The Great Fish Controversy

For the past couple of years our national and state denominational leaders have been meeting about, studying and recommending ways to help Southern Baptists return to our first love. I'm sorry - I just don't get it. And neither does my imaginary friend Cletus. Here is how he sees it:

For months the Fishers Society had been racked with dissention. They had built the new meeting hall which they called their aquarium. And they had even called a world renowned manual scholar to lecture them each week on the art of fishing. But, still no fish were caught.
Several times each week they would gather in their ornate aquarium hall and read portions of the fisherman's manual and listen to their scholar teach them the intricate details and mysteries of the manual. The meeting would usually end with the scholar dramatically casting his net into the tank in the center of the hall to see if any fish could be caught. None ever did, of course, since there were no fish in the tank - which brings up the reason for the controversy. The temperature of the tank was carefully regulated to be just right for ocean perch. In fact, oceanography experts had been consulted to make the environment of the tank nearly indistinguishable from the ocean. But still there were no fish.
Some blamed it on poor attendance of the society's meetings. Others were convinced that specialization was the answer. Perhaps several smaller tanks designed especially for different age groups of fish would be more effective. There was even a division over which was more important, casting or providing optimum tank conditions.
Eventually a solution was reached. A few members of the society were commissioned to be professional fishermen and were sent to live on the edge of the sea and do nothing but catch fish. It was a lonely existence, because most of the other members of the society were afraid of the ocean. So the "professionals" would send back pictures of themselves holding up some of their catches and letters describing the joys and tribulations of real live fishing. And, periodically, they would return to the aquarium and show slides. After these kind of meetings, members of the Fishermen's Society would return to their homes thankful that their new aquarium had not been built in vain.

Just sayin . . .

This Pollen is _________ing Me!

Spring is in the air. Unfortunately, that means pollen, which for many of you means allergies. But it is important for us to remember that pollen is what helps make growth possible.

What is the pollen in your spiritual life? What are you doing right now that may be uncomfortable or even cost you some convenience but will bear fruit in the weeks and months to come?

In John 15 Jesus teaches us that we are designed and created to bear fruit, a LOT of fruit! Verse 2 of that passage says that every branch that bears fruit goes through a regular and systematic time of pruning so that it will be even more fruitful. We tend to resist or complain when we are going through a pruning time, but it is a natural part of God's design. Instead of focusing on the present, do your best to have an eternal mindset. Verse 8 of that passage teaches us that it brings our Heavenly Father glory when our lives bear much fruit.

We live in a world of instant gratification, but spiritual victories often are realized after years of sacrifice. Sometimes God leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. But at other times, forllowing His commands means that we end up on a boat in a storm. Both work for our good. So don't complain about something like pollen and your allergies. Pollen is a gift of God that ALWAYS results in growth. What is pollenating you?