Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Soul Surfing


Here on the Sunshine Coast one thing we have a lot of (as you could probably guess) is pretty beaches, and great waves.  So naturally I've taken up surfing while living here.  Many of my early mornings are spent out in the water, sitting on a board, waiting for the perfect wave to come through and to hopefully get the ride of my life, if I don't stuff it up (which usually happens).  Well today on the walk back to the car, as my friend Dave and I were talking about how good a morning it was, he said "surfing is good for the soul".  I first replied with a "yeah it's a good way to start the day Dave", not really thinking much about it.  As the day went on I thought about it and I think, knowing it or not, Dave is on to something.  Surfing is good for the soul.  What a great way to start a day, going out and sitting among one of the most miraculous things God ever did... the ocean.  Often as I'm sitting waiting on the next wave to come through I'm amazed at the glory of our Father, and the fact that a God who created 'all things" and holds everything together, calls me His own.  So may we be amazed at the beauty of God as we inhabit His creation daily, recognizing His greatness and yet His love for us.

Enjoy a creative video for a song called "Scenes" by Charlie Hall.... for the lyrics go here

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

things i really enjoy

As a response to my last post, I thought I would share some of the things I love about Australia... just so you don't think this is a mean, ugly place.  I actually love it here. Here are some of my favorite things:

- the beach
- surfing
- sweet chili sauce
- Church at the Riverwalk
- all of my beautiful friends (you know who you are)
- breakfast at The Attic Cafe
- kangaroos
- Hahti Indian restaurant
- Triple J radio
- monday night steak night at the Beach house
- mostly good weather
- my 1989 Holden Nova
- futsal
- rugby
- tea with milk and sugar
- tim tams


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Australia, Home, and God.



I've now been in Australia for 5 months.  Some days it feels like a lifetime and other days if feels like I just arrived.  I'm not gonna lie, I miss home, family, and my friends, a lot.  However, I know that God has called me here for a specific purpose, and I must stay focused, and be diligent in surrendering daily to the call that God has placed in my heart. To say that I have learned a couple things since I've been here would be a drastic understatement.  He is re-shaping me altogether, stretching me, pushing me to my limits, challenging me, teaching me about how He has divinely created me and gifted me to do His work.  At times I feel like what's the purpose if I know I'm just going home in September, but I trust that God has me here to shape me for things to come in my life and ministry.  I trust in His sovereignty, or at least I'm trying.  So when life here gets tough and I just wanna run home, I pray (and I ask that you do the same) that I will persevere and praise God for where He has me, and serve Him here and now with a heart of gladness.  After all I am living on the Sunshine Coast, possibly one of the most beautiful places in the world, who am I to be disgruntle about where life has taken me.

Well enough serious talk for one day lets talk about a few things I wish I had from home (just in case you want to help make these things appear at my door step)
  • Taco Bell
  • hot n spicy from mcdonalds (the dollar menu in general really)
  • sweet tea
  • mexican food (especially nachos fajitas from Mi Pueblo)
  • Josh and Jacob Moseley
  • BBQ
  • Michael Gallup and all his beauty
  • homemade biscuits 
  • deer hunting
  • chili
  • Allison Demott and her domestic goodness
  • my Gary Fisher and riding with Jacob
  • cold weather
  • my momma