June 18 - Go Fishing Day

Most people in the USA have never been fishing!  I know it is hard to believe but most have never been in a boat.  We are blessed to live in a part of the country that is scattered with over 10,000 lakes and about 162 different species in Minnesota waters, including Lake Superior, according the the DNR website.  Around here we hear lots of talk about walleye, bass, northern pike, crappies, and of course, carp.  On most winter and summer days you will see the lakes speckled with fishing boats or fish houses.  We love Minnesota, and we love fishing!

Have you ever been fishing? Do you fish from a boat or from the shore or dock?  What is the biggest fish you have ever caught? Have you ever been out with other fisherman and caught a whole bunch of fish?  That is so fun to win the fight with a big fish on the end of your line.  Makes me want to go right now.

The Bible is full of fish stories.  We have Jonah and the big fish, we have several fish stories with Peter, and Jesus told his disciples he would make them "fishers of men."  Fishing was a pretty common occupation in Jesus' day so he used fish as a way to start a conversation with people.  Just like our bucket lessons on Sunday, we learn that we can use anything to learn about Jesus. It just so happened that in Jesus' "bucket" was fish and so he taught about God from fish.

The next time you are with your friends (or family) look around. What is important to them and tell them something about Jesus from whatever they have in their "bucket." Enjoy thinking about fishing today and maybe ask your parent to sneak out to the lake or pond this evening with a rod and reel. Catch a big one!!

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