I spend a good bit of my time fishing on Lake Guntersville in North Alabma. I enjoy catching fish, but my purpose is to escape, "recharge" my batteries, vent my frustrations by throwing a lure around all day long, reflect on things, pray, and a release from the stress of work and life.

What fascinates me about fishing is what it does to me. While I'm on the water, all I am focused on is my fishing tackle and how to tempt that fish to strike. I am able to eliminate all distractions and just fish.

When I come home from fishing, I am refreshed and ready to tackle - HAH - the next things that will be thrown at me. Many times I come back with much more than caught fish - I come back having spent time with God in constant conversation. Usually, I talk to Him quite a bit and then I am able to hear what He has to say to me because all noise from life is absent - just me, my kayak, the water, and the fish. So, my fishing stories will be much more than, "Well, I caught some decent sized largemouth bass. " It will cover what I have experienced in the sights and sounds of nature, spiritual encouragement, and time spent with friends.

Who knows, some of these entries may be more than fishing. Since I am a youth minister, there will probably be observations and experiences of being a minister and the fun, frustrations, and delights of church work.

I hope you enjoy this. Let me know whatcha think.

- Dean A. Johnson