My narrow driveway has seen lots of activity lately, what with all sorts of delivery truck drivers dropping off various supplies for my writing office. The largest delivery is due this week--final printed copies of my book, WILLIWAW WINDS. The pace has already picked up, with scheduled book signings, talks, and conference appearances.
Squeezed into the hubbub of promoting books is the usual list of Fall chores. Yes, it was a colder-than-normal summer but the tomatoes are finally ripening, fast and furiously. Pole beans are late but prolific and delicious. We're enjoying other fresh garden veggies too, and as busy as I am in the office, I still enjoy harvesting the bounty and sharing some of it with others.
My website is up and running now, and I'd love to hear from you! Click onto the Comments page and let me know what you think about the content, my book if you've read it, or anything else you'd like to share with other readers.
http://www.sallybair.com
Have a blessed week.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
by Sally Bair
Jars of Clay
A small hive of bees built a nest high in a cedar tree in my front yard, but some critter knocked it down one night. Chunks of the nest lay on the ground the next morning, with only a few displaced survivors hovering around for awhile.
There isn’t much to a bee’s nest—some honey combs inside a lightweight, fragile shell. But to the bee colony, their nest is a treasure because it holds their only source of energy—honey.
We could compare our physical bodies to that of the beehive. We’re held together with a fragile frame with our sweetness hidden inside. Sometimes our sweetness oozes out in the form of smiles and acts of kindness. Other times it’s well-hidden by the negative emotions we carry.
Those of us who are followers of Christ carry even more sweetness inside—the very presence of Christ, Himself. That’s where our real value lies. When we accept Him into our lives, He takes residence in our fragile shell of a body.
But if we are to be of any value in His kingdom, we first must spiritually die to self. “We are the clay, and You our potter; and … we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) We are mere jars of clay, meant to be broken so our sweetness can be spilled out to others like the honey in its comb.
Paul says “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7). He continues by explaining that as Christians, humble and ready to be molded by our Potter, we can expect to be afflicted and persecuted and put to the test for our faith. But we need to focus on Jesus rather than on our circumstances. “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Christianity is not for wimps, my pastor said recently. Paul proves that point in his epistles. He and millions of other believers were—and are—ready to face death for the sake of their Savior who is the greatest treasure of all. We are merely His jars of clay, hopefully ready to be molded into His image.
Lord, though our physical house is as fragile as a beehive, we thank You for offering us eternal life—the greatest treasure of all—through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus.
Subscribe To Sally Bair Blog
Posts
All Comments
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Elevator Speech
Part of marketing my book, WILLIWAW WINDS, is calling area libraries, book stores, and other places that might either carry my books, feature me as a speaker, or allow me to do book signings.
One of their first questions is: "What's your book about?"
So I've written a short "Elevator Speech" to present and have it almost memorized. It's called an Elevator Speech because at writers' conferences, etc., if authors meet an agent or editor on the elevator, they have only a few seconds to tell about their book. Hence, the importance of brevity.
This can also serve as a short-short version of a synopsis. Presenting the bare bones of a story (its main character, setting, conflict, and resolution) can give the hearer opportunity for immediate assessment of the book's possible success with his or her company.
Now I offer you something longer than an Elevator Speech: my weekly devotional column. Enjoy the last bit of summer.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
by Sally Bair
Receiving Power
In the world of critters, the weak give in to the wants of the strong. The smaller deer submit to the bigger by slinking away. Humans also frequently submit to someone bigger, stronger, or smarter. One term for it is “cowering.”
But cowering means more than slinking into a corner out of fear. Webster says it also means “to curve, bend.” There’s an interesting spiritual application here that says we need to cower before we can receive power. We need to curve—or bend—our will to God’s in humility and submission.
Bending our will before God means to recognize His holiness and to fear Him in awe and reverence. Except for Christ, we would remain unworthy in His sight. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) God’s power is available to those who bow humbly in faith before Him. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
Further application regards Jesus sending His twelve disciples out to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. He gave them the power necessary to do the job right, but they had to follow His rules. They had to go empty-handed and count on the hospitality of strangers to house and feed them. That takes humility and bending of self-will.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed His disciples to “…tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) They would receive God’s power only after they waited for God to appear. They waited many days. Imagine spending all that time in an upstairs room crowded with 120 people. Today would we wait even a day in such crowded conditions, for something unexpected?
