Fishing and Ethics Thursday

#1 · October 6, 2004, 6:58 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on October 6, 2004, 6:58 pm
Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>
"Fishing and Ethics"

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from a dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake. On the day before the bass season opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching some fish and perch with worms. Then he tied on a small silver lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the sunset, thin silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.

When his pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish along side the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass. The boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 p.m. -- two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. "You'll have to put it back, Son," he said. "Dad!" cried the boy. "There will be another fish," said his father. "Not as big as this one," cried the boy.

He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father. Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his fathers voice that the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water. The creature swished it's powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that never again would he see such a great fish.

That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father's cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock. He was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish -- again and again -- every time he comes up against a question of ethics.

For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we aren't supposed to have? We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth. The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and our grandchildren. Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened.

"Perfect"

Every so often, I enjoy browsing through Christian Book Stores ~ just to read their wall hangings. It draws me to worship. Yet, no matter how beautiful, either the color or wood tone does not coordinate with my home furnishings. Thus, coming home empty handed is the norm.
Through the course of conversation, a friend gave me the idea to frame my poetry. What a Godsend! There is a way to decorate my house, as a testimony for God, after all!

For the next few months, every piece of paper caught my attention ~ from cards with framed messages (making beautiful borders) to designed stationery (for backgrounds), to picture posters (creating otherwise more expensive large wall hangings). Each and every creation is one of a kind. There is even a grouping of family photos, with one frame, out in front, that reads, "Our God Reigns." My house is growing to be a visible expression of my heart! Isn't God wonderful!?!

However, there was just one snag (an object lesson, if you will).

In purchasing a picture of a temple garden with doves; no verse, poem, or saying had been included. It needed something more to mark its' religious significance. Not having before realized, doves are no longer easy to find in the stores. My husband helped search until we found enough pieces to complete a wall, shelf, and table grouping.

Perfect

A poem was to set in the midst, to tie this grouping together. More than a half dozen changes, in the framed poem, occurred before I was satisfied with its' wording. Then, the materials used in the frame changed more times than I can count. It was a chore ever coming to the place that poem, fonts, paper, ink, color, background, and frame all worked together ~ like it should. Eventually, the right combination happened that left that feeling of 'Awe, Perfect'. Concluding that this framed creation was never going to get any better than that, I vowed to never touch it again. Finally!!! I was glad that was over!

Then, one day, while on vacation, I came across a gorgeous handcrafted Canadian resin dove frame. It was twice what I wanted to pay. How could I be sure if it were a perfect match, being several states away? After having labored over the decision, I concluded that I might not get another chance for a frame like this again.

Once home, I set the frame with the grouping ~ to see how it might look. Still uncertain, after hesitation, I took apart my framed work, transferred it to the new frame, then set it in place of the original.

Awe! PERFECT! It was BEAUTIFUL!!! How could that be!?! I always thought the feeling of 'Awe, Perfect' was God's way of saying something is just right/complete/as it was meant to be.

"How could that be, God?"

He answered, "See. My 'PERFECT' is even better than yours." And, yes, I did 'see' the difference.

I suspect God gave me that object lesson as a way of sharing with people something I'd already learned: Except the Lord build the house, those who build are laboring in vain (Ps.127:1). His 'PERFECT' is better than the very best we can do. All our righteousness is as filthy rags until God begins to live through us; trading in our knowledge, thoughts, beliefs, talents, abilities, and even creativity for His. 'Awe' to know Him! His ways are always 'PERFECT'!!! And, if we'd just let God build our house and His, they'd both be 'PERFECT', too.

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

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Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"Fishing and Ethics"

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from a dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake. On the day before the bass season opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching some fish and perch with worms. Then he tied on a small silver lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the sunset, thin silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.

When his pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish along side the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass. The boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 p.m. -- two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. "You'll have to put it back, Son," he said. "Dad!" cried the boy. "There will be another fish," said his father. "Not as big as this one," cried the boy.

He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father. Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his fathers voice that the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water. The creature swished it's powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that never again would he see such a great fish.

That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father's cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock. He was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish -- again and again -- every time he comes up against a question of ethics.

For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we aren't supposed to have? We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth. The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and our grandchildren. Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened.

"Perfect"

Every so often, I enjoy browsing through Christian Book Stores ~ just to read their wall hangings. It draws me to worship. Yet, no matter how beautiful, either the color or wood tone does not coordinate with my home furnishings. Thus, coming home empty handed is the norm.
Through the course of conversation, a friend gave me the idea to frame my poetry. What a Godsend! There is a way to decorate my house, as a testimony for God, after all!

For the next few months, every piece of paper caught my attention ~ from cards with framed messages (making beautiful borders) to designed stationery (for backgrounds), to picture posters (creating otherwise more expensive large wall hangings). Each and every creation is one of a kind. There is even a grouping of family photos, with one frame, out in front, that reads, "Our God Reigns." My house is growing to be a visible expression of my heart! Isn't God wonderful!?!

However, there was just one snag (an object lesson, if you will).

In purchasing a picture of a temple garden with doves; no verse, poem, or saying had been included. It needed something more to mark its' religious significance. Not having before realized, doves are no longer easy to find in the stores. My husband helped search until we found enough pieces to complete a wall, shelf, and table grouping.

Perfect

A poem was to set in the midst, to tie this grouping together. More than a half dozen changes, in the framed poem, occurred before I was satisfied with its' wording. Then, the materials used in the frame changed more times than I can count. It was a chore ever coming to the place that poem, fonts, paper, ink, color, background, and frame all worked together ~ like it should. Eventually, the right combination happened that left that feeling of 'Awe, Perfect'. Concluding that this framed creation was never going to get any better than that, I vowed to never touch it again. Finally!!! I was glad that was over!

Then, one day, while on vacation, I came across a gorgeous handcrafted Canadian resin dove frame. It was twice what I wanted to pay. How could I be sure if it were a perfect match, being several states away? After having labored over the decision, I concluded that I might not get another chance for a frame like this again.

Once home, I set the frame with the grouping ~ to see how it might look. Still uncertain, after hesitation, I took apart my framed work, transferred it to the new frame, then set it in place of the original.

Awe! PERFECT! It was BEAUTIFUL!!! How could that be!?! I always thought the feeling of 'Awe, Perfect' was God's way of saying something is just right/complete/as it was meant to be.

"How could that be, God?"

He answered, "See. My 'PERFECT' is even better than yours." And, yes, I did 'see' the difference.

I suspect God gave me that object lesson as a way of sharing with people something I'd already learned: Except the Lord build the house, those who build are laboring in vain (Ps.127:1). His 'PERFECT' is better than the very best we can do. All our righteousness is as filthy rags until God begins to live through us; trading in our knowledge, thoughts, beliefs, talents, abilities, and even creativity for His. 'Awe' to know Him! His ways are always 'PERFECT'!!! And, if we'd just let God build our house and His, they'd both be 'PERFECT', too.

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

Necessary Legal Information

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