My Hunting Expedition

When I was still wandering the country, hitchhiking back and forth and up and down the West Coast, there was an instance where I was inspired by a classmate from High School. She had ventured into the High Country, and she had successfully bagged a Bighorn Sheep. So, I thought to myself, “That sounds like a great adventure!” So, I went out and bought a bow and some broadhead hunting arrows clipped to the bow.

Continuing with my plan, I threw on a backpack and began to hitchhike across the country to the Wild Wild West. I think it was somewhere in Indiana that four guys in a VW bug picked me up and jammed me in the back seat. I can only imagine why, but they were certainly enjoying the situation. I soon realized how stupid my idea was, hitching rides with a weapon, and so I asked them to relieve me of my bow and arrows to pay for the ride They were happy to do so. When they had traveled as far as they had intended, they dropped me off to continue my journey — which of course was to the West Coast.

Those were my drug addled days when I had no sense whatsoever. (Don’t try to tell me hallucinogens like marijuana and LSD have no harmful effects.)

That was then. This is now.

Jesus came into my life and began to rehabilitate me until I could rejoin society as a productive member. My work life developed from mowing lawns (failing as a businessman), to working for Temporary Labor, to seasonal full time, to full time, to furthering my education, to becoming a Labor Leader. Then My job left town. Experiencing betrayal from my Employer and an International Union Rep, ”my cheese slid off my cracker,” and as my daughter diagnosed it, I developed a type of a social paranoia syndrome that keeps me rather isolated. (I can talk freely with people in any formal situation, but socially, I choke.)

Anyways, it’s getting better, because, as the Bible says, God is not through with me yet. (see Philippians 1:6) Also, and continuing in this working of God in my life, as written in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV) or “…For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (NIV) So, throughout my life, my emotional side will continue to heal and eventually will meet up with my intellectual side which is disciplined, stable, and sturdy.

Not perfect yet, as I have indicated, but if you read this and realize you could use a little help. Call on Jesus. He is saving me and He will certainly help you.

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.’” (John 6:35–40. NIV)