Older in Years and Wisdom Teaching the Younger

Fishing Diary – Day 2. Maybe I skipped over Day 1 – that’s because half the day was driving to our destination in the rain and when we made it to our Lower Fork fishing hole -- it was pouring down rain the rest of the day. Still about three fish were caught, but we threw in the towel – rather we used the towel to dry off to get on with the birthday man’s celebration. In honor of his 20th in 2020, we ate our traditional fried gator, fried pickles, and the big finale was pizza and Nana’s Chocolate Cake, opening presents and playing the fun game of Chameleon!

Fishing Diary Day 2 – I woke up the crew at 5:45 because it was a clear, beautiful morning. I knew they would want to spend the entire day doing what they do best! And, yes, the fishing did not disappoint. We clearly have plenty of rainbow trout for tonight’s annual beer-battered fish fry.

What impressed me the most about this day was the inspiring moments of watching the older in wisdom and years training the younger the best techniques for trout-fishing and trout fileting. We have a couple of rookies on board with us – and it's a joy to see them learning from the pros (my kiddos). Then, I watched a dad with his young daughter (about 6 years old), after having caught about six trout, fileting his catch with her watching. He was showing her what was in the fish's tummy. She showed no girlie-girl yuck, but leaned in to hear everything her daddy was showing her. “Let’s see what’s in the fish’s tummy! See, he eats food that goes in his tummy like our food does.” I commended him and his little girl. He went on to say that he’s teaching his daughter that when others say “Girls can’t do that!” – she’ll know – oh, yes she can! Way to go, Dad!

I’m thinking that this training others is right at the heart of Jesus. He kept showing the disciples how to live out everything He was doing, showing them the right techniques, the wisdom and all they needed to ensure they were able to be the BEST fishers of men and women!

We all learned our best fishing skills years ago from Papa and he learned them from old fishermen. They were happy to tell their favorite fishing tips--the best spots to fish, what to fish with, (the best bait), how to hold the rod and reel that causes the fish to chase after the lure, and how to fillet and cook the fish. The older taught the younger. Now I’m watching Larry, Staci, Payton, and this wonderful father with his little girl, pass on wisdom!

Thinking back on those disciples who weren’t fishing as a sport or a fish-for-a-day fishing excursion. Fishing was what they had been doing to make a living. So, when Jesus came walking by the seaside and said to them, "Follow Me and I will show you how to fish for people", they followed. What an attraction Jesus had to those who wanted what he had. When the disciples followed Jesus' instructions (John 20:6), they caught so many fish that the net could not be brought in. That great catch of fish gave the disciples a foretaste of what God was going to do through them as “fishers of men.”

So, today, I’m carrying “fishing” to another level of training for you and me. Any wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and abilities that we may possess – especially as a follower of Christ -- shouldn’t we be the ones who demonstrate in actions and words to the younger in years and the younger in wisdom – the beauty of being a Christ-follower? Just imagine the possibilities of what God could do for us if we will faithfully follow Him! Are you ready to do some fishing? Grab your pole. Get your tackle ready. Set some priority time aside. Follow Jesus to the river and expect a great catch! “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

Just a Jesus Follower

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
-- The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1)

I was one of those non-conversational, shy, withdrawn, and lacking self-confidence, kind-of-girl. I had big faith, but little output. I kept my faith to myself. The main reason? The fear of rejection. Sure, I’d invite friends to church with me, but I’d leave the Jesus-talk to the minister. I knew the “Good News” of Jesus, but I was afraid to share it. I worried my friends would reject me because they thought I was a Jesus fanatic.

I overcame those fears when I got me out of my “first place” priority and moved God up to "Numero Uno"! That helped me understand my place in God’s family and allowed me to view the opinions of others with an eternal perspective. That eternal perspective of being a leader who others follow right on to eternity with me!

