Hi, Akita here - These next three messages are related to questioning ourselves about being willing to stop, look, and listen, for the Holy Spirit. Here is message two:

Are We Willing To Look?

I was walking along the beach last week when I saw two surfers. They were sitting on their surf boards floating in the water. They had positioned themselves well, where they thought the action would be. They had a leg either side of their board, and I noticed that they were not facing the shore, in fact their boards were the wrong way around as the nose of the boards were facing the deep ocean.

When a wave finally would come they would spin the board around so they were facing the shore, they would jump up on the board and the wave would do all the rest. Very talented. After the ride was over they would paddle back to the spot, sit on their boards facing the deep ocean.

I found it interesting that they were facing the wrong way, but then it occurred to me (a non-surfer) that they were facing the ocean so they had a great view and could see what was happening. They were looking at the ocean to see the approaching waves, to be aware of what is developing. All surfers desire to catch waves and go for a wild ride, they don't want to miss the wave, they don't want to be knocked over, they do want to ride the wave and work with the power. They are looking and want to be a part of it.

I have been thinking recently about how sensitive I may be to the Holy Spirit and questioning whether I am patiently looking for Him at work. Am I open, am I looking, am I allowing time to pass in waiting on Him?

When I am praying for someone I am now going to try and have my eyes open. I hope to I look and see if He is moving them or if He chooses to show me something ... or are my eyes shut, am I facing the wrong way? I want to constantly co-work with Him, I want to surf with the Holy Spirit. I want to look for it, see it, catch it, work with it, and go for a ride .... but I must be willing to look and see what He is doing and work with that.

You can not see the wind, but you can certainly see the effects of the wind, if you are looking.

Blessings,

Akita.
5-4-07

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If you have any praise points, encouragement, favourite verses, or short teachings you wish to share... please send me an email (I know there are some out there) and we will try to include.

praise: for the huge Student Battle of the Bands rally planned for Bunbury young people WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. Thank you for all prayer for this project. To look at some photos of the event visit the site:
Check out the Elevator website: www.oxygenyouth.com/elevator

prayer: that young Christians around the world will hear clearly God's voice, learn to stay tuned in, and be bold enough to respond.

.... if you have any requests you would like added here, please email me, contact details below.

Jeremiah 6 v 16

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancients paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

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Akita Olsen - Youth Pastor
Email: olsens@westnet.com.au

Bunbury Vineyard Church.
PO Box 1475, Bunbury,
WA 6231, Australia.
Office phone: (08) 9721 3379
www.bunburyvineyard.org.au

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