Shop
Close 
LANGUAGE

New Day Herald

“Lord Shine In Me” — Easter on the Beach with the John Morton

It’s 6:11 a.m. Easter morning as Julie Lurie and I take off towards Santa Monica Beach to set up for the most popular and favorite days during the Easter weekend celebration – Easter on the Beach with our Traveler John Morton. It’s like having a holy family picnic each year, and we invite the community at large.

After our favorite stop at Urth Caffe, we press on to our picnic site. Julie and I get out of the van and walk to where we will set up and call Spirit forward for the event, plant a Light column and ask the Holy Spirit to bless the entire place and all the people that will be attending, most especially our Travelers and the wonderful volunteers and servers on their way.

The truck with the chairs and tables to be used is being unloaded, and we are greeted by one of the NOW Productions crew Roger Wakefield. As our team members start to sprinkle in by the car full like lovely raindrops on this wonderful Spring day, there is a spirited readiness of heartfelt service.

Our coordinating director for this event Julie Lurie, calls the teams together for a quick briefing of jobs and to do a Light invocation in harmonious cooperation. Not long after that, the teams go to work and before I can turn around half the work is already done. The welcome banners up, the tables covered with cloths in bright Easter colors of purples, greens, and pinks with balloons hovering in an Easter rainbow tied to all the chairs for those coming.

The brilliant NOW Productions team is setting up all the cameras and audio equipment to document the celebration to be broadcast through our FM radios and boom boxes strategically placed so all can hear the blessing of our Traveler John Morton speak, as well as the musical contributions this morning.

I am temporarily stationed at the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens van that Julie and I came in this morning while Urth Caffe workers unload it and prepare for the Urth Caffe delivery truck to arrive shortly with coffees, teas, and baked goods that Shalom Berkman and his wife Jila have donated for the event.

The boardwalk is becoming busy with many passers by biking, running, walking, in the cool brisk air asking when things start. Our spiritual family continues to come and its fun greeting everyone.

I must say, this one of the very best and smooth running set ups ever in the history of this event on the beach. I am acknowledging Julie Lurie for her tremendous contribution in putting this particular event together for the past seven or eight years. I know how much she puts into the planning every detail of it, leaving no stone unturned. In fact we will usually start chatting about it around the Christmas holidays.

Julie takes the time to look each year at what works best. This year has been fine tuned to its best production yet. I am proud to be a part of this Easter Celebration each year. Thank you Julie for asking me to be your partner all these years for this event.

Our program is starting and Julie’s son, Gabe, is the MC today. After getting everyone’s attention Gabe calls the group forward into the Light of Spirit and it is very sweet and quiet. After that Gabe gives us a few logistics and invites Golda Berkman up to start the musical portion of our celebration. Golda is a beautiful twelve year old that sings opera. Today she delights us with Verdi. Golda’s Spirit soars in her perfectly executed melodic piece. Gabe returns to the mic and thanks Golda and her parents for the generous contribution from Urth Caffe today that we will all be enjoying.

John Morton comes up next to do a peace prayer. It really set the tone for the morning. Up next with musical delights is our beloved Bob Tackney who has been delighting us for many years with his songs. Gabe returns to the mic once again and invites our beloved John Morton to speak to us.

John speaks to us on a few areas this morning with regard to the life of Jesus. His ministry and the sacrifices that were made on our behalf. I am touched as well listening to John’s heart as he speaks. We are reminded of the living truth of who we all are. John’s stories remind us of when we put our bodies on the line in the truth of who we are, we are backed by God. We hear about those times when it feels like it is just too much to take and then when we just show up for the next thing, or the next day, and the doors open for us in such a way that there is no doubt, no fear, nothing that stands in our way of the faith, the good that is God. When we let go, and let God we relax and become patient. In the forgiveness there is light. In the forgiveness of letting go, and letting God there is resurrection. All of our experiences serve us in one way or another.

This morning we are filled with the bounty that the Lord has prepared for all of us on the beach. Our hearts are filled, and they are light. We are truly blessed. It is probably one of the quietest Easter On The Beach seminars. One family is fortunate enough to have John’s seminar completely translated in sign language. John closes with Barush Bashan and Gabe welcomes the Easter Bunny.

The Easter Bunny greets everyone, and lets the kids know that the Easter Egg Hunt is about to begin. The rest of us are feasting on the Urth Caffe goodies. Also, many people are enjoying the artistic fun of creating flower crowns.

God Bless us one and all.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *