MSM Pastor Mike Fackler wrote a 30-day devotional book
Mike joined the staff at Crossings in September 2004. He and his wife Shani came all the way from Michigan, bringing along with them two dogs affectionately referred to as the “Slobbering Beasts.” Their family now includes two sons, Brock and Gabe. For many years, Mike has dedicated his life to spiritually challenging, investing, and influencing the lives of middle school students. He believes there is nothing more worthy of one’s time than to invest in another. Mike graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in business with an emphasis on Christian leadership. His passions outside of Jesus and his family, include hunting (anything, anytime, any location), playing sports, reading, and more hunting.
An excerpt from God Moments from a Deer Stand: a 30 day devotional for hunters
by Mike Fackler
Grass Roots
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day who you shall serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River; or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
I grew up in a family that loved to go camping and enjoyed the outdoors. Amazingly enough, with all that passion for the outdoors, there was not one hunter to be found in my family. My summers were spent down by and in the creek located behind my neighbor’s house. The hours of the day would fly by as we walked around in the cool waters of the creek doing whatever we could to catch and release the little bluegills so we could catch them at a later date. If I wasn’t down at the creek, my parents could find me in the nearby woods with my friends. We created dirt paths and jumps throughout the woods that we could ride our bikes on. The woods was home to more than bike paths and jumps, we also created forts and used wild ferns as weapons to defend our forts from trespassers. It was here that my passion for hunting was born.
Since those childhood days (maybe you can remember your own), hunting has become one of my favorite passions. I enjoy various forms of hunting, but hunting deer with my bow and arrow is my favorite kind of hunting. I will never turn down an opportunity to go out to God’s woods and spend some time hunting, but there is no other kind of hunting that will replace my number one passion of bow hunting. Bow hunting is it for me. Hands down! In the book of Joshua, Joshua is addressing the nation of Israel and he shares his heart with them. He says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. This was his number one passion, to live for and serve the Lord. Who are you serving? Are you being the spiritual leader in your home that God intended your to be? What has the number one passion spot in your heart? Have you and your family committed to making God “The First Love” in your home? It’s never too late to start.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for the life you’ve given me and the live experiences you’ve blessed me with. Nothing I’ve ever done or accomplished would be possible without you. I thank you for the eyes you’ve given me to view your beautiful creation. Lord as I enjoy your outdoors and viewing the creatures you have made, may nothing but you reside as “First Love” in my heart. I want you to be my number one hearts desire. Please place people in my life who will remind me of this often and hold me accountable.
-Day 1
(used by permission)
To order copies of God Moments from a Deer Stand, contact Mike.
mfackler@crossingsokc.org