The Matchlock Rifle

I started making parts for this matchlock rifle a year ago. I bought the .58 caliber barrel, but made the rest of the gun from scratch. It replicates a 500 year old gun pattern. People have heard of muzzle loaders, but a matchlock muzzle loader...now that is odd. It uses a smoldering wick which is plunged into the priming powder to ignite the main powder charge.

The video clip shows me shooting the rifle after an unsuccessful hunting trip. I had to unload it...and pulling the trigger lever is the easiest way.

Lake Louise, Alberta

We have been to Alberta for a staff conference and returned. The conference was good. It was good to see many of the same people that we have known over the years. The people who have joined in the same ministry and stuck with it.

On the way back home, we stopped by Lake Louise. I went there once before, during the summer. There were so many tourists that you couldn't see the lake shore! After that experience, I used to call it Lake Lousy. Anyway, the big tourist season is past, so we took the back roads to the lake.

To our delight, we found the lake quite empty of visitors.

If you ever think of coming to do sight seeing in the Canadian Rockies, I hope you consider coming in October. It is so quiet you can hear nature.

Bryden Lake - October 11, 2008

My son, Tim and I got up before dawn to go moose hunting. We hiked up to a small mountain lake way back in the country.

The ground was hard frozen that high up. Try as we might, it was like trying to walk on gravel. The frozen ground crunched under foot no matter how carefully we crept along.

Finally, at the lake, I glassed the shoreline looking for bullwinkle the moose. The mist was cloaking the lake and shore in mystery.

I tried calling in a moose, but none came. So, Tim and I had a nice hike and saw some nice scenery. Creator chose to keep bullwinkle out of the freezer. Still, I am grateful. I have a good memory of the hunt, and a nice picture.

Ready, set, ...go!

I developed a three part teaching plan to respond to the opportunities we anticipate in followup
to the recent deaths on the Reserve. We think that possibly on the 17th, next Friday, we will have a chance to share part one with those interested in answers about: If there is a God, why is there so much suffering; what is the origin of evil; is there more than one way to heaven; how do you know if an evil spirit is trying to deceive you; and, how do you get rid of demons?
Please keep the meeting in prayer!
Thanks!!

Prayer Request

In the last two days, I have been gripped by the desire to present the Gospel to friends here. My mind is constantly working at organizing a contextually sensitive, yet Biblically accurate narrative that conveys the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It has been my experience that when the Holy Spirit so motivates me, it is for a reason. So, by faith, I believe the day is coming when I will have the priceless opportunity to present the Good News to hearts that are ready to listen.

So, if you read this, could I ask you to enter into this prophetic moment and join me in prayer for that meeting?

Now, back to writing. (It is like taking dictation...) Thanks!

A Few Hours On Bastion Mt.

Sights from Bastion Mountain. Chapter six of the first letter to Timothy tells us that God gives us all things to enjoy. This was the view after a light rain passed and the sun came out.
I didn't see a moose, only the flag of a deer, but did bring home a grouse for supper. I am thankful.