Not About Me?

11.09.09

With phrases like, "being true to yourself" creeping into the church we need to remember that Self is not the center of our salvation.

I recently saw someone posting on Facebook what Christmas meant to them. What I found interesting is that there was no mention of celebrating Jesus (this person is a believer). That seems a lot like you coming to my birthday party and asking me to leave (actually, it's exactly like that).

We often look at Christianity simply thru the grid of how it effects me and how I benefit and on and on the list goes of me, me, me. In fact, just bringing up the subject causes many to ask in shock, "It's not about me?"

Repeatedly Jesus models for us that true joy comes not by having the world revolve around self but by focusing on God and others. Our struggle is that we're not sure we believe God when He tells us that through self denial we can have joy in eternity that is unfathomable. Here's how CS Lewis put it: "...if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us (joy in eternity) , like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." (italics added)

The next three weeks we will be looking at, "What is Christianity about, if it is not solely about me?"



See what's new on the CSUS website!

Hear the Good News and share it!

Why a Membership?

11.02.09

Why does CSUS have a membership?

Ephesians 4:11 "It was HE who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be..." (NIV) Christ gives certain gifts to certain individuals - Why? Because He is forming a team. And on that team, are the ones with these gifts the "starters"? Nope! There is no division of starters and bench warmers. Everyone is a player. Look at why the gifts were given in verse 12 "to prepare God's people for works of service..." God doesn't give certain people gifts so they can do ministry better. He gifts people so they can equip everyone to do ministry. God's plan is for everyone to enjoy working in the ministry.

So, why does CSUS have a membership? Our desire is to see God shown as great to the surfing community and for you to gain joy as you are mobilized to participate in the mission. We formed a membership as an entry point to create an army of radical lovers. Lovers of God and lovers of surfers. So don't misunderstand me - I am not seeking to merely entertain or encourage you, but to challenge you to take action. I hope you will step out where it's not comfortable and where it requires you to trust God. Maybe that is daring to pray more earnestly for lost surfers. Maybe that is to stop being a spectator in your chapter and join in with the work. Maybe that is you personally sharing Jesus with a lost surfer (if you need help with this contact us ). Maybe it's you teaming up with some other Christians that surf and challenging them to become members or together to start a chapter. I don't know what this means for you but I do know that Jesus wants you active. So, what are you doing this week that will matter forever?

Make sure that at the end of your tunnel vision is the SON.

Check out what's happening on the CS webpage.

Gathered to Worship

10.19.09

25 years ago a small group of people obeyed God and Christian Surfers United States was born. This week we will be celebrating that God and His work in the past while praying towards the future. Please pray for our hearts to be changed as we sit before Him and pray for each of us to "have ears to hear" as He speaks to us.

These are exciting days in our world and in Christian Surfers. There is no time for trivial ministry. We must get serious about loving God and others and see His glory as lost souls are found and radical disciples are made. Follow us this week on Twitter (CS United States) or stop by the Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach, CA.

The Search

10.12.09


As a surfer, you know the experience of that unplanned, unexpected surf mission. The swell came out of nowhere, you got off work expectedly early and the wind is laying down. As you load the car to blast down to your favorite surf spot you go through your mental checklist. Board? Check! Wetsuit? Check! Towel (to dry off-- but more important, to change modestly)? Check! Leash? Whoa, wait...where did it go? It's not on your board, is it? Some wise-guy surfer told you a while back that wrapping your leash around the board's tail creates undue wear and tear, so you keep it detached and it's...somewhere. And that "somewhere" is lost.

The clock is now ticking, the sun is setting, and you are sweating because the garage is getting turned upside down...in your desperate search. And it reminds you of something Jesus said, or rather a story Jesus told. You can find it in Luke 15.

When some disgruntled religionists needed to know what God is really REALLY like, Jesus tells a story (three stories in one actually) about who He is.

A God who is on a search. He does outrageous things, like leaving ninety nine sheep for a stray. Or ripping a house apart to find a single coin. Or patiently waiting as a Dad who would long for a wayward child to finally come home. The search is desperate and all encompassing but there's a celebration in the end, for sure!

And He's asking you to join Him in the search for those he loves. On the sand, in the lineup and anywhere a surfer like you might tend to go....

So when we go on the search, we reflect His heart.



Guest Author: Lyle Castellaw

http://www.ourterranova.com/

CSUS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION HERE!

"I hate Christian Surfers"

09.28.09

I recently met a Pastor and he hates Christian Surfers. His reasoning was simple. in his experience, CS valued surfing ability and “coolness” over love for God and holiness. What he saw in CS was simply a club that justified UN-Christlike behavior for supposed Christ followers.

Often, Christians that surf find other surfers, surf mags, videos, pros, and the accepted norms of the surfing culture are the authority in our lives instead of the Bible, our local church, spiritual leaders and ultimately Jesus. We have forgotten that our allegiance is not to surfing but to Christ. We have missed the reality that Christianity is following Jesus, not a decision that will someday keep me out of Hell.

