We have come a long ways from the original sailors of the seas, but families of seafarers still look out to the ocean. Hayao Miyazaki’s film Ponyo gives us a glimpse into modern life of ship captains.  The dad is suppose to come home after weeks at sea, but he’s called out yet again. The son corresponds with his dad via signal flashes. A couple of years ago, we went over to a friend’s home for dinner. As we were standing around admiring the view out to the ocean, we noticed a small fishing vessel. The lady of the house paused in what she was doing, glanced at the ship and the clock, then shook her head. “No, it’s not our son. He’s not this far south today.”

However much we want to try to tame the ocean, it will not be done. Even in Ponyo, the sea rose up and created havoc for the characters. I invite you to come to the Southern Oregon Coast in winter and experience one of our storms. You will see the power of the wind and waves. It is this that also adds to the draw of the sea. It is a raw wildness that pits man against nature. The challenge to match man’s wits against the waves has its own attraction and yet when the ocean wins, that is when we take notice. According to the only list I could find online of Oregon Coast shipwrecks, 209 have been recorded from 1848 until 1999. A couple of those included some torpedo sinkings during World War II. Several brochures and sites exist to guide beachcombers to remaining shipwrecks to explore. We often think and wonder what it would have been like, little realizing the impact the event would have had on the people and the communities involved.

In my years living on the coast, I have heard of five wrecks. The largest was the New Carissa, a cargo ship that broke in two in Coos Bay. The others have been fishing boats. Last year, one capsized off Cape Blanco and all were able to be rescued thanks to a Coast Guard swimmer who made the trip in the water and waves two or three times to bring the crew to shore. Another one last year had mixed results. The captain of the vessel was lost but others were saved. Many years ago, the community was rocked as a boat went down and none were brought safely to shore. Again, this week a boat went down. It strikes home to the community that makes their living from the ocean. Some look and wonder what happened, others reach out to help those left behind, and still others hope and pray it isn’t them next time.

Through crystal seas and wild ones
they ride along,
making a living for their family.
Following the schools of fish
or the crab pots,
they work night and day
long hours to bring back the catch.

Caring for their loved ones,
making a living,
but even more than that,
keeping the vocation alive.

Braving the elements
they sail the seas
keeping sometimes alone
and sometimes in teams.
Always keeping track
of the news of the sea.

It’s time to go home now.
It’s time to turn around.
Warm fires await us,
our families and friends.
Just one more catch?
No, the fish have fled.
It’s time to go.
It’s time to go.

Why God is kind:

It finally makes some sense. So I have been thinking about God, and his characteristics, and there are people that only want to dwell on a god that is loving, kind, and forgiving. Then they do not think about God’s power, his justice, his wrath, and his holiness. However that part of him was the only part I understood. God’s loving kindness, and his forgiveness did not make sense. Why would he come down from his throne, and give his son to die so that we could be saved? It almost sounded stupid for me, but He was God and did not need to be questioned. But God finally revealed the answer to me in a way that I could understand it.

When god created us, it was like the parallel of a master smith forging a sword. He made, and shaped us the way he wanted us to be. When he was done, he stepped back and saw that it was perfect. But each time we sin, that is like the sword fell into the beach, and splashed around in the surf. It is fun when we do it, BUT, the thing we don’t always notice is that there is salt in the air and water. It burns the metal, and corrodes and eats away who the master smith made us to be. Soon we are covered in rust. Then when the master smith saw what his creation was doing, instead of destroying it and creating a better one; he gave us the opportunity to correct us. He will erase the rust that formed, and he will grind out the pits that formed. but it is not easy on the sword. The sword needs to be willing as well. However, when the sword constantly plays in the surf, then the more damage it causes to itself.

God calls us to be perfect, but we are not. However it is best if we stay out of the surf. He will not destroy us because we sin, but he will correct us in his own way.

God uses the people who have sinned to show his glory.

Encouragement for rough times:

If you are going through a rough time, remember: A sword needs to be sharpened so it is useful to the one who wields it. If you are struggling because of something in your childhood, remember: A sword was heated so it could be forged to designated design.

When you are having a hard time, remember: God has forged you perfectly, and he is sharpening you so that you will be perfect in his hands.

God and Satan as warriors:

Going with the sword analogy;
God, and Satan are warriors.
Most times Satan uses the best swords to fight against god, because they are strong, big, and easy to use, (these people are the big people: Hollywood stars, music artists, Atheists, and the other great minds), and they cut deep into the ones who are blind to the truth.

