The angry foaming waves rise furiously like giant emerald mountains, and then suddenly they crash and fall into the watery valley of the shadow of death. The sleek luxury yacht rocks and reels about without reprieve and is at the mercy of the powerful storm that appears out of nowhere. Marcus Colombo, an aging movie star veteran of some 100 feature films, and six crew members are in the fight of their lives. In several spaghetti westerns, he fought the villains and always prevailed and rode off into the sunset and lived to fight another day. Of course, that was fantasy, but this situation is real and deadly.

Marcus is beloved by millions of adoring fans across the world for his daring escapades and his elegant appearance. Now at the age of 69 his hair is thin and graying. His six-foot-four frame is slightly stooped, but, he is still seemly strong and agile. Acting was a natural for Marcus, and his talent became quickly apparent in several high school drama classes. He met his wife Gloria in rehearsal for a summer play one year after graduation from high school. After three kids and a tough struggle Marcus and Gloria divorce and go their separate ways. 

Things start to look up for Marcus’s career in 1960, and he lands a role in a new western series. The role is small, but soon the letters from fans pour in wanting to know more about Marcus. After the series runs for four years, Marcus catapults into fantastic fame and box office drawing power by playing in three consecutive cowboy westerns as an anti-hero gun for hire. Many films follow, and super stardom becomes a reality for Marcus Colombo, and soon he sets his sights on the director’s chair. Directing and producing at least a dozen top movies, he reaches the pinnacle of fame and respect in the film industry.

Five failed marriages and drink take their damaging toll on Marcus’s life. The wretchedness makes Marcus feel as used up as an empty six shooter. He made his mark in the entertainment world, and fame and fortune followed. This night, however, fame and fortune can be of no help. There are seven men on board the yacht dubbed the "Darling of the Sea." Marcus purchased the yacht two years prior to escape the stress of Hollywood. All the men on board are capable seamen, but their experience is no match for this howling storm. Panic and fear grips the hearts of all the crew. This storm is not playing around, and for two straight hours the men have fought to hold on to their wits.

Marcus lies strapped to his bunk and A.C. Smith, a dear doctor friend, determines that Marcus is suffering from a sudden heart attack. Doctor Smith makes Marcus as comfortable as possible, but the conditions are so awful it looks as if Marcus will not survive the storm or the heart attack. Marcus is gasping for breath as he calls out to Dr. Smith, “A.C. I’m dying, please come near and pray for me.”  Dr. Smith takes Marcus’ hand and says, “I can’t pray for you Marcus. I am not a Christian.” Marcus says, “Get someone to read me the good book before I die and go to hell.”

One of the other men has a little gospel tract given to him at the yacht club before they sailed. “Do you want me to read it to you, Marcus?” 

  “Yes, please hurry, Tom. I am dying.”  Tom opens the wrinkled tract and shines his flashlight on it and begins, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

“Tom, it says our transgressions. Does that include a filthy person like me?” “I think it does, Marcus. I think it means anyone.”  “Read it one more time, Tom, and put my name there where it says our.”  Tom reads the scripture slowly and inserts Marcus’ name instead of our. “But he was wounded for Marcus’ transgressions; he was bruised for Marcus’ iniquities: the chastisement of Marcus’ peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Marcus groans loudly and says, “It means me, Tom, and anyone else who will trust Him.” Marcus cries, “Come on men, it means you as well!”

Tears well up and fill Tom’s eyes as all six men repeat in unison the verse, inserting their own names. “Lord forgive me,” cries each man, “and save my soul for Jesus sake.”  Within thirty minutes of the men’s prayers the storm abates and the ocean returns to a calm serene state. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. —Psalm 107:29.  Doc Smith shakes his head in utter disbelief as Marcus’ heart attack seems almost nonexistent. The men stare at one another with total amazement and shock at the suddenness of their salvation and relief from the raging storm.