The Outdoorsmen Family Ski day was Saturday and everything went well. We had great weather and decent skiing conditions. I believe everyone who attended had a great time. A very big THANK YOU to the Morrison family for bringing firewood, water, cook pot, cups and hot chocolate mix.

One quick note on the Family Ski day: this was the second year in a row the Outdoorsmen held this event and very few Outdoorsmen families attend. I think the event is great but perhaps better for a church organized event instead of an Outdoorsmen event. I'd like to hear back what your thoughts are on this.


Attached are 4 files for the next meeting.
1) Morris - Time Line for Revelations
2) Morris - Revelations 1.1 to 1.5 (from last week)
3) Morris - Revelations 1.5 to 1.17 (for next meeting)
4) Pastor John's Time Line for Revelations (jpg image)

Please print and bring a copy to the meeting. Oh, and feel free to study in advance.


Upcoming Outdoorsmen Events

March (TBA) - Winter Survival Skills Course - Glenn Morrison
We probably need to get this set as it'll be March tomorrow.

April 10 - Trap Shoot - Helena Trap Club - Glenn Morrison

April 30 - May 2 -- Men's Backpacking Trip - Jason Longtine

May 21 - 23 -- Father/Son Campout - Joe Hayes

June 4-6 -- Family Campout - Hellgate Campground

June 25 - 27 -- Father/Daughter Campout - Joe Hayes


I've had more than a couple of people ask about a spring fly-fishing day again. I do not see one on the schedule but that doesn't mean we can't add one. If you are interested please send a reply to let me know.

We still have an opening for an event in September. The only thing we have on the schedule is helping out at the Duck's Unlimited Greenwings Event on September 12. Got and idea? Willing to take the lead and organize the event? Great! Let us know and we'll get it on the schedule.


Next Outdoorsmen Meeting and Bible study
Tuesday March 2, Smith's Place Cafe in East Helena, 7:00 PM
Revelation Chapter 1

Sunday March 7, Starbuck's on Prospect, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Revelation Chapter 1

Note: For those who don't know, HSBC is Hannaford Street Bible Church and it is located at
830 N Hannaford St.
Helena, MT

John Noble outdoorsmen@hannaford.org
HSBC Outdoorsmen

The new year has started off well for Outdoorsmen meetings with eight men attending at each of the last two. We've been studying Christ's death and resurrection (Luke 24) and have had very good discussion on what we've covered so far.

Jesus is dead and the lives of the disciples have been turned upside down, their hopes and dreams seemingly dashed. We benefit from being able to study the Word of God and we know that Jesus had to die so that he could rise again, but why do they feel that all hope is lost? Didn't they also know these things? Didn't Jesus tell them this would happen? Luke 24:13-35 tells us

13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Cleopas and another disciple have a personal encounter with Christ on the road to Emmaus not knowing it is Jesus they run in to. Do they refer to Jesus as 'The Messiah'? As the Son of God? No. He's now merely a prophet. They tell the stranger it's the third day since Jesus died, indicating they knew something was supposed to happen on the third day, and then they go on to explain how some of the women had found the tomb empty, saw angels who told them Jesus was alive and how some of the other disciples confirmed the women's report. Yet these guys are on the road leaving Jerusalem? What, exactly, were they expecting? It seems so obvious to read about it now but we need to try and put ourselves in their place. If I was there and had seen Jesus die upon that cross would I have had a mustard seed of faith that I would see him alive again in three days? Would I have been sitting back drinking a cold one saying "any minute now"? No, I wouldn't. That's the honest truth. I would have been as depressed as the rest of them. How could I accept that the Son of God, the Messiah, was killed upon that cross? What would have been going through my mind? Cut your losses. I was wrong. He wasn't the one. What am I going to do now? Probably best if we got the heck out of Jerusalem. The disciples were no different than any of us. That's important because we, too, are disciples of Christ. We, too, can suffer from the same lack of understanding and same lack of faith.

But we have an ace in the hole, an edge. We have something those disciples did not. We have the Bible; the Word of God. We can benefit from their mistakes and it's important that we do. That's why God gave us his Word. It's not supposed to sit on the shelf collecting dust. It's not a coffee table book we put out to impress visitors. We need to read it. Often. We need to study and understand it. We need to share it and discuss it with others. This is the purpose of our Outdoorsmen Bible study. I try and read the Bible daily but I benefit so much from those of you who attend the Bible studies. There are new ideas and concepts I have not considered and answers to questions I have or sometimes didn't even know I have. I hope you benefit as much as I do. And I hope that more of you will consider joining us.

Someday I may be walking along the road to Wolf Creek (or Craig) going to retrieve my truck and trailer (because I was too cheap to pay for a shuttle) and run into a stranger who will ask me about Jesus. How will I respond? What will I say? All I need is the faith of a mustard seed and to know the Word of God.



Did you know?
Outdoorsman Luke Thomasson and his son Austin are heading to China on a missions trip (not to be confused with being sent to China on a mission like in Mission Impossible or The Bourne Identity). My first thought is Wow! My second thought is "hmmmm, I wonder if Luke's southern drawl translates into Chinese well........". Silliness aside, this is a big deal. John-Luke Thomasson has already been to China (twice if I remember correctly) but this is a first for his brother and father. What can we do to help? First, add Luke and Austin to your prayers. Second, consider helping out financially if you are able. Contact Luke or Austin at church on Sunday for more information.


