Daily Devotional - God's Great Outdoors - Trail To Adventure

Peace

Dean Hulce — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:31:06 +0000

By Paul Taylor and Dean Hulce

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

It was a beautiful fall afternoon, as I crawled into the copilots seat on the float plane, heading from the town of Kodiak to the small village of Larsen Bay Alaska, on the Island of Kodiak. It was so good to be back and I couldn’t wait to see the island again from above the rugged mountains.

We left the dock with high expectations of a great flight and beautiful view. We climbed above bright green hills along the coast and we were soon flying up a long valley with tall snow covered peaks on either side of us. I stared down into the valleys searching for Brown Bears and then to the peaks around us for mountain goats that spend much of their year above timberline. After a long day of flying in a tightly packed, over booked light from Milwaukee WI to Anchorage, AK, all was peaceful and I was oblivious to any danger coming our way.

Suddenly the pilot yelled something urgent (I don’t remember what the words were). I took my gaze off from the side window and looked ahead. Faster than I could imagine, the skies and turned black and dropped straight down into the valley below us… We were about to hit the face of a storm that would give us zero visibility. The pilot then turned the controls hard left and the plane turned up on its side and a very rapid move swung us around 180 degrees. We went from an afternoon of wonderful peace to an urgency that was anything but peaceful.

Peace, everyone wants it, sometimes we even find it, but come to realize how fragile it is when the storms of life come our way. It's usually surprising how quickly fear, anxiety and worry can overtake peace.

David, Elijah and Peter dealt with what happens when we lose our peace, and we all know what happened to Peter when he took his eyes off of Jesus.

How quickly we can feel like we're drowning in the circumstances of life, but Jesus didn't let that happen to Peter.

Instead, He spoke peace over the seas & He's holding you and me.

As we build our foundation on Christ, may His Truth lead us to Self-Control and the Security to remember He's got us.

The wilderness way.com

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Dean Hulce — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:40:59 +0000

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Stones Of Remembrance

Dean Hulce — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:30:59 +0000

By Tim Jones

God’s Great Outdoors

Joshua 4:7 "......So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever."

The town that I grew up in is mostly a military town. There is a very large Command Air Force base located in the city limits. The Base employs approximately 38,000 military, civilian, and contractors from the area. It is the largest single-site employer in the state. The city recently erected a memorial to the branches of the military and gave the opportunity to individuals to have a paver brick placed around the memorial to honor family members who served our country. When my father passed away, my mother purchased a paver in honor of my father's service in the Air Force. This paver honors not only my father's service to his country, but also honors him as a man, a husband, and a father. It serves as a remembrance of who he was and what he meant to his family and those he touched in life.

The Bible tells of an event where another type of remembrance stone was erected. In the book of Joshua, we read where the Israelites were instructed to collect 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial where they crossed the river. The stones served as a physical reminder of God's miraculous provision and faithfulness during their journey. This memorial was intended to commemorate significant events in Israel's history as well as teach future generations. Joshua 4:6-7 states that the purpose of the memorial was "that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, What do these stones mean? Then you shall tell them....." God was faithful to Israel and performed mighty acts on their behalf. That same God that was faithful to the nation of Israel is faithful to you today.

In our own nation, native Americans stacked stones to make monuments to remember occurrences or help guide those that come behind.

Families today can reflect on events and times in their own life where they experienced God's presence and provision. Regular family devotions and Bible study are a good way to share these stories and reinforce faith. Physical "stones of remembrance" such as special or favorite bible passages or verses can be visual markers to remind us of God's faithfulness in our lives. By implementing the concept of stones of remembrance, families can strengthen their faith and ensure that the stories of God's good works are passed down through generations. Are you building memorials to God's faithfulness and passing it on to your children and others influenced by your life?

To God Be The Glory!

