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A Daily Study of God's Word for Christian Sportsmen August
24, 2009
Today's Photograph.... My Friend Shell, A Seasoned Fisherman
(Marshall M)
Bible Study Verse
Luke 19:37-40
When he came near the place where the road goes down the
Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully
to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had
seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the
Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher,
rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones
will cry out." (NIV)
Thoughts
It was a truly an Alaskan experience; dip-netting for "Red"
salmon in the Kenai River. I, as an Alaskan resident, was
entitled to dip net 25 fish. There were plenty of other
Alaskans out that afternoon in their boats netting fish as
well. We call it combat fishing when there's that many
people all fishing in a small area. With that many boats and
people all in the same proximity it was easy to overhear
conversations from other boats as sound travels across the
water very easily.
While netting and hauling fish a boat off to our port side
kept us all entertained. There were two young fathers with
their three small sons netting and having a great time. The
boys were young about 4 or 5 yrs old. When one of their
fathers netted a fish they would squeal and yell
encouragement to their dads to bring the fish into the boat.
They were very loud and very excited! We were smiling and
enjoying their excitement. I remarked that I felt the same
way inside myself as we were bringing in our own fish. My
experienced friend Shell made a statement that really made
me stop and think. He said, "It's too bad as we become men
and get older that we have to stifle our emotions to become
mature."
(Marshall M)
Action Point
The followers of Jesus were so overcome with jubilation they
were shouting and singing praises to the Lord that the
religious leaders were complaining to Jesus. How many times
have we hooped and hollered at a ball game yet we sit
quietly in our seats as our chests leap with joy in the
presence of God.
It will not surprise me one day to hear the very furniture
in many a church shout in glory the name of Jesus because of
the lack of enthusiastic praise we sometimes give to the
Lord.
It took a great deal of "maturity" for me to realize that
sometimes it's okay to shout with joy to the Lord. I hope
you reach that level in your walk and when you're able, you
also can be loud and very excited when God moves in your
life.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
When attempting to cross a river, look for the shallowest
even section of riverbed. Do not attempt to cross if more
than knee deep and use a stick to balance and test the
depths. Keep your boots or shoes on for a better grip as you
wade across. Always shuttle sideways across at a right angle
with your back toward the opposite bank testing each step.
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