Ol’ Big Thunder
Howdy Folks, welcome to the camp. Coffee’s hot and we’ll just sit and have a cup while we enjoy what the Good Lord has seen fit to provide. Now folks, I want you to know that it is hard to beat the exhilarating feeling you get when you have a chance to enjoy nature, maybe at its finest, when you are camped out beside what may be the best fishin’ hole in Texas, with old friends for your companions, coffee boiling on the campfire, bedded down with a blanket of stars up above, and visions of fish jumping on the end of your fishing pole…ahhh, it just don’t get any better than that! You see as we ponder on this, we can think back to the days of Jesus as he gathered His disciples, many of which were fishermen. Jesus told them to, “Come follow me.” You see, He wanted them to be fishers of men because He would sacrifice His life for the souls of mankind and they would need to carry on His work once He was gone. Yes, I know they were a bit more than the casual fisherman, but they still must have enjoyed the outdoors. And with that love of the outdoors, while I am contemplating this glorious outing and much needed break, my thoughts jump to our present political debacle. Maybe we need to declare a two or three day break so all of those so-called politicians could go fishing! They would certainly have a chance to develop a fresh perspective of the world’s problems and maybe, as one of them was netting the other’s fish, they could renew their abilities for cooperation. And that night around the campfire while they listened to someone brag about the big’un that got away, or join in hurrahing the feller that stepped into a hole and filled his waders to the brim…it is just possible that a relationship might be formed that would be reminiscent of how the west was won, or how the old American ways could be renewed, thus being instrumental in devising a new fresh look at how folks could begin to pull in the same direction as they solve a multitude of problems that could guarantee that our great country would continue its proud standing as the leader of the free world! My Ol’ Daddy would say, “Give a man a fish an’ maybe he’ll have a meal, teach a country to fish and you can save the world. Of course, you will probably have a liar or two in the bunch!” My Ol’ Daddy loved politics, but he would rather go fishin.’ So, let me leave you with this thought. The old saying that “Into each life some rain may fall” tells us that life is not a bed of roses and we will find the road very difficult at times. But we must remember that God is constantly guiding and directing our path and we need to get quiet and listen to his directions. Papa Hop would tell you that God gave each of us free will to make our own decisions, but He also gave each of us good common sense to help us understand the perils ahead and to consciously make the decision to get ahold of the lifeline that God offers us!.....Let’s go Fishing!
Ol’ Big Thunder
Did you ever sit on a creek bank with yore line a-bobbin’ there. While you lay back an’ try to think ‘bout them fluffy clouds in the air. Then you sorta doze an’ cut some zzzs, yore mind… a thousand miles away!
An’ you dream of big shade trees with their branches all a sway. Then yore snorin’ makes you wake, to see yore bobber has gone under!
An’ You fear yore line will break while you rassle Ol’ Big Thunder, but you snake ‘em to the top an’ yore gabbin’ fer yore net, when a misstep makes you flop into the water an’ now yore soakin’ wet. Shucks, you try to keep a tight line as that booger zings off track.
But you tangle in yore twine an’ you feel yore line go slack!!
Wal, you slap yore thigh in disgust as *#$#&^#@ you hear yore self say.
An’ life…wal, it ain’t atall just.
‘Cuz Ol’ Big Thunder broke away!!
By Ol’ Jim Cathey Join us Sunday morning at First Baptist Church Marlin as we learn to “Fish.” Maybe before we hire any politicians, we insist that they go a fishin’! So long and keep a tight line.
Pray for our leaders, our troops, and Israel! God bless each of you and God Bless America!