Easter week is, for those of us who believe in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ, a very solemn yet joyous time. I enjoy the entirety of the week as so much occurs which totally changed the World's History. However, I will admit on Maundy Thursday I tend to sense an aurora of loneliness which seems parallel to what I've experienced when on our boat for an extend period of time, alone. I specifically remember this picture I took after a couple of days out by myself just "powering down". I was anchored in a cove just off the main channel and although there was a little traffic during the height of the day, I found myself sort of wishing one or two of them would come by and hang out for cup of coffee or otherwise just to break the silence of the previous day. Sort of odd that I felt that way given I took the solo trip (not really a voyage) to "get away from life's clutter". So, this morning when I came across this picture I went back and read Luke 22: 39-46. I landed on verse 43 which speaks of an Angel from Heaven appearing and strengthening Him. How awesome to think/realize the One who made all things and for whom all things were made, received an angelic encouragement during a very lonely and dreadful time. Why was it "lonely" for Jesus? Because He was the only one that could successfully carry out the Supreme Sacrifice required to atone for mine and your sins.
If you get the time, I would encourage listening to the the song: Via Dolorosa (http://youtu.be/7asEdmZsSPo). It's a great reminder of what had to be done to give us the option to live eternally with Him.
Peace Be Upon You and Your Family This Easter Season.

"When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you." Proverbs 2:10-11.


Our last sailboat was an Irwin Mark IV on which we had many wonderful voyages on Fort Loudon and Watts Bar Lakes. For a family of three with the occasional niece/nephew tagging along, the 28.5 size perfectly accommodated us for the daysail or overnighter. I loved being on the boat and seized every opportunity I could to drop the lines and catch a breeze. However, my lack of discretion almost cost me the boat and possibly more.


It was a very busy Saturday and I had spent the night before on the boat alone, cleaning and preparing for my wife, son and our two goddaughters to join us for a complete day on the lake. Arising early, I decided to embark on a little "me-time" sail and maybe even anchor out before returning to retrieve them around 1300. So, I cranked the Yamaha 9.9, established an idle, tied my dinghy to the ball and walked to the bow and offed the mooring line. Humming along upstream, I noticed a minor skip in the motor but really didn't give it much thought as I've had engine failure before and have been able to recover with no incident. Before moving on, I should mention the lake was full of Jet Skis, Ski boats, Bass Boats, etc... all of which I disdained as they were basically polluting MY space.


So, after 10-15 minutes of motoring I killed the engine, pulled the sails and off I went. About 20 minutes into the trip, I made a critical error in judgement and decided to forego a much needed tack in order to avoid the artificial chop created by the recreational boaters. In doing so, I chose to closely run the north shoreline.....BAD, BAD DECISION. Realizing I was quickly approaching shallow waters, I loosened the jib and prepared to tack southward knowing this would impede my progress but was a better alternative than running aground. Additionally, I was approaching an area known as Turkey Creek which had a low-lying overpass, lots of power-boaters coming from the marina and........yep, you guessed it: Power Lines. Of course I was much too wise and knowledgeable to allow that to occur. Now remember, I'm running the North shoreline; The wind is on my nose from the Southeast; I needed to tack south which meant I needed enough wind and inertia to turn the 7500lb starboard. Here's were it really gets fun: when I pulled the tiller port, the boat barely moved. I again adjusted and the sails and even try to force the Main but I just didn't have enough wind to make the tack. So I turned to my trusty 9.9 and began to crank and crank and crank and crank. I later learned the fuel diaphragm in the carburetor had a small crack and wasn't holding fuel. Okay, so no big deal, I'll just throw the anchor. Unfortunately, not only was I too close to the shore for the anchor to set, the bottom was primarily rock. I was in a pinch as not only was the 20 foot bridge nearing my 45 foot mast but the Power Lines were going to take a crack at me first. By now, a couple fishermen on the bridge noticed I was in duress. Unfortunately, they were more interested in taking pictures of my eventual demise instead of initiating assistance. It was at that moment I realized the best course of wisdom was to seek assistance. I went to the bow and began frantically waving my arms to which a very nice family of four circled their Chaparal and hooked to me. They towed me back to my mooring and wouldn't accept anything other than a Thank You and promise that I would pay it forward which I have done and will do anytime the opportunity presents itself.


