SEE THE LAND

On July 4, 1952, at the age of 34, Florence May Chadwick attempted to become the first woman to swim 21 miles across the Catalina Channel, from Catalina to Palos Verde on the California coast. A heavy fog moved in that day and the water was very cold. After 15 hours and 55 minutes, she felt that she couldn’t go on, and asked to be taken out of the water—with only half a mile to go. She later told a reporter, “Look, I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I know I could have made it.” The fog had made her unable to see her goal and it had felt to her like she was getting nowhere.

SEE THE UNSEEN

Something about seeing the goal somehow makes it more attainable. Maybe that is why so many people find it hard to remain faithful. Jesus said, “Strait is gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). We must keep our eyes toward that far distant shore though it can only be seen with the eyes of faith. “We walk (or swim) by faith not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). For now we can only see our Savior by faith, but there is a day when we will see Him in all His glory. “Beloved, we are God’s children now, it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

TRY AGAIN

Florence Chadwick didn’t give up after failing to swim the channel in 1952. Two months later she tried again. The fog was just as dense, but this time she made it. After 13 Hours, 47 minutes and 55 seconds, she reached the California shore breaking a 27-year-old record by more than two hours and becoming the first woman ever to complete the swim. She went on to set new world records all over the world. Likewise, our faith may fail us at times. You can give up and quit, or like Florence, you can jump back in and try again with more determination and reach your goal. The Lord if faithful and just to forgive us our sins if we try again.

KEEP PRESSING ON

Paul said, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

DAVID

Preacher David Shipley has written for our bulletin this week. Really he wrote this for the Ball bulletin but it is so good I wanted you to read it. Something else about brother Shipley, on March 7th he preached at their Big Sunday at the Pomona Church on the topic of Spiritual Warfare and they are still talking about how good the three lessons were. David Shipley is a great man, preacher and teacher.

SUNDAY

Be in your place of worship every week. The Lord is still blessing His people. You can be blessed and you can be a blessing. Come early and stay late. Come with a Bible in your hand and a spring in your step and a smile on your face. I’ll look for you in your place.

-Pat Casey