Cowiche Archery

“Remember Him, A Message for Young Men”

“And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children,

And the hearts of the children to their fathers . . .”

Malachi 4:6

 I am now 62 years old.

 There was a time, when I was strong and could climb any mountain, ride any Bronc, draw and shoot a 100 # Longbow, throw a baseball 90miles an hour. I was known for being the roughest football player on the team.  I played both defense and offense and thoroughly enjoyed putting a good solid hit on someone. I ran marathons. I had all the money and all the toys. Women, well I wont go into that.

I was strong and arrogant.  I thought I was indestructible. I thought it would always be so. I didn't need God. What could I possibly need Him for?

Well kids, the truth is, I got old; You will too.

Yesterday, I went Grouse hunting up on the mountain.  I hiked up along Twin Creeks.  It's an old logging road that runs along the creek for about 7 or 8 miles; all up hill. I used to jog up that trail.

I had hiked about 2 miles, and could go no further.

Three years ago, I was bucked off a Paint horse up Gibson reservoir and broke my back in two places and the vertebrae at the base of my neck. Long story short, my back was hurting so bad I could walk no further.

I sat down on the edge of a little meadow and said, “Lord, I can't walk any further and I'd sure like to have a Grouse for dinner, guess you're gonna have to bring one to me.”  As I sat there, I began to question God about some things.

I was wondering about all the things old people wonder about, my health and my welfare. Then the Holy Spirit began to question me. He said, Do you have clothes? I said, “Yes.”  He said, “Do you have food?” I said, “Yes.”  He said, “Do you have money in your pocket?” I said, “Yes.”  He said, “Do you have a roof over your head?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Then what do you need right now?” I said, “A Grouse for dinner.”

Low and behold, about 3 to 5 minutes later a Ruffed Grouse walked out of the tall grass, about twenty yards, right out in front of me!

Needless to say,  tonight, I will be having my grouse dinner!

After collecting the Grouse, the Holy Spirit said,  “Darryl, sometimes you are so focused on what you want, that you forget what you need, I will supply all your needs according to my riches in Glory!”

It's in the light of experiences like that, I look back over my life and see that all I attained in my own effort was way less than it could have been if I had just remembered my Creator and availed myself of His abundance.

Ecclesiastes  11:9-10, 12:1-7

Young people, it’swonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything youwant to do; take it all in.

But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse toworry, and keep your body healthy.

But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.

Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop.

Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then, all their sounds will grow faint.

Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets;before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire.

Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

There are two kinds of success.  The kind the world tells us is the way to go and the kind God wants us to have.

I attained worldly success. There was a price.  I got all the money and the toys, but lost my family and my health.  Eventually I lost the wealth too. Today my children do not speak to me.

Worldly success will last for a time, but the price is too high. It will take you where you don't want to go, and in the end, cost you more than you want to pay.

God calls His success “Good Success.”  It's good, because it lasts and you never lose any of it!

“The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].”  Proverbs 10:22 Amplified

Take it from an old man kids, what seems important to you now, will change as the seasons of life pass by.  When once, in your youth, you sought fame wealth and recognition, later when you're old, you will seek your children. I hope they are there for you.

"So enjoy your youth and your strength while you have it. It’s wonderful to be young!   Enjoy every minute of it.   Do everything you want to do; take it all in but don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator."

Remember Him while you are young!