I Am Going Fishing - 12th Annual

One of my son's favorite singers was Randy Travis. And one of his favorite songs by Randy was Keep Your Lure In The Water. I still have a vivid picture in my mind of Gary sitting in his boat, working on his lures and singing that song.

After Gary passed away, my sister put a CD together with his favorite songs and wrote on the top of the CD, "Gary's Mix." I love listening to his favorite songs. Three of these songs were played at his funeral because I knew he would want that. Recently, as I was listening to the Randy Travis song, I thought about its meaning.

When Jesus first called the disciples in Luke 5, they had been fishing all night and hadn't caught a thing. Jesus tells them to launch out into deep water. Peter follows the instructions and they caught so many fish their nets started to break and boats started to sink! Peter recognized the great miracle and fell at Jesus knees. Then Jesus tells them, "From now on you will catch men." Fishers of men.

They followed Jesus and made their life with Him. Now Jesus has been arrested, crucified and risen from the dead and had already appeared to His disciples. But where was the Lord now? What do they do next? Peter was uncertain of what to do, so he does what he does best and says "I am going fishing." And some of the disciples go with him. (John 21).

They caught nothing! How boring to fish all night without even a bite! If you're in a tournament, this will cause you to lose heart of winning. It's very tiring too. At least if you're catching fish the adrenaline is pumping. But sometimes it's just disappointing.

Peter was used to catching lots of fish. This night I'm sure he wondered if there were any fish left in the lake. Not. Even. A. Bite.

Life can be like this. All is going well, (catching lots of fish), then, the bottom drops out and disappointment after disappointment floods us, for whatever reason. And there seems like no hope, (not even a bite).

Don't give up. Peter fished all night and nothing, but he was still out in the lake fishing when Someone from the bank yells - "Are they Biting? Have you caught anything?"

And the answer was …….NO.

Then comes a reply, "Fish on the right side of the boat."  What?? Are you serious???

Life, and especially right now, can be so hard to understand. Confusion is everywhere. We can't even have a normal fishing tournament because of all the turmoil!

For some reason, Peter and the others turned to fish from the right side of their boat. Why did they choose to follow advice of Someone, at this point, they didn't even recognize? Maybe they were willing to change their method. Try another lure. Remembering what happened before with the miraculous catch. They didn't know it was Jesus giving the instruction. They were not so stubborn and set in their ways that they couldn't listen to advice. Sometimes good instruction from God comes in unexpected ways.

And they caught so many fish they couldn't haul them in!

Now they recognize that it is Jesus. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims as fast and hard as he can to get to Him. Jesus has breakfast ready. I find this interesting and comforting to know that God cares about things that concern us. Even the small things, like catching fish, using the right lure, preparing breakfast for them because He knew they were hungry and tired. It's not just the major life events and issues God cares about. When we realize how much Jesus loves us and is concerned about us more than anyone else, we throw off all that keeps us from Him so we can quickly get to where He is. And when we get to Him, He provides nourishment for our body and souls.

One of the things I love about this true story is that the Bible is accurate. It tells us exactly how many fish were caught  -  153.

This Scripture ends with Jesus giving Peter restoration and with that came instructions......feed My sheep. As the song goes, "From now on you're a fisher of men....There are souls to be caught everywhere in this old world......Go where hearts are plenty, don't just drift with the tide, Keep your lure in the water, in the waters of life."

Jesus wants us to be fishers of people. He wants us to use the right lure, (Himself and His Word), and to keep it in the water, (Living Water of Jesus Christ). To keep on keeping on in times like these, "When the sea is troubled and it's hard to stay afloat." To not give up or give in but stay connected, (hooked), to Him.

Keep Your Lure In The Living Waters of Jesus Christ.

Going Fishing!

For Friends in Affliction

Afflicted: - grievously affected or troubled, mentally or physically;
                 - to cause pain or suffering 
                 - to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish

"It was good for me to be afflicted." (Psalm 119:71)

WHAT??

"He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light." (Lamentations 3:2)

WHAT??

Why would God allow such horrors and heartache to come into our life?
I asked this question many times after losing my son. I could not wrap my mind and heart around a good God allowing so much pain and anguish.

Although the Bible does not say who wrote Psalms 119, most Scholars agree it was David, who composed it throughout his life.
Lamentations was written by Jeremiah and is the book of mourning and grief over the conquest of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. If you read Lamentations in its entirety, it will cause your heart to hurt and bring you to tears over the horrific and tragic things that took place.  Things that I can't even imagine.

So back to the question of why (and it's okay to ask why), that God would actually lead us into a dark place? The answer comes in the second half of the verse from Psalm 119; "so that I might learn Your decrees."
So that I may cry out to Jesus for help.
So that I will pour out my heart for His strength and endurance
So that I may know my Creator

It's good to be in the dark if it's by the Lord's leading because it has purpose. It's at the bottom place, dark and desolate place, where we find the Rock to climb up to. Then we start making our way back up. This is the place where hope is rekindled.

