20 feet closer to God
 

Maybe it is the quiet of the woods or the sights and sounds of nature all around me. Maybe it is that when the time comes that I am able to hunt, I am just so grateful for that opportunity, I want to count all my blessings. Or maybe it is just that I am…
20 feet closer to God.

I cannot help but feel that I have to pray from my tree stand. Once I am up there, settled in and waiting, then all the thoughts come into mind. Thoughts of how lucky I am to be able to hunt today. Lucky that I am healthy and physically able to hunt. Lucky, that I have a job that affords me the time to go hunt. Lucky, that my wife is able to run the store and hold things down while I am up the tree. Lucky that I live in a country where I can hunt. I often find myself moved to prayer while I up that tree. I just need to say thank you Lord for all the blessings in my life.

So how many of you share in this feeling? Feeling 20 feet closer to God. I have spoken to other hunters in the past who have told me that they get that feeling too. I guess if you have not experienced it for yourself…. Well then I might just sound like some religious nut to you. But, in reality I believe that giving thanks is an important part of hunting. I feel there is a connection you have with nature as a hunter that is difficult to put into words… at least difficult for me. So I was just wondering what kind of response I would get from my hunting community regarding this subject. Any thoughts?
DW

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Doesn't matter if up 25 feet or in my ground blind , anytime I'm out in God's woods I have that sense of being close to him.
In fact it's one of the reasons I go out every chance I get , I like that feeling of being at peace with myself and what God had created and mother naturelooks after.
If I happen to get a shot at a deer then I give thanks for the bounty of the harvestand then bringing it home to feed my family.

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All I have to do is see the sun starting to peek out and hear the birds and animals starting to awaken on a cool, crisp morning, while I am in the woods or in a deer stand, and at that point each and every time it happens I can know deep in my heart that there IS A GOD. There is no other way that the magnificence of all creation could exist. I can thenlift my face toward Heaven, and give honest thanks for the opportunity He has given me during my time He grants me in this world, and I know my responsibility I have to Him. Thank You Jesus, Bless you Lord. Amen.

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It sure is nice to read post from other Christian deer hunters....

Thanks guys !!!!!!!!

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I do the exact same thing every time i get up in my stand. Not everyone has the privilege to do what we do. Therefor i think we need to thank him each and every time we get the chance.

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Honestly, I feel and think the same way. I start each and every hunt with a prayer. That's me...

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I think I have heard a quote from Uncle Ted about being 20 feet closer to god, I wish I could remember it. I am with you all I feel the same way and am thankful for the chance to hunt whenever I can.

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Amen to that..I read my Bible alot when deer hunting. I had just got done reading over 30 chapters of Jeremiah when I shot my first buck...I even got a little blood on the pages after I field dressed it. by accident of course.

I also have memorized the local flowers , birds and butterflies in Florida. I like knowing what I'm looking at. Hunting in a highly pressured WMA diffently takes faith and the blessing of God to score. I speak with God 24/7 ..He is in all my thoughts. I don't have a TV set.

You are so correct about having a thankful attirude . I forget that sometimes...like last Sat. when I got busted. :(I can be thankful that I even saw one where I hunt at, that I didn't see one hunter in the area, that I'm able to hunt, for the gorgeous weather we are having in Florida, for not stepping on a snake, and that my Summit was still on the tree locked up.

Great post my Christian friend and thanks for giving us the opportunity to express our hearts on this matter.
C7

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I am a man that is very grateful to God for all the unearned grace and undeserved mercy he has shown me. I feel close to God where ever I am but without a doubt when I am in his woods I feel the closest.

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I often take the time to reflect and praise God on my way to my lease (45 min drive). I pray for a safe day for my family, myself and all my hunting buddies. I usually pray on the way to the stand and often while I am on the stand. I thank God for all the beauty in the woods, the plants and animals and for getting me there and in his tree safely. I always thank him when I get to see deer and my heart starts racing and also prior to a shot, if I have one, that my aim is true. We are truely blessed.

Thank you Jesus is what I try to say everytime I catch a fish and I have taught this to my nephew. I will also say this whenver I get my first bow deer.

Thank You Jesus!

KB

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I'll come clean.....

I don't go to church. I'll rephrase that.....I don't go to a "conventional" church. "I" don't think a "Church" need necessarily have walls and a roof, though. My God and I have our sessions during hunting season.

I think this is a GREAT post.

Here in NC......our legislature is contemplating repealing the ban on Sunday hunting. You can imagine some of the flack coming from the bible belt. I tell people my stance is this (among having other arguments in favor of repealing the ban).....

Would you rather be in Church........thinking about being with God and hunting........or be hunting and have it all?

Jeff

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I find myself often talk to God and reflecting on my life.

