A group of 21 enjoyed a leisurely walk from Shadbolt Park, New Lynn, through Craigavon Park to Green
Bay, then up to the top of the cliffs overlooking the Manukau Harbour. From there we went down into
the beautiful coastal bush track, to come out on a lovely grassy hilltop overlooking Blockhouse Bay.
There Mark Paynter led devotions under lovely trees and surrounded by birdsong. He began by
talking about how he had lived opposite to Shadbolt Park for 10 years without knowing the name of the
park. However the Lord is not like that he knows each one of our names (Exodus 33.12) In fact the meaning
of our names has significance. The Lord not only knows our names but the Lord knows all about us, even
knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). Mark stated that John 17:3 defines eternal life as
knowing God the Father and the one he sent. Mark stated that the original fall did not take the Father
by surprise, the Father had planned to redeem us before time itself began. The Father, Son and Spirit
love us with a eternal love, a love that is constant. Even when we fall or sin the love is not diminished
, each person in the trinity continues to love each one of us. In conclusion, not only does each member
of the Trinity know our names, they want us to know them in a personal intimate way.
Next we walked
down to the beach, back up to the village and down to Barbara Steel's for afternoon tea.
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