But they spent their time in prayer because they believed Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit for them.
Cowering before God means spending our best time with Him in prayer and Bible meditation. It means obeying His Word, as the disciples did, so He can work through us to further His kingdom of grace and love.
God blesses us in many ways when we approach Him in humility and wait on Him. How many of us are willing to wait expectantly and humbly for God’s power, for however long it takes, to serve Him by bringing healing to someone in need?
Lord, we cower before You, humbly bending to Your will, waiting for Your power so we can serve You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
One of their first questions is: "What's your book about?"
So I've written a short "Elevator Speech" to present and have it almost memorized. It's called an Elevator Speech because at writers' conferences, etc., if authors meet an agent or editor on the elevator, they have only a few seconds to tell about their book. Hence, the importance of brevity.
This can also serve as a short-short version of a synopsis. Presenting the bare bones of a story (its main character, setting, conflict, and resolution) can give the hearer opportunity for immediate assessment of the book's possible success with his or her company.
Now I offer you something longer than an Elevator Speech: my weekly devotional column. Enjoy the last bit of summer.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
by Sally Bair
Receiving Power
In the world of critters, the weak give in to the wants of the strong. The smaller deer submit to the bigger by slinking away. Humans also frequently submit to someone bigger, stronger, or smarter. One term for it is “cowering.”
But cowering means more than slinking into a corner out of fear. Webster says it also means “to curve, bend.” There’s an interesting spiritual application here that says we need to cower before we can receive power. We need to curve—or bend—our will to God’s in humility and submission.
Bending our will before God means to recognize His holiness and to fear Him in awe and reverence. Except for Christ, we would remain unworthy in His sight. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) God’s power is available to those who bow humbly in faith before Him. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
Further application regards Jesus sending His twelve disciples out to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. He gave them the power necessary to do the job right, but they had to follow His rules. They had to go empty-handed and count on the hospitality of strangers to house and feed them. That takes humility and bending of self-will.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed His disciples to “…tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) They would receive God’s power only after they waited for God to appear. They waited many days. Imagine spending all that time in an upstairs room crowded with 120 people. Today would we wait even a day in such crowded conditions, for something unexpected?
But they spent their time in prayer because they believed Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit for them.
Cowering before God means spending our best time with Him in prayer and Bible meditation. It means obeying His Word, as the disciples did, so He can work through us to further His kingdom of grace and love.
God blesses us in many ways when we approach Him in humility and wait on Him. How many of us are willing to wait expectantly and humbly for God’s power, for however long it takes, to serve Him by bringing healing to someone in need?
Lord, we cower before You, humbly bending to Your will, waiting for Your power so we can serve You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Back Home
Greetings in Jesus' name.
Just returned from five fabulous days spent at the Green Lake (Wis.) Conference Center taking a Christian Writers workshop. It's a treat spending time on the more-than-1000-acres of wooded property. Old, stone buildings house the participants; stone bridges and narrow trails beckon visitors to explore the flora and fauna. This time around, I watched a doe and her twin fawns outside my window and had to stop my car so two wild turkey families could cross safely.
The Fiction Writers workshop, led by author Patti Lacy, inspired me to greater writing heights and helped me solidify the plot and characterization of my second novel, TROUBLE AT FISH CREEK, in the "Ways of the Williwaw" series. As I work on this exciting story in the weeks to come, I'll be sharing excerpts with you.
Here is this week's devotional column. May God bless you richly. Sally
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
By Sally Bair
Safeguards
My garden is surrounded by a fence that protects the plants from deer and other large critters. I even cover the strawberries with nylon netting to keep the birds away. Safeguards help protect us, too, from invaders or harm—home security systems; brakes on our vehicles; warning labels on some foods, drugs, and cleaners.
Societal safeguards are also necessary. Years ago, men were taught to walk on the street side of the sidewalk—the unsafe side—to protect their female companions from being splashed, hit by vehicles, or attacked by thugs. Over 100 years ago, a God-fearing woman seldom went anywhere alone with a man who wasn’t related to her. And she always dressed modestly to avoid tempting men with sexual thoughts.
