Dan & Hillary... Life by the Bay

Thursday, August 11, 2005

This is a picture sent recently by my brother, Chad, to us. It was taken after his b-day dinner with our parents in Tswassen, B.C.

Thoughts on Passionate Peter

Lately, Dan and I have been immersed in the lessons of Peter (the passionate disciple) through Sunday sermons, radio ministries and secondary books. When there are times like this it seems evident that we are being taught an important lesson (or lessons). On reflection, here are a few points that have surfaced…

Peter was the only disciple to call out to Jesus during the night of the storm while they were fishing (Matt. 14:28). Peter took a risk and instead of jumping hastily into the water like a fool, he asked for confirmation in his next step and Christ told him to come. Peter acted in obedience.
Peter has often been criticized for looking down and taking his eyes and focus off Christ. How often do you and I take our eyes off Christ during the day and instead focus on our surrounding circumstances and realize our weaknesses? Christ did not rebuke Peter in front of the other disciples… He was pleased that Peter had taken the step of obedience and he gently questioned Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
The real ‘failures’ in this story were the eleven other men who sought safety in a wooden craft (their earthly comfort zone) instead of stepping out in faith. At the end of my life when I look back, will I be one who spent my life in my comfort zone, or be a stumbling, shaky follower who stepped out on faith? “For obedience is better than sacrifice.” (1 Sam. 15:22).
As the imminent death of Christ approached, John (“the other disciple”- as he refers to himself) and Peter went to the courtyard where Jesus’ ‘court case’ was taking place. John, “who knew the high priest (John 18:15)” was allowed inside while Peter had to remain outside and sought comfort the fire “for it was cold.” It was here that he first denied his Christ.
After Christ’s death, Peter and six other disciples returned to their earthly comfort zone- fishing. What else were they to do? It was here that Christ met them- on their turf. He stoked a fire and cooked a meal of fish for them. Peter, overwhelmed with joy, jumped out of the boat and returned to shore to meet Jesus. Christ reminded his followers that when He called them, it wasn’t for a season but for a lifetime. Why did they return to fishing? He called them to fish for men.
Christ instructed Simon (his original name) to follow him, to “feed His lambs,” “take care of His sheep,” and “feed His sheep.” (John 21:15) Christ told Simon that when “you are old you will stretch out your hands and someone… will lead you where you do not want to go.” (Prophesying his death.) Peter was so concerned (once again, his busybody-ness) with what John was to do, that he didn’t listen to Christ. Peter probably still had the smell of the smoke of the fire from the courtyard on his coat. He was reminded that John had left him in the courtyard alone and he possibly blamed John for his trice denial of Jesus. Christ rebuked Peter and said, “What does it matter if John never dies? I have called you!”
On the day when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, He will not ask us about the accountability of our neighbor, co-worker, husband or wife, or child. He will ask us about our self. What did we do with the ‘talent/gift’ He gave us? Did we step out in faith (i.e. get out of the boat?) and enrich His kingdom (He will never ask us to do more than we can handle) or did we compare our gift with another’s gift (5 talents vs. 3 talents vs. 1 talent) or did we bury it for fear that we would have to do something out of our comfort zone?
Peter became one of the most prominent preachers of the gospel through the Holy Spirit. His letter of 1 Peter affirms our call as believers and admonishes us to stand firm during persecution and to finish strong. When all is over and our days on this earth have ended, will you and I finish strong? Will Christ look at our lives and bend down to his child and say, “well done, good and faithful servant?” Finish strong, fellow servant!

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Visiting Half Moon Bay with John, Maria and Joan

Joan's first time at the beach

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Kurt's younger brother, Keith and his family- wife, Tamara.

The Kniegge family: Kurt and Bev, and kids Kit (9), Kyle (6), Krystal (11)

One of the many glaciers we observed on our day cruise in Prince William Sound. In the old days, the boats would blast their horns and the glaciers would 'calf' (i.e. a chunk would fall off into the Sound) but with global warming, the glaciers are receeding too quickly already and the authorities put a stop to the honking. The glacier looks blue because blue is lowest visible wavelength to the human eye and all other colours are absorbed by the ice (same reason the sky is blue- Physics 101). Blue is refracted and that is the colour we see. When the boat sped away from the glacier, the roar of the engine did cause the glacier to calf (I suspect the captain pulled full throttle for that very purpose- since major pieces of ice then fell and splashed. The splashes eventually rocked the boat.

A close call, but Moosey did not turn into road kill. Actually, this is the 'baby' and the mama is on the other side of the road.

At the commercial fishing operation (Dan's bro-in-law worked here for two summers- I still prefer Palomar, girls!), the view reminded me of my grandparent's place in Victoria... There is a huge mountain in the horizon (12,000 ft elevation) but it is difficult to see. It is hard to imagine that during the winter the water is choked with ice chunks- a little colder than I'd like!

Catch of the day. The 'A' quality salmon are in the green tub- those will be sold whole. The others (to the left) will be sold as fillets, canned, smoked, or other.

The John Deere in action, pulling in one of the boats that checks the nets 3-4 times daily to catch the salmon harvest.

In fond rememberance of our friends, Alysun and Jeff, we posed in from of a JD... only this tractor is used to work a commercial fishing operation instead of wheat. (Kenai Peninsula)