Lost Swimmer

July 29

 I ‘m 17 and the waterfront director at a Boy Scout camp. The counselors had left the water for lunch. My assistant reports there is still a name tag on the board.I begin a lost swimmers search.

On my fourth dive I see the body several feet below me. I gasp, lose my air and resurface. My heart is pounding. 

I take a deep breadth and dive straight down, arms extended. As I near the bottom I see that the body is a towel draped over some rocks. When I surface my assistant is walking on the dock and tells me our missing person is at the dinning hall. My reaction is how heaven feels about a new believer.

"Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost." (Luke 15:6)

Martha's Vineyard Tragedy

July 28

 A small plane plunges into the dark ocean off Martha's Vineyard claiming the lives of the pilot, John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, Carolyn and her sister, Lauren Bessette.

 JFK Jr. left for the island that night despite predictions of poor visibility. A  reporter who is also a pilot concludes JFK Jr. fell victim the young pilot's disease  he called, "gotta-get-there-itis."

 I ask God, what am I supposed to learn from all this? "The reply comes quickly.

"Without counsel plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established."(Proverbs 22:1)

Joy on a beach

July 27

“Grampy, want to go for a walk on the beach?” 

  

What I don’t realize is what a four-year-old means by a walk on the beach. To him it means racing down the beach looking back, smiling and off again. This goes on for several minutes. Finally he stops and starts running back towards me, arms extended. I throw my arms up and run towards him. As he draws near I crouch and he leaps into my waiting arms, squealing with delight. What joy.

“ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15: 11)

One Way Bridge

July 23

When I was 19 years old I lived in Tracy, California. One night I was out with some friends in Stockton, about 20 miles away. I was driving home alone about 2 am on old Highway 50. The highway splits into two high narrow bridges over the San Joaquin River, one for north bound and one for south bound traffic. The bridges are steep so that you can’t see the other side.

There was no traffic on the road at that hour and I was traveling the speed limit. I was in the left hand lane going up the south-bound bridge when, for some unexplained reason, I steered into the right hand lane. A moment later I was in the middle of the bridge when out of nowhere, a car came speeding the wrong way in the lane I had just left.

If I hadn’t changed lanes there would have been a head on collision in the middle of that high narrow bridge. There was nowhere to go except over the edge into the river below. I know that I would not have survived the crash or the river.

Decades later I still shiver at the thought of what could have happened that night. There was no reason for me to change lanes. I was saved by an angel that night, I’m absolutely sure.

Mary (Kiser) Bartlein

Panther Ridge, Manatee Fl.

Perfect Growth

July 18

Panama Canal Zone has ideal weather for plant growth. Where I was stationed

the Army would cut the wild grass and plants along the railroad tracks about every six weeks. The day it was cut I could see the rails as I drove beside the tracks. Just before the next cutting, the plants were as high as the train. It is true!

When the right ingredients are present growth can be remarkable.

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13:23)

Fear of Frogs

July 17

My wife has a fear of frogs. It is called Batchatraphobia. So what does her loving husband do? He buys a cottage on a cove where there are lots of bullfrogs. I net the amphibians and transfer them across the lake. .Joy read that scientist say that many deformed frogs found around the globe may be an early warning of a deteriorating environment. I can assure the world that the bullfrogs on Cedar Lake in Sturbridge Ma.are healthy.

Joy now tolerates frogs and is dealing with her phobia in a proper way.

"Give all your worries to God for He cares what happens to you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Violent Storm

July 16




I am preoccupied with fishing when a crack of thunder startles me.I look up. There is a threatening thunderhead behind me. I prepare to leave, but my motor won’t start. The sky is black. Here is a college kid in an open skiff, no radio, no flares, not even a horn.

A boat approaches. It is a commercial fisherman. All he says is, "need a tow?"

He throws me a rope tied to his boat. The storm breaks.

Soaked and shivering with lightening all about is frightening. There is nothing I can do but leave it in God’s hands.

“After rebuking the wind and waves Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful?

How is it you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

Convicted

July 15


We are at a stop sign and I clearly see a lady standing in the rain. Gads! She doesn’t even have an umbrella. I am convicted driving down the highway. I could have invited that lady into our car for a few minutes or at least loaned her an umbrella. I feel shame, ask for forgiveness and tell myself I will be more responsive to the needs of others.

“Lord when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to You? Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” (Matthew 25:44-45)

Thomas Merton's Advice

July 14

My grandmother called it, "sixes and sevens," I’m confused, not focused. In the mail is a flyer, quoting Thomas Merton.

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

What timing. Thanks you Lord.

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Strange but true

July 12


We stop in a Maryland rest area along I-95.Back in the car I turn the key. The car is dead. I call our motoring plan. The agent says he will have to send two tow trucks, one for our car and one for the trailer. It is going to be a long night.

Something says to try Joy’s spare key. “Lord we need help here.” I turn the key. Ignition. I thank God, cancel the tow and drive off. How did this happen? I should call the brothers of Car Talk on public radio about this.

