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Bass Fishing Can Depend On Your Marine Battery--Interstate's Figured It Out!
I'll start this off by "painting a picture...." I wake up early in the morning and prepare for my day on the water. I'm guiding clients, or I'm prepared for an important shoot for Backwoods Angler TV. OR......Chris and I are just heading out for smallies for the day! No matter how I slice it, my boat has to be in prime working order. It's my office after all. And a business man may not be able to work on a given day if his "office" can't open.
We arrive at our destination, and load the boat. It's windy, or the river levels rose 2 feet overnight.....pick your poison! I know regardless that if I'm fishing rivers or lakes, I'm gonna need my deep cycle trolling motor batteries to perform at optimal levels. I cannot afford to have clients out there or have our crew there for a shoot and 3 hours into a trip, the batteries are out of juice.
Interstate Batteries' tag line is "Outrageously Dependable". I'm confident that my batteries will perform because I'm using Interstate's now for many years! I depend on my "office" opening up each day.
Now Interstate has even bettered their already "outrageously dependable" deep cycle marine batteries! This clip profiles the NEW Pro ECL Marine Battery that Interstate just introduced in early March 2012. It provides 50% more deep cycles than conventional 12-volt marine batteries, which basically means that if I got 100 days on the water from my previous batteries, I'll now get 150 with the Pro ECL! Performance approaches that of absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries but the Pro ECL's are a fraction of the cost of AGM batteries! And as usual, the Pro ECL's are backed by Interstate's standard 18-month warranty!
Whether you're a professional tournament angler or guide, a weekend warrior or just fishing several times per season with the kids, the Interstate Pro ECL Marine Battery gives the most bang for the buck!
Good Fishin!
Blaine
We arrive at our destination, and load the boat. It's windy, or the river levels rose 2 feet overnight.....pick your poison! I know regardless that if I'm fishing rivers or lakes, I'm gonna need my deep cycle trolling motor batteries to perform at optimal levels. I cannot afford to have clients out there or have our crew there for a shoot and 3 hours into a trip, the batteries are out of juice.
Interstate Batteries' tag line is "Outrageously Dependable". I'm confident that my batteries will perform because I'm using Interstate's now for many years! I depend on my "office" opening up each day.
Now Interstate has even bettered their already "outrageously dependable" deep cycle marine batteries! This clip profiles the NEW Pro ECL Marine Battery that Interstate just introduced in early March 2012. It provides 50% more deep cycles than conventional 12-volt marine batteries, which basically means that if I got 100 days on the water from my previous batteries, I'll now get 150 with the Pro ECL! Performance approaches that of absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries but the Pro ECL's are a fraction of the cost of AGM batteries! And as usual, the Pro ECL's are backed by Interstate's standard 18-month warranty!
Whether you're a professional tournament angler or guide, a weekend warrior or just fishing several times per season with the kids, the Interstate Pro ECL Marine Battery gives the most bang for the buck!
Good Fishin!
Blaine
I Too Believe In Love
I am a man who is blessed to be able to do what I do for a living. I also am blessed to be able to pass on the many amazing truths and gifts God has given me to my 3 daughters.
I was sitting at my computer last week and received an email from my oldest daughter, Hannah, which read, "Here is a poem I wrote for my English project!" I have decided to post it here for a few reasons. First, my kids and I listen to Christian music. I am very adamant about what I allow them to put into their minds, and I can do this becaue I practice this in my own life! Funny thing is that as teens, they often do and say things that upon first hearing or seeing, looks or sounds like everything I'm doing is for naught. I work hard to expel doubt, and once doubt is removed, I can see that I'm planting seeds. Secondly, they are in a tough spot as teen girls, getting barraged with so much negative media, sex and the like. "Will the "small" effort I'm putting forth to give them some positive, loving truth really prevail?" My efforts are not small, they are HUGE! I scatter seeds and God waters and cultivates to bring fruit.
