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.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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?
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)