An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

"Blown Away"

Kevin Kearney is an experienced kite surfer. For those not familiar with the sport, a kite surfer stands on a small surfboard while harnessed to a sail.  When the wind catches the sail, the surfer is pulled along the surface of the water at thrilling speeds.

Kevin Kearney must have been looking for the ultimate thrill when he hitched up his equipment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 18, 2008.  He had heard Tropical Storm Fay was nearby.  He knew the wind speed was more than what he normally dealt with, but he had safety releases that would unleash him from the gear if the winds proved to be too strong.

Someone caught the attempt on video and it has been shown around the world. Kevin was catapulted by Fay into the sands of the beach, then lifted again and slammed into the side of a building. It happened so quickly that he didn't have time to release himself. He remembers nothing of the ordeal. Doctors say that he's lucky to be alive.

Kearney's episode with Fay seems a perfect illustration of Isaiah's description of sin: "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6, NKJV). *

The Tempter (Satan) would have us focus only on the thrill of sin.  But make no mistake: sin is deadly and destructive!  The thrills ultimately lead to tragedy!  Unfortunately, we may not recognize this fact until we are “caught up” in the sin and we can’t seem to let go of it.

But we CAN let go! And we CAN be spared the guilt and destruction of sin!  Because Jesus Christ died on the cross, we can be forgiven of our sins and freed from its GRIP...  

He will save those who: believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), LET GO of sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to aid those who continue to strive to follow Him faithfully (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 2:17-18).

Tim Hall says, “If you're thinking about kite surfing, find a place where tropical storms and hurricanes aren't. And if you don't want to be whisked away to unknown, dangerous territory, steer clear of sin.”

None of us has been able to do that perfectly.  But the GOOD NEWS is that we have a Savior that can clear us of ALL sin (1 John 1:9) IF we will trust and obey Him.

Won’t YOU?

 -- David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* From “Kite Surfing in a Hurricance” by Tim Hall, Column: “Heavenly Connections” in Forthright Magazine -- http://www.forthright.net/heavenly_connections/kite_surfing_in_a_hurricane.html 
Used by permission from Forthright Magazine (www.forthright.net). Copyright 2008.  Tim Hall, author.

To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:

                      HTML version:  subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net
                   TEXT version:  subscribe-livingwater-text@lyris.dundee.net

Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com

Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org