This poem came from a song that we listen to by BarlowGirl, a Chrstian rock band, called "I Believe In Love". Here is the Original excerpt of the refrain:
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.
When I read this, it absolutely warmed my heart, and God used it as a "Light" in my life, confirming that the hard work I do brings both my kids and God great happiness! Enjoy Hannah's first awesome poem which talks about HER journey!
I was sitting at my computer last week and received an email from my oldest daughter, Hannah, which read, "Here is a poem I wrote for my English project!" I have decided to post it here for a few reasons. First, my kids and I listen to Christian music. I am very adamant about what I allow them to put into their minds, and I can do this becaue I practice this in my own life! Funny thing is that as teens, they often do and say things that upon first hearing or seeing, looks or sounds like everything I'm doing is for naught. I work hard to expel doubt, and once doubt is removed, I can see that I'm planting seeds. Secondly, they are in a tough spot as teen girls, getting barraged with so much negative media, sex and the like. "Will the "small" effort I'm putting forth to give them some positive, loving truth really prevail?" My efforts are not small, they are HUGE! I scatter seeds and God waters and cultivates to bring fruit.
This poem came from a song that we listen to by BarlowGirl, a Chrstian rock band, called "I Believe In Love". Here is the Original excerpt of the refrain:
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.
I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.
And I believe in God, even when he is silent.
And I, I believe.
When I read this, it absolutely warmed my heart, and God used it as a "Light" in my life, confirming that the hard work I do brings both my kids and God great happiness! Enjoy Hannah's first awesome poem which talks about HER journey!
As I wander around the room, I think to myself:
“You can’t feel love, but you can feel everything else.”
As I wander around outside, to myself I’m thinking:
“It’s a cloudless day, and yet the sun is not shining.”
As I wander this crazy world, I can vaguely see:
“God may not be around, but He hears me.”
As I hug you goodbye, I say to you:
“I’ll see you later and I love you.”
As I get into the car, I say to you:
“The light from the sun is here for you.”
As I see you after three years, I say to you:
“God may not be around, but He loves you.”
As I lay in bed, I think to myself:
“You can feel love when you can’t feel anything else.”
As I lay in bed, to myself I’m thinking:
“It’s a sunny day and the clouds are now hiding.”
As I lay in bed, I can finally see:
“God may not be around, but He hears and loves me.”
Good Fishin!
Blaine
Marine Battery Tips For Bass Anglers
This is a great clip for all you folks who own boats and deal with marine battery issues. Believe me, I lerned a lot, although I thought I knew most of what I needed to know about the topic. Rich Mummey from Interstate Batteries answers some classic questions about battery care and maintenance.
Join BWA TV on Service Electric TV2 this Friday evening at 7pm and again Sunday evening at 8:30pm. And follow us on Facebook and YouTube while we prepare new episodes for NBC Sports Outdoors and their uncoming summer season!
http://blogbattery.com/2012/03/marine-battery-types-explained/
Good Fishin!
Blaine
Join BWA TV on Service Electric TV2 this Friday evening at 7pm and again Sunday evening at 8:30pm. And follow us on Facebook and YouTube while we prepare new episodes for NBC Sports Outdoors and their uncoming summer season!
http://blogbattery.com/2012/03/marine-battery-types-explained/
Good Fishin!
Blaine
A Fishy Story!
All anglers tell stories.....some are true and some are, well could we say fiction! I was speaking at a game dinner at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor, PA on March 10 and as I was smack in the middle of my talk, this story popped into my head.
I was sitting at an outdoor expo several years ago, in a delapadated, cold expo center in northern PA. I was wondering what in the name of God I was doing there. I may have talked with 15 folks all weekend. Nobody wanted to come in there.....it was almost as cold in the arena as it was outdoors! My father was with me. He did a bunch of the shows with me throughout the years. We sat there wondering why we were there.
