Free Worms 2 Corinthians 1:20

Free Worms 2 Corinthians 1:20

A few weeks ago it rained and rained and rained in Eastern Oregon, where we live.

One day I noticed that there were worms all over the street in front of our house.

Another rainy day came and even though I was in my normal rush to get to work, I took a “flower smelling” time out. Dozens of worms were all over the street again, so I grabbed some gloves, a kitchen spatula, and bucket to cash in on a great deal; for a fisherman.

Only one other time in my life do I remember this same phenomena occurring. When I was about 14 some really rainy days came where my family lived in Nebraska. My Dad and my little brother walked for what seemed like hours scooping up the worms that had surfaced in the standing water around the barn yard.

Our life in Christ is like the free worms that surface only under special conditions.

If Christ be not risen then our faith is in vain. 1 Cor 15:14 The effective condition to our faith is that Christ has risen. Witness's on several sides have confirmed the fact of his resurrection. You can read the Jewish historian, Josephus's account if you only believe the papers and magazines. When researching what is going on in various countries I have read congressional reports that confirm what VOM or other biographies have stated.

In Hebrews 11 the scriptures declare that the heroes of faith did NOT receive the promise that has come to us.

We have the once for all atonement.¹ A final sacrifice has been made for our sins. We have a hope of a resurrection from the dead. Because Jesus has risen, we are assured of the same resurrection on the final day.

For many years have been paying high prices for worms at the convenience store. This last year the prices and a few other things grieved me more than ever. I would check the Styrofoam cups and find that many of the containers were 1/2 empty from thieves, or the essential contents was very poor quality.

My experience in turning over boards or digging somewhere out in the garden has not been very good either.

Here are a few secrets - mystery = truth unveiled about getting worms when its not raining cats and dogs. These are truths that I have known, but have not put into practice. In like manner we are so quick to forget all the good things that come from above.²

Water the yard really good in the late afternoon or evening.

As soon as its dark, walk around the yard with a flash light or a lantern. The worms should be there in the grass waiting for you.

If its day time and your needing to get going...here is what my father in law did;
Get out the battery charger or be brave enough to hook up some 110 wired to a metal stake.

Head out to the yard and give them worms a reason to come fishing with you!

( not recommended- only shared as science )

Are we plugged into the wall of 110 or 220; but not shining our light, not running a fan that can cool off a weary person?

The abundant life is peace, faith, joy and if I don’t don't have it, may be its because the worms are still laying there on the street or just going stale in the bucket that I now have them stored in.

Feeding them coffee grounds compost, newspaper, leaves will make 2 buckets by the time fishing gets going. We can, in the same way, cultivate the promises and provision from our heavenly Father.

Here are a few ways this can happen; Reading the word every day. Memorizing it. Together. Putting into practice one thing at a time, in my own life. Reviewing prophecies and seeing the fulfillments as the revelation of faithfulness and love of our God. Making prayer lists and seeing them answered.

There is fishing = missions some where in the world all the time. If its not perfect conditions now where you are, then tie flies, dig worms, and get ready.

What are the promises of God that he has spoken to you personally? If your not hearing any, or only remember a very few that were from a long time ago, then its time to pour 2 cups of tea and drink yours while the Lord has your time and attention. He has much more to say to us, and a lot more to share with us, if we will just listen.

There are fish to be caught. If your willing to be Jesus disciple it does NOT mean that you have to go on foreign missions, or fulfill the office of an evangelist. BUT he will make you a fisher of men.³ As you follow him, "there will always be people in your life that have room in their heart for more of Christ."⁴

Gathering worms is like getting a job offer. Until you fill out the application, get through the interview, get hired and show up for work; there is no paycheck. The worms are free, in God's economy. In order for us to enjoy the fish, the worm has to get on the hook and in the water.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 1 Corinthians 1:20 NKV

May you find the worms in your yard and the fish that you enjoy catching and eating. G.W.

1By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. Hebrews 10:10

2Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

3 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

4William Hawkins 2006

The Majestic Cloud

This cloud was captured in photo on a trip Marianne took to Mexico last July. Isn't it amazing? Without any edits or "doctoring" there is a glow up there. Sometimes life is that way, and we see something supernatural happening, but most often we don't. We can marvel at the ordinary, small details, if we are able to see that it is the Creators' hand of love for us. Its very hard for me to write about the mundane, minutia, every day life. That's about all you would have heard from me during this prior month of silence. Life as not been all work,eat,and sleep, but almost. Do I have to wait till something sensational comes along before I start typing some lines? Well, this time I did. Meanwhile we were enduring lots of cloudy days, and rain, grizzly depressing rain and wind, harsh bitter face biting wind. Also, for the last few weeks I have been working, like 3 jobs, literally. We also started Spanish services at our church, which has added another activity to our busy schedule. I still do really want to keep writing and have reminded myself often for the last month of the purposes that I started this blog. One was to communicate my heart with my adult children. Even the teens in our house, may read this and get something out of it, something of temporal joy, or eternal value, I hope.

What I did take time for the last couple weeks is any chance to stay connected with the 2 girls and the 2 young adult men still living in our home. This included a couple of fishing trips. The first trip was just Levi and me, standing in 35 degree cloudy windy weather catching trout, while trying to keep our fingers from going numb. I would not trade that day for any other I have lived. Despite the elements we caught fish, enjoyed views of the mountains, stayed warm by the fire, and did some target practicing on the way home. The second trip both boys and I caught fish and camped out for the night, making another good memory that will last....and yes, it was a record catch for this particular Wilke clan.

Another purpose of this blog is share thoughts from what I am hearing from above. What if I am not hearing much, just trudging through the pages that I read? In reading through Galatians and Ephesians I did not want to have the "Teachers" view with these timeless truths. It is important to stay in a mode of learning and growing personally. It would not be good to just pull something out of the hat, and magically have food on the plate for this blog. Your not going to hear, " And now presenting, Greg, with the latest greatest twist on the same message" We are called to point to the one who is faithful and true. He is enough, even if I am not hearing much during this season. I will not be disappointed or offended in him when most of my days are gray or blue. I trust in his eternal purposes in every relationship and circumstance HE allows in my life. G.W.