Yesterday evening I headed out fishing in hopes of getting on the “pre-storm” bite. I had caught 4 snook the night before, but was expecting even more on Monday evening due to the dropping barometric pressure. Unfortunately the snook weren’t watching the same weather reports, and as it would so happen-they knew better than we did-we didn’t get much of anything. I kept reminding the snook that they couldn’t eat on Tuesday night; they needed to do so now. Of course they didn’t listen to me, and wisely so. They will feed fine tonight! When I’m at home.

Anyhow, I was late getting to the launch site, and so had to paddle swiftly to catch up to my fishing buddy and his friend. The good news was that I was paddling with both the current AND the wind. The bad news was it seemed to take forever.

After catching two snook between the three of us (I did get one though), we headed in. This time we paddled together. Against a howling wind and swift current. Yet time passed by like O.J. driving in the express lane. We shot the breeze-quite a lot of “Pre-Fay” breeze there was to shoot-and had a great time paddling. I usually dislike paddling by the way; I view it as a necessary evil (kind of like vegetables) to get to my spots. But having the company made the journey so much easier. And actually enjoyable. I rarely fish by myself anymore if I can help it. And to me, fishing and life are basically interchangeable if not at the very least analogous.

Well the TV viewing in the Bay Area has to be at an all time high now. Rays are in first place, 4 and 1/2 games ahead of the Sox, the Bucs looked good in their preseason home opener (beating the other evil-though they’re a bit worse because they cheat-team from Boston), and the Olympics. When was the last time you enjoyed watching swimming? Our DVR-has recorded hours and hours of quality TV-minus stuff like fencing and equestrian.

But now add one more thing to the mix. Fay. Tropical Storm and coming soon to a Florida near you-Hurricane Fay. I dislike Hurricanes as much as the next person. I really do. They kill people, destroy homes and property, and make planning committee meetings very hard (I chair one that was supposed to meet Tuesday night-the night we’re supposed to meet Miss Fay.)

Yet despite their destruction, they do serve a purpose. I liken them to my struggle with anxiety/depression. I hate it, but what that struggle does is remind me that nothing really ultimately satisfies me outside Christ. When I’m truly anxious or depressed, not even the thought of getting stuff, fish, approval, security, materials, victory, church growth, “does anything” for me. All I want is to feel better and be close to Jesus. And of course when there is no anxiety/depression that is on the proverbial radar, I start to go back to the aforementioned areas. I can be dissatisfied and jealous of not having a bigger church, bigger house, or catching bigger fish. Yet God uses anxiety/depression (fortunately lately only in Tropical storm force, not Hurricane force) as a storm to make me come back and find rest/delight in Him alone.

Literal tropical depressions/storms/hurricanes can function in the same manner. Because of their uncertain path and certain power, we are reminded that we are only secure in Jesus. Houses can be destroyed, property lost, but our standing with Christ is secure. We often find other things to feel secure about like houses, savings, careers…But Hurricanes remind us that the great blessing of our homes is not where our security lies.

And if that is the case, we can be responsible (boarding windows and the like), and yet relax because we are truly secure. Sometimes God uses both literal and figurative storms/hurricanes to truly “protect” us from running to the places where we normally seek protection. Real protection is resting in the arms of a loving Father. They scare me, but they scare me right into His arms. God controls the storms. And He will direct them where they will go. But he does love His children. And like Aaron Nevill sang, “that may be, all I need to know.”

I wanted to follow up with the fish hook in the back. Had I never been hooked in the back, several little blessings would not have happened. And those wouldn’t have happened had it not been for a myriad of other small “secondary causes.” Let me explain.

We arrived to the walk-in clinic at exactly the appointed time. Tommy, my father-in-law, overheard a nurse saying, “Paging Dr. Boyce.” He approached the front desk and said, “Is that Dr. Allan Boyce?” The nurse said “Yes, he has an office in this building.” Dr. Boyce played quarterback while Tommy played Tight End in high school. Tommy knew his high school buddy was in town, but was/is still unfamiliar with the ability to “google” people. So it “had” to happen this way.