A boat company had the entire back section of the arena covered with all sorts of boats. One that was there was a really cool jet boat that I had seen around on the Susquehanna River. I began talking with the owner of the dealership and after several conversations, we cut a deal and I bought the boat. It was the boat I wanted at the time, and it got me through over 6 years of guiding on the PA rivers.
During breaks in this negotiation, my dad and I talked rather openly about lots of things., He was looking back with somewhat of a regret that he didn't follow a dream of his. He was scouted by Major League Baseball teams and when the Detroit Tigers called, he declined. he told me why and that if he had it to do over again, may have changed his decision. Now I was rather greatful in a selfish way that he didn't go. I may not have been born! However I really took this to heart as he told me how proud he was of me for going after my dream and that he hoped I get it.
Funny thing is, although my dad didn't like fishing at all (He was a great athlete and really had no draw to hunting or fishing.), he was the one who took me fishing first. And he helped God plant that seed in me, despite his dislike for fishing. He took the time to take his son fishing, and look what he created!
My oldest daughter, Hannah, was with me at that dinner. I was so grateful she was with me to hear these stories. I took her fishing for the first time when she was 4 years old and she boated a 19-inch Delaware River smallmouth! I wonder what seed that planted in her? What seeds did I scatter during that message at the dinner? What seeds did I scatter with this article?
Here's the first of Hannah;s fish (left) and to the right, is 9 years later on a small lake in Vermont!
Today I try to scatter seeds when I speak, in how I act, and with my attitudes, writings, videos and conversations. People are listening to us, and folks are searching for a greater Purpose. God waters the seeds we plant in someone else's heart, and we never know what might sprout! My dad probably had no idea when he took me to the creek that first time!
Good fishin!
Blaine
I was sitting at an outdoor expo several years ago, in a delapadated, cold expo center in northern PA. I was wondering what in the name of God I was doing there. I may have talked with 15 folks all weekend. Nobody wanted to come in there.....it was almost as cold in the arena as it was outdoors! My father was with me. He did a bunch of the shows with me throughout the years. We sat there wondering why we were there.
A boat company had the entire back section of the arena covered with all sorts of boats. One that was there was a really cool jet boat that I had seen around on the Susquehanna River. I began talking with the owner of the dealership and after several conversations, we cut a deal and I bought the boat. It was the boat I wanted at the time, and it got me through over 6 years of guiding on the PA rivers.
During breaks in this negotiation, my dad and I talked rather openly about lots of things., He was looking back with somewhat of a regret that he didn't follow a dream of his. He was scouted by Major League Baseball teams and when the Detroit Tigers called, he declined. he told me why and that if he had it to do over again, may have changed his decision. Now I was rather greatful in a selfish way that he didn't go. I may not have been born! However I really took this to heart as he told me how proud he was of me for going after my dream and that he hoped I get it.
Funny thing is, although my dad didn't like fishing at all (He was a great athlete and really had no draw to hunting or fishing.), he was the one who took me fishing first. And he helped God plant that seed in me, despite his dislike for fishing. He took the time to take his son fishing, and look what he created!
My oldest daughter, Hannah, was with me at that dinner. I was so grateful she was with me to hear these stories. I took her fishing for the first time when she was 4 years old and she boated a 19-inch Delaware River smallmouth! I wonder what seed that planted in her? What seeds did I scatter during that message at the dinner? What seeds did I scatter with this article?
Here's the first of Hannah;s fish (left) and to the right, is 9 years later on a small lake in Vermont!
Today I try to scatter seeds when I speak, in how I act, and with my attitudes, writings, videos and conversations. People are listening to us, and folks are searching for a greater Purpose. God waters the seeds we plant in someone else's heart, and we never know what might sprout! My dad probably had no idea when he took me to the creek that first time!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Solar Bat Polarized Fishing Sunglasses!
