THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT (Matthew 14:22-32)
(Editorial)
The storm hit unexpectedly. I can not say exactly that it was a storm, but the waves and the wind were so strong that our little fishing boat was at the mercy of the waves. We are people of the sea and it was not the first storm that we had to confront, but that night we were really in difficulty.
The land was several miles away, the wind blew against us, and the waves buried us. All of us felt that weariness was winning out because also that day we had given out much to eat, thanks to the Master, to 5000 men, not counting the women and children. Jesus remained on land. "I must pray," he told us, "You all go." And we went. But now, by ourselves, we were tossed about like shells of nuts on a rushing stream.
For many hours we struggled that night, with all our might, but the more the night advanced, the more the difficulties increased and our energies were wearing thin. At this point, we were almost conquered. It was the fourth watch of the night (about 3:00 a.m.), the darkness surrounded us and was pitch black.
Suddenly, someone let out a shout. A "ghost" was coming towards the ship, walking on the waters. Now I know that it was not a ghost, but in that moment, please try to understand, among the waves, the wind, the night, the weariness, and the discouragement, to catch a glimpse of someone walking on the waters, the first thing that comes to your mind is a phantom. Instead it was the Master; Jesus was coming towards us, skimming the waters with His feet. "Be of good cheer," He said, "It is I; be not afraid." I, Simon called Peter, was the first to speak a word to Him. I had to shout because the the noise around us was impressive: "Lord, if it be you, bid me come to you upon the waters." I do not know why I said this, but I can never forget that moment. Jesus' answer to me came quickly, "Come!"
"Come" can be said in a moment, but there was no bridges, no lifeboats, or anything else; besides, I am not a very good swimmer. I hesitated for just a moment but then descended from the boat and . . . I also began to walk on the water. What a fantastic sensation! But after the first few moments of joy, I dropped my gaze, and immediately the waves ... began assaulting me, the water rose, and I began to sink. "Lord, save me," I cried with all the breath I could find. Jesus extended His hand, grabbed mine -- what a comforting clasp, brethren --, and I was safe. Then we climbed in the boat, the wind became calm, and we, passing to the other shore, continued our journey.
Now that I am old and nearing the moment in which I will again meet myMaster, I rethink often of that extraordinary episode of my life and of that which it taught me.
You know, there are no storms that are so strong that Jesus can not still them. I know that also in our lives several times we feel downcast by the icy billows of discouragement and deception. I know it because I have experienced it. There are nights so black that the light seems only a pale memory of the "fourth watch of the night" when all seems to go wrong and faith and all the encouraging words fade in the fog of desperation. But now I know that, for however dark can be the night, for however strong and against one can be the wind, for however desperate and absurd the situation, whatever it be, Jesus will there to extend His hand.
In our lives, at times, the "fourth watches of the night" are more numerous than "the dawns of glory", but it is just when you feel most alone and desperate, with the water to your throat, that you must lift up your eyes and seek those of Jesus.
You know how much fear I had that night. The Master, however, taught me that it is doubt that causes you to sink. And those words of His, while grasped by His hand I sought not to drown, are engraved forever in my mind: "O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt?"
Before I leave you, I must say one last thing. If you also find yourselves having "to walk on the waters" and this means you must do something that you have never expected to do for the Lord, then I advise you not to look at the waves which rise, at the waves which can bury you, or at the night all around you." No, look at the Master (Hebrews 12:2).
Only in this way you will have the certainty of not drowning. Better yet, of never drowning!
(Vittorio Vitalone)

PROJECT "YEAR 2000"
"...To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:19).
1. Many brothers are asking us, "What are you organizing for the year 2000?"

2. All the Catholic churches, protestant and evangelical churches are
preparing for this event, even though they have different purposes.

3. The Lord is giving us a great opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ; millions of pilgrims will come from all over the world to Rome forthe Jubilee (Acts 2:5-11; 19:16).

4. What does this project foresee? What initiatives will be made? (Acts 2:1-11)

• I) A tract about Jesus and His church in different languages.
• II) Renting for a year a place in the center of Rome where Christian literature   and biblical information can be shared.
• III) Publicity in the city by means of newspapers, radio, and television.
• IV) Gospel meetings and seminars held by qualified brothers.
• V) Evangelistic campaigns.

5. A team of workers. Brothers and sisters from different congregations will be involved in forming a team of workers which will organize and develop all the phases of the project.

6. What do we ask for? We ask for prayers, collaboration, and financial help from all the churches of Christ interested in this project.

7. Those who would like to give suggestions or present other initiatives, can contact:
Paolo Mirabelli
c/o Chiesa di Cristo
Viale Jonio 286
00141 Roma
or at the home address:
Via Pacchiarotti, 52
00139 Roma
Tel 06.881.232.4
Tel e Fax 06.871.936.97

Obviously, we will make realities the things which the financial support will allow us for this project, but most of all the things which God wants to do through us. Our faith is in Him who can "...do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Somebody has rightly said: "The measure of our goals reflects the measure of our God." We are convinced that the Lord will bless every initiative made for His glory and praise and for the progress of His Kingdom.
(Paolo Mirabelli)

WE HAVE ONLY ONE FATHER AND ONE HEAD.