Following Jesus has very real day-to-day implications. It affects how we treat others in the lineup, how we talk to others, how we look in the lineup. Loving God and others, produces very real outcomes. What are the ways that following Jesus has made you different from the surfers around you? List a few. Unless, you aren’t following Jesus…

If you are unable to be different in the lineup, to control your temper, to first be a follower of Jesus and then a surfer – maybe you should take a break from surfing, even if it’s your career.

1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in HIM must walk as Jesus did.”

“Who do you surf for?”



CSUS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION HERE!

Doing Good, good enough?

09.21.09


Boy, has the surfing world changed. The selfishness of the past is now masked by an increasing movement of doing good. Every company seems to be investing in some organization that puts a smile on a face. Or the very company itself is a creator of joy. The traveling surfer that used to leave bad memories behind in the towns he visited now leaves the very shirt off his back. Is this a bad thing? Of course not. But is it enough?

This is similar to treating a cough in a cancer patient. We must address symptoms but we cannot ignore the deeper cause. In our world needs range from disease, poverty and abuse but there is a deeper cause that we must not forget.

This week in TIME magazine Alan Greenspan, former Federal Reserve Chairman, in speaking about the problems that caused the economic crisis and the fact that they are bound to recur, said this. “Unless somebody can find a way to change human nature, we will have more crises.” Did you catch that?

Good news!! There is a way! There is a solution to the deeper cancer that is causing all the gnarly symptoms in our world – The CROSS!

How rad that God didn’t just come into our world and make us happy for a day but made us whole for eternity.

A Surf Trip Parable

09.14.09


Recently a group of selfish surfers went on a surf trip to Africa. In order to alleviate guilt they added in a couple days of do-gooding and called it a mission trip. Once they were noodle armed they headed into a poverty stricken area. Their guide took them on a tour and explained the situation. “This is where video teams come to get the heart wrenching shots of starving, fly covered children,” he explained. The surfer's emotions were devastated by the sites they saw. But emotions are far from compassion.



As the heat of the day drug on they found themselves glued to their water bottles while the children played in the dust and drank dirty liquids that had no doubt lain for days in the trenches by their hut. Before long the surfers grew overwhelmed by the stories and sights that they saw and began to wonder what their task in this village might be. Would they build a building or paint a wall or maybe dig a well? About that time a truck selling fruit pulled up. The surfers quickly waved it on, as they were not hungry. They continued to walk the streets and before long another vehicle, this one with clean water approached. “No thank you,” they said, as their water bottles were still full. Toward the end of the day a virtual “chuck wagon” of pre-made goodies drove up, but since dinner was not long off they sent the truck on its way.



That night, back at the surf camp the surfers talked on and on about their day and were eager to interact with their trip coordinator. It had been a riveting experience but they did have one question – what was their task in the village? Just then the Missions Coordinator arrived and entered the room with an air of excitement. He burst forth, “How did it go feeding the children today?”



Back to reality. Christian Surfers was planning an outreach event and decided to show a brand new Christian surf video. We were excited and praying that God would draw the lost to be found through our lives at this event. Several men, members of the team, were disappointed and didn’t want to attend. When asked why they said, “We’ve already seen that video.”



Get the point? It’s not about us! Where does it apply today?



Who do you surf for?

Superheroes

09.07.09

I was trying to explain Hulk and other Superheroes to my four year old when I started thinking about real life superheroes.

In the late ‘60s there was a young hippy named “Slick”. He was all about peace and smoking and living in a commune. Slick used to party with a friend named Darwin that just happened to also be his boss. So, one day Slick gives his life to Jesus and starts showing up for work sober, with a Bible and talking about Jesus. All Darwin can think about is the fact that it seems he’s lost his party buddy. One day it really gets crazy when Slick, who in typical hippy fashion has hair down to his waist, shows up to work with all his hair cut off – because he said that his hair was getting in the way of making Jesus number one in his life. Darwin figures Slick has totally lost it.

Over time, through the faithful witness of Slick and several other Christians, Darwin gives his life to Jesus. Suddenly a metamorphosis begins where an alcoholic loser of a husband turns into a sober, God fearing, loving family man. That man was my Father. I grew up in a home filled with the love of Jesus instead of the dysfunctional, divorced situation that my family was destined for. All because a small time superhero introduced my Dad and Mom to the one true Super Hero.

Now, all superheroes have special powers. For those that follow, yield and obey Jesus I guess it’s the magical feet to carry us not only across the waves but also into relationships where we can present the Greatest News ever – salvation has come in Jesus.

Romans 10:15 “As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Thank you Jesus and Don Slick.

Open our Mouths

08.31.09

Four weeks ago we wrote down 3 to 5 names of friends that don’t yet know Jesus. You posted those names somewhere that you see them regularly and are now praying for them. An overwhelming number of you emailed those names to us and we are now praying with you and for your lost friends. BTW, if you didn’t write down those names or email them in – do it now. Just click here.

FYI, through this campaign we have been praying for one of our members – Richard “Smitty” Smith and for his friend Matt. Matt embraced Jesus on August 23!