Affliction is a teacher if we allow affliction to grow us and make us better. Sadly, many choose the path of anger, bitterness, depression, cynicism, etc and turn their backs on the only One who can truly help and identify with us. Yes, Identify. Jesus was a "man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering." He was afflicted for us. (Isaiah 53)

He knows pain, heartache, loss and anguish.

Sometimes all we can do is be still and wait. Be still and seek. Be still and know that He is God.
That's hard for us today in our fast pace society with so much to do. But God is worth the wait.
He is worth the time to seek. You will never regret this.

After Jeremiah grieves, mourns, cries out and asked God where He is and why He hasn't shown up, he makes this statement: "Yet".....I like this word. This word in itself is saying, "hold on! There's something more!" It means, Nevertheless; However. "Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

Not consumed with affliction. Not destroyed. Not devoured. Not depleted.
Because there's something more! Hope in Jesus. He is faithful. Always. This is why we can't stay in the dark place. We must start making our way back up while clinging to the Rock.

Keep enduring. The word enduring means, abiding, continuing. The only way we can do this in a spiritually healthy way is to endure with Jesus. "Endurance inspired by hope." (1 Thess. 1:3)

Our afflictions won't last forever. In fact, they are nearly over. This life is the shortest part of eternity. We have so much to look forward to. 

Keep on keeping on my friend in affliction!

Perspective. Sometimes I lose it. Nothing has ever put life in perspective as death. The death of my son.

During this time of so much confusion over a virus that is real and has claimed many lives, there is still chaos over what we should or shouldn't do, wear or not wear, go or not go, close down or not close down, be scared, worried and fearful or not...…. Perspective comes knocking at my door.

I don't think anything will ever affect me the way the loss of my child has. Lessons I've learned from that experience actually help me now during this time of confusion. Lessons in worry, fearfulness, and the unknown future.

Every time I lose perspective, God sees that I get it back pretty quickly. This morning spending time with Him helped me see once again.

Today is was a song; an orange tiger lily (my son's favorite); watching a mother bird care for her babies, and reminding me that God takes care of them, so how much more will He take care of me.

Already, today, these things.

In times such as these where we don't understand all that's going on, and whether there is an agenda, motives, manipulation, fight for power and authority, wealth and rule, this is what I know:
God is in control of it all. He allows and disallows. Whatever is really going on, I can rest in the fact that my God is Omniscient. He knows exactly, who, what, why, where, how and when and He watches over me, holding me, caring for me.

 Nothing escapes Him. Nothing.

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD" (Proverbs 21:30).
He has no rival. He has no equal.
He is Sovereign King of the universe.

I don't know what will become of all that is going on, but I am not afraid or anxious anymore.

Perspective came knocking.

Year 11

Today is the 11th year of my son's passing. My heart is full, but I have no words.
I sit and think and think and think some more.
I think about God, life, death, viruses, job loss, the hurting, the broken, the sick and my son.
My mind and heart are like a game of scrabble all mixed up.
I long.
I hurt.
I love.
I pray.
I had a blog; I had two. But, no. Not today.

This is what I know:
Jesus
Jesus is enough
Jesus is everything
Jesus came to die
Jesus rose from the grave
Jesus lives
Jesus loves
Jesus is the answer
Jesus is our only hope
Jesus

A Christmas Poem

Twas the night of Christmas when all through the town,
people were stirring, they had come from all around.
The census was being taken with much care.
Hundreds came to be counted and my family was there.


The children were comfortable, all snug in their beds,
after traveling far, now warm and well fed.
Dad and I in weariness, not feeling our best,
settled down now for a good nights rest.


When up on the roof there came such a clatter,
I jumped from the bed to see what was the matter.
Up the stairs I went as in a race,
and came to the roof and wide open space.


The moon seemed blurred by a brighter light.
I looked around and beheld the sight.
When what to my startling eyes should appear,
but a star, so bright, so big and so very near!


With people now crowding around to see,
everyone was saying, how can this be?
Now from out in the fields, the shepherds came,
whistling and shouting, calling their sheep by name.


Now Wooly, Curley, now Henry and Sadie!
Over here Chloe and Bell and Little Lady!
To the top of the hill and to the sheep stall,
now hurry on, hurry on, hurry on you all!


As the clear night sky gave the star a great glow,
the angels told the shepherds what they needed to know.
So off they went with their flocks in tow,
giving God the glory to bestow.


And then in a twinkling I heard someone say,
follow the shepherds, they know the way.
As my family drew near and looked inside,
I saw a woman holding a baby by her side.


He was wrapped all in cloths from His head to His toes,
and He was sleeping; His eyes were closed.
There were animals hovering all around.
It was strange, they weren't making a sound.


His mother's eyes, how they sparkled, her smile was so kind.
Everyone came close, she didn't seem to mind.
Her husband was watching as we all stood there,
ever thoughtful and gracious showing much care.


There was something wonderful happening here,
and we all found ourselves wiping a tear.
This was the Child, who was sent from above,
to help us, to heal us and save us with love.