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Great post!!!!! I pray in my stand but nearly enough. I alos agree with the fact we are very fortunate to get to hunt and enjoy the beautiful woods God created for us. Gods blessed me quite a few times with my hunting:)

Anyone know of a good christian board to chat on?

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I agree 100%! Absolutely awesome post, Thank You! I too am a born again Christian since March 29, 1988 and proud of it. God delivered me from a life of drugs and acohol andi have so much to be thankful for that if my life ended today i have no complaints.I have a wonderful wife of 18yrs, twogreat kids and so many blessings that i couldn't even begin to count them all.
Anytime is a good time to pray but sitting alone 20' up a tree surrounded by God's creation is just simply a very humbling time for me.The first thing i do when i get settledin my stand is go to God in prayer thanking him for allthings. As i sit there and take in everything that he's created all i can say is God you are truly awesome and amazing.I thank God for his Mercy, Grace, and hisunconditional Love and above all else for his son Jesus Christwho died for a sorry no good sinner like me.Thank you Jesus!
Am i a Jesus freak?........YES I AM!:D

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I'm closer to God than all of you----I hunt 35 feet high!;)JK of course. It is really good to know that there are others who use this time to reflect. I get some of my best praying done out in the woods without distractions--unless I am interrupted by footsteps:eek:....I think about the verse in James that says every good and perfect gift comes from above---the wild outdoors... the world dressed in its clothing provided by God, unspoiled by man's intrusion, is certainly a good thing. IT really provides a healing, soothing effect that speaks volumes about who made it. You have to turn off your 'ears' not to hear it.If it's good--it's from God.

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Just scroll down toward the bottom of the page when you click on all forums and you will see the hunting and religion forum. Pretty diverse, and not only open to Christians. We have a good group of participants, several of which are open that theyaren't believers, yet are good to interact with. Occasionally a troll comes along to 'stir the pot', and the debates can be heated, but 99% of the time, it gets smoothed over and we carry on.

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I also pray while I am in my stand. It's a good time to pray without any distractions.

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Couldn't agree more and I find myself closer to God in my treestand than in any pew I've ever sat in.

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it is a relaxing peaceful time, i feel bad for those who have never experienced the sun coming up over the horizon and the woods come to life or the sun set in the evening.. We are lucky..It is a great time to pray..

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The one time I hearing him say that was a reference to Fred Bear.

I thoroughly agree. Tis no place I'd rather be, than hunting.

EDIT: I did a google search and everything I saw was attributed to Fred Bear. The Full quote goes like this:

"When a hunter is in a tree stand with high moral values and with the proper hunting ethics and richer for the experience, that hunter is 20 feet closer to God."

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I am right there with you guys! A sense of peace consumes me while in the outdoors..theres no place I would rather spend my free time.

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As I believer in Christ, I find it hard not to be awe struck by God's creation while spending a few hours in the woods. I am constantly surprised by the sheer beauty of the woods in the fall (just the color change is enough to truly see God's artristry).

My second year hunting I found myself on stand focusing on nothing starting to get a little bored. It was then that I realized the opportunity I had to, being alone with God, spend a few quality hours with Him away from the concerns of the "world". Often even when we try to find our "prayer closet" at homefor some Rekindling and Renewing we often get distracted. I spend nearly the entire time on stand now in prayer. I pray for everybody I can think of. Often times, God will really put a burden in my heart for one particular person and I will focus my prayers on that person (sometimes myself). God is great! He will supply your needs.

On a couple of occassions I truly saw that God does have a sense of humor. I had prayed that day that God would let me see some deer that evening...Well, I saw deer alright, about 100 yards away... The next time I went out I remembered that and prayed that God would allow me the opportunity to have a shot at a deer... Needless to say, God granted my request, as I watched the arrow sail right under the deer, I thought to myself "I got exactly what I asked God for." From that day forward I have always prayed for a successful harvest and God has often answered that request.

Seek God will as you seek the quarryyou hunt and often God will grant your request. If you are successful praise His name, and give thanks for the harvest. If not, praise Him for the time spent out in His creation. God hears the prayers of his people.

Thanks for sharing guys... Praise the Lord and may God richly bless you this hunting season!!!

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I thank God every day for all I have recived. Tree stand or stump is a great place to pray. One of you stated earlier that you were closer to God because you hunt from 35 feet! If I hunted that high all I could do is PRAY!! LOL

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There isa lot of reasons that i hunt!
More than any words could ever tellBut by far the biggest is that i fill closer to god. No matter what happens good or bad with my job,My wife and two kids or withanything or anybody when i leave the standi know everything is going to be ok,

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I do too. I find myself having the time to talk to God more when I am in the stand. My soul is at peace when in the woods. HCH

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Thank you for finding that, I did a search and could not find it.