Most would argue that the prudish rules of Victorian-age society went too far. But for the most part, they served well in protecting women and children from danger.
Today, however, many of society’s safeguards have disappeared. In part because of today’s accepted dress code and behavior in both women and men, sexual abuse, pornography, and promiscuity have become rampant in our country. The value and dignity of our God-created bodies has diminished to the point where it’s now common and accepted even for many Christians to dress, speak, and act immodestly.
One church leader lamented that it’s nearly impossible, even in church, to avoid the sight of girls and women wearing suggestive clothing and displaying suggestive behavior. He said that Christians must walk constantly in the light of Christ’s Word and in His power to avoid temptation. Since many are not so spiritually strong, he added, they are more open to temptation.
“Therefore let us not … put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)
Fashion has changed greatly from Victorian times, for the better in some ways. But in the ways fashion has changed for the worse, we Christ-followers need to become a safeguard against temptation through our positive example of behavior. It’s a matter of loving our neighbor with positive words and action.
Lord, help us to use the safeguards given in your Word to keep ourselves holy and to guide others to do the same, by our example. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Just returned from five fabulous days spent at the Green Lake (Wis.) Conference Center taking a Christian Writers workshop. It's a treat spending time on the more-than-1000-acres of wooded property. Old, stone buildings house the participants; stone bridges and narrow trails beckon visitors to explore the flora and fauna. This time around, I watched a doe and her twin fawns outside my window and had to stop my car so two wild turkey families could cross safely.
The Fiction Writers workshop, led by author Patti Lacy, inspired me to greater writing heights and helped me solidify the plot and characterization of my second novel, TROUBLE AT FISH CREEK, in the "Ways of the Williwaw" series. As I work on this exciting story in the weeks to come, I'll be sharing excerpts with you.
Here is this week's devotional column. May God bless you richly. Sally
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
By Sally Bair
Safeguards
My garden is surrounded by a fence that protects the plants from deer and other large critters. I even cover the strawberries with nylon netting to keep the birds away. Safeguards help protect us, too, from invaders or harm—home security systems; brakes on our vehicles; warning labels on some foods, drugs, and cleaners.
Societal safeguards are also necessary. Years ago, men were taught to walk on the street side of the sidewalk—the unsafe side—to protect their female companions from being splashed, hit by vehicles, or attacked by thugs. Over 100 years ago, a God-fearing woman seldom went anywhere alone with a man who wasn’t related to her. And she always dressed modestly to avoid tempting men with sexual thoughts.
Most would argue that the prudish rules of Victorian-age society went too far. But for the most part, they served well in protecting women and children from danger.
Today, however, many of society’s safeguards have disappeared. In part because of today’s accepted dress code and behavior in both women and men, sexual abuse, pornography, and promiscuity have become rampant in our country. The value and dignity of our God-created bodies has diminished to the point where it’s now common and accepted even for many Christians to dress, speak, and act immodestly.
One church leader lamented that it’s nearly impossible, even in church, to avoid the sight of girls and women wearing suggestive clothing and displaying suggestive behavior. He said that Christians must walk constantly in the light of Christ’s Word and in His power to avoid temptation. Since many are not so spiritually strong, he added, they are more open to temptation.
“Therefore let us not … put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)
Fashion has changed greatly from Victorian times, for the better in some ways. But in the ways fashion has changed for the worse, we Christ-followers need to become a safeguard against temptation through our positive example of behavior. It’s a matter of loving our neighbor with positive words and action.
Lord, help us to use the safeguards given in your Word to keep ourselves holy and to guide others to do the same, by our example. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Friday, August 14, 2009
New Beginnings
Much has changed since I last posted on my blog. Since then, I have published a book and have my new website up and running. Please check it out:
my website
My book, WILLIWAW WINDS, will be available by September 20, but you may order it now on my website, which tells all about the book.
Later this month I'll be attending the Green Lake (Wis.) Christian Writers Workshop. This will be my first attempt at presenting my book. I feel like a mother who has just birthed a baby--wow! In September, my attendance at two writers' conferences will offer even more opportunities to present my book.
