YONDER BREAKS

I'm reading  Embodying Our Faith  by Tim Morey, per the recommendation of my pastor, and in the second chapter, he points out Paul's having to adjust his missionary practices to appeal to a foreign group of people (Athenians). And while doing so, Paul says something that really struck me about God. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.   And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.   From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.   God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.   ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’   As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are...

It's the big season here in the South Bay of Los Angeles, and with more surfers than miles of beach, it can get a little crowded out there. My last couple of sessions were riddled with drop-ins and ignored lineups, and so I thought I'd write a little refresher course on surf etiquette and handling those who don't comply. Not an unusual crowd at Manhattan Beach. Respect the lineup:  There is a finely crafted, unspoken system for properly sharing waves, particularly at a point break where there is only one or two spots where the wave even breaks. It is called  the lineup.  Essentially, when you paddle out to the break, sit in the back of the line. As sets roll through, the surfers at the top of the lineup will catch the waves, and then the line moves forward. After a few sets, you'll be at the top. Catch your wave and it all starts again. Paddling to the top of the lineup right away is disrespectful and can sometimes put you in bad standing with your fellow sur...

Today is my birthday, and I'm not handling it well. Not in the sense you may be thinking. It's not one of those milestone birthdays that makes you question your place in life and causes you to abandon your family for Costa Rica or spend your life savings on that 1965 Mustang GT500 you've always wanted. No, the reason I'm not handling it well is that I'm not good at asking for things or getting my way, which is what you do on your birthday! Maybe it's more common than I think; or maybe not. But as I examine why and how I got to a place where it's difficult for me to ask for favors and gifts, I think I've discovered that at least part of it is an improper handling of Christian piety. We're taught to put ourselves aside,  counting our lives as nothing . And so, over the years, in an effort to live a "proper" Christian life, I've often gone without opinion. But are we called to not have an opinion? Or are we called to selflessly ...

Do you  feel  forgiven? I have to admit that the answer to that question for me is often "no." And why is that? I  know  I'm forgiven, for everything. And this is because of Christ's sacrifice. As scripture says: ...Jesus Christ,   who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:13b-14 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 So, armed with that knowledge and experience, why is it that I still don't  feel  forgiven? I would argue that this is a tactic of the enemy of our souls to keep us from progressing in our faith. If we are having trouble accepting that we have forgiveness from all that blocks us from a relationship with God, then our default is to try and tear down those walls...ourselves. But this is no more than fighting the air, because the ...

Ever show up to a spot where the waves are only breaking backside...but you don't know how to surf backside?!  You paddle out anyway, only to fumble around trying to stand up, as thoughts of spending the day riding switch-foot run through your mind. Well, worry no more! Below are some standard backside riding tips for the next time you find yourself in this situation. Backside, in case you don't know, is when you surf with your back to the wave (left for regular stance, right for goofy).  It's a little unnatural because you are not facing the wave, which is why most folks learn to surf this way  after  getting comfortable surfing frontside. But if you can get the hang of it, a good backside wave can be a beautiful thing. Plus, it's always nice to be comfortable riding both directions in case the day calls for it.   1. Point your board at a 45-degree angle on takeoff   This is how I learned to take off going frontside, so why would it be any differ...