Love, the Sea, and Hemingway.

I’m watching the horizon, scanning, watching the strands of gray pull together. Watching the skies get thick and the clouds become rolling stones. Wondering what’s going to happen. Dwelling in the uncertainty of the moment and reminding myself that the ending is still a long way off wrapped up in blue skies on the other side of this insurmountable wall of atmosphere. Wondering if I will survive landfall. Wondering if I should run for cover or stand my ground defiantly. Knowing that whatever I do carries equal risk with different consequences. I think that I will just shut my eyes and let the rain fall. Let it pour over me and let the wind, rain, and salt in the air sink all the way to my bones. Let myself become a grain of sand on the beach. Try to get smaller as your storm rolls onto my shore. Remain quiet as the gale winds make a mockery of my put together façade. Watch the boiling skies reflected back at me through emerald pacific waters. Feel the tide pulling at my feet digging me further into the earth. I wonder briefly what would happen if I stood there long enough. Would I disappear into the sand forever? I’m not sure, and I’m not sure it really matters. Maybe if I wait the waves will join me. Perhaps if I stand here long enough the sea will take me in and take me home. I am happy to stand in the maelstrom and be calm. Be quiet in the cacophony of the wind. Pretend I am just another wave joining the ranks. After all this time welcomed in to the whipping waves. Eden found.

Christmas KISS

Keep it simple. Part of the sermon on gift giving for Sunday’s service at Coastal Oaks Church…keep it simple. The Bear and I have decided that when we have children we will have a four gift rule.

1. Something you want.
2. Something you need.
3. Something you wear.
4. Something you read.

I wish I could take credit for this, but I saw it on Pinterest. Oh how I adore Pinterest. We have also decided that every year we will give a birthday gift to Jesus. Not just give ourselves cool stuff on His birthday. Maybe we help some local folks get stuff for the holidays or volunteer at the animal shelter. The bottom line is Keep It Simple, so we don’t lose sight of our priorities. It’s too easy in this world to get lost in the flashy newness. It’s easy to forget that God offers us immortality. Life everlasting…let that sink in for a moment. An endless life with a perfect body, no sadness, or pain. If you say you don’t want that- deep down- you know that you’re fibbing. We ALL crave a happy ending. Don’t let your exhaustion and cynicism with this cursed world doom you to eternal separation from the happy ending He planned for you. My intent is not to preach, I would be an awful preacher. But out of love for every person who reads this I am compelled to write this message. No matter how many Christians you’ve met or what kind of people they were, please don’t judge or disregard the message just because we are often awful and imperfect people. With deepest love, and wishing everyone, absolutely everyone, a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.