Trusting God Through the Storms
We have just completed out fourth annual Friends and Partners Cruise. Twenty people from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas sailed out of Jacksonville Florida for five days of fun and ministry. New friendships were made, but the ministry time was literally out of this world! God touched everyone from our group as well as the 10 other people who wondered into our meetings. One young couple from Russia received a tremendous blessing from the Lord! Even though they could hardly understand our English, trust me, the understood that God touched them!
Our friend Charles Kalkomey from Sealy, Texas wrote a poem he shared with the group on Friday night that summarizes where many people are at today. It blessed our team so much I decided to include it in this month's newsletter.
There is nothing quite as overwhelming as standing alone on the bow of a ship in the middle of the ocean on a night where the clouds obscure the stars and the moon, and there is no land in sight. Life itself can make us feel that lonely and lost, simply because we have lost sight of our Guiding Light. We let the distractions of the world take us into "rough seas." It is only when we let God stir our hearts and we trust in His Way do we see the light that leads us to calm seas.
There is something that runs us across this sea of life.
Tossing and turning, searching for an end to all strife.
Upside down and lost, we stumble from day to day,
Confused and dazed, Satan's haze hides the way.
From the bow of life's boat, the darkness engulfs our plan.
We search for the light that's not carried by man.
Even the ship sails by the heavens and the stars,
As the captain steers safely away from the reefs and bars.
But we let life's distractions block our path and our light.
They hide the gifts God's given us for His Glory and Might.
Just like the waves that never cease pounding the shore,
We let the world keep us from receiving what He has in store.
O God, may there be a stirring in our life's journey.
May we find peace in knowing Your everlasting Glory.
Clear the haze and smoke from life's decks and sailings.
Lift us from our misguided trips and our many failings.
Just as the waves calm after the storm passes by,
God's love brings us peace in response to our cry.
Listen to the waters gently rolling up the sand,
As God calls our name, hoping we will take a stand.
Trust in Him always for He will show you the way.
Anything is possible with God a part of your day.
Feel the stirring in your heart that only God can provide.
Sail through this season on calm seas – God is at your side.
Charles A. Kalkomey
June, 2007
In February as we were coming out of the interior, we had to travel over four hours through the sea along the Guyana coast. The seas were running about three to five feet and we were traveling in a twenty-three foot wooden boat that sounded like it was going to come apart at any second! Several times, I didn't think were would make it! After about three hours of the roughest ride I have ever had, I remembered the words to the old Hinson's song "He Pilots My Ship". Sin's waters may be flooding your heart today, but God is using this dilemma, this test or trial to blow you to a new place in Him: a place where you can truly know Him, the power of His resurrection…as well as the fellowship of His suffering! He has all the instruments He needs to guide you safely to shore! Let Him steer your boat!
No matter what you are facing at this hour; the death of a loved one, a divorce, a job displacement, a major sin that you cannot get free from, please know God is still pulling you, tugging at you, pleading with you to come to Him and rest! It's inevitable the storms of life will come to distract you from your intended purpose; trust in the Lord that Jesus will guide your life's ship to its ultimate destination!