christians” don’t know exactly what they believe, or why, and are easy pickings for the “woke and liberal” masses! Christians don’t know their Bibles! Little wonder, as neither do a majority of theologians and the pastors they teach!

In the midst of those major concerns running through my mind on a daily basis, yet the “minor” and “little” details of every day living is often where intimacy with family and friends is most vivid… and that includes walks and talks with God. Do you know I had to learn that later in life! Yup, sitting in a treestand watching for a bear to show up at the bait 125 yds distant, on a beautiful mid-afternoon in late September, 2014, I snapped the following pics – paying attention to details.

And this happened within seconds of casually speaking with the LORD God: “Lord, it would be nice to see some wildlife!”

There are a couple of things you should know about this: 1) While having bear hunted these pastures for four previous years this was the first time I’d seen whitetails there, and there are actually two, a buck following the doe in the first pic, partially obscured by the brush (near the left side of the pic), and 2) 1/2 hr later a coyote appeared over my right shoulder at ~70 yds – also a first!

So it’s a mistake to discount the significance of what “the world” judges as “insignificant”, or of minor importance, while only the “BIG” matters get reported by political entities and the media. As reported by the ancient prophet ISAIAH, God said: “For my thoughts are NOT your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (ISA. 55: 8 – 9).

Simply stated, I’ve learned that the Lord God is interested and involved in the so-called “insignificant” details of life, like the best and safest handloads for my “new-to-me” .375 H&H. He knows better than anyone (including myself) what’s both BEST and SAFE! When I honestly and sincerely seek His advice, that will involve knowledge and research on my part: “Seek and you will find”, He said. But the multiplicity and variables in handloading data (that changes from manual to manual or book to book, and sometimes by the same company) needs a sharp mind and clear thinking! Wherever and whenever there is “CAUTION!” flashing in our conscious or sub-conscious mind, like a warning road sign on a dark and slippery night, heed it! At least until there is ample understanding of the issues involved! “Ask and it will be given to you”, He said! And, I say this with all due regard and respect: IT WORKS!

While I have been using BARNES #4 for my guide in handloading the 235gr, 270gr and 300gr TSX’s, I had the “strong feeling” after prayer that I should go online to see if BARNES had any updates for those loads. Sure enough! Immediately, the caption for the .375 H&H read: “New Loads”! For example, instead of 87.5 grs of W748 as max for the 235gr TSX, I read 85.2 grs as max. And instead of 80.5 grs of RL-15 as max, I read 81.5 grs as max. Why the differences and does it matter? Of course, experienced handloaders already know why: a different test barrel and different lots of powders. “No big deal”, right? But it might be for someone who doesn’t pay attention to CAUTION! Then, I had to extrapolate… I had no W748! Instead, I’m using CFE 223 with insight, knowledge and caution!

Yet in life, the vast MAJORITY of humanity has never paid attention to either common sense CAUTIONS or GOD’S – which are mostly the same! Should there REALLY be any excuses or questions over the MESS we’re in when long ago GOD (the TRUE ONE!) said, “You shall have no other gods before me; You shall not make an image of anything to worship it; You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for GOD will not hold that person guiltless; Honor your father and mother; You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultry; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; You shall not covet… “ Exodus 20.

None, therefore are guiltless… “but God” thru his son, Jesus Christ, paid for our guilt, and those who receive that gift by faith in Christ are forgiven of ALL guilt and trespasses! It’s a GIFT, not earned but received by faith (trust) in Him. (Gospel of John ch.3:16) And see Paul’s letter to the Christians at Rome, chps 3 through 5.

So I know the details of my life are all included in God’s love… and that means handloads for a .375 H&H!

“The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will not fall,

for the LORD holds them by their hand” (Psalm 37: 23- 24 NLB)

The “godly” are those who welcome God into their lives… They involve him, knowing they need him and his Son Jesus Christ. The “godless” are those who ignore him, and don’t involve him, and are in rebellion against the One he has raised from the dead and appointed “LORD over all”.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father”. (Philippians 2: 9 – 11, by the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi in the 1st century AD)

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL