There’s a lot to this story.

God will put people into your life at random moments that are perfectly matched for that moment of time in your life. I am certain of that. I’ve seen it happen so many times now, I’ve almost lost count – but each and every one has a meaning and a purpose in your life, and theirs as well.

That’s kinda what life is about.

So on Saturday afternoons I ride my bike at the park and I’ve seen this guy a few times now. He’s always wearing his black socks and loafers, you can’t miss him.

Today I saw him at the outdoor gym area hanging from the monkey bars, and not just hanging but literally swinging back and forth.. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy his age do something like that.

To me that’s intriguing and unusual – so I went over and introduced myself. His name is Phil. He is 78 years old. Turns out Phil also owns a skate board, a Santa Cruz as he puts it, a ‘quality board’.

I’m familiar with that, and he’s right those are boards the pros use. But Phil is 78. I asked him how it was going and he said good.. he was working on his balance so that he could ride it someday.

He told me that he started coming out here because he told himself, “Phil, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get out of bed and do something.”

Already I like this guy’s attitude, because most elderly people his age are literally resigned to the fact that their life is basically over. I know more than a few people my age that are already starting to feel like that.

It was kinda shocking, actually to see him literally swinging from the monkey bars.

Turns out that Phil is a very spiritual person. I’m not really sure how we got on the subject but regardless that is where the conversation went.

Phil explained to me how he and his friend have been studying the bible for years and it is his goal for people to see the practical side of Jesus. We talked a good bit on that and he said something that really struck me.

He said, “You know faith is important, but its not the most important thing..” I asked him what he meant, and what was most important?

He said, “Trust”

Well yesterday’s sermon I wrote was originally titled, “Trust.”

Its about how most Christians practice faith as a form of manipulation.. “If I do this and believe.. then God will do that.”

That faith was a way of controlling outcomes in our life.

I told him this and he said “Yes! You get it!

During our talk he told me that I looked exactly like his 19 year old son, that I was the spitting image of him.

I thought that was kind of odd, I did the math on that one and it didn’t add up.

Phil told me he probably had lots of reasons to give up on life and to be bitter etc. I asked him what he meant by that.

Phil’s son was killed in a car crash 30 years ago. He told me it took him a decade to come to terms with losing him. And what conclusion he finally came to was this…

Although it ruined his life, he said it did not ruin him as a person..

Be like Phil folks.