Every life has a story. Most of the time those stories are predictable, unsurprising and often ordinary. This is not one of those stories, or one of those lives for that matter. Roland shares his heart-felt enthusiasm for fly fishing. He takes us along on his humorous and continual quest for the ideal equipment and speaks candidly about the snares and snags of learning this new skill. It's also the story of a boy who found solace from a troubled childhood in the forest, and a transformed man who would find solace again in the outdoors. The outdoors symbolizes the bookends of this life, and in between we learn how he maneuvered around the pits, pit stops, and pitfalls of a complicated and self-inflicted life. After moving near a small mountain river, he found what he was looking for. The solace from childhood, the peace from a life of addiction, and the serenity found after the loss of a loved one were brought to his doorstep in the form of a fish named Roy G. Biv. He had found what he was seeking; God was with him after all he had been through. The ever-changing river demonstrated to him that life is about change, and he too could and would change. The river became his sanctuary where he could fly fish for Roy with God all around him. Each of us has a purpose in life, and Roland's inspirational story reminds us we can start over regardless of who we are or what we have done.

Discover the spiritual potential hidden in every cast of the fly rod. "For us, fly-fishing is about more than catching fish. We have been skunked on the stream too many times to count, and stood shivering in our waders in 45-degree water long after sundown. Yet, every chance we get, we head back to the river in search of trout and something more." --from Rabbi Eric's Introduction "Early in my fly-fishing career I remember telling a friend that there is so much to learn! Some forty years later, that is still true. Every trip I learn something new about rivers, fish and the natural world. Most importantly, I learn something new about myself. Every encounter with the waters of our planet draws me deeper into who I am and who I want to become." --from Reverend Mike's Introduction In this unique exploration of fly-fishing as a spiritual practice, an Episcopal priest and a rabbi share what fly-fishing has to teach us about reflection, awe and the wonder of the natural world, the benefits of solitude, the blessing of community and the search for the Divine. Tapping the wisdom in the Christian and Jewish traditions and their own geographically diverse experiences on the water, they show how time spent on the stream can help you navigate the currents and eddies of your own inner journey.

Hunters and fishermen are familiar with the "moment of truth"--that adrenaline-surging, heart-pounding instant when success and failure hang in the balance. In that moment they know if they will experience the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. The 90 devotions in In Pursuit are written specifically for this outdoorsman. Each devotion expertly weaves scriptural truth into true hunting and fishing stories that capture the thrill of the great outdoors and work on the hearts of men who are zealous in their drive to get out on the lake or up in the deer blind. These reflections on the active life help prepare men for success and significance both spiritually and in their sport. It is the perfect gift for the outdoorsman. Foreword by Steve Chapman.

Nearly everyone who has picked up a fly rod has experienced the "otherness" of fly fishing, its inherent beauty, its sense of calm and purpose, its power to heal. Fly fishing is, for many men and women, a deeply meaningful and spiritual activity. In this sensitive and beautiful volume, Jody Martin addresses that spirituality directly, introducing fly fishing to beginners and offering it as a form of ministry to anyone who might wish to teach the sport as part of a spiritual or therapeutic program. The Spirituality of Fly Fishing is simultaneously a concise primer, demystifying and clearly explaining what is basically a simple sport, and a paean to the higher powers that drive us all. Replete with quotes and writings from a wide variety of authors and faith traditions, this slim book has been endorsed by Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Casting for Recovery, Reel Recovery, and Joey's Foundation, all of which use fly fishing as part of a healing or mentoring program. Proceeds from the book support both Project Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery. Tastefully illustrated with stunning photographs and paintings by some of today's foremost artists, including John Juracek, Ken Takata, Matt Shaw, James Nelson, Tony Czech, Louis Cahill, and Joseph Tomelleri, the book is far more than just another entry into the world of "how to do it" fly fishing books. The Spirituality of Fly Fishing serves as an introduction, an offering, and a benchmark for anyone who might wish to dive deeper into the streams of spirituality that nourish our souls. No fly fisher should be without this book in his or her library. (from Morgan Creek Publications)

Ted Haggard presents a successful and tested model for a small group ministry here that can be implemented by a church of any size. By enabling members to embrace and capitalize on their own unique abilities, the diverse groups create an environment where people meet mentors that can disciple and guide them. This need-and interest based approach redefines the model for powerful church growth.

Discover the spiritual potential hidden in every cast of the fly rod. "For us, fly-fishing is about more than catching fish. We have been skunked on the stream too many times to count, and stood shivering in our waders in 45-degree water long after sundown. Yet, every chance we get, we head back to the river in search of trout and something more." —from Rabbi Eric's Introduction "Early in my fly-fishing career I remember telling a friend that there is so much to learn! Some forty years later, that is still true. Every trip I learn something new about rivers, fish and the natural world. Most importantly, I learn something new about myself. Every encounter with the waters of our planet draws me deeper into who I am and who I want to become." —from Reverend Mike's Introduction In this unique exploration of fly-fishing as a spiritual practice, an Episcopal priest and a rabbi share what fly-fishing has to teach us about reflection, awe and the wonder of the natural world, the benefits of solitude, the blessing of community and the search for the Divine. Tapping the wisdom in the Christian and Jewish traditions and their own geographically diverse experiences on the water, they show how time spent on the stream can help you navigate the currents and eddies of your own inner journey.

In Casting Forward, naturalist, educator, and writer Steve Ramirez takes the reader on a yearlong journey fly fishing all of the major rivers of the Texas Hill Country. This is a story of the resilience of nature and the best of human nature. It is the story of a living, breathing place where the footprints of dinosaurs, conquistadors, and Comanches have mingled just beneath the clear spring-fed waters. This book is an impassioned plea for the survival of this landscape and its biodiversity, and for a new ethic in how we treat fish, nature, and each other.