I'm very pleased to announce that Solar Bat is BWA TV's new sunglass sponsor and as pleased to announce that BWA TV fans and viewers can receive 10% off their glasses, but you'll have to read to the end of this article to see how!
I have talked in the past about the many reasons why I'll always wear polarized sunglasses when fishing, boating and driving. Solar Bat is the pioneer of double gradient polarized lenses. What is polarization?
According to Solar Bat's Founder, Dr.Gary Nesty, "One way to produce a polarized lens is to shape the lens, either by thermoforming or molding, then glue a polarized film onto the front surface. This method is unacceptable to and does not meet the rigid standards of Solar Bat. Solar Bat’s proprietary Noctular PNVXD and PNVX lenses are polarized by encapsulating the polarized film in a molded lens. A scratch resistant coating is then applied to the entire lens. This protects the polarized film and results in a state of the art, optical quality product that is worthy to carry the Solar Bat name."
Now as a professional fishermen, here's why I use them! Safety is a biggie. I have seen hooks embedded into a human eye on my boat. Believe me, that will get one's attention. Wrap around sunglasses are vital for when those tree-bound lures come flying back at the boat, or when a bass jumps and the lure becomes airborn. Plus I'm protected from anglers on my boat who are not paying as close attention as they should too.
They've created their exclusive Mossback lens color and glare is all but eliminated I can see into the water on even those high light grey days when glare is at its worst. Or on days when the sun is high and the sky is blue, my gray lenses do the duty as will the amber lenses.
Backwoods Angler TV is proud to be sponsored by Solar Bat. So proud, we've developed this discount for AL our viewers and fans. Go to our website and click on the Solar Bat link on our Home Page. Order Solar Bats through this link and with the special code provided and receive 10% off your order!
So now that you've read why they're the best option, get on over to our website and get your Solar Bats today!
Good fishin!
Blaine
I have talked in the past about the many reasons why I'll always wear polarized sunglasses when fishing, boating and driving. Solar Bat is the pioneer of double gradient polarized lenses. What is polarization?
According to Solar Bat's Founder, Dr.Gary Nesty, "One way to produce a polarized lens is to shape the lens, either by thermoforming or molding, then glue a polarized film onto the front surface. This method is unacceptable to and does not meet the rigid standards of Solar Bat. Solar Bat’s proprietary Noctular PNVXD and PNVX lenses are polarized by encapsulating the polarized film in a molded lens. A scratch resistant coating is then applied to the entire lens. This protects the polarized film and results in a state of the art, optical quality product that is worthy to carry the Solar Bat name."
Now as a professional fishermen, here's why I use them! Safety is a biggie. I have seen hooks embedded into a human eye on my boat. Believe me, that will get one's attention. Wrap around sunglasses are vital for when those tree-bound lures come flying back at the boat, or when a bass jumps and the lure becomes airborn. Plus I'm protected from anglers on my boat who are not paying as close attention as they should too.
They've created their exclusive Mossback lens color and glare is all but eliminated I can see into the water on even those high light grey days when glare is at its worst. Or on days when the sun is high and the sky is blue, my gray lenses do the duty as will the amber lenses.
Backwoods Angler TV is proud to be sponsored by Solar Bat. So proud, we've developed this discount for AL our viewers and fans. Go to our website and click on the Solar Bat link on our Home Page. Order Solar Bats through this link and with the special code provided and receive 10% off your order!
So now that you've read why they're the best option, get on over to our website and get your Solar Bats today!
Good fishin!
Blaine
More BWA TV Tidbits!
So much is happening at Backwoods Angler TV this week! And I still got to go out on the Delaware River for about 4 hrs. and fish Thursday! jHere are a few more notes of interest.
We'd like to welcome Gorilla Glue and O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream on board as new BWA TV sponsors for 2012! I'm very pleased to be partnered with both of these companies. They both make the best product in their respective categories. I've used the O'Keeffe's hand Cream and it's the real deal. Not only does it moisturize dry, cracked and chapped hands, it actually promotes healing of cracks and cuts! And Gorilla Glue is better than any "super glue" out there.
