THE RIP TIDE

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 The salty wind blew wisps of candy blond hair in JB's face. He looked back to check on the funny looking contraption he had rigged to cart his surf board to the beach and home again. It might look funny, but it worked great! His friends might laugh, but it sure beat lugging the heavy thing around. The long, sleek board was heavy for a ten year old kid.

 Blackie barked and danced around JB when he began to un-strap the board on the beach. "No, you can't go, fellow! Stay here, JB instructed the small black dog. He rested the board on the sand and petted Blackie.

 JB watched a sandpiper race to the water's edge on tiny stilt like legs and then race away again as the tide came in. The bright sun made the water sparkle like diamonds. The surf was up- perfect! JB watched as a big wave began to build and crest, crashing before it reached the beach. "Time to catch a big one, old boy," JB echoed the same words he had often heard his older brother say. He headed toward the water with his large board tucked under his small arms.

 Blackie began to yelp again. "No, boy, you better stay here." Blackie continued to yelp and whine. "OK!" JB agreed as he scooped the dog under his other arm.

 In the water, JB climbed on the board, placing Blackie in front, he began to paddle out, looking for "a big one." Spotting a great looking wave JB climbed on top and began to ride the wave. His balance was perfect. The wave was exhilarating; until . . . it came crashing down on top of him taking him under. He didn't have a strap on his board, so the board went one way and JB went another. Much as you would expect, Blackie began to dog paddle. JB started to swim after his board, but the tide was too swift. He decided he'd better get his dog instead, but he couldn't seem to push himself against the swift current of the water. "Is this a rip tide? What am I supposed to do?" He knew there was something special he was supposed to do, but he couldn't remember. Again and again he tried to swim against the tide, but he was helpless. The harder he struggled the weaker he became. The weaker he felt, the stronger the tide felt. JB began to panic. He had enough wits about him to realize, unless he got out of the rip tide he would drown.

 JB's older brother was "rapping" with his friend on the beach unaware that anything was happening. One of his buddies calmly interrupted the meaningless chatter that was going on. "Hey, ain't that your brother's board? I think your brother is drowning out there."

 That is exactly what was happening. The older, experienced surfer grabbed JB's board and paddled out. He spotted the dog first. He plopped the dripping black pet onto the front of his board, then he paddled to JB and scooped him out of the water. JB, spitting and sputtering, was white with fear.

 The older brother's only comment was, "Why did you do a stupid thing like bringing the dog?"

 JB felt good, stupid or not, to be safe on the water's edge.

 When mankind was sinking in sin, God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. He wants to save you from your sins. Just as JB couldn't swim out of the rip tide, you can't save yourself. JB needed someone to save him from the rip tide and you need someone to save you from your sins. Jesus is the only person that can do that. Jesus wants to be your Savior!

 Just a word about the rip tide. The only way to get out of a rip tide is to swim parallel to the shore. That way you won't tire out before you swim out of the rip tide.