We began praying the “Three Open Prayer”. We began with John 6:44 and asking God to Open our Friend's Hearts to a friendship with Jesus. Next we prayed that God would Open a Door for us to talk with our friend about Jesus. This week is number three in the Three Open Prayer.

When a person asks questions or shows an interest in spiritual truth it is evidence of God beginning to open their heart. Once a natural conversation has begun we have one last hurdle to overcome – ourselves.

In Ephesians 6:19 Paul says, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.” There are a couple things we need to notice about the Great Apostle Paul. 1. He doesn’t always have the answer – we know that b/c he asks prayer for God to fill his mouth with words. 2. He is afraid and nervous when he speaks of Jesus – we know that b/c he asks prayer that he would speak “fearlessly”. Are you ever nervous or afraid to speak of Jesus? Do you ever feel like you don’t have all the answers? So did Paul.

The next thing that we need God to open is our mouth.

So, pray the three open prayer – Open Hearts, Open a Door, and Open our Mouths. Then open your eyes and begin to look for God to show up and when HE does – talk about Jesus.

If you are unsure about sharing the Gospel, email us and we’ll send you a simple pamphlet that you can use with a friend. Also, consider coming to one of our training experiences with CSUS. Click here for details on the next one.

Open the Door to Natural Conversation

08.24.2009

Three weeks ago we wrote down 3 to 5 names of friends that don’t yet know Jesus. You are now praying for them regularly. Many of you emailed those names to us and we are now praying with you and for your lost friends. BTW, if you didn’t write down those names or email them in – do it now.

Just click here.

Last week we began praying the “Three Open Prayer”. We began with John 6:44 and asking God to Open our Friends Hearts to a friendship with Jesus.

In Colossians 4:3 Paul says, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message…”

Do you ever wonder how you will ever get into a spiritual conversation with your friends? “Yea, that was a great barrel – speaking of Jesus…” I mean, come on, it’s not the average topic for most people. So, we begin by asking God to open hearts and prepare people for truth. Next, we ask HIM to Open a Door to Natural Conversation about HIM. That’s right we are looking for a chance to talk about Jesus. Our goal is not to talk about how the world was created or Noah’s Ark, but, all those topics can be a doorway to talking about Jesus.

So, start praying for these two “Opens” and begin watching to see what happens. Of course we are always stoked to receive emails telling us how it’s going – click here.

See ya next week for the last “Open” of the “Three Open Prayer”.

3 Open Prayer

08.17.2009

Two weeks ago we wrote down 3 to 5 names of friends that don’t yet know Jesus. You are now praying for them regularly. Also, last week at Christian Surfers Prep School we prayed, name by name, for all the people that you emailed in. BTW, if you didn’t write down those names or email them in – do it now - Just click here.

God desires to see people saved from HIS wrath and adopted as HIS children. But, what should we pray? I want to teach you what Ron Hutchcraft calls the "Three Open Prayer"

In Romans 3:11 it tells us that people do not naturally think about God or seek Him out. In our sinfulness we are incapable of pursuing the very relationship we were created for. But, God loves us and HE begins working in people. In fact, in John 6:44 it says that no one comes to the Father unless the Father draws them. There is a process of God wooing a person, planting spiritual questions in their mind and turning their heart towards HIM.

So, the first thing that we are going to ask God to do is OPEN THEIR HEART. Along with that prayer we are going to be alert and watching for when our friends ask spiritual questions or enter into spiritual conversations. This is evidence of God at work.

This week, take a look at the list of names that you’ve written down and begin praying for God to OPEN THEIR HEARTS, recognizing that nothing we do can penetrate their heart if God has not prepared them by opening it.

Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Can the God who made this open your friend's heart?

God's Quiver

08.10.09

If you are a surfer that is blessed to have a few different surfboards, then you will certainly understand the joy of describing your quiver. You may even enjoy examining the quiver of another fellow surfer. There is a certain inner exhilaration and excitement as one describes the performance and usefulness of each individual board. Each board is purchased, designed and ridden with specific uses in various conditions and size of waves.

The funny thing is, that this is not an unimportant matter. Surfers take their quiver seriously. Any board can make or break you. The proper choice of a board may give you intense enjoyment. On the other hand, a poor choice in boards can bum you out or even put your life in danger in larger surf. Our wife, girlfriend or non-surfing friend may think we are out of our mind. They may even think we are foolish, greedy or obsessed.

As I was evaluating my love for my quiver, I reflected on how much God loves me. As I stared at my quiver with a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment, I couldn’t help myself from thinking how God looks at us as His specifically designed hand crafted vessels. And how He purchased us by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. This was a very costly purchase!

He designed each and every one of us to perform in various conditions and situations. He has given us our own unique spiritual gift and has shown us through the Word of God how to use that for His Glory.

