KILLED BY WHAT THEY THOUGHT WOULD SAVE THEM

 

My mom insisted that I read "The Kon-Tiki" a book about the 1947 expedition from Peru to Polynesia.  She must have thought that it would deter me from sailing offshore on our 40' Hallberg-Rassy.  After reading the book I was not discouraged.  I was looking forward to the freedom of being detached from civilization. Chris had the expertise and I had the prayers of the saints.

During our 2-3 year adventure we only had tiny mishaps.  One time as were were cruising from Seattle to Mexico a hurricane was approaching southern California and Mexico.  We had 30' seas, and we were dealing with 25 mile an hour winds.  We were sailing at 13 knots when the fastest speed of our boat was only 7 knots.  The boat was surfing!  We made it safely under the San Francisco bridge and to the Oakland yacht club. Another time the cable for our transmission broke.  No parts were available in Mexico.  They had to be ordered from the U.S. Chris was able to jerry-rig a cable so we could still use the transmission.  Our friendly engine mechanic said it was a good "Mexican" fix.

It was God who sustained us.  Here is a story about the tragic sinking of MV Princess Victoria.  Who or what would we depend on if this happened to us?

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

THE LINES HAVE FALLEN FOR ME IN PLEASANT PLACES

 

Internet photo

Back in the 60's I had fallen prey to the lies of Hollywood.  The "Circes" screamed -- "Women should have careers; not marriage and children."  Movies and books confirmed this.  My own experience of trying to help my mother made this clear for me.   Marriage and children were too hard.  It was a never ending pile of laundry, dishes, and wild kids.

Now, I have learned that 80% of women want to get married and to have children.  Something in their makeup causes them to hear their "biological" clock ticking. Some, even as young girls, plan their weddings. 

When suddenly, in our senior year of college, Chris and I decided to make our relationship "more permanent," I had no idea what I would even want for a wedding. It turned out that I was a very "cheap" person and wanted to spend no money. I borrowed a wedding dress from my sorority sister, Connie; and bought the cheapest flowers--daisies( which turned out to be the sorority's "flower." They stand for beauty, love, and cheerfulness.)  My aunt Jeanne graciously offered to make the bridesmaid dresses for my sister, Evy, and cousin, Janet. My cousin Diana was the flower girl.  I believe she wore a dress she already owned. Somehow flowers appeared in the sanctuary -- I think my mom ordered them. 

Photo by Dan Zimmerman

The reception was in the church basement. Along with the cake and punch we had mints and nuts.  

But God used marriage, children, and chronic pain to turn me to Himself. And now I can see what He has done. 

Psalm 16: 5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky Praying for Damar Hamlin on NFL Live

 

God hears and answers prayer.  Here is ESP's Dan Orlovsky praying for Damar Hamlin. Click on the picture to open.

Psalm 145:16 - 20

        You open your hand;

    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
    he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,

LIFE IS AN ODYSSEY

 

If you have ever read Homer's "Odyssey," and you like folk music, you might like, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," a movie made in 2000 staring George Clooney.  We watched it on Amazon Prime.  It is spoiled by foul language however.  It depicts how life is difficult but that God answers prayer. See the trailer above on You Tube.

Psalm 55:6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;