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A Sure Thing

Dean Hulce — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:58:22 +0000

Hebrews 13:5

I will never leave you nor forsake you

The bull elk stood facing us, not offering any shot opportunity. My bowhunting client stood at the ready, waiting for the bull to turn and offer a good broadside shot at just 20 yards. Suddenly the bull turned looked back over his shoulder, then he stepped to the right and turned around and slowly walked away. Over the years I’ve learned that if an elk looks back and begins to turn, you had better be ready to take the shot. My bowhunter didn’t know this and he wasn’t prepared and missed his opportunity to take a great bull. It wasn’t much of a consolation, but I offered, “That’s why they call it hunting and not killing”. He wasn’t impressed.

Over the last 40 years of guiding. I’ve used that saying often. Sometimes things happen fast and east, other times they come close, but things fall apart at the last minute. We often have no control over how they will end. We go home with a trophy or we go home with an empty cooler… Things happen.

Sometimes things come together, but other times they don't work out and the last thing you see is that old gobbler tucking his wings and running. "That's why they call it hunting and not killing." Over the years I've repeated that line many times, for myself and others. In fact more often than not I've come home empty handed.

Why do I keep doing it? For me, the attraction is knowing that each time I hit the woods, there is a chance that this time he might just make a mistake. Even when I find myself on the struggle bus, I just think, maybe tomorrow, because it can all change in a blink. In life, there are no 'sure things' or guarantees.

However, there is good news. With God there are guarantees. He promises to never leave us in Hebrews 13:5. In Psalm 46: 1-3 He promises to be our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. He promises to meet our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus, in Philippians 4:19.

In our world we are promised “sure things” all the time, but there is no such thing in this world. God’s word gives us promises that we can count on as a “sure thing”. When all else seems to be falling apart… All the God has promised will hold together and us up!

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THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD

Dean Hulce — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:30:51 +0000

Psalm 19:1-6

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other, nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The sky, the trees and ground glowed with an amazing bright gold tone. Bright gold leaves let go of the branches they had held on to for the last 6 months and floated to the ground around us. It was one of the most beautiful mornings I had ever seen. And to make things even better we had elk bugling close by.

As the first rays of sun hit the valley below a wide a big non-typical bull elk materialized out from the valley below us. Everything surrounding him glowed like I had never seen before. It was a magic morning. I was guiding a young hunter that had taken a huge bull elk a year earlier and this was the first morning of this second hunt.

Once I saw the big bull coming towards us, It didn’t take me long to already imagine us taking photos of him on the ground with my hunter. If I life to 100 years old I believe I will never forget that morning. It’s not the antlers but the beauty of the creation that that I best remember. But things didn’t work as I expected. I called the bull right up within 15 yards of the archer and I whispered for him to shoot. The bull stayed there for several minutes, answering my calls and eventually he just wandered back down the mountain. My hunter came back to me and said, “It’s the first day, we’ve got all week… besides, it was too pretty of a scene to end it.”

For those in the north fall colors are upon us. The brilliance and depth of the creation this year is a like I’ve never seen before. God's beauty is being revealed in a way that can only be explained within the belief of an amazing, loving Creator. How can we look around at the beauty of His Creation and not praise Him? Or how can so many doubt the existence of a creator all together?

I don't know what Daniel Boone believed about God, however, he was quoted as saying this… "One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy and frustrating thought."

God put the beauty of His creation before us to enjoy, but also to declare His glory as well. Get out, look around and praise Him for all He has done and all He has given to us. Allow His Creation to, "expel every gloomy and frustrating thought."

THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD

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Living Water

Dean Hulce — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 08:30:32 +0000

By Joel Raygor

Psalm 42:1
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

The unit for our antelope archery tags was in a semi-arid area of Wyoming and the specific ranch we were hunting had no streams or rivers. The only water available for the rancher's cattle were two man made ponds, two windmills pumping water into stock tanks and one lone spring out in the middle of some marginal grazing land that created a small wet area. It was hot and dry, and we could feel it, but so could the cattle, deer, and the antelope.

