5.26.09 Sportsmen for Christ Campfire Meeting

I had the great pleasure of attending a Sportsmen for Christ Campfire meeting tonight at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point. My friend, Jeff Wilkins, was the featured guests and he did an excellent job sharing about his experience as a flyfishing guide and fly tying instructor. With tips on equipment, reading the water, fly selection and many other topics there was something for just about everyone.

Jeff also retold the griping account of an automobile accident a year and a half ago that nearly killed him. While returning from a casting instruction session at High Rock a car had pulled out of a driveway on Hwy 109 and crashed deadon into Jeff's truck causing severe spinal injuries.

God has had His hand on Jeff's recovery, provided for his family's needs and has turned terrible ordeal into something positive as only a loving Father can do. I was reminded great verse from Romans 10:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who lGod working in our lives it's often in ove him, who have been called according to his purpose."

It also got me to thinking about how when we talk about God working in our lives it is usually in the past tense. The truth is, however, that while He has worked in our lives in the past He continues to do so today, constantly molding, shaping, protecting and making provision. He's not aloof, uninterested or uninvolved. He is a loving Father, intricately involved in working the best in our lives. What an awesome thought!
I left the meeting greatly encouraged in my spiritual walk and looking forward to wetting a flyline. An excellent combination!

5.07.09 Roanoake Rapids Striper Quest

On Wednesday my two oldest boys, Si and Zane, and I headed over to Weldon for a little striper fishing. We stayed at the Days Inn to give it more of an "away" feel (and so daddy didn't have to get them up at 2:30am to be at the ramp by 6). Words cannot express how excited they were to not only go fishing but also to get to skip school to go fishing. Is there really such a thing as a truancy officer?
A friend, Dick Jones, and his new best friend, Larry, a beautiful fox color Labrador retriever, were our hosts for the day. Although rainy weather was on the forecast (we did get sprinkled on a couple times) it was a perfect day on the water. Between the four anglers we caught 40-50 fish and the boys had a blast. I am so grateful for folks like Dick that take my boys and I on these adventures. I hope they will always remember these days in the outdoor with dad. I'm sure I will.