Truth?

Are you hungry? Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Are you thirsty? Jesus is the Living Water.

Jesus will meet you where you are. If you seek Truth, look no further than Him, He will set you free. If you are lonely, He will never leave you or forsake you. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. If you are single -marriage will not solve your problems. If you are rich -your money can't buy your way. If you want life, you must find Christ. Life flows from Him. He invented it. He knit you together in your mothers womb, You are the made in His image by Him for Him. You have purpose: To bring Him glory and honor and praise. He wants you to know the fullness of grace and to be changed by the power of the cross. You were once alienated from Him because of sin but there is hope. He has made peace through His blood that was shed for you and me on the cross. He has made this relationship right and presents us holy in the sight of God because of His death, burial and resurrection. This is the Gospel. That God would leave heaven on a mission to make things right, to make a way, to humble himself and serve, to cover our sin and to model obedience even to enduring the cross. The act of a Holy God giving Himself up for us changes everything. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. We live by faith in the power of the Gospel and we know the Truth. Life becomes new as we now live by faith. Once you have tasted that Living Water, once you have the Bread of Life, You know life in Christ.

This is the Truth I was looking for my whole life. When I was alone, alienated from God in my mind, insecure and compensating... desiring to serve myself and find life at the altar of happiness. God doesn't want you to be happy, He wants you to be holy. He wants you to be overflowing with love, compassion, peace and joy. He wants you to know Truth and be like Him. He wants you to walk with Him and experience life by Him for Him.

The Gospel is my desire and my burden for you. I pray that you find Truth in Christ Jesus, the Truth that endures to all generations. He is God's plan to reconcile us to Him, "to make things right." This is grace. Sinners made Holy by the blood of Jesus. It's not good works + Jesus. It's not sacrifice + Jesus. It's only Jesus. Grace is that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The Truth that makes my life worth living is that Jesus is the Truth that has set me free.

He loves those who love Him and those who seek Him find Him.

Can you see Him?

http://www.lifechurch.tv/message-archive/watch/can-you-see-him/1

Bad Boy Bill

Spending the day at home reading my Bible, listening to sermons and just monitoring the activity in the ocean on the East Coast. It's a special day for surfers and I'm just tracking the waves from the sidelines.

Here's a look at the first lines starting to roll through on Friday afternoon:

Here's a shot of the Biggest Dawn Patrol event of 2009 to date:

I may keep updating this as the saga continues...

Surf For Life

A Vision for Surf Ministry

By Robert Scott

What spiritual gifts do I possess that I use for God’s will in my life?

I have the gift of exhortation and the gift of teaching. The most passionate part of my life and ministry is teaching from the Bible, the Truth of Jesus Christ. I have a heart that breaks for teens as well as surf cultures that need Christ.

What is God’s calling on my life?

To know Him and to make Him known. Specifically, to teach Truth from His Word and share what Christ has done in my life to a generation of teens who need Him. From the moment I became a new creation and started walking with the Lord, Jesus started using me to take kids surfing. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share that passion for Him and the love of surfing with teens. Since being in Germany the Lord has shown me that He has called me to continue in that expression of love for kids who are interested in surfing. I hope and pray that through my life teens will know that God loves them. I pray that as I share truth that they will develop a hunger and thirst for God and that eventually they will become a part of God’s family. I believe that everyone can come to the cross, and God has called me to lead them there.

What is the mission behind surf ministry?

That every surfer can trust in the Lord and follow after Him!

Why does surf ministry exist?

Surf ministry exists so that the love of Christ and the Truth of His Word can be shared with a global surf culture.

What does surf ministry look like?

Surf ministry is Christ-centered relational ministry aimed at reaching out to people who share a passion for surfing, the ocean and spiritually empty surf cultures around the world. Surf ministry would be a mixture of discipleship for believers who want to go deeper with Christ and outreach to those who have never heard of Christ. This is an opportunity for teens to hear His Good News through the common ground of surfing.

How is surf ministry accomplished?

· By teaching students how to surf and how to live.

· Through bible studies with surfers on and off the beach.

· Through service projects (beach clean ups, mission trips, etc.).

