Matt 4:19

As I grew into this sport I wanted to know all I could; reading about the masters of fly fishing, learning from their wisdom, experience, following in their footsteps. Yet, even then something was missing, the peace and the passing of time I found fly fishing didn’t follow me into my day to day life. Somehow, somewhere, someone introduced me to a book about a man who taught some fishermen.

The title of this book is Basic Introduction Before Leaving Earth. Because I was a fisherman I wanted to learn all I could so I began searching for this book. Not finding anyone who knew about this book in the stores, I asked my friend Jim, who was a fisherman if he knew about it. He laughed and said he would send me a copy. He suggested I read what a Man named John had to say about this Teacher and the other fishermen he taught named Peter, Andrew, and James.

As I began reading this Book there was a reference to a tree planted by living water, and a lake of fire. Well, as a fly fisherman one certainly sounded like a better place to fish than the other. I read something else about this Man that asked some fishermen to follow Him and He would teach them to be fishers of men.

I remember my early days when I first picked up a fly rod and how difficult it was to figure this activity out on my own. So I gave it up for a while, then trying again, then giving up again. Finally, after several years I tried again but this time I went to someone who knew what they were doing. I followed Him around for several years learning more and more. One day He said He was leaving and we would not be able to fish here together any more. I asked were He was going, but He said I couldn’t go yet. Going to a place to catch those big salmon I thought.

So I began fishing alone, finding myself in many river situations I wasn’t sure about how to fish. But I remembered what my friend had taught me. Even so I was losing fly after fly across the river until one day I decided to go get that fly. I had more flies in my box but for some reason that “One” seemed special to me, so I went after it. It was tough going but when it was back into my fly box it felt good to me. I was sad when I couldn’t reach one to bring back no matter how hard I tried. Funny thing happened though, as I looked for that lost fly I began finding others, before I knew it my fly box was overflowing with new flies, old flies, some rough and tattered, and some broken.

One day I found this magnificent Tree by the river to have lunch and take a nap. When I woke up, there was my Teacher fishing with other friends of ours along a living river filled with fish. I asked where Wayne was, and my Friend said he went to fish the Lake of Fire.

Life Church

This is the Church my wife and I go to.

If you would like to go with us please give me a call. We would love to introduce you.