Few Thoughts
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Good Morning! It appears we have another beautiful day in the SCV. Aubree informed me that today is National Ride your Bike to Work Day… or something like that. Last Thursday was our final Men’s Breakfast Meeting for the summer, as many of our calendars are now beginning to get filled up. So, I didn’t need to leave the house early this morning, instead, my first meeting wasn’t until 7:30 for a Henry Mayo Breakfast Meeting. I helped Aubree get her bike and lock ready for her journey to work, as she took off in the early morning light. This really is not a bad thing to do. For some of you who work downtown… any of you ride your bike to work? Or better yet, did anyone ride their bike to work today at all? I’m looking out the office window and I think that we, as a staff are 0 – 5. Five cars in the parking lot… and Zero bikes chained up. Perhaps I will ride later on.
Once again… we enjoyed a fabulous dinner last night here at church. It’s incredible! If you don’t eat here on Wednesday nights… you really are missing out on something wonderful. The cooks always do a great job. The food is ALWAYS fantastic. And you can feed your family for less money than it would cost you to go eat fast food. Thanks kitchen crew!
Good Morning! It appears we have another beautiful day in the SCV. Aubree informed me that today is National Ride your Bike to Work Day… or something like that. Last Thursday was our final Men’s Breakfast Meeting for the summer, as many of our calendars are now beginning to get filled up. So, I didn’t need to leave the house early this morning, instead, my first meeting wasn’t until 7:30 for a Henry Mayo Breakfast Meeting. I helped Aubree get her bike and lock ready for her journey to work, as she took off in the early morning light. This really is not a bad thing to do. For some of you who work downtown… any of you ride your bike to work? Or better yet, did anyone ride their bike to work today at all? I’m looking out the office window and I think that we, as a staff are 0 – 5. Five cars in the parking lot… and Zero bikes chained up. Perhaps I will ride later on.
Once again… we enjoyed a fabulous dinner last night here at church. It’s incredible! If you don’t eat here on Wednesday nights… you really are missing out on something wonderful. The cooks always do a great job. The food is ALWAYS fantastic. And you can feed your family for less money than it would cost you to go eat fast food. Thanks kitchen crew!
Encouragement
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)
Do you like to rejoice? Last Sunday morning in the second service, Leslie decided to change the way we concluded the service… and she inserted the old chorus, “I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart…” This is not the way most churches in 2012 finish up their worship services… but I thought to myself as we were singing it… “How fun is this!” After all, the message I preached from First John was called, "The Joy of Salvation." You know… I think we do a pretty good job weeping with those who weep… but how about the flip flop. Are we a people who love to celebrate other people’s victories? Here are my few thoughts:
- You all know that I enjoy sporting events. Most recently, the Garman household has been getting into NHL (hockey). The Kings are 2 games away from the Stanley Cup Finals. They have never won it all. Anyway… as I was driving back to the church from the meeting I had this morning, I was thinking of the many idioms we hear in the sports world. Here are a few… can you link the sport with the phrase?
- He… could… go… all… the… way!
- He shoots… He scores!
- And that’s from wayyy downtown!
- He’s going back… way back… to the wall… it’s gone!
- Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooollllll!
- You probably scored quite high on this little test and if it was your team that was doing the scoring… you were excited and celebrating. I’m sorry for using this analogy for those of you who aren’t sports fans.
- But as I think about Paul’s words to the Romans and to us, we are called to rejoice in everything. If we would slow down long enough, we would hear more and more good news from those around us. There’s a lot for us to be rejoicing in. A whole lot. All too often we are drawn to the negative. We glance across the room to notice a couple of people in a deep and serious conversation… and we must know what they are talking about. So, we slide over to listen…
- We are good, for the most part, in sending out notes and cards when someone is hurting, in sorrow, in pain, or in lack of direction. But how about sending cards of rejoicing when we learn of some neat thing that has happened? I’ve been to baseball games and seen the way the crowd will erupt out of their seats at the swing of a bat and a homerun. Or the soccer stadium when a goal is scored. Or the winning shot in a basketball game. We stand… we cheer… we shout… we celebrate.
- The next time you see our children running around the church, congratulate them on the completion of another year in Caravan. Rejoice with our students that summer is here. But most of all, rejoice with each other that we all have life in Christ. Now that’s something to shout about!
