Matthew 4:18-20 ESV — While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 

A few weeks ago I shared memories with you about my childhood and a man named Archie in our church whobecame like family. We called him Uncle Archie. Another lady in the same church who we grew close to was Clefa, aka Aunt Clefa. Aunt Clefa’s personality was as unique as her name. She had a high pitched voice and due to her osteoporosis walked bent over. She had a standing hair appointment each Wednesday to dye her natural hair black and have a hair piece put on in the shape of a beehive. Aunt Clefa retired from a local plant and became my parents’ go-to babysitter for my brother and I. She and my dad shared a love for fishing. They began a routine of going fishing every Thursday on my dad’s day off and occasionally my brother and I were blessed by joining them. Aunt Clefa taught me how to bait a hook with a worm, how to sit quietly and patiently wait for the red and white float to bob up and down, and when to know just the right moment to pull up my Bream Buster pole and bring in my fish. While Aunt Clefa taught me a lot about fishing, Jesus has taught me even more.

Jesus calls you and I to be fishers of men. What does that mean to you? How do you fish for men? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for trusting me to fish for You. Open my eyes to ways to be an effective fisher of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Matthew 4:18-20 ESV — While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 

Matthew 4:21-22 ESV — And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 1:16-18 ESV — Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

@biblegateway @youversion

This week’s theme is fishing. I have found some oldies but goodies to share with you. Take some time to listen and pray about our week ahead.

Pray For the Fish by Randy Travis

Down To the River To Pray by Alison Krauss

I shared a few weeks ago that this summer I have enjoyed growing vegetables in my two raised beds. I have also taken delight in developing a vibrant flower garden outside our sun room. This week as I was harvesting vegetables and flowers, I realized the containers I was using hold special memories for me. Today I am savoring these special memories.

Today’s picture shows a colorful bowl holding green peppers. That bowl belonged to my grandmother. I don’t remember what exactly she used the bowl for, but I do remember seeing it in her kitchen when I was a child. We affectionately called my grandmother, Mother. Mother was very dear to me. I remember a few summers, as a child, I was privileged enough to go spend a few days or week with her by myself. Mother taught me to drink coffee, to love reading, and to embrace showing love through cooking and caring for others. In the last couple years of her life we were blessed to have her move in and live with us.

The white dish holding tomatoes and the glass vase holding flowers were both wedding gifts. This past June, Clark and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. I do not recall who gave us the dish or vase, but they remind me of the love we felt as we were surrounded and supported on our wedding day. It rained the morning of June 7, 1997. Thankfully, hours before our wedding, the rain ceased and the temperature fell. I recall it being one of the coldest days I have experienced in June, but in my mind it was also a beautiful, perfect day. 

I share this as a reflection on this week’s Thankful Thursday post. I shared with you a quote made by Tara Leigh-Cobble from the Bible Recap. She said, “Trusting God means we live in contentment now.” I encouraged you to be aware that even when we are in the valley, we should find peace and joy in the moments we walk through. Using items that trigger sweet memories is one way to find peace and joy in hard times. What items do you have that trigger memories that you savor? How can savoring memories help you in hard seasons?

Faith and trust are often strengthened through trials and tribulations. When we allow God to lead us, He draws us near and opens our eyes to beautiful blessings we may have missed if we had not had faith and trust in Him. Take a moment to read Stories of Faith/Learning To Trust God written by Michelle Hicks.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for times my actions do not mirror my words about You. Give me strength, courage, and peace as I walk in faith and trust. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

John 20:29 NIV — Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Are you in a hard season? Do you feel like the world is crumbling around you? Are your circumstances so heavy you feel the weight crushing the breath out of you? 

We all have had those kinds of times. The real question is what do you do when the world around you comes crashing down? How do you react and respond in times of crisis? 

Julie, Ray, and I are reading and watching The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble (aka TLC) this year through the YouVersion Bible app. It is a “one year guide to reading and understanding the entire Bible” in chronological order. Recently when referring to John 20:29, TLC said “Trusting God means we live in contentment now.” In other words, even when we are in the valley, we should find peace and joy in the moments we walk through. For me, that means letting go of control and asking God to prepare me to accept whatever His will is for me and the circumstance that is troubling me. For me, it means living out the words He has given me to write to you over the years. For me it means walking out the definitions of faith and trust.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for times my actions do not mirror my words about You. Give me strength, courage, and peace as I walk in faith and trust. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV — Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines faith as belief and trust in and loyalty to God; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust. Trust is defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed.

In who or what do you place your trust? The answer defines your faith.

Writing for our Water Walkers blog began as a hobby and blossomed into a ministry and calling from God. Julie and I write and share because we feel led to do so by God. However, it is all for naught if the way we act and react to life’s ups and downs does not match the words we write and speak. I sometimes fall short, but God keeps reminding me of my call as a Christian to be His image bearer. The same goes for you. Others are watching you. What image of faith and trust in God are you reflecting?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for times my actions do not mirror my words about You. Give me strength, courage, and peace as I walk in faith and trust. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion