White, Gray, Black-Part 1

"Live in the white; always go back to the white."  That was the earnest advice of a seminar speaker I heard some time ago.  This was in connection to living our Christian lives, not just at church, but in the marketplace (work place) as well; to live in such a way so as to transform it.

Do staff members sneak around, laze around; take stuff home; or have bad tempers?  Do you?  Transform oneself before "doing surgery" on other individuals and ultimately in the atmosphere of your workplace.  Hone in first, however, on oneself.

White and black are generally obvious.  The Bible gives many specifics: "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots".  However, there are dubious areas where one may not be so sure; those are called the "gray areas".

It's kind of like the dilemma of knowing whether or not to take your umbrella out with you on an overcast day.  To bring, or not to bring; that is the question.  When in doubt, bring it.  Better to be safe than to be sorry.

Similarly, when in doubt about lifestyle or decisions in general, when God's Word doesn't definitely say, "Thou shalt..." or "Thou shalt not..." we can look for general principles gleaned from Biblical examples of folks back then.  How do we get a 'feel' for that?  The answer is, "by reading God's Word thoroughly".

Stuff like income tax when we feel the government isn't using our money prudently or Scripturally; do we still pay?

How about a doctor, for example, who usually earns so much and at the end of a workday takes a handful of the earnings and leaves the remainder to be declared?  After all, who will know?  The government doesn't always spend wisely so why should I give it all it's due?

This is gray area for some people.  But if we, as God's children, will live with integrity in every aspect of our lives as much as possible, we will not drift in the current to the gray and eventually black areas of life.

Why?  When we live in the gray, the fine lines between what's right and what's not become more and more obliterated.  We rationalize.  We no longer see clearly.  The gray fog gets thicker; gray becomes black and we don't even realize it.

Another example is when an engineer and the contractor are in cahoots.  They skimp on building materials, cut corners here and there to earn just that bit more of a greater profit for their own pockets.  Who will realize?  The client?  Not likely.  When the building collapses, the contractor and engineer are long gone.

Or you start a social drink here.  A social drink there.  Soon the social drink turns anti-social and you're drinking at home.  A lot!  Before you know it you're an alcoholic.

A little pet here, a little pet there with your girl/boy friend.  Who would know?  And then...you've gone too far...

Guard yourselves against these things.  "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8).

Ask a spiritual friend which zone they think you are inhabiting.  Be honest.  Find your way back into the white zone.  Do whatever it takes.

Always go back to the white areas.  People will begin to notice.  You become trusted by others:  bosses; spouse; co-workers; neighbors and hopefully even those nearest and dearest to you; your family.

In God's eyes you will also find favor.  Your conscience will be tender and sensitive to God's ways.  You will know more instinctively what's right--what pleases Him.  Let us all be "white collar" Christians, transforming not only ourselves but ever increasingly and radiating out, to others.  So help us, God!

--To be continued...(Part 2)...

                                                          ~ERC   2015~

 

Christian Culture

Somewhere in line with negative comments about western missionaries forcing their culture on those they've come to minister to is the idea of a Christian culture (Some may prefer to call that a Biblical culture--same meaning to me).  Is there such a thing?


For many years I thought so.  In fact, that concept was a very "life-saving-device" to me.  The very idea was an anchor to the mind, stabilizing it as much as possible in an interracial, cross-cultural marriage.  The idea was, literally, life and mind-saving. 


In such a marriage one couldn't fully live out the marriage in only the, let's say, Chinese way, nor only in the western way; there had to be a governing standard.  Since both marriage spouses were Christians, that standard was the Christian culture of the Bible.

Then one fine Sunday sermon those "legs" I stood on got violently amputated in one fell swoop!  The preacher-of-the-day said there was no such thing as a Christian culture.  Devastation of heart and mind ensued.  Tears and mourning in silent agony was topped with feelings of betrayal.  However was one to survive now!?

Breathe.  Catch your breath.  Let us now beg to differ with that preacher.  Understood is, western culture does NOT equal Christian culture.  So what IS it?

Search and learn of the life of Jesus while He was on earth; how He lived and acted towards the common folks.  His kindness, goodness, and caring ways stood out in sharp contrast to the general attitudes of the religious leaders of His day.