EXPERIENCING GOD: This Sunday, we will have two presentations of the EXPERIENCING GOD Worship opportunity. 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. I hope that you are inviting friends and neighbors to join you for this experience. Let me remind you that we are still having the Higher Grounds Hour at 9:00.
TRIVIA QUESTION: How many horses did Solomon have? 12,000 (I Kings 10:26)
I love you and look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Powered in Him,
Pastor Greg
Powered in Him,
Pastor Greg
Monday, May 14, 2012
Good Morning! It was a great weekend to be an LA fan. If you like basketball and hockey… and especially the Los Angeles teams… you are quite excited about the weekend’s events. The LA Kings were awaiting their first game in the conference finals and they won yesterday. The Lakers had to play game 7 to see if they would advance to the conference semi-finals and they won. The Clippers played in a game 7 match yesterday against the Grizzlies and won… so they too advance to the semis. All three teams are still in and moving on… WOW! I believe that this is the first time in LA history that all three teams have gone this far.
On Saturday, I rose very early in the morning to head over to Solvang for a half-marathon race. The race started at 7:00 so we carpooled and left at 4:00 AM. The course was a bit hillier than I wanted or expected… thus, my time was not what I would have liked. It’s harder racing at 51 than it was at 40. I hate getting older. But one thing that was cool… the Santa Clarita Runners who ran in the race all registered as a team. There were more than 20 teams registered, and some of these teams are quite well known. To determine the winner of the team registered event… they age grade everyone. So, you can be old, like me, and run a time (1:26:30 which is what I ran) but when they age grade my time it becomes a 1:15:14. So you don’t necessarily need to win your age group or win the entire race to score points for your team. They take the top 5 age graded individuals on the team (team can be as many people as you want)… add up the hours, minutes, and seconds… and that’s the team’s time. Would you believe it? We won! Yay for the old guys! Since it was called the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon… winners won free bottles of wine. Bummer! I’m looking for the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Half marathon!!!
While I was at the race, many of the men were here at the church for the Men’s Training Day. I arrived just as they were closing shop. But, let me say how thankful I am to see such enthusiasm from the men in our church. Men who are excited to be on a journey with the Lord… to lead their homes by example… to be held accountable by other men in smaller groups. I believe 4 or 5 small groups of men have been birthed out of this event that has come out of the recent Men’s Retreat. God is doing something great among us.
Good Morning! It was a great weekend to be an LA fan. If you like basketball and hockey… and especially the Los Angeles teams… you are quite excited about the weekend’s events. The LA Kings were awaiting their first game in the conference finals and they won yesterday. The Lakers had to play game 7 to see if they would advance to the conference semi-finals and they won. The Clippers played in a game 7 match yesterday against the Grizzlies and won… so they too advance to the semis. All three teams are still in and moving on… WOW! I believe that this is the first time in LA history that all three teams have gone this far.
On Saturday, I rose very early in the morning to head over to Solvang for a half-marathon race. The race started at 7:00 so we carpooled and left at 4:00 AM. The course was a bit hillier than I wanted or expected… thus, my time was not what I would have liked. It’s harder racing at 51 than it was at 40. I hate getting older. But one thing that was cool… the Santa Clarita Runners who ran in the race all registered as a team. There were more than 20 teams registered, and some of these teams are quite well known. To determine the winner of the team registered event… they age grade everyone. So, you can be old, like me, and run a time (1:26:30 which is what I ran) but when they age grade my time it becomes a 1:15:14. So you don’t necessarily need to win your age group or win the entire race to score points for your team. They take the top 5 age graded individuals on the team (team can be as many people as you want)… add up the hours, minutes, and seconds… and that’s the team’s time. Would you believe it? We won! Yay for the old guys! Since it was called the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon… winners won free bottles of wine. Bummer! I’m looking for the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Half marathon!!!
While I was at the race, many of the men were here at the church for the Men’s Training Day. I arrived just as they were closing shop. But, let me say how thankful I am to see such enthusiasm from the men in our church. Men who are excited to be on a journey with the Lord… to lead their homes by example… to be held accountable by other men in smaller groups. I believe 4 or 5 small groups of men have been birthed out of this event that has come out of the recent Men’s Retreat. God is doing something great among us.
