Looking out my office window at gray skies and still waters days before Christmas Day, I’m in a melancholy mood. Those of you who have followed this blog for at least one year know that I only mention my Christian faith at this time. The rest of the year is business as usual.
I’ve been reflecting on the intersection of faith and sailing—Matthew 14:22-33 in particular comes to mind. There are many more similarities but I won’t bore you with them all here but I do want to share a couple of references that are special to me.
My wife and I enjoy cruising to our favorite anchorages for overnight or weekend stays aboard Summer Dance. Disconnecting from the modern world can restore a weary soul and help to recalibrate priorities when we spread ourselves too thin. That is why we adopted Mark 6:31-32 as the motto for Summer Dance.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
Music is also very special to me. My favorite sailing song is not the obvious one by Christopher Cross but instead was written by Kerry Livgren, the driving force of the rock band Kansas. The Navigator can be found on his independent album Collector’s Sedition.
The Navigator
The ripples on the water, reach out as they expand
The center of my ocean was touched by someone’s hand
As far as I can see it, as deep as I can fall
If I should last forever, I’ll never know it allI hear the roaring of the sea, as surely must be
Still I’m waiting for the calm – no fear
The Navigator’s hereI’m carried on the highways, beyond the wind and wave
I long to feel the cleansing, so free to be a slave
To sail to unknown harbors, beyond the furthest shore
Transported by the Zephyr, my heart would there explore
As you celebrate Christmas with family and friends, wrap up 2019, and chart your course for 2020, I hope you too find time and place to get away with Him for some rest and reflection.
Thank you all for visiting. Let’s meet again in the new year.
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The $tingy Sailor 
Beautiful, love it.
Mark 6 31-32 is a good moto. In Revelation we are told that in the new heaven and the new earth there will be no more sea. If we want to sail the sea we have to do it in this life.
Jesus said to his disciples to have a little boat ready. It was about four days later before he used the boat to preach from.
We must always be ready to serve Him.
God bless and have a Merry Christmas.
Great holiday post as always, Stingy Sailor. Thanks for steering us into deeper waters, and I look forward to more great posts in 2020!
Hey Kenny. I to am deeply moved by those great guiding passages you have shared with us .
Interesting that a injun like me can be powerfully moved by TRUTH as any white Christian ,or prolly a jew. or Muslim too, eh? I know you are my brother Ken I know you are son of great Spirit too, I send love to you & your loving woman , that companionship is making us complete eh my brother?
Thank you Stingy! Love, peace & fair winds to you in 2020. Louise North Hatley, Quebec Sailing aboard Abaco, 1981 Catalina 22
Thank you!
My precious Contessa 26 is named “Alae Mane” (Latin for “Wings of the Morning”). See Ps. 139:9-10:
” If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
Merry Christmas!
Jeff Reynolds
MMSI 338351119
N10, Fair Haven YC, Lake Ontario, NY
Thanks, Ken – I always appreciate your postings, including the Christmas “special”. Christmas blessings to you and yours, and all the best for the new year!
Merry Chistmas to all…love all the passages
Sailing for me is a lot of different feelings…but some how they all intertwine with the spoken word
To all a very blessed Christmas and a wonderful and safe sailing 2020…Peace
Thanks for this post and the song. Didn’t know the song. I named my 18′ Walkabout canoe-yawl Deep Calling because of some of the thing you shared about sailing and faith. The name comes from Jonah 2 (his prayer from the belly of the fish) and Psalm 42:7. God bless you this Christmas.
love your site. check out i.o.
I loved your post! Thank-you for all the sacrifices you have made to do the $tingy Sailor. May God continue to Bless you and Yours through out the next year. Merry Christmas!
As a retired Coastie I find your energies on course.Thank you..