Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:24-31 (CSBBible)
James Rowe (1865-1933) was born in England in 1865. He served four years in the Government Survey Office, Dublin Ireland as a young man. He came to America in 1890 where he worked for ten years for the New York Central & Hudson R.R. Co., then served for twelve years as superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. He began writing songs and hymns about 1896 and was a prolific writer of gospel verse with more than 9,000 published hymns, poems, recitations, and other works.
Dianne Shapiro
Love Lifted Me
I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me;
Love lifted me,
Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
All my heart to Him I give,
Ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too,
To Him belongs.
Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today.
Written by James Rowe
Most of you know that my home church, First Baptist Rosenberg, is closing their doors on December 7. It is sad and disappointing. I have many fond memories: I was saved and baptized there, married there, I was ordained there. The people were gracious and loving to me. Our hymn, “Love Lifted Me,” brings back memories of Mary Cook and Helen Carden singing this hymn as a duet. I heard the harmonies in music for the first time.
James Rowe’s opening line reminds me of the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. Jesus walked on the water because He could and He was driving home a point. Peter was trying to show his faith and succeeded for a short time, until he was distracted by the wind and the waves. Our lives are easily distracted by the world. Even important things like politics or disasters can distract us. Sin pulls us down. Sin separates us from God. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” as he was sinking. Jesus lovingly reached out and pulled him out of the water. He does that for us too. We are trapped in sin until we repent and call out, “Lord, save me.” Because He died for our sins, Christ reaches out and saves us from our sinking sin.
Memories are important, but we can get lost in them. Carry forward in faith. Serve the Lord because He saved you. Remember Rowe’s lyric, “Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves.” Be saved today. Start serving today.
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick