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Scripture
As many of you will know Barb and I were away last week on a cruise to Alaska. An adventure with both difficulties and many enjoyable situations. Events that occur often bring us to God’s grace in our lives as well as lessons that the scriptures provide.
Railway. It takes you 3000 feet up into the mountains and shows you the trail that the gold seekers of times past traversed, with great difficulty, hoping for the riches that men seek. Unfortunately most gold seekers failed to find their treasure and in many cases cost them their lives seeking this illusive metal.
Proverbs 23:5
- Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven
The Klondike gold rush proved that over and over again.
Our ship the Serenade of the Seas taught us the lessons of appreciation for God’s creation. Our last stop was Haines, Alaska and some winds began to show up as we approached the port. Our captain told us that his ship had such powerful engines it allowed us to make the port docking without any trouble. However, the next day after a leisurely sail up Tracy Arm we headed back out to sea for Vancouver. As we travelled along, the winds began to pick up and it soon became obvious we were in for a rough ride. The upper decks were cut off from access as the captain informed us that the winds were blowing head on to the ship plus the ships speed we were seeing the combination creating 55 knot winds on deck. 60 knots is hurricane force. The winds and the waves buffeted the ship causing many to be sick or feel very nauseous. This ship weighed 90,000 + tons, is nearly 1000 feet in length but it was shaken like a toy boat in a bathtub. It reminded me of a song I hadn’t heard in a while that tells us of God’s majesty and power over the earth He created. The song’s words are as follows.
Verse 1
Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness, No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest thou not that we perish?” How canst thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threat’ning. A grave in the angry deep?
Refrain:
The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,
Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!
Verse 3
Master the terror is over, The elements sweetly rest;
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored, And heaven’s within my breast
Linger, O blessed Redeemer, Leave me alone no more,
And, with joy I shall make the blest harbor, and rest on the blissful shore.
This care and keeping by God was also emphasized in the fact that we travelled to and from Vancouver via float plane arriving back home around 2pm Sunday. At the same time a float plane in Washington state plunged into the water taking the lives of all 9 aboard. We are all in God’s hands and the most important thing is have we accepted God’s care and keeping and more importantly his offer of Salvation, free to all. I trust each one reading this has made that simple decision to accept Jesus Christ into their heart and mind, giving one the assurance of peace and Heaven for eternity. God Bless each one of you on this day.
Services
Where: 321 Brae Rd, Duncan
When: Sunday September 11, 2022
- 10:00 am Breaking of Bread
- 11:00 am Family Bible Hour
Speaker: Chet McArthur
Chapel Update
Slow but sure.
- Replacement stucco on exterior being done
- Electrician finished with roughin wiring.
- Drywaller up next plus exterior painting, emergency door, interior painting
- Kitchen cupboards plus miscellaneous smaller items.