However god uses the small and rusted, and broken knives and daggers, to defeat Satan. (these ones are the small everyday people who live life, struggling just to have enough faith so that they can make it one more day without being discouraged and walk away from the one who made them), On their own they are practically useless. They are not sharp. They are coated with rust, and the pits in the metal are not pleasing to the eye.

But God picks them up and Fights off Satan with them: PROVING THAT IT IS NOT YOUR ABILITY, BUT IT IS YOUR AVAILABILITY, THAT GOD USES FOR HIS GLORY!!!

The Angel and Revenge:

There once was a angel who fell for a trap. “I wish to be like God,” He said, but he was not strong enough to defeat Him. God had to punish the angel for his weakness, so He cast the angel and his followers from his presence. God then, in his patience and kindness, let the angel to walk on the earth that He created, instead of destroying him out right. However he was to be punished for his rebellion as all traitors that lose. God gave the angel a gracious amount of time, then when that time runs out God will cast the fallen angel into the “lake of fire”, or other wise known as hell, which He created specifically for the ones that rose up against him: The fallen angels and their leader. Then the fallen angel, taking advantage of God’s mercy, found God’s most precious creation, the human female and told her a lie. “If you disobey God then you will become like him,” He said knowing that this was the very thing he had wanted. Then the human was taken by her own desire, and it took the final step and shattered the only law its creator had given to it, because the fallen angel had given it a doubt and a reason. The fallen angel smiled. “My job is done” he thought. for he knew what he had done. He had taught his enemy’s most precious creation to disobey. That lesson would never be corrected unless God himself desired to remake the thing he had just created. He had marred his enemy’s most precious creation; the perfect revenge. Thus was his hate toward God. ” As long as I am here, I will take as much of his creation with me into the place He has made for me. It will be his fault when his creation leave him, and He will have no choice but to either change his rules, set me free from my punishment, or watch for an eternity as they burn with me. ” A shiver when through his spine. He feared that punishment, and he hated God all the more for not telling him how long he had before then. God then looked upon the fallen angel. and gave the word. ” You will lose every fight with me and you will be bound by what I say and you will not stray from my plans. If you wish to do anything you will need to come to me and beg for it. Your legs now belong to me.” and thus the fallen angel hated God’s creation, for God gave them a second chance, but yet he received none. “I WILL MAKE GOD DESTROY AS MANY OF HIS CREATION AS I CAN!” the fallen angel hissed, and he left the garden.

About the author:
Robin Wyatt, the 18-year-old son of Kandi J Wyatt, is studying Bible at Ecola Bible School. When he’s not in college, he enjoys anime, fire dancing, and swords. He has a large collection of knives and swords which he makes sure stay in pristine condition by rubbing out rust and using orange oil to protect and shine them. He just finished his first draft of an epic fantasy which filled 508 college ruled pages handwritten with his favorite Ticonderoga pencils.

However, I can’t stop being mom. Seven o’clock each morning, I have left and gone south past the high school to drop my eighteen-year-old off at work in a field where he is changing irrigation pipe. My thirteen-year-old earned a part in the local adult theater group’s Christmas play which means extra trips north throughout the week.

I have been so busy with school and family that several book events have fell to the side. Wednesday while at school, I had a moment to check email and saw a Twitter notice of a blog post. It was my post on Vox Dei’s webpage! I had forgotten it was to air that day. As my eighteen-year-old says, “Face palm!” The next day, I had another similar experience. I checked email just before lunch during my prep period and found a Twitter announcement of my cover reveal for The One Who Sees Me. How could I have forgotten that! I knew I needed to get a better grip on my calendar.

Saturday loomed big in my vision. I had to be ready for the book signing and release party of Dragon’s Future. My husband and eighteen-year-old would be off at a men’s retreat which left my nineteen-year-old and thirteen-year-old at home.

Grandprize packet of swag and a signed book went to a high school senior.

My thirteen-year-old and I enjoyed the Cranberry Parade at the local festival, and then we headed to the art gallery and used book store which was hosting the signing. After frantically trying to find parking, I was able to elicit help from some friends to carry books and supplies to the gallery. My three hours were fun and profitable. Many came through to purchase books, and I even met a journalist for the local paper who wants to do an author interview. We’ll see what happens.

In the meantime, I am ready for another week of school. I will try my hardest to be better at budgeting my time between family, school, and author work. It is a challenge this year, but it can be done.