It is a Christmas miracle, not just a story,
that Jesus left heaven and gave up His glory.
He came into this world through the lowliest door,
so we could be redeemed and completely restored.


But have we the wonder lost,
removed Christ from Christmas? At what cost?
We are in a hurry. Too busy. Indifferent, don't care.
And we think life has treated us unfair!


When the final page has been turned,
I wonder if by then we will have learned,
that when it is all said and done,
Jesus is all that matters, He is the only One!

Intermingle / Interdependence

A few years ago I wrote a blog sharing my thoughts about feeling alone over the holidays and how I managed through them. The grief from losing a loved one brings such a loneliness to our lives. We will always have that sense that someone is missing and especially feel that when our families are together. But the loss of a loved one is not the only loss we find ourselves in. Perhaps it is the loss of a marriage, a career, or ones health. Whatever the circumstance, I want you to know, you are not alone. "God makes a home for the lonely" says Psalms 68:6.


In my last book, Great-Hearted, the very first chapter is entitled, "You Are Not Alone." This is usually the first thing we want to know when afflicted with grief and loss. Does someone understand me? Although grief is personal to each individual, there are others who have suffered before you and can relate and help you in the journey. Ultimately, God is our "ever present help in trouble" and understands us more than any human can possibly understand. However, we need each other. Ecclesiastes says "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help."


I wanted to intermingle dealing with grief over the holidays with the interdependence of family and friends. However, interdependence isn't just for the holidays... it is needed for all of life.


I'm so thankful for my own family. They have been a source of strength whether they realized it or not. Just knowing I could call on them at any moment is a comfort. This year we have a little new addition that we are absolutely crazy in-love with. Ed and I are honored that he is named after our son. The holidays have an extra blessing this year because of this little life.


 Richness isn't  having an unending supply of money and possessions but in the comradeship of good friends to which we are blessed with many.


Then we have our church family. I personally know from experience how enriched my life is because of a church family. They have helped in our grief in so many ways. There's a group of ladies I meet with every week. We've all studied the same Scripture on our own during the week, then we meet together and talk about what we learned. I have gained so much knowledge and wisdom from these gals. We hold each other accountable. We minister to each other. We pray for one another. We cry together. We've all had difficult times and some are going through hard times now. One of our books we've studied is Colossians where we found this verse, "I want you to know how much I am struggling for you ....that (you) may be encouraged in heart and unified in love." This is compassion in action. I have gained strength and comfort from my supportive group of ladies. I call them "mine" because that's how affectionate I feel toward them. We need each other in good times and in hard times.


God did not create us to live in isolation, even though sometimes in grief that's what we want to do. From the beginning, God said it wasn't good for man to be alone.






In my book, I wrote in the first chapter, "Although my family and friends were comforting and helpful and would have done anything for me, I had to learn to rely on God and the strength and peace only He could bring me." The Christ of Christmas is truly the only hope for our world and our lives. His peace is a gift and once you've experienced that, you will know you are never alone.

The Holidays and Life

The holidays and end of year is upon us. This has been an unusual year for our family. We've had some glorious times. However, this has also been a very difficult and challenging year as well.


Life can be glorious. Life can be hard. I think of our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without our son. They say the firsts are always the hardest, but I would question that. I recall Thanksgiving the second year as being almost too much to bear. This will be our eleventh season without our son.


This morning I was reading Psalm 84. "How blessed are those who make Your house their home, who live with You; they are constantly praising You. Blessed are those who make You their strength, tor they treasure every step of the journey (to Zion). On their way through the valley of Baca (weeping) they stop and dig wells to collect the refreshing spring water, and the early rains fill the pools. They journey from place to place, gaining strength along the way; until they meet God in Zion."


Did you notice how blessed one is whose strength is drawn from the Lord, who dwell with Him, who walk through the valley (not around it, through it)? They are the ones who find refreshment. Refreshment: "The process of being rested and regaining strength or energy." It doesn't just happen. We must dwell with the Lord.


The valley of weeping is that place of anguish, loneliness, heartache, loss, that we experience as we go through this pilgrimage of life. Some seasons are harder than others and completely exhausts us to walk through them.


I want to encourage your heart as one who has walked and is walking and will continue, Lord willing, to walk through the valley, to keep walking!


Those verses promise the blessing of strength when we remain in fellowship with our Lord. Draw from His well. How do we do that? Stay in His Word - keep reading it. Pour out your heart to Him.  Listen: Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He knows your pain, your heartache.


Our difficult days will find fresh springs of living, life giving water through Jesus. The first part of this chapter talks of yearning, even fainting and crying out for the living God. Desperation should lead us to the living God. Also, when you are in the difficult valley, don't waste it. Use it. Help someone else going through a difficulty. They need encouragement and comfort too.


Let me encourage you today through the words of Scripture. God is your Strength, your Refuge, your Helper through the holidays and in the year to come. Whatever it may bring, "Blessed is the one who trusts in You: (Psalm 84:12)