Devotion 5: Easter, and following

John 21:3 - 7
3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "Friends haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

One of my favorite versus in the entire Bible is John 21:3. Not necessarily because Peter was a fisherman, although that’s fun, but because of what happened after the fishing trip. If you’re a fisherman there have probably been times in your life when you “needed” to fish. You needed time to reflect, process bad news, heal from a hurt, recharge and regroup. Hopefully, time to pray.

Now, imagine you’re Peter – after the crucifixion. Peter had invested EVERYTHING in following Jesus. He had walked away from job, friends, family - all on a promise of something he felt when Jesus walked up to him and said, “come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). Three years later Jesus is dead. Then resurrected and visits the disciples. Then gone again…. Talk about a mind-bending experience. It’s no wonder that Peter returned to a place he felt comfortable. By returning to the water and going fishing Peter I imagine was trying to process everything that was going on by centering himself where he felt comfortable. For some of us that’s a church. For some a river. For Peter it was in a boat with friends doing what he knew.

They fish all night and catch nothing. Who of us hasn’t had a trip like that? But it can still be a good trip because it’s called fishing not catching. And besides, Peter was with two other disciples. They talked all night I’m sure, trying to understand all that was going on and what to do next. The sun comes up. They head to shore and then in the distance someone calls to them with some advice and surprisingly they take the advice and WHAM, catch a bunch of fish. And then, even more surprisingly, the stranger on the shore is recognized. And Peter – without hesitating, without looking back, without doubting, without even thinking jumped into the water to meet his master.

Happy Easter.

Devotion 4: My Small Price for Freedom

Isaiah 9: 8
8 The fishermen will groan and lament, all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who throw nets on the water will pine away.

OK, I couldn’t resist –it’s close to Tax Day here in the old U.S.A. and my annual tax payment is well within the loving arms of my Uncle Sam. And like all the other fishermen I know I’ve been groaning and lamenting since the first of the year as all the important tax documents show up in the mail. We groan on the stream and lament at the lunch table – but we still render unto Caesar what is Caesars - some years more than others (no new bamboo rod this year). But, what a great country – faults and all – where we can worship without fear whenever, where-ever we want. We can sing at the top of our lungs or sit reverently in silence in our churches without fear of arrest, persecution or even death. We can celebrate Easter and Christmas and get as silly as we want to. And we can do all this right out in the open. A lot of people paid high prices for our right to worship this way - people from the beginning of this nation to our soldiers today. And a lot of people across the earth are still paying high prices for their right to worship. The least I can do is write a check for my small portion of what it takes to keep the gears moving in this great old Nation of ours.

Maybe I didn’t need that new “Boo” as much as I thought.

Prayer: Lord - Help me be a great Christian citizen. Guide and protect our leaders and bless them with discernment each and every day. Also, please remember those across the earth that have to worship you in darkness and fear, bless and protect them.

Devotion 4: Long Fall, Longer Winter

James 1: 2-4
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do it's complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

It's been a while since I posted here. About the time I started this blog my wife of 30+ years was diagnosed with Horner's syndrome, which led to thyroid cancer and removal of her thyroid, which led to the discovery of breast cancer and a double-mastectomy, which led to her almost bleeding to death as the result of having some polyps removed to avoid colon cancer. During which my Daughter, Son-in-law and our two Grandchildren moved from about 10 miles from us to about a thousand miles away and my son graduated from college and is now employed. By the grace of God my wife is fine and our lives are returning to "almost normal". I honestly have been in awe of her strength and faith throughout this. Interestingly, I had seen her faith grow significantly over the past few years to a point now where I know of no one whose faith is stronger. It was almost as if God were preparing her for the trials she would face this past year.

But, now we go forward.