Fishers of Men | Pastor Rodney

I have been a musician since the late seventies, learning to strum out a few tunes on the acoustic guitar. I can also play a handful of other instruments including piano. A few years ago I began struggling to advance my skills as a pianist until I heard a young Asian pianist playing a beautiful rendition of the classic hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  The skill with which she performed was incredible; she played each note in perfect melodic sequence and clarity. Most remarkably was the fact that the young piano protégée had no fingers on her right hand. I have so enjoyed practicing the piano of late, having been freshly re-inspired to do my best. Five or six years ago I read about a young man that is making huge impact on a new generation of youth. Peoples excuses for not succeeding seem weak and inadequate after listening to the story of Nick Vujicic. Nick was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1982. To the surprise of both his parents and the doctor, Nick entered the world without arm...

I remember going out on Lake Erie off the northern Ohio coast some years ago.  My wife and son were the only other people aboard the small boat. We were headed to the rich Walleye and Small Mouth Bass fishing that South, Middle, and North Bass Islands are famous for. As we headed away from the shore a very heavy fog settled over the lake. Soon the shore line disappeared from the view behind us. We had several miles to go before we would reach the islands. The old boat we were in had none of the navigational equipment that most Lake boats have today. We proceeded along carefully and I might add prayerfully with only a trusty old compass to guide us on our way. I must admit there were a few moments when I didn't feel confident that we were still on course.   Wave after wave we continued until finally I saw the faint out line of the South Bass Island shore.The trusty old compass had proven faithful again! These uncertain times in which we live remind me of that ear...

We are so fortunate in America to have access to so many books. Our libraries are full of them. I know of a library in Indiana that is slowly sinking into the ground because the engineer didn’t make provision for the weight of the books. This was certainly a great architectural miscalculation. Perhaps he should have read a little more on the topic of structural weight bearing considerations. Agatha Christie’s books have sold an estimated two billion copies. Children’s writer Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel has sold in the hundreds of thousands of books with works like Green Eggs and Ham. Steven King, James Patterson and J.K. Rowling’s books are all on the best sellers lists of today’s top authors. I became a fan of Christian inspirational writer, Max Lucado, back in the nineties. His works include, When God whispers your name, The applause of Heaven, Six hours one Friday, No wonder they call him the Savior, Traveling light, and In the grip of grace, to name a few. I have also enj...

One basic fact that is widely known among agriculturalists is this, “The better the seed the better the harvest.” Also, good, nutrient-rich soil that has been properly prepared is essential. Jesus illustrates these points in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 13 verses 3 through 9: “… Behold, a sower went forth to sow; “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God and the soil is the heart of man. You will notice that there is no problem with the qua...

With a small tin can full of worms, a stick pole and a couple yards of line, I became a fisherman. I vividly remember those summer days of the 1960s at our family’s pond in northeast Ohio. It was there I learned the art of luring little fish from their watery habitat. I became acquainted with my future father-in-law when I began dating my wife, two decades later. He liked to fish for bass. A few trips out with him and I was hooked. Since that time I have caught northern pike in Canada, walleye on Lake Erie, and salmon on a Lake Michigan tributary. I’ve also fished the Atlantic Ocean off of Florida and North Carolina for various salt water species and battled grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. My grandfather, father and my three brothers have all enjoyed fishing. The trips I’ve had fishing with my now grown children are very memorable and happy times. I am elated that my son-in-law is an avid outdoorsman and fisherman also! One day Jesus encountered a couple fishermen. They we not causa...

Just about everyone has had a praying grandmother or family minister… perhaps your parents where Christians or maybe a teacher, neighbor or friend that had a spiritual connection with God. Very few American’s grow up absent of some type of Christian influence. Still God religion and going to church has become a thing of the past for many in today’s world. The reasons for this are as numerous as the waves of the sea. Let’s take a look at the institution of church. Religious denominations are as plenteous as are restaurants and pizza parlors in every city in America. Many ask, so which one is right? Then there are those unfortunate incidents that scandal or some sort of hurtful situation takes place within a church. It is unfortunate that there are those rare occasions when there have been spiritual casualties in the pews. Additionally, it can also be true that the discouraged simply give up, or the offended become unwilling to forgive. One thing is for certain, we are in error when we...