This week I had one of the best days of surfing in my life! It was awesome! The waves were perfect, there wasn’t a crowd yet, and the “vibe” in the water was super chill and fun. People were hooting and hollering for each other’s rides, yipping at the grandeur of the waves, and one guy even prayed out loud thanking Father God for the opportunity to share it all with everyone. It was really quite a spiritual experience. 

I relived those waves in my mind throughout the entire work day, relishing in the joy and wonder of it all, wishing I could stay in those memories forever. And even as I laid my head on my pillow that night, I rode one more sweet swell into a blissful dream thinking, “What a great day that was!”

Then the next day came. 

It was a busier day. I had appointments throughout the morning so I couldn’t surf until a midday lunch break. So after my last task I stopped and checked the waves on the way home. It was packed with surfers. Bummers. And the wind was up a little more. More bummers. Though the waves still looked pretty good (very similar to the previous day) something inside of me was discouraging me from wanting to go — it was like I was looking for excuses to not go surf. But why? That’s weird, I thought. Why am I not jumping at the chance to repeat the day before?

I dawdled around a bit, stalling and wondering why I was so conflicted inside, especially considering the previous day’s exuberance. I wanted to go surf, yet I didn’t. Finally my heart relinquished its deep secret — I was afraid. Afraid? Yep. I was afraid it wouldn’t be as good as the day before and if I went out today I’d be disappointed. Inwardly I figured it was better to stop where I was and enjoy the past experience rather than move forward and experience something new. Ouch. Here comes a lesson from Papa God.

So many times I look back at the good old days when “God did this,” and “God did that,” and “Oh, it was so wonderful back then!” — commemorating the past. Yes, He’s done some absolutely marvelous things indeed over the years! And not just in my life — I’m sure you have some great testimonies too. But we can’t live in the past. We can learn from it, savor it, remember it, and let it inspire and encourage us, but the reality is, it’s over. He’s doing a new thing today. Let’s not revel in the miracles that God did but in the miracles He’s going to do!

My fear was keeping me stuck on yesterday and hindering me from moving forward. And I was making excuses in order to hide that fear because I wasn’t letting go of the past and trusting Him for the future. I needed faith for today.

 Heb. 3:15 — “Today, if you will hear His voice…” 

Today. Not yesterday, last week, or last year. This present moment. Today. 

Today is not going to be like yesterday. It isn’t. I have to keep moving forward — ever learning, ever growing, ever trusting, ever believing.

Okay. That’s it, my friend. I’m going out to surf now. Let’s see what God has for me today. 

(By Cyndi)

It’s very easy to hear or see something on media and make a quick assessment of it’s validity; I’ve been culpable of this myself. However, we have a filter and The Truth to analyze and determine if we should believe it or not — The Word of God.

The Bible is the Word of God. Period. And, yes, not every single topic and subject is comprehensively explored in the scriptures, but we can see the heart of the Father and know His nature in them. 

For a while there was a fad going through the body of Christ — WWJD, or “What Would Jesus Do?” Not a bad way of thinking, but I feel it still leaves a little to be desired. What about, “How can I express the heart of Christ in this situation?” or, “If the Spirit is living in me, how should I respond in a manner that would reflect Him?”

Most of the time and in most situations, I simply respond — usually in the natural — without thinking through any of the spiritual ramifications. I’m not some “super-spiritual” “always loving and kind” person, though I’m in the process of being changed to His image daily. (2 Cor.3:18) We’re all in process. But imagine for a moment if I took the time to think things through rather than quickly responding (or judging). 

Thinking it through was exactly what Jesus did in John chapter 8 when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Him. He didn’t abruptly respond, but He bent down and wrote on the ground, taking a moment to check in with His Father and wait upon His Word. Now if only I could remember to do this! (sigh)

It’s so easy for me to jump on the bandwagon and run with the pack whether it be in favor of something or against it. But Jesus wasn’t in a hurry. He took the time to wait and listen. He took the time to come apart from others and spend time with His Father, alone. He found time to play, laugh, heal, eat, and pray. 

So my dear reader, I encourage you (and myself) to take time. Take time to think it through, whatever “it” may be. Filter it through the Word of God; analyze it in the Light of His nature and character. Be a modern-day Berean and see if these things be true or not, then try to react in such a way that expresses the love of God. You never know what may happen. I’m gonna try. 

Last night Robert and I had a wonderful time at our weekly home group meeting. We always do. It’s a sweet evening of fellowship, food, and Biblical discussions. Most of us have been in this same group for quite some time now and it feels just like a family — and it is.

It’s a church family. And just like any other family, there are all kinds of characters who have different opinions, experiences, social status, and jobs. We don’t always agree on everything, however, we love each other because we’re connected by the blood of Jesus. Each of us has the same Father in heaven, which makes us brothers and sisters. How cool is that? We’re a family.

Everybody needs a family — people to laugh with, cry with, eat with, share thoughts with, pray with, and do life with. A family is there when you need comfort or encouragement, and when you want to celebrate or need to grieve. Of course, people are people and no one is perfect, but learning to accept each other for who they are is part of being a family.

In my younger days I used to like being more independent and thought that leaning on others was a weakness. I believed I could handle things myself and wanted to be strong and self-reliant. Until I couldn’t. 

Life happened and I tried to do it with just Jesus and me but I wasn’t able to. He urged me to ask for help and revealed in His Word that needing others isn’t a weakness but an asset. (1 Thes.5:14; 1 Cor.12:27; Rom.12:10; Heb.12:12) Opening up my heart to others was hard at first and it took some time, but it’s been such a joy doing life with my “family.”

Father God knew what He was doing when He created us and called us His children — everybody needs a family.

I strongly recommend you find a church home if you don’t have one already and join a local family of believers. With many people not living in the same area of their natural family (and perhaps may not want to) a church family is an awesome support system and a place for camaraderie. Get involved and do life with them. And having Jesus in the middle of it makes it even better.

(by Cyndi)

One of the privileges I have being a musician on a church worship team is knowing what songs will be sung in the services ahead of time. So this past Saturday night I could hardly sleep I was so excited about a new song we were gong to play the next day. The chorus of it replayed in my head over and over all through the night and when I woke up early Sunday morning (even with loosing an hour due to Daylight Savings Time), the song was still in my head! 

And I have to tell you — I’m still hearing it in my head several days later.

Have you ever heard the expression: “Garbage in, garbage out”? This means what we put in to ourselves affects that which comes out of us. I personally believe this principle involves all realms — spiritually, mentally, and physically. Negative input equals a negative output. 

If we’re listening to “garbage” like negative news or unhealthy entertainment, then our thoughts, speech, and actions will reflect that “garbage.” If, however, we fill ourselves with the Word of God, positive music, teachings and influences, then we will communicate faith and life-giving responses to the situations and people around us. 

Now I admit, there are times when I wake up hearing Dancing Queen in my head instead of a worship song. Nobody’s perfect. (I was a big ABBA fan and had many years of putting their songs into my mind.) But what we invest in is what we are established in. 

One of the physical things I try to invest in is getting enough sleep. And what goes into my mind right before bedtime affects my sleep. As a kid I remember watching this horrific movie called Soylent Green (1973) and I didn’t sleep well for weeks after that! (What’s worse is it supposedly took place in 2022!) This made a huge impression on me (I’ve never forgotten the ending) and is probably why I don’t like movies like that!

So my dear friend, whatever we’re putting in to us is contingent to what comes out. It’s pretty simple. Put garbage in, get garbage out. Put wholesome stuff in, get wholesome stuff out. In a nutshell: input equals output. 

Philippians 4:8 — Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.