He went next door, met the doctor who he hadn’t seen in 40 years, and they planned a dinner out. All because of the fish hook in the back. And then us arriving in time to hear, “Paging doctor Boyce.” 5 minutes later and they wouldn’t have had their reunion.

Tuesday was supposed to be the WHOLE Family dinner night out. But plans changed, and so Amy, Connar, my brother/sis-in law, and nephews went out to eat instead. At the Anna Maria city pier, I overheard Amy point out that someone else had a baby carrier (called Baby Bjorn). As that woman was walking out of the restaraunt, I made a comment about her Bjorn. We all began talking, and found that the husband was jealous of Connar’s sleep aptitude. I was honored.

This dude was in town because he was hurt. Even though he lived at the beach. When he got better he and his family would be leaving. They were only staying in their house because he was hurt? We couldn’t fit the pieces together. But he looked really familiar. That’s because he was Scott Rolen, who plays 3rd base for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is on the D.L. with a hurt shoulder for the next week or so. Crazy.

All because I got hooked, we arrived at the Clinic just in time, I made a stupid comment, and a waitress came up and told us after they had left it was indeed Scott Rolen. A series of fortunate events, well most of them. But I’m sure glad I got hooked, though not at the time of course.

Tuesday morning was like any other morning. That is until I put on my shirt. I was planning to cast along the beach for snook that probably wouldn’t bite. But I first needed my fishing shirt. I mean, I do have standards.

As I put it on, it sounded like some velcro was caught against itself, which was in turn caught against some skin (how that could happen, I don’t know; I already checked-there was no back hair). That’s what it sounded and felt like. Until it started to hurt just a bit more than what that would have supposedly felt like.

I looked in the mirror and saw no velcro. I did however see a fish hook. So I went to Amy to ask her to pull it out. Unless it was too deep. Well it was. The barb was totally in my back. Believe me. The hook was a “worm hook” so that’s the curve of the hook you see in the pic: not the barb.

So she freaked a bit, and got her usually non-squeamish mother. She called for back-up. My brother-in-law was willing to pull it out with pliers. You know, like a band-aid. But there is a difference between something adhesive and something with a barb in your flesh.

We looked on the internet for a diagram of how to do it at home. I wasn’t really satisfied with the diagram so opted for the Walk-in clinic nearest the beach. I grabbed a pop tart, and we (my father-in-law) left around 8:00 am. My mother-in-law safety-pinned my shirt together so that it wouldn’t move the hook in deeper. I looked a bit goofy. What’s new?

They numbed my back up, stuck some needle thing against the barb, and came out with the hook. It had never been used, so there was no need for antibiotics. Just a tetanus shot (who ever remembers when your last one was?), 30 dollars up front, and I was out of there, and back by 9:30 am, just in time for a bowl of cereal. Much better idea than my bro-in-law trying to rip it out of my flesh.

Anyway, my negligence in removing all my hooks from my fishing shirts before they go to the wash (I remember not finding that particular hook) was what theologians call the “secondary cause.” As was the fact that I didn’t get up to FIRST look at the waves. There was no way I would have gone fishing that morning, which would have eliminated the need for a fishing shirt. Oh, it was certainly meant to be. God purposed that hook to be stuck there, even though my negligence in checking for waves and hooks were the secondary cause which God used to “stick me.”

But if the story only stopped here. It has a better ending that will have to wait till tomorrow. All of which are a direct result of me getting hooked that morning. BTW-do you know what was the worst part? Hearing all of the “hook jokes.” It really was. Each one was less clever than the one before.

I had the opportunity yesterday to teach our young communicants (those who want to join the church and receive full membership privileges and responsibilities). I created a curriculum intended to answer the five membership vows-which contrary to popular opinion-actually DO mean something. Since the wording of these vows is a bit hard to understand, perhaps even outdated, we spend time breaking down what these vows actually mean. I use the word “membership promise” since that probably means more to a 2nd grader.

Anyhow, the first of the four week course centers around the recognition of sin and hope of a Savior. I was astounded at how well these kids (ranging from ages 5-12) knew. I asked questions like, “Can you ever be good enough to make God like you, or like you more?”And the kids really had a great grasp on their need for the gospel.