We knew that a well placed stand near any water was our best chance to take one of these 'prairie goats' home. Our first blind was blended into the bank of one of the ponds. The second was a pop up blind inside the frame of one of the pumping windmills and the third was a pit we dug with a pick axe, that was hidden by sage brush, about 20 yards away from the tiny trickling spring.

The first day we both had lots of goats within shooting range, but either we didn't have good shots or passed, waiting for something bigger. On the second day, after several nice ones, I took a dandy P&Y buck at just 17 yards. The next morning my hunting buddy took a nice buck too. We knew they needed water.

Just like those antelope, we too have a need for water, but ours isn't just a physical one. We were created with a need for spiritual hydration too. When we stay spiritually hydrated, His life flows through us. But without Him we enter a spiritual drought. Just like the antelope needed to drink daily, we must come back to the source of life again and again.

In John 4:13–14: Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that His water provides eternal satisfaction and becomes a spring welling up to eternal life.

In John 7:37–39: Jesus invites the thirsty to come and drink, explaining that this "living water" represents the Holy Spirit for believers.

Our Heavenly Father is the true source of living water that deeply refreshes and satisfies our thirsty souls. We need to confess that we often wander to dry wells that don't satisfy. God promises that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again. We pray that He washes away our worries, fill up our empty places, and pour His Holy Spirit into pur lives.

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THE SWEET SMELL OF TEMPTATION

Dean Hulce — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:30:22 +0000

Proverbs 6:20-24
My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, 24 keeping you from your neighbor's wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

This past Friday was the beginning of the third season for bear hunting here in Michigan. It is the hardest season to take a bear as they have been hunted for two weeks by others and they are generally already attracted to food sources such as corn fields and apple trees in the woods. If you don't have property to hunt with some of these food sources, your chances of success are pretty low.

In order to overcome these low odds it is necessary to find a way to attract the bears to your area. Generally most hunters use the sweetest smelling baits they can find with the strongest, sweetest smelling aromas possible. Most bears cant resist something that has a strong sweet smell.

My grandfather, 70 years ago, used to put a little honey in an old coffee can and light a fire under it. As the honey warmed the smell would waft out of the can and then when the honey would begin to burn it would send a huge white cloud through the woods of very sweet pungent smoke.

Smells like, honey, maple syrup, vanilla, bacon and others are hard for bears to stay away from and often when they get a whiff of these scents they lose all common sense and come headlong into a dangerous situation for them.

This same thing often happens to people... We desire something so much it doesn't mater what the danger is, we are going to do whatever it takes to get it. We ignore the warnings and make decisions based on our desires instead of our sense of right and wrong.

King David is a prime example of this very thing. He saw a beautiful woman bathing and allowed his desire for her to override his morality. To David, his actions on that fateful night seemed trivial, just a momentary pause in an otherwise steadfast life. The consequences, however, were devastating, not just for David, or for Uriah, but also for David's family and the entire nation. The whole nation paid a high price for David's moral failure .

In 2 Samuel 12:14, the prophet Nathan passes the bad news on to David of what will happen because he has given in to the "call of sin".

Verse 14 "But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die."

Like the bear that sometimes loses all his inhibitions when he smells something sweet , we will all pay a high price if and when we give in to temptation. When the sweet temptations come we should instead focus on our relationship with God and run from the call of temptation. Like Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife when tempted in Genesis 39, we must flee the temptation of sin.

Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

FLEE THE SWEET SMELL OF TEMPTATION

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Put In The Time

Dean Hulce — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:33:02 +0000

By Joel Raygor

Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Recently a friend and I were talking about big bucks and trophy racks. When Dave speaks, I listen, because Dave has put in the time. Over the past forty plus years he has officially scored countless racks and sheds from all over the country. So far this year he has already officially scored over 250 whitetail racks for the books and almost as many sheds.

Regardless of the subject, there are those who, just like Dave, have put in the time, gained the knowledge and earned the respect. They have spent a large amount of time, effort, and work to become good at what they do. These experts have all put in the time.

