I identified Chandler’s fish (see Friday’s Catch). It’s called a California corbina and it is prevalent in the shallow surf. It’s a bottom feeder and hard to catch with a line and hook because it doesn’t really “strike,” it munches. However it is fairly easy to spear as the Wikipedia site describes: “Although, these fish are difficult to hook, even an amateur spear fisher can easily spear these fish as they are not very wary of human contact. Corbina are the perfect fish to learn how to aim and shoot your spear due to the fishes lack of fight/flight reaction.”
Too bad it wasn’t better eating; Chandler could have kept us well supplied.
It makes me think that if I am going to be a fish in the sea, I don’t want to model myself after the corbina. Better to be more alert and aware of my surroundings. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” which in a California corbina’s case could be any 14-year-old boy with a new spear.
The main thing here is for us to be aware of our surroundings and to constantly apply the truth of God’s word to what we experience. This means both inside and outside the church, because, just as in New Testament days there are false teachers everywhere. That’s why Paul commended the church in Berea because they continually checked the message Paul was bringing them with the scriptures they had, which would have been what we now call the Old Testament (Acts 17:11).
God gave us a mind meaning he meant for us to put it to use. In some Christian circles, people are being asked to turn off their minds and just accept what the leadership tells them, but if the leadership is truly discipling people. they should, like Paul, be telling them to confirm the truth in their own minds. More often than not, it’s not the leadership’s fault as much as it is the people who don’t want to have to think for themselves; they prefer to have someone else do their thinking for them. That turns you in to a sitting corbina.
Use your mind. Engage. Check things out further than just what’s on the surface. Read the word daily and keep it fresh in your mind. Not only will it protect you, it’s also more fun to be continually challenged. And if you see some kid pointing a pole at you, you might at least want to make yourself a moving target.
John Fischer The Catch 
Clever “Catch” today, John 😉
Wanted to wish Chandler a very Happy Birthday!
Along with the thought of being aware of our surroundings, I would like to the idea of being aware of others. This ties back to other recent Catches.
Being thoughtful and aware of others is so important. The other day I was talking with another of a professional organization to which I belong. She is very open about the various Jewish holidays that she observers and she told me of an encounter with another guy in the group with whom she has some disagreements. He had invited her to lunch, presumably to talk about a business project, and, because he is a Christian, before lunch he stopped to pray. Well, this really put her off. He knows she is Jewish and yet he is so unaware of how his actions would come across.
I guess my point is that sometimes a hard line stance on some of the typical Christian rules does more harm than good. We really need to be sensitive to others and get to know them before we destroy a relationship with someone that God loves (which is everyone.)
would like to “say” that i completely agree with what TimC wrote… 🙂
why would someone be offended by a simple lunch when one gives thanks to god for the nourishment ? even if the name of god used was jesus ? as christians we demonstrate our faith in daily living. the offended member of the luncheon would respect the habit of thanksgiving over the meal but she chose to take offense. i think it is on her not on him. do not jews give thanks over a meal too ? no, we must do as we are instructed and never waffle especially for someone with her own issues. my opinion.
It’s an interesting point that doesn’t have a simple answer…
Is it right for us to expect others to not be offended by our practices?
It seems to me that it would be more gracious of us to be aware and sensitive of other’s points of offense, rather than just going around and poking people in the eye because we think we’re right.
Happy Birthday Chandler
Not only should we use our minds, if we get it wrong God won’t freak out, I mean someone has to be wrong.
I had a person tell me they believed in the inerrant word of God and I said, no, you believe in your interpretation of it.
If the Word is inerrant the fact the we aren’t opens us up for misinterpretation. I think God can handle that. It also relieves us the pressure of having to correct everyone else.
Lot’s of people believing something doesn’t make it true.
Happy birthday Chandler. My son shares your birthday.
well plz my Catch buddy, Priscilla tell your son Happy Birthday from me, OK… 🙂