Out of the Boat

I read in the news again today about 11 hikers found alive–in a store no less, after being reported missing beyond normal time frames.  Has it struck anyone but me how much of this “losing their way” is being reported throughout our Nation?  Good grief! … who’s doing the leading for all these “lost” folks?  Such a metaphor for life, if you ask me.  People starting out on a journey feeling confident they know how to get to where they want to go … and ending up lost and needing the “experts” to go out and find them and bring them safely home.  While I’m sure the rest of the world is filled with lost adventurers, it does seem to me that the United States is filled with people leading the way who don’t really know where they’re going!  Let me ask you a question whose answer is very telling about you and the journey you’re on: Who is doing the leading in YOUR life?  Perhaps another question would be good for your reflection … who are you FOLLOWING?  I’m convined that in the church at large we have a lot of BELIEVERS, but very few FOLLOWERS of Jesus Christ.  Why do I say this?  Because I keep finding far too many who claim a relationship with Christ who seem to have lost their way.  It is possible that far too many professed Christians are only believers intent to chart their own course, rather than followers of Jesus intent on letting Him lead the journey.  Hey BRAG! … what about us, as a people … are we a group of BELIEVERS, or are we a committed group of FOLLOWERS of Jesus Christ?  I’m confident that if we can settle the leadership question we will get safely to our destination.  We’ll also have quite an adventure along the way.  Until next time …

PSY

Well … here goes!  Welcome to the first “post” of my new “blog” site, “Out of the Boat” in which I will endeavor to challenge your mind, warm your heart, tick you off, or just maybe … make you smile a little.  I’ve wanted to have this opportunity for quite some time, and am grateful for the help of a good friend (who will go nameless right now–because i haven’t asked for permission to mention him!) who has done the work to this point.  Now, it’s up to me to step “out of the boat” and try some things on this site I haven’t done before.  You might be asking, “what does he mean by ‘out of the boat’?”  For those of you who have been around me for a period of time, you know that the phrase centers around some thoughts I have with the encounter between Jesus and Peter where Peter ended up sinking after a brief “walk out on the water” with Jesus!  I have often said, I’d rather take a step or two with Jesus out on the water than play it safe in the boat and wish I had tried … whatever! In the future you will find me writing, musing, ranting (hopefully not preaching here!) — even questioning a little.  I hope you will join with me on this journey, and from time to time take the time to write me back and comment on what you’ve found here.  Because I’m a little new to this (actually, quite new!), you’ll probably find a few mistakes here and there.  Be patient, I’ll get it down someday.  For right now, this is a HUGE step of technological advancement!  Anyhoo … more later.  Until then … Peace.

PSY