You've probably heard someone say, "Rome wasn't built in a day," or maybe you've heard the line, "Practice makes perfect." These sayings remind us that good results take time and to get better at a skill requires spending hours doing the same thing over and over.

In Galatians 6:9 the apostle Paul writes, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up." He is saying that consistent, daily effort in good works builds up to a future reward, provided we don't quit halfway through the process.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 6:6–8, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." Solomon is saying that putting in the time means preparing and working steadily ahead of time before the season of harvest arrives.

Colossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."

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GOD KNOWS WHAT'S AHEAD

Dean Hulce — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:30:48 +0000

by Joel Raygor and Dean Hulce

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Joel and Les drew archery tags for antelope in an east central Wyoming unit that year. Phone calls were made and letters mailed in hopes of finding a ranch to hunt. Finally they had a few solid leads, so they headed west to scout and secure a spot for their September hunt.

The surface of the ranch roads in that area were made up of sharp rock that was similar to flint. Within the first few miles they had gotten their first flat tire. After a tire change they only made it another mile and had flat number two. They drove on the rim until they reached a rancher who helped them out with a spare.

Before the three day scouting trip was done, they had a total of seven flats. When they got home, they bought a set of heavy sidewall tires that were used on their antelope hunt and on many other hunts for years to follow. In spite of their tire problems, they remained optimistic and had a fun and successful scouting trip. Three weeks later both hunters headed back out west and filled tags with two beautiful mature antelope bucks.

We've heard it said, "Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it." All those flats weren't one of their favorite hunting memories, but it has made for a great story and is a reminder that sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, those that are called according to His purposes"

God knows what's down the road, even when we don't. There's no greater comfort than knowing God is with us. His presence dispels fear and He promises His strength, help, and support in the process.

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the LORD is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed.

Trust that God knows the path ahead and He has your best laid out for you.

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THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Dean Hulce — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:30:40 +0000

1 Peter 4:12-13

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."

For more than three decades, during these weeks in mid September, I was in the mountains guiding elk hunters. The last 7 years I’ve not been able to get there. Each morning I see photos of elk on Facebook and a little but of me wishes I was in the Colorado Rockies.

Every year in the mountains it got a little harder to climb the steep terrain. My legs, back and lungs just couldn't do it like I could 20 years ago. But each year I pushed myself and it worked out. There is reward at the end of hard work. Each year in the mountains I tried to explore someplace new. I love to see what is over the next ridge and with 83,000 acres to hunt... there was always something new and different to explore.

There were always times when I struggled and wondered if the climb was worth it. The burning lungs and throbbing legs would tell me to stop but the drive to see what is next kept me going. The pain that I went through was worth it when I would finally see what beauty is revealed once I had reached my destination.

Many of us are going through painful times in life. Every week I hear of friends and family that saying goodbye to their mother or father. But for Christian's we need to know that God allows us to struggle through tough times, to fight through pain, to see what will be revealed once we get past the tough times.

C.S. Lewis wrote, "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for extraordinary destinies".

This is so true, if we allow God to work in our lives as we go through tough times. We can lay down and quit, or we can get up and keep climbing to see the beauty that is revealed tomorrow, when we've climbed out of the trials we are facing today.

Remember that at the end of a long hard winter, where nothing looks like it will ever grow again, God brings on spring in all it's beauty.

What is God preparing you for today. Allow Him to show you His beautiful plan... Then live it out.

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Encourage One Another

Dean Hulce — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:30:43 +0000

Hebrews 3:13

"Encourage one another daily,"

In 1968 both Warren and Louie were successful business owners in my small hometown. In spite of me having no deer hunting experience, these two men invited this kid to join them for the deer opener that fall. I had almost no hunting gear and my deer gun was an old J.C. Higgins bolt action 16 gauge, that was only somewhat accurate out to 40 yards. These guys lined up the hunting spot, showed me where to stand, and handed me my first deer hunting adventure. Back then there weren't that many deer in southern Minnesota, so the odds of success were mediocre at best, but my hopes were high.

