A Passing Storm

The HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo above, was taken this evening at sunset, near the Baccarra hotel in Goleta. I was sitting at home when suddenly at 4:00, I remembered the GORGEOUS sunset just a few days prior.  With the stormy weather we had last night and this morning I was hoping that this evenings sunset would be just as spectacular. With this in mind, I quickly jumped up, grabbed my gear and set out for the Baccarra hotel, in hopes of getting a deep saturated red sky photograph.

On a side note, due to the geography of the coastline in Santa Barbara, the Baccarra is one of the only easily accessible beaches that that actaullyfaces west (actually, south west). Cabrillo Blvd (aka East and West Beach here in Santa Barabara), for example, faces south east. 

As I jumped into my car and headed north, I was quickly greeted by dark clouds and a downpour of rain. Being breifly discouraged, I checked my iPhone and noticed a small, yet concentrated spot of rain on the doppler radar map. Perhaps I coulds wait it out and the storm wpould pass and allow me to get a shot?

I pulled into the parking lot at Haskell'ss Beach at 4:30 as the rain was coming down hard. According to my phone, sunset was at 4:58 PM so I decided to just sit and wait and see if the storm would pass and break before sunset, allowing me to get a shot.

As I was sitting in my car, enjoying the sound of the rain falling onto the roof of my car, I started to think about the past twenty months and how good the Lord has been to me during this time. I was struck by the metaphor of the passing storm and how we often times need to wait upon the Lord in stormy times (A recurring lesson the Lord seems to continually teach me on a daily basis) In waiting for the storm to pass, I looked up some passages on waiting on the Lord and found this jewel fron 2nd Peter.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance  - 2 Peter 3:9
 
Wow! I was immediately struck with how this applies to me. As someone who has walked in sin for twenty years prior, actually turning away from the Lord for that period of time and then returning and recommitting my life to him almost two years ago, it is good to know that He is much more patient with me than I deserve. The good news is that no matter where we are in life, He will always wait for you to turn to him, or was was in my case, turn back to Him.

Suddenly, and almost immediately, the downpour stopped, so I grabbed my gear and trodded down the gravel road, skillfuly dodging flooded potholes and puddles, keeping my feet dry.

I set up my gear and although I was not greeted with the crimson display I had seen just a few nights prior, I did get a fairly dramatic sky and a decent image out of the journey.

There is always beauty after a passing storm, when you trust and wait upon the Lord.

=BM=

Merry Christmas

Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

 What an amazing 4 days I have had! 

I have had an incredibly busy month of December this year, directing two choruses (Santa Barbara and Santa Maria), singing in my quartet FourGiven an also singing in the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir. 

I had been going hard every night since the first weekend in the month and finally midway through the month on December 14, I attended a Quire of Voyces concert, (whom I LOVE) but was ultimately too tired and worn out to stick around for the second half of the performance and sadly, I had to leave.

As I was driving home from the QV performance, thinking of all of the performances I had done in the past two weeks and looking ahead to what was yet to come, I felt overwhelmed and just beat down. Moreover, it had occurred to me that I had been so focused on getting through this hard time, I had been completely counting on ME to do it and had lost sight of of the Holly Spirit.

That night, I prayed for the Holly Spirit to fill my mind, heart and soul and he payed off in spades. The last four days have been an absolute absolute AMAZING answer to prayer!

Saturday evening, Dec 22nd, Kathy Fitzgerald of Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara set up an amazing singles mixer for the night. We must have had 50 people attend, all engaging in fun and fellowship. Although that was a lot of fun the best part was an unexpected event wehere after we ate, we broke out into a session of singing carols and prayer led by Heather Faith.  We to hear from a woman by the name of Keesha (i think) who just did an amazing job, briefly sharing her testimony, as well as a gentleman by the name of Tony. It was such an amazing part of the evening... The Holly spirit was there in the room at that gorgeous Montecito estate and we had a great time.

Sunday, Dec 23: On Sunday afternoon, there was a memorial service for Fran Thayer, with of assistant pastor Ted Theyer of Calvary Chapel. Fran's husband Teddy went up and lead worship in his wifes memory and was able to keep it together while singing a tribute to her.  David Guzik also gave an amazing sermon on "heaven" and knocked it pout of the park. Even still, the service was so joyfull and upbeat. It was a perfcet way of honoring Ted's wife and the love of Christ in their lives.The Holly Sprit was AGAIN palpable and present in this beautiful ceremony. I was touched quite deeply even though I was fighting off a low-grade headache that day.

Shortly after the memorial service, I stayed for the 5:00 service and David was on his game again, as he preached out of the book of Exodus.

Monday Dec 24, - I attended the Calvary Chapel service at the Granada Theater and acted as a usher for the event. Our guest musician Evan Whikam who was AMAZING (I bought all three of his CD's) and David Guzik preached on "Christmas trees" and Christs life began with a tree in the garden of Eden with man's fall from grace, and then ended on a tree (cross) when Christ died and resurrected on the third day to atone for our sins.  Again, another home run from Dave!  After the Granada, it was off to Trinity Lutheran Church for singing at two services #1) the 6:00 service #2) the 9:30 service. These are my favorite services of the year with TLC as they always bring out all of the stops and bring in brass, harebells and all sorts of wonderful music. 

Tuesday, Dec 25, Christmas Day. I spent the morning at mom and dads opening presents and having breakfast at 8:00 AM, then headed over to some dear friends at noon and got to hang out with their massive family and watch as the mass of people opened opened their presents.  The big news was that these friends, who are having financial difficulties, have been blessed by their mortgage company who is going to forgive a portion of their mortgage and give them an unbelievable fixed, rate to refinance their home, so that they can keep their home.  THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN  FOLKS! Their blessing rubbed off on me as that has been an answer to prayer for all who know them.  God is SO good!

After that, it was back home for Christmas with my aunt, uncle and cousin where we had just a wonderful dinner and evening together.

As I prepare for bed, I just had to reflect on the fact that the last four days have been as busy as the first part of the month. The difference, is that the Holy Spirit was present in these last four days and instead of there being a burden, there was great joy in experiencing the Holly Spirit..

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Jesus Christ is not only willing, but wanting to be let into your life. Hear his voice, open the door and let him into your life.  He will bless your life as he has mine. We just need to ask.

=BM=