Moral of the story

[tommo]

Hello friends,
                      Today is the 25 Aug.  After a long time due to other commitments I had the chance to go fishing.  Looking back it would make you laugh to see me making the preparations for this trip.  Believe me this is just part of the actual fishing day.  On the 24 Aug, all my fishing equipment was laid out on the LIVING ROOM floor and each item was looked over thoroughly.  Loose hooks and floats were all in the wrong places due to the haste in packing up at the last expedition.  Every item was cleaned and parts oiled.  The coffee flask was rewashed, sandwiches made(only toasted bread used),(it could also be used as bait).  Reading glasses cleaned and a cloth to wipe my hands on if I actually caught a fish.  What I would like you all to understand is that its not catching a fish BUT in actually being there.  I awoke after a restless night at 0600 but looking forward to the day. By sheer habit every morning I watch the news on Teletext while drinking a cup of strong coffee.  A strange noise came from the kitchen, the Fridge had overfrozen and was stopping the fan.  Now the hairdryer ploy came into its own, but it took me at least three quarters of an hour to clean up the melted water and get the Fridge working properly again.  All sweaty and unkempt I then went to the lake and set up my fishing equipment.  It has been a lovely day and I am tired but relaxed.  The fish were HUNGRY and kept me busy, BUT in the slack times I thought of events in my life and how I could have done things differently.  In my relaxed mood the thought came to me to think of some of the people whose lives and writings had an influence upon my life.  None of the Biblical heroes seemed to be prominent enough and then in a flash the one person who in all the writings in the BIBLE or anywhere else  DID get the Divine blessing more than anyone else.   The centurion with the sick daughter.  (no greater faith).  So bye for now.  With the deepest respect,      Tommo     

[strypes]

Thank you for sharing your day with us

[tommo]

Well folks, once again i wish to tell you of an event that happened to me today.  2  Sept,   many years ago I bought an expensive watch and grew to love every feature of it, many people commented upon its unusual dial, and I was proud that they had noticed.  Well the shop who had serviced it for years had moved to a place called Walsall, England.  So keeping up with the people who could service the watch and replace the strap I went there by train.  NOW  the story begins.   I went by bus to a train station called Aston and had to wait 30 mins for the next train.  Up pops this bloke and asks me if there is a toilet on the platform, no I replied.  But I pointed out that there was a Church VERY close by and that they had that facility, also we had over 20 minutes to the next train.  Off he goes and comes back to thank me.  Then started what I can only describe as a nightmare.  All hail fellow and well met he then inflicts upon me his religious beliefs of a certain (heavy) denomination, good for them.  Not me. On embarking upon the train who should sit beside me, yes have a guess.  Then began his interpretation of the Good Book.  Please be assured that I too have my own opinions.   His voice then grew louder and he began preaching to those in our compartment,  I became ashamed at his bias and self seeking portrayal of the subject of "what has become of humankind today".  For the first time in my life I stood up and apologised for his behaviour, told him to sit down and then told the people in the carriage that the future was GOOD as promised to us and that if anybody was interested they look it up in the Bible if they wished.    One thing I know is that it is  good  thing to be nice, but also there should be times when it is alright to say NO.   Now as I have said I too have my own opinions of the Bible, this does not shake my belief in its teachings. So the moral of the story is to study the Bible for yourself, use whatever applies to you alone and be at peace.  Now that last word is hard for humans.  Figure out what I am trying to tell you but most of all remember your CREATOR. What was  the verse, Be at Peace and  ?

[bobinfaith]

Dear Tommo;

2 Corinthians 13:11, 11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Its ok to say no, to stand and speak up.  What you expressed pointed to Jesus and to me there was no sin. 

If I had a cool watch like that I would have taken the train also to get it fixed.  You could have sent it online to Bob's Watch Repair (lol)  but then I realized that you would not have had the opportunity to witness to this man. 

Regarding the busy fishing, I once used a clothes hanger as a hook and caught a bite.  It was pretty big, I could feel it but it got away.  lol!   honest!   

Great witness Tommo!  I enjoyed the read. 

Your brother in Christ Jesus.