It was around 9:00am when I first saw the buck feeding in the picked cornfield about 200 yards below that hillside I had been sitting on. In just minutes I crawled to within 50 yards of him, took aim, and fired. The buck's legs folded and he lay dead on the ground. I had harvested my first deer and in my mind he was a monster trophy buck! A fire had been ignited.

Thinking back, I realize that Warren and Louie didn't have to drag this kid along with them that fall, but instead they chose to include me in their hunt. They intentionally encouraged me, built me up, and gave me hopes and dreams that have lasted a lifetime.

In Romans 15:2 we are instructed to encourage others, and not just to think of ourselves. We read, "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." We should use our words and actions to strengthen and encourage our neighbors and friends.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we are urged to care about the needs of the people around us. We read, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." Our focus should be on intentional speech that builds up rather than tears down.

Proverbs 12:25 says, "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." Solomon points out that a kind word, a word of encouragement, can cheer us up. A sincere, uplifting, or godly word lifts a sad spirit and brings gladness back to a person.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 says, "Therefore encourage one another with these words."

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QUIT CARRYING THE EXTRA WEIGHT

Dean Hulce — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:30:02 +0000

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles; and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

One evening, as we sat around a campfire, one of my hunter told us a story of an elk hunt where he struggled all day. His energy seemed to be less than normal from the start. He was worn out from climbing and the weight of his backpack was almost too much to bare. At the end of a long strenuous day he sat down and when his pack hit the ground it made an audible clunk. Thinking it sounded strange, he opened the pockets to find about 10 pounds of rocks that his brother had jokingly put it in there.

It reminded me of how often we carry around so much extra weight in our lives. Like that backpack filled with extra "dead weight" that only wore the hunter down, the unnecessary burden of our past and our guilt, make our daily lives so hard.

So how do we drop all that extra weight? We lay it at the feet of Jesus. Take it off of your back, quit carrying those burdens that make it hard to be as productive we could be.

Allow God to carry it all.

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Rooted and Grounded

Dean Hulce — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:27:04 +0000

Carlyn Haas - God’s Great Outdoors

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

We live in the woods and are blessed to be surrounded by numerous trees, including Oaks. During the Fall, it is common to see and hear acorns falling to the pavement on a morning walk, or sound like popcorn pelting the roof as we’re lying in bed at night.

A significant number of fallen acorns will be consumed by various wildlife, including squirrels, birds and deer. Other acorns land and never take root. However, if conditions are favorable, a portion of the acorns that drop from the mighty Oaks fall into suitable conditions, germinate, take root, and flourish.

The same can be said about our faith and walk with Christ Jesus. Does our faith get consumed by worries, the culture, self-focus, or daily insignificant distractions, like the wildlife gobbling up the acorns? Or are we introduced to Jesus, know who He is, maybe even believe in Him, but the condition of our heart makes us rebellious and resistant to communing with Him in worship, abiding in prayer, or reading His Word, like the acorn that lands and never takes root? There is a third choice. Is our heart condition suitable and soft, that we welcome Jesus in so that His Word takes root? Do we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us, guiding us, as we love and serve Christ and others, so we can flourish?

The tiny acorn sprout eventually grows into a mighty Oak that can produce up to 10 thousand acorns in a mast year! This magnificent tree endures throughout the changing seasons, weathers the drastic elements, and completely relies on God to provide and meet all its needs. The result? Over time, the root has taken hold, the sprout has strengthened, and reliance continues; until one day, the Oak tree is standing tall, reaching for the light, providing shade for the weary, beauty for those seeking, and fruit that produces necessary food and multitudes of new life for years to come!

Let’s pray that our hearts are faith-filled, suitable soil. Let’s also pray that God’s Word germinates, we stand tall in Him, we are strengthened by His Word, we completely rely on Him alone, we provide rest for the weary and encouragement for the down-trodden, we are constantly reaching for His Light, we are instruments that God uses to produce new life in Him, and we are rooted and grounded in Christ and His love. Rooted and grounded like the little acorn.