Encouragement
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord… Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time, Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8-9)
We all know what it is to walk. Do you remember your first footsteps? I don’t either. I probably learned to walk when I was close to a year old. So, obviously, I don’t remember learning to walk. For as long as I can remember… I’ve been walking. BUT, I do remember the first steps of my two girls. I remember watching them crawl… and they could scoot across the floor quite quickly. I’d blink, it seemed, and they were around the corner before I knew it. I remember cleaning their hands after they’d make their way outside on the patio… the dirty concrete floor. Remember how your kids would have dirt-stained pants right at the knees from crawling on their hands and knees everywhere they’d go?
But I will never forget their first wobbly steps. Remember… Leslie would hold them up by grabbing them under their armpits to stand them on their feet. I’d be about 5 feet away with arms open wide. “Aubree, come to daddy.” And when it was Spencer’s turn… we thought she would never want to learn to walk… but, in time, she did, “Ariel, walk to daddy.” Why is it we often spoke to our children in the third person? Funny, huh?
Today, I get out of my chair, without thinking twice. I’ll walk over to Peggy’s desk… walk across the parking lot… walk into the FLC… without thinking twice. I never stop to think, “Oh, I hope I remember how to walk.” I just do it. And so do you. But for all of us… at one time in our lives… it was not easy. We’d fall. Our little legs would get wobbly. We’d start to go sideways. The right leg would give out underneath us as we’d go crashing to the floor. Sometimes we’d quit and return to crawling. It was less painful. Sure, it was dirtier, but we wouldn’t fall that way. Yeah, it was slower… and we were much lower to the ground, so we were often tripped upon by people who didn’t see us, but it was, plain and simple, EASIER. Minutes later, we’d give it another try. We’d reach around to grab something near us, to help us up on our feet, and look straight ahead and begin with that wobbly step… Here are my few thoughts:
But I will never forget their first wobbly steps. Remember… Leslie would hold them up by grabbing them under their armpits to stand them on their feet. I’d be about 5 feet away with arms open wide. “Aubree, come to daddy.” And when it was Spencer’s turn… we thought she would never want to learn to walk… but, in time, she did, “Ariel, walk to daddy.” Why is it we often spoke to our children in the third person? Funny, huh?
Today, I get out of my chair, without thinking twice. I’ll walk over to Peggy’s desk… walk across the parking lot… walk into the FLC… without thinking twice. I never stop to think, “Oh, I hope I remember how to walk.” I just do it. And so do you. But for all of us… at one time in our lives… it was not easy. We’d fall. Our little legs would get wobbly. We’d start to go sideways. The right leg would give out underneath us as we’d go crashing to the floor. Sometimes we’d quit and return to crawling. It was less painful. Sure, it was dirtier, but we wouldn’t fall that way. Yeah, it was slower… and we were much lower to the ground, so we were often tripped upon by people who didn’t see us, but it was, plain and simple, EASIER. Minutes later, we’d give it another try. We’d reach around to grab something near us, to help us up on our feet, and look straight ahead and begin with that wobbly step… Here are my few thoughts:
- The Bible says, “Noah walked with God.” What in the world does that mean? Does it mean he never fell? Does it mean he lived a perfect life from that moment on? Perhaps if we could have the privilege to go back in time and interview Mrs. Noah, she’d probably give us a great answer to those questions. I doubt that Noah was close to perfection. I am certain that especially during the construction years of the ark he encountered great periods of frustration… discouragement… and even wonder, “What in the world am I doing this for?” He probably nailed his finger a time or two. I imagine he hated cleaning up the messes that the animals made in the ark.
- I like what the Apostle John says in First John 1:7 “If we WALK in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” To walk in the light is to walk with God. You know something… I have troubles while I’m running… and even while I am walking, of NOT picking up my feet. It’s not that I am lazily dragging my feet through the dust of the ground… but I just don’t pick up my feet high enough all of the time. And sometimes, even in broad daylight, there might be a crack in the sidewalk… a lip in the driveway… a curb I didn’t see… one more step I had not counted on… and you know what happens.
- Of course, the very FIRST thing we all do when stumbling over a curb, and wiping out in the middle of a parking lot, is… we quickly get back on our feet, look around to HOPE no one saw what just happened. None of us plan to fall. None of us want to fall. None of us thought we’d fall. But, we all, quickly, get back on our feet to resume the walk.
- The righteous one keeps his eyes on the Master. The blameless one stumbles at times, but when he falls, he quickly gets back on his feet and walks on with the Master.
