Gone Fishing

I hope that  you have a hobby.  One of my hobbies is fishing.  Now, it is important that I note that there is a difference between fishing and catching.  Most of the time when I have a fishing rod and reel in my hand I am fishing.  How exciting it is when those times come around when I transition from fishing for fish to catching fish.

My Uncle Harold Dean Perry was the person that I believe taught me to love fishing when his family and our family had a travel trailer and we would go to Kerr Lake.  Uncle Harold Dean was patient and kind as he taught me as a young boy to put a worm on my hook and patiently  watch the cork until it began moving to pull in a fish.   There have been more fishing trips where I have not caught fish than those when I brought in a bountiful supply of fish.

We read in the scriptures that the first followers of Jesus were two sets of  fishing brothers Peter and Andrew, James and John.   I don't think it was a haphazard selection of Jesus that he chose these fisherman as his first disciples.   There are some things about fishing that are important attributes in being a follower of Jesus and having a good life.   To be a good fisherman, you must have a lot of patience. You wait, and then you wait some more.    I have not generally been a very patient person in life and in my faith journey.  Fishing has helped me be more patient.     It is also important in fishing to try to think like a fish.  While that worm or other bait on your hook may not look like a good meal to you, does it look like a tasty treat to the fish?    Look at things from someone else's viewpoint.   That is important not just in fishing, but in life.   Finally, every good  fisherman knows how to tell a story about the fish they caught or the fish that got away.   You have a story to tell too whether it be the story of what God has done in your life and what your life is about.  Perhaps I will see you fishing.  Have a joy-filled week.- Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   God, the son of God, Christ Jesus, called his disciples to be fishers of men and women.  Give me the patience of a fisherman in my relationship with others and my relationship with you and help me tell your story in deeds and words.  Amen.  

The American Patriot

I cannot really remember when I first had some idea what it was to be patriotic  as an American. Perhaps it was when I began to learn in school the pledge of allegiance and to be still when we said it or when as a boy I saw my Dad's brother, Colie Wall Jr.,  head off to serve in the United States Army.   Maybe it was in cub scouts when we learned the words to our National Anthem and  were taught to fold the flag into a nicely neat triangle shape.   Maybe it was that November day as a boy when I heard the mill whistle blow in the middle of the day and my Grandfather Wall told me it was Armistice Day, the day when World War I ended in the 11th month, on the 11th day, and at the 11th hour.

This week is one week when American patriotism seems to be everywhere as Independence Day parades pass by, flags are  flown, and  patriotic songs are played on the radio on stations that normally play another music genre.   I certainly would not argue that American patriotism is all of the above.   Yes, it is flag flying, patriotic music, and Independence Day parades.  Yes,  American patriotism is standing and saying the pledge of alleigance, serving in our armed forces, and singing the National Anthem.   However, I believe that American patriotism  is far more than that including the following:

--American patriotism is stating your beliefs even in the face of disgreement and doing it in a way that does not display a disagreeable spirit and allowing others to do the same
--American patriotism is affirming the right of people to worship in ways that are not your own and the right of people not to worship at all
--American patriotism is the ability to see a person of a different color, different national origin, or different beliefs as a fellow citizen
-- American patriotism is believing that it is right to help your fellow human being in need and using your money and action (or government money)  to do it

I am grateful to God for the priviledge to live in this country and be an American.   I am concerned about some of  the things I see being done and said  in the public arena in this country.  In the midst of whatever this 4th of July week is for you,  I invite you to give thanks to God for this country, pray for all its leaders, and consider what it means to be patriotic.   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:  Lord and God,   I give you thanks this week for the United States of America.  Bless its leaders to lead in wisdom  and compassion, justice and mercy.   Help us all to practice all that means to truly believe in God we trust;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   

A Bird Counselor??

