2 July 2004, 3:30pm - Couldn’t ask for a more wonderful day for shrimping. Henry Rhodes thought. The boat looks good, motor not giving any trouble at all, nets being brought in are full of shrimp. The perfect day to bring Sammy along. Since he was 5 he has been wanting to come along. I’m glad I waited until he was 10.

Knowing our day was going to be busy, Sammy was instructed to stay out of the deck hands way. Henry knew his special spot would load his boat with shrimp. Although it was 20 miles further out, it was worth the distance to get the shrimp. This was Henry’s secret spot. He never let anyone know where he was going to be. If he had, others would be there taking all the shrimp and he would have a harder time getting the huge loads he brought in from this spot. Sammy was at each station staying cautiously in a distance but watching everything the deck hands did to bring in the shrimp. Yes, I knew it would be in his blood. Just as it was for me when I went along with my father. Sammy was having the time of his life.

Then it happened. Everything was as calm as a summer days breeze, in a blink of an eye a freak tornado developed over the sea water. Lifting the small shrimp boat, twisting it around faster than could be understood.

It slung Henry onto the floor, slamming him from one side to the other, grasping the steering wheel to hold on, he tried desperately to pull himself up but the force kept pushing him back to the floor. While the winds glued Henry to the floor, slamming his body from side to side. The deck hands were also being slung in every direction. Tommy, who was closest to Sammy, grabbed him and wrapped his other arm around the mast. Trying with everything he had to not let Sammy go. Four other deck hands were instantly flown off the boat. Swirling in the winds. Tommy felt his grip slipping around Sammy. With every ounce of strength he tried to hold on but as hard as he tried, the winds took Sammy away from him. Tommy tried a last second effort to leap and grab Sammy but failed and was also taken into the winds.

As fast as it started, it was over. The small shrimp boat was sinking on its side, Henry felt the water hit his face and came to in time to get through the window and float away from the sinking shrimp boat. Searching around frantically, screaming Sammy’s name. No one was around but Henry. Sammy, Tommy and the other crew members were nowhere to be seen. Henry found a piece of the shrimp boat to hold onto. He screamed Sammy’s name until he had no voice left. Not once was there an answer. Darkness came quickly amidst the sobs that shook his whole body.

Henry was rescued two days later. The rescuers said there was no one else for miles from his sighting, 67 miles off the coast of Houston, Texas. That day, Henry lost his only son, and 5 deck hands, dear friends he had known for years. Four broken ribs, broken collar bone and his left leg taking 32 stitches, but none of it mattered for Henry. He sat at home, thinking the day over in his mind hundreds of times a day. He became distant from his wife Rene. The only person left in his life and he couldn’t even look into her eyes. Couldn’t talk with the other families who lost their loved ones the same instant. Why God, why didn’t you take me? Why was I left? Why, my son? Why, my friends? Why not me? Why did you leave me behind to feel this pain of loss? Why?

Henry had many whys, and none of them had answers. I didn’t even get to tell my son how proud I was of him, he thought. If I hadn’t set the boat in that spot, they all would still be here. Henry knew it was his fault. No other reason could explain it. Henry Henson was the reason Sammy and his five friends were gone. My greed, my secret spot, all my fault.

Rene, tried to talk with Henry. Explain to him it was a freak storm that took Sammy and his friends. She tried to comfort him. Rene needed comfort too. Her son was gone. Five months had gone by. Nothing changed around the Henson home. Each day she sat on Sammy’s bed wanting to hold him. Straightening his things as if anything was changed around. Henry sat in his chair and stared out the window, looking at the sea. He didn’t speak, barely ate anything, just stared out that window. Rene spent night after night alone in their bedroom weeping, praying, wanting Henry to hold her. Give her comfort for her loss. Every night she was alone.

Henry could hear Rene weeping. Each night, it tore his heart out. He wanted to hold her tightly, kiss her, wipe her tears. She needed his strength. A strength he didn’t have. He just couldn’t go to her knowing it was his fault. If only I had the chance to hold Sammy in my arms one more time. If only I told him I loved him that day. Told Tommy and the others how much I appreciated them. Why did I wait? Why didn’t I read to Sammy the night before at his bedside. Said I was too tired. Busy morning, got to get our rest, I told him. I’d read fifty books now if I could. Too late. Just too late. Sitting there seeing the waves break the coastline, foaming. Hearing Rene weep through the wall. Henry begins weeping himself. Wishing, he could back up time, start that day all over. God, why?

I miss him so. Why take him away from us. Why take my friends away from their loved ones. Henry waits, hearing his heavy breathing, face soaked with tears. But hears nothing.

