It just stuck me today that while posting stories and thoughts about my faith and fishing, I’ve never shared about the ministry my wife, Leanne and I have to reach out to folks living with disabilities. We started a program called FISHING WITH FRIENDS (www.fishingwithfriends.org) in 2005 and our full 501c3 organization ACCESS-LIFE (www.access-life.org) in 2010.

Our mission is to develop and execute programs and events for people living with disabilities that share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as connect them to Christ honoring churches, organizations, resources and people within their community.

Here are some links with photos and collages of some of the ministry events and activities from this spring and summer………..hope you enjoy all the smiles!

2011 SOUTH FLORIDA ACCESS-LIFE EXPO PHOTOS
2011 JACKSONVILLE, FL ACCESSLIFE EXPO PHOTOS

2011 SAN ANTONIO, TX FISHING WITH FRIENDS PHOTOS
2011 NAVASOTA, TX FISHING WITH FRIENDS PHOTOS

Unfortunately or may be fortunately most of the time I cannot see the fish or what they are doing. I have to cast my line out there on faith into areas I believe the fish are hanging out and retrieve my lure in the way I know best for the weather conditions, time of day and water clarity.

You know I started thinking about how this situation parallels our Christian lives. Don’t we all get jazzed when we can SEE God moving or working in our lives through circumstances? These times are great encouragements and reinforce the truths of God’s promises.

However, just as I cannot always see the fish in the water likewise just because we do not see God’s hand working in our lives it does not mean He is not there answering our prayers. In these times we must continue to trust, follow and obey God because we know it is right and true. Just as I continue to cast, retrieve and use the best techniques even though I can’t see the fish I am chasing after.

The cool thing is that I often catch more and larger fish when I cannot see them and likewise often we reap the biggest and best blessings when we are simply faithful in doing what we know we should regardless of our circumstances.

In any case, I was fishing with a swim bait type lure I made from yarn………..that’s right yarn! It’s actually a pretty good material for making worms, minnows and jigs. Anyway I had been swimming it slow for about two hours in area ponds and canals without a bite. Then on one cast I brought it back across some floating vegetation by the bank ad WHAM! A bass came up and smacked it. After that eye opening experience, I began swimming it fast just bulging the surface and I got 7 more hits over the next 30 minutes!

You know a lot of times in our Christian lives we feel called by God to do something. We jump to it with excitement only to tire of trying and trying with little visible blessings. Often times we even doubt our task and get discouraged. God understands though and even more importantly wants us to come to Him for guidance, direction and help in finding those blessings we need to keep on the journey.

Remember the disciples who were expert fishermen…………the ones who fished all night and caught nothing…….right? Then they met Jesus on the shore and He told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. WHAM! Their nets were so full they almost broke!

Jesus knows what we need and longs to give it to us. He knew where those fish were there all the time. He knew how the fish were biting when I went out with my yarn bait and He knows exactly where the blessing are in your life you need to find.

Ask Him and see what kind of WHAM (blessing) you find!

Some are in the “PRE” stage where they come up shallow and start feeding heavily. Others have done that for a few weeks and are now preparing beds and looking for mates. Still others have paired up, laid eggs and headed back out deep to recouperate.

This can make things difficult for anglers as each stage requires different techniques and strategies to catch particular bass. Bass in the early stage are aggressive and looking for food so a spinnerbait or rattle trap may work well while bass on beds are focused on mating not eating and require flipping a jig or other bright colored plastic onto the sweetspot of their nest. Finally bass who have mated are tired and lathargic and in need to rest which makes them tough to catch making small lures and a drop shot a necessity.

You know there are different seasons in our Christian life just like in bass fishing. There are times when God calls us to a specific task that requires a specific discipline, attitude or focus.

Some of us may be in a season of cutting back, being thrifty and getting out of debt. This requires self control, asking ourselves “do we really need that” as well as a focus on the simpler and “FREE” gifts in life. Others of us may be called to a specific task or project that mandates a lot of our time and attention, hard work and long hours of persistance and perserverance. Or perhaps God is telling you it is time to purify certain areas of your life becoming more wholesome in what you see, hear and/or say.

Whatever the stage of life we go through God has a perfect and winning strategy to help us succeed and live abundantly. His plans are time tested biblical principals that bring the hope, peace and joy only found in Jesus. They also, bring about happier and healthier lives filled with blessed relationships.

Today whatever God is calling you to do pray, search the bible and seek Christian counsel on His plan for success and reaching your goal. The journey and results will be a blessing if you do.

Man, where did November go?

We were traveling most of the month…………going from Jacksonville to South Florida then Tennessee for Thanksgiving and back home through Jacksonville.

Looking back I think I only fished twice the whole month………….I’m not totally sure though as it was a big BLUR!

You know even though I did not get to go out much and pursue the sport fish or even any fish population like usual, it was a very blessed time.

I got to spend some quality time with my wife traveling through several states……..we were in the car well over 30 hours…………while I would much rather spend that same amount of time with her in our pontoon boat, it was a great time of intamacy talking, saying nothing, listening to Christian fiction books on tape and of course sharing some great roadside BBQ!

You know that’s what God wants with us………..a restful, abiding and intimate relationship through His son Jesus……..just hanging out and enjoying the blessings He gives and resting safely in His arms without a care in the world.

HHHHHMMMMM……..Makes me Thankful to be His child……..thankful for my wife too!

