Tuesday, April 29, 2008

When Retirement is NOT Retirement!


Ken Caver, our man on the right, has had a special purpose, a Divine call on his life...for some time now. Pastors have to wait and listen for mutual confirmation; is God telling Ken what I think He is telling me? We rejoice that Ken is now officially retired from the Air Force. Thanks for serving in our military! We are also glad that He has accepted the call to be our Youth Pastor.

Ken may have retired from the Air Force, but he is far from retirement. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) God has plans and a purpose for his life that exceed his wildest dreams. And...he has a young family to keep him young at heart. Please pray for Ken, his family, and his ministry. You honor God by praying for Ken. You will be glad you did...as you are being blessed by his ministry!

Thanks Ken, may I say...Pastor Ken, for stepping up in faith. Welcome aboard. Pastor Al

Monday, April 7, 2008

Don't Get Caught by a Fisherman


Fishermen and fisherwomen are known for a lot of reasons. First, they are natural tellers of tall tales. Pictures are important when documenting the size of their catch. Avid anglers are noted for patience. Most people who fish have a sense of time and place, for when and where, their catch is located. They select their bait with uncanny wisdom. Never forget, those who fish...are born to catch!

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets." (Luke 5:1-2, NIV). This is the beginning narrative of a fishing story, about the greatest Fisherman who ever lived. Jesus was out catching disciples. A full one third of his twelve disciples were professional fishermen. Jesus would catch his world by surprise with a motley crew of anglers. Wouldn't it make sense to capture the qualities of those who fish, to grasp the hearts and minds of the people?

If you can catch fish...you can learn there is more game in the pond. "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." (Luke 5:10b-11, NIV). Fish? Men? What's the difference?
It could mean all the difference in the world. The disciples left their fishing business, to follow Him.

Jesus continues to hang around the waters edge, looking for anglers returning empty. Larry was one of those fishermen, caught by the Lord. Larry still sports on the water, but his eyes have been opened to fields beyond. The Kingdom of God has come to these waters...in the Person of Jesus the Christ.

Did I say, 'don't get caught by a fisherman?' If Jesus has transformed them into fishers of men, they are not just any old fisherman. They have been sent to you, by the Lord himself, because YOU are a worthy catch! Read the rest of this fish story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter five...it gets even better. Pastor Al