When the Sandbar isn't There...

We were at the beach today hitting the waves, having a tremendous time if I say so myself. We went out so far though that the waves were almost unbearable.

Steven had been there several times before and was puzzled why we hadn't come across the sandbar already. I was unsure what a sandbar was. After asking, I came to find out that a sandbar is a piece of land about a quarter of a mile out from the shore that is similar to the shoreline in that it is a shallow area but it is in the midst of the waves.

Later I was laying on the beach looking up at the clouds as they so cleverly veiled the sun from all possible view. I thought about the situation and thought, Wow, we really could've almost died out there. Too bad that sandbar wasn't there. Suddenly, I realized how that the currents in the water could've brought down the sandbar over time, even though Steven had already conquered the sandbar countless occassions before.

A thought came across my mind: we oftentimes have our own sandbars in our lives that we become dependent upon over time. Only we don't call it a sandbar. We usually end up knowing that it's there, but we never really call it anything. It's what some would refer to as their "safety net." You know, that place that you can always fall back on when things are getting rough? Yeah. That thing.  We seldom stop to think for a minute about that safety net.  It becomes a convenience a lot of times.  We have something that is warring against us and so we fall back upon that safety net, or that sandbar because it has that higher ground for us to stand on.

But what if that sandbar isn't there?  What if your problems arise again to face you like the waves of the ocean and you don't have that higher ground to stand on?  Of course, my first reaction, much like Steven's, would be confusion.  I would not know what to do.  My next course of action would be to continue struggling against the waves in hopes of finding that sandbar.  And in that very instant a realization to myself is made: I've continued battling my struggle so much just to find that sandbar that I realized I didn't need the sandbar anymore.  I've already grown strong enough to face my struggles.  The sandbar is no longer needed.

Parallel to our spiritual lives, we each have our own sandbar.  It's always been there for us when we expected it to be...but when the sandbar isn't there, trust in the only One who can bring you through it.  You may realize that He is wanting you to grow beyond the need of the sandbar.

If I had a prayer to pray tonight it would be this: I hope I someday grow beyond the necessity of the sandbar.  I want to grow to go deeper with Christ.  My prayer would be that everyone grows alongside each other, that we could all come to know that deeper level with Him.  As always, I pray daily for a blessing to come to everyone on the List. Thank you again for being so good to me...

Sincerely,

Gabe Easter

My Cause

I have a cause that has recently risen to challenge me. This silly little thing called IBC Praise, which, for some reason or other, IBC students tend to put on a pedestal (yes, even my sister), has for the past semester become a tiresome burden that I, at the time, wished rather not to deal with.

IBC Praise is held to some sort of higher level because of a name. People will literally drive themselves into the ground in attempts to possess the ability to say "I'm in IBC Praise." Trust me, I know. I've lived with one of those people. It has frustrated me though because I absolutely loathed the job that was assigned me. On top of that, I was rendered unable to go on MSA trips or take hold of any opportunity that would allow me to do what I felt God called me to do: preach.

I oftentimes have thought to myself Pastors, worship leaders, singers, ushers, and yes, even janitors, are all just people. They're just THAT: people. Praise members are just that as well: people. I know that being in Praise does not change who you are. You are still a person like everyone else, and just because you are in it or not does not determine whether you are any better or any less than the person who is or isn't. At the same time, it is something. It is a ministry.

This weekend revealed to me just that. Though I may run sound and sing with Praise, it is more than just doing those duties. It is a ministry that can touch the lives of many. God spoke to me this Sunday as I knelt to the steps of an altar, weeping, wondering why I was there doing what I was doing. Why am I here God? Why am I not on an MSA preaching the Word like I feel You've called me to do? Then He spoke. He told me this: this ministry, if you allow, could be what opens the doors to your ministry. My face hit the floor in that instant...and in that moment in time I found my cause.

My cause is a people. A people that are hungry for something that they cannot attain in the places in which they seek for it. So my reason for being in Praise and not giving up for the much easier path to ministry? A catalyst for my cause.

If I had a prayer to pray tonight it would be this: that I would never forget that nothing is by accident and that God has all in His control. He knows what to do in my life and for that I am truly thankful. As always, I pray daily for a blessing to come to everyone on the List. Thank you again for being so good to me...

Sincerely,
Gabe Easter

A Shout Out to Melinda Poitras and Lauren Curton

This blog is specifically designed as a shout out to two of the most amazing people in the world: Melinda Poitras and Lauren Curton.

Melodic
Exceptional
Loved
Intelligent
Nice
Designed with You in mind
Awesome


Melinda. Words, especially the ones written above, are not enough to entail the awesomeness of your persona. Had I had the ability to manifest such words, they would already be written and this written portion would be much shorter than what it is at present. You are a dear friend and you are usually always there when I need someone to talk to. Thanks for being there Melinda. Love ya!


Loved
Amazing
Unbelievable
Reliable
Excellent
Nice

If I had the vocabulary to construct a proverbial heart-rendering statement that would make you laugh and bring you to tears when you read it...it probably wouldn't be this one. But if I ever had the capacity to do so, know that I would. Thanks for always being a great friend. You are my Lois Lane. <---this is in reference to the posters if you hadn't noticed. :P

I love you both. You are and have been amazing assets to this ridiculousness called my life. Thanks for being there. :)

Sincerely,
Clark Kent

Praise and Worship

I thought about the meaning of the word "PRAISE." Immediately the word "WORSHIP" came to my mind.

The word "praise" means to glorify, to give utterance of approval, or worship expressed in song. The word "worship" means the paying of reverence through various means such as prayer, praise, or exhaltation.

Praise is part of our worship. We express our thankfulness and respect for God by offering praises to Him. But Worship involves more than praise. In our worship of God, we show our love to Him through obeying His commandments, living the way of life He has revealed through His written word, the Bible, communicating with Him in prayer, meeting and fellowshipping with other believers, and in offering praises to Him.

So if nothing else, my prayer tonight would be this: that my praise would always be backed by my worship. You can praise God all your life and never worship Him, but you can never worship Him and not praise Him. I would hope that my worship not only matches my praise, but overwhelms it. As always, I pray daily for a blessing to come to everyone on the List. Thank you again for being so good to me...

Sincerely,
Gabe Easter