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Fruitful or Fruitless

Dean Hulce — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:30:05 +0000

By Carlyn Hass – God’s Great Outdoors

John 5:15

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me, you can do nothing.”

Our apple orchard contains at least 10 different types of apples. Some of the fruit ripens in late August, and still others hold out until after the first frost, typically late October. This season, our Lodi apple trees, the first to ripen, didn’t produce any fruit at all. Fruitless. In stark contrast, the Cortland and Connel Reds have an abundant supply. Fruitful.

Have you slowed down recently to be alone, unplugged, and to just abide with our Heavenly Father in silence and asked yourself the questions; Am I abiding in Jesus? Am I fruitful? Am I fruitless?

Friend, the answers to those important questions are vital. Jesus is the vine. He literally provides life, strength, and spiritual food for us.

Are we fully relying on Jesus Christ, knowing that ‘my life is not my own, but I was bought at a price?’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20) He willingly died a death He didn’t deserve – for you, for me, for every single person ever created, so that we could have the gift of eternal life. Do we draw our daily strength from His Word and promises? How are we nourished? Do we willingly and eagerly devour His Word to be fed and led in this world?

Or, by contrast, are we self-absorbed, self-sufficient; thinking our life is ours to do with what we want? Do we emphasize the can-do attitude of “I got this” and rely on ourselves for inner strength and accomplishment? Are the world, culture, and unbelieving friends feeding and influencing our thoughts, words and actions?

Jesus’s own words in John chapter 5 reinforce that we are absolutely fruitless without Him. Zilch. Zip. Nada. Apart from Him, what does He say we can do? “Nothing.” Think about that. Really think about that while alone, unplugged and abiding with our Heavenly Father. Ask Him today to abide with you and use you for His glory. Ask Him to make you fruitful.

Our Lodi apple trees, not producing even one apple this year, are a disappointment. It’s sad to look at the fruitless trees and think what could have been.

For you and for me, choosing to be fruitless goes way beyond sadness. It is an eternal tragedy.

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TO THE GLORY Of GOD

Dean Hulce — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:30:18 +0000

Luke 19:40
Jesus replied, "I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!"

It was close to dark and the sun was just setting over the San Juan mountains on the west side of the San Luis Valley. The rays were reflecting off of the west slopes of the Sangre de Christo range above us. The evening was so beautiful that we quit looking for elk and just watched the mountain.

There are evenings where I have seen sights here, like I have never seen before other than here on these mountains. This night was one of those times. The beauty was so overwhelming that it didn't feel right to even speak.

The original non-native settlers came from Spain and Mexico to preach a gospel message to the natives that lived in this valley. When they saw the color of the mountain in the sunset, they were astounded. The upper slopes will turn blood red on some occasions... and I was seeing one of those occasions.

Just before the sun sank behind the San Juans, the slope above us looked as though there was blood running from the top down down the slopes toward us. It was a sight like I had never seen and will never forget.

These mountains were aptly named the "Sangre de Christo" mountains, translated the "blood of Christ".

Jesus spoke of the mountains often and the Bible talks about the mountains constantly throughout the Scriptures. God's creation of the mountains speaks to His glory. There is nothing more majestic in all of nature. I've spent countless evenings watching sunsets in the mountains in the Rockies of western states, Alaska, the Appalachians and the Smokies, and I can think of nothing but the power and love of my God as I marvel at thier beauty.

Psalm 95:3-5
"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land."

When we question the love of God and if He is really there, consider the mountains. God made and colored them for you and I. We don't need the mountains, to sustain our lives, but God blessed us with them for our pleasure and His glory.

