FROM THE PASTOR
JUNE 10, 2018
Over the last few years, I have discovered that my fingers don’t articulate as well as they used to and my eyes don’t see as well close-up as they once did. This means that tying knots in fishing line is often a time-consuming and frustrating process. So, to keep my frustration low, I tie the lures I anticipate I will use onto the rods I want to use while at home. It just makes the adventure more enjoyable. I call it preparation.
Being prepared to meet the challenges of any adventure is critical not only in how it affects our enjoyment level, but also how it affects our success. For a fisherman, being able to tie different knots is vital. If I’m fly fishing I tie the fly line to the backing line with a nail knot. When I tie the leader to the fly line I use a blood knot. When I tie the tippet to the leader I use a double surgeon’s knot. And when I tie the fly to the leader I use either an improved cinch knot or a trilene knot. And, while it may seem like a lot of knots, each one has two specific purposes. You don’t want the knot to fail and you do want a knot to have the maximum strength. And collectively they aide in accomplishing the main goal… CATCH FISH.
Same goes for ministry. Every aspect of every service is planned and prayed over. Yes, there are spontaneous moments… after all it is God’s service and He’s free and welcome to interject anytime He desires. Sometimes your Pastor gets his words twisted or a slide is missing or pair of cranes gawks through the window at us… that stuff ‘just happens’. But you should never doubt whether any part of any service is being God led. Like the variety of knots I use, every aspect of the service has two purposes… to provide you an opportunity to bring your worship and to exalt the one true living God.
Isaiah 46:9-10 (NASB)
9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';
Like different lines, we grow stronger when we’re tied together properly. There is a multiplicity of strength when we are united with others who love the Lord. The ability to tie all those knots does not happen overnight. It takes commitment. And to become proficient, you have to dedicate yourself to its purpose. Mark and I have both dedicated and committed ourselves to being used by God in the His weekly ministry celebration. We surrender ourselves to His leading. United we have strength. Have you dedicated yourself and united with others to bringing worthy worship to the only ONE worthy of that worship?
IF WE DO, GOD’S UNITY WILL STRENGTHEN US TO CATCH FISH!
Thank you for your faithfulness. Pastor Larry