I then had the convicting thought of “How is God evaluating me as part of His quiver of true believers? How useful am I to Him? Am I pearling up to my neck? Do I constantly dig rails? Am I a board that is always bogging down? Am I that board that just sits on the shelf with a couple of broken fins, not willing to get repaired? Or is God smiling and admiring me as part of His favorite quiver?” Is He thinking, “That’s My magic board!”? That thing works in any conditions and situations no matter what the size of the waves (of life) are throwing at me. Am I the type of board that God wants to always pull off the shelf because I’m prepared and useful? Am I teachable, holy, kind, loving, a servant, faithful, pure, daily turning away from sin, immersing myself always in the Word, and ready to share the hope and good news of Christ?

Timothy said it well, “Therefore, if a man cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”

2 Tim. 2:21

~ Guest Author: Thomas A. Curran ~

Top Priority

8.03.09

What do you wake up thinking about? What do you go to sleep thinking about? What is a major priority in your life?

Jesus often referred to what Paul reiterates in Romans 10:1 – that he is deeply concerned over people, “that they may be saved.”

Does it bother you that most of the people in your lineup are separated from a friendship with God? Are you aware that those without Jesus are enemies of God and His wrath over all the gnarly stuff in our world is being stored up against them? Even your friends, if they are spiritually lost, will suffer forever separated from God.

That bothered Jesus and it bothered Paul and it’s bothered Christians throughout the ages. The more you follow Jesus the more it will bother you. Over the next three weeks we will look at what we should do about this. But, for starters – this week, I want to ask you to pray and ask God who the 3 to 5 individuals are in your life that don’t know HIM that HE wants you to begin praying for. These are people that have not been born again. When you have those names, write them down on a piece of paper and post it somewhere that you can look at it everyday, so you’ll remember to pray for them.

Drop us an email with the name (first name only) of your friends and where you posted the paper. We’ll begin praying with you for your friends. Click here to email.

Pray For Surf-ers

Holding promise...

07.27.09

Like some of you, I was glued to the US Open of Surfing webcast this weekend (largely because I was sick, argghhh, horrible timing!). It didn't disappoint, showcasing a pumping south swell, $100,000/biggest prize purse in competitive surfing history as well as an appearance by Mr. Slater himself. Local boy Brett Simpson won, disposing of all comers with precision, timing, an intimate knowledge of ever changing local conditions and a fitness and elastic flexibility that rivaled his finals sparring partner, Mick Fanning.

Mick won the world title in 2007, validating an approach that was largely foreign to competitive surfing up to that point. After a near career ending injury in Indonesia, Mick came back and won the title through intense strength, flexibility, diet regimentation and cardio training. He traveled with a surf coach, trainer and surrounded himself with a small group that kept him focused on one thing, winning.

As a result, he singlehandedly changed the ASP competitive landscape with many others adopting a regimented approach (current ratings leader Joel Parkinson among others!) including...Brett Simpson. Brett adopted a similar approach utilizing Ian Cairns as coach, using Mick's own training strategy to beat him yesterday at the US Open of Surfing.

I Timothy 4:8 says this: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

What you didn't see yesterday and what wasn't hyped was a large group of Christian Surfers, local church, industry people and Walking on Water volunteers manning a booth, shaping surfboards, donating money, sharing the gospel, loving the masses, handing out 30,000 evangelistic DVD's and many Surfer's Bibles. Like Brett's training, many hours were put in behind the scenes to prepare for this. Knees were worn, cheeks were turned, the unlikely became reality and results won't be broadcast live over the internet, have a dollar figure immediately placed on them or celebrated by hundreds of thousands here on earth. However, the audience of One in heaven applauds, the angels in heaven rejoice and surfers and non-surfers alike woke up this morning for the first time "holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Guest Author: CSUS National Manager Daniel Felton

Who do you surf for?

07.20.09

I hope that question causes you to wonder, maybe even wrestle with the answer. When we ask that question many Christians quickly say, “I surf for Jesus.” What does that mean?



Have you ever seen a football team with armbands honoring a fallen team mate? They play to honor an individual. Ever notice that military soldiers wear their nation's flag on their uniform? They do this to signify who is in authority over them. What’s the big deal with gang colors? They show their colors to “represent” and show association to their gang. Why does a teen write someone’s name all over something? This is a common expression of devotion and love.



When we say we seek to surf for Jesus, we mean all these things. We are so stoked on Jesus that we want to “declare our love” for HIM. Because we love him, we submit ourselves to HIM as the boss in our life. Because we like our boss, we seek to honor HIM with our whole existence. And, of course, we count it an honor to be HIS representatives.



Saying we seek to surf for Jesus is so much more than how we ride a wave. It is a way of love both in and out of the water.



Saying I surf for Jesus is a big deal. Maybe we should be quicker to think about the question and slower to answer.

The pretension of human life

07.13.09

The Devil wants to trick us! We’re not stupid, how do we keep getting fooled?

He plays to our old nature. As we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks he appeals to the cravings that already exist in us - hedonism. Then he capitalizes on all the cool stuff we see – materialism. According to 1 John 2:16 there’s a third area that he uses against us – pride.