The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus' "Code of Ethics" (Matthew 5-7). Jesus' sermon is chock full of ways we too can live as Christians and has nothing to do with western culture being forced upon others.  (Granted, much of some western culture was once based on Scripture.)

 
God's children are to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1,2).  As we read God's Word intensely and allow the Holy Spirit within us to teach and "guide us into all truth", we may obey Him and so become more like Christ.
   


This then, is the Christian culture I firmly believe in.  I stand upon that with two legs, I might add, that are not artificial limbs.

P.S.  For further ways to live according to Christian culture, see the following verses:

               Galatians 5: 16-26                     Philippians 2:1-18
               Ephesians 4:25-32                     Colossians 3:1-4
               Ephesians 6:10-20                     Colossians 4:2-6  
               Ephesians 5:15-21                     2 Peter 1:5-1:, 3:14, 17-18
                                        The book of James

These scratch the surface.  The epistles are full of  "Christian culture".

The Bible often talks about character to "put off" and then to "put on".  That will come with greater Christian living as we genuinely seek to live in a Christ-like manner.  The fruit of the Spirit seen in Galatians 5:22-23 is quite a good and challenging place to start as you can see in the following ways.

LOVE~see 1 Corinthians 13-characteristics of love; do we live this?

JOY~see James: consider it pure joy>trials and difficulties; do we let them mold and shape us?
       ~the joy of the Lord is our strength
       ~look up other 'joy' verses

PEACE~Jesus is the Prince of Peace; do we bring our burdens and cares to Him?
            ~Matthew 5:9>Blessed are the peacemakers...are we one?

PATIENCE~The Lord sees one day as a thousand years and visa versa; He is patient, let us imitate                            Him.

KINDNESS~Be kind one to another;
                   ~Tender-hearted, forgiving one another...do we have the grace to be like that? 

GOODNESS~The goodness of the Lord leads to repentance.  Do we repent of our wrongs?
                     ~Pure heart (Matthew 5:8)
                     ~Do we do good to others?

FAITHFULNESS~Be steadfast, unmovable
                            ~He faileth not (Zephaniah 3:5)...Oh to be like Him!

GENTLENESS~soft answers

SELF-CONTROL~Let your moderation be known unto all men.

No doubt you can add numerous other ways.  May the Lord bless you as you seek to live His way in whichever culture you are from and in whichever culture you live.  Amen. 


                                                                  ~ERC  2015~ 

     

 

                                                                            

"Who? Me!!?" -Chapter 4

To gain a better idea of western missionary efforts, here are several examples of those who've given  their lives for Christ in other lands and how they've worked.  May they encourage you to similar commitment and service.

ROWLAND BINGHAM (1872-1942) helped to open Africa to the gospel especially in Sudan (SIM).  He declared, "I will open Africa to the gospel or die trying."  And that he did.  He had two failed attempts but persevered and forged ahead to a third attempt which was successful.  He lived to see 10,000 people converted to Christ and nearly 1000 churches established...all because he would not give up! (reference:  The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, page 13).

AMY CARMICHAEL (India); Gladys Alward, Lottie Moon and Hudson Taylor (China), all realized early on in their respective mission fields that they had to adopt local dress and even hair style in Hudson Taylor's case (he grew a queue of hair Mandarin style); these so as NOT to distract from the message of Jesus.  People would focus on the novelty of western dress instead of the Word of God, thus the local 'adoptions' which minimized the diversion.

 

In the case of ADONIRAM JUDSON (1788-1850), who went to Burma (present day Myanmar), he realized that people were most comfortable in a 'zayat' (similar to a community center; shelter for travelers, and assembly place for religious occasions).  He then used one in which to share God's Word rather than in a church.
   



Many western missionaries were also looking for new and better ways in which to communicate the message of Jesus and made great efforts to do it "the local way".  Indeed, LOTTIE MOON of the USA is quoted as saying that the new church should be "as free from foreign interference as possible".
(The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, pg 64) 

Others have spent their lifetimes in translating Scriptures into local languages.  This entails not only learning the local language fluently but learning the culture with is legends and folklore,
 thoroughly.

