#7. Fishing 'n Feeling

The two teens, Max and Duke, got the tools out of Nothin' (Gramps' old pickup truck) and followed silver-haired Gramps (that's Blaster Jackson) into the activity hall. The three continued on into a back room, where two long tables were holding a couple computers partially dismantled. In the corner were three stacks of computers about 6 feet high.

On the walls of the store room were some posters, that included images of teens, and adults teaching teens in casual settings. One poster showed a simple map outline of Mexico with the bold wording, “Tech Trash for Mexico Teens”.

Max and Duke immediately began to relax in spirit. Even before any words were spoken, they both sensed this was a real hands-on place. The spirit of the room seemed to say, “hey guys, let's do it!. Forget the talk, just jump in!”

While Gramps began teaching a bit of preliminary things to consider, both boys were itching to grab the tools and start ripping into the computer boxes. Gramps was explaining the purpose of dismantling the computers and all the safety tips to remember. It included all the warnings about (1) sharp edges of the metal brackets, (2)don't put your hands on your face until you've washed your hands and the computer parts have been disinfected with the spray can.

Max raised his hand to get Mr. B's attention. “Gramps, I've been listening good, honest I have. But that poster over there is bugging me no end. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but whoever drew that poster got the words wrong. See? It says, ' Study to be quiet...' then 'that you might lack for nothing.'” Almost like Gramps had heard the question before, he casually walked toward an open Bible over on a small corner table in the room they were working. Max finished his question, “I think the words were supposed to read 'be quiet to study'. Like being quiet in a library or when you're fishing.”

Gramps rubbed his chin, thinking over his answer. “Max. You are really sharp today. You noticed our 'quiet' poster, and its odd wording. You're absolutely right! That sign would be worded wrong if it was referring to 'fishing quiet'. But let's say it this way. There are two kinds of quiet.”

Duke (he's the one with the orange hair), “Whoa now Gramps. Ya lost me there...two kinds of quiet?” Gramps replied, “Yes Duke. Two kinds of quiet. There is 'inside' quiet and 'outside' quiet. The inside quiet of this poster reminds us of the importance of quiet inside our self; in our mind and in our heart. Having a quiet spirit inside our self is far more important than outside quiet, that fishing quiet you mentioned. But for sure, both used together is just what God wants of us.”

Just then Mark Bond, the vet with the spinal grenade fragment, came in the room with both canes helping him walk. He said, “Fishing! Did I hear the word fishing? I love fishing! I especially love the quiet challenge of outthinking that fish,” he said with a big grin. Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe not, but I just finished a little planning meeting in the other room with Bob Tarpin and a few of the members of our Silver-Tops Seniors group. We've planned a little fishing fun next week at Snyder's Pay Lake. Blaster, (that's Gramps) we want to have you and your young friends to come. They can each bring two other friends apiece. Silver-Tops will pay for the entrance, bait, and burgers.”

Later that day, Mark's phone call explained to Gramps, the real purpose for the Fishing Fun day. It wasn't fishing for fish, but fishing for deep fellowship with the teen generation and their missing inner quiet that the poster referred to. There was plenty of shaded areas at Snyders, that seniors could minister to their youth.

#8. Orders Are Needed

The teens, Max and Duke busied themselves following the instructions they'd just been given on dismantling the computer boxes, remembering all the warnings. While you fellas are gutting those computers in front of you, I want to teach you something that will put loads of fun into your life, squeezing out lots of the stress we all have to deal with. It has to do with order.”

Blaster, (I mean Gramps) walked to a nearby marker board and picked up a marker, checking to see if it still had some life in it. He wrote in bold letters at the top of the board, “ORDER”. “Fellas, our word for the day, sort-of, is ORDER. You and I hear orders put to us far more than we like it. 'Do this.' 'Do that.' 'Ya better clean your room before dad gets home.' If you don't have that report on my desk by 3 pm today, you won't like what happens next.'”

“Our first type of order is like a command – 'do this or else...'” Gramps wrote the word COMMAND below the bold word ORDER.

“Our second type of order is to purchase or obtain something – 'We'll order pizzas, later'.

The third type of order is the way scientists group plants and animals and stuff. They group by family, order, species, etc.'” The words PURCHASE and GROUPING were written below the word COMMAND.

