It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. Kelly scored a perfect ten. Andy Irons passed away, who for me wasn’t a very close friend, but I had met him three or four times and had the opportunity to photograph him surfing a few times also. It was very sad to hear the news, and my heart really went out to Andy’s pregnant wife Lyndie. Please pray for her. Then my son was born shortly after, so to say that it’s been an emotional couple weeks is an understatement. There was something that God showed me in all of this though. Read on.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
That verse took on deeper meaning for me after my son was born. The Bible uses the terminology of being born again to describe the conversion of a person from being a non-believer in Jesus Christ, to being a true believer in Him. After seeing a little baby that is yours and totally dependent upon you for everything, this really illuminates the truth of that verse. My son needs my wife and I to help him with everything, and we are stoked to do so, but he can’t change his diapers, feed himself, or even move himself from one place to the next. The same goes for us as Christians. We can’t change ourselves, it’s the work of God in our hearts that changes us, and God provides, clothes, and does everything for us. All that’s left for us to do is praise and thank the one who deserves all praise. It also says that we have a living hope. What an awesome truth that we have a living hope even in the trials and tribulations of the world. When we come to Christ and receive His grace it’s a fresh start. All things are made new the bible says and we are a new creation. It doesn’t mean that we are trouble free, but what it does indicate is that we have entered into something totally new. It’s a whole new world to Gabriel right now, and if you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart then do it, and it could be a whole new world to you also.