  Then the painstaking work of the actual translation and engaging the local peoples' help for verification of meaning and sense.  In many cases where the language is as yet unwritten, the translator has to first make up the alphabet before any translation can even commence.

Further to that the locals have to be taught to read their own language.  A mammoth and noble task to which to be called.

Some missionaries have had very discouraging experiences working "very hard with few earthly rewards" (no grand titles to their name, for instance).  Yet they persevered through it all as they stored up their treasure in heaven; reward enough.  

That was said of SAMUEL ZWEMER (1867-1952) who indeed, even himself, felt he had an impossible task that God had called him to yet he was willing to answer that call (to Arabia) with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  (The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, pgs 121-125)

 
Two examples of non-western missionaries are up next.  Many may have heard of the mighty man of God, John Sung and his missionary efforts.  The focus here will be on the one who followed in his steps and of whom you may not have ever heard.


He is the committed, devoted and disciplined LIM PUAY HIAN of China.  He was equally a "mighty man of God"; that is, according to one Timothy Tow of Singapore who wrote Puay Hian's biography in In John Sung's Steps the Story of Lim Puay Hian

After much time spent spreading the gospel message in China, Lim Puay Hian went to several SEA countries.  Some of those included:  Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

Having left his wife and five children in Burma (Myanmar) he visited those countries.  He got "marooned" in Brunei where he was hidden away for about three years but eventually got away to Sarawak, to the town of Serikey.  

He never stopped his preaching and teaching and it was greatly used of the Lord in these and surrounding areas.  The Lord, all the while, kept him from the Japanese clutches during WWII.

Puay Hian was willing to spend and be spent for his Master even to the point of self-sacrifice.  He had no way of knowing the fate of his wife and children all those years.  When he finally made his way back to Burma at the end of WWII, he learned that his wife and three of his children had been tragically killed by a bomb.  This did not deter him from further service to the Lord even though it meant that now his nine year old daughter would accompany him on his many journeyings.

The point here is to show examples of God's children willing to have sustained endurance  to the full extent of God's demands on them whether as a western missionary or not.  Learn of them.  Learn from them.  Learn of their commitments, sacrifices, etc; fall on your knees, face to ground, before your Holy and Righteous God and see how YOU are going to serve Him.

When God calls, answer not, "Who?  Me!!?" but rather, "Here I am Lord, send me."  May the Lord richly bless you as you go all out for Him.  Amen.

                                                                 
                                                                   ~ERC  2015~

"Who? Me!!?" Chapter 3

In more than twenty years worth of listening to sermons in South East Asia (SEA), I've encountered sporadic references to western missionaries who go, of course, to other lands and cultures NOT their own.  Mention of them has, more often than not, been in the negative light; telling us that those western missionaries liked to live "a good life" and/or "to force their culture on the converts in their respectively chosen mission fields.

Living a "good life" implied, living significantly above the status and standard of living of those they had come to serve.  The culture, and maybe even the specific denominational dogmas imposed over and above God's Word and/or from a western interpretation, disregarding the local culture.

Yes, missionaries are human beings and although that is NO reason for an excuse, it is a sad fact of life that that can occur.  However, there are reams of books about numerous missionaries and those who've served the Lord Jesus in foreign lands that gave their "all" for Him and their adopted peoples.

Hundreds of them gave their lives.  Their very act of even voicing their desire to serve the Lord in a foreign land was tantamount to a death sentence; literally.

Many of those didn't even make it to the chosen mission field but died en route.  They died of disease, lack of medical attention; murder even by those they had come to serve and even endured imprisonments; to name some of the many hardships encountered.  They exhausted themselves in unrelenting service; losing themselves among the natives.

Their commitments were not just for two weeks; three months or two year minimum service stints.  Theirs was true, full-fledged, all out, lifetime commitment!

Some of those speakers heard criticizing the western missionaries either have not been enlightened or have chosen to overlook these facts.  They themselves may well be indebted to these westerners for bringing the message of Jesus to their ancestors or even directly to themselves.

It is imperative for the Christians of SEA to seriously think in terms of this type of service to the Lord!  Not just to think, but to ACT, accepting their call to such a committed privilege.  Your own country needs you!  The interior is full of people who need you!  They need you to bring Christ to them.  The Lord gives that inheritance to you wherever you set your feet in His service.  Go for it!!