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Wasn't raised a hunter, but my father is a devout trout fly fisherman.
I can remember asking him a question pertaining to church in one way or another while we were walking a river one day, and he remarked, "this is my church."

I took up bow hunting about a half dozen years ago and think I feel very much the same about it as my father feels about the river. I think it's the senseof calm that you feel when you're up above the earth and looking down on everything. Andno matter which end of the day you hunt, you're either priveledged to see the morning dawn or the sundrop behind a mountain.

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I'm in the same boat with all of you guys. I tend to start every hunt with a prayer, and spend alot of my time in the treestand talking to God, just thanking him for all that is around me and all that I'm blessed with. The woods are a place where it's just He and I, and all that He has created. The woods are my second church... Happy hunting you guys... Reading all of these has been a blessing. Thanks....

Cody

My treestand doesn't ask questions.
It doesn't complain.
It simply wants me to sit and listen.

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Great post, I think the main reason I look forward to this time of year is I do feel closer to the Lord in the woods. I think God likes it to because he gets uninterrupted time with us out of our busy schedules. He loves us and blesses us so abundantly. He always reminds me as I look around the woods how he is our daddy and gives us way more than we need just like we do with our kids. It brings pleasure to him. He even cares if we get a deer or not. He made them for us to enjoy. Thank you Lord for giving us an opportunity to hunt. Draw us closer to you and our families and friendswhile we are in the woods and strengthen us with you your presence to help us fulfill what you need us to do. We just pause and say thank you. We love you. Thanks for this site where we can fellowship with other hunters and share our experiences.

Amen.:)

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This reminds me of the hunt last year I got my first deer with a bow. My neighbor Brian went with me (14 years old) to help me if I got one. His parents are from Africa and are ministers here and travel to Zimbabwe every summer to open vocational schools. There favorite meat is deer meat so every year I like to bless them withvenison. That morning 10/22/05 he and I prayed we would get some really good meat for his family. Long story short I shot a 6 point and he and I tracked it for about 30 minutes and couldn't find it. We prayed again and then found it about 5 minute later. One of its antlers broke off when if fell but we didn't care we were so happy. He called his mom on my cell and started yelling "God gave us a deer, God gave us a deer!" It was great. Here is a pic of him and the deer....

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Great post my friend...God bless, In 78 my mom who is a praying women said God told her I would get my first buck today. I laughed. I was in 1st place in my battalion in the army in shooting and have no idea how I missed an old buck I saw.that morning. Actually I had just come home on leave and had spent 1 1/2 hours scouting a new area .Brand new property.

I said...gosh Mom I blew it. She said ,"No son God is goingto give you a nice tasty young buck." "We don't want an old chewy buck." I went back at 1:00 PM .It was a windy day and I had just got done reading 30 chapters of Jeremiah when I spotted a 3 point buck LOOKING right at me. He tore off to my left bounding through the brush. I pointed my rifle at an opening.When he crossed I squeezed the trigger. The young buck fell.I had shot right through his back bone. My praying mom was right..;)

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This is a great post. I have always loved the outdoors. My dad started taking me hunting and fishing when I was just a little guy, and I have been hooked ever since. I always loved being out in a stand, when the sun started to come up, seeing and hearing the woods come alive and just taking the beauty in. But it became even more special to me after Oct. 16th 1988 when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior . The greatest day of my life. The Lord and I have spent so my wonderful times together while I was up a tree. To be there talking to your Savior while seeing his creation at it most beautiful, well, who could ask for more.
On Nov. 12th of 1991, I was able blessed with one of themost incredible experiences of my life. I had a good friend who I did alot of hunting and fishing with, and just hanging out in general. I had been a Christian for a few years by then. I had spent about a year witnessing to him, and he was really starting to ask alot more questions at that point. One week we went to see Gene Wensel at the Classic Whitetails seminar that he used to do. Then that weekend , we went to a Whitecross concert ( it was a Christian rock band that we listened to alot). The other guys and I who went to the concert together thought for sure that Jim would pray to receive Christ that night when the singer gave talked and gave the invitation to pray the prayer of salvation. The singers name was Scott Wenzel, and he always really gave a cool talk and invitation. Well, when he did, we were supposed to have our eyes closed, but we were all watching Jim to see if he raised his hand to signify that he prayed the prayer. Man, we were all so bummed when he didn't.
Now , the following tuesday Jim and I went out bowhunting together. We were walking back to the stands, and his was on past mine and across a creek and field. When we started to part, he said, Hey why don't you throw up a prayer real quick. It really suprised me. So I started praying about a safe hunt etc, and Jim so "No, say the one that Wenzel did". Well,since we were out hunting, I was thinking of the seminar by Gene Wensel. I said " Man, I don't remember Gene Wensel praying that night". Jim said" No you dummy, I mean the one that Scott Wenzel did about asking Christ to be my Savior". Man, you talk about being thrilled. Right there, in the middle of that lane between 2 bean fields, in camo from head to toe, my buddy became a believer. When we were done praying and giving each other a bigman hug, he pulled up his facemask and looked up. He said " I thought I better do that so God recognizes who just prayed":D
I am happy to say that we are still best of friends, still at the same church and sunday school class together, andhe and his wife are one of 4 couples of us who do evrything together.
Every time we drive by that spot we still bring it up.
Sorry to be so long winded, but I always get excited telling that story, about how we as 2 hardcore bowhunters were able to experience that together.
Thank you Jesus for dying for a guy who definitely doesn't deserve your mercy and your grace!

