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Norman Mclean chronicled a family passion for fishing in southwest Montana along with a moving story about his family’s personal tragedy in the classic book, A River Runs Through It. The book was made into the most famous fly-fishing movie ever made with the same title. Recently, John Mclean, chronicled his family’s love affair with the Blackfoot River in Montana in a book called Home Waters. Although I have not read the latest book, and I doubt I will, the original book and the following film of the same name continue to be a personal favorite of mine.

Recently, I had a chance to go to Montana and try out a couple of the trout streams in the area near Bozeman. One of the rivers, the Gallatin, was the location for the fly-fishing scenes in the movie. As such, I made it a goal to at least cast a line in the river.

Patti and I headed up the Gallatin Canyon between Bozeman and West Yellowstone. Right off the bat, I was surprised to the see the volume of traffic leading up the canyon. Nowhere in the movie was this much traffic depicted although given the time period of the early 1920’s in southwest Montana that is likely to be expected. Nevertheless, I was almost stunned by the heavy traffic leading back and forth between the two communities right next to the river.

I got out and rigged up my fly rod. I would have about two hours to fish the river and I was not dismayed but still eager with excitement. Very few river canyons can display the scenic beauty of this area even with the traffic along the highway.

When I got to the water, I was immediately impressed with the size of the river. The volume of water flowing down the canyon, the width of the river, and how fast it was flowing were all on a different scale than the streams and rivers I normally fish in New Mexico. In fact, I made it a point to avoid such waters just for that reason given I prefer the smaller waters that are more isolated with few people.

After stepping into the river, it became apparent this was going to be a challenge. Not only was it a large volume of fast flowing water, but was fraught with huge boulders and rocks with steep drop-offs. Wading the river was going to be a huge challenge. I began casting to holding spots at the edge of the river where I could easily access them.

After about 30 minutes, I had still not caught a fish and the challenge of wading in the river to access the holding spots was beginning to get to me. I looked up ahead to see a steady stream of rafts coming down the river. It was a large group of tourists being led down the river by a local guiding company. Knowing it best to let them pass and stop casting, I stood on a large boulder holding my fly rod by my side. One by one the rafts passed within 20 yards of me and we exchanged casual conversation. They were obviously having a great time and I was happy for them.

Finally, after about an hour and 45 minutes of fishing, I landed a single trout. By that time, I had expected Patti to be back to pick me up so I made my way to the parking lot to meet her.

As we drove back to Bozeman, I expressed my frustration at fishing the river. This was the movie portrayal of the Mclean family river. Their Home Waters. Yet, my experience on the river was disappointing. Although it was not the exact river, the Blackfoot held that honor, it still represented the river that had encouraged so many to take up the sport of fly fishing. My own journey with fly fishing began about a year before the movie came out, but the story line and the Mclean family passion for fly fishing, no doubt increased my interest in the art of fly fishing. Many of the scenes in the movie, I had watched time and time again as they were such powerful representations of what fly fishing was about. I could totally relate to the family love of fly fishing and trout streams in beautiful places.

My time on the water in another trout stream in the area was much more successful, yet no more than my home waters of New Mexico. Yet, while I had promised my experience on the Gallatin was only to say I cast a fly on the river, my expectations were subtly something much more. I walked off the river disappointed and exhausted. My home waters would always be somewhere on a stream in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and not in Southwest Montana.

One of the most quotable lines from the book is as follows:

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.”
? Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through it and Other Stories

Although the quote refers to the family tragedies that intertwined with the rivers the family fished, it no doubt has implications for my time on the waters of southwest Montana. I cannot relate to the personal tragedy described in the book, yet there is no doubt I was haunted by the waters of the Gallatin River that day. Although I will likely make the trek to Montana again, never again will I fish that river as it no longer holds meaning to me. My home waters will always be the clear, cold mountain streams of Northern New Mexico which I have literally spent thousands of days in pursuit of brown and Rio Grande Cut Trout.