Gramps continued teaching while the teens made good use of screwdrivers on the computer scrap. Our fourth type of order we'll call QUIET. Do you remember, we've already begun learning about that kind of quiet. We'll be learning more more about the those two kinds of quiet; inside quiet and outside quiet, as we go along.”

“Our fifth type of ORDER is the arrangement of things we have and do. It's what we think of when we get up in the morning... well, first get my clothes on, grab something quick to eat and then... This is what people are referring to, when they tell you, 'Don't get your cart before the horse.' Do you remember how we started out this morning? First we prayed and asked God to direct us, then we covered a few safety tips, and then we went to work. I'll add the words QUIET and ARRANGEMENT to our ORDER list here on the board.”

“Did you two know the Bible tells us how to take computers apart? It certainly does. While you're working, I show you in our computer 'how-to' manual, here. Yeah, I know we also call it the Bible.” Gramps quickly turned to 1Corinthians 14:40. He slid the Bible over in front of the teens and said, “see here? It says 'Let all things be done decently and in order.' In another place it says, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.' Some other day we'll talk about the building instructions for a guy that was going to build a tower.”

“But it's how we arrange things that is so important. Whether we're storing computer pictures in this folder or that folder or the way you both are putting all the screws in this jar and the small cables in that box over there. It truly is calming to our minds and hearts to begin getting things sorted out, in our minds. First thing to do, is to decide what you really want – down deep. Way down where a part of you always stays, and the first to say 'good morning' to your mind, in the morning. Max and Duke, lock at me a minute.” They did. “Fellas, God has given us a whole toolbox of things we can get our hearts sorted out and do great work for Him. But He only asks that you put Him first, on your daily 'to-do list', and the top spot on your list of what and who you love.

#9. Silent Seniors

“Was he going to keel over or not?” That was the question many of the attendees of the Silver-Tops Seniors Soup Supper were asking themselves as they watched Blaster, (that's Gramps) take his first few bites of Dixie's Shoo-Fly Pie. Gramps lived, and enjoyed the rest of his pie, while others tried a slice for themselves. The group of 40 or so seniors had gathered for a bit of a training session everyone needed to effectively reach out to the teens God had placed in their harvest field of souls.

As most everyone was done eating, their chairman, Bob Tarpin walked to the front of the group and tapped a water glass with a spoon to get everyone's attention. Bob asked everyone to bow for prayer, asking God to bless and lead the following discussion.

He began with, “Thank you for all of you coming, and the ladies that prepared the soup and sandwiches... including the Shoo-Fly pie,” he said with a big smile. It's important that we make sure we're all on the same page and are sharing our own ideas and opportunities. With what we are reaching out with, Satan is certainly going to try to destroy. Our unity is so crucial.”

“I want to thank Blaster Jackson for the very moving presentation we had last time. I really sensed that all of you want what Beulah spoke up about. To help out in any way God can use each of us.”

Bob picked up a dry erase marker and drew a large triangle on the white board behind him, in the orientation of a pyramid. He began, “We see many examples of the triangle providing strength and also unity in objects large and small, and trios too. Here at the bottom left of our triangle we'll put, 'Hurting Teens'. To the right we'll write, 'Silent Seniors'. And then at the top of our triangle of strength and unity, we'll put 'Full Joy'.”

Our plan is to build a bridge of understanding and compassion, as God leads us, between ourselves and the teenagers. This done decently and in order as 1Corinthians 14:40 reminds us, will move us both to possess Full Joy.”

“You'll notice in our triangle diagram, I refer to our white-haired generation as SILENT SENIORS. I believe that as you and I begin to reach out to the teens, in prayer and action, I'm confident that God will show us powerful ways to connect with those we mentor; ways we never thought of. I also expect each of us will enthusiastically share and encourage each other, one on one, and also in our group meetings here.”

“Before I tell you one of the key ingredients to this process toward Full Joy, I want us to use the remainder of this meeting time to begin sharing our own ideas, and thoughts on how this can all happen. What I'd like us all to do, is break up into groups of 4, where no two family members is in the same group. Next, I want each group to pray as a group and then elect a secretary to record all the great ideas you'll be coming up with.”

“It might even be a great help to choose a particular teen you know, or one you can visualize and give thought how you can reach out to them without preaching AT them or ruling OVER them.”