“We give thanks to You, 0 God we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)

Hows your bank account?

July 11

It hasn’t rained for seven weeks. I can't imagine how bad it gets after seven years of drought, which the Bible records during Joseph's time in Egypt. God gave Joseph a plan to deal with it; store up during the years of plenty to survive the lean years.

Where is my treasure? I opened my account by accepting Jesus as My Lord and Savior. How much have I deposited since? How about you? What have you done for the Lord lately?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys.” (Matthew 6:19)

Dead Treet Branch

July 10

Joy has left for the day and now is my chance to remove the dead branch hanging over the water. Joy wanted me to hire someone but I know I can do it myself. I throw up a rope and twist the branch. SNAP. At that second I realize I am standing directly underneath this branch. How dumb.

I brace for the impact. Splash. The main branch crashes harmlessly into the lake and I am left holding some twigs and feeling absolutely stupid. The Lord has taken pity on a fool.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136:1)

Three boys vs a rattle snake

July 9


At camp two boys and I confronted a dull brown and red snake with a vibrating tail. One boy pinned the snake with a stick. The other boy grabbed it and put it inside a flimsy cupcake box. In a flash the snake sprung out of the box, slithered over a bare knee to the ground and escaped. A bugle sounded and three tenderfoot scouts ran off to the parade field.

Angels were looking after three boys that Sunday when that Timber Rattlesnake chose to get away rather than get even.

“He will give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)

Thrill Rides

July 7


It’s a perfect day on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. We are with a group on an island owned by a successful businessman. Joy and I climb aboard a cigarette boat with six others. We all hang on to stay upright. It is invigorating but it isn’t fun. That is how I feel about roller coasters too. And sky diving-my wife says why jump out of a perfectly operating airplane.

Why go? Is it for the thrill? There is another way to find  pure joy.

Today I get that rush of excitement when I feel God is near or is calling me.

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
(John 15:11)

Test Candle

July 6

It is a restaurant in a cave. The room is well lit yet a lone candle burns on a ledge. Our waiter says, "that's our test candle as long as it flickers we’re fine.” Nervous laughter. Half way through dinner a woman yells, "The Candle is out!" Heads turn.

"It is OK," her husband says relighting the candle, "the waiter was only joking."

My life is like that test candle. I can light up with His truth or be nothing and that is no joke.

"You are the light of the world." Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14,16)

Independence Day

July 4

Old Glory flies from the deck of our cottage on Cedar Lake, Sturbrdge. Friends arrive for a cookout. At dusk, we will paddle canoes to the middle of the lake to watch home-launched aerial fireworks. First we pledge to our flag, "one nation under God." But we are not one nation under God. There are those in America who take offense at the word God. They are very vocal. What must God think?

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

At the Summit

July 3


We stand on the narrow summit of Mt. Albert in Colorado, which is something like seven feet higher than Pike's Peak. The view is breathtaking. I reach the top with 16 others who are completing a week at the Exec. Course at Outward Bound.

There is a true sense of accomplishment at the top. God has put in each of us the ability to reach higher and further in our lives. We learn that failure is not falling short; it is not starting in the first place. What mountains does God want you to climb? Have you started?

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1)

Come/About or Jibe?

July 2

It is pre-camp week, I’m the rookie waterfront director trying out sailing with Ray, my division head. We are off in a stiff breeze. I learn the hard way the difference between “coming about and jibing.” We jibe and capsize. A horn sounds signifying a tip over.

When our rescuers arrive, I say, "Good thing we ran this test. You took your time getting here." Ray blesses himself under water.I keep a straight face.

Turning the wrong way can be disastrous.

“ He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

Conversation with God

June 30-July 1

This is God's Day. I read, I pray, I meditate, I fast, and at 4:47 I have a
CONVERSATION WITH GOD.

"God, are we saved by Your grace once?”

"How are you saved?"

"By your son dying on the cross.”

"Do you believe that?
 "Yes"
You are saved."

"What about people who don't know?"

"It is your job to tell them. Do you love your neighbor as yourself?"

"I hardly know my neighbor."

"I know!"

“A backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.” (Proverbs 14:14)

July 1
Some Notes I jotted down on God’s Day



This is God’s day. I’m at the seashore.

“ Write the book,” (These entries?)
"Discipleship is a decision".

“Be still and know that I am God.”

“You were born anew-listen to your Father.” Don't go to Phoenix.” (this is disturbing. I'm flying to Tucson Thursday to drive to Phoenix for a conference.)

“Take off your hat.” (I do.)

“You and I can be one"
"I am in you and you are in Christ."

“ know me better through My Word.”
"Ephesians 5:1" ("Be you therefore imitators of God, as beloved children." )

The above quotes I heard in my head during the day. Then I had a Conversation with God...I don't know what else to call it. It ended abruptly when the church bells from the Episcopal Church rang out summoning people to Vespers.....I wasn't fearful or delusional...I was in awe....humbled and obedient.
PS I cancelled my flight to Tucson and the conference in Phoenix.