Most of us can surely identify with the church marquee I saw recently: “If you’re sinking in deep water, talk to the One Who walked on it.” And Who still does!!

Jesus will do for you what He did for Peter and has done for many of us, many a time: Either He will, in response to your “successful” faith, bid you come to Him on the surface of the waves, even while they’re being lashed up by the winds….Or, when Faith “fails” in a moment of overwhelming fear, He’ll stretch out His hand, take hold of you, and keep you afloat.

Try it. You’ll see!

I believe I gave wrong call letters for the American Family Radio channel: 88.7.

Among their programming is Jan Markel’s Saturday 2 to 3 p.m. discussion of current events/issues in light of Biblical prophecy. You can catch these broadcasts on OliveTreeViews (click on ‘Radio’).

The excellent discussion for this week was on the ever-increasing divergence of the “emerging church” from Biblical teachings.

She was making available a 2-CD set on “The Submerging Church” that I certainly want to listen to. I consider that movement one of the most dangerous delusions and deceptions humanity has ever faced — especially to those who think they’re converting to something that’s going to “save” them.

It’s so deceptive because its leaders, McLaren, Campolo, Rob Bell, Bono, Padgitt, Driscoll and quite a few more big-name supposedly Christian pastors (among whom she and her guest include Rick Warren and Bill Hybels) were once considered “sound” doctrinally. No longer!

It was on Markel’s show that I heard my favorite quote-of-the-week: “Just because Truth Is the new ‘hate speech’ doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be telling it!” How true! But “truth” is becoming increasingly unpopular and unwanted…political or religious.

I note with sadness the number of ugly comments on Facebook made about anybody who posts an article, comment, poster, anything — that could in any way be considered a call to consider some truth about our current President. That simple act makes the post-er racist, extremist, unpatriotic, you name it.

It’s so sad to see that some I’ve thought were thoroughly Christian, certainly mature and open-minded enough to realize that anyone running for any office - President, Governor, Mayor, Town Commissioner, judge — needs to be “known” as thoroughly as possible.

Whether his/her policies might be unwise, produce undesirable or unwholesome results, or change the nature of life in America, North Carolina, or Red Springs - as envisioned in the Constitution or the Bible - needs to be “known”; all “truth” about him/her needs to be weighed and seriously considered before his/her election or re-election.

To react with hate rather than with thought to the mere sharing of information is as un-American and un-Christian as it gets, it seems to me.

Now…Continuing the perusal of the devotional booklet “Lest We Forget,” I come to a piece written in the Gardens entitled “Thoughts on the Alma Mater”: “Far away from noisy tumult—’ Aye, this is a quiet place: Here the peace that blessed creation; Here the Master, face to face.

“Stands our cherished Alma Mater—’ May she stand for years to come, Sending forth the King’s fair daughters, Molding lives and making homes.

“On her wide and spacious campus—’ Crystal springs renew the earth. Breezes waft the stirring story Of the dream that gave her birth. “Stately pine trees waving o’er her—’ Like th’ uprightness of her aims; Purest beauties ever shine In azaleas’ crimson flames.

“‘Now we lift our joyous chorus—’ Let us join to sing her praise For the noble things she stands for—Truth and honor bless her days.”

The one who penned those lines included Psalm 16:6: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” How true that was for her!

Those who were her classmates at FMA knew her as “Linda Phillips.” Most of you know her as me!!

Have a good week!