· Through prayer gatherings at local surf spots to pray for the local surf culture.

· Through movie nights featuring Walking on Water Films.

· Through BIG events such as a Surf Camp.

· By educating young surfers on what God is doing in this world through surf ministry.

· By encouraging students to follow Christ and reach out to cultures all around the world that need truth.

Why movie nights and what movies?

Walking on Water Films share the love of Christ with those who love surfing. These movies are visually stunning and extremely impactful spiritually. I’d encourage anyone who has never seen a Walking on Water film to see one.

What are people saying about these movies?

· "Christians are uniting within the surf culture, and, with a stronger voice, are spreading the gospel.” - Christian Examiner on Walking On Water

· "Filmmakers guide surfers to faith." - Los Angeles Times on Walking On Water

Movie Nights would include titles such as:

· Noah’s Arc – The story and testimony of Noah Snyder. A pro surfer who, at the top of his career met Christ and his life has never been the same. His testimony is so powerful and many people have been introduced to Jesus through this film.

· Heart of a Soul Surfer - This is the story of a young girl named Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack when she was 13 years old. The story chronicles the way that the Lord has turned this tragedy into an opportunity and how God can use all things for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

· Walking On Water (The Movie) – This is the story of two young surfers that were given the opportunity to travel the world in search of the best waves and in search of what lies beyond their local break. They experienced different cultures and how Christ is pursuing the people that live around the world.

· Just Stop and Think – This is an amazing proclamation of the Gospel. In this film Francis Chan shares, from his heart, the amazing truth that Jesus Christ died for us so that we could have a relationship with Him. This film is not a WOW movie but it is well suited to share with surf culture and with teens.

What is God doing in this world through surf ministry organizations?

Some of the many organizations reaching out to surf culture include:

Christian Surfers (www.christiansurfers.com) – CS is probably the largest organization in the world with an intentional focus on surf ministry. Christian Surfers are stirring surfers to respond to God's call to move from Apathy to Awareness to Action. They are God Led & Surfer Focused.

Surfing the Nations (www.surfingthenations.com) - Surfing The Nations impacts local and international communities through the sport of surfing and selfless service by meeting needs and changing lives. With a focus on the 10/40 Window STNs is taking Christ to unreached people groups on the shores of continents all around the world.

YWAM Waves (http://www.ywamwaves.com/ministries.ministries_SFMI.ews) - SFMI is a ministry of YWAM dedicated to presenting the gospel to the least evangelized through surfing. They aim to use surfing as a means for missions to nations where an exploding surf culture coincides with the poor and least reached of our world.

Walking On Water (www.walkingonwater.org) – They are currently sharing Christ through surf films and missions all around the world. WOW also are known for having some of the most amazing Christian surf camps where teens get the opportunity to learn to surf with pro surfers who have given their lives to Christ.

BIG DREAMS –

• It is my vision and burden that I will continue to reach out to teens who surf, desire to surf and just love the ocean. It is my dream to actively engage surf culture and those communities around surf spots with the Truth and love of Christ.

• It is my dream that in the future… I would have a part in creating a surf camp for teens that teaches them to ride waves and fall in love with Christ. This camp would have an “all in” focus that we as young Christian surfers would lay down our lives for the Truth and make Jesus famous throughout the world.

• It is my dream to be a part of a mission trip for teens that would travel to a destination with good waves and broken people. On a trip like this teens would see the need for Christ in spiritually poor places and I pray it would be an eye-opening experience for both the surfers and the cultures we visit.
• 
  
• 
  
• My ultimate goal through surf ministry is that the people I teach and share life with would see that there is more to life than surfing. Surfing is just the vehicle to deliver the message. I want them to know that there is a big world out there, full of people that Jesus died for. I want them to know that everyone can come to the cross.

LIFE NOW 8/21/09

*Classic swell on the way to North FL courtesy of Hurricane Bill (watching from the sidelines)

*Teaching three times in three days next week (Please pray that I decrease & He increases!)

*Canoe trip was thebomb.com/amazing!

*It was super hot yesterday but the temp dropped 20 degrees and it feels great today!

*Reading three books and listening to various podcasts daily...

