Throw Out a Line

Sunday evenings are our favorite nights for grilling. Yesterday we tried to think of something that we hadn't had in awhile. We were ready for a change in menus. Pork chops? Salmon? Trout? "Yes! I was just thinking of trout!" Wait!! I've never even eaten trout much less cooked trout, and we live in Dallas! How could you be thinking of trout too? MVP hubby went to Central Market for the best chance of fresh trout while #1 son and I looked for recipes. Seems there are some basic ingredients: olive oil or butter, garlic, salt and pepper, lemon and foil. So we used no recipe, and just had the supplies on deck and started experimenting. My back-up plan was to buy big baking potatoes so that if the trout was less than edible, we would still be full. At the end of the meal we were quite satisfied and content, and some plates had leftover potatoes instead of leftover fish! Who knows what you're going to catch when you throw out a line in the open waters; you might be fed beyond your limit.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, give us the boldness to throw our nets into the open waters and bring back a new way of sharing, a new way of thinking, a new way of being fed. Guide us as we seek a new approach to growth, study and worship while we hold true to our basic elements of praise, confession, offerings, time in study, prayers for the people and outward mission. It's easy to follow existing steps, but grant us an adventurous spirit to sample different interests, and a creative mind to fashion something unique and specially made for our congregation. All will be nourished if we keep our intentions on the life and teachings of Grace made real in Jesus. Give our leadership wisdom as they struggle to meet challenges. Be with our members who are throwing the nets into the neighborhoods to help us learn more about our community. Be beside us as we pull in the nets and share in the joy of discovery and wonder of an unexpected harvest, and that in return we develop that which is presented. All glory is yours! Amen