As some reading this know,  I am not only an ordained pastor, but I am also a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina.      I went back to school after having been a pastor for several years believing that I could be a better pastor if I got more training in counseling.   I wound up not only getting my counseling degree, but my counseling licensure.   I have to renew my license every two years and am glad to have completed it again.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 500,000 mental health professionals in the United States.   Of course, there are some others (like clergy) who find themselves doing counseling in their duties.     I am grateful for those who do counseling.   I and members of my family certainly have benefeitted from their skills and their compassion.  

As some of you know, my home has a number of bird feeders.   We enjoy watching the birds as they come near.    Despite the fact there are many mental health professionals across this country,  I recently discovered in a google search that there are few, if any, bird counselors.   Now,  there are some counselors and mental health professionals who have Bird in their name.   There are also some articles written about bird psychology.     There are over half a million million mental health professionals in this country, but few (if any)  counselors for the birds.

I discovered the answer  (as I often do) in the words of the scriptures.  Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 6:25-27 where he says:   Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.   Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?   Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Perhaps I need to spend more time not just looking at the birds but seeking to be like them.   Let me end with this poem written by Elizabeth Cheney.   See below.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Randy Wall

Said the robin to the sparrow,

“I should really like to know,

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so.”

Said the sparrow to the robin,

“Friend I think that it must be,

That they have no Heavenly Father,

Such as cares for you and me.

It is Birthday Time

The months of May and June are filled with birthdays for our family.   During those 2 months,  Ann and I celebrate the birthdays for 3 children, her father, my father, her mother, her brother, my brother, her uncle, and one grandchild.    (There are so many that I frankly might be forgetting someone.)    There is one other birthday that we celebrate this time of year:  Ann's birthday.   While I will not  tell you how old she is, let me just say that her age this year is identical to the speed limit on some interstate  highways.

I  must confess that there are moments when I feel overwhelmed by all  the birthdays to celebrate during this short span of time as we plan for birthday gatherings, birthday cards, birthday gifts, and the like. However, there are more  times when I realize the joy and wonder of each and every person in our family who was born during May and June.   I can't imagine what life would be like without any of them as a part of my life.

Just a few weeks ago, we marvelled at the birth of Ezra Worth, our youngest grandchild  who was born on April 21.  On this day,  I marvel at the birth of all of the folks in our family who are born in the months of May and June.  To paraphrase Psalm 139:14, each of them are "fearfully and wonderfully made".     Thanks be to God for the gift of life.  Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor  Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  forgive us for the times that we fail to realize what a gift our life is and the lives of those around us.   Thank you for the gift of life, and for the new life that is ours in Christ;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.     

It's Not Working

I am sorry that I did not get a blog posted for last week.     The reason was not that I was too busy or on vacation.  It was simply that I am having some problems with my Microsoft Word software.   Unfortunately, the "cut and paste" function is not working correctly these days.      It seems like we are having a problem with a number of our technological gadgets lately around our house.   The GPS in my truck is not working because the GPS has a connection problem with the car charger.    My wife, Ann, is having problems with her laptop.   And then there is her cell phone that was run over by a car.  That  is a story in itself.

Sometimes, things do not work  correctly.  The car will not start or it does not run well.  The washer is broken...the  lawn mower will not run... the water in the sink will not drain.    Things are not the only things that do not work well sometimes.  Sometimes,   I do not work so well.     While the aches and pains of this body remind me that I am not working so well, too often it is more than just body function that does not work well.   Sometimes,  I do not work so well at this task of being a follower of Jesus.    James 2 tells me:   "faith without works is dead."   Sometimes, I am more talk than action when it comes to being a follower of Jesus.       Oh, to not just talk the talk of following Jesus, but to also walk the walk.       With the grace of God and the help of the Spirit, I am going to be working on being a better follower of Jesus.  In the meantime,    anyone know how to fix the "cut and paste" function in Microsoft Word or the name of a good, reasonably priced computer repair person?  Have a joy-filled week.   -   Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:     Gracious God,  forgive me for the times that I don't show the love of Christ that is in my heart.   Mold me and make me a better reflection of your love;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.