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Sunday, 13 April 2008

     The men of the tribe gathered in the early morning hours. The sun had just crested the eastern horizon and they were clustered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones out of respect for the God that created this and an unwillingness to disturb the beauty of the moment. Some were preparing to be initiated into the tribe, others were elders who had been around for decades, all were thankful for this time on this day.

     As some of the groups broke off preparing for the adventure that was to come and others headed into their adventure, two stood by watching to see is the lone tribesman out in the surf was going to catch the first ride of the day. The sea was like glass and the waves were just that perfect height to make for great rides. As the two stood waiting the wave lifted to crest and the tribesman paddled; as the wave peaked the sun shone through it as if the whole sea was made of emeralds. The lone tribesman slipped into the perfect face and showed the tribe that today was going to be a great day.

     Sometimes God allows us to experience those moments when everything troublesome washes away and for just a moment no matter how fleeting it may seem time stands still and you are all alone with God and His creation and delighting in Him as you delight in His creation. For me those moments come most often in the surf. Saturday, although I did not get any rides worth writing home about, I was able to put everything aside and experience the ocean and the birds as they sailed through the sky, their wing tips just touching the lip of a cresting wave. Watching friends hoot in pure joy as they slipped into good rides. I just thank God that He allows me this experience and I pray that you can delight in Him while delighting in something that He created for you. Be Well.

The Pastor

Tuesday, 01 January 2008

Perspective is perhaps the great key to living life to it's fullest. In the West we define ourselves by our success and our accumulated wealth. A successful life is one that is lived in luxury and fame. It is also common for us to disavow this view and yet continue to pursue it as if our very salvation depended on it. Do you ever feel that at some point this madness should come to an end? If we truly believe that our satisfaction is in something other than material possessions than why do we spend almost every waking moment to the pursuit of such things?

In Psalm 73 the Psalmist questions God as to why people who pursue wealthy can obtain it and live a carefree existence. However as the Psalmist questions these things he does something that I believe we all must do. He changes his perspective. The Psalm says "but when i thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of god; then I discerned their end." (Psalm 73:16-17 ESV) You see when we enter the sanctuary of God our perspective changes we see things not with our own eyes but with the eyes of God Himself. As our perspective changes from man's view to God's view so our lives will develop into something that has more depth and meaning. Our lives will not be the spent on the pursuit of material goods but spent on a pursuit of the God of the Universe, who is desperately seeking us.

Will you pray with me today that God will open your eyes and give you His perspective.

The Pastor