One night, months later, after repeating every question, going over each moment that day, over and over in his mind. Henry doesn’t cry. No tears swell. He gets up, goes into the bedroom, holds Rene close to him. She weeps heavily in his arms, he kisses her forehead, wipes her tears. Whispers in her ear. Sammy’s with God. The things I wished I had said, things I wished I had done. I can’t say nor can I do. I am so sorry.

Each day of Henry and Rene’s life, repeats itself. Wishing they had. Wishing they had said. Wishing they had shown.

2 December 2007, 3:30pm - Finally, we get to board the Tampa flight 474 from Atlanta, Sam Renafed thought. Delayed two hours due to deicing the wings from the freak winter storm. We might get a bad winter in Georgia once every five or six years and it had to be the day of the flight I had to take for the business deal closing. Wouldn’t ya know it. Well finally we can get to our seats and get going. Bad enough I hate flying. Let’s not delay it! Much rather be home with my wife and three daughters. She wasn’t to pleased I had to go to this anyways.

Behind Sam in line was Ray Johnson. A soldier coming in from Iraq, trying to get home to see his mom and dad. Four more months, and this will be the flight I don’t have to return on anymore. Ray thought about the two tours, 1^st being Iraqi Freedom, now this tour trying to get the country rebuilt. Can’t wait to see Mona, See how she reacts when I ask her to marry me. While sitting waiting for take off, Ray opens the small blue case and smiles. Mona will love this, no doubt.

Seated behind Ray, Mr. & Mrs. Boltz, the proud new grandparents of Simpson Grant. Seven pounds, 6 ounces and a full head of red hair. Coming from Anderson, South Carolina to see their grandson in Tampa, Florida. Their first grandchild. Ray looked back thinking, you couldn’t wipe the smiles off their face no matter what. Mr. Boltz looking forward to the trip mainly to see his new grandson but also to ask his daughter-in-law, Eve forgiveness for some things he said before she married his son. Since, it had brought distance between him and his son, Matt and he didn’t want that. Didn’t want his son or daughter-in-law to think he didn’t love them both. This was something he had to say in person.

Twenty minutes into the flight, over Jacksonville, Florida the plane shakes. The pilot says it was turbulence and nothing to worry about. Then, it shook heavier and dove. Twisting back and forth. Oxygen masks drop, pilot says prepare for a crash landing. Then, in a blink of an eye, the plane crashed onto a highway, exploding. Every part of what was left of the plane was in intense flames. Fire Rescue was on the scene in minutes. The heat was so intense they could not get close enough for the water to do anything but create steam. When the plane crashed on the highway, it hit a 2004 Honda, Mrs. Holden was driving, coming home from the doctors office to tell her husband he was going to be a daddy. From the intense flames, you could barely make out the melting front grille of the Honda. It also was engulfed in flames.

No one survived. Neither the 138 people on flight 474 or the woman in the car.

Minutes after the crash, every news network across the nation was showing the site of the crash. Anyone who had a loved one on flight 474, knew they had lost them. Everyone except Mr. Holden. A car was hit but due to the flames it was unknown to all at the time what kind of car it was or who was inside. Identities would have to be made from dental records. The remains were too charred to identify anyone.

One of the worst things that could happen is to find out you lost a loved one over the news. Couldn’t be more impersonal. With our vast communications system we have today. Its almost impossible to be told in the dignity of your home of a loss of a family member. At least that’s how Sheila Renafed thought as she sat in her car on the side of the road two miles from their home. How will she explain it to their three daughters? Why did she have to create a scene and say those things before Sam left? Its not like he’s gone all the time. Gone… The thought of that word, brought her to reality and she screamed and cried. Banging her fists on the steering wheel.

Mr. & Mrs. Johnson was sitting on their porch. Their house not 5 miles from the airport, they would be leaving soon to pick up their son, SGT Ray Johnson, a highly decorated soldier in the United States Army, from the airport when they heard the news over the television station. They were stunned and speechless. They held each other on the porch swing and cried. A couple of minutes later, Mona runs out the door, three houses down, crying, reaching the porch, falling to her knees at the base of the porch swing. Holding Mr. & Mrs. Johnson.

Eve was the first to hear the news on the television at their house. She shook terribly trying to dial Matt’s office. When the secretary answered, Eve couldn’t speak, but cried heavily and was barely able to get Matt’s name out. After a moment, Matt answered and Eve tried to tell Matt of the crash, but could only say get home, hurry.

On the way home, not knowing why Eve was so distraught and crying he was driving erratically when he heard on the radio of the news. He slid to a stop, not even knowing what to do next or say. Matt let out several screams, leaned over his steering wheel and cried. This couldn’t be happening. No way. They got to be wrong. Matt shifts into gear and races the rest of the way home. Eve sitting on the couch, eyes glued to the television. Matt ran inside, saw her and knew it was true. They wept heavily in each others arms.