Bob continued, “Oh. By the way. You'll want to pray for the teen fishing event our men and women are having at Snyder's Pay Lake this Saturday, at 1:30pm. We all want the efforts of burdened adults that will be fishing for men and ladies, using worms, minnows, and tears, to be blessed by God. It would be well for each of us to review Psalm 126, in our quiet time. And especially the last verse.” 

Bob grinned with one of those expressions where the cheeks and lips gave a smile, but the eyes said this is very serious business for the Lord and the eternal destiny of hurting teens. Do your best. Jesus did His best on Calvary for each of us.

#10. Catfish 'n Candy Bar

Saturday Morning, the two teen boys and Gramps were bouncing down the road in Nothin'. The boys remembered that Nothin' was the nickname of this old pickup truck that most folks didn't think it was worth nothin'. Duke was careful to keep his foot on the piece of plywood that covered the open place in the floor... mud puddles can get messy.

Silver-haired Gramps headed Nothin' down a rough dirt road toward Snyder's Pay Lake. The talk in the truck was always full of excitement and expectation. Max told his fish joke about the Catfish 'n Candy Bar. It was one of those fish stories not quite worth writing home about, but he got a couple chuckles out of his two companions. The two teens talked a little about school activity, including the history tests ol' Mrs. Grudy gives. They're murder.

Gramps spoke to the boys while watching the rough road ahead. “Boys. I've heard a lot of strange fishing stories in my time, but the strangest one, I suppose is one that no fishing poles, string, or hooks were used. Oddly enough, it almost cost the lives of everyone in the boat. The gist of it, as I remember is this guy was riding in this boat and the whole crew threw him overboard. Now here's where this turns strange. When this guy landed in the water some kind of a fish, or maybe a shark, swallowed him. Two or three days later this fish spit this guy out on shore. The guy got up and walked away. Strange, huh?”

Gramps hardly took a breath before he started explaining some of the rules to be observed at Snyder's Pay Lake, just a little farther down the bumpy road, that is, if Nothin' will hold together.

The teens grabbed their fishing tackle and headed for spots they were sure some hungry fish or two, were waiting to taste their bait... which was not a candy bar. While the boys were fishing Gramps was gathering a few things in an area approved to build a camp fire and have a great time. Blaster Jackson (that's Gramps) was quietly praying as hard as he could for the boys and this fishing time. Gramps continually prayed something like, “Lord, I've started the Jonah story and cast it upon the waters of imagination and curiosity of the boys. I'm asking you to use the story as bait to draw their hearts close to you and their need for salvation and your peace and even Full Joy.”

About half an hour before Gramps had planned for their lunch, Max walked over to Gramps with a confused look. He said, “Gramps I can't fish right now. I stare at my fishing line and think about your strange fish story, and it's bugging me awful. Will you tell me the meaning of the story? I know enough about you and your burden for us teens and all our inner stress. So I know you got something good hidden in the story. Tell me please, 'cuz I won't be able to think of anything else the rest of the day. Please?”

Gramps motioned Max to follow him a couple steps away from the campfire area, but yet easy to be seen by others fishing at the lake. Gramps looked both ways, in a shifty way, like he was about to pass on some military secrets. He looked directly at Max and said, “I'll tell you the rest of the story, if you'll promise to share the story with at least one other person, as best as you can. Agreed?” Max's nod sealed the bargain.

The old gentleman began, “Well God had told this guy to do something very important, He was supposed to go to this great big town and tell everybody how much God loves each of them. But see, this guy didn't think it was a good idea, so he got on this boat and headed in the other direction. Now since this guy on board this ship wasn't obeying God, the ship got in a big storm and almost sank. They threw most stuff overboard. Finally this guy was honest with the captain and said, 'I'm the reason God is about to sink your ship.' He tells the captain to throw him overboard and everybody will live.”

“Well that's what happened, Max. Now the strange and wonderful part of the story is that God had prepared a big fish at the right time and the right place to save this guy that had been disobedient, but was now being honest with himself and God. Now I know that only God has the power to keep this guy alive inside that fish, until he got spit up on dry land.”

“I'm sure that guy had learned for sure not to disobey God, especially when He wants others to know about how He can save them for eternity, to live with Him in Heaven. Max, what I've told you is not a story at all. It's a real piece of history, that you can read for yourself. Oh, you'll want to know the guy's name was Jonah. The town that learned about God's deep abiding love is named, Nineveh.”