I'm learning that book marketing requires lots of time and energy. But it's fun--and a great learning experience. With some help from my niece, Ann, we're researching public libraries and bookstores as possible venues for book signings/readings/talks/seminars.
Besides choosing venues in my immediate vicinity, I hope to touch two birds with one stone by scheduling venues in the Upper Peninsula so I can visit my sister who lives north of Calumet.
I've received some dynamite testimonials about WILLIWAW WINDS, which I'm using on my website and brochure.
God is good. His blessings are abundant.
My weekly devotional column follows:
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES -- by Sally Bair
Dragged Under
Last week I talked about the book I wrote, Williwaw Winds, which is based on the true story of how my son and four others were rescued by the Coast Guard when their fishing boat went down in the violent (williwaw) winds of the Bering Sea.
When they finally made it into their life raft, it quickly became tangled in the deck rigging that kept blowing around. Still tethered to its 100-foot lifeline, the raft moved steadily closer to the boat because of the tangles. At one point, the wind whipped the boat around so the raft came right up to the stern. The men knew if they couldn’t free the raft’s lifeline soon, it would become their death line. They’d go down with the boat. Once, in fact, the wind sent the boom right onto them, submerging the raft momentarily. Only when one of the men finally found his jackknife could they cut themselves free before the boat sank.
In a hugely insignificant way, I recently felt like I was being dragged under. My “To Do” list, growing longer and longer, overwhelmed me. Would I ever again feel like my head would stay above water? You must know the feeling. Yours may not involve a To Do list, but we all face overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.
Sometimes our situations are beyond our control. Oftentimes, however, we cause our own burdens. Either way, we wonder: where is the hope when we’re being dragged under by our burdens? Sometimes it’s in God’s wisdom, learning how to pace ourselves and prioritize our projects. It’s definitely in the time we spend with Him in prayer and Bible meditation, which helps us keep our focus on what’s most important. And it’s in the strength of our faith in His promises.
When Joshua took over the leadership of the Israelites after Moses died, he must have felt overwhelmed. That’s when God gave him a promise. “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage ….” (Joshua 1:5-6)
Whether we have some control over our situations, or no control as did the fishermen who were literally at the end of their life rope, we can be assured of God’s presence and help. All we have to do is ask. And trust. That’s what the fishermen did. That’s what saved them.
Lord, we ask for Your peace that passes all understanding and that comes even when we feel like we’re being dragged under. Thank You for the promise of Your abiding presence and help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
my website
My book, WILLIWAW WINDS, will be available by September 20, but you may order it now on my website, which tells all about the book.
Later this month I'll be attending the Green Lake (Wis.) Christian Writers Workshop. This will be my first attempt at presenting my book. I feel like a mother who has just birthed a baby--wow! In September, my attendance at two writers' conferences will offer even more opportunities to present my book.
I'm learning that book marketing requires lots of time and energy. But it's fun--and a great learning experience. With some help from my niece, Ann, we're researching public libraries and bookstores as possible venues for book signings/readings/talks/seminars.
Besides choosing venues in my immediate vicinity, I hope to touch two birds with one stone by scheduling venues in the Upper Peninsula so I can visit my sister who lives north of Calumet.
I've received some dynamite testimonials about WILLIWAW WINDS, which I'm using on my website and brochure.
God is good. His blessings are abundant.
My weekly devotional column follows:
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES -- by Sally Bair
Dragged Under
Last week I talked about the book I wrote, Williwaw Winds, which is based on the true story of how my son and four others were rescued by the Coast Guard when their fishing boat went down in the violent (williwaw) winds of the Bering Sea.
When they finally made it into their life raft, it quickly became tangled in the deck rigging that kept blowing around. Still tethered to its 100-foot lifeline, the raft moved steadily closer to the boat because of the tangles. At one point, the wind whipped the boat around so the raft came right up to the stern. The men knew if they couldn’t free the raft’s lifeline soon, it would become their death line. They’d go down with the boat. Once, in fact, the wind sent the boom right onto them, submerging the raft momentarily. Only when one of the men finally found his jackknife could they cut themselves free before the boat sank.
