"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."  Steven Wright
One of the most popular shows on television can be found on the Discovery Channel.  It's called Deadliest Catch and it is a reality show portraying the highs and lows of crab fishing in the Bering Sea, the most perilous job in the world.
While operating heavy equipment on a relatively small ship that is pitching and rolling while ice cold waves of sea water come crashing over the side in sub-freezing temperatures for 36 hours straight may sound like a good time, what is truly amazing is that these fishermen will take such risks without a guarantee of remuneration.  They may be paid exceedingly well for their endeavors or they may not be paid much at all.  In short, the risk is guaranteed but the reward is not.
Of course, during the fishing seasons, the fishermen are far from home and most have wives and children anxiously waiting for their return.  While they are gone for months at a time, their families' lives go on.  On one episode, one of the fishermen's wives had a baby and he was calling her from a port phone to talk to her after the delivery.  As you would expect, it was an emotional phone call and the fisherman's eyes became slightly bleary as he talked to his wife.
What amazed me, however, was what he said after the call.  He stated that even with his wife giving birth to a child, he wanted to be on the boat fishing.  He felt that is where he belonged at that time.  He felt he was doing his job and being a good father, even though he was not present as his child came into the world.  He concluded his thoughts by saying, "I'm a fisherman."
Fishing is a way of life more than simply a job.  It involves great personal and fiscal risks.  In listening to fishermen talk, I can't help but be reminded of the farmers my father has worked with his entire life.  Men and families that also take risks seeking to derive their living directly from Earth.  Both groups are loathe to give it up, even when prudence would dictate another source of income.  It's in their blood and they don't want to do anything else.
Jesus called some of His disciple from the ranks of professional fishermen.  He knew it would not be easy for them to give it up.  In fact, they briefly go back to it early in His ministry and return to it again shortly after His death.  It's more than what they do, it's a large part of who they were.
When Jesus says that He wants them to become "fishers of men," he is not simply making a play on words.  He wanted them to make the ministry as much a part of their very being as being fishermen had been to that point in their lives.  He wanted them to feel ill at ease when they weren't carrying on the work of the kingdom, even when it was taking them from their families and friends.  He knew it might cause them to miss out on some precious family moments but that was what He called them to do.
What we should realize today is that the call to be "fishers of men" was never intended to be limited to the Apostles.  Jesus calls all of those who would follow Him to put serving the kingdom before everything, including family.  We need to have serving Jesus in our blood, something we simply can't do without.

Butch Richards, Theda's son, will soon be undergoing tests on a growth at the base of his skull.

Lucy Loofburrow's daughter Sheree is undergoing medical treatment for stroke-like symptoms which have forced her to give up driving and her job.

Stella Crawford's and Dale Loofburrow 's  Family and friends.
Johnnie Delano recovering surgery.

Theda Richards, Jason Sutherland .

Bev Inman, Tom & Desri Crawford heath issues.


There will be a memorial service for Stella Crawford here at the church building June 30th at 6 PM. We will be providing food for those in attendance.