I'm a Fisher-Woman

When my Austin family asked what I wanted for my birthday, I didn’t hem-haw around like I usually do: “Your love is all the gift I want!” But this milestone year, I went in for the jugular: I asked for all 13 of us to be together!” And did they ever comply! Then they asked what the “grandchildren” could give me. Again, I didn’t hesitate. I asked for a “Fishers of Men” bracelet. My heart overflowed last year while at the Sea of Galilee. I was at the Sea of Galilee. I walked where Jesus walked and I was where Jesus called two brothers, Peter and Andrew, from their fishing business to follow Him and become "Fishers of Men".not just fishers of fish. (Matthew 4:18-20) “Fishers of Men” became a Christian term for those who desire to live their lives as devoted followers of Christ and who become "Fishers of Men", too.

I make many references to our family's love for fishing so I had several reasons for desiring that little bracelet: 1) It replicates the snap swivel used for tying the fishing line to the swivels; 2) It is commonly worn by those of us who have attended and served at an ACTS Retreat where “being fishers of men and women” is the underlying theme, and 3) It will continually remind me to strive to be a "fisher of men AND women".

A night of fishing and coming up with empty nets was a sad outcome for those fishermen, but that scene quickly changed when Jesus stepped up and saved the day for them. With His help they caught more fish than their nets could even hold. Peter and Andrew did as they were told; they cast their nets where Jesus directed them to and hauled in a boatload of fish. Their own natural ability wasn’t enough. They needed the Lord’s help to guide them, and with His help,.they caught a boatload!

That is the point for those of us who are passionate about being fishers of men, as well as being partners with God in our everyday walk of life. Sure God wants us to do our part and use the abilities He has given us to realize good outcomes for our efforts, but He also wants us to acknowledge our need for His help, even before we work really hard and come up empty. He wants us to call on him in whatever we are doing.

Maybe we’ve been striving for way too long to get the job done our way and on our own. What if we partnered up with God and took the time to consciously bring Him into our plans at our jobs, in our homes, and in our world? For example, if the children are acting up, ask Him for strength, grace, and patience. If facing a challenging issue at work, ask Him to inspire you and give you wisdom. We can trust that, indeed, “all things are possible” when we rely on Him. And, when we rely on Him, just imagine the boatload of wisdom, understanding, ideas, witty inventions, words to say to someone to encourage them, and everything else He gives us to have a boatload-of-blessing.

I plan on wearing my "Fishers of Men" bracelet every chance I get to remind me of His "call" to follow Him, and to purposely stretch out my faith "net" with this daily post to catch as many of those who are weary, hurting and longing for hope and rescue, and introduce them to the greatest Fisherman of them all. After all – He is right here on my fishing “boat” with me! What does YOUR "fishing" net look like?

Cleaning Up -- Cleaning Out -- Cleaning In

It's TOTAL Clean-Up, Clean-Out, Clean-In Time!

Last week I posted about "cleaning up" -- closets, cabinets, clothes, etc. And, I'm quite pleased to say "I conquered!" Yesterday, however, I took it another step. I realized how much time I was spending going through my emails each day. Valuable time being consumed by advertisements, alerts, and even, in my effort to consume as much "Good News" as possible each day, I had devotions and motivations "overload" coming in daily.

It wasn't just the emails that consumed precious time, but often the advertisements would entice me to go to that store for their sale or go shopping on their website. So, more precious time was given to "wants" not "needs" in my life. So, I purged and cleaned out. I "unsubscribed" well over 40 or 50 stores, businesses, news and not needed daily emails. There was one store that I really liked and was even tempted to go by there today, when once again that still small voice said...."PURGE". I did.

There were also some unproductive activities that were taking my valuable time -- time away for those meaningful activities that I needed to pursue. No longer do I have computer games showing up in my news feed, because once upon a time, I'd have to check them out, and if I found one that was challenging and fun, I'd play, and before long, I realized I was hooked.

Long ago there were some TV shows that I recorded that weren't so optimistic and peace-building and I removed them -- those shows that contained immorality, violence, crude language, etc. I'm so glad I did. I even removed those political talk shows that just went on and on in negativity and slamming someone for their convictions. Proverbs 23:7 says "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." I sure don't want to be thinking those thoughts.

Yes, I know I'm starting to sound like "Miss Goody 2 Shoes" and that's not my intent. My intent is to be a fully devoted follower of Christ and in order to do and be that, it means my choices must align with His desires and best wishes for me. "What Would Jesus Do?" certainly provides the benchmark for me. I suspect that maybe you're also feeling some nudges to clean "house" -- the spirit "house" within us. Clean in.

Proverbs 4:20-23 "My son, give attention to My words; Incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. KEEP YOUR HEART with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."

Marked & Branded in Baptism

Day 40 of Photo Inspirations -- Baptism Weekend
Over 150 people were baptized at the LifeChurch.tv Jenks Campus​ this weekend. There are few things as significant and inspiring as witnessing precious people expressing their faith in Christ by being baptized.   They've  put the past behind them and they openly confessed they're brand new, clean, forgiven and living in the "Jesus" camp now.   Being a follower of Christ has so many benefits --  acceptance into the family of God, limitless love, God's unmerited favor, grace, forgiveness of sins and purpose in life.

It's quite humbling to get into the water in front of everyone. There's a huge pool that is set up at the front of the auditorum.  Those being baptized climb a ladder and descend down the other side into the water of the pool.  A huge crowd of people are witnessing this beautiful act and are enthusiastically cheering them on.   We're identified with Christ, and just like He was baptized to identify with us, we're baptized to identify with Him. He was buried and rose again, and guess what? We get buried under the water and we rise again. This baptism experience is our way of publicly witnessing our faith in Christ, being forgiven of sin and expressing our willingness to be a fully devoted follower of Christ.  

When Jesus was baptized, He came out of the water, (Matthew  3:16-18), the heavens suddenly opened for Him, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and came down on Him. And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!"   And, for all those 150 who were baptized this weekend at LifeChurch.tv Jenks -- they received God's "stamp of approval" and God was more than likely saying about each one...."This is my beloved son. This is my beloved daughter.  I take delight in in them!"  

I'm so thrilled that I received that stamp of approval, myself, many years ago and it is my greatest defense against the enemy when He tries to tell me I'm unworthy or not forgiven, or not loved.  Too bad for him -- I've been MARKED & BRANDED with that "stamp of approval"!  How about you?