We'll also be at I-Cast in Orlando Florida this July. We'll be guests in the NBC Sports Outdoors booth!
Lots of outdoor expos coming up so come on out and visit us at one of them. And stay tuned as a few more big announcements are coming your way! Don't fret.....spring is just around the corner. Just ask Chris after watching this clip!!
Good fishin!
Blaine
We'd like to welcome Gorilla Glue and O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream on board as new BWA TV sponsors for 2012! I'm very pleased to be partnered with both of these companies. They both make the best product in their respective categories. I've used the O'Keeffe's hand Cream and it's the real deal. Not only does it moisturize dry, cracked and chapped hands, it actually promotes healing of cracks and cuts! And Gorilla Glue is better than any "super glue" out there.
We'll also be at I-Cast in Orlando Florida this July. We'll be guests in the NBC Sports Outdoors booth!
Lots of outdoor expos coming up so come on out and visit us at one of them. And stay tuned as a few more big announcements are coming your way! Don't fret.....spring is just around the corner. Just ask Chris after watching this clip!!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Backwoods Angler TV Winter Tidbits
As I write this entry, its actually sunny and 40 degrees. Not bad for late January in PA! It's been a mild winter. Last week was the first time I witnessed ice on the Delaware River this year. That said, fishing now has to be put aside for a few weeks and now it's time to go headstrong into the outdoor expo season.
Backwoods Angler TV will be at the following outdoor expos this weason:
Philadelphia Outdoor Expo--Feb 16-19--Oaks PA
Calvary Outdoor Expo--Souderton, PA--March 3
Cabelas Captain's Weekend--Hamburg, PA--March 17-18
I will be making appearances with Gamma Fishing Line in their booth at both the Worchester, Mass (Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Show) and the Suffern NY Show (World Fishing & Outdoor Expo). I'll be at the Mass show Fri-Sat Feb 10-11, and I'll be at the Suffern NY Show Thurs-Fri March 1-2. Come on by and say hello and get all the info on why Gamma LIne is absolutely the best copolymer line in the world!
We're working out all the details for our 2012 season on NBC Sports Outdoors. Sponsors are being ironed out and we're pleased to announce that Shimano and ACE Recreational Marine Insurance are 2 newbies on board with us this year. More will be announced soon. Se the clip below and check out ACE today for your boat insurance needs!
And we have been picked up by Time Warner Cable's Texas Channel. This is a really nice step for us as TX houses so many bass anglers! Service Electric TV2 will still carry our regional broadcasts in Eastern PA/Western NJ.
It will be an exciting year on the air and on the water. We're traveling to New Hampshire for both some river and lake action, as well as NY and NJ. And we'll add our classic river smallmouth shows too, including a shoot with Mike Iaconelli on the mighty Susquehanna River!!. AND another special surprise to come, so stay tuned for that! During our airtime this year expect to see shows from the Juniata and Delaware Rivers as well as upstate NY, VT and Lake Erie!
I think I covered it all.....except to say thank you to you all for your support and for watching/following us. You guys make it all happen!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Backwoods Angler TV will be at the following outdoor expos this weason:
Philadelphia Outdoor Expo--Feb 16-19--Oaks PA
Calvary Outdoor Expo--Souderton, PA--March 3
Cabelas Captain's Weekend--Hamburg, PA--March 17-18
I will be making appearances with Gamma Fishing Line in their booth at both the Worchester, Mass (Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Show) and the Suffern NY Show (World Fishing & Outdoor Expo). I'll be at the Mass show Fri-Sat Feb 10-11, and I'll be at the Suffern NY Show Thurs-Fri March 1-2. Come on by and say hello and get all the info on why Gamma LIne is absolutely the best copolymer line in the world!