I’m quite in-your-face when it comes to my blogging. I know it. You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to impress you, but I do want to impress upon my followers that FIRST PLACE priority. My point isn’t to get more followers. I am just a follower of Jesus. I am just a gal who found out where the living water is and I am trying to share it with others. I am not the source of it, Jesus is. Follow Him.

I just want to write and to share out of the abundance of the life-giving water He gives me every day. I lean on the well and even hang out at the well. I try not to wander too far off from it. I know my track record and I don’t like the feeling of being so thirsty, lacking hope and joy, when I meander away from the well. I will tell you a secret. I don’t know all of the 4,193 friends on my Facebook page. And, all of them don’t really know me. I pray they are following me because they met Jesus face to face in something I blogged about. I am so thankful for that because it is the reason I began blogging in the first place.

It’s time to let God get the glory from what we do and what we say. It is so worthless to rant and rave about things that don't matter in the light of eternity. It is so worthwhile to spread the Good News that has a pay-off of eternal proportions. It’s time to Follow Him so He can say about us: “Hey, you know her/him. She/he started this blog/social media ministry, and now I HAVE ____ followers. Well done good and faithful servant.”

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) We are meant to catch them and teach them to follow Him not us. It is important to get the message out there, but it shouldn’t be our focus. He is our focus, and our message just keeps getting clearer and clearer!

The Older Teaching the Younger has its Rewards

The last several days, my family and I have been at Beavers Bend in Broken Bow, OK. We’ve had plenty to eat--all the cargo I brought with us and the best of all -- the trout meal we had last night from our big haul of fish. Beer-batter rainbow trout! One of the great rewards of our labors, rather Larry, Staci and Payton’s lab
Alexia and I are two free spirits: fish a little, take care of the meals, and capture lots of sweet moments in photos. We are fair-weather fisher-girls. The others--rain or shine--are after a haul. Patient, diligent, and unrelenting. There are so many things that inspire me on a trip like this. This time I was so impressed by how Larry was an amazing, tender-hearted image of what Jesus must have been like as he kept instructing the disciples in the way they should go.

We learned our best fishing skills years ago from Papa and he learned them from old fishermen. They were happy to tell their favorite fishing tips--the best spots to fish, what to fish with, (the best bait), how to hold the rod and reel that causes the fish to chase after the lure, and how to fillet and cook the fish. The older taught the younger. Now I’m watching Larry and Payton pass it on.

A single mom had her 13-year-old son here from Dallas, spent the night in their van, and was desperately wanting her son to catch at least one fish. He was rigged up for a bass (big hook and big lure). Larry not only told him how to best catch trout, he hooked his line up exactly the way to make it happen. Small hook and small power bait. Immediately he caught a small trout and then a larger one.

Yesterday, again, Larry was showing a man and his son how to rig up their lines. I saw Payton taking a young boy under his wing and showing him step-by-step what to do and how to do it. I can’t help but think about Jesus and His disciples and teaching them.

The fishing they did wasn’t a sport or a fish for a day fishing excursion. Fishing was what they had been trying to do, what they did for a living. So, when Jesus came walking by the seaside and said to them, follow Me and I will show you how to fish for people, why did they go with Him? The Bible doesn’t tell us but I just wonder......

Had the fishing been so lousy that day for Peter, Andrew, James and John that it was a no-brained to give up fishing and follow a man they had never met before? Maybe on this day their nets kept coming up empty, maybe the net-mending was especially monotonous, maybe the heat and humidity were almost unbearable. Were they looking for a good excuse to change occupations — from fishermen to anything-could-be-better-than- this! Had they heard reports about Jesus and His powerful ways enough to pull them away from their nets, their boat, and follow Him?

Why did Andrew, Peter, John and James follow Jesus that day? Did they have any idea that following Him would mean a radical change in their lives? Maybe they thought “Follow Me” simply meant “You deserve a break today.” Maybe they figured they deserved a holiday and tomorrow be back to fishing again. Surely, they couldn’t have guessed what lie I had for them — the excitement, the fun, the grief, and the joy of it all.