I’ve seen youth that really couldn’t answer questions like these. It really shows me how important it is to spend quality time discipling your children, no matter how young.

I’ll be on vacation for some days next week, so I shan’t blog as much as I would like. Probably. Anyhow, here is my article from the Bradenton Herald. I like it. Its an expanded thought of a sermon illustration from a few weeks ago. I think they actually put my desired title on the article. I guess there’s a time and season for everything, eh? How Ecclesiastes of me. Click here to read it.

Well I woke up to a piece of really good news on Thursday morning. Amy, holding Connar in her hands, said, “Guess who got Favre?” I assumed it was Tampa, so I begrudgingly said as such. But to my astonishment, I found out the N.Y. Jets had saved the day.

We already have a 38 year old Pro Bowl QB. We don’t need another who doesn’t know the offense and doesn’t feel it is his job to mentor a younger QB, (or four of them!). So I’m quite thankful for the Bucs not wasting any draft picks on Favre

There is a backlash however. Gruden wanted Favre. Clearly. How does that make the current QB, Jeff Garcia feel? Well I haven’t asked him, but last time I checked, he was/is a human being. One who has been hurt. One who was benched last year so that he wouldn’t make an extra million (under the guise of resting him for the play-offs). One who was not offered the contract extension he deserved for risking life and limb behind a shady (at best) offensive line. An offensive line that didn’t give up many sacks because Garcia was so nimble. Period. Anyhow, I digress. As usual.

Gruden and Garcia cannot act like there has been no rupture in their relationship. I think that the Bucs and Gruden think Garcia should just act like nothing happened. But Garcia will be gone next year because Gruden and Garcia WILL NOT come together and talk about the issue. They’ll ignore it. Like men. Like most people. But if they did come together, there would at least be a glimmer of hope (they’re still made in the image of God).

Yet in the church, we have someone called Jesus. He gives us far more than a glimmer. He is the hope for those who come together to talk. He has destroyed the dividing wall of hostility that existed between Jew and Gentile. He has removed our transgressions as far as East is from the West. And I’m so thankful He has. Because as much as I dislike Gruden, I see myself in him more than I would like! Now I need to display this thankfulness in all of my relationships.

Last night we resumed our Comm Group study on The Person of Jesus. It was great to get back to centering our meetings around study of God’s Word, as opposed to just fellowship and outreach as we had been doing for the summer (though I did find such time quite profitable for both of the aforementioned purposes).

The main point of the study was the need to be honest before others, not wearing masks. That way your sin can be out in the open and can be addressed and confessed. Several different instances in the gospels picture Jesus praising or being extremely patient with honest responses. Even Nathaniel who said, “What good can come out of Nazareth?” elicited a praise from Jesus.

Time and time again we see the disciples messing up, but truly being honest and open with their thoughts. And so Jesus responds positively or gently. But the Pharisees continually keep their thoughts inside. And Jesus responds negatively and very sternly. He calls them hypocrites and children of the devil.

But as children of God, our sin and thoughts can’t be kept hidden. How will others correct us when we’re wrong? How will others be able to encourage or rebuke us? Yet we can be open and honest and we can be wrong. The one’s calling us to account don’t do so from a ladder or mountain top. They do so from the same level ground which we stand upon: Christ. He levels the playing field, enabling us to express what’s in our hearts.

I’m positive this will be my last “An Interesting Conversation” post. At least I think I’m positive.

There is legitimate persecution that goes on because of our faith. Randy and I just got an email from someone wishing us to pray for her nieces. They have been taken away from anything church related. Books referring to Jesus have been removed and the kids have been prohibited from even saying a blessing over a meal. That’s legitimate.

And then there’s also persecution which really has more to do with personality and methodology than it does with our faith. I’m calling that illegitimate or “bad” persecution. Not the kind we can thank God for, as the disciples once did. So here’s another Top Ten list, only I thought of more than ten. So its a Bakers Dozen. As I look back, I can see a number of mistakes I’ve made.

