I enjoy the occasional fishing trip with my brothers. I have four older brothers and while they often fish with each other I am usually too far away to go with them. The times I have gone with them have been memorable. We all learned to fish with our dad who was an avid fisherman.
On one occasion four of us were fishing side by side in an icy stream trying to catch trout that had just been released upstream. There were many other fishermen there that day looking for the right spot and best lure to catch fish. If the lure we had on did not work we would step back away from the stream and tie on a different one.
My oldest brother, Charley, was fishing in between Ross and Jerry, and I was just downstream from them. Mike had found a place off to himself. Charley stepped back to try a different lure when a stranger walked up and started casting from Charley’s spot.
“Hello,” Charley said.
“Just trying to get closer to the water,” answered the stranger.
“I can help you get closer to the water,” replied Charley, as he stood up and stepped toward the stranger.
The stranger, with a startled look, did not answer, but picked up his tackle and walked away. I am sure he did not have a clue that the men standing on either side of him were all brothers. We stood there acting almost disinterested during the whole incident, but fully aware of what was going on.
Charley looked at Ross and Jerry and asked, “Why didn’t you say something?
They both started laughing and one of them said, “We were just waiting to see what you were going to do. Looks like you didn’t need our help.”
Sometimes we look at the stream in front of us. It may be the street that connects our house to others or the hallway that connects us at work. We know that Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. He wants us to tell the other people around us about him and invite them to come with us to hear his good news. So what is stopping us? Are we afraid? Do we feel alone in this stream?
There are brothers on either side of us too. Jesus promised we would never be alone. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” This is one of my favorite promises. No matter where I am he does not just show up when I need him. He camps around me all the time.
When I stand at the stream to fish for people I am surrounded by brothers on either side. There are other fisherman, Christian brothers and sisters, and God’s presence always there to encourage me.
Do not be afraid. Invite those around you to hear the good news.
Brother Robin
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Fruit Trees
When I was growing up there were always fruit trees in the yard. In the backyard there were apple, peach, pear, and cherry trees. At the far back of the yard we had a big garden with grape vines and plum trees on one side. In front there were cherry bushes that produced small but delicious red cherries at just the right height for me to grab a handful as I mowed the grass in the summer.
I always helped Dad with the pruning and the harvesting. I was small enough to climb high and toss the fruit down to waiting hands. We all helped put the fruit up in jars for canning. I enjoyed it so much that Joyce and I still pick and can fruit every summer. I now have blueberries, grapes, and raspberries I am nurturing for future enjoyment.
Producing fruit takes time, patience, and some skill at working the trees, bushes, and vines. Branches have to be pruned to make the fruit better. Good fruit does not happen by accident.
Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we do we can avoid the works of the flesh and will practice the fruit of the Spirit. In the middle of the discussion on the fruit of the Spirit he says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit we must also follow the Spirit.” (5:24-25, HCSB)
This direct connection between the fruit of the Spirit and crucifying the flesh reminds me of the pruning necessary for good fruit. When we seek and practice the fruit of the Spirit we are crucifying the flesh and its desires.
Fruit is made to carry the seed. God wrapped the seed inside a delicious fruit so we would eat the fruit and discard the seed and the result would be more fruit. The fruit of the Spirit works the same way. When the fruit of the Spirit is genuine it passes from us to those around us and they become bearers of the same fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, HCSB) Every single person bearing genuine Spiritual fruit can help us all bear fruit of the Spirit.
Bro. Robin
I always helped Dad with the pruning and the harvesting. I was small enough to climb high and toss the fruit down to waiting hands. We all helped put the fruit up in jars for canning. I enjoyed it so much that Joyce and I still pick and can fruit every summer. I now have blueberries, grapes, and raspberries I am nurturing for future enjoyment.
Producing fruit takes time, patience, and some skill at working the trees, bushes, and vines. Branches have to be pruned to make the fruit better. Good fruit does not happen by accident.
Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. When we do we can avoid the works of the flesh and will practice the fruit of the Spirit. In the middle of the discussion on the fruit of the Spirit he says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit we must also follow the Spirit.” (5:24-25, HCSB)
This direct connection between the fruit of the Spirit and crucifying the flesh reminds me of the pruning necessary for good fruit. When we seek and practice the fruit of the Spirit we are crucifying the flesh and its desires.
Fruit is made to carry the seed. God wrapped the seed inside a delicious fruit so we would eat the fruit and discard the seed and the result would be more fruit. The fruit of the Spirit works the same way. When the fruit of the Spirit is genuine it passes from us to those around us and they become bearers of the same fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22, HCSB) Every single person bearing genuine Spiritual fruit can help us all bear fruit of the Spirit.
Bro. Robin
One lane or the other
“Make up your mind, get in one lane or the other.”
Driving down the road I often find myself talking to the other drivers. I know they cannot hear me. And, it is probably a good thing they can’t. Like when I am on a wide four-lane highway and the car in front of me is on a Sunday drive.
We don’t do as much Sunday driving as we used to. That’s when we used to get out with the family and just drive around and look at the countryside. These days I still find myself referring to people who drive slow and watch the scenery more than the road as Sunday drivers. Going for a drive should be enjoyable but one must still pay attention to the road and be courteous to those around them.
There is a safety problem when a driver is not paying attention to the lanes. He is a danger to himself and to others around him when he cannot drive in one lane or the other. He can drift into another car or run off the road. Pay attention to the lanes and everyone is safer.
Paul told the Galatian Christians, “Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 HCSB) You have a choice. You can walk in the Spirit or you can walk in the flesh. You cannot do both at the same time. Get in one lane or the other.
If you walk in the flesh you will do all sorts of things that you know no one should do. You will be immoral, hateful, rebellious, selfish, divisive, envious, a drunk, and anything similar. (verses 19-21). You will chew on each other and spit each other out. A person who has no problem with that will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
If you walk in the Spirit you will love your neighbor as yourself and fulfill everything God requires of us. Not only that, but if you walk in the Spirit you will also avoid the dangers and pitfalls of walking in the flesh. Get in one lane or the other. Better yet, get in the right lane and walk in the Spirit.
Robin
Driving down the road I often find myself talking to the other drivers. I know they cannot hear me. And, it is probably a good thing they can’t. Like when I am on a wide four-lane highway and the car in front of me is on a Sunday drive.
We don’t do as much Sunday driving as we used to. That’s when we used to get out with the family and just drive around and look at the countryside. These days I still find myself referring to people who drive slow and watch the scenery more than the road as Sunday drivers. Going for a drive should be enjoyable but one must still pay attention to the road and be courteous to those around them.
There is a safety problem when a driver is not paying attention to the lanes. He is a danger to himself and to others around him when he cannot drive in one lane or the other. He can drift into another car or run off the road. Pay attention to the lanes and everyone is safer.
Paul told the Galatian Christians, “Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 HCSB) You have a choice. You can walk in the Spirit or you can walk in the flesh. You cannot do both at the same time. Get in one lane or the other.
If you walk in the flesh you will do all sorts of things that you know no one should do. You will be immoral, hateful, rebellious, selfish, divisive, envious, a drunk, and anything similar. (verses 19-21). You will chew on each other and spit each other out. A person who has no problem with that will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
If you walk in the Spirit you will love your neighbor as yourself and fulfill everything God requires of us. Not only that, but if you walk in the Spirit you will also avoid the dangers and pitfalls of walking in the flesh. Get in one lane or the other. Better yet, get in the right lane and walk in the Spirit.
Robin
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