- How’s your walk going today? If you got angry over something you shouldn’t have… apologize… get back on your feet and resume your walk. If you got jealous over a matter or someone… ask the Lord to help you and get back on your feet. If you spoke ill of another person… stop… and resume your walk.
- Whatever… or wherever you may be… don’t quit when you stumble… get back on your feet and walk in the Light. You see, when you walk in the light… you are going somewhere. When you sit on your bottom because you’ve just taken a spill, you might get run over by a car. Don’t stay there wallowing in self pity… get up… and walk again.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP CARAVAN RECIPIENTS: The following children received over the weekend the highest honors, having completed their journey through Caravans. They are all recipients of the Phineas F. Bresee Award.
TRIVIA QUESTION: From out of what did God finally speak to Job? A storm or whirlwind (Job 38:1; 40:6)
Have a wonderful week. I hope to see you soon!
Powered by Him,
Pastor Greg
Powered by Him,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Good Morning! Has summertime begun? Are you and your family beginning to make plans for the next few months? Will any of you go camping? Headed on any road trips? Taking off for the mountains or beaches?
A few weeks ago, following Easter, I asked if anyone had photos of you going fishing. This picture came in from Teri of “Cousin Dave”. Check out the snow on the ground. Must have been very cold fishing conditions.
Good Morning! Has summertime begun? Are you and your family beginning to make plans for the next few months? Will any of you go camping? Headed on any road trips? Taking off for the mountains or beaches?
A few weeks ago, following Easter, I asked if anyone had photos of you going fishing. This picture came in from Teri of “Cousin Dave”. Check out the snow on the ground. Must have been very cold fishing conditions.
Encouragement
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain… She works with her hands in delight… A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:10-31)
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms! Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and my wife! You know something… I am a blessed man. I was raised by a godly mother who cared deeply for her children. I saw mom give, work, minister, lead, and do it all over again… day after day after day. As a child when I was home from boarding school, many times mom was up before light working in the kitchen to give us the greatest of breakfasts every day. Mom was always concerned about our spiritual well-being, always making sure our hearts were right with the Lord. I learned a great deal from mom. Thank you, mom… and Happy Mother’s Day!
Today I am blessed because I have a wife… the mom to my two girls. I get to watch my wife mother these two girls in such a way that pleases me and makes me feel so proud. Leslie may not be the cook my mom is… few women these days are… though she can make a great bowl of fettuccini right from the box. But no one works harder and gives more love to our girls than my wife. When they need someone to listen, their mom is there. When they need to go out… she is willing and ready, and it doesn’t even matter how late in the evening it is. She’s up early in the morning before the light of day… and to bed way beyond the time I snuggle under the sheets. The house is clean… the laundry (which I hate to do… and hardly ever do) is always clean and folded, and even placed back in the drawers. Music fills our home and our children have even followed suit. No one loves the church more than my wife giving countless hours assisting me in my ministry.
So, as we get ready for Mother’s Day let me say “thank you” to all of our moms. If we allowed the time, all of us could say many kind words about those who are special in our lives. But, may I remind you of the final words written in this Proverb? A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Above everything else, ladies… fear the lord… respect the Lord… love the Lord and honor Him. You may not be perfect in everything you do, but as you seek the Lord FIRST, He will direct your path. You may not match up to the description of the “Worthy Woman” as depicted in Proverbs 31. She sounds like the perfect individual who makes no mistakes. She cooks… she sews… she’s up before dawn… she hardly sleeps at night… she dresses her children… she disciplines her children… she takes care of the laundry… she drives the children to school, and picks them up every day… she makes their lunches… and prepares snacks for all their friends… she keeps a clean house… she councils those who need help… she plays the piano.. she sings in the choir… she teaches Sunday School… she prays hours upon hours every day… she leads a small group… she handles the finances… she helps feed the poor… she disciples young ladies… she works behind the scenes, yet is a public spokeswoman… and the list goes on.
But, just remember one thing… The mother who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. This is one thing every person can do. And you can do successfully. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Today I am blessed because I have a wife… the mom to my two girls. I get to watch my wife mother these two girls in such a way that pleases me and makes me feel so proud. Leslie may not be the cook my mom is… few women these days are… though she can make a great bowl of fettuccini right from the box. But no one works harder and gives more love to our girls than my wife. When they need someone to listen, their mom is there. When they need to go out… she is willing and ready, and it doesn’t even matter how late in the evening it is. She’s up early in the morning before the light of day… and to bed way beyond the time I snuggle under the sheets. The house is clean… the laundry (which I hate to do… and hardly ever do) is always clean and folded, and even placed back in the drawers. Music fills our home and our children have even followed suit. No one loves the church more than my wife giving countless hours assisting me in my ministry.
