I did a bit of travel on Labor Day. Not for relaxation or recreation, but I undertook this little trip to enhance future recreation. At 7 AM, I arrived at the St. Croix Rod Factory Store in the metropolitan mecca of Park Falls east of Minocqua.
My favorite, trusty musky rod needed to be repaired or replaced as the rod tip and end eyelet were broken. With St. Croix's warranty program, I'd either get the thing repaired for free or get a replacement rod for $30 (original price is over $400). This rod and reel combo was a gift from my father and Russ Smith when I first arrived in Minocqua eight years ago.
I don't have a great story for this broken rod tip. My last broken rod tip happened when my personal best 30 pound musky struck my bait at the boat (October '23). I'll never forget that moment. This time, it was just normal wear and tear, I guess; just happened to notice it last time I was out casting for muskies.
"Normal wear and tear" hits harder the older I get. But the antidote is the same - physical rest and relaxation and refreshing moments with the Savior and his Word. This was the "fix" when I/we were in our 20s and it's the "fix" today, however much older we are now!
The technician at St. Croix repaired the rod tip for free. The exact replacement for the eyelet wasn’t available, so a similar one was attached. It was similar, but not quite the same. It’s hard to see in the picture, but the end eyelet is twice as big as the one below it – usually, they get smaller toward the end. It looks like a rod tip on steroids – unbreakable, indestructible! Not likely, I’m sure it’ll need to be repaired again. Rarely is a replacement as good as the original.
Our world and culture offer many alternatives and “enhancements” to Jesus. Other ways to heaven are suggested. These may appear similar, but they are not quite the same. Far from it. In fact, any deviation from Jesus as “the only Way/Truth/Life” (John 14:6) can be spiritually fatal. Remove Jesus, or add to him, or replace him and the result is the opposite of life. It is death.
Considering all that we know of Jesus through his Word, why would we ever want alternatives? “(God) is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:3)
“He is before all things, and all things hold together in him.” (Colossians 1:17)
Don’t fall for the fakes. Stay with the one true Savior/Shepherd/Redeemer/Lord Jesus. Nothing is better than this original. Nothing else leads to life with God now and always.
“This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Romans 1:3,4)
God keep you as you remain in his Word and find spiritual rest all during this upcoming Fall season. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
My favorite, trusty musky rod needed to be repaired or replaced as the rod tip and end eyelet were broken. With St. Croix's warranty program, I'd either get the thing repaired for free or get a replacement rod for $30 (original price is over $400). This rod and reel combo was a gift from my father and Russ Smith when I first arrived in Minocqua eight years ago.
I don't have a great story for this broken rod tip. My last broken rod tip happened when my personal best 30 pound musky struck my bait at the boat (October '23). I'll never forget that moment. This time, it was just normal wear and tear, I guess; just happened to notice it last time I was out casting for muskies.
"Normal wear and tear" hits harder the older I get. But the antidote is the same - physical rest and relaxation and refreshing moments with the Savior and his Word. This was the "fix" when I/we were in our 20s and it's the "fix" today, however much older we are now!
The technician at St. Croix repaired the rod tip for free. The exact replacement for the eyelet wasn’t available, so a similar one was attached. It was similar, but not quite the same. It’s hard to see in the picture, but the end eyelet is twice as big as the one below it – usually, they get smaller toward the end. It looks like a rod tip on steroids – unbreakable, indestructible! Not likely, I’m sure it’ll need to be repaired again. Rarely is a replacement as good as the original.
Our world and culture offer many alternatives and “enhancements” to Jesus. Other ways to heaven are suggested. These may appear similar, but they are not quite the same. Far from it. In fact, any deviation from Jesus as “the only Way/Truth/Life” (John 14:6) can be spiritually fatal. Remove Jesus, or add to him, or replace him and the result is the opposite of life. It is death.
Considering all that we know of Jesus through his Word, why would we ever want alternatives? “(God) is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:3)
“He is before all things, and all things hold together in him.” (Colossians 1:17)
Don’t fall for the fakes. Stay with the one true Savior/Shepherd/Redeemer/Lord Jesus. Nothing is better than this original. Nothing else leads to life with God now and always.
“This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Romans 1:3,4)
God keep you as you remain in his Word and find spiritual rest all during this upcoming Fall season. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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