We don’t know why they followed Jesus. But we do know that immediately they left their nets and followed Him. To follow Jesus means that we cannot predict what that decision will lead to. Is Jesus calling you to leave your nets? Sometimes the call to follow Jesus Jesus is as loud and clear as a fire siren. Sometimes, His call is more like a still, small voice.

One thing the Bible makes clear is that the call of Christ is the same One who calls us is the strength, the resources, to follow. Maybe, after all, that was the decisive factor for the four fishermen who left their nets and their boats to follow Jesus. Maybe they sensed at some deep, unconscious level, that this was Someone who could be trusted; Someone who, if he asked much, would give even more.

When the disciples followed Jesus instructions (John 20:6), they caught so many fish that the net could not be brought in. That great catch of fish gave the disciples a foretaste of what God was going to do through them as “fishers of men.”

Just imagine the possibilities of what God could do for us if we will faithfully follow Him! Are you ready to do some fishing? Grab your pole. Get your tackle ready. Set some priority time aside. Follow Jesus to the river and expect a great catch! “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

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?

This Season May Be About "Ministry"

Following God's lead, looks like this for me for a few days (see photos). I’m here in Austin on a “ministry” call to see after my youngest grandson for a couple of days before his big brother gets home from camp up in Seattle, and then we’ll have Nana/Bryson/Brennan fun for a couple of days before their Mom and Dad get back home.

I don’t call it a “duty” call, because a “duty” call sounds like an obligation. A “ministry” call is an honor and an important mission to serve. I know that “ministry” typically has a vocational meaning (pastors, ministers, missionaries, priests, etc.). But out of all of our devotion to Christ and our love for others, He asked us to serve alongside Him. “Ministry" comes from the Greek word diakoneo, which means "to serve”. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry—He came, not to receive service, but to give it. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

We know, intuitively, that we are to love and serve. That’s what Mark 10:45 is all about. Jesus did not merely come as another prophet or teacher or philosopher. He came to do two things. One: to give His life as a ransom for many. And He came, secondly, to serve His disciples so that His disciples will serve others.

As a young Mom and wife, my early-on “ministry” was to tend to my family's needs, raising them up in a Godly and loving home. My family was my first “ministry”. “Ministry” was my mission for many years as I was the caregiver for my precious mother. She lived with us for many years, and after that, she lived in a Senior Apartment Complex where I visited and/or called her daily, took care of her in sickness and in health, and helped her make life decisions. “Ministry” was my mission when my precious husband became seriously ill and I was his 24/7 nurse and caregiver. I never assumed those roles as obligations or duties – it was a season of “following God’s lead” and responding with “Here am I. Send me. Use me.”

This present season has afforded me the rich rewards of serving and praying for my family -- supporting them and when asked, give my advice and wisdom. It’s also a season of loving and supporting my friends and others who need an encouraging word and even practical servitude. I find that Facebook is another area of “ministry” to be on the daily assignment of giving fresh words from God’s heart to mine, to yours. I don’t take my assignments or opportunities to serve, lightly. And, I don’t do what I do in my own strength because as I said yesterday and re-emphasize today….I’m following my LEADER. He leads. I follow. He serves. I serve. How about you?

Take Me Out to the Ball Game -- Follow Me!

Day 206 of Photo Inspirations – Take Me Out to the Ball Game - Follow ME
We started out with Little League Baseball games for three days last week, and last night it was a BIG League Game.  What started as an exciting, fun-filled night with my son and two youngest grandsons at the Seattle Mariners game, became an off-the-charts inspirational time of what it is to make a difference..er...CATCH A Difference..... in people’s lives.

At the 7th Inning Stretch we sang, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks”…..sure held true for us.  Eating and more eating is one of the highlights of the ballgame: fish and chips, corn dogs, peanuts, ice cream sundaes, hot dogs, popcorn – I sincerely felt like I was "storing up" for no tomorrow. LOL!  “Let me root, root, root for the home team” – and we rooted for the Mariners.  Though they lost the game and we wish them better the next time, it didn’t matter to us.  We were there for the fun, food, family and best of all – FRIEND!  That’s where this post becomes inspiring for my message today.

