From the time I have been a small boy I have had sensitive skin. Now I know that’s not a very masculine confession to make but you are what God gave you. My very first time going to a beach was at my Aunt Marcella’s house at Virginia Beach, and it was marvelous! The sun, the waves, the ocean that goes on seemingly forever, the sounds of waves, seagulls, sand and fun were all more than my imagination had ever dreamed of.  At the end of the hours of fun I noticed that my skin felt hot and was stinging. Along with the first beach experience, this was my first experience with sunburn and blisters, the whole works. The (sun) light was more than my pale skin could bear!  Now, some fifty years later I cannot go out in the sun without sun block, covering most of my body, or I pay dearly for it---just ask my dermatologist!

     This year our theme at LifeGate is “Walking in the Light and Being the Light.” As I was thinking of our theme and was reminded by the Lord of my painful experience with sunlight, and realized that His light has opposing effects.  For example, the ‘light’ mentioned in 1 John 1:7. Matter of fact the truth is the more light I walk in and stay in the better it is for me, and the more fellowship I have with the Lord and also with you, His people. This light, His light, as it were the true Sonlight, is a very good thing, and it has very good results in our lives even though we may feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, and exposed when we begin to walk in it. We often find ourselves in conflict between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. It is in the light that relationships grow and flourish. I believe this is a year of growing in stronger relationships with each other and with the Lord. I am looking forward to experiencing that with you.

                                                                                                         --Pastor Dennis Cole