*Got a vision for surf ministry down on paper. (If you want a copy let me know)

*Excited for school to start and to be used by God this new semester.

*Feel like God is leading me to come home and finish my degree past December...

*Living each day as if it's an opportunity... Trying to make the most of this chance to grow!

*Missing my friends, my family and my ocean.

*Loving the gospel, it changes everything!

*Jesus, no where to turn but You... You have the words of eternal life!

A day on the Altrhein...

Back from a day on the water with some really amazing students! Today about 14 of us took a canoe trip down the Altrhein River, it's actually a runoff of the Rhine River. We met this morning, loaded into some vans and headed for a day of paddling and soaking up the sun. Well, my knees soaked it up well, they are very burned. We paddled for a few hours down the river, stopping to swim and eat every so often. We laughed and smiled and tipped and swam, we shared an awesome moment of life together!

For me, I was so excited to share the Gospel today! I was in nervous prayer a bit this morning and just praying from my heart that the Lord would show up and exalt Himself above all else. I had the opportunity to share from Mark Chapter 4, four parables that Jesus taught along the shore + one life application (the storm, that took place the same day). I shared a truth, scattered a seed into the lives of these teens. I shared that Christ endured the cross for them, because of love... That he was put in a tomb but the grave couldn't hold Him and that He has risen again, defeating the penalty and the power of sin in our life. This is the truth that I am compelled to share. It is this truth that makes life worth living. I mumbled and tripped over my words a little today, but the Lord used me to scatter a seed of hope into the lives of these military teens. Please pray for them as they are confronted by the truth of God's unfailing love. He is so powerful yet so personal. My life has changed by grace and will never be the same... all because He first loved me.

Embracing Grace

hearts on empty
faded smiles
another fork in the road
the wrong way for miles
the sky is broken
the clouds are cryin
my spirit's waking up
my flesh is dyin
just another summer
thick wind in my hair
a chance to discover
a truth to share
sorrow will turn to joy
as we learn to embrace
established and rooted in love
the work of grace
His will before us now
Jesus, our eyes on You
overflow in Me
so I can live true...

Why Jesus?

The tide turns

I'm living and learning, walking a road with God and sometimes I'm peeking down the side streets, wondering what life would be like if I went that way. Sometimes it's my own desires that lead me to chase self-centered dreams, sometimes the pressures of culture seem to almost force a decision or a step, but at all times God is in control. I've been praying about ministry and school and friends that I miss and students that I'm working with. I've been reading the Gospels and a few books on leadership. I've been really missing my family, my church, my friends and the ocean. I've been writing down the things that God has been showing me. I say all of that to say this. It is all rubbish compared to knowing Him.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ9 and be found in him Philippians 3:7-9


The beauty of life is that it's about Him. I've learned that if I keep my eyes on Jesus, I will see true beauty. If I trust in His sovereignty, I will know peace. If I follow Christ, I will know His will. If I love Him, I will obey Him. If I love others, I will serve them and share truth with them. If I trust in Him, I will know Him through each step of the way: Through drought, through plenty, through smiles or pain, through peace or war, through sunshine or rain, through ocean or desert... He will be there with me.

A look at the Christian Bubble!

This video is a satirical look at an issue that too often lurks under the surface of modern Christianity. We are to live in the world but not of the world, there is a difference. There are people who need to see that being an authentic follower of Christ is normal and supernatural. It boils down to the fact that God wants to have a relationship with us, He doesn't want to turn us into pod people. You can be in the world and not of it. You can work a job and be surrounded by lost people and be a light. You can live in a community and be salt to your neighbors. You can represent Jesus through your lifestyle and testimony that once you were blind, but now you see.

"The Calling"

So initially I messaged these quotes to a friend but then I realized that we all need a little encouragement sometimes, no matter how abrasive the truth behind the words may be.

In the book, "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" the Author contrasts the calling, the ministry, the struggles and the mountain top God moments from the life of Moses. I identify with Moses most of the time... Identity issues, fears, the unknown...

Here are a few quotes from the chapter "The Conundrum of Calling":


"There is a difference between knowing your path and walking your path."

"Ministry is always much harder than we think."