In a hugely insignificant way, I recently felt like I was being dragged under. My “To Do” list, growing longer and longer, overwhelmed me. Would I ever again feel like my head would stay above water? You must know the feeling. Yours may not involve a To Do list, but we all face overwhelming feelings of hopelessness.
Sometimes our situations are beyond our control. Oftentimes, however, we cause our own burdens. Either way, we wonder: where is the hope when we’re being dragged under by our burdens? Sometimes it’s in God’s wisdom, learning how to pace ourselves and prioritize our projects. It’s definitely in the time we spend with Him in prayer and Bible meditation, which helps us keep our focus on what’s most important. And it’s in the strength of our faith in His promises.
When Joshua took over the leadership of the Israelites after Moses died, he must have felt overwhelmed. That’s when God gave him a promise. “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage ….” (Joshua 1:5-6)
Whether we have some control over our situations, or no control as did the fishermen who were literally at the end of their life rope, we can be assured of God’s presence and help. All we have to do is ask. And trust. That’s what the fishermen did. That’s what saved them.
Lord, we ask for Your peace that passes all understanding and that comes even when we feel like we’re being dragged under. Thank You for the promise of Your abiding presence and help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
AT ANCHOR
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES
by Sally Bair
Whom Can We Believe?
I saw a wild turkey near my home town back when they started to return to the area after years of scarcity. My family didn’t believe I’d seen one.
It’s not fun to have our word doubted when we’re used to telling the truth. Nor is it fun being on the other end of the situation, wondering if we can trust someone’s word.
The Bible has much to say about Truth. The prophets of old lamented the absence of Truth among God’s people. Jesus espoused Truth among His followers. But even His disciples found it hard to always believe Him. Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had returned from the grave. How many of us are doubters like Thomas? How do we know when to trust someone’s word and when not to? We can’t even trust all Internet information.
When Jesus spoke to the people, He often began by saying, “Truly I say to you…” Can we really trust His word? When He was brought before Pontius Pilate to stand trial and spoke on behalf of Himself and His Father in heaven, Pilate said, “What is truth?” How ironic that Pilate did not recognize the Truth even though it stood right before him. Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) In His recorded prayer to the Father, He claimed God’s Word as Truth. Even David said, “His Truth shall be your shield and buckler” and “His Truth endures to all generations.”
Though we can’t always believe someone else’s word, we can always depend on God’s Word. He has proven himself to be true to His word. Yet many skeptics today choose not to believe it, and therefore cannot recognize Jesus as Truth. When many of Jesus’ followers left Him and He asked His disciples if they would leave too, Peter exclaimed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)
God’s truth is absolute and eternal. It is a precious attribute of God, one which He wants us to use as a way of life. He desires His truth in our inner being.
Lord, through faith may we all come to believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
by Sally Bair
Whom Can We Believe?
I saw a wild turkey near my home town back when they started to return to the area after years of scarcity. My family didn’t believe I’d seen one.
It’s not fun to have our word doubted when we’re used to telling the truth. Nor is it fun being on the other end of the situation, wondering if we can trust someone’s word.
The Bible has much to say about Truth. The prophets of old lamented the absence of Truth among God’s people. Jesus espoused Truth among His followers. But even His disciples found it hard to always believe Him. Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had returned from the grave. How many of us are doubters like Thomas? How do we know when to trust someone’s word and when not to? We can’t even trust all Internet information.
When Jesus spoke to the people, He often began by saying, “Truly I say to you…” Can we really trust His word? When He was brought before Pontius Pilate to stand trial and spoke on behalf of Himself and His Father in heaven, Pilate said, “What is truth?” How ironic that Pilate did not recognize the Truth even though it stood right before him. Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) In His recorded prayer to the Father, He claimed God’s Word as Truth. Even David said, “His Truth shall be your shield and buckler” and “His Truth endures to all generations.”
Though we can’t always believe someone else’s word, we can always depend on God’s Word. He has proven himself to be true to His word. Yet many skeptics today choose not to believe it, and therefore cannot recognize Jesus as Truth. When many of Jesus’ followers left Him and He asked His disciples if they would leave too, Peter exclaimed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)
God’s truth is absolute and eternal. It is a precious attribute of God, one which He wants us to use as a way of life. He desires His truth in our inner being.
