​It is highly probable that you remember the first time you ever went bowhunting.  There is something about these “first” experiences of life that become etched on our minds.
I was a freshman in high school when I bought my first deer hunting license.  My interest in bows and arrows had been coming for some time.  It started by listening to cowboy and Indian stories on the radio in the 2nd grade.  During my teenage years my hunting mentors were; my bow hunting high school shop teacher, Mr. Baker and Goldie Brown, an older, rifle deer hunter, who attended my Father’s church in Mio Michigan.  My freshman and sophomore years in high school gave me encounters with whitetail deer with a bow & arrow in my hand.  If space permitted I could detail each of those experiences like it just happened yesterday.   That was 56 bow hunting licenses ago!  The excitement of those hunts lives on within my mind. My bowhunting years have been a great journey.
The same should be true with the spiritual part of our lives. God made each of us with an appetite for spiritual understanding.  The Bible tells us in Genesis, chapter three, that Adam and Eve followed the wrong mentor. It was Lucifer who persuaded them to disobey their creator.  Consequently, they lost the glory of their creation because of their sin. Their sin has affected everyone since, and it even includes the natural world (Romans 5:12 & Romans 8:20-22).
Just like Adam and Eve we all have had influences in our lives for good and evil. What we do we these things affects our future; yes, our decisions follow us into eternity.  Let the good influences win, recognize your sinfulness and accept the plan God has for your forgiveness.  “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8.
I had serval influences that gave me interest in bows and arrows but I did not become a bow hunter until after I bought that first hunting license.  Similarly, there must be a starting point in our spiritual life. There must be a time when we knowingly say, “Ok God, I am sinner. I don’t like the way my life is going, I’m sorry for disobeying your word and ignoring you.  Please forgive me and let your righteousness through the life, death and resurrection of Christ become the power that changes me” (Romans 1:16).
As a person embraces the Gospel, its power is life changing!  A simple point of beginning starts us on the trail to Christian maturity.  Parents want their babies to grow up (change) into adults even though they are little people from the start. There must be a beginning.  I was no less a bow hunter when I bought my first license than what I am now, however I’m more experienced and hopefully wiser now.   
I believe that knowing a definite point of beginning in our spiritual life helps us finish well. It really helps if the going gets hard (II Timothy 1:12).  My decision at age 16 to accept the life changing power of Christ and experience the peace of forgiveness did not give me maturity in my spiritual life.  But when I started following God through His “Word” it gave me the trail markings to eternal success.  If you never start you will never finish.
That reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s testimony to young Timothy, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only but unto all of them that love his appearing.” II Timothy 4:7,8.
Paul, because he started (read Acts 9:1-31) throughout his life and ministry he was able to say, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.”   
How about you? Have you started in a spiritual journey with God?  (Hebrews 12: 1-12).  By CBA Founder Rev. David Roose

​Hunting on our hunting lease can be hard at times.  Sometimes, I get frustrated because it’s not like hunting on my parent’s property.  Hunting at my parent’s place is my favorite place to be in a stand.  I know that place like the back of my hand.  I have spent a lot of time there. There’s always sign, and I’m confident in the area.  I know pretty much which direction the deer are going to travel.  If you don’t see one, they are just not moving that day.  There’s more deer in the area, too.   On my hunting lease, though, it’s a different story.
I got frustrated this past weekend, it seems like for the past two years, no matter what area I go to, all I see is bear.  Tim told me that I just had to have confidence in my stand.  I had to trust the sign and be faithful to the area.  Just because you don’t see deer like you do in your honey hole at your parent’s property, doesn’t mean that they are not going to come in.  If you’re constantly jumping around and not spending any time in a certain stand, just because you believe or think you know that you will only see bear, how will you know what else is coming in?  He reminded me to just enjoy the hunt. 
Sounds like our relationship with Jesus Christ doesn’t it?  We are confident in Him and praise Him when things are good, but when things are uncomfortable or not going our way, we doubt His love for us.  But, just like me learning my hunting area, how can we have confidence in Him and His word if we don’t spend any time getting to truly know Him?  
In Matthew we read were the people in Jesus’ own country thought they knew Him….
54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
I’m thankful for Tim’s little pep talk.  He helps me to be a better hunter.   I know I need to be more faithful to my stand on the lease.  I don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because of my unbelief. 
But, what about when Jesus Christ comes our way? Will we be found faithful?  When He looks at us do we want him to find us in un-belief, doubting His word, His promises, or His love? 
Jeremiah 17:7 says, Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
How do we find that confidence in learning who God is?  Romans 10:17 says, 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
No matter what is going on in our lives, whether good or bad, we can have confidence that God is always faithful to us.  Not because we’re good or bad, but simply because He is good and He Loves us.
So, what if we asked ourselves these questions………
How many times have I not allowed God to work in my life, because I didn’t trust Him in a certain area?  Or how many times have I missed an opportunity to be a witness for Christ?
Hunters want to be ready in their tree stand when that deer decides to move in, But we as Christians should be just as ready for God to work in us and through us. 
I hope everyone is getting to enjoy some time in the woods.  But most importantly I hope we are enjoying ourselves, as we spend a little more time with Jesus…  together we’ll keep………  “Aiming for a Higher Mark!”
 Kari Mihal Chairman Almost Heaven Archers WV

I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you.  With everything on the news and it seems that things are starting to get cancelled again, I had to encourage myself today.  This verse kept coming up in my heart.....
 