Ryan & Shawntel and our boys have dear friends and neighbors, Dave & Vicky Valle.  Vicky is a teacher, and all the kids in the neighborhood love to hang out at her house. She oozes with love and kid smarts, and the kids love her back.  And, Dave Valle is the broadcaster for the pre and postgame show on the Mariners’ radio network.  So, when Ryan got the text from the broadcasting booth during the game to come up and see him, we didn’t hesitate.  We were honored to get the birds-eye view of the stadium, the game in play, as well as meet the sports broadcasters. Then I got the REAL STORY about Dave.

Asking for a little interview, he gave me a brief run down of his story.  I found that at the age of 17, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and played for them for the next 17 years and continued on to play for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers and then retired from the game when his little 3-year old daughter asked "Daddy, are you EVER coming home?"  He did, and retired from baseball.  That's when the Mariners asked if he'd be interested in broadcasting -- and he was and that's what he does today.

But the CATCH-a-Difference-Dave told me about his heart for their Esperanza Ministry (Esperanza means "Hope" in Spanish).   While Dave was catching for the Mariners, he decided to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Like many North American baseball players before him, Dave didn't know exactly what to expect while playing outside of the U.S.  After his first game in the DR, Dave and Vicky walked out of the ball park and were immediately surrounded by eight or nine young children. At first he thought that they were gathering autographs for their collection. But instead, they were hungry and hoping that Dave and Vicky would give them food. The children were from the poverty-stricken communities near the ball park where houses were made of concrete or tin, without reliable electricity or running water.

Dave and Vicky were deeply troubled by the condition of the children. They spent many hours talking about the children and made a commitment that as soon as they were able, they would return to the DR to do whatever they could do to make a difference.  They eventually realized that helping mothers would have the most sustainable impact in a child's life. In 1995, Dave and Vicky founded Esperanza International as a response to their commitment.  They partner with churches to assist in providing funding for these mothers, putting in water wells and are providing other sources of training and helping them help their families.

Dave says:  "I think the reason why I've been so very blessed in my life, and I believe that when you're blessed, you should in return be a blessing for others.  At times it feels like throwing a rock into the ocean or trying to put out an inferno with a water pistol. But we came to the realization that if we could help one person, it would be worth doing and the answer was a resounding yes. Over the last 20 years, we've been able to help hundreds of thousands of people break out of the cycle of poverty, so it's very rewarding. Why is it important? I believe that in this life if you've been blessed and you have abundance, then that abundance is not just for you to keep but to be able to share and have an impact on others."

Seeing the heart and passion of Dave & Vicky for making a difference in this world paralleled the heart that our family has had for positively impacting individuals and families -- spiritually, physically and financially for so many years.  That’s why we believe that God placed us here at this time and this place for this season to do more to help those in need.

Yes, it’s a thrill to cheer and root for our favorite sports teams, but there is nothing to compare with partnering with ministries and outreaches that are changing our world for good.  I sincerely knew I was supposed to post this message today -- and the absolute deciding factor was when I, in my grandson's bed this morning -- looked up on his wall and saw this poster of Dave Valle that says "CATCH A Difference".  I know that poster is conveying that he was a record-breaking catcher for the Mariners -- but it was more profound for me that he CAUGHT the importance of being a DIFFERENCE MAKER in people's lives.  He heard “Follow me” and that’s what he has done to impact the world for good.  In all the efforts and desires we have for making a living…….it’s when we hear those words “Follow me”…..that we realize making a living is only part of the Master Plan.

It was a motley crew of 12 men that followed Jesus when He spoke those words to them.....and look at how they changed their world.  Imagine what we can do when we, too, truly follow Him.  Dave's scripture verse is Jeremiah 29:11....and it should be ours, too!  "For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future."