VIDEO CLIP BELOW

2010-10.30 DG CANAL CATCH SHCL

I’m so glad our schedule has finally slowed down and I’ve had a big week fishing at home………three fish over 4 pounds to be exact. WHAT A BLESSING! You know I was just thinking what a bad year I was having with regard to catching BIG FISH. Then it dawed on me. With all our work and traveling to start up the ACCESS-LIFE ministry, I really have not fished as much as I usually do.

If there one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you have to be out there fishing to catch the BIG ONES.

Blessings in life are kind of the same way. I have to be out there following God to experience the best He has for me. Now don’t get me wrong God blesses me each and every day even though I don’t deserve it. Heck, how often do I thank Him for the air I breath much less my working spleen or capularies! I wonder however, what BIG BLESSINGS He wants to give me but cannot because I’m too into doing my own thing or even too careless with my time, money and resources.

You know I’m so thankful that God gives me the good that I don’t desrve (GRACE) and witholds His justice that I do deserve (MERCY) but I am also thankful that He has a storehouse more of blessings for me as I daily seek to follow after Him.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that BLESSINGS FOLLOW OBEDIENCE.

2010-10.22 DG Fishing CATCH

2010-10.22 DG Fishing PHOTO

2010-10.22 DG Fishing RELEASE

Well, we just got back from the Georgia Farm Show and for my birthday I got a pair of CAM SHADES there. That’s right polarized sunglasses with a video camera in them…….WAY COOL, HUH?

Since these were purchased for me to film my fishing and big catches, I took them out for their 1st run on Friday (10/22) and caught a 4+ pounder while taping…….AGAIN, WAY COOL.

It was a great fish and fight (picture above) but when I watched the video I was no where in it. Well, ok my hands and arms showed up here and there but no picture of me catching my fish like I’d envisioned. This was because the camera view was the same as my eyes……DUH.

You know sometimes in life we focus on how we look in different situations rather than fully living in the moment God has given us. You know, how do I look in my clothes, is my hair styled with the latest look, is my swing in good form, etc. When we do this we often fail to fully enjoy the blessings God bestowes during these times.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my new CAM SHADES. In fact hope to be uploading some video soon but rather than focusing on how I look fishing, I’m just going to enjoy my fishing. I hope you enjoy the video too.

This summer has been a busy one for Leanne and me but also a very rewarding one. I have not been able to get out and fish as much as I’d like or normally do because of our ministry travel schedule. However, the times I have gone fishing I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I’ve quietly delighted not in the size or quantity of fish caught but in the time spent with family and friends.

During June, July and August while preparing for our community outreach in East Tennessee we went out fishing with my dad several times. Before going any further you should know that my dad is not a huge fisherman like me. He does own a pontoon boat but loves taking folks out and showing them the local birds, trees and coves on the lake as much or more than trying to catch the fish in it.

In turn, our outings on the boat were very different from my normal fishing trips. They were not the usual focused intense time on the water I spend guiding the trolling motor to and through every piece of wood, grass or rocks that might hold a lounging bass but rather leisurely trips trolling for whatever might bite and even sightseeing! Yes, that’s right I sat on the deck holding my rod in the water while we trolled and looked at the scenery.
This left me feeling a bit like a fish out of the water a first but as breathed in the fresh crisp morning air and felt the cool breeze blowing across my face, I settled into the new routine. This relaxed approach gave us time to talk about the weather, football and friends. Often times we were all simply silent and still basking in the God’s beautiful outdoors.

Now don’t get me wrong here, we fished. In fact, I caught my first walleye, drum and smallmouth bass while trolling around Douglas Lake. None of them were worthy of mounting on the wall but first for me just the same. I’ve caught plenty of 5, 6 and 7 pound bass in my lifetime. This was a season of resting in God’s outdoors not conquering it.

Often times God presses us through life’s events, situations and circumstances so we have to stop and rest. That, my friend is a good thing. It is a blessing to be enjoyed. There is joy in the journey and seasons of life. God is there in each one, always with us. Rest in Him every day and along the way.

Florida fishing in May has traditionally been great for me. The bass have finished all their spawning activities and settled back into normal fishing patterns. I can usually go out with virtually any style weightless soft plastic lure and have success. I’m a very results oriented person (it’s one of my weaknesses) so I especially enjoy going fishing even more than usual during this time. It’s very gratifying to be successful on every outing and to do so without much extra effort is a bonus.

You know living life with a disability is usually anything but normal and results viewed as success can often be far and few between. It is definitely not easy by any means and just the basics of life can require a great deal of effort. However, this lifestyle provides a different kind of reward and one that can be much deeper and more satisfying. It requires a lot of patience, persistent and even perseverance. Most of all it requires a lot of prayer. Coming to our savior daily for strength, encouragement and comfort is the only way I can make it.

Now don’t get me wrong on hardships. It’s not something that we should see as a trophy or something that makes us better than others. Hardships are just part of life. Some people have few, some have many and other just fall in the middle. The point is that whatever burdens we have Jesus is there to carry them for us. He wants us focused on Him and resting in Him during both the good and bad times.
You know I often have a harder time trusting and staying centered in the Lord when things are going great (another weakness of mine). I can get very distracted and drift off base a bit. During these times I find it helpful to get a way by myself or with my wife to do a little fishing. Something about being out in God’s great outdoors and enjoying the simple gifts he gives helps me refocus.

Ultimately, as believers we will be resting in heaven with Jesus without hardships, burdens or distractions but until then we have to keep your eye on the prize as we walk (or in my case roll) through life………and sometimes a little fishing can be a great help in doing that.