As the verse above says, if we quit praising God, the stones will cry out and praise him... they shouldn't need to, it's our job, but they do... trust me, it's true, I've seen it

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KEEP OUR FOCUS ON HIM

Dean Hulce — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:30:13 +0000

Matthew 14:28-30
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

One morning, in the Missouri River breaks in South Dakota, we were driving the side by side down a near vertical trail, going towards the river. The ranches had been hit extremely hard with torrential rains and the roads and bridges were washed out everywhere. I was doing my best to stay straddling a dangerously deep washout, when I glanced away for just a second and I nearly slid into a place that would have buried me. It had only taken a second of taking my eyes off of my focus to put me in big trouble.

So often we feel called by God to do something for Him and all goes well until we hit a struggle or attack and we start to sink... we take our eyes off of His calling on us, and BOOM, we're in trouble.

In the scripture above, the Lord had invited Peter to share in His wonder, and Peter accepted the invitation. But when Peter evaluated his situation and saw the wind and waves, he almost sank. When we take our eyes off of Jesus and put it on our earthly struggles we will fall away from Him. When our focus changes from what He has called us to do, to our fears and discomfort, we lose site of what God can do and look at what we can't do on our own.

Oswald Chambers, said,
"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on our difficulties."

Thankfully Peter's story didn't end in his sinking... Verses 31-33 tell the rest of the story.
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

God's awesome grace can lift us even when we've taken our eyes off of Him. When we return to putting our focus on Him, He will restore us to Himself. We just need to keep our Focus on Him.

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YOUR ULTIMATE PURSUIT

Dean Hulce — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:30:29 +0000

Proverbs 2:1-4
My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.

A hunter hearing the first rustling in the leaves of the morning has them on high alert. Every snap of a twig or crunching of leaves has the hunter leaning his head toward the sound. They struggle to see in the dim light... every sense is totally focused on the sound.

This was the case for Linda and myself in South Dakota on opening morning a few years back. We could hear animals walking in the valley below. We heard bucks grunting, leaves being pawed from the ground and one deer chasing another up and down the creek bottom. We both leaned forward in our seats listening intently. We squinted our eyes concentrating as hard as we could to see one of the huge bucks we knew used this valley. We gave it our all.

In the scripture above the writer of Proverbs is talking about the same attentiveness towards attaining knowledge, wisdom and understanding which leads to sincerely knowing God.

One evening, a while back, I listened while a pastor explained this same hyper attention drive like a football player, when he's giving his all.. trying to get the ball into the end zone.

If we truly go after the things of God with the same intensity and passion as we play sports or hunt a trophy animal we will know all that God has in store for us. We will have a relationship with Him that will reveal that which He wants for us and how we can attain all of knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Where we show our passion says a lot about us... when others see us, what do they see? Do they see a dedicated hunter? A football fanatic? An avid fisherman? Or do they see someone that is sold out for the Lord?

I pray that when others see me that what they see is a reflection of Jesus Christ in me. I pray that my life is a revelation of Jesus to those that hear me talk and see my actions. I know I fail.... But that is my goal as it should be for all of us.

Make knowing Jesus deeper your pursuit

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STANDING FOR GOD - without recognition

Dean Hulce — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:30:32 +0000

By Paul Taylor and Dean Hulce

Judges 3:31
After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.

In 1914, along the banks of the Yellow River in Northwest Wisconsin, unknown hunter, James Jordan tracked down and harvested a buck that would become one of the best known bucks of all time.   This buck held the #1 position in the world for many decades.

The sad story is that Jordan wasn't recognized as the hunter who took the buck until 2 months after his death. Jordan's name is written down in the recordbook, but sadly there is not much else that is written about this man, just one quick story of a man... a hunter.

Little else is known of this man from the scriptures above, other than knowing that Shamgar was the third Judge of Israel, little else is known , except that he risked it all for God. And yet, such was his faith that God wrote down his name.

Obedience does not need fanfare or a parade. In doing so we take what's not ours and claim it as ours, touching the glory of God.

Obedience and zeal for God doesn't need worldly recognition that's forgotten tomorrow.

God remembers every sometimes, seemingly little acts of devotion, even those we've long forgotten.