1 John 2:16 NIV “For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the father but from the world.”

Pride is birthed from self focus and quickly creates competition over who is in charge. The verse in the original Greek literally means, “the pretension of human life.” It is the guy making sure that everyone knows that trophy belongs to him. “Look at me and all I’ve accomplished.” It is only a partially accurate view of who I am. It doesn’t acknowledge all the other people that helped me succeed or the role that God played in my success. It also sadly, places much weight on things that don’t matter – look at verse 17.

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” When we well up with pride over our accomplishments and acquisitions it’s like a kook bragging about a white-water ride.

Surfing is a beautiful thing. Don’t let Satan destroy it and you by your cravings, the lust of your eyes or the pride of life. Instead, see surfing and all you do in the context of eternity and do all unto the glory of God.

SPECIAL PRAYER - Please pray as CSUS will be serving the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation this week at Pipeline for a Cure. Also pray for God's grace to touch surfers that are battling Cystic Fibrosis. More details

twinkling, pretty STUFF

07.06.09

How sick are those new boardshorts? Check out these sun glasses! Whoa, look at this new surfboard! How ‘bout those slippers?

The devil lies to us and says that if we only had the things we see, then we’d be happy.

1 John 2:16 NIV
“For everything in the world – the cravings of the sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.”

We said a couple weeks ago that the Bible teaches the Devil is trying to trick surfers. Last week we saw that through our natural cravings he tries to “derail” us from the plan God has for our lives. This week we see another one of his tricks: the lust of the eyes.

In the surfing world there are so many things to look at. Materialism abounds. We are continually fed the lie that stuff will bring happiness. Companies cry out, “Don’t conform, be an individual – buy our stuff and be different (just like everyone else).” Does a $5 pair of pants cover my behind any less adequately than an $80 pair? If I buy name brand surf stuff at a knock off store for pennies on the dollar is it less cool?

Recently a conversation took place where a member of CSUS tried to explain to a friend why he only had one watch and one pair of sunglasses. “How many can you wear at one time?” he asked. There are things that we can invest our lives in that will bring God glory, we gain joy and others are blessed for eternity – ten more pairs of board shorts probably aren’t those things.

Your eyes will never stop seeing things they want. Control them and don’t buy the lie. A trusting, obedient, love filled friendship with Jesus is what our souls are really longing for. Don’t let the devil distract you with all the twinkling, pretty STUFF.

Who do you surf for?

The World

06.29.09

Last week we looked at how the Devil wants to trick you into wasting your life. As part of his plan to do that he has created a way of thinking and viewing the world around us, a perspective on life. The Bible refers to this system as “the World”.

1 John 2:15-16 NASB
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

In attacking surfers, the Devil capitalizes on three of our weaknesses by using this “World system”. The first is the “lust of the flesh”. Hedonism, the natural cravings of man, in other words – if it feels good do it. As a surfer this sounds strangely familiar. The Devil wants you to spend your life chasing waves and believing that ultimately surfing will fulfill you. I have one question that challenges that idea – have you ever had a wave so good that you were so deeply satisfied that you didn’t need to ever surf again?

Doing what we enjoy, whether surfing, sex, drugs or helping old ladies across the street will not ultimately fulfill. We were not first and foremost made for that. We were created to know God, to live in friendship with Him and only through Jesus is that possible. What are you investing your life into? Having fun or loving God?

Who do you surf for?

Life's Currency Trade

06.22.09

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

The Devil is a liar, a deceiver. He comes at surfers trying to trick them.

Life is like a man with a pocket full of money. He goes about spending it however he desires. Sadly, it isn’t until his pocket is almost empty that he begins to consider whether his purchases were wise.

Every day surfers trade the currency of their lives. How many times have we traded it for waves over family, work or responsibilities. Sadly, many an old surfer has come to the realization that they’ve been tricked and invested their life in something that wasn’t that important. One famous old icon was overheard saying, as he watched a husband play with his children, “I have wasted my life.”

Over the next few weeks we’ll look at three ways that Satan desires to deceive surfers. Be on guard and spend your life in a way that you won’t regret.

MAKE Disciples

06.15.09

In Matthew 28, Jesus is wrapping up one stage of HIS ministry and transitioning to another. HE looks at HIS disciples and basically says, I’ve got unfathomable power and I’m going to be with you and work through you so wherever you go from here on out – MAKE DISCIPLES. When HE ascended to Heaven they stood staring and I get the impression that they were thinking, “make disciples, what? HE makes disciples. We are disciples. This is about us – me and Jesus – HE guides me and teaches me and helps me and heals me. I’m confused.”

As surfers we understand selfishness. It’s about me getting my wave. But sadly, as Christians I’m not sure that our perspective is all that different. I mean church is about messages that connect with me, music I like, services that minister to and encourage me. Right? Christian Surfers is no different. It’s a “cool” movement that I can plug into and really fit.

What if Christianity isn’t primarily about me and God serving me and ministering to me? What if it is primarily about God and the mystery of HIM living HIS life and ministry through me in order to bring the Father glory?

In the United States alone there are over 3 million surfers, a majority of which are separated from God by their sin. How will they ever hear the Good News if someone doesn’t tell them? Who will tell them? It would take an army…YOU ARE THAT ARMY.