I'm proud to say I didn't end up on the front of the local newspaper as the primary source of responsibility for a major power outage and it was a phenomenal lesson on what not to do. From a Biblical perspective, their are so many principles I could expound upon but I'll leave that for future posts or as a response to any who would like to hear.


Whewwww!

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you.” Proverbs 2:10-11.

 
Our last sailboat was an Irwin Mark IV on which we had many wonderful voyages on Fort Loudon and Watts Bar Lakes.  For a family of three with the occasional niece/nephew tagging along, the 28.5 size perfectly accommodated us for the daysail or overnighter.  I loved being on the boat and seized every opportunity I could to drop the lines and catch a breeze.  However, my lack of discretion almost cost me the boat and possibly more.
 
It was a very busy Saturday and I had spent the night before on the boat alone, cleaning and preparing for my wife, son and our two goddaughters to join us for a complete day on the lake.  Arising early, I decided to embark on a little “me-time” sail and maybe even anchor out before returning to retrieve them around 1300.  So, I cranked the Yamaha 9.9, established an idle, tied my dinghy to the ball and walked to the bow and offed the mooring line.  Humming along upstream, I noticed a minor skip in the motor but really didn’t give it much thought as I’ve had engine failure before and have been able to recover with no incident.  Before moving on, I should mention the lake was full of Jet Skis, Ski boats, Bass Boats, etc… all of which I disdained as they were basically polluting MY space.
 
So, after 10-15 minutes of motoring I killed the engine, pulled the sails and off I went.  About 20 minutes into the trip, I made a critical error in judgement and decided to forego a much needed tack in order to avoid the artificial chop created by the recreational boaters.  In doing so, I chose to closely run the north shoreline…..BAD, BAD DECISION.  Realizing I was quickly approaching shallow waters, I loosened the jib and prepared to tack southward knowing this would impede my progress but was a better alternative than running aground.  Additionally, I was approaching an area known as Turkey Creek which had a low-lying overpass, lots of power-boaters coming from the marina and……..yep, you guessed it: Power Lines.  Of course I was much too wise and knowledgeable to allow that to occur.  Now remember, I’m running the North shoreline; The wind is on my nose from the Southeast; I needed to tack south which meant I needed enough wind and inertia to turn the 7500lb starboard.  Here’s were it really gets fun: when I pulled the tiller port, the boat barely moved.  I again adjusted and the sails and even try to force the Main but I just didn’t have enough wind to make the tack.  So I turned to my trusty 9.9 and began to crank and crank and crank and crank.  I later learned the fuel diaphragm in the carburetor had a small crack and wasn’t holding fuel.  Okay, so no big deal, I’ll just throw the anchor.  Unfortunately, not only was I too close to the shore for the anchor to set, the bottom was primarily rock.  I was in a pinch as not only was the 20 foot bridge nearing my 45 foot mast but the Power Lines were going to take a crack at me first.  By now, a couple fishermen on the bridge noticed I was in duress.  Unfortunately, they were more interested in taking pictures of my eventual demise instead of initiating assistance.  It was at that moment I realized the best course of wisdom was to seek assistance.  I went to the bow and began frantically waving my arms to which a very nice family of four circled their Chaparal and hooked to me.  They towed me back to my mooring and wouldn’t accept anything other than a Thank You and promise that I would pay it forward which I have done and will do anytime the opportunity presents itself. 
 
I’m proud to say I didn’t end up on the front of the local newspaper as the primary source of responsibility for a major power outage and it was a phenomenal lesson on what not to do.  From a Biblical perspective, their are so many principles I could expound upon but I’ll leave that for future posts or as a response to any who would like to hear.
 
Whewwww!