We're working out all the details for our 2012 season on NBC Sports Outdoors. Sponsors are being ironed out and we're pleased to announce that Shimano and ACE Recreational Marine Insurance are 2 newbies on board with us this year. More will be announced soon. Se the clip below and check out ACE today for your boat insurance needs!
And we have been picked up by Time Warner Cable's Texas Channel. This is a really nice step for us as TX houses so many bass anglers! Service Electric TV2 will still carry our regional broadcasts in Eastern PA/Western NJ.
It will be an exciting year on the air and on the water. We're traveling to New Hampshire for both some river and lake action, as well as NY and NJ. And we'll add our classic river smallmouth shows too, including a shoot with Mike Iaconelli on the mighty Susquehanna River!!. AND another special surprise to come, so stay tuned for that! During our airtime this year expect to see shows from the Juniata and Delaware Rivers as well as upstate NY, VT and Lake Erie!
I think I covered it all.....except to say thank you to you all for your support and for watching/following us. You guys make it all happen!
Good fishin!
Blaine
WInter Smallmouth Bass Secrets Revealed.....Finally!
Chris Gorsuch and I get bombarded with loads of questions regarding river smallmouth bass fishing and boating. The hottest topic most of the time is winter tactics, patterns. locations, lures......you get the picture!
Our NEW DVD will answer many of your questions! Delaware and Susquehanna River Cold Water Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Secrets has been released and is for sale in our store! Join Chris and I as we break it down for you. We'll talk about boat positioning, sun position, bass locations, feeding patterns, and so much more. Footage was taken from an actual seminar we shot at the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA. It also includes actual Power Point Slides in webinar form, and video clips. The DVD is brought to you by Wacky Worm Tackle Shop and Gamma Fishing Line.
Head to our STORE and grab your copy of this informative DVD today! And for those of you who purchase a DVD from this blog article, let me know in the order instructions, and I'll throw in a free pack of our Chris Krinkle Worms! (Offer expires March 1)
Good fishin!
Blaine
Our NEW DVD will answer many of your questions! Delaware and Susquehanna River Cold Water Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Secrets has been released and is for sale in our store! Join Chris and I as we break it down for you. We'll talk about boat positioning, sun position, bass locations, feeding patterns, and so much more. Footage was taken from an actual seminar we shot at the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA. It also includes actual Power Point Slides in webinar form, and video clips. The DVD is brought to you by Wacky Worm Tackle Shop and Gamma Fishing Line.
Head to our STORE and grab your copy of this informative DVD today! And for those of you who purchase a DVD from this blog article, let me know in the order instructions, and I'll throw in a free pack of our Chris Krinkle Worms! (Offer expires March 1)
Good fishin!
Blaine
Graphic Design--Quick and Quality Choose Signs By Tomorrow!
About 2 weeks ago I was scrambling around trying to prepare for Backwoods Angler TV's 2012 outdoor expo season. I really had not thought about it until after the New Year and when I did, decided I was simply not going to resort to setting up our old guide service booth again this year. The TV show now takes presidence, but the backdrop and booth were not ready for this.
I contacted a few local graphics design/trade show boot manufacturers. Two responded and 1 was Signs By Tomorrow in Allentown, PA. Stephen Cunic returned my call as soon as he got into the office the next day and after a brief conversation about both our needs and fishing, I quickly new that this was the company with which I was going to deal. I wasn't convinced we has enough time to get him the pictures and decide how to set up this new booth. he assured me, "Just get me the digital graphics and let me know an idea for a layout and backdrop and I'll make sure you have what you need." No worries?
Guess,what? He was correct, no worries. In 2 days I had the backdrop banner and standing display banner you can see in the pic above. Pretty sharp, 'eh? An outstanding job, and they took great care of me when I went in to the shop. I highly recommend Signs By Tomorrow of Allentown, PA for any of your graphic or signage needs. Thank you Stephen, and lets go fishing soon!
