, return four phone calls, respond to my numerous emails, finish the details for our new web page, fill the baptismal at church for our summer baptism, clean the house for my wife, spend alone time with God, go for a bike ride and BBQ hamburgers for dinner. Once this was completed...the evening walk on the beach with my Tami was in order. After the long drive to the beach - 3 minutes from our house - we began our journey on the beautiful Central Coast. As we were walking, picking up shells & sea glass, we noticed three little Sea Otters simply hanging out, eating a fish here or there and just enjoying. As we watched these precious sea creatures living life, we simultaneously said, "...we are so fortunate to live here; wow, what a blessing!" A day doesn't go by that I thank God for the life He's given us, not only from our Spiritual standing before Him (thank You Jesus!), but also the location we're called to serve and exist in. Sometimes I feel "...why me?" Perfect weather, the sound & smell of the ocean from our deck at our house, the peak-a-boo view we have of Morro's Rock and the water from our bedroom - wow, it doesn't get much better than this! As we reflected on the Sea Otters, not only were we reminded that life doesn't have to be so difficult and busy with noise and commitments - we were created to step back and truly enjoy Him! Allow me to borrow from the Sea Otter in the above picture: we are privileged to relax on the water called life and bask in the wondrous glory of His ocean of Love - no stress, no worries, no issues...just Him. Further, I couldn't find a hint of anxiety in the Sea Otters, not even an ounce. They simply were living life as life was intended to be lived: in relationship with their existence. Likewise, as the late Ray Stedman once said, "Life was intended to be lived in 100% dependence upon a God that wants to be in intimate, constant relationship with us!" When we exist in that union with Him, we too can and will live - live in the security, confidence and amazing comfort of God's life for us. So, the next time you, I, see a Sea Otter hanging out, let's ask ourselves, "...are we hanging out with God and living life as He intends it to be lived?"
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Lessons from Sea Otters
My chores yesterday were simple: prepare my message for Sunday
, return four phone calls, respond to my numerous emails, finish the details for our new web page, fill the baptismal at church for our summer baptism, clean the house for my wife, spend alone time with God, go for a bike ride and BBQ hamburgers for dinner. Once this was completed...the evening walk on the beach with my Tami was in order. After the long drive to the beach - 3 minutes from our house - we began our journey on the beautiful Central Coast. As we were walking, picking up shells & sea glass, we noticed three little Sea Otters simply hanging out, eating a fish here or there and just enjoying. As we watched these precious sea creatures living life, we simultaneously said, "...we are so fortunate to live here; wow, what a blessing!" A day doesn't go by that I thank God for the life He's given us, not only from our Spiritual standing before Him (thank You Jesus!), but also the location we're called to serve and exist in. Sometimes I feel "...why me?" Perfect weather, the sound & smell of the ocean from our deck at our house, the peak-a-boo view we have of Morro's Rock and the water from our bedroom - wow, it doesn't get much better than this! As we reflected on the Sea Otters, not only were we reminded that life doesn't have to be so difficult and busy with noise and commitments - we were created to step back and truly enjoy Him! Allow me to borrow from the Sea Otter in the above picture: we are privileged to relax on the water called life and bask in the wondrous glory of His ocean of Love - no stress, no worries, no issues...just Him. Further, I couldn't find a hint of anxiety in the Sea Otters, not even an ounce. They simply were living life as life was intended to be lived: in relationship with their existence. Likewise, as the late Ray Stedman once said, "Life was intended to be lived in 100% dependence upon a God that wants to be in intimate, constant relationship with us!" When we exist in that union with Him, we too can and will live - live in the security, confidence and amazing comfort of God's life for us. So, the next time you, I, see a Sea Otter hanging out, let's ask ourselves, "...are we hanging out with God and living life as He intends it to be lived?"