Once again....

 ...to be continued....Chapter 4....

                                                               ~ERC   2015~

"Who? Me!!?" Chapter 2

Thinking of Moses' preparation and lifework for God recalls the twelve disciples' experiences.  Jesus said, "Come, follow Me."  They left all and followed Him.

They followed Jesus for three solid years.  Living with Him, moving from place to place, observing His: interactions with the people and with religious leaders; His compassion, mercy, kindness; aura of authority; righteousness and His justice; His many miracles; and listening to His many parables.

What a magnificent, priceless, hands-on experience!  Imagine it in your mind!

What do you think?  Exciting?  Likely puzzling too.  No other such Person, before nor since, could elicit the emotions and reactions from the various sectors of people that were expressed before them daily for those three action-packed years.

Training-direct from Jesus Himself!  Who wouldn't want it?!

We know that after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension back up to Heaven, that the Holy Spirit was then sent to the disciples, not just the twelve (minus Judas Iscariot plus Matthias) but to all who were "in Christ" in the secluded upper room at the time of Pentecost.  The twelve, though, had become apostles--followers who had become sent ones and who had been prepared for their "call"; that commitment to preaching of salvation through Jesus and the teaching of God's Word.  As apostles they'd been given extra responsibility due to their three year preparation with Jesus.

We never know what our upbringing is preparing us for; no matter how painful and traumatic it may have been.  Our education (or lack thereof--many of the apostles were uneducated), family or environment, all culminate in our "preparation" to commitment to service for Christ in one way or another.  We may not have appreciated it all, like Moses and his sheep, but if we can see it as training in our Father's "university" we can become more and more "fit for the Master's use".

We're prepared; are we ready for the sacrifice?  This is a crux of the matter.  For the sacrifice.  For the commitment no matter how long term.  No matter what it encompasses.  Are you really committed?  Ready for the full extent?  These are questions to examine ourselves with.

John Mark (Acts 12:25;  13:13) was not.  Paul, Barnabas and Silas were.  Countless missionaries through the ages were.  Are you?  Can you say, "Whatever, Lord?"  "Yes, Lord."  "Here I am, send me."  And that without stipulations, or terms and conditions, imposed on God?


....to be continued...Chapter 3

                                                                   ~ERC 2015~

"Who? Me!!?" Chapter 1

                                               

 
Don't you just love it when you call someone for help & they answer, "Sure thing!"  It's a great feeling to have them come to your SOS call for help.  God says, "Call on ME and I will answer." (Jeremiah 33:3).  That's wonderful too!  So then, when God calls for OUR help, why are we so reluctant to give HIM aid?

Moses thought he wasn't ready when God asked him for help.  God did get upset with him.  In the end, Moses, although he did comply, didn't get the full benefit of what God had to offer; entry into the promised land was denied. 

It took Moses years and years to get ready....


The first forty years of his life he became very well educated in Egyptian culture, language and etc.  He believed he was someone very special.  After all his Mom thought he was.  So did Pharaoh's daughter.

Moses needed knocking down a peg or two and so God compelled him into the wilderness.  There he learned he wasn't really as super special as he had thought.  A well educated man, tending sheep in extreme rural places!!!?  All the sheep could say was, "Baaaaaaa!"

God did know what He was doing though and among other lessons in "God's University", Moses learned the in's and out's of shepherding: the nature and character of sheep, and their care.  Nibble, nibble here; nibble, nibble there; here a nibble, there a nibble, everywhere a nibble-nibble and soon those sheep had gone off into the danger zone. Lots of careful tending needed:  still waters for drinking; plenty of grass for nibbling; protection from beasts of prey; "hair" cuts and last, but not least, watchful eyes keeping them from going astray.  When Moses was at last "fit for the Master's use" at the tender age of 80, he no doubt realized the semblance of sheep and human kind character.  

Praise the Lord, Moses was now humbly ready for a grueling 40 year commitment of service to His God; the mission of leading the children of Israel through the wilderness (the very 'University" he had 'graduated' from).  This route led them all to their God-promised land.  Heady stuff!