Today I am calling each of us to take action. CS doesn’t primarily exist to minister to you but to help you get active so Jesus can minister through you. One rallying event is the CSUS National Conference in Oct. Register today and begin focusing on others by making a list of whom you will invite to go to the conference with you. At the conference you will be equipped to carry out the mission.

Enjoy Jesus and your personal walk with HIM but remember, the ride really gets good when we yield ourselves and let HIM work in others through us.

We must mobilize to action! God’s glory and surfer’s souls are on the line.

You may have noticed the devo's new look, CLICK HERE to view our website's makeover!

Getting out of the water...and into Church!

06.08.09

“I’m not into church or even other Christians. God and I have something worked out and we’re OK.”

Is that acceptable?

Is God simply saving individuals or building a family? Christianity, as they say, is a team sport. If I’ve truly embraced Jesus than I will choose to love my fellow Christians and may even find joy in their friendships.

1John 4:20 “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” - NIV

Are local churches perfect? Nope. Do local churches have problems? Yep. Have I ever been burned in the local church? Yep. Is the church about me and my needs? Nope. Is church about placing value on God? Yep. And one of the ways we do that is by loving all the dysfunctional people in churches who, because of Jesus, happen to be our eternal brothers and sisters. And, in return, they put up with and love us (not an easy task).

This weekend why not show how much you value God by getting out of the water and going to church and listening to the teaching of HIS Word.

Who do you surf for?

Persecuted Church

06.01.09

We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world --- disobedience to God is the worst.

A Vietnamese Christian imprisoned for his faith

Find out more about the suffering Christians around the world at The Voice of the Martyrs.

www.persecution.com

Who do you surf for – today?

Soul Thirst

05.25.09

The saddest thing is not that our hearts grow restless or that we find our souls thirsting. No, the great tragedy is that we embrace a settlement and become content with this sub-par existence.

I recently observed a man in a public place picking thru ashtrays to gather butts that had not been fully smoked. It struck me as a picture of how I allow my soul to be satisfied with the refuse of this broken world.

We delight in material wealth as if it matters and will last. We lie and convince ourselves that the silly act of riding waves is transcendent. All the while, we ignore the wooing of a transcendent Christ who is truly able to satisfy our deepest hungers. Make Jesus your treasure and shun the “fools gold” of this world. A billion years from now you will not regret the decision.

John 4:14

Email us at info@christiansurfers.com and tell us how you are letting Jesus satisfy your soul thirst (click here)

The Plan

05.18.09

"God's will is what you would want if you knew what God knew." - Anonymous

We spend way too much time trying to scheme and manipulate situations that God has already given us clear direction on. We often do this because we desire what is best for us and are unsure whether God is as committed to that same outcome as we are. The basic problem is that, as broken creatures, we don’t know what’s best for us. But God does and He desires what will bring Him glory and will be the best for you. History bares this out. Just look at the cross. It may not make sense to the “world” but it does make sense in God’s economy. So trust and don’t second guess Him. Just obey.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”

Testing with Scripture

05.11.09

How will the Devil work in your life?

In Job he worked through nature. Galatians 1 warns that he will use angelic beings. In Matthew 16:23 he spoke through a follower of Jesus. In Luke 4 he quoted Scripture. Satan is a deceiver, a player with an agenda and you are a target. In James we are warned that if something looks good but God says it isn’t good – beware! Satan will come with proposals that make sense and seem good. But his goal is your pain.

How do we guard against this? The Bible teaches us that we should “test” teaching, advice, counsel, prophecies, spirits etc. against SCRIPTURE. It doesn’t matter who it is or how great they are. Even Paul commended one group for running his teaching past the Bible. But that assumes you know, study, are in the Word regularly and most importantly that the Word is in you. Dig into the Bible as if it holds the answer to your very life – it does.

Just because someone says, “God told me” doesn’t mean we should listen. Counterfeit prophets have always existed. And often they were nice guys.

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Seeking Him

05.04.09

As surfers we love to seek out waves. I know at times I’ve spent hours seeking out the best waves. Sometimes I will be so intent at finding a better wave just around the next corner that I will spend an hour or two driving around before I even surf. We have all done it. Driving from spot to spot, beach to beach. All in hope of finding that little bit better spot. Surfers are so diligent in seeking out waves that this desire has taken them all around the world. Sometimes we are rewarded with great waves with no one out. Other times we end up surfing at the first spot we checked. Other times returning home disappointed not having surfed at all.

But not so with Jesus. Jesus promises that if we really seek him we will find. Recently I had a very important decision to make in my life. Which way should I go? I wasn’t sure. How much time was I spending praying and seeking God’s will about this? Definitely not the same hours I have spent seeking out good waves. Jesus challenges us to really seek him, to really spend time pouring out our hearts to him. (Psalm 62:8) It says in Matt 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened .” The Lord loves us and wants us to come to him to seek him to learn what’s on his heart and hear what’s on our heart. The challenge for me was how much time do I spend really seeking God? In the end after seeking him, I didn’t come home disappointed but found the answer to the direction that I needed to go.

