Galilean Fisherman

    For the past couple of weeks, I have had the honor and privilege of preaching at First Baptist Church here in Holiday Island. It has been enjoyable and rewarding.      Yesterday, the sermon was about David and Goliath, from 1 Samuel 17. You know the story well. It was probably one of the very first Bible stories you learned.      Here's a very short summation. There are four main characters in the story. Yes, four. There is Saul who lacks enough faith to act. There is Goliath who rests solely upon himself for victory. And there is David; completely unqualified for the task but with enough faith to recognize the fourth character: God.      You see the opportunity Saul missed. You see how Goliath's egocentric self-reliance caused him to lose his head. You see how God used David to solve the problem. But do you see the message God was trying to teach Israel? And us?      OK, since this is a blog about the spiritual nature of fishing, let me see if I can tie it all to

EGO TRIPS           Recently, I reported that I had been invited to teach a session at Fly Fishing International conclave in Bozeman, MT.           After giving it a lot of thought – and prayer – I have declined their offer.           I would like to say it was because of the expense and time. Because of the amount of material I would need to take for the class, the only option would be to drive. That would be at least 2 days up and 2 days back; hotel rooms for 7+ days; fees for a guide and license if I wanted to fish some of the legendary rivers. I have the money, but don't think it is wise to spend it on that trip.           The truth is that I realized two things.           First of all, it would be little more than an ego trip for me. It would be an opportunity to become better known in the fly fishing/tying community. Seriously? Do I think I need that recognition? No. It won’t make me a better fisherman, a better fly tier or a better person. I am content with wh