Chaplains on the River

All mariners understand that there are definite rues of the road on the inland waterways.  These rules, just like the driving rules on a road on land, help to insure safety and keep traffic flowing.  Everyone needs to understand and abide by the rules of the road for them to work.  It is a cooperative effort by everyone, and if one boat decides to “do its own thing” you know how dangerous and disastrous that will quickly become!

We are currently in the season of the Church Year called Lent.  It is an intentional 40 day period of preparation for the celebration of Easter.  All important events require preparation for a meaningful celebration - i.e., birthdays, anniversaries, boat christenings.  One of the ways that we can prepare to fully celebrate and appreciate Easter is to consider the Biblical rules of the road which, when we voluntarily follow them, can help us to be safe and have a good passage through life.

We could look at many places in the Bible and find some valuable lessons.  Let’s focus right now on three verses from Psalm 37.  These three basic principles are easy to understand and very practical:

Trust in the Lord, and do good (vs. 3)

Where do you put your trust?  As river mariners, you trust one another in your crew to look our for each other and the good of the boat.  This is a good trust, and one that should always be respected.  The Bible simply reminds us that all of life and all good things in our lives are a gift from God, so ultimately we trust in God.  Then, we are told to do good.  We are invited to live out our trust in God by being good friends, good family members, oood citizens, and good crew members.

Commit your way to the Lord (vs. 5)

Each of us is called to different ways of life.  We are all unique individuals with different talents and interests.  Each person will find their own path in life.  This scripture invites each of us - whatever our path - to commit it to God.  Ask God to lead…to bless…to guide you on your life path.  Some paths are easy, but many are hard and challenging.  Facing difficulty does not mean that God hates you or is punishing you.  It just means you really need a friend to walk alongside and help you - God!

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (vs. 7)

Are you a worrier?  Do the weights of life sometimes grow heavy on your shoulders?  Do you try to take one day at a time, but they have ganged up on you?  We can all sometimes identify with those feelings.  We are invited to rest in the Lord.  We do not have to have the answers to every question and a solution for every problem we face in life.  Sometimes we need to let others help us.  Resting in the Lord means that we allow God to step in and help us, knowing that God loves and cares for us and wants to help us.

 These three “rules of the road” for life, taken from God’s word to us - The Bible - can help each of us to travel this journey of life more safely and smoothly.  We are called to accept and follow.  May these days leading to Easter on April 12 be safe and blessed for you and your boat as well as for those whom you love on the shore side!

Posted: March 29th, 2009 under Towboaters.
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Four a.m. on a Tuesday…wide awake…nothing hurting…nothing wrong…why?  I was in a motel in Channelview, TX after doing boat visits on Monday as Chaplain for the Lower Mississippi River Region.  It had been a good day.

A few minutes after four a.m….my Seamen’s Church cell phone rings…the answering service for our Ministry on the River toll-free number (800-708-1998) has a towboater on the line who wants to speak to a chaplain.

Being away from family for extended lengths of time is never easy.  That’s especially true when there is a problem or crisis going on in your life.  This mariner has a 12 year old grandson with terminal cancer in a Houston hospital.  Standing his watch in those quiet and lonely pre-dawn hours, the dark and gloom of a foogy early morning on the ship channel was matched by the heaviness on his heart.  We talked for about 30 minutes, and since I was in the area and had already planned to visit his fleet, we made plans to meet in person on Wednesday morning.

7:30 a,m,…dense fog in the Houston area on this Wednesday morning…As I made my way down a dirt road toward the fleet, I was stopped for a train to pass.  Looking to my left, I was blessed to see the most beautiful sunrise, dispelling the fog as a new day dawned.  As I visited with my new friend and his fellow crew, we could not help but understand that no matter how dark our lives may seem at any moment, there is always the hope and promise of a new dawning!

Your phone calls to your chaplains with Ministry on the River are never a burden.  You are the reason we are here…your chaplains are here for you!  May God guide and keep you in your travels!

Posted: March 21st, 2009 under Towboaters.
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