verse 6:   We are all on the ship of Alexandria - the world (music, clothing, language, bibles, teachings, lifestyle, welfare, churches, education, morality, slaves to the government, etc.) is as it is, has been taken over by Alexandria, Egypt - Africa!

verse 9:   It is too late to turn things completley around - we are IN the Laodicean church age - we can not return to the Philadelphian church age!

verse 10:  Paul has the answer - he knows the coming consequences to those who won't listen!

verse 11:  The "official" in charge, such as the pastor, father, i.e.. rejects what Paul has to say!

verse 12:  The "official" listened to the majority, be it the church, the community - or in the father's case, his family!

verse 13:  "They" thought everything was fine - except what Paul / pastor had to say about their walk, etc.

verse 15:  They couldn't handle the storm, so they gave it over to 'her' - the ship itself.  The women are tyring to correct it all.  Men have given over their ship to his 'her!'

verse 16:  It took 'much work' for the men to get the ship back from 'her!'  But they did and WE MUST!

verse 17:  When they did get the ship back - they did the practical things!
                    day 1 - vs 17:  They strengthened the ship
                    day 2 - vs 18:  They lightened the ship  (see Luke 8:14 for what needs to thrown out today!!!)
                    day 3 - vs 19:  They threw out even the important stuff that kept the ship working

verse 20:  They had lost hope from the storm - it just wasn't all working - it was too late!  Is it too late for you?  For some, it is - we have influence, though.

verse 21:  They finally decided to LISTEN TO PAUL.  Paul was quick to remind them that they wouldn't be in this storm if they had listened to him in the first place, but... he then went on.

verse 22:  Be of good cheer! (Philippians 4:6-9, etc)

verse 23:  God had stood by Paul!  We should stand by "The Book..."  Pauline epistles - a more excellent way - the way of God more perfectly - Paul's gospel - etc.

verse 24,25:  BE of good cheer - stick with Paul and you will be all right - you will "LIVE" - as he will show you the RISEN CHRIST!

verse 26:  We ARE going to crash!  The Book says so!  Apostasy, Laodicean church age, women and children ruling, etc. etc.

verse 27-29:  They surmise the situation and try to put out their own anchors and then WAIT AND SEE!

verses 30:  They chicken out - they try to escape by their own plan - and they try to sneak out!

verse 31:  Paul warns them that they had better stay in the ship!  It will only be ok if they do!

verse 32:  They chose to cut away their own ropes to their escape boat - they certainly were NOT working!

verse 33,34:  They were told to get into the 'meat' with Paul!

verse 35:  He didn't just say a prayer, he talked to God - and thanked him, he did not whine about the situation!

verse 36,37:  ALL 276 were of good cheer!  Paul's teachings can do that to folks, even in a storm!  (For starters, see Philippians 4:6-9)

verse 38:  Talk about faith and confidence now - got rid of their storage, savings, etc. and got serious!

verse 39-40:  They got serious and took the storm head on - they got involved - they stepped up to the plate - they gunned it and went to war! They got involved with the sea!

verse 41:  They still hit the storm dead on - right in the midst of the worst place!  The storm did it's damage!

verse 42:  There is always still somebody who wants to kill the preacher - Paul's epistles, etc.

verse 43:  Yet because of Paul's testimony and influence in their lives during the storm, they were all given the liberty to do what they had to do individually.