Squirrels, Seagulls and Waves

I’ve beeI was sitting in my car with a friend named Roger yesterday, a long time Pastor here on the Coast, and we were talking shop. We were hanging out at Morro Bay’s signature rock, you know - discussing life, our health, our potential trip to Israel and even sharing a giggle here ‘n’ there (things old guys do, I guess?). As we began to pray for our respective congregations and for the folks we are privileged to serve, I noticed something revealing: the simplicity of the ground squirrels, the seagulls and the waves. Now, don’t tell Rog my eyes were open as we prayed - I don’t think the Lord was concerned - but I couldn’t help but look at the beauty before me. The ground squirrels hanging out, some wrestling, others snacking. The seagulls, gliding through the air to a picturesque landing to a nibble here or there. And the waves, consistently rolling into the shoreline, one after another as if ordered by an accomplished orchestra director. And you know, the simplicity of these embracing with poise and grace their bent in life, if you will, reminded me that our life is to be likewise. In other words, how many times do I, we, complicate our lives by placing greater importance on this task, minimizing another all in the pursuit getting things done? So many times I am a task master, personally ensuring my to do list is checked off in a given day to fulfill a need deep within that I accomplished something…well, the adage don’t allow the urgent to preempt the important took on new meaning yesterday. Namely, as the squirrels, seagulls and waves simply did what they were created to do - likewise, I, you, we were created to be in relationship, communion and fellowship with a God that desires to be a part of our life. So, here’s the point (sorry for rambling): let’s take a step back from a busied, hectic lifestyle and bask in the miracle of relationship with a God who thinks highly of us! Seriously, take a step back from the activity of getting things done, take a deep breath and send a prayer of thankfulness & gratitude to our Loving Father for our very breath! Last, it really is simple - God loves us, proved it by sending Jesus and made it real in our life by His Spirit. Talk to you later…

ESPN Brought Tears To My Eyes

I love sports. I love competition. I love to win. I love the Dodgers (they’re beating the Astro’s 3-1 as I type…). I love…well, I love ESPN - pray for me! This afternoon, after a day of writing, returning phone calls, praying for people, counseling…I came home to relax with my Aquafina and my daily dose of Sports Television. ESPN aired a segment on a former All-American from Tennessee and promising Dallas Cowboy cornerback named Dwayne Goodrich. To make a long blog short, this young man, after three years in the NFL, was driving home from let’s say a night out with the boys. He was traveling at a high speed on a North Dallas freeway when unbeknownst to him, a few miles ahead of him was a burning car with a desperatepassenger inside. Three goodSamaritansstopped to assist this victim. When Goodrich came upon the scene, traveling at over 50MPH, he inadvertently plowed into the three men, killing two and seriously crippling the third (the man in the burning car turned out to be okay…). Fast forward, ESPN showed a clip from the sentencing aspect of the trial. Quoting from the Dallas Morning News, “The sole survivor, Shuki Josef, requested permission to approach Goodrich to shake his hand. This gesture resulted in an emotion-filled embrace between the two men as Josef publically acknowledged forgiveness and stated he harbored no ill will for Goodrich by saying, ‘I forgive you…I feel sorry for you.’” Wow…with the embrace, you could hear the gut wrenching tears coming out of Goodrich, the pats on the back from the crippled Josef - and, yes you could feel the love of God through the television screen.

You know…this is the epitome of love. Check it out: you’re an innocent man desiring to help another and baaaaaam, you’re hit by a car traveling at a crazy speed. Nine months later, you walk into a court room, with your cane, in obvious pain & tell the one responsible for all your nightmares, your ailments, the life long challenges that lie ahead - that…you forgive him? Seriously…this is amazing! Well, tears began to well up, roll down my face and I could only say, “Thank You Lord, this is a picture of your grace, your mercy, your forgiveness, your compassion, your kindness…”

Thank you ESPN of reminding me of my amazing Savior’s love & forgiveness for me. I hope Mr. Goodrich has been able to receive the love & forgiveness of Jesus; it sure sounds like Josef has!

Sidebar: my wife read my draft and said, “You come home to relax with bottled water and sports?” I think she was telling me my priorities are askew…

It’s Spring!

It is springtime on the Central Coast and it’s such a beautiful time of year. Have you looked at the new leaves lately on the trees? Have you taken the time to witness the flowers blooming? Or, have you noticed the green grass pasting our rolling hills? Oh, have you smelled the salt in the air coming from the onshore breeze from our picturesque ocean? Yes, spring is a great time and it is simply gorgeous around here. And, you know, if we really think about it, our celebration of springtime and the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection have some striking commonalities. Specifically, the emergence of life from death, the return of hope, warmth, joy, and color from a gloomy, worn, barren and dark day! Check it out: because of the Resurrection, we have hope, light, joy and yes, life – all because our personal, intimate Springtime, named Jesus, emerged from death, restored hope, breathed warmth, resuscitated joy and added vibrant color to an otherwise dreary existence! Wow, are we privileged or what? We have a personal Jesus who literally, bodily came to be born to die to rise to ascend and someday, come back for us! This is the greatest story ever told; a story that never gets old and a story that is to be visited not just in the spring, rather, visited and re-visited every day of our life! Have an amazing Spring family…today, tomorrow and throughout eternity!