Those 40 years in "University" had taught Moses much but he was now no longer "a Spring chicken". However, by God's limitless grace, Moses had His strength to rely upon.  Supernatural power for climbing mountains on an empty stomach.  (He was fasting.  He fasted 40 days the first round up Mt. Sinai, came down, then straight back up again for another 40, fasting all the while.)

He had to carve out stone tablets for the second round of commandment writing but even before he had gotten to the wilderness, he'd had a showdown with Pharaoh--his adoptive grandfather.  That must have been nerve-wracking if not for God's mighty arm helping.

Among other incidents, Moses barely escaped being stoned to death by the Israelites; had his authority questioned by his own siblings; snake-bite remedies to procure; hunger and thirst to satisfy; grumblings and complaining to address, and run-ins with other people groups with whom to contend. All in a days' work for him, all the while depending on God for His aid. (Exodus 1-40)

The point is, commitment to God involves time, energy and perseverance; and many dangers and discouragements to face along the way.  Triumphs, of course.  Just think of how joyous it must have been to finally escape Pharaoh's and the Egyptian's clutches.

It was imperative Moses look up, literally, to God daily, for his daily bread all those 40 yrs of wanderings with the Israelites.  Hand-to-mouth existence was their lot.  Who would enjoy that?!  That was asked of Moses and was part and parcel of his life in God's service--total dependence on God unquestionably needed.

Praise the Lord!  Moses stuck with it to the grand age of 120.  He then climbed his last mountain to meet his Maker and Master.

God calls us to the same level of commitment to Himself and His service; no matter at what age He calls us.  Do not underestimate the senior citizens among you.  Indeed, seniors, don't underestimate yourselves.  God prepared you for a good work for Him.  "Who?  Me?!"...."Yes, you!"  Go for it!!

Younger people, you are not exempt.  What is it that stands in your way?  Your dreams?  Your riches?  Your career?  So many things...when our hearts have priorities set in the sight of God, commit yourselves to Him.  Think of all Moses accomplished.  When God calls for your help, answer, "Yes, me, Lord!  At your service."

May God give one and all an exciting, adventurous life as you dedicate your lives to His service.  Amen.

                        

        ...to be continued...Chapter 2                                                       

God to Earth, "Hello?"

At the building of the Tower of Babel God confused languages and separated peoples into various language groups.  And thus it was. 

God being gracious, kind and good, "undid" these language (Lg) barricades when He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell His children on the day of Pentecost.

Previously uneducated men, could suddenly speak languages of the then known world, fluently.  The gospel of Jesus rang out.  God's bridge, healing of the divides between lg groups, had spawned.  Cataclysmic!  (Will scientists still complain that God never "contacts" human beings in a decisive way?  What further evidence do they need?!)

Isn't it marvelously amazing!?

Speaking of God "Contacting" earthlings---John 14:15-21 is of great interest, esp vs 17.  Many non-Christian scientists can't believe GOD IS; nor can they accept creation.  They've got to have hard evidence; facts, before belief.

"The world cannot accept the "Spirit of Truth" because it can't see Him.  Because they can't see Him with their naked physical eyes, nor use any of their other four senses to detect Him nor with powerful telescopes; they don't/wont' believe and they don't know God.

They have reckoned without faith.  We who do accept and know God, know Him because He is with us and in us; therefore we know Him and His influence in our lives.

We have that faith--that spiritual sense and therefore the benefit of the Spirit of Truth of God teaching and guiding us ever more as we obey and follow Him.  That's why we can have peace and our hearts are not troubled.  (John 14:25-27).

                                                                ~ERC  2015~

"Cluck, cluck!" "Quack, quack!" in Church

The chicken said "Cluck, cluck!"  and the duck, puzzled, asked, "Quack?" How can they communicate?

Hmmm.  The folks during the building of the Tower of Babel got the shock of their lifetime; very confused language.  There was no longer a universal language; what a horrendous breakdown that must have left them all rather speechless at first take.  (Read about it in Genesis 11.)

So then, when the dust settled, imagine how the people must have rounded themselves up into respective language groups and scattered to the four winds to get on with life in this new mind-boggling way.

Numerous languages and dialects continue to exist to this day.  Over the years various languages have emerged as a more universal one during various times of civilizations; phasing in and out depending largely on the dominate governing power of the time.

