Being married to a law enforcement officer who is also a certified firearms instructor means you get free shooting lessons—whether you want them or not. I have learned many things, and used them—just ask the snake community in this area. I am sure they know all about the crazy lady who shoots till they quit wiggling.
I also learned that even handguns, especially big handguns like Keith’s .45 magnum (think Matt Dillon) can have a kick. I haven’t dared try it because of my experience with his smaller .357 revolver. I am a pianist. Good pianists use their wrists like shock absorbers—they go down as you approach the keyboard and pull up the instant the key has been struck. That is what creates a smooth, warm tone rather than a harsh, jarring one. A loose wrist is a must for pianists, but is not good when you are shooting a big gun. For one thing, the recoil on a loose wrist hurts; for another you nearly give yourself a black eye with the barrel as it swings back at you. I simply cannot seem to keep a stiff arm when shooting!
That may not be something you need to worry about since most of you are not pianists. But a basic rule for everyone is: if you want to hit the target, you have to aim at it first. You would be surprised how many do not aim correctly—it’s all about sight alignment. But even that presupposes that one has the sense to aim at the target.
Unfortunately, many of us do not have that kind of sense when we attempt to become better people. An old saying goes, “Aim at nothing and that’s what you will hit every time.” We go around “trying to get better,” or “trying to do better,” but we will never be better till we can answer the question, “Better at what?” Unfortunately, that means we have to ditch the pride and actually list our faults—specifically, not generally. And when we mess up, we must be willing to acknowledge it.
I have heard this statement all my life, usually from people who have been Christians a long time: “If I have done anything wrong, then I’m sorry.” That’s supposed to be a confession? What that is, is someone who knows better than to claim perfection, but who thinks he has it anyway!
Here is my chore today: make a list of my faults and weaknesses--specific problems I have. It may be obvious things like lying, gossiping, drinking, or losing my temper. But it might also be things like being oversensitive, assuming the worst about people, holding a grudge and trying to get even—treating people the way they treat me. Whatever I list, pray about them, find some scriptures that deal with them, and meditate on those. At the end of the day, make an honest assessment of how I did and [probably] pray for forgiveness. Keep at it every day. Make a note of the particular circumstances that cause me to fail. When I see them beginning, get away if I can. If it is impossible, immediately slow down and think before every word or action. And always remember: The Lord is at hand [right next to me], Phil 4:5.
That is a lot to do, especially every day. But remember—the only way to hit a target is to aim at it. God bless us all as we try to become what He would have us be.
Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or evil. 2 Cor 5:9.10
Dene Ward
I also learned that even handguns, especially big handguns like Keith’s .45 magnum (think Matt Dillon) can have a kick. I haven’t dared try it because of my experience with his smaller .357 revolver. I am a pianist. Good pianists use their wrists like shock absorbers—they go down as you approach the keyboard and pull up the instant the key has been struck. That is what creates a smooth, warm tone rather than a harsh, jarring one. A loose wrist is a must for pianists, but is not good when you are shooting a big gun. For one thing, the recoil on a loose wrist hurts; for another you nearly give yourself a black eye with the barrel as it swings back at you. I simply cannot seem to keep a stiff arm when shooting!
That may not be something you need to worry about since most of you are not pianists. But a basic rule for everyone is: if you want to hit the target, you have to aim at it first. You would be surprised how many do not aim correctly—it’s all about sight alignment. But even that presupposes that one has the sense to aim at the target.
Unfortunately, many of us do not have that kind of sense when we attempt to become better people. An old saying goes, “Aim at nothing and that’s what you will hit every time.” We go around “trying to get better,” or “trying to do better,” but we will never be better till we can answer the question, “Better at what?” Unfortunately, that means we have to ditch the pride and actually list our faults—specifically, not generally. And when we mess up, we must be willing to acknowledge it.
I have heard this statement all my life, usually from people who have been Christians a long time: “If I have done anything wrong, then I’m sorry.” That’s supposed to be a confession? What that is, is someone who knows better than to claim perfection, but who thinks he has it anyway!
Here is my chore today: make a list of my faults and weaknesses--specific problems I have. It may be obvious things like lying, gossiping, drinking, or losing my temper. But it might also be things like being oversensitive, assuming the worst about people, holding a grudge and trying to get even—treating people the way they treat me. Whatever I list, pray about them, find some scriptures that deal with them, and meditate on those. At the end of the day, make an honest assessment of how I did and [probably] pray for forgiveness. Keep at it every day. Make a note of the particular circumstances that cause me to fail. When I see them beginning, get away if I can. If it is impossible, immediately slow down and think before every word or action. And always remember: The Lord is at hand [right next to me], Phil 4:5.
That is a lot to do, especially every day. But remember—the only way to hit a target is to aim at it. God bless us all as we try to become what He would have us be.
Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or evil. 2 Cor 5:9.10
Dene Ward
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