"It's hard to keep answering a calling that continually takes us right out to the edge of our faith and our human limitations."

"But a true leader is one who ...has seen a vision of what could be and who continues to take steps in that direction against all odds."

"For Moses: After the initial excitement, leading his people was just plain hard all the time."

"This is about the Spirit of God setting us on our feet and telling us: THIS IS YOURS TO DO. WHETHER THEY HEAR OR REFUSE TO HEAR, WHETHER IT FEELS TO YOU AS IF YOU ARE FAILING OR SUCCEEDING, YOU ARE TO SPEAK MY WORDS."

Lookout Jacksonville!!!

Carving knee high peelers at the Jetty's & the Pier is Kaleb... a 6 year old grommet looking to shred waves for a long time to come. Lookout, J'ville may have a Pro-Surfer on their hands.

Kaleb 1st chapter from on Vimeo.

Big Right Shack!

http://www.surfline.com/surflinetv/sixty-seconds/brian-conleys-giant-mexican-shack_29324

this is why we surf...

More from Habakkuk

"You can't have a Habakkuk Chapter 3 type faith until you've had a Chapter 1 type question and a Chapter 2 type time of waiting." -C. Groeschel

Habakkuk in Chapter 3 exercised his faith by doing three things:
1- Remembering all of God's faithfulness in His life and the lives of his ancestors. (3:2) He called on God to "renew, revive, restore" God's goodness to his people in this time and this day.

2- Excepting what God had said even though it wasn't what he wanted to hear. (3:16) Even though it made his heart beat, his lips quiver, his legs tremble and felt like decay in his bones.

3- Rejoicing in the Lord, being joyful in His Savior. (3:17-19) Even though... I will rejoice. Even though _________________________________, I will rejoice. Fill in the blank with whatever you want but a Chapter 3 type faith with rejoice in the midst of that struggle.

In the beginning there was love...

Your heart is bigger than the ocean
Your eyes are brighter than the sun
Your ways are higher than the endless sky
Your truth is older than time
Nothing can come between you and me
You've promised never to leave
And no one can pluck me from your hand
Your thoughts are more than sand of the sea
You are able to do more than I can dream
You've given me a hope to believe
The truth of You has set me free
Jesus You are all I need
I'll trade today for your glory
You've covered my sin with your blood
I'm falling in love with the story
that changes lives and makes us one

I wrote these lines today in reflection of what's going on in my heart. I'm not sure where I am going, because Jesus I am following Your lead. I'm excited to know You and stoked to walk with You where You go. Make me silent before You, as You are on the throne.

to know Him more...

There's life and there's living. There are mistakes to be made and lessons to be learned. Failure is not an option, sometimes it's mandatory. It's so easy to get wrapped up in self. I know that Christ has both set me free and is setting me free. That's a doozey to explain but a joy to understand. Peace, Wisdom, Love, Faith, Hope... these things are a by-product in my life of what Christ did to sin on the cross. Why He chose to die in that manner I will never know, but I am certain that it was motivated by love. God is love, He is perfect and wants good for His people. He wants good for you. He wants you to know Him and seek Him and find Him.

Sometimes life gets so noisy it's hard to hear His voice. Sometimes life gets so busy we run out of time to read His Word. Sometimes life gets so uncertain it's hard to know His will. Yet as I sit here on my bed, typing from a place of rest and another lucid a-ha moment in my heart... I wonder if God's will for my life is just for me to know Him more, not in a theological sense but in a Father/Son way. He is calling me to fall in love with Him and to meet Him, to find Him in the silence even in the midst of chaos. Jesus took time to leave the crowds and find His Father in solitude. Maybe we should too. I've never been so aware of how noisy my life has been. I've never seen so clearly how much I have been affected by media, by the rush of culture, by the desires of my flesh.

I'm trying to say is this: God hasn't gone anywhere. He's not on vacation. He hasn't drifted away, He is on the throne and Jesus sits at His right hand making intercession on our behalf. Jesus still speaks. He hasn't stopped speaking, its just that sometimes life may be too loud for us to hear him. His blood stands in our defense. He wants you to come home. He wants to show you and the world through you, an authentic display of love.