The Invitation

We are living in a "fast cycle" time. Everyone and everything is competing for our time. The increasing pace of technology and the "I need it now" positioning of today’s world doesn’t afford us the opportunities to just settle back and take the time to be on a retreat weekend or even a day of recollection and prayer.

I am inviting you to come to The Water's Edge and meet the Jesus of Today. The Jesus who has been written and talked about through the centuries. "The same Jesus—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." (Hebrews 13:)

Be at peace in your heart and soul and come along with others and rest awhile At The Water's Edge

The Prayer

Each of us has a story to tell. We need only to take the time to discover who Jesus is for us Today. We need to sit quiet and wait for Jesus. We are living in times of darkness and despair. At times we may think there is no help out there. No one to turn to when we are hurting and filled with anxiety and depression. You may be suffering greatly and looking for that window of hope. That little glimmer of faith may be there for you -- but just barely you say.

There may be many storms in your life. The ups and downs of daily living may be enough to just make you scream at times.

I would like to walk you through this wonderful prayer and let you experience the healing touch of Jesus Christ for your life now.

You need to find a quiet place...A place you can return to often to just sit without any distractions. Shut off the TV; let the dog or cat outside (the fish you can leave in the bowl). Take the phone off the hook. Try to make this prayer time -- Yours. There may be many distractions when this prayer begins...Just don't pay any attention to them. Be still and listen. Watch and wait.

Read the Scripture passage from Matthew's Gospel where Jesus comes across the water to his Apostles during the storm on the Sea of Galliee below:

The Scripture (Mathew 14:22-33)

"Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, [between 3 and 6am] he came walking toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost", they said, and they cried out in fear. At once [Jesus] spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

This may be exactly what is taking place in your life Right Now. A strong ill-wind blowing in your life… or, a raging storm… something that is tossing you about… that you have no control over at the present time.

A Special Story of Jesus' Healing Touch

I’d like to share a story with you about a young man who asked me to walk him through this prayer of meeting Jesus at the watersedge:

I shared with him the Scripture you just read and began to walk him through the prayer experience. He pictured Jesus coming down the shore toward him. When Jesus got close to him, he turned around and started back the other way. This was very disturbing to him and asked me repeatedly why Jesus did this (three other times our Lord came close then walked away). I asked him if something was troubling him in his life at the time. He began to shake and was embarrassed to tell me that he was drinking excessively; was having relations with many partners; and was heavy into drugs. You see, he was into sports and was given a full scholarship to a university in southern California. He wanted to stop what he was doing and wanted to make a ‘clean break’ of it all.

I said to him, that when Jesus came close to him again, that he should tell Jesus how much He loved him. He did, and Jesus came closer and closer and did not turn and walk away, but reached out to him and hugged him tight. He began to cry as he shared what was taking place with Jesus. At the end of the prayer time, I hugged him and said what a powerful witness he would be to his friends of how Jesus touched him that day. I saw him a few weeks later, under some different circumstances. Here is the final outcome of his story:

"I Would Have Committed Suicide"

He had wrenched his knee in practice (LaCrosse) and had to have major surgery to repair the damage. It was serious. After the surgery he shared this story with me during one of our RCIA sessions.

LaCrosse was his sport. The one he lettered in for his four years of high school. This is the sport that gave him the "full ride" at the university in California. It was over for him. The damage was too great for him to compete athletically. What was remarkable for him he said, was that had he not experienced the watersedge prayer, that he most likely may have committed suicide. This accident was so traumatic for him, what with all the things that were happening at the time (the drugs, the alcohol abuse, and the sex) in his life-- including the great loss of the scholarship. He told me that the afternoon we prayed, he was going to a Halloween party that night with his friends from school and all the plans were laid for all the fun they could muster that evening—girls, drugs, and booze. But something was different for him. He just sat in the corner of the room and did not take part in all the activities. No drinking, no drugs, no girls. His friends thought he was sick. This fantastic party had been planned for months, but he didn’t take part. He was the leader of the pack. They asked him what was wrong. He shared with his buddies his experience with the watersedge prayer. Of how he met Jesus that afternoon. Three of the guys listened intently. They, too, wanted to experience what had taken him by storm (love) and changed his whole life. He shared his story with them. He witnessed the love of Jesus for him to them. He continues on with his story…just like you NOW.

This gospel story of meeting Jesus - is now your story. Share it. Tell the world of your love for Christ. What He is doing in your life -- now. How he loves you so much, and how He wants to be a part of your life in all that you do and say. Listen to Him. Pray this prayer often. Bring your friends to the Watersedge with your story.

"Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you." (Col. 3:16)

The Prayer Process

(Read this narrative first,
then sit quiet, close your eyes and …)

Picture yourself
in a boat on the stormy waters.

Picture Jesus coming across
the wind tossed waves to you.

Picture yourself getting out
of the boat. "Do not be afraid".

Picture yourself
going out to meet Jesus.

Reach out for Jesus,
don’t sink as Peter did.

Trust Him. Hold on tight.
Don't let Him go.

Let Him take you back to the boat.

Then, Let Him take you to the Shore

And when you get to the shore…
Ask Jesus to take you somewhere.

Follow Him.

Go where He goes,
Wherever He leads.