For example, Greek and Latin were in favor in early civilizations and boiled down to the present day global language, English. Close seconds are Spanish, French and even Mandarin.

Many people have their own mother tongue and are fluent in two or more other languages and/or dialects of the area in which they live, and yet top those off with the ubiquitous  English.  So it would be safe to conclude that large portions of South East Asian (SEAn) urban dwellers would be of this caliber despite English NOT being their mother tongue.

Let's bring this , then, into the urban church setting.  More specifically into those who regularly attend the English congregations for Sunday service, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and etc.

Brothers and sisters-in-Christ who come under this classification are not necessarily all of the same mother tongue.  Rather, it is their "adopted" language that has brought them together to that particular congregation of God's children.

There could be Language (Lg) A, Lg B., Lg C, even Lg D and so on with the unifying lg as in this scenario, English.  Therefore, we can assume that that is predominately why they've come---to hear preaching, teaching, praying, etc, in the English medium.

Granted there may be a majority of Lg A or Lg B, etc but again the unifying lg is English.  This is where the point needs to be taken:  let NOT the majority dominate over the minority (James 2:1-7).

There should be extra effort made by the majority to be sensitive to the others.  In all aspects of the teaching and preaching and praying and in the fellowship times afterwards.  Use English and discipline self not to lapse into sayings and proverbs of Lg A or B as those of Lg C or D do NOT understand.
  
What is it that the Apostle Paul said,  "I'd rather speak 5 words and be understood than 10,000 in an unknown tongue."  (1 Corinthians 14:18).  Also "everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial."  "Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others." (1 Corinthians 10"23, 24; 14:1-25)

Do NOT say, "Oh, but to use Lg A is so meaningful!"  To YOU, maybe, but not to Lg B, C and D!  If you want meaningful, go to Lg A congregation.  Yes, tough words.

Another example of godliness, of being sensitive to another's feelings; of avoiding misunderstandings and offense aimed at fostering and continuing unity among brothers and sisters in Christ can be seen as follows:

A Canadian missionary friend had been serving the Lord in Hong Kong for more than 20 years.  His mother tongue is English yet he knew Cantonese extremely fluently.  In fact, it was said of him that if he was in another room speaking with others in Cantonese and you happened to be in an adjacent room unable to see the speaker, you'd believe that the Canadian was actually a Cantonese mother-tongue speaker.

Yet when two Cantonese sisters were speaking privately to each other within this friend's earshot they made it a point to speak English while in his presence!  He told them, "No.  It is ok for you to speak Cantonese."  They insisted on English; why?

They had wanted to absolutely avoid any misunderstanding as to what they were saying; to let it be known they were not discussing him or his methods.  They were looking out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4)

They were making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).  Oh, that others from which ever lg group would realize this and take it to heart.  To see how others feel from lg groups not their own; eg. when Lg A lapses into Lg A when the universal Lg C (of the whole) is well known to the speaker and hearers alike.

Let us think before we speak, not just of what we say, or how it is said BUT in which lg it is said and in whose company it is uttered.  Again, "Let us keep the unity of the Spirit in this facet as well as in others (Eph 4:3).

Bridge the gaps, and show respect for and sensitivity to others among us who do not know your lg but do know the universal one in your particular congregation.  May our Father in Heaven make us one and bless our unity in Him. Amen.

                                                                 ~ERC~

Thankfulness

An "angel" gave me a very hot pink notebook that tells me to "keep calm and write on".  It's great.  I use it to scribble down my thankfulness-es that meet me every day.  I want to record them to help remind me to see the more positive side of life, not to always be critical and negative.  It's helping.

Ha, ha...yesterday's thankfulness was to start this blog.  Have been wanting to do so for some time.  Now I need to learn how to make it more attractive, wouldn't you say!?

Like how to get pictures from my own albums...



Some months later....P.S.  I found out how to do it...thankful for that!

Your Sail in a Storm

She stood in the storm and when the wind did blow her way, she adjusted her sails"
~Elizabeth Edwards~

The above quotation was seen on fb tonight and posted by a friend.  We can adjust our sail so that we can sail safely through our difficult times of life.  Let Jesus be your 'sail' and anchor in life's storms.  He'll see you through and be a Friend who will never leave you nor forsake you.