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Hi gang,

As promised - some good, clean fun:

I read this the other day:

Psalm 91: 1-16

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust." God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. You have the Lord for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high. All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor. With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

There are times in life when you doubt who you are, why you should try to persevere when struggling, and no amount of wisdom or knowledge will help you understand all the nuances and moments of life.

I feel a bit like a battered ship; an old merchant vessel trying to ride the trade wins in the middle of a dark and turbulent storm. Work is overwhelming, my family is in tatters, and my ship is draped in the black bunting of death, but somehow my ship will not sink.

I think this Psalm helps me understand why even the most furious storm will not send me to sea floor - I cannot be overcome.

I've found great strength in that, and when I feel the sea salt sting my face, and the spray soaks me to the bone, when I shiver in the sheets of rain and wild wind and I know I will face a tidal wave, a small part of my brain - or is it my soul - says, "Not yet. Not yet."

I hope it does for you, too.

Charley

P.S. Sign my map.