During the recent visits of the Pope in Poland, the national television news reports continually informed us about everything he did and said, even the simplest and most commonplace were transmitted in the name of the right to inform. The news that the Pope was critically ill immediately went around the world and occupied the front pages of the newspapers and prime spots on the television news. During the television news here, Enrico Mentana (a nationally known television news broadcaster) held us glued to the television for about twenty minutes saying that the Pope would personally appear from his balcony at the Vatican to calm the world in regards to his health. We knew that the Pope's trips were always on the news, but this time the news, rather than being informative, is being educational to the cause of the Catholic religion. Always being hammered with phrases like "The head of all Christianity" or "The father of all men" is not, in our opinion, giving simply information, but is violating the convictions of other people and is not recognizing that many listeners do not acknowledge Karol Wojtyla as their spiritual head, but as simply a man, as the head of the Catholic Church.
To the directors of the RAI and FININVEST (the two main national television stations), we sent an open letter where we asked for respect in giving the news toward those who live a faith different from that which is Catholic, and we wanted to remind them that we Christians have only one Head, Jesus Christ, and only one Father, God. It was Jesus Himself, in the notable passage from the Gospel, who said, "And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even He who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9). Who knows if Mentana one day will give this news on the news at 8 o'clock!
(Paolo Mirabelli)

NOTIZIE DALLE COMUNITA'

FIRENZE
The church of Christ in Florence has organized an interesting lectureship for the end of the summer, from the 25th to the 29th of August, on the topic: THOUGHTS ON I CORINTHIANS. The program is the following:

• Before philosophy, there was the wisdom of God - Italo Minestroni
• Before divisions, there was the one foundation - Dan Reed
• Before the sale of morals, Christ paid the great cost - Tony Console
• Before personal rights, there was love for each other - Mauro Cervellati
• Before spiritual pride, there was the greatest gift, love - Dan Reed
• Before indifference, there was the living hope - Giuseppe De Marco

BRISTOL (England)
The church of Christ in Bedminster, Bristol, writes us asking for financial help to enlarge their meeting place since the number of members and visitors has increased.
Church of Christ, 24 the Witheys, Whitchurch Village,Bristol, BS14 0QB, United Kingdom.

ROMA - V.le Jonio
After about one year of missionary work in Rome, Scott and Amanda Baine are returning to America. The congregation has been particularly blessed with their presence and by their service. Scott and Amanda are two young adults that have taught us many beautiful things by their examples. Their pleasantness, their smiles, and their big willingness are only some of the things that we will remember about them.
We give thanks to the our God for all the memories that we have of them. And always, in every prayer, we pray for them, for their participation in the progress of the Gospel from the first day to now, having faith that the Lord will bring to completion their work (Philippians 1:3-6).
(Paolo Mirabelli)

NEW BIRTHS IN CHRIST

• Antonietta Mele di Celico (Cosenza) , a former nurse, has been baptized for the remission of her sins in the month of May. The brothers and sisters of Cosenza are particularly thankful to the Lord in seeing this growth in the family of God. In May, a campaign group from the States did missionary activities in the city's squares. This type of evangelistic activity was particularly effective.
• On the 27th of June, Maresco Rosi was baptized for the remission of her sins; the church in Palermo is enriched by this new soul.
• At the end of July, at Catania, Cristina Scibilia was baptized.

CONGRATULATIONS!

To the sons of Elena and Franco Perna (Cosenza), Luca and Andrea, for having participated in the provincial swimming championship and having respectively won the silver and bronze medals.

A study in Italian is available on the first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. Whoever would like to have a copy can contact Paolo Di Luca or Paolo Mirabelli.

LITERATURE CHRISTIAN AUTHORS

Brother Paul Robison is completing the translation of three interesting, evangelistic, and edifying booklets. Here is the title of the booklets and the chapters from them.

• SET FREE. The chapters are the following: 1. Set Free from Fear - 2. Set Free from Covetousness - 3. Set Free from Depression - 4. Set Free from Pride - 5. Set Free from Pressure - 6. Set Free from False Worship - 7. Set Free from Unbelief - 8. Set Free from Irritability - 9. Set Free from Immaturity - 10. Set Free from Sin
• SERVANTS OF THE LORD. A booklet for edifying with the following chapters: 1. Clean Living in an Unclean World - 2. Changed Lives - 3. Transformed Living, 4. God or Money? - 5. The Christian and Society - 6. True Greatness - 7. A Servant is Not Greater that His Lord - 8. No Favoritism toward Rich or Poor - 9. Believing and Doing - 10. Justice - 11. Proclaim the Truth Plainly - 12. God's Power in Fragile People - 13. Perspective
• The third booklet is entitled: THEY MEET JESUS

Let's pray that the Lord will give this brother the time and things necessary to complete this service for the Italian churches, since the Robison family will return to the States in 2000.
Whoever would like to correct the Italian translation of the booklets or have more information can directly contact Paul Robison, Conegliano - Tel. 0438-60286 or e-mail: 75543.3260@compuserve.com.

TESTIMONY OF A LIFE

THE SEED IN THE THORNS is the testimony of Bro. Giuseppe (Pippo) Spina. He is almost finished with the booklet that contains his testimony: a life begun with Christ; shortly after, however, a life which went to live in the world; until when, like the prodigal son, he decided to return to the home of the Father.
"The worldly cares, the deceitfulness of riches, and the greed for other things were suffocating the Word which had been planted in me, but the Lord gave me His grace and refound me and I refound Him. . . . When I was in the world, I was rich, nothing was lacking, but now I am aware that I was really very very poor. Now that I have returned to Christ, I do not have much money, be I am aware that I am rich, rich to have refound God, myself, and the church."