So, as we get ready for Mother’s Day let me say “thank you” to all of our moms. If we allowed the time, all of us could say many kind words about those who are special in our lives. But, may I remind you of the final words written in this Proverb? A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Above everything else, ladies… fear the lord… respect the Lord… love the Lord and honor Him. You may not be perfect in everything you do, but as you seek the Lord FIRST, He will direct your path. You may not match up to the description of the “Worthy Woman” as depicted in Proverbs 31. She sounds like the perfect individual who makes no mistakes. She cooks… she sews… she’s up before dawn… she hardly sleeps at night… she dresses her children… she disciplines her children… she takes care of the laundry… she drives the children to school, and picks them up every day… she makes their lunches… and prepares snacks for all their friends… she keeps a clean house… she councils those who need help… she plays the piano.. she sings in the choir… she teaches Sunday School… she prays hours upon hours every day… she leads a small group… she handles the finances… she helps feed the poor… she disciples young ladies… she works behind the scenes, yet is a public spokeswoman… and the list goes on.
But, just remember one thing… The mother who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. This is one thing every person can do. And you can do successfully. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
CARAVAN BADGE CEREMONY: I am so proud of our children who have worked so hard all year long earning badges and medals to be placed on their sashes. A special shout goes out to all of our leaders who taught and led our children this year. What a special evening we enjoyed last night participating in the awards ceremony in the sanctuary!
MEN’S TRAINING DAY: Perhaps there is no better way for us men to show our love and appreciation to our wives than by learning to be the best men/husbands/dads we can be. It’s the day before Mother’s Day, and all of you men have an opportunity to come and get some good solid training this Saturday at 8:00. Breakfast will be served as well as lunch. I will be here… just a little late. I hope to see you here.
MOTHER’S DAY: This Sunday, we invite you to return to church for Mother’s Day. All moms will receive a special gift from the church… one that can even be eaten. Those are often the best gifts! We will also honor our children who have journeyed through many years of study, service projects, and learning as they have just completed Caravans on Wednesday nights. We invite you to come and celebrate along with them in their accomplishments.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is the first person in the scriptures to be called a “prophet”? Abraham (Genesis 20:7)
I look forward to the weekend. God is working and He is active among us today. See you soon!
Powered by Him,
Pastor Greg
Powered by Him,
Pastor Greg
Monday, May 07, 2012
Good Morning! Greetings on a gorgeous spring day in Santa Clarita! I trust you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend just as I have. Allow me a moment to share with you a few thoughts about the weekend… I will begin with Saturday morning. Each year the Running Club of Santa Clarita puts on this event that’s called The Prediction Run. It’s a different kind of race… in fact, it’s NOT even a race. The race director sends out an email to everyone in the club announcing the date, place, and time The Prediction Run will take place. He also informs us of the approximate distance for the event. So, with a week leading in to the event, we knew that The Prediction Run would be held at Central Park at 7:30 AM and the distance would be somewhere between 3-5 miles.
I informed Leslie and the girls of the event (we all participated in it last year) and… all three said, “We’ll be there.” I usually like to get in a few extra miles on Saturday, so I left the house early and went for a run before the event.
The Prediction Run is simple. Once we arrive at the park at 7:30, we are able to see the map of the course and the EXACT distance. The goal of the run is to predict, in advance, what time you will finish the entire run. The course was marked and the distance was set at 3.66 miles. We had to fill out cards with our name on it and the predicted time we would finish. Therefore, the winner of the run is NOT the fastest… BUT the one who gets closest to their predicted time. Now, here’s the challenge. You are NOT allowed to run with a watch, GPS, or any other device that might assist you in the run. The bottom line is, “how well do you know your pace?”
The person who put down on their card the slowest time… they go first as the large clock at the finish line begins to tick backwards. Then, the next slowest time goes out when they see their time appear on the clock… and so on. In theory, if everyone were to get their predicted time correctly, we’d have a mass finish all at the same time.
So… reluctantly, Leslie, Aubree, & Spencer decided to join me for the run. They placed their times on the cards and when it was their turn to run… they left the starting area. Well… since Central Park is NOT that big… we had to make a few extra loops in certain areas to cover the 3.66 miles. The Race Director had marked the course with chalk earlier in the morning… and with plenty of runners out there… it was quite easy to follow those who were in front of you.