Outdoorsmen meeting schedule change - WE ARE SCHEDULED FOR OUR REGULAR TUESDAY MEETING ON 1/19/2010
The Outdoorsmen BattleZone class has been scheduled for Tuesday nights beginning 2/22/2010. Outdoorsmen regular bi-weekly Tuesday meetings will be suspended through February and March. The Outdoorsmen regular bi-weekly Tuesday meetings will resume on April 13, 2010 at Smith's Place in East Helena.
We really need to know who will be attending the Battle Zone class. To get it scheduled and to get books ordered we simply need to know. Some of you have indicated your interest in the past but now I need a confirmation. Please reply to me if you are planning on attending. We have some limited financial aid available if the $50 cost of the book is holding you back (please contact me directly for more information). Thanks.

Outdoorsmen BattleZone class
We have decided to plan for a BZ class beginning the first week of February 2010. We will hold an introduction meeting on Tuesday January 26 and begin the classes on Tuesday February 2. We chose Tuesday nights so you won't have to find/free up another night each week (assuming you are already attending Outdoorsmen meetings on Tuesdays). The course runs for ten weeks and we will suspend regular Tuesday Outdoorsmen meetings during this time. A number of you have expressed interest and this will hopefully allow you enough time to plan/prepare. The cost is $50 for the course book (and you need the book). You will be required to study/prepare a couple hours before each weeks meeting. We are planning on starting the meetings at 6:00 PM so we can get home at a decent time after 2 - 2½ hour meetings. I'll provide more info. as we develop it.


Outdoorsmen Wild Game Feast - Saturday February 6th
If you have not yet signed up to help with setup and tear down please do so by contacting Glenn Morrison. Glenn has an assignment list and we really need each of you to sign up for a handful of tasks each.

I have received a number of donations of ground game meat for the Wild Game Feast. I am now asking for volunteer families to prepare dishes with this meat. These dishes are IN ADDITION to whatever else you will be bringing. Remember, these dishes are to make sure we have plenty to go around as the wild game typically disappears on the first pass through the line. They don't need to be anything fancy ("it's brook trout almandine in a light crème sauce"). Suggestions include casseroles, shepards pie, etc. but whatever turns your crank. Let me know if you are willing to prepare an extra dish and how much meat you would like (2, 3, 4 lbs., etc.).


Outdoorsmen Family Ski Day - Saturday February 27th, Great Divide
We are officially scheduled with Great Divide. I have sign-up sheets available. Please get them from me at a meeting, at church, at my house, at my office, however you want. You can distribute to the sign-up sheets to anyone who may be interested in attending. All instructions are on the sheet including pricing and how to return them to me.


NRA Basic Pistol Class for Outdoorsmen and spouses
Gregg is offering to hold an 'NRA Basic Pistol' class for Outdoorsmen and spouses for $20 a person (regularly $80/person). Completion of the class is required for a Concealed Carry Permit in Montana should you so desire one. He is suggesting a Saturday in April, May, June or July up at the Prickly Pear range on McDonald pass (range membership will not be required for class attendees). Please respond to let me know if you are interested and what date you prefer. I'll pass on the numbers and most popular date to Greg and let him get it all arranged and then I'll post it to our calendar.


Outdoorsmen Events
Here's a brief outline of Outdoorsmen events for 2010. Some of the dates are still being finalized and not events have owners yet.

Feb 6 - Outdoorsmen Wild Game Feast (everyone will be involved in this event)

Feb 27 - Family Ski Day at Great Divide (John Noble)

Mar ?? - Decoy Carving (Glenn Morrison)

Apr 10 - Outdoorsmen Trap Shoot (Glenn Morrison)
Apr 30-May 2 - Men's Backpacking Trip ***Men Only*** (Jason Longtine)

May 21-23 - Father/Son Campout (Joe Hayes)

June 4-6 - Family Campout (need event organizer on this one - please volunteer)
June 25-27 - Father/Daughter Campout (Joe Hayes)

July 17 - Family Day At The Lake -- Clark's Bay (Jim Kirkbride)

Aug ?? - Archery Tournament (Jefferey Herrick)

Sep ?? - Green Wings Event -- Duck's Unlimited

Oct 15-19 - Antelope Hunt (Thomas Chard)

Nov 26-28 - Big Game Hunt (need event organizer on this one - please volunteer)

Dec 11 - Christmas Tree Cut (John Noble)
Dec 18 - Christmas Tree Distribution -- Toys for Tots


We have room for an event in March (ice-fishing, ???) and September (fishing trip, ???). A couple of guys are also working on a possible turkey hunt. Shout our your suggestions or let me know if you are willing to take ownership for one of the events above that is not yet claimed.

Next Outdoorsmen Meeting and Bible study
Tuesday January 19, Smith's Place Cafe in East Helena, 7:00 PM
Luke Chapter 24

Sunday January 24, Starbuck's on Prospect, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Luke Chapter 24 or ???????

Note: For those who don't know, HSBC is Hannaford Street Bible Church and it is located at
830 N Hannaford St.
Helena, MT


John Noble outdoorsmen@hannaford.org
HSBC Outdoorsmen