In John 4:10, Christ says, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. Living water in this verse is much more than the physical characteristic of water we drink for that continues to leave us thirsty after some time. So for further clarification we look to Psalm 36:9 which states, For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light. This verse depicts fresh and cleansing water that quenches the thirst of the spiritually needy.

John 4:14 goes on to say, But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Christ makes it clear that it is in him that we are saved from our spiritual thirst. The word of God and our trust in Him can forever satisfy our thirst. Nothing else can quench our thirst or satisfy our needs. Christ the incarnate deity, who chose to die so that we may have life is the living water that can forever change our lives and make us wholly sanctified. No other selfish ambition or sense of false security brought on by wealth, fame or achievements can provide that lasting gift of grace. Like my false impression with a river in Montana, those things merely lead to disappointment, a lack of joy and in the end hold no value when it comes to the promise of eternal life. The fountain of life is putting our full trust in the One who saves. 

On March 31, 2022 I was admitted to Albuquerque’s Heart Hospital for bypass surgery.  Because of a shortage of beds in ICU, I remained in a hallway in triage for hours and then into a room in ER.  Finally about midnight they moved me to a room in ICU. 

My nurse was Katy.  I don’t remember how it came up, but I told her if I didn’t make it I was good, because I know where I am going and it is a much better place than where I am.  She responded, “So, you have it all figured out, have you?”  I said, “Yes, I do.”  She then left the room.  A little later she came to check on me, and I asked if she was very busy or if she had time to talk.  She said things were slow and she could talk for a while.  I reminded her of her earlier comment and asked if she would like it all figured out too.  She said she would.  I asked if she believed in heaven and hell.  She said as a nurse she has seen a lot of both good and bad, and she believes in both heaven and hell.  I asked her if she were to die, did she know where she would go, and she said no.  Finally, I asked if she would like to know, and she said yes. 

I gave her a Gideon New Testament and had her turn to inside the back cover which contains gospel verses and God’s plan of salvation.  I had her read each verse out loud and tell me what it meant to her, which she did.  It was obvious she was deep in thought as she read, and I knew the Holy Spirit was working on her heart.  I asked her if she wanted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, her sins forgiven, and to know that she would spend eternity with God in heaven.  She told me she did, so I directed her to the sinners’prayer.  She looked at it for several minutes, and then handed the Testament back to me.  I told her to keep it, as my gift to her.

She shared with me that she had said the sinner's prayer. Then, with tears in her eyes she told me that as a nurse she had helped a lot of people, but I was the first patient that showed concern for her.  I thank God that He was able to use me to lead Katy to His Son.  I never saw Katy again, but I pray God will follow up on her decision and help her grow in the faith.

Being in high school is hard. Being a Christian in high school is even harder. That’s something we can all agree on. So how do we help our kids stand strong in their faith through a time in which everything they are being taught and surrounded with is so anti-Christ? Now, I don’t actually have kids myself, so I am by no means an expert in this area, but I do have some firsthand experience through co-leading the high school youth group here at MCC.

Our goal is to help the kids grow and strengthen in their walks with Christ; to equip them to be ambassadors in their everyday lives. One of the  ways we do this is by taking a youth retreat every year. It serves as a reset for their  minds and hearts. To get away from the bombardment of the World and to focus again on the Lord. To be surrounded with like-minded people your own age for a week, soaking in the word of God, and having the freedom to be open about your struggles is an amazing experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. It really is incredible to see the  ways that the Lord can work in the lives of these teenagers over the course of just one week!

During past retreats we’ve had kids accept Christ, rededicate their lives to the  Lord, and make the choice to start truly living their lives for the glory of God. As a  leader, it has been a privilege for me to have a front row seat to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these young men and women. Don’t get me wrong, it’s exhausting! But the late nights and early mornings spent talking, laughing, and crying are 100% worth it.