A couple days later, Blaster's phone rang, as it so often does. Blaster's wife Hattie, shouted, “Blaster, someone called and wants to talk to you!” He took the phone from Hattie and spoke, “This is Blaster. Whatcha need?” The voice in the phone said, “Gramps, I told the Jonah fish story to Duke and he said the strangest thing. Gramps. Duke said, 'Ya know, Max. I feel a whole lot like I'm a Jonah, not being honest with God, and going the wrong way to find happiness and risking the lives of people around me.'”

Max's voice in the phone became noticeably humble in asking, “Gramps. If Duke and I was to come over, sometime after school, would you explain to Duke and me how to keep from being thrown overboard by God?”

Tears almost appeared in the eyes of the old coalmine dynamite blaster as he realized God wants us to go fishing for those He loves. No license is needed, and there's no limit.

#11. Izzy Helps Out

Bob Tarpin and his wife were just finishing the hanging of 4 more posters along one wall of the Silver-Top Seniors activity room. Most of the posters featured happy faces of youth while some showed some senior couples with almost as much white hair as Bob and his wife Betty.
Four themes were clearly presented:

1. Teens today are really hurting inside, with no-one wanting to care about them.
   
2. Faith-based groups were not doing nearly as much as they could – and should.
   
3. Silver-haired generation was the most qualified to reach out and mentor them.
   
4. Scripture is the premier 'how-to manual' to guide mentors of teens.
   

Bob's wife shared her thoughts about the youth program called, 'Scrap 'n Screwdriver Missions'. “Bob, I'm really excited about the connecting up of our silver-haired generation and the youth. We all realize that to connect with youth, we have to have some computer flavoring somehow. But so many of us are afraid of the things. God has made the perfect link by using broken computers and their parts. More than that, we don't need to know how computers work and our teens don't either. But something is bothering me.”

“I don't know if it's just me or what, but it seems like the program is pretty much gender one-sided.” Betty (that's Bob's wife), continued with, “Yeah I know there are a few girl screwdriver jockeys, but I wish God would show us how to get girls into the program. So many of the girls are stuck in the middle of social networking on their cellphones, and hate it. They know it's not satisfying in the long run. Most every one of them see all this networking is computer quicksand and is taking away their life and happiness by inches, each day. Bob, I believe that 2Timothy 3:17 pertains deeply to girls too. Honey, could we stop with the posters for a couple minutes and ask God what His plan is?”

Even when you're not around quicksand, step one of your plan should always be to ask God what His plan is, and to switch all your plans to following His plan. Why? The reason is simple and straightforward. His plan is already in motion and right on His schedule. Do you want a plan that carries you to victory and FULL JOY? There's no other way. Adopt His will and way and trust Him every moment. That old black book that begins, “In the beginning God...” is full of evidence that He is in control in every situation.

Blaster's phone rang with Beulah wanting to ask Blaster a question about the Scrap 'n Screwdriver program. “Mr. Jackson. I have a question, I want to ask you. OK?” Blaster, (that's Gramps), remembered that even though Beulah was confined to a wheelchair, she still had a real passion for serving her Savior in whatever way she could.

Gramps asked, “Well, Beulah, what's your question?” “Well, I have this 19 year old friend of mine, Isabel Rohas, that's handicapped worse than me, but she loves Jesus too. She wants to help missionaries tell kids how much He loves them. Now I was just thinking. You are having some of the youth take old computers apart to make toolbox teaching kits that are going to be sent to missionaries in Mexico and other places. Gramps, maybe there would be a way that Isabel, we call her Izzy, could help.”

Beulah continued with her idea. “I bet Izzy would be pretty good at translating some of your stories and directions into Spanish. Maybe you could have a Mexican pastor check out a couple of her translations to make sure she was doing a good job. That way lots more kids and Bible teachers could use your toolkits. See, Izzy is a pen pal with several teens in Mexico and South America, and she does a good bit of translating into English when she reads them to me.”

“Even though Izzy is pretty much confined to her bed, she still wants to help. Gramps. I figure you're better at talking to God than me, so could you ask God if He could find a way to let Izzy help? If you're too busy, I'll ask someone else to ask God.”

Friend...
If you received a telephone request like this, what would you do after you hung up the phone?

Optional Extensions

You may wish to move the Scrap 'n Screwdriver agenda into a workshop aimed at teaching adult mentors how to focus scriptural character principles into the teen. One of many such workshops is:

JesusasTeen.blogspot.com