Glendale Church of the Brethren

Photo by John Jackson, July 23 2009, Point Mugu ©

I normally have a sunny, fun, optimistic, curious, bold and imaginative view of life.  Yet there are times when I can get feeling cranky, a little sad, and maybe even go on a rant.

Usually this happens when I have been trying to do too much, sometimes I just get so excited about a project that I will exhaust myself trying to complete it or when I spend way too much time alone.   

The most obvious solution to return to my natural positive outlook on life is to spend time with good friends and family or go on out to Point Mugu and appreciate the beauty of God’s good creation.   Soon I will be traveling to Michigan to visit my family there and I will love seeing them all.   Plus my daughter Alicia and her husband, Dan,  are coming here on Labor Day weekend and I will be traveling up soon to San Francisco to see my daughter Wendy and her husband Adrian.  By the way, Wendy and Adrian are expecting their first child!  I am going to a world’s greatest grandpa!

Even just thinking about Point Mugu and seeing my loved ones puts a silly grin on my face.

Daily Devotions, Prayer, Exercise, Healthy Eating, and a good nights sleep are also keys to the good life!  Yet this is not enough!  Each one of us needs significant positive relationships in our lives – God created us this way, in Genesis God said “it is not good for “Adam” (Hebrew play on words for “humankind”) to be alone.   We were created be in relationship!

I know that at times it seems that “day after day” life can seem tough, yet our friends, family, and our church family can help us regain our perspectives.  Did you know that the early Christians called each other “brother” and “sister” because they developed a close bond that was like family?  

If you are ever feeling like you need a friend, then I invite you join the friendliest, healthiest, most loving church I have ever served.

Peace,

Pastor John