A group of 17 people did a walk around Pararekau Island off Karaka. This is a private island which has
now been subdivided into residential sections worth up to $3M each. We had to do this trip earlier than
usual, as the island was open to public viewing only from 1pm to 3pm. After waiting for the gates to
open at 1pm, we drove down the causeways to the island, parking beside the sales office. We had the usual
intros and prayer, then set off on our walk at 1:15pm doing a clockwise circuit of the island. The track
was a wide concrete path. All the sections were bare grass land, not a single house had been started.
The streets in the subdivision were complete with road and footpaths. It didn't take long to reach the
northeast tip of the island, then we carried on down the south side. After we passed the causeway the
open grass beside the path gave way to scrub.
|
We had our break in a small shady area at the southwest tip of the island. John shared devotions
about positivity. The Bing Crosby song of the 1940s Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative,
Latch on to the affirmative, Don’t mess with Mr In Between was actually based on a church sermon. The
fruits of the Holy Spirit are all positive. The Bible clearly says there is no place for heated arguments,
these can lead to stress, damage and injury. The way to settle these is to sit down and talk it out peacefully,
if necessary get someone else to help, maybe a church elder or pastor (Matthew 18). Positive emotions
are healthy. Laughter is a gift from God, it is enjoyable, healthy, reduces stress and boosts the immune
system. In any thing or event, positives always outweigh the negatives. Commit your negative emotions
to Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor. We are commanded to forgive as Christ has forgiven us on the cross,
forgiveness brings a feeling of peace instead of the stress of retaliation. JOY = Jesus, Others, Yourself.
Nelson then prayed for a sick friend of his.
We carried on with our walk, just ten minutes later
we came out to the carpark and sales
office about 2:15pm.
|
The Club had done this walk in Feb 2008. The island was a farm, we got permission to do this. We
went along a farm track to the northeast end of the island where there was a paddock full of noisy cattle.
The route back along the northwest side of the island was a coastal strip of tall grass. Andrew gave
the devotions saying that no man is an island, we are all interdependent, and need to be rooted in God's
Word.
|
|