Keep following us on our Facebook Page for updates on which expos we'll be attending this winter!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Bass Fishing And Learning The Laws Of Life
Life is short....well the physical part of it is anyway. I've decided I want to leave a legacy behind me. I try to conduct myself in a way that when foks see me, they see someone that acts different from the norm, someone who is polite, happy and not quick to fly off the handle.
That's not always the way it had been for me! I had a quick temper and complained and whined a lot. I once heard a guy say, "People that complain are not looking for a solution, they're only looking for sympathy!" This hit home for me. I had mindsets in place from as far back as I can remember: "Don't make any changes, just complain and the right people will sympathize with me....THEN I'll feel better." This is a lie.
My mentor and I frequently had conversations, many of then one-sided, regarding the trials and tribulations I faced as a bass fishing guide. (He had to be holding back extreme laughter being he was a roofer and worked in All conditions!) Once I ran my jet boat up onto a gravel and rock bar and messed up my intake. I was watching the beautiful Snowy Egrets on the river shore instead of watching where I was going. When I told him what I had done, he reminded me, "Blaine that's what happens when you take a break in the middle of working.....wasn't break time, keep your eyes on the water and not on the egrets."
But God put those egrets there for me to see his beauty, right? And why would God run my boat up on a rocky bar like this? Oh, Boy. The spirituality around those egrets paled in comparison to keeping my eyes (my mind really) on what I am doing while traversing shallow rocky water in the river!
He often reminded me, "We acknowledge our feelings but we don't live by them." Once I took that to be truth in my life, looking for sympathy became much more uncomfortable! I was being transformed by the renewing of my mind, and feeling better but still being chained to my negative thoughts and ideas didn't bring me joy that God had promised me. Jesus said, "It is my good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." and "I've come that you should have life and have it more abundantly." This wasn't the way my experience was playing out, so I had to change my thinking.
Today I ask myself, "What is the truth or what are the facts?" Or repeat short positive statements about myself and especially about who God is in me and who I am through Him. This is transforming my life. And a nice added plus, I'm able to safely run through menacing shallow water areas without scaring my passengers to death! It's a win-win for all!
Blaine
That's not always the way it had been for me! I had a quick temper and complained and whined a lot. I once heard a guy say, "People that complain are not looking for a solution, they're only looking for sympathy!" This hit home for me. I had mindsets in place from as far back as I can remember: "Don't make any changes, just complain and the right people will sympathize with me....THEN I'll feel better." This is a lie.
My mentor and I frequently had conversations, many of then one-sided, regarding the trials and tribulations I faced as a bass fishing guide. (He had to be holding back extreme laughter being he was a roofer and worked in All conditions!) Once I ran my jet boat up onto a gravel and rock bar and messed up my intake. I was watching the beautiful Snowy Egrets on the river shore instead of watching where I was going. When I told him what I had done, he reminded me, "Blaine that's what happens when you take a break in the middle of working.....wasn't break time, keep your eyes on the water and not on the egrets."
But God put those egrets there for me to see his beauty, right? And why would God run my boat up on a rocky bar like this? Oh, Boy. The spirituality around those egrets paled in comparison to keeping my eyes (my mind really) on what I am doing while traversing shallow rocky water in the river!
He often reminded me, "We acknowledge our feelings but we don't live by them." Once I took that to be truth in my life, looking for sympathy became much more uncomfortable! I was being transformed by the renewing of my mind, and feeling better but still being chained to my negative thoughts and ideas didn't bring me joy that God had promised me. Jesus said, "It is my good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." and "I've come that you should have life and have it more abundantly." This wasn't the way my experience was playing out, so I had to change my thinking.
Today I ask myself, "What is the truth or what are the facts?" Or repeat short positive statements about myself and especially about who God is in me and who I am through Him. This is transforming my life. And a nice added plus, I'm able to safely run through menacing shallow water areas without scaring my passengers to death! It's a win-win for all!
Blaine