Further reading on seeking and pouring out our hearts to God check out the following. 1Sam 1:12-20, Lam 2:19, Jer 29:11-14, Matt 7:7-12.

Guest Author: David Levey, CS Japan National Director

http://www.christian-surfers-japan.com/english/index.html

2:45 in the morning

04.27.09

I closed the door ever so carefully. The last thing I needed was my wife’s wrath for waking our children at 2:45am! The plan was to meet at the freeway at 3. Paul drove the whole way and just as the sun slipped up over the Florida peninsula we paddled into the Gulf of Mexico. Later that night we stumbled into small group for church; sunburnt, exhausted, surfed out and smiling. What a great day!

8 hours in the truck with four guys, sleep deprived, needing food, wore out and we’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Matthew 13:44 (NIV)
“The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his JOY went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

Sometimes we focus on the sacrifices that come with following Christ. We get bummed about the hurts and struggles that come with the territory. Yes, following Jesus is not the easy road but the point is – WE GET TO FOLLOW JESUS!

The guy sold everything with JOY because he got the treasure. I awake in the middle of the night STOKED because I get to surf.

WE GET TO BE WITH JESUS!

…sacrifices, what sacrifices?

Is good enough, Enough?

04.20.09

Recently, a man in our area ran a 9 mile race in 43 minutes. As we all know, top athletes, Olympians and some surfers train with intense focus. In life there are things that hold us back, things that push us ahead and the gray, middle of the road things that don’t hurt or help us. Many great people got where they are by not only avoiding the things that hold them back (that’s a no-brainer), but by committing to only the things that catapult them ahead. This is the idea of, “Good being the enemy of Great”.

In our Christian lives are we content to just avoid the things that pull us away from the Lord or are we compelled to ONLY allow into our lives the things that catapult us toward Jesus? Are we radically committed to pursue glorifying God thru intimacy with HIM at any cost?

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off EVERYTHING that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2) Let us fix our eyes on JESUS…

Who do you surf for?

Fellowship of the Believers

04.13.09

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

Rich's paraphrase

The Christian Surfers deeply committed themselves to the Bible's teachings and to loving and supporting one another. They also deeply committed themselves to worshiping God and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many amazing things occurred among these Christian Surfers. All the Christian Surfers were together and had everything in common. They sold off all the excess things they had and even made sacrifices to give to anyone in need. They also got together and gave their time to serve at local board riding events. Every Sunday they committed to going to church and they regularly met together in each other's homes to eat together and worship God with rejoicing and thankfulness, praising God and enjoying the good reputation they had amongst their local board riding community. And God used them powerfully every day to be a part of surfers getting saved and entering into a relationship with Him!!!

Every day surfers getting saved and entering into a relationship with Him!!!

Is this just something that happened in the early church a long time ago or can it really happen today?

Who do you surf for?

Richard Leonard, National Director of CS South Africa

http://www.sonsurf.co.za/

Making Christians out of Surfers

04.06.09

We were headed south towards Sebastian Inlet unsure what the winds would do. We stopped at the first place that looked good. When it got blown out we made the call to head home because we knew it was at least as good as everywhere else. We never made it to Sebastian. We stopped 20 minutes shy of being there. That night we read the quotes about how the Inlet was the best it had been in ten years, maybe ever! The photos confirmed it.

We must not let the good things distract us from the mission.

In Christian Surfers there are a few realities that drive us.

1. GOD is so great that HE deserves to be worshipped everywhere.
2. Man was made to worship
3. The vast majority of surfers worship something other than God and will spend eternity separated from HIM.

In Mark 1:35-39 Jesus teaches this idea. There is a crowd of people, wanting to be healed, wanting to hear HIS teaching, just wanting to be near HIM. But, HE walks away. Not that it wasn’t a good thing, but it wasn’t the mission.

In Christian Surfers we often get distracted and seek to make Surfers out of Christians rather than making Christians out of Surfers. One is good and if it occurs that’s great, but one is essential and if it doesn’t occur people’s eternal destinies are lost and God’s glory is missed.

Who do you surf for?

Coffee Without Lipstick

03.30.09

I was sitting at a table on the sidewalk outside McDonald’s in Honolulu. The homeless man walked up and began taking cups of coffee out of the trash can next to me and pouring the remnants into one cup until he had a full cup of coffee. On the bench next to the trashcan sat a middle aged business man with a tube of masquera and a mirror touching up the gray on the corners of his hair. Our world has gone mad.

Of course, I ask the man to allow me to buy him a fresh, hot cup of coffee. His eyes were filled with fear as he rejected my offer and asked me to leave him alone.

Standing on the North Shore yesterday I spoke with a man that refuses to give the Lord the opportunity to give him an abundant life. Instead he very carefully fills his cup of sin (avoiding the “big” ones) and then slurps it down. Afraid that God might hold out on him and convinced that what he has is good or good enough.