God is doing amazing things in and through these kids. I think Hebrews 10:23 - 25 sums up our purpose pretty well: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

High school graduation is a rite of passage unlike any other. You move from being treated like a child (legally) to being counted an adult, both in society and in any academic setting you might enter. Colleges aren’t even allowed to discuss your grades with your parents apart from your consent. Childhood is over. Adulthood beckons. How should you respond to the blessing and challenge of graduation?

1. Own Your Faith.

If you come from a Christian home, you have benefited tremendously from a host of supportive circumstances (household rules, numerous protections, church life). Testing awaits as you enter the world. It won’t be enough to ride the coat tails of your parents’ faith. If you’re not sure about Christianity, now is the time to settle the matter (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Christianity is a faith unlike any other because it’s based on historical events that were verifiable to thousands of people in Christ’s day (1 Corinthians 15:3–6, 12–14) — some of whom died for what they would have known to be false, had it been false. If you have doubts, ask away. The existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus, Jesus being the only way to God — there is a wealth of material which addresses these and other questions.

But do you want to base your life on Jesus Christ? You’ll soon encounter new opportunities to misuse God’s good gifts in ways that seem alluring — that seem to offer immediate pleasure. Will you believe the lie that God is a cosmic killjoy, out to rob you from experiencing the good things of life (Genesis 3:6)? Or will you trust that the One who made you knows best, that his rules are an expression of his love, and that his ways lead to your greatest happiness (Psalm 16:11)?

2. Own Your Relationships.

The Christian faith is lived out in community. So you’ll need to find a good church. Somewhere you can worship, learn, grow, and serve. Somewhere you can form friendships and where you can be a friend. Look at a few church websites before you leave home. Check out their beliefs, listen to their sermons, and be aware of their ministries. Make church attendance a priority early. It’s a harder habit to form later.

At college, the easiest friendships aren’t always the best. To become wise, you need to walk (or do life) with the wise (Proverbs 13:20). Look for others who share your commitment to the things of God and faithfully invest in them. Relational evangelism is worth pursuing, especially at college, but make sure you also nurture friendships that strengthen your faith (Proverbs 27:17). We’re commanded to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16) — which presupposes we are salt and light. To make a difference in the world we must be different than the world. Holiness in lifestyle, combined with a gracious demeanor, provide a winsome alternative to the wasteland of hedonism and materialism that are rampant on college campuses and youth culture in general.

3. Own Your Decisions.

Assessing situations, weighing alternatives, and thinking critically are like using muscles. Flabbiness comes from disuse; strength comes through practice. The next few years are full of choices — which college (or trade) to pursue, what to study, how to pay for it, and more. It might be nice if God spoke with an audible voice at each crossroads, but that’s not been my experience. We should pray (James 1:5). We should seek counsel from trustworthy people who know us (Proverbs 15:22). We should consider where we’ve been successful and what activities we enjoy, as these point to where, over time, we might be most useful in this world for the good of others and the glory of God.        

Panicked that you’ll miss God’s will? God wants us to follow him more than we do. His moral will is revealed in the Bible. His sovereign will is revealed as we live it. So make the best decisions you can based on sound judgment, accept the consequences, learn from any missteps, and trust God to shower you with mercy and goodness (Psalm 23:6). With God no path is without difficulty and no path is without blessing.

Congratulations on your graduation. Godspeed in the days ahead. Grace be with you to the end.

1. Alex Chediak, "3 Things Every Teen Must Own at Graduation" May 29, 2014, accessed May 4, 2022.  https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/education/3-things-every-teen-must-own-at-graduation.html    

  When our children are little, things feel so…controllable.  If they’re hungry, we feed them.  If they’re tired, we have them nap.  If they act up, we send them to their room (and they actually go).  If they are sad or hurting, we hug them or find a bandaid.  They are in our fold 24-7, and we have some modicum of control over all of their circumstances.
And then they grow up.  They have their own opinions.  They go places we may or may not know about.  They have deep thoughts that brew in the deep places that they keep to themselves.  They begin to cut the tethers holding them to home and sometimes to our hearts.  Truth is, they should.  Truth is, it’s hard…at least for me.  How does one do this parenting thing well when children are young adults?  

