It’s
a beautiful day in Central New York.
It’s one of those perfect fall days. It’s sunny, warm and calm. It’s been a very busy week. Kathy and I began the week by worshiping and serving at
Northside, and thank God for all He is doing there. Then we headed to Buffalo area for the Baptist Convention of
New York annual meeting being reminded again that even churches are better
together.
Upon
our return home, my mind quickly turned to the message I would preach this
weekend. It was a process for sure
as I agonized and prayed over the direction and the message. This morning, I came to the office
early. Then I headed to the gym
for a workout. Following that, I
returned to the office to continue work and sermon preparation. After hours of contemplation, prayer,
study, and preparation, the outline came together. I was ready for a break.
I
texted my wife and asked if she would like to go for a picnic at the park by
the lake with me. She was all for
that and it was perfect timing for both of us. We both grabbed a book – she was reading one by Kelly
Minter, and I’m reading the new ‘All In’ by Mark Batterson. Lunch was great at a picnic table by
Onondaga Lake – where from Willow Bay you can see the city of Syracuse on the
horizon.
We
ventured out on the rocks and sat by the marker that is by the channel leading
to the river. We talked. We laughed. We heard the sounds of a fish that was doing some jumping
out of the water. We read. We were challenged by the Lord there
today and refreshed by the one who is the redeemer of our souls.
I
brought a second booklet with me, and after finishing a section of ‘All In’, I
proceeded to work through the Matthew Manual for tonight’s training session for
‘My Hope with Billy Graham’. It’s
all about bringing people to Jesus.
God is amazing in so many ways and one of those ways is His timing. Just before we left a boat came up near
us, stopped, turned on the trolling motor, and two men began to fish within a
few yards of us.
They
both caught fish! I’m reminded of
Jesus telling Peter – you will no longer catch fish – but people. God is in the people business. I was also struck by the fact that two
fishermen caught more than one alone.
My prayer is that every believer sees the urgency of bringing people to
Jesus and reaches out with the love of Jesus constantly. That would be a beautiful thing.
I
made some important decisions by that water today. I was touched in my heart by my beautiful Savior. It was beauty at the lake today. The beauty of the day for me was the
beauty sitting next to me, my wife of 31 years. She makes me stronger.
She shares my dreams. She
loves me and encourages me. I love
you, Kathy. We really are better
together. Yes, today was beauty at
the lake. I pray for many more
days just like that. Until the
next one, I’m going fishing and I’m going to teach some people to fish . . .
for souls.