Later that evening, Mr. Holden was worried. His wife hadn’t made it home yet. She left a note that said, “Hi Love, might be late getting home. Will make dinner as soon as I get home. Got something to tell you! Love Sheila” . He waited, seeing the news he felt bad for the many people that lost loved ones on that flight. He couldn’t imagine how he could accept news like that.

Eight that evening Jim Holden, was worried. He call the police, that his wife had not made it home yet. They told him to be patient, and they couldn’t post a missing persons report until after 24hours. So all Jim could do was wait. Ten that evening, Jim was driving around different places, he knew his wife would frequent, with no results by midnight he went back home. Three days later, Jim had already filed a missing persons report, not hearing anything. Four in the afternoon, a knock at the door. Two men, at the door dressed in suits came inside and informed Jim his wife was killed in the plane crash. He had felt it but couldn’t believe it was true. The two men left Jim Holden crying in the chair, repeating her name. One hundred and thirty-four more families and loved ones cried due to the loss of their loved ones.

11 August 2010, 3:30am -

My friend and Associate Pastor Justin Charles Roberts was working on a sermon to put on our virtual church. He had prepared six sermons previously that were so eloquently written and had come to me to ask what inspiration would I like to be in the next sermon. The sermon he was instructed to prepare was titled simply, “In the blink of an eye”. We also had been looking for property that would be perfect to bring the virtual church on our website into reality. A place where we could teach the true gospel. During this process we had heard of a church which was providing inspiring messages called the Cowboy church and we were trying to find the time in our schedules where we could attend a service there. We agreed on this evening attending the Cowboy church. We went and after a wonderful service at the Cowboy church, Justin, Joyce and I drive back home. Laughing over the comedy skits performed earlier at service. Amazed about how the creator of a particular skit could take an everyday occurrence and shock us with the end result of how it moved into showing us the skit was actually revealing how our Father gave His son for our sins. We had a wonderful time, praying, sharing experiences that related to what we had seen tonight. Hearing the beautiful gospel songs that was sung by the speaker and his wife. Great summer evening, great fellowship, great worship, even wonderful conversation during the ride home. Stopping at Justin’s house to let him off, we said our goodbyes, then Joyce dropped me off just a couple of houses away. Then she left to go home herself. I had no idea, that was the last time I would see my friend. Hear his voice, pray together.

The next day was a hectic day for Joyce and I at our Christian academy. Seemed everyone wanted to come in with tests to be graded, children needing tutoring, phones ringing off the hook, and mounds of orders to be processed. Of course, it was the time my cell phone needed recharging. So I placed it on the charger knowing I would not get any calls while it charged. With the day so pressed for both of us, the time flew. By five in the evening, I remembered my cell phone charging. Taking it off charge, I saw I had voice messages to be answered. As tired as I was I knew I best hear the messages prior to locking up the academy. One voice message caught my attention to where I was so nervous I had to dial the number three times before I got it right. It was the number to Justin’s cell phone and his wife had said Justin was in the hospital and to call her as soon as possible. When she answered I could tell in her voice it wasn’t good. She told me Justin had six seizures back to back 3am the night before and he stopped breathing. She called the ambulance but they were not able to revive him. He was in CCU on life support.

I locked up the academy as fast as I could, and drove to the hospital where Justin was at. I went to the waiting area for CCU as only the immediate family was allowed in the room where he was. There in the waiting room I met Justin’s brother and wife. They told me the physicians were completing the 2^nd ECG to confirm the results of the first one that Justin had no brain activity. How could this be happening. We were together not 15 hours earlier, laughing and talking together. In the blink of an eye, Justin was gone. My friend, my fellow pastor, a husband, a father… Gone. So many things going through my mind as I also tried to console my dear friend’s brother and sister-in-law. He just can’t be gone. His wife is expecting in 2 weeks, our ministry is growing, it needs him. As I sat there in the waiting room, I couldn’t accept Justin was gone. I knew it was true, but I couldn’t accept it. So many times he and I talked about the glorious things we will get to see, things I know right now he is seeing. Then realizing the message I had given to Justin to create a sermon entitled, “In the blink of an eye”, I was suddenly calm. Why was I so distraught, why so in denial of Justin’s leaving. I knew where he was. He was in a perfect place. In the blink of an eye God called Justin to be with Him. And he was there. I didn't lose a close dear friend.  God gained an angel.

All it takes is a blink. A simple thing we do many thousands of times and never give a thought of how important it is. How during that blink of an eye so many around you has their lives changed. How the rest of years will be different because in that blink of an eye, you are gone. When it happens, we don’t get the chance to say goodbye, ask for forgiveness to some harsh words that may have been said. Don’t get to fix some wrong you might have done, don’t get that last chance to show someone the love you have for them. Your gone. Its over, no more chances, tomorrow will never come.