, return four phone calls, respond to my numerous emails, finish the details for our new web page, fill the baptismal at church for our summer baptism, clean the house for my wife, spend alone time with God, go for a bike ride and BBQ hamburgers for dinner. Once this was completed...the evening walk on the beach with my Tami was in order. After the long drive to the beach - 3 minutes from our house - we began our journey on the beautiful Central Coast. As we were walking, picking up shells & sea glass, we noticed three little Sea Otters simply hanging out, eating a fish here or there and just enjoying. As we watched these precious sea creatures living life, we simultaneously said, "...we are so fortunate to live here; wow, what a blessing!" A day doesn't go by that I thank God for the life He's given us, not only from our Spiritual standing before Him (thank You Jesus!), but also the location we're called to serve and exist in. Sometimes I feel "...why me?" Perfect weather, the sound & smell of the ocean from our deck at our house, the peak-a-boo view we have of Morro's Rock and the water from our bedroom - wow, it doesn't get much better than this! As we reflected on the Sea Otters, not only were we reminded that life doesn't have to be so difficult and busy with noise and commitments - we were created to step back and truly enjoy Him! Allow me to borrow from the Sea Otter in the above picture: we are privileged to relax on the water called life and bask in the wondrous glory of His ocean of Love - no stress, no worries, no issues...just Him. Further, I couldn't find a hint of anxiety in the Sea Otters, not even an ounce. They simply were living life as life was intended to be lived: in relationship with their existence. Likewise, as the late Ray Stedman once said, "Life was intended to be lived in 100% dependence upon a God that wants to be in intimate, constant relationship with us!" When we exist in that union with Him, we too can and will live - live in the security, confidence and amazing comfort of God's life for us. So, the next time you, I, see a Sea Otter hanging out, let's ask ourselves, "...are we hanging out with God and living life as He intends it to be lived?"
Saturday, July 10, 2010
God and Sea Glass
A few weeks back, my wife suggested that we find a hobby, together, to get away from the daily grind of the office. Her suggestion: hold hands, walk on the beach &, are you ready...collect sea glass. Admittedly, my first thought was, "Come on...seriously, collect glass on the beach; I like holding your hand, but how about a hike; a kiss? Or, a leisure run on the beautiful shoreline of the Central Coast? Or, let's go kayaking more? Maybe a bike ride, or - yes, even a nap? We can hold hands and do all these things; but Sea Glass?" Tami assured me I'd enjoy the journey; I just needed to wrap my attitude around the truth of time spent together is healthy and will actually win some points with my gal. Well, you guessed it: after spending a few outings, I must say...it has been a blast! In fact, I've even found some of the rare blue weathered glass that's an exceptional discovery. Just last night, after spending three days in Monterey celebrating our 26th anniversary, Tami and I drove the .6 miles to the shore from our home and began our investigation of Morro Bay Sea Glass. Well, I had one of those moments, if you will: after I failed miserably to navigate a slippery rock, I found myself face down on the beach, with middle toe on my right foot bleeding, my left wrist & right pinkie finger swelling, and my glasses scratched & cracked by the fall - I just simply had to laugh! A former athlete (at least in my own mind) laying on the beach, gripping with all his might the three pieces of glass that the last hour produced - God forbid that they get lost in the fall - is simply ridiculous!
Well, it's now 12 hours later, Saturday morning to be precise; and, as I reflect on that hilarious experience, I relate it to an amazing truth; namely God holding me, in His hand - His righteous right hand. Through the thick and thin, down in the valleys, up on the mountain top, on the shaky sandy beach of life - my God holds me in His hand with a grip that simply never lets go! Now, granted, I don't think the Lord would be dumb enough to climb the ragged rock I did, nor do I think for a moment He would be as clumsy as I; however, He willingly climbed a hill called Calvary and allowed death to overtake Him so that He could hold me, and you, in His hand - too never let go!
All to say, whether you are collecting sea glass or in the grocery store buying a snickers bar, God winks at you and says, "I Love You!" Today, look for Him and I promise, He'll wink at you in a way that will grab your heart like never before! Have a great weekend...
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