Look at what took place here!
Shamgar managed to kill 600 soldiers coming to destroy Israel. Could any man have actually done what he did with a pointed stick made to goad an ox, without God's Devine hand up on him?

God uses those that will not turn and run when He asks us to trust Him. When we turn our focus on Him, even above the obedience He has called us to, the numbers or the event does not matter, only God.

God's word tells story after story about the under dogs in life.
Why does He use the underdogs instead of the super-dogs? Because when we experience, and the watching world sees the impossible become possible, we witness the Glory of God & THATS a game changer.

Oh, how He loves us!
We live in a fallen world, where sin is promoted over righteousness, and godly morals are scrutinized.

We, as children of God are the under dogs.
Our world today could sure use more men and women with the zeal and faith to believe they can make a difference in Gods kingdom.

It starts with a foundation, built stone after stone until we become a Shamgar for the Lord's glory today.

All things are possible when the Lords glory is unleashed.
The wilderness way.com
Words to thrive by.

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Preparing Yourself for the High Places

Dean Hulce — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:30:20 +0000

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me."

For 4 decades, I’ve guided sportsmen into the rugged, breathtaking expanses of the North American backcountry. Through many articles, books and devotionals I’ve emphasized a fundamental truth known to every seasoned outdoorsman: you cannot conquer the high places unprepared.

Chasing big game across high alpine ridges demands meticulous planning, heavy conditioning, understanding the terrain, and trusting the hard-won wisdom of those who have walked the trail before you. Turning a blind eye to the maps, the weather patterns, or the weight of your pack leads straight to exhaustion, getting lost in the wilderness or worse.

Our personal life’s terrain can feel equally steep and unforgiving. We often find ourselves climbing mountains in our daily walk… facing career uncertainty, relationship strains, or sudden trials that leave us winded.

Just as I have had to do for the last 40 years, meticulously scouting ridgelines and relied on deep-rooted experience to navigate the wilderness, our spiritual journey requires us to lean on God our ultimate Guide. We cannot rely on our own strength when the trail gets rocky.

Today, if you feel like you're facing an uphill climb into unknown country, carrying a pack that is getting heavier and heavier by the day, pause and take stock. Acknowledge that you don't have to navigate the backcountry of life alone. He provides the endurance, the shelter, and the faithful companions for the journey.

I challenge you to give it up to the Lord in prayer. Thank him for being your strength when the trails grows rough and steep. Pray for help to drop the heavy weights of worry that slow you down, and pray for the wisdom to trust His direction in every season.

What particular "mountain" or challenge are you facing on your trail today that you can surrender to your ultimate Guide?

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ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

Dean Hulce — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:30:28 +0000

Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Another translation says it this way,
"People do their best making plans for their lives, but the Eternal guides each step."

Over the last 39 years I've lived as a hunting guide all across North America. As guides we take on heavy responsibilities all the time. I have had hunts where I have searched at midnight for a lost hunter with temperatures well below zero. I've had to find my way out of dark woods miles from nowhere to protect my hunter from an uncomfortable night outdoors, or much worse. I've also brought a boat full of hunters across 15 miles of northern Canadian lakes where the water was just barely above freezing, at midnight.

I know of hunters that have had their lives saved by a guide while hunting dangerous game and some that faced the worst of possible situations

What would have become of those very people, that were with me if it hadn't been for a guide. They would have wandered around aimlessly hoping to find their way in the darkness. Worst case, they might have died for not knowing how to get out of their situation.

For every one of us, God is our ultimate guide... We can plan and prepare for situations in life but in the end, God will direct us to where we need to be.

Another translation of Proverbs 16:9 says, Another translation says it this way,
"People do their best making plans for their lives, but the Eternal guides each step."

So often we wander through life when we have the best guide available at a moments notice. Allow Him to hold your hand in the darkness, to carry your load when it gets too heavy. Just allow God to direct your path. We just have to "acknowledge Him"

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

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