However, with about a quarter of a mile to go in the run, Leslie and Spencer followed this other man in the club, who took a wrong turn, and ended up running nearly 4.25 miles… When they finished I went up to Leslie and said, “Don’t tell me that you don’t like running… because you chose to run more than a half mile longer than you needed.” I think that she and Spencer wanted to harm the man they followed once they realized that they had run WAY longer than they needed to. As you might know… they didn’t win the event. Neither did I!
Good Morning! Greetings on a gorgeous spring day in Santa Clarita! I trust you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend just as I have. Allow me a moment to share with you a few thoughts about the weekend… I will begin with Saturday morning. Each year the Running Club of Santa Clarita puts on this event that’s called The Prediction Run. It’s a different kind of race… in fact, it’s NOT even a race. The race director sends out an email to everyone in the club announcing the date, place, and time The Prediction Run will take place. He also informs us of the approximate distance for the event. So, with a week leading in to the event, we knew that The Prediction Run would be held at Central Park at 7:30 AM and the distance would be somewhere between 3-5 miles.
I informed Leslie and the girls of the event (we all participated in it last year) and… all three said, “We’ll be there.” I usually like to get in a few extra miles on Saturday, so I left the house early and went for a run before the event.
The Prediction Run is simple. Once we arrive at the park at 7:30, we are able to see the map of the course and the EXACT distance. The goal of the run is to predict, in advance, what time you will finish the entire run. The course was marked and the distance was set at 3.66 miles. We had to fill out cards with our name on it and the predicted time we would finish. Therefore, the winner of the run is NOT the fastest… BUT the one who gets closest to their predicted time. Now, here’s the challenge. You are NOT allowed to run with a watch, GPS, or any other device that might assist you in the run. The bottom line is, “how well do you know your pace?”
The person who put down on their card the slowest time… they go first as the large clock at the finish line begins to tick backwards. Then, the next slowest time goes out when they see their time appear on the clock… and so on. In theory, if everyone were to get their predicted time correctly, we’d have a mass finish all at the same time.
So… reluctantly, Leslie, Aubree, & Spencer decided to join me for the run. They placed their times on the cards and when it was their turn to run… they left the starting area. Well… since Central Park is NOT that big… we had to make a few extra loops in certain areas to cover the 3.66 miles. The Race Director had marked the course with chalk earlier in the morning… and with plenty of runners out there… it was quite easy to follow those who were in front of you.
However, with about a quarter of a mile to go in the run, Leslie and Spencer followed this other man in the club, who took a wrong turn, and ended up running nearly 4.25 miles… When they finished I went up to Leslie and said, “Don’t tell me that you don’t like running… because you chose to run more than a half mile longer than you needed.” I think that she and Spencer wanted to harm the man they followed once they realized that they had run WAY longer than they needed to. As you might know… they didn’t win the event. Neither did I!
Encouragement
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. (Psalm 66:1-2)
Have you done that very thing this morning? Are you waiting for something good to come to you today? If you are… wait no more. The good has come. Here are my few thoughts:
- We often wait too long before we praise the Lord. Sometimes we wait to see if we get the job. Sometimes we wait to see if the check arrives in the mail… or the healing we’re praying for takes place… or the project we’re working on is complete. “Lord, if this happens then I will stop and give you praise.” Or we say, “Lord, when you do this one thing for me I will sing praises to your name.”
- Yet, this morning I woke up after a good night’s rest. Thank you, Jesus! When I went to bed last night, I was exhausted and wiped out. And this morning I woke up to a new day. Thank you, God!
- I got to lie there in bed and chat a bit with my wife. We covered topics from her plans to my plans for the day. We discussed what we would do about dinner. We talked about Experiencing God. She asked me when I would be running. Think about all of that… There were a lot of things to thank Jesus for. Thank you, God!
- I got to go have a quiet time with a cup of coffee in hand. I took a warm… hot shower. There was food in the pantry and in the fridge so we knew that there would be something to eat later on. I would get to go running. Thank you, Jesus!
- I drove over to the office in my car. Sure… it drinks lots of gasoline… but it’s running. Yes, the roof leaks when it rains… but it’s running. Oh yeah… it’s a 13-year-old car… but it’s running. Thank you, Jesus!
