December 2020

 “Truly incredible!”

Those were the words Capt. Mark Vlaun, commander of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, used to describe a rescue most people deemed impossible.
 
About 4 p.m. on Friday, November 27, Stuart Bee set out from Cape Marina at Port Canaveral, Florida, aboard his 32-foot Sea Ray named Stingray. Late Saturday morning, he was reported missing by a marina friend who told the Coast Guard that Bee does not usually stay out overnight on his boat.

A mechanical problem had incapacitated Bee’s boat at sea. About midnight on Saturday, Bee awoke to discover his disabled craft was taking on water.
 
The Coast Guard quickly launched a search and rescue team of boats and aircrafts, including the assistance of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. They also issued an “enhanced group call” – a communication intended for larger vessels crossing the area – to look out for Bee's boat.
 
Amazingly, on Sunday morning about 11 a.m., the crew of the 225-foot container ship Angeles spotted the vessel – capsized. As they drew closer, they saw the 62-year-old man clinging to the bow of his boat, waving his shirt to get their attention. He was 86 miles away from the coast of Port Canaveral, an hour east of Orlando.
 
Something touched me about this story. Adrift in the Atlantic Ocean for two days, clinging to the last bit of his boat still above water, Bee’s harrowing situation seemed an eerie metaphor for these COVID times. For months, our craft has been crippled, and we have been awakened to water pouring in through our cultural cracks. At times it has felt like hope would be swallowed up by the raging sea around us. Will anyone come to our rescue?
 
Perhaps that is why we need Christmas this year – more than any time I can remember. We need an assurance that in our darkest moments, when the waters are gathering and we are nearly out of hope, that our God has not given up on us. When we could do nothing to save ourselves, our God did something truly incredible. Far beyond sending an angel, our God sent God’s only Son. He knew where to spot us. As we were slipping from sight, he came to rescue us from our hurts, our habits, our sin, and ourselves. But he did not stop there. The Son then put out an enhanced group call to each of his followers to join his search and rescue mission for anyone sinking in life’s alarms. Who do you know whose hope is slipping and needs a hand up?
 
"Saving lives at sea is our highest calling," said Capt. Vlaun. It is ours too, wherever we are. That is why Jesus came.
 
Merry Christmas! 
 
Roger   
 
Article & Photo source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/29/us/missing-boater-found-alive-off-florida-coast-trnd/index.html
 
For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (RSV)
 
P.S. For encouragement, you can receive a weekly Prayer Text by texting KINGDOM to 573-227-6557.   
 
  
As our country and world continue to battle COVID-19, we are painfully aware of the racial and ethnic injustices that plague our national character. We have much to bring before God.
Feel free to pray for a different area each day. Thanks for praying!
  

• SUNDAY:  REPENTANCE & SALVATION- Pray that as we humble ourselves and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways, God will release healing, salvation, and justice across our nation and world (2 Chron 7:14). By faith, see the people of God, the church, standing in the gap for the sick, the oppressed, the hurting, the lost, and the lonely. Lord, multiply your Kingdom through us. 

• MONDAY:  PEACE- Pray for God’s perfect love to cast out all spirits of division, suspicion, anxiety, and panic that threaten our communities and sense of community. 

• TUESDAY:  LEADERSHIP- Invite the Holy Spirit to work in and among us for a peaceful transition of power in our nation.

• WEDNESDAY:  JUSTICE- Pray for justice to roll down like waters and right living like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24), so we may repent of racism and overcome the evil powers of this world with good. 

• THURSDAY:  RESOURCES- Pray for sufficient human & medical resources for our healthcare systems and distribution processes as COVID-19 vaccines begin to be administered in our nation and around the world.                                                                                      
• FRIDAY:  PROTECTION- Claim the blood of Jesus as a shield and healing over people and institutions as well as all first responders and medical personnel in the battle against COVID-19. Please seek God for full healing for the several UM pastors and laypersons in Missouri in a severe battle with COVID. 

• SATURDAY:  RESEARCH- Praise God for researchers who have developed effective, affordable, and safe COVID-19 vaccines! Pray that millions of people can be vaccinated quickly and safely.

 
(Some prayers adapted from Rev. Dr. Peter Bellini, a United Methodist Pastor and Professor at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, https://davidfwatson.me/2020/03/14/10-guidelines-for-prayer-in-these-covid-19-times-by-dr-peter-bellini/)