Top Baker’s Dozen Ways to Bring On “Bad” Persecution

13.) Always have an answer for EVERY question that people ask RIGHT AWAY. Never say “I’ll get back to you,” even when you’re not sure about something.
12.) Don’t listen to them share what they believe. If you do you might actually contextualize the gospel and show how Jesus really is the answer to their idols.
11.) Consider their objections to Christianity as simple hurdles they can overcome by just thinking harder. I mean the likelihood of Jesus fulfilling all of the prophesies is like 1/10000…. if He really wasn’t the messiah. That will get them!
10.) Make sure they believe that a Christian must vote Republican
9.) Make sure they believe that a Christian must vote Democrat
8.) Know as little as possible about current events, science, culture, etc…
7.) Don’t have them into your home, out to dinner, or any outside activity. Don’t share your life, only the message. And do not actually try to be their friend.
6.) Make sure that you share the gospel on your boss’s dime. Make them pay for it.
5.) Don’t take any interest in an anything that they take interest in. Don’t watch any movie, read any book, listen to any music that might give you better insight into what they hold most dear
4.) Make sure to be dogmatic about really “important” things like a literal 6 day creation period. You can’t budge on this one. But don’t forget End Times, or where babies go when they die-when in doubt, assume the worst.
3) Make sure to address their behavioral issues first (abortion stance, sexuality, drugs) before getting to their heart idols.
2) Isolate a passage from the Koran and act like you know a ton about Islam
1)Never confess your sin, struggles, doubts, or weaknesses to them. They can’t see you “sweat.” Make sure they realize that the gospel is for them, and not for you anymore.

This should be my final post relating to our friend the “conversationalist.” And seriously, I’m glad that we had the “conversation.”

He brought up a solid point about persecution. Persecution will exist for believers. Jesus said that folks weren’t fans of him, so folks would not be fans of his followers. Obviously some folks were fans of Jesus-they would clicked “become a fan of Jesus” links on Facebook, if they had Facebook or internet for that matter back then-and so some folks will be fans of Christians. Non-Christians can be our fans. I’ve shared the gospel with friends who are still my friends. So its not ONLY evangelism that causes persecution.

But we cannot ignore what Jesus says, though we often play the out-of-sight-out-of-mind game with scriptures we don’t like.

To say that we’ll be persecuted the same way in the U.S. as in Asia is the other side of ludicrous. People aren’t allowed to sell our kids to slavery, throw us in jail, and beat us senseless (at least this is not normal practice here). So instead of focusing on what it would look like, I’d like to reflect upon “how” we may get that point of persecution. Or rather, “how not” to get to that point.

So here is my Top Ten ways NOT to get legitimately persecuted for your faith (as opposed to methodology or personality.) BTW-These sound angry, but I’m not angry at all. Most of them I put down because I’ve experienced them personally or “a guy I know” has struggled with them.

1o.) Don’t ever point out sins in other professing Christians. Keep quiet and pretend you are just loving them.
9.) NEVER intentionally direct conversations toward anything which could eventually lead to the gospel
8.) Always stay shallow. If you only talk about Fishing and Football, you’ll be safe and never offend anyone.
7.) Be like Oprah. Agree with everyone, and don’t ask others to question “questionable” things. If you disagree or question anyone, you could be labeled “intolerant” and will not be The Nice Guy everyone likes.
6.) Don’t have any standards in who you date. As long as they have a pulse, it doesn’t matter if they are Christian or non-Christian.
5.) Blend in with unbelievers. Behave just like them. Drink as much as them, use the same language as them, have the same aspirations and life goals.
4.) Don’t love your neighbors, and for goodness sakes, don’t seek out new relationships with unbelievers. If you love folks, you might actually enter into their lives and they could reject you. On the contrary, if you isolate yourself, no one can hurt you.
3.) Just live for the American dream. Don’t care about missions or your local community.
2.) Don’t ever invite someone to church, bible study, or give them a book to discuss.
1.) This is the most important one, on which all of the aforementioned hinge. Forget the security you have in Christ. If you forget the security you have in Him alone, you’ll seek approval from others and always try to keep them happy. Impossible, but you’ll do your best to hide any truth that they will need.