Book Excerpt for 4 o'clock in the morning, by Capt. Ben Marler

FOREWORD (4 o'clock in the morning In a Sleepy Fishing Village Called Destin)

As you start your day in Destin, Florida like many who must be on the road at 5 or 6 a.m., you're likely to see a slew of normal street traffic. Caffeinated commuters, travelers passing through town, buses, scooters, 18 wheelers, local contractors, sheriff, police or highway patrol, and even but especially boat captains and crews of one of the largest charter fishing fleets on the Gulf Coast in the World's "Luckiest" fishing village. Yet, if you venture out two hours earlier, at 3:00 a.m., you may encounter a sleepy or drunk driver. But, at 4:00 - 4:30 a.m., you miraculously find the road all to yourself. And that's when you might look up and notice the incredible shush and the openness of the predawn sky above, and sense the very presence of God.

If you did this about 20 years ago, you would see a white Ford SUV creeping down Highway 98, and pulling into the empty parking lot of St. Andrew's by the Sea Episcopal church. And if you waited 10 minutes, you could go through the heavy oak doors and see my Dad, Capt. Ben Marler, lying on his face before the altar, praising God, praying, singing, and dedicating himself to the Lord's service that day.
“Many times I arrived at the church singing ‘How Great Thou Art‘ or ‘Blessed Assurance.’ Upon reaching the altar I sometimes could hear the hitch hikers slip out into the pre-dawn darkness. Either they didn't like my singing or the Presence of the Lord that came as I sang was a bit too much for them.’

‘My concerns were also for all the boat captains, crew members and their families for I knew first hand how difficult our work was going to be that day, especially if there was bad weather.’

‘Prior to going to the church I "speed read" 10 chapters from the Bible in an hour. I was able since at Sewanee and FSU I was able to take speed reading courses.’
‘It's safe to say I drowned myself with the scriptures....I needed them desperately to minister to my customers all day long.’
‘From the church I went directly to the pier for sometimes some folks had already arrived. After your mom arrived I had time to go up and eat the breakfast Ma had fixed for me.”

After errands to pick up ice, or bait or something last minute that the galley needed he would ride down the hill to the pier to do what he masterfully did. Namely, choreographing deckhands and parking attendants and last minute ticket sales (read: his super efficient wife, Joan)--the morning ritual of taking up to 120 passengers out into the Gulf of Mexico and bringing them safely home, hopefully with a satisfyingly good catch of fish for every paying customer. Or at least giving them an interesting a trip to talk about. He'd begin with, "Folks, listen up.." and a 30 minute fishing lesson that people brought unsaved neighbors to hear. And then brrroom, rrroom, room, ring, ring, ring, slosh, slosh, slosh of the props, three strong warning blasts of the horn, and Emmanuel would be ready to leave the hubbub and chatter of the dock and shore noise and sail into the noise of engine, seagulls, marine band radio, and wind in the ears.

If he had a relief Captain that day, he could run up the hill, and ring-a, ring-a, ring his mother's doorbell and she would greet him excitedly and offer to make him breakfast. After instant coffee, TV news, the front page of the paper, he’d be off to minister, going where God led to divine appointments, checking in with the boat by CB radio and, in later years, by cell phone, and hurry to be back at the dock to greet the boat at 5:00.

Getting up at 4:00 in the morning was the unseen habit of the author. It is not clear whether he developed the habit after four years of military school, or years of obeying the buzzing alarm clock, or if God sent a warbling early bird or a ray of starlight to crack through the heavy blinds of night. But before the blackened sky begins to show its purple majesty and dawn softly pinks the horizon, the Holy Spirit descends from the throne with morning news and headlines. GOD's been up all night, and He's excited to find someone available to share His thoughts and plans; Those ancient personalized plans established for us in the words of Ephesians 2:10:
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do."

And just as Jesus borrowed the fishermen’s boats to preach to listeners on shore, making them partners in God’s work, He wants to invite YOU to become His disciple, as He did them. Listen. Hear him say, “Come Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men.”

Let's Go Fishing.

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