Lord, through faith may we all come to believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
GALLEY FARE
Here's another enticing excerpt from my WILLIWAW WINDS novel for pre-teens.
“Double check that everything is secure,” the skipper tells Freddy and Marv. “I don’t want anything heavy breaking loose.”
While they go below to tighten the lines and loose rigging, the skipper motors for the protection of Portage Bay. But he’s too cautious to get closer than a half mile out from the bay because of the reefs and shoals.
Patrick and I go down to the galley and fill our coffee mugs while we wait for Freddy and Marv. When they return, they put on a halfway happy face, but I can tell they’re worried. Every once in awhile someone tells a joke, but it bombs.
I jump when the anchor drops with a loud rattle.
“Sure hope Dad put out all the anchor cable,” Patrick says.
Anchored as we are, the boat sways as much as ever. It’s going to be a long night.
Before I decide to go to sleep, the skipper says, “Marv, go down and shut off the main engine. It’ll save fuel.”
We’re doomed if we run out of fuel. I toss and turn on my bunk.
This time it’s the skipper who nudges me. “You’re on for anchor watch, Jake.”
Again? It seems like I just got off.
“Make sure the anchor doesn’t drag on the bottom,” he tells me as I struggle off my bunk. “We don’t want to drift out to sea. It may be rough here, but it’s even rougher out there.”
At five in the morning it’s still dark—halfway through my watch. A crescent moon slides down toward the horizon. Funny how the stars calmly shine down on us while we fight to stay afloat. When I think the winds can’t be any stronger, a huge gust from nowhere pushes the boat tight against the anchor cable.
Pow! Like a gunshot the cable snaps. We’ve lost our anchor.
“Double check that everything is secure,” the skipper tells Freddy and Marv. “I don’t want anything heavy breaking loose.”
While they go below to tighten the lines and loose rigging, the skipper motors for the protection of Portage Bay. But he’s too cautious to get closer than a half mile out from the bay because of the reefs and shoals.
Patrick and I go down to the galley and fill our coffee mugs while we wait for Freddy and Marv. When they return, they put on a halfway happy face, but I can tell they’re worried. Every once in awhile someone tells a joke, but it bombs.
I jump when the anchor drops with a loud rattle.
“Sure hope Dad put out all the anchor cable,” Patrick says.
Anchored as we are, the boat sways as much as ever. It’s going to be a long night.
Before I decide to go to sleep, the skipper says, “Marv, go down and shut off the main engine. It’ll save fuel.”
We’re doomed if we run out of fuel. I toss and turn on my bunk.
This time it’s the skipper who nudges me. “You’re on for anchor watch, Jake.”
Again? It seems like I just got off.
“Make sure the anchor doesn’t drag on the bottom,” he tells me as I struggle off my bunk. “We don’t want to drift out to sea. It may be rough here, but it’s even rougher out there.”
At five in the morning it’s still dark—halfway through my watch. A crescent moon slides down toward the horizon. Funny how the stars calmly shine down on us while we fight to stay afloat. When I think the winds can’t be any stronger, a huge gust from nowhere pushes the boat tight against the anchor cable.
Pow! Like a gunshot the cable snaps. We’ve lost our anchor.
THE LOGBOOK
I'm working madly to finish editing my friend's book, "Victory Over Anxiety and Depression." Hopefully, he and his ministry partner will begin teaching a group of students at my house using this book as a study guide.
WILLIWAW WINDS is almost ready for publishing. I've been researching books and websites and articles, and have concluded that my best option may be to publish my book with a Print-On-Demand publishing company. Less time wasted trying to market it to traditional publishers, more control of the process, and more royalties are tempting reasons to do so. I'll keep you informed.
WILLIWAW WINDS is almost ready for publishing. I've been researching books and websites and articles, and have concluded that my best option may be to publish my book with a Print-On-Demand publishing company. Less time wasted trying to market it to traditional publishers, more control of the process, and more royalties are tempting reasons to do so. I'll keep you informed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)