The Fish Philosophy

Jesus said to them: “Come with Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him.  Mark 1:17

During a visit with my son’s family last fall, I had occasion to attend a special activity at the elementary school where three of my grandchildren attend. While there, I met a sixth grade teacher who had a wonderful rapport with her students. When I asked her secret, she replied, “Oh, it’s simple really. I just follow the ‘fish philosophy.’”  “What,” I asked, “is the ‘fish philosophy’?” She explained, “I teach my students to make their work fun, to help others where they can; and then, no matter what happens, to just keep swimming.” As I listened to her explanation, I thought how her fish philosophy echoes our Christian way of life. Jesus made learning fun by telling interesting stories. We call these stories parables. He helped where He could, and He called other people to help by becoming “fishers of men.” We call this discipleship.  When Jesus was faced with scourging and crucifixion, He just kept going toward the goal of saving us from our sins. We call this Christianity.

Make learning fun, help others where you can, and no matter what happens, just keep swimming. I think Christians and followers of the “fish philosophy” have a great deal in common. Don’t you?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the life and teaching of your Son, Jesus the Christ.  Please forgive us when we fail for we are still learning how to find joy in our daily lives, how to be Jesus’ disciples, and how to keep on trying no matter what happens.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen. 

Judy Welch (reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

Wisdom

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the  purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21

This spring marks five years since I completed graduate school. It feels like just yesterday I was spending hours every week pouring over text books, writing papers and finishing class projects. In those five years I have come to learn (sometimes the hard way) that it is good to ask for directions from those who have been down the path before you. As a project manager, I am responsible for working with a team to determine what work will be done, develop a plan to complete the work, and then carry out the plan and introduce the new technology. There are important lessons learned on each project and this is a job that definitely teaches a team about the dangers of making assumptions.  Sometimes during a meeting I know that the team will be annoyed or frustrated because I will ask the same question in different ways, but this is part of the wisdom that has been shared with me by my peers. From time to time, we work on plans and think that we have come up with a foolproof way to make something work, only to have it fall apart in testing. 

I always think that the second part of this verse matches with the often seen sign, “We plan, God laughs”. I know that is meant to be tongue in cheek, but there are so many times that we plan and plan because we want something to be perfect. Sometimes we are close to what God has planned for us, other times, he needs to share his wisdom to get us back on the right path, still other times we are completely off course and God lets us learn a lesson so that next time we won’t make the same mistakes. These lessons, give us wisdom to carry forward on our own to accept instruction and also helps us to share our experience with others.  While we don’t want to “wallow” in the past, it is good to know what we won’t do again and to have a plan to repeat things that have been successful.

As I was writing this devotion I reflected on the lessons I have learned throughout life and the times that I refused direction and wisdom and insisted on forging my own path. While I have certainly learned a lot, I have grown to have a lot more respect for wisdom and guidance and the need to slow down and pay attention in moments where my plan and God’s plan are not aligned.

Prayer: God who has guided us in all our lessons, help us to know when to ask for advice and wisdom, when to recognize that a lesson has been learned and to place value on those things that work well and are worth repeating.    

Christi Moock

Ceaseless Prayer

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:14–18

The Ceaseless app, recommended by a co-worker, is an app for prayer. Each day, it offers beautiful landscape photography and scripture, and randomly chooses three people from one's phone contacts for whom to pray. You can add notes to each profile, so that each time the app rolls around to that profile/person (it’s a rotation of three people per day), you can either see how you’ve prayed for them in the past, or add to the notes.

I like the choice of the word “Ceaseless” in creating the app. One commentary on the above verse says that to “pray without ceasing” means that we are ever present with God throughout the entire day. Ever present, calling on Him to guide and direct us through our daily tasks. Being aware of our actions, and how we can be God’s representatives here on earth. In the case of this particular app, I think we can include others in those “ceaseless” prayers…maybe taking the focus off our own concerns for a brief time. The definition of “others” in this instance: those we are close to, and those we only come into contact with briefly. I have many phone contacts that aren’t people that I’m currently connected to, like my children’s high school friends, brides/mothers of brides whose weddings I’ve photographed, etc. So occasionally when a name pops up in the app, I’m reminded of a memory with that person who may not be a part of my current life.

I like this idea. It makes me aware that we all touch each other during seasons in our lives, and then perhaps lose touch…but we are all in need of prayer, and are all connected as children of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to connect to others and to connect to You through prayer. Remind me that to pray ceaselessly means to walk with You, every day. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Listen, Understand and Respond

My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.  Matthew 26:38

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples for support and comfort. Unfortunately, they did not understand and went to sleep. When they awoke, Judas had arrived, and it was too late.

Many times in our life, our family and friends ask for our support and understanding. We should always be careful to hear those requests, and act upon them when possible. Pleas for help and understanding are not always 100 percent clear, and it may take some reading between the lines to hear and understand what our friends or loved ones are trying to tell us. In short, we need to listen, understand and attempt to help before it is too late. 

Prayer: Lord, help us be responsive to the needs of those around us.  Amen. 

Andrew Loudon (Reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

God Values You

If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?  And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.  When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found.  In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!  Luke 15:4-7

I am fond of Jesus’ parables. The parables are wonderful stories for faith building, and especially for children. Most of the time I view the world through children and their faith development. This is why I chose this Bible selection.  This parable tells about a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for a lost one (one who strayed away). He knew that the lost one was in danger. Each sheep is of high value, just as each of us is of high value and loved by God.  When the shepherd found the sheep, he carried it home. In the same way, God rejoices when any of us are lost (strayed away) and wee return to God. Each one of us is to be that shepherd and minister to those that have strayed and bring them back to God.  This is a challenge for you to be a shepherd.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, Give me courage to be a shepherd and to share God’s love.  Amen. 

Susan Taylor (Reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

Trust

Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  Proverbs 3:5

I find these words applicable today as they were when first written.  In times of trouble we need to put our trust in our Lord and not let our fears and worries rule our lives.  One of my favorite hymns, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,” is a comforting hymn.  We sing it without stopping to wonder if we truly have that assurance.  We need to trust and have faith that God gives us that assurance. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to put my trust in you each day and not let worries and cares rule my life.  I am so thankful for your tender care and blessing.  May my trust become deeper and my faith grow stronger.  Amen. 

Joyce Miller (Reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November 2008)

The Resurrection of Christ

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4a