- The hills surrounding the church are gorgeous. Flowers are blossoming everywhere. The sky is crystal clear. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you Jesus!
- The Lord has given me a beautiful family who loves me for who I am… with my faults… with my weaknesses… Thank you Jesus!
- A loving and supportive church family is always by my side. Thank you Jesus!
- And no matter what may come my way… I know this one thing… I am a branch abiding in the vine. I am staying connected to the vine and I’M NOT LETTING GO. He is my salvation. The Lord is my Rock. Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. Thank you Jesus!
- Sure, there are things that I need to deal with today that aren’t easy. There are challenges I have to face today that I wish I could avoid. But… the blessings in life FAR outweigh my troubles. How can I not shout joyfully to the Lord?
- If you’re waiting to do so later on… Why wait? Can I encourage you to give the Lord a moment of praise right now? Right where you are. If you’re reading this material you have a few things at least going for you: You’re breathing, so you’re alive. You have eyesight. Your computer is working, or you have a friend who has copied these Few Thoughts for you. Take some time to give the Lord a good shout of praise!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: Last Thursday evening, we enjoyed a terrific time together here in the sanctuary as we prayed for our country, state, leadership, and church. I especially thank the Prayer Team for leading us in this evening of Praise and Prayer. Thank you Kacy and Mercye for leading this ministry!
TINKERBELLE TEA: This past Saturday we had more than 100 “princesses” in the FLC for Tinkerbelle Tea. Now… before you question why I was here… just hold on. The women had asked a few of us men to assist in the serving and photo taking. So, I volunteered. What a beautiful time these ladies experienced on Saturday. Thank you, Anita Robbins and the Women’s Council, for putting this event together!
CINCO DE MAYO: Under the direction of Robert and Aurora Heller… and Sue Gordon (in a different department) the Hope-n-Mic Ministry was a tremendous success on Main Street in downtown Newhall on Saturday. We handed out flyers and many, many bottles of ice cold water to people passing by. One the highlights was seeing people pass by… but then stop to listen… and even worship as songs of praise were singing out to the Lord on Main Street. A special thanks also goes out to individuals like Wat and Sue… Terri and Rob… Dave, and many others who worked tirelessly that day. And by the way… did you see Maria and Roxy in the Signal?
MEN’S TRAINING DAY: Attention all men… this Saturday, there will be a training day for accountability here at the church beginning at 8:00. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. I hope to see you here.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What Old Testament name is mentioned 54 times in the New Testament? David
May the Lord bless your day today and grant you an awesome week!
Powered in Him,
Pastor Greg
Powered in Him,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Good Morning! It’s National Day of Prayer today… will you take a few moments to pray for our country? Our leaders? Our State? Boldness for our churches to speak the truth? Courage for every Christian believer to live according to the standards of the Word of God? I invite you to come back tonight in our sanctuary for a brief prayer service at 7:00 PM. I hope you can join us.
As I peeked out my window a few moments ago, it appeared that the sun was trying to break through the clouds. The clouds won that battle… but there are more hours in the day… more days in the week… more weeks in the month. I am looking forward to the hot days yet to come.
Good Morning! It’s National Day of Prayer today… will you take a few moments to pray for our country? Our leaders? Our State? Boldness for our churches to speak the truth? Courage for every Christian believer to live according to the standards of the Word of God? I invite you to come back tonight in our sanctuary for a brief prayer service at 7:00 PM. I hope you can join us.
As I peeked out my window a few moments ago, it appeared that the sun was trying to break through the clouds. The clouds won that battle… but there are more hours in the day… more days in the week… more weeks in the month. I am looking forward to the hot days yet to come.
Encouragement
God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us – That Thy way may be known on the earth, Thy salvation among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for Thou wilt judge the peoples with uprightness, and guide the nations on the earth. Let the peoples praise Thee. The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us. God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him. (Psalm 67:1-7)
Depending upon which study you follow, or political agenda you accept, there are between 191-194 countries in the world today. Countries in question are The Vatican, Taiwan, Kosovo, Greenland… So, for however many world countries there are today, God has exhorted them all to praise Him. He is the Creator of the world… and the Apostle Paul has even written that He (Jesus) is the firstborn of all creation… and that He is before all things, and in Him ALL things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)
As I think about today… National Day of Prayer, I am reminded that we do have a lot to be thankful for. I look outside and see a parking lot in front of a beautiful church building. There’s no fence around the lot or buildings. There’s no underground passageway to a hideout in the hills behind our property. There’s a large white cross up on the hill and an old rugged cross in the front signifying that this is a place of worship… and everyone is welcome to join. We even have a large sign out front telling the world just who we are.