John 8:32-36 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
 
As we get ready to celebrate the 4th of July we often think about fireworks, we remember those who fought in the Revolutionary War, and of course our freedom and independence from Great Britain.  We decorate our homes or camps with American Flags as a symbol of the freedom of the USA and we celebrate with family and friends. We celebrate July 4th once a year and people know what and why we are celebrating.
 
Kinda like deer season!  When archery season is around the corner, there is no question about what we are preparing for.  People already know the answer when they see us practicing with our bows in the yard. But, as a Christian, we should be celebrating our freedom from the wages of sin and death every second of our life and living in a way that reflects that.  I’m glad we don’t have to fight for our independence, but rather we can be dependent on our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and what He did for us on the cross.  Eternal Life…. Now, that is something worth celebrating!
 
In the verse above it says, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
 
Jesus reminds us in John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
 
If you watch the media these days, it’s hard to tell what truth is.  But, I’m thankful that with God, we never have to guess.  I hope and pray as we go about our day to day lives, especially now during these crazy times, that others can see the decoration of joy and hope on our faces, (even through a face mask) and that we have the courage to tell others why we are celebrating.  Then maybe they will want to know the truth, so He can set them free.  

​Chairman Kari Mihal- Almost Heaven Archers, West Virginia  

There is a lot of fear in the world since the corona virus disrupted business as usual.  Our Lord never promised us that tomorrow would always be better than today.  What He did say to His disciples in John 16:33 was, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace.  In the World you shall have tribulations:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” This is a reminder that the world has seen a lot of unpleasant challenges before now and also a reminder that Jesus is in control. 
So regardless of how it all started, regardless that it appears some might be taking advantage of a health crises for political gain, regardless of the total health impact and financial setback, our Lord will have the last word.
As believers in Christ, it is our task to trust our Savior completely, and dispel fear with hope. After all, our days on earth are numbered (Psalm 90:10,12) and the best is yet to come (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
Paul said in Romans 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”.     
Rev. and CBA Founder-David L. Roose

There is an old saying that goes like this:
Once a task that you’ve begun, never leave it till it’s done.
Whether it be great or small, do it well or not at all.
That is something we should apply to life, especially our spiritual life.

Receiving Christ as our Saviour through confession of sin and faith in His death and resurrection as atonement for our
sins is just a beginning. Unfortunately, many professing Christians are content with just making a “decision” and going
about life in the same ole’ defeating sinful way. That’s not what I understand the Word of God to say is to be done.
Galatians 5:25 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” In other words if you profess to be a Christian,
act like the Bible says a Christian should. In verses 18-24 of Galatian 5 we are told about the works of the flesh and the
fruit of the Spirit. The fruit is what a Christian should want.
Not living as the Bible directs us is the greatest deterrent to our Christian witness. (Please read that again.) Do you get
it? What would the world look like if every Christian lived out the fruit of the Spirit with no evidence of the works of the
flesh? Well, friend, that’s our challenge. And remember the Spirit is there to help us if we ask. We can live spiritually
well.
Over these 55 years of my bowhunting experience I have had the privilege to hunt in ten (10) different States and
Canadian Provinces, harvesting seven (7) different species of big game. It has been a great journey. From the dozens of
animals I have taken, one thing stands out to me. Releasing the arrow was the easy part. The waiting, the tracking and at
times backing off and waiting till morning can eat up the joy of the former moment. As bow hunters we love the sight of
a downed animal. It means that “the part time hunter” won instead of the “full time game” animal. However, when the
celebration ends and reality settles in, we find ourselves facing the task of “messy chores.” Who likes that? But doing it
right is part of the job. The carrying, cooling and cutting up of meat is work. If you’re in doubt try taking care of a
Caribou, Elk, or Moose sometime. When it’s all over we realize the importance of each part of the hunt. The great meals
we enjoy would not happen without all the rest.
When thinking about life and my spiritual journey, I have to say it this way “It’s not over until it’s over.” Even in our
senior years temptations and challenges are present. Satan, our enemy, works relentlessly to discourage and subdue us.
So remember, life is a journey that starts in the womb and ends in the eternal state. Life is a composite of experiences
and decisions. Your choices are the determiners of how it all ends. If you choose the works of the flesh it will lessen the
probability of finishing well. If you choose to live by the fruit and guidance of the Spirit, it will greatly enhance your
journey. You will be able to add to your faith in the way II Peter 1:4-8 admonishes you to live and finish well.
As you look back upon your life can you say, “I have no regrets?” I’m grateful I can say that. I’ve had disappointments
and detours, yes, but no regrets. Regardless of what your life’s journey has been like keep in mind that it is how one
ends that counts the most.
Being part of the Bride of Christ and enjoying the marriage supper with Christ in heaven, depends on our finishing well.
(Rev.19:7-9) I like what Paul says in II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at
that day, and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing.”
Let’s all purpose to also finish well.
By Rev. David Roose-Founder of CBA