Revitalize Your Church

My friend, Gary Petrich, blogged about his recent trip to Alaska. Makes me want to go fish there!

Thirteen Baptists from Milwaukee were arrested last week here in the Hayward area, with 2,238 fish, mostly crappies, well beyond the bag limit of 15 each. The Department of Natural Resources will now sponsor fish fries for various community organizations. Some locals, close to the situation, have wondered, "What's up with these guys? Shouldn't a church group know better? How on earth could they disregard the laws so flagrantly?" I wonder if maybe they were just trying to follow in the footsteps of St. Peter. He said, "I go a fishing" and the rest of the gang said, "we'll go a fishing too!" 1) Maybe they fished all night and then cast their nets on the other side of the boat. 2) Maybe they were trying to feed five thousand. 3) Maybe they were looking for the elusive fish with a golden coin in its belly. One thing is clear. They're certainly going to "render unto Caesar, that which is Caesars." I hope our Milwaukee Baptist b...

Wader fishing last night -- and here's my trophy sucker to show for it.

Hannah and I went fishing at Nelson Lake this afternoon. Normally, we get skunked on opening day -- but Hannah caught two nice sunnies -- so we've now officially launched the 2009 Wilson Family Fish Tally! Governor Doyle was up here again to drop a line-- but it seemed like he was gone before he arrived, much to the disappointment of the Hayward anglers and news crews. Yesterday's Expo at the Fishing Hall of Fame was a smashing success. Several area restaurants provided free samples of their fish dinners. My favorite dish was walleye cheeks from Tally Ho Supper Club.

I heard I'm going to be on television this weekend -- John Gillespie's Waters and Woods on FSN, They recorded the New Year's Eve wedding of fishing great Pete Maina and his lovely bride, Esther, which has held at the beautiful Spider Lake Lodge. As I said to Pete, "She's a keeper."

Here are some pictures from the wedding ceremony I conducted for fishing great, Pete Maina, and his beautiful bride, Esther. Photographer, Hannah Hudson, is top of the line. I think she did a beautiful job capturing the special moments.

Last evening, I finished The Old Man and the Sea, which I had borrowed from the Hayward Library. It's the profound tale of an old fisherman who displays courage against all odds, and his absolute commitment to bring in the "big one" Made me want to go fishing for muskies this summer. At first, it was hard to get into the book, and I couldn't quite figure out why Hemingway had won a Pulitzer for it. . . but by the end, I was hooked!

This morning, Cody Conner, one of the best fisherman in the entire northwoods, took me fishing in his canoe. We caught some really big fish -- a dozen smallmouth bass and four walleyes (not to mention three suckers.) It was a fantastic day of fishing -- and I learned a lot from a master. With so many things to do back at the church, I felt a little guilty about taking a half day to fish with Cody -- but, then I remembered -- It's biblical. Jesus spent time hanging out with fishermen too! Besides, there are several principles of fishing that apply to church leadership! After a busy afternoon at the office, I officiated at a small, lakeside wedding. Later, I went to the Relay for Life event at the high school track field, where I said the prayer for their "Luminary Ceremony", and defended my title as Hayward's Dilly Bar Eating Champion. (Undefeated, after four contests! When you have five kids, you learn to eat fast!) I happened to mention our upcoming baptism to a lady...

On Wednesday, Hannah and I dropped a line at dusk at the shore of Hospital Lake. Just as the sky turned purple, nature's orchestra began to play (a blend of trilling, croaking, and peeping, to accompany an acro-BAT performance.) Just then, SPOOSH -- Hannah's bobber went under, her pole bent with the weight of evening catch. It was a 14 inch largemouth bass. We jumped and shouted and "high fived" each other. Then, I took a picture with my cell phone, and we released her prize back into the placid waters. Moments later, something hit on MY line! "It's MY turn now!!" I shouted as I furiously reeled the line, " Come home to Daddy!" It was a three inch sunfish. Hannah and I laughed until our sides hurt, and she took my picture with the cell phone.

Yesterday, my daughter Hannah and I drove out to the Lake Chippewa Campground at 7:30 a.m. to hold chapel services for the participants of "Fishing Has No Boundaries." This is an outstanding program, which, over the years, has provided fishing opportunities for literally thousands of disabled anglers. Many of them have never had the chance to go fishing before. Launched in Hayward, FHNB has grown significantly, to twenty three chapters in eleven states. Hundreds of volunteers gather at each event, to assist in this wonderful cause. Hayward is still the Grand-daddy of the whole thing, and our local event is always the third weekend in May. My part is to conduct the chapel services in the big tent. Armed with Bible, guitar and Hannah's violin, we sang and preached hope and faith into the weary fisherman (Saturday had not been a good day for catching -- Sunday, I hear was much more successful.) At the end of the service, dashing out of the tent to get to my church on ti...

Izaak Walton , the 17th Century angler and writer, is the patron saint of fishermen. At England's Winchester Cathedral , where Walton is buried,there is a stained glass window devoted to him, with this inscription: Study to Be Quiet Fishermen understand solitude. Perhaps that's the reason why Jesus recruited them to be his disciples.

Last evening, fishing great, Daryl Christensen , (also known as "Jigmeister) spoke at Hayward Wesleyan's 5th Annual Fishing Expo. He gave some good walleye fishing tips, and then shared about his personal faith journey, leading people in a prayer to open their lives to Christ at the end of his presentation. The majority of those who attended (mostly men and boys) aren't the "churchy" type -- but are passionate about fishing. It's a great outreach to the community. There were several seminars and lots of exhibitors throughout the day. I didn't do much -- just showed up and cheered them on. Sue Rosenquist, of Pastika's Bait Shop (one of the top muskie bait suppliers in the nation) led a team of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers in organizing this wonderful day.