These pictures are over 40 years old, taken in the Southern Province
of the country of Zambia. We went fishing one day, an afternoon off.
We watched some local boys, and then a good friend and his small boy showed
my husband how to find fish in this large pond.
We laughed and enjoyed the beauty of the day.
And that’s why fishing is a heavenly gift, so very suitable for weekend quiet.
After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it:
Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the brothers Zebedee,
and two other disciples were together.
Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”
The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat.
They caught nothing that night.
When the sun came up,
Jesus was standing on the beach,
but they didn’t recognize him.
Jesus spoke to them:
“Good morning!
Did you catch anything for breakfast?”
They answered, “No.”
He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.”
They did what he said.
All of a sudden there were so many fish in it,
they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter,
“It’s the Master!”
When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes,
for he was stripped for work,
and dove into the sea.
The other disciples came in by boat
for they weren’t far from land,
a hundred yards or so,
pulling along the net full of fish.
When they got out of the boat,
they saw a fire laid,
with fish and bread cooking on it.
Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter joined them
and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish!
And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.
Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.”
Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.
Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples
since being raised from the dead.
John 21:1-14, The Message
Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.
Herbert Hoover
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.
Doug Larson
If fishing is a religion, fly fishing is high church.
Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Like they say, you can learn more from a guide in one day than you can in three months fishing alone.
Mario Lopez
— Chinese Proverb
A question for friends using Blogger:
recently, anytime I cut and paste, I get this weird white background.
Don’t have a clue how to get rid of it.
Any ideas??
Yes, something about fishing…beautiful photos, thank you for sharing them.
What a treasure you have in these photos, Diana. And I love those quotes…they make me laugh AND want to go grab my fishing pole and a grandlittle and sit by the pond. Have a beautiful weekend…wrapped in the love of Jesus – the one who taught us what it really means to fish. xox
Love Tom Brokaw’s! Reminds me of the opening of “A River Runs Through It,” about Peter and John being dry-fly fisherman.
You’re welcome, John. Thank YOU for stopping by.
Thanks for your sweet note, Patricia – and right back at your with wishes for a beautiful weekend. Protection from that storm!
If you didn’t tell me these were taken in Zambia, I would never know they weren’t taken just around the corner–except for the trees (acacia?) and those exotic lily pads. I grew up fishing. Back in the simple days…
I don’t know what trees were around that pond. It didn’t occur to 21 year old me to ask such questions, I’m sorry to say. But in the other post I just put up in the African Journey series, there is a nice shot of blooming acacias along the main street of our town. There were lots of acacias, but most of those were planted, not growing up around ponds in the back country. I’m not much of a fisher person myself, but I like to tag along with a book, maybe a journal and a big hat. :>)
I think what I loved most was just being out on the water. A battered rowbow. I liked going out early while it was still misty moisty (I wasn’t supposed to go out alone, but I did) listening, watching. Or at dusk. Or even in the dark. Sometimes I’d take a sandwich. Sometimes I’d just lie down in the bottom of the boat and watch the sky. I don’t think I’d lie down in the bottom of a boat now. But I’m drooling for a light kayak of my very own.
Not a boat person. I like being on the shore, as close to the water as possible. Or on a dock – yeah, docks are cool. :>)
I take it this means you don’t want to go for a ride down the Frio?
Honey, I would tip that boat right over. Sad, but true.
Ha! Well, since I don’t think David won’t be there, I may have to take myself out. Maybe in the misty moisty. So if I don’t show up for breakfast, send someone for me. Maybe Marcus. I watched him swim down the river.
You got it.
Every bit of this makes me smile – the photos, the Scripture passage AND the quotes at the end. You are a gifted weaver of all things story.
Such a kind thing to say, Cheryl. Thank you!
The young man that mows for me was raised in Zambia where his parents spent many years as missionaries. He is hoping that he and his family can visit there again someday. Your photos share such beauty.
It is a beautiful place and I’m grateful to have lived there or a while.
I’m never been a fishing-person, but love watching them. AND so loved the photos of Zambia. Have so desired to return to Africa again. Love it there so much. Oh, well.
I’m not the fisher person either, Donna. But I like to tag along once in a while. Maybe someday you’ll get back there – you never know!