Oh, how we have settled for this world and pushed away the offers of God. We have bought the lies of the surfing world that say by focusing on my needs I will find joy, while God says DYING to self leads to joy. In Eternity we will see who is correct. I just pray that at that moment, we don’t look back with the sad realization that we have followed a lie and wasted our lives on surfing and fun and self. Let Jesus get you a fresh cup with no lipstick on the rim. Live for Jesus today.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” -1 John 2:15

Who do you surf for?

Prayer

03.23.09

"We learn prayer's deepest depths in prayer, not from books. We reach prayer's highest heights in prayer, not from sermons. The only place to learn prayer, is in prayer, bent and broken on our knees." - Dick Eastman

Rather than write about prayer, I simply challenge you to spent 5 minutes extra in prayer today.

Pray for Surf-ers.

Sin Blind

03.16.09

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12

For years the man argued with people about what color objects were. “It’s brown, I tell you” he would say. “I’m not blind, you know!” “No, it’s red” folks would reply. Great frustration filled his life b/c of the continual battle over colors. One day, in a visit to the doctor, he discovered he was colorblind. This truth reconciled the struggle in his life and replaced his tension with peace.

When God says this will bring you joy or that won’t bring you joy, do you argue with HIM? When God says your ultimate purpose is to glorify HIM by knowing HIM, not to surf, do you disagree? The solution is found in the diagnoses of our situation. We are sin blind – we don’t really know what it’s all about. And so, I can be comfortable when what God says doesn’t match what I feel or think or what seems so obvious to everyone. I can be quite confident that God is right and everyone is wrong. Now, the wise man takes action guided by what God says. So, where do you need to adjust your sight today?

Who do you surf for?

Newness of Life

03.09.09

"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." Romans 6:11-12

Last weekend our pastor, David, told a story of his recent trip to Africa. He and a few of the guys on his team had a few hours to spare so they decided to paddle out in Cape Town, South Africa, which is known for its shark-infested waters.

He explained that after they were done surfing, it turned out that one of his buddies, fairly new to surfing, had seen a Great White in the water, but had actually paddled back out, apparently not realizing the danger. David then told this story while teaching and had one of the locals, a guy named Greg from Port Elizabeth near J-Bay, tell him about a time when he himself was surfing with some friends at a local reserve area, a beach teeming with wildlife.

Greg explained how that day, he actually witnessed a friend get attacked by a Great White shark. After his friend, amazingly, beat the shark until it left him, Greg and his two other friends, had to drag his now-unconscious friend to the shore. Thankfully, Greg's friend survived, with his arm intact.

After hearing his story, David asked Greg, "So, do you ever surf there anymore?" Greg replied emphatically, "Absolutely not!"

And so it is with our own walks with the Lord. Once we've experienced the grace and forgiveness that comes with our Salvation in Jesus, we become a new creation, and our new identity is in Him, not in our past sins.

If we have died to sin, why would we want to go back to that sinful life? Why would we get back in the shark-infested waters once we know about the danger? We should stay away from that sinful place, not living on the edge, but rather, let's turn 180 degrees in repentance and embrace our newness of life.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Guest Author: Nicole Bennett, www.thefieldschurch.org

Founder of www.sandiegomommyspot.com and surfmamas.ning.com

The Place to Start

03.02.09

“Knowing what we should do often begins with knowing what we should not do.”
Eric Arakawa

In Exodus 2 we find that a decree has been issued that every boy born to the Israelites is to be killed. Moses’ mother seems to be unsure what to do with her new born son but she is confident that letting him be killed is not an option.

In your life today, are you facing decisions about what you should do? Why not back up and make sure that you’re squared away on the things you know you shouldn’t be doing. That may be the place to start.

Who do you surf for?

The Ultimate Outrage

02.23.09

“What makes sin sin is not first that it hurts people, but that it blasphemes God. This is the ultimate evil and the ultimate outrage in the universe.

The glory of God is not honored.
The holiness of God is not reverenced.
The greatness of God is not admired.
The power of God is not praised.
The truth of God is not sought.
The wisdom of God is not esteemed.
The beauty of God is not treasured.
The goodness of God is not savored.
The faithfulness of God is not trusted.
The promises of God are not relied upon.
The commandments of God are not obeyed.
The justice of God is not respected.
The wrath of God is not feared.
The grace of God is not cherished.
The presence of God is not prized.
The person of God is not loved.

The infinite, all-glorious Creator of the universe, by whom and for whom all things exist (Romans 11:36) – who holds every person’s life in being at every moment (Acts 17:25) – is disregarded, disbelieved, disobeyed, and dishonored by everybody in the world. That is the ultimate outrage of the universe.

Why is it that people can become emotionally and morally indignant over poverty and exploitation and prejudice and the injustice of man against man and yet feel little or no remorse or indignation that God is so belittled? It’s because of sin. That is what sin is. Sin is esteeming and valuing and honoring and enjoying man and his creations above God. So even our man-centered anger at the hurt of sin is part of sin. God is marginal in human life. That is our sin, our condition.”

-John Piper – Message: “The Greatest Thing on the World” – www.desiringgod.org