I Had to make this choice a long time ago and my family and I have been blessed for it ever since. Matt.6:33 "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Church. To cold to fish right now

Practicing religion and keeping the traditions is the easy part. Making God the Lord of your life is where the rubber meets the road. If you do that, the answer to the question is easy.

Who CANNOT feel that oneness with the Master Architect of the Universe, when one is walking a crystal clear, rushing stream, taking in the incredibly perfect design of towering trees, the lush verdant undergrowth of a meadow graced with a farm pond, a brilliant sky with the perfect cloud formations, or the joyful sound of a gaggle of birds as they make a joyful noise unto the Lord, rejoicing and being glad they are alive and such an integral part of the fabric of life! And YOU are the luckiest man on earth because you have been granted the opportunity to take it all in, as you work diligently to hit that state imposed limit on the species of fish you have decided to pursue today!

Many ways to let God into your life, as long as you never forget who makes it all possible. Some of the best conversations I have ever had with God happened while I was bankside or floating down a near pristine stream in my small boat.

It does a body good!

Rudy

Or failing that take your "fishingaholic" Priest/Minister with you when the sandbass run is on, or they are covering acres of lake surface in a midsummer feeding frenzy!

+1 Take him to church and then go fishing........plenty of time in the day to do both
also agree with Tommy and Robert

GREAT ANSWER SIR...Back when I used to skip church to go fishing (frequently), it was because it was the ONLY place I found true peace in my life. When my grandfather (the preacher) questioned me about it, I explained a situation like you describe...he just patted me on the head, and said I would make a FINE PREACHER one of these days...Although, I never felt the calling to lead a congregation...I do provide fish for those in need...and I call it my loaves and fishes ministry....I don't preach to them, but I do offer suggestions for getting back on the right track and/or encouragement to stay on that track...along with some fish to eat...

Isn't that the truth. Life changing for me. I've got a long way to go!

Plus #1.

What is he going to do? Apperar in front of you and say "go to church". Answer is easy for me but I am a non-christian.

John 21:3

I have missed more services than I care to admit due to being on the water or in a deer stand. I have now made the decision to make it to church instead of the lake. With that being said I still think some of my biggest growths as a Christian have come when I was by myself in a deer stand. When we are still and quiet and our mind is clear, that is when we are most likely and most able to hear the things God may or may NOT be telling us. Though I have never heard God in a loud voice, I have seen Him work in some amazing ways. I have struggled with many things in my life, I was lucky that I was raised in church and had a support group to help and Pray me through the troubled times. I have learned to lean more on God and less on me and things go much smoother. I don't look down on anyone for fishing, hunting, golfing, ect. on Sundays because each person has to find where they need to be. Church doesn't save souls, and there are no perfect people. Church is a group of like minded people gathered together in one place Calling on a awesome and powerful God, I translate that as easy as this; You and your buddy on a creek bank, in a boat or on the 18th hole taking a minute to give thanks for all you have, and asking forgiveness for the sins you have committed is just as much a church service as me joining with my church family at Rock Hill Baptist Church. Church has nothing to do with a building but the people that represent the Body of Christ. I may have got a bit deep into this but this is my $.02 and I feel good that with an open forum this topic was brought up and has stayed clean for the most part.

One last note on this subject and I will leave it alone. Most people that visit a church and never return are as saved as the ones inside that building that never took the time to shake a hand or introduce themselves. I know people that wake up everyday and have a quiet time and read the Bible each and every day but are not a member of a church. When you let religion overshadow your Christianity you have missed the point. My favorite saying is "spread the gospel of Christ and use words if necessary",

Clay

Well said Clay!

Clay,

THANKS for an excellent response! I have wanted to weigh in on the subject but figured I would offend someone and turn it into another thread that had everyone upset, or maybe be considered a hypocrite. Your comments and thoughts are similar to mine.

Here's my 2 cents:

My Son and I have operated a Guide Service for 14 years and when we started it, we made the decision to not fish on Sunday. We believe like you that a "Church" is not the building, but a body of people who are trying to do right, live better, and need the support and encouragement of others to stay the course. I too used to do about anything on Sunday except for attend Church, but eventually realized that I couldn't go it alone. I needed Christ and those that believe and acknowledge him to help me along the way. I just couldn't get that same encouragement & support in a Deer Blind or Boat. More importantly, I couldn't be an example for others, or help when needed if I wasn't a part of the body.

The Lord has rewarded us in so many ways with a successful Guide Business just being one of them. Hopefully, I don't sound like I'm preaching at others, but just giving my thoughts.

Thanks!

Some excellent comments here.

Local TV station sent a couple reporters to Afghanistan with the group of soldiers from Ft Hood that just deployed a week ago. The segment Sat night was about Chaplains and soldiers and God. One brief interview with a soldier about to enter the chapel was profound to me. The soldier said, "some people see this as religion; for me, it's a relationship with God". Can't add to that.