We tend so easily to forget, with all that’s going on around us that a simple blink and you could be gone. Are you really ready? Is everything in your life, everything surrounding your life, ready to be without you? Can you honestly tell yourself, that at this split second, your ready? Do you really have that special personal relationship with God?

Obviously, if your reading this means you still have that golden chance to say I love you to someone, redeem a wrong, ask for forgiveness of the sins in your life, change right now the way your life is, and to tell God your life needs to be in His hands. Is it a blink of an eye you want to waste?

I promise you from the depths of my heart, there is not a wrong you have done that cannot be forgiven. If your way of life is not right, it can change. You can be saved right now. Jesus gave His life forgiving any sins we have done if we just ask for redemption, forgiveness and reach out to Him.

Would you like to take a moment now and accept Christ into your life? Maybe, you are already a Christian, and feel you have sins in your life.  There is no better time than the present, to ask for forgiveness and in this very moment your life can be forever changed. If you believe that Jesus died for the sin of humanity, and if you would like to accept His pardon for you personally, you may ask him to come into your heart and make your life new. Ask Jesus, to forgive all of your sins from now and before.  It’s a simple request with life altering results, and if you have made this decision, you are now a child of the most high God, and one day I will meet you in heaven.

Once you have done this, you need guidance, closeness with a seasoned person who is saved just as any newborn needs someone to hold them close, feed them, love them.  Seek out a pastor to assist you in your Christian growth. If your having troubles finding someone, call me (Pastor Jenkins at 864-353-1204) any time, day or night and I will assist you in finding someone who can help you grow in Christ. 

Understand, the worldly body of you hasn't changed, its the inside of you that is changing, a desire, a will, a thirst to be as He our Savior.  Being we are born of the world, you will make mistakes, you may fall not once, maybe hundreds of times.  A true Christian, gets back up, asks for forgiveness and keeps trying to do what God wants no matter what anyone may think of you or say to you because you fell, all that matters is what does God think of you. 

Also always remember, never judge all by the few who do fall.  Not one of us is perfect, and all of us fall at one time or another.  Each person, whether they seem to be the most knowledgeable Christian or a fellow Christian friend, wakes up everyday just like you, gets dressed just like you, and can make mistakes just like you. The more responsibility you obtain in Christ, the harder Satan tries to trick you into sin.  No one is above you, no one is below you.  Each of us are exactly the same in every aspect.  Its our actions, that make us different.  I present this to you because I truly love each of you, regardless whether I have met you or not.  You are a creation, a miracle of God, and for that fact alone, I love you.  You should also love everyone.  The Bible does not say you must respect everyone, it says you must love everyone.  You will never find a person that in some way, shape or form, you can't find a flaw in them.  God says not to look for the flaw, look for the good in each person.  Even in the most wonderful picture painted "Mona Lisa" if looked closely you can find mistakes.  But if you stand back and observe the painting as a whole it is beautiful.  For, if your without sin throw the first stone. 

I urge you to always search out the truth for yourself.  Its nice to sit in the pew and listen to a great sermon, or story as you have read here. God, commands us to, search the truth yourself, not to rely on what has been said as it could be in deceit or could be interpreted wrong.  You do not want to be the one holding the lantern, waiting for God to come as quick as a thief in the night and only to find out your out of fuel for your lantern and it goes out and you miss Him.  So, read your Bible, seek and you will find.

Spend time every day talking (praying) with your Father.  Thank Him for everything.  Ask for His blessings.  Ask for further knowledge.  Ask for protection.  The more you talk (pray) with your Father, the closer you will become with Him.  He is always right there with you. 

Lastly, I ask you to spread seed.  What you have is not for you to hold onto.  It is a precious gift that is meant to share.  That beautiful experience you felt, that warmth that covered your body.  Share with everyone.  Always pray to Jesus before you talk (fellowship) with another, to use you as a vessel for His glory.  Ask Him to speak through you to others.  Don't worry, on what you will say to another person, or if will you get it right.  He will speak from you if your goal is to share God with someone.  For you to hold this precious gift and not share it with others is receiving this gift and enjoying this gift now only.  If you share this gift, you'll enjoy the rewards now and in heaven.  Look how Jesus explains it in this story in the book of Matthew.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundantly: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:14-30).

My brother Justin, you brought these things back into my heart which I had misplaced.  You revitalized my faith through sharing your walk.  You gave me renewed vision seeing through your eyes.  I will always be thankful for Jesus bringing you to me.  He knew I needed you to become who I am.  You are deeply missed.

Dedicated in loving memory to my dear friend Pastor Justin Charles Roberts

30 August 1973 - 12 August 2010