  Although I still have a role to play, I’m beginning to realize that parenting children stepping into adulthood is often about what God is doing in me rather than me parenting them.  And, I think I’m beginning to realize that control thing that made parenting littles physically tiring but emotionally full, gets ugly as my children get older.  

  Without meaning to, I try to control the outcomes of my children’s life and choices.  I mean, it’s not overt (usually).  It shows up when my hopes and expectations for them are not realized because of life circumstances or their choices.  I get angry or depressed when my perfect plan is thwarted.  And all of those emotions are fueled by something deeper.  Fear.  Fear of what?  I’m still working on that one, but here’s a go: Fear that they won’t make it across the line to adulthood?  Fear that they will reject all they’ve been taught?  Fear that my reputation will be marred by their choices? Fear that I didn’t do enough when I still had “control”?  Fear that I blew it as a mom?  Fear that they will make decisions that will lead to irreparable consequences?  However irrational all that sounds, the fear is real. And fear is a red flag about what I really believe.  Notice the subject of those fears? This is sounding dubiously like an idol or two. 

  So, what’s the truth to cling to instead of how I feel?  I’m still working on this one, too.  Daily! Hourly!  And I really don’t have lots of answers, but here’s a few musings. 

  My "hopes” and expectations for my children are generally only wishes.  (Thank you, Pam Chandler). The object of a wish is a positive outcome of my will.  The object of true hope is a Person.  A perfect Person.  A living Person.  A Person whose promises are certain.  A Person who has all control over all things at all times…even the lives and choices of my children.  That Hope will never disappoint because it’s not based on circumstances, outcomes, or how I feel about them. Our Hope does all things well.  The truth:  Cling to Hope - not “hope”.  

  God is the author of my children’s story. It’s a story that has it’s origin not from their birth, but from before the foundations of the world (Thanks, Rosaria Butterfield).  It’s their personal story.  Not mine.  Their Author is incapable of mistakes, knows the end from the beginning, is in charge of salvation, and is not surprised when they rebel or sin. So, why do I try to edit the story or consider myself the protagonist who saves the day by my works of parenting?  That’s the “I’m-the-Savior” complex!  Idolatry.  Ugly control. And that feeds the fire of fear because it makes the results of my parenting the measure of identity, worth, satisfaction, God’s favor, and my peace and joy.  At the end of the day, my children will stand before the Risen Christ and give account…by themselves; for themselves. As will I.  But at that point, it’s not a package deal. Yes, I train them up.  No, I cannot control the way they will go.  My job is to be faithful to the Lord with the ability He has given me in the power of the Spirit (Thanks, Trish!).  The way the story goes is God’s responsibility.  The truth: Trust the Sovereign Author not the emotional editor.  Ahem.

  Their making it across the line to adulthood isn’t within my power. They may or may not believe what they’ve been taught, but that’s also out of my control.  My reputation needs to die that Christ’s would be made manifest.  I didn’t do enough, and I certainly blow it daily, but the Author ordained my failures as a parent in the lives of my children and in my life for our good and His glory.  As for their decisions and resulting consequences?  Yep.  I may have influence, but I do not have control. 

  And that is very good news. 

  The how of parenting young adults is a work in progress, but I think that the how has to be rooted in the Who, and the Who needs to be the object of my sight in order to battle the idols of control and fear. I am to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely (repent), and run with endurance the race marked out for me while fixing my eyes on Jesus.”   As the baton is being passed to my adult children, I pray that they run their race well, with strength, and with a steady gaze.  God has it marked out for them. Jesus has gone before them. They have a crowd of witnesses surrounding them of which I am one … cheering for all I’m worth.