The fish that got away... twice

Not being much of a fisherman, I must share my only fishing story:

My dad and I hit Harwood Lake bright and early this morning.  Of the two of us, he's the fisherman.  I'm only occasionally along for the ride and might catch a fish or two depending on the day's luck.  After a period of no luck we moved around the lake trying to find a productive fishing hole.  We finally stumbled upon one and each caught a few blue gills and perch.  After just reeling one in and tossing it into the cooler I cast out to the same spot.  My bobber was gone in an instant and it was clear that the fish on the end of the line was no blue gill or perch from the way my fishing pole had nearly bent in half.  We both saw a quick glimmer of silver in the water and watched it disappear under the boat.  Snap!  My line broke and the bobber disappeared. 

Dad quickly went to work on the line and hooked up a new sinker, bobber, and hook.  We were back in business.  About a half an hour later, while keeping a watchful eye on my bobber and glancing occasionally at dad's, another bobber came into view about twenty feet from our boat.  I initially wondered if dad had tossed another line into the water, but then it became clear that this was my missing bobber.  I told dad about it and then it disappeared under the water.  I had flashbacks of the Jaws movie, where the huge shark announced it's presence with a reappearing buoy which had been hooked to it's mouth. 

The bobber reappeared near the same position, well out of reach from our anchored boat.  Dad suggested that he might be able to hook it with a treble hook.  We both knew it was a long shot, yet after about a dozen casts he hooked the bobber.  He quickly reeled the larceny suspect into the boat - hook, line, and sinker (bobber too).  The suspect was a decent sized bass, who happened to be an inch or two shy of the keeper measurement of 15''.  A mug shot was taken and the bobber thief was released with a verbal warning.

Thus the true story of two fisherman, two fishing poles, and the fish that got away twice.

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Upside-Downs

Where do you find the most welcome environment or the most welcoming people?

In contrast where do you find the most judgmental environment or the most judgmental people?

The other day several friends and I had gathered at a local tavern to show some kindness to some co-workers who just got laid-off. I found it a little strange to consider the welcoming environment in such a place. It occurred to me that the most welcoming places in our society should be places other than taverns. The places of the most intense atmosphere of welcome should be churches. Yet sadly we are all too familiar with the fact that this is not often the case.

The places that should hold out hope for welcome are the very places that most often offer only judgment. Our world is often upside-down. Like so many other bizzaro-world situations we encounter here, the way things should be is most often not the way things are. This is the inevitable result of sin: the downside-up turning of rightness.

Yet I remain filled with hope that one day all of the upside-downs of this world will be corrected. All the wrongs will be righted. And all the injustices will have their day in court with the One who is Infinitely Just.

Until then may we endeavor to flip over as many upside-downs as possible.

"No man has a right to be idol, there is so much misery to alleviate."
- William Wilberforce

Sufferings & Glory

Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

In November of 2008 I had an opportunity to share a message on the magnificent text of Romans 8:18 at FPBC.

When Paul speaks of suffering, he doesn't speak as one who has merely studied this theologically in some books. He speaks as an expert who experienced significant suffering. He speaks as an authority on the topic as he has endured suffering more intense than anybody I know.

His glory will be revealed to us:

His glory then will be unfaded, unveiled, unhindered, unsheathed, unleashed, before His people for all eternity. This will be heaven! This will be heaven: God's people glorifying God by enjoying His revelation of His magnificent and infinite glory for eternity. John Piper's great saying is true, "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him." God is most glorified in His people when His people are most satisfied in Him, and this will be the case for all eternity. God will be glorified as His people will be marvelously satisfied to delight in His magnificence for eternity without end.

Two Great Posts From the Blogosphere:

Gotta Be Careful

The President, the Passengers, and the Patience of God