Punking out?

September 25, 2020 – Click here to listen

I’ve had my boat in storage now for several months, but today I pick her up. I will load up all my equipment over the weekend and prepare for the drive by water to the Florida Keys. It is a beautiful drive from Jupiter down the east coast, especially the Miami Ft. Lauderdale beaches and on down to the keys.

I look forward to moving back down there where fish are teeming, and every day feels like being on vacation. One of the last things I did before leaving the keys was to write my book, Miracle on Luckie Street, and I’m hoping to make some progress on a couple of new books I’m writing over the next few months.

I don’t know why it is, but I feel far more creative down there. When I’m not fishing or snorkeling for lobsters, I like to play my guitar, paint, write, and photograph the beautiful surroundings and wildlife. The sun and moon rising views appearing over the ocean are awesome and the sunsets are fabulous.

As I read the Bible daily, I cannot help but notice the emphasis on the sea and fishing in the Bible. Indeed four of the Disciples of Jesus were fishermen. Additionally the Christian fish symbol is one of the most universal symbols of Christianity. Apart from the cross, the fish symbol is probably the most recognizable symbol of faith. It is found on cars, Bible covers, tattoos, and more. The link between Christ and the fish symbol can be traced back to a Greek acronym for the phrase Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.

My wife is very understanding of my passion for being out on the ocean and spending many days fishing. It is not an inexpensive hobby with the cost of fuel, boats, tackle, and various gear, but she doesn’t gripe about it.

Some of my friends and acquaintances don’t fare so well. My suggestion for those of you who are Christians is to tell your spouse that you are just trying to draw closer to Jesus.

The idea behind fishing is to know the fish you are looking for and attract it so you can make the catch. To catch a fish we must know what equipment to use, the habitat and depth of the water we are fishing in, as well as the kind of bait the fish will go after. After we understand everything we need for real fishing, then how do we relate that to being fishers of men? Jesus said to Simon and Andrew “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.” I want to be a fisher of men too.

God asks us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18). Just as we need equipment to be fishermen, we need equipment to be fishers of men. Putting on the armor of God is one way to be ready at all times with everything we need (Ephesians 6:10). Being out on the ocean helps me to think on these matters and of course studying my Bible makes it clear as the crystal clear water of the Keys. Peter said: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect . . . “

 I hope to be back in my ocean church soon.

Some might think I’m “punking” out on trying to do my part to save the nation. I intend to vote for Donald Trump, and I pray for him daily, but I leave it to other younger, more energetic and fiery folks to sort out the nasty election, the lying media, and the spiraling moral decline of our nation. As for me I believe the Lord has told me to forego all of that and in essence throw the net on the other side. So I guess I’ll just write WFTD and otherwise shut up and fish!

Gen. 1:21

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.