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This is an awesome post. I love going out to the stand or blind or even a hike in the woods and just talking to the Lord. It's so wonderful knowing that He hears our every prayer and He is always there for us. Post's like this make me think again about the blessings He has given us. Praise the Lord for His grace.

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Great stories guys

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Great thread! I also say a prayer before every hunt, usually on the drive to the property I hunt. I ask for safety in and out of the woods and the ability to make a clean kill if given the opprotunity.I also thank Him formy health and the financial ability to pursue this sport.

Two particular times I feel the closest to God are on those morning hunts when I get to my stand, its still dark and its so calm and quiet you could here a pin drop. The second is when I'm standing over a deer I harvested. I know God has just allowed me to take one of His many amazing creations, and I know I couldn't have done it alone.

I give God all credit for any success I have in life and thank Him for His son Jesus.

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Just wanted to say thanks for the great posts, and profess my love forour Lord Jesus Christ. God has truly blessed us with HIS grace.
Thank you LORD!!!

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This thread is one of the greatest blessings I have seen on this site. I truely love the fellowship I have found reading each and every thread. But, I feel that I am led by the Lord to say one thing tomynew" brothers"here at the site.

Church is not a building. Church is a fellowship of belivers. Can you be a beliver and not go to Church, yes, but the Lord says we should gather together, in His name. The Lord also says that where two or more are gathered together in My name, I am there. And finally, a the Lord says a three strand cord is not easily broken.

Now what I feel the Lord is wanting me to say here is this: I have interacted with many of you guys on this site since I joined. I have been and am still very happy to have" met "everyone. I have been helped more than you can imagine in my equipment and hunting, and I have made some " friends ".But Church can be the same as this site. Many people think they are supposed to go to church to" get something " out of it. But I can tell you this, I have met some people here who have a lot to give. Through these posts, you can" feel "the goodnessof the person who wrote it. You can read their posts and know they have a lot to give, not just about the Bible, maybe not even the Bible at all,but about life, morals, being a friend, helping others...etc.... I encourage everyone here to spend some time at the Church of your choice. I know I love the fellowship I have with the members of my Church, and instead of going because YOU are supposed to GET something while you're there, stop and pray and listen for the peaceful small voice of the Lord and see what you have to give. I promise to you, that there is someone there who needs your help or guideance or love. You guys I have interacted with are some really great people, and the world could sure use a lot more of you sharing your knowledge, love and goodness with others. YOU can help make this world a better place. And you might meet some really good hunting buddies there, or you might meetsomeone you can introduce to hunting and it helps them get off drugs, alcohol, or some other bad things.

I just don't like seeing some really good people ( those here on this site ) not using their goodness to bless others. Church is not always what you can get, but often times what you can give.

And, I will say again, this is not a critical post directed at anyone. I was reading the posts and felt led to ask some really good people to consider sharing their goodness with others who might need him or her. I have felt your kindness, and I know that some people on here have truely blessed me, and I am not talking about the Archery questions I have asked, either.

I pray that this post does not offend. It was written with a pure heart, and with good intentions. I promise that It was laid on my heart as a burden that I was supposed to get rid of. And I knew exactly where I was supposed to get rid of it......Right here.

God Bless you all. God bless your families, friends, neighbors and co-workers. I pray that everyone of you have very happy and successful hunts and that you all go out and return home safely. And I pray that you will accept what I have written here, and use what you have inside you to help and lead others. For I tell you this, I can hardly think of anyone more respectable and kind and good, than a Christian Hunter. They are some of God's best work.

Thank You and God bless you all.

MichaelT.

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I never really thought of it that way. Thanks for making me see this. You can bet I'll be prayin from now on as well.

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It's so dark and quiet in the woods and then I start to hear the birds and squirrels begin to stir. The dark is leaving and the light is coming into the woods. I thank God for this day he has given me and for the blessings I have in my life. I ask for forgiveness and guidance. I am thankful.

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To see this post and read it and see the pics of bucks people have taken and they love the lord as well as I do brings tears to my eyes. Great post brother!