That Sinking Feeling...

DEC 12 - DEC 18 2010 — THAT SINKING FEELING... — ISSUE 184
Guest Author Randall Laraway

As I stated not-so-long ago — which, as fast as times moves anymore, could have been three years, two weeks, and four days ago and it would still seem as fresh as our first look in the mirror after having our braces removed where we saw our teeth for the first time in years only to realize they're ginormous and thus never smiling again for fear of being called "Buck Tooth" by all of our oh-so-forgiving teenage classmates (Or was that just me?) — I'll be slipping in some guest authors here and there to keep the 'C fresh. I apparently will also be slipping in my old habit of writing an entire paragraph in the form of one long run-on sentence.

But back to the point. This week's guest author is a man you'll count yourself lucky to meet if you haven't already made his acquaintance, a Mr. Randall Laraway from the Cleveland Church. His story of God's hand in his life is one that will move your heart, and his life and demeanor since then breeds inspiration. He too sends out a weekly letter, and I really wanted to share this one with you. Enjoy.

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"SHREVEPORT, La. — Christopher Patlan was hanging out with friends on the Red River when he heard the desperate screams coming from seven teenagers.  One minute they were wading in shallow water, the next they plunged into a drop-off 25 feet deep."

"Patlan bolted the 10 yards to the river and jumped in, saving 15-year-old DeKendrix Warner.  By the time he had dragged the boy to safety, the six others from two families — all non-swimmers — had drowned.  Family members, who also can't swim, watched helplessly."  Unquote...

What do you do when your children are literally drowning right before your eyes?  The screams, the frantic running back and forth, the tears of total brokenness, helplessness, their hearts crying out for someone to HELP---unable to help their OWN children who only minutes before were playing, and enjoying a nice day with parents & friends at a cook out on the edge of a river.

OH, that DANGEROUS river!!!  The current was swift, the sandy shore was soft and loose...UNSTABLE.  IF ONLY THEY'D HEEDED THE OBVIOUS ? ! ? !   Is this not how the river of life in the world takes us by surprise?   That river of "life" we think is so cool and "right."   But SUDDENLY, that river of life becomes the sinister river of death that will steal our very soul---suck us DOWN into the depths of everlasting hell!!!

Not a pleasant thought you say?  Rather shocking?  But it actually did happen to real families.  So do matters of the heart become treacherous if we---as God's family---persist in our sin and give in to temptations.  As God's children HE IS DOING EVERYTHING TO GET OUR ATTENTION!!!  Like Sonny said this evening, God even gave HIS ONLY SON to buy us back out of the hands of Satan---yes, even from out of the consequences of our own sins!   HOW can I get away from any temptation coming at me?   Then cry out,... "O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, the worst of sinners!"   So, dear brother, can you swim?  Have you or are you teaching your children to swim.....that is, swim in the Godly ways of Jesus and the Bible?  OR what kind of example do you display to your kids?   Plus, let's be sure to stay away from those things that allure us away from God and into darkness and uncertainty.

It was encouraging to sing that closing song: "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.   L-o-v-e lifted me, YES, love lifted me...when NOTHING else would help.....LOVE lifted me.

With sincere love and respect, ybiC, Randall