Life in Lincoln City, Oregon is tranquil in January. One can avoid the hurry and scurry of tourists and traffic, which overwhelms this coastal city during the summer months.
My wife and I have time and time again returned to this little town to enjoy both the solitude of the day and the joy of each other. Some of our friends believe we are "looney" to go strolling hand in hand along the beach during this season of the year. After all, most of the shops are boarded up for the winter, and the weather can be dreadful But it is moments like these that I cherish the most--the times when the weather would become too unbearable and we would laughingly retreat to the nearest cafe, usually overlooking the sea.
God has given me Victoria, such a beautiful gift, and together we are able to simply share one another and marvel at all creation. We have come to the conclusion that we don't really need material success in our lives, at least we do not want to be obsessed with obtaining it. Our lives are flourishing and prospering in many other ways, though not in monetary terms. We have already been married eleven years and our son Timmy, who is a joy to us, has grown up and graduated to soccer, Cub Scouts and basketball.
We don't have much, at least by some people's standards. But we know we have each other and for us, that's what counts!
As my wife and I stood peering into a craft shop window carefully protecting ourselves from the rain, I thought about my nephew Garron, who is blind. He has suffered all his life. As an infant his eyes were removed to prevent the spread of cancer. Now at the age of eight, another medical team is preparing to remove a large tumor from his skull. He is a remarkable pianist; so much so, in fact, that his gift is often shared before audiences in his own hometown.
Garron knows what fate may await him in that operating room, but he has a tremendous source of courage. It comes from heaven above. No material or carnal possessions or human touch could create the strength he possesses. He is not a child who would covet, probably because his blindness protects him from coveting.
One day while I was talking with Garron, he confided in me a secret he had on his heart: "Uncle Phil, there is only one thing that I want in life, and that is to go to heaven and be with Jesus. This life holds nothing for me except pain."
Garron's faith is wonderful, and it has touched the lives of many people. I just wish more people could see that there is more to life than just being mesmerized by money or material things. Certainly it is okay to have possessions. I just don't believe possessions should possess you. To possess material things or money is one thing; to be obsessed by them is quite a different thing. Life is full of riches. Just look about and you'll find them. Look up and you'll find the greatest treasure of all.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A CULT?
In general, a cult is a small religious group outside the established churches, usually with a charismatic leader who is a strong authority figure. One psychiatrist has described cults as "religions that haven't grown up yet."
the web address for this page is http://hunza1.tripod.com/amway/fakeit08.html
Back to the Beginning