California Highway Patrol Officer Shaun Bouyea

On Sunday night, April 11, 2010, James and Janet Hogan and their 40-year-old son, Tim, were traveling in a vehicle in Walnut Creek , California , when they lost control of their vehicle on a rain-soaked road, went through a fence, and landed in the rushing waters of a creek.  An emergency crew later found Tim's lifeless body trapped in the car.  His parents had somehow gotten out of the vehicle but were uncontrollably swept downstream.

California Highway Patrol Officer Shaun Bouyea responded to the crash in a rescue helicopter.  He was called to where Janet had been spotted bobbing up and down in the choppy current, three miles from the crash site.  When Janet could not grab hold 
of a clinch collar device that he had lowered to her from the helicopter, Bouyea signaled to Contra Costa Fire District rescue swimmer, Dave Manzeck, and lowered 
the collar to him.

As Bouyea lowered Manzeck to the raging waters where Janet was floundering, Manzeck later reported that he saw her disappear underwater for 15 to 20 seconds.
"She was about to die if somebody didn't get her," Bouyea later said.

After initially being blown under the water himself by a downdraft, Manzeck was finally able to grab hold of Janet, who was unconscious.  Both of them were pulled from the water and lowered to paramedics waiting on the shore.  Janet was revived by the paramedics and taken to the local hospital.  Manzeck was also admitted to the hospital, in a room three doors down from Janet, due to injuries he sustained in the successful rescue attempt.

Janet Hogan unfortunately lost her son and her husband (whose lifeless body was found last Wednesday night), but she was rescued from the raging waters through 
the heroic efforts of Bouyea, Manzeck, and a team of rescue workers.

Her rescue reminds us of another critical rescue mission that involves YOU and ME…

Due to OUR wrong choices – SIN – WE are being swept downstream to certain destruction (Romans 6:23).  But God loves us so much that He sent His Son to our rescue.  In order to save us from the depths of sin's punishment, Jesus was not only injured, but gave His life as payment for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  Because HE died on our behalf, WE can be saved IF we will accept His offer of salvation.

We accept Jesus' offer of salvation by: placing our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

"I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore.
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me!" (James Rowe)

Jesus will save you from the raging waters of destruction, if you will take His hand in trusting obedience.

Won't YOU?

David A. Sargent,

First Corinthians commentary:  Get the new First Corinthians commentary from www.abiblecommentary.com.  Preview the First Corinthians commentary through Google books at http://bit.ly/dfw86d.  Other Bible commentary material from www.abiblecommentary.com includes a FREE on-line Romans commentary:  http://bit.ly/3MRU5I