Every Sunday and every Wednesday, we drive freely and openly to this property for worship, study, and prayer. Many times throughout the week, you will find members of the church in studies, or making plans, or preparing meals for future activity and ministry. The Lord has given us multiple opportunities to freely express our worship TOGETHER before Him. I am thankful! But, I am wondering if we, as believers… His Church… are doing all we can for the kingdom? Are we praising the Lord in every opportunity He has given us to do so? Are we challenging one another to live out the commands of our Lord today? Here are my few thoughts:
As I think about today… National Day of Prayer, I am reminded that we do have a lot to be thankful for. I look outside and see a parking lot in front of a beautiful church building. There’s no fence around the lot or buildings. There’s no underground passageway to a hideout in the hills behind our property. There’s a large white cross up on the hill and an old rugged cross in the front signifying that this is a place of worship… and everyone is welcome to join. We even have a large sign out front telling the world just who we are.
Every Sunday and every Wednesday, we drive freely and openly to this property for worship, study, and prayer. Many times throughout the week, you will find members of the church in studies, or making plans, or preparing meals for future activity and ministry. The Lord has given us multiple opportunities to freely express our worship TOGETHER before Him. I am thankful! But, I am wondering if we, as believers… His Church… are doing all we can for the kingdom? Are we praising the Lord in every opportunity He has given us to do so? Are we challenging one another to live out the commands of our Lord today? Here are my few thoughts:
- I’ve been challenged several times in reading articles from VOM (Voice of the Martyrs) monthly publication. In an article I read recently, allow me a moment to quote from Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, a prisoner for Christ who wrote a classic book "Tortured for Christ." He says that his imprisonment was simply one more opportunity to share Christ. He wrote, It was in prison that we found the hope of salvation for the communists. It was there that we developed a sense of responsibility toward them. It was in being tortured by them that we learned to love them. A great part of my family was murdered. It was in my own house that their murderer was converted. It was also the most suitable place. So in communist prisons the idea of a Christian mission to the communist was born.
- Tom White, director of VOM, says, “To present the persecution of Christians as ‘wrong’ or ‘unjust’ is half-baked theology. Jesus prophesied that persecution can be a natural outcome of our witness.” Another testifies in China saying, “Jesus loves me so much that He sent me to prison.”
- And today our doors are open. We have freedom of speech. We can share our faith nearly everywhere we go.
- May I make this challenge to us all? Let’s not wait until it’s illegal to pray… witness… share our faith. Let’s not wait until we’re thrown into prison because we love Jesus.
- All too often we wait… we don’t want to offend them. We think that if I’m outspoken of my love for the Lord, I’ll turn them away. Guess what? They’re not coming to the Lord with your silent witness, are they? I fear we have been swept away by this shallow thinking of “I’ve got to be careful of what I say” attitude. I think that the Lord may be looking for some bold testimonies. After all… John the Baptist wasn’t politically correct. Was Jesus? How about Stephen? Or any of the other apostles or deacons after Pentecost.
- We pray, “Lord bless us…” But if we look at the end of this chapter… observe how God wants to bless us. “That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.”
- On this Day of National Day of Prayer… what’s your calling?
EXPERIENCING GOD: It is NOT too early to invite friends and neighbors to our Experiencing God worship experience on Sunday, May 20. We will present this incredible worship experience in two hours: 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. We will have a Higher Grounds Hour that morning at 9:00 as normal. We also are asking you to bring along with you on that Sunday canned and boxed food items so we can donate it to the Food Pantry.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT PHOTOS: I understand that Family Fun Night last Saturday night went very well. Attached are few photos of the evening.
SATURDAY: Two huge events: Tinkerbelle Tea here at the church for ladies and girls at 2:00 p.m. And then from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. Cinco de Mayo. Can you come and help by handing out bottled water and sharing about the church at the Hope-in-Mic booth?
TRIVIA QUESTION: Upon what surface do we have a recording of Jesus’ only time when He wrote something? The ground (John 8:1-11)
See you all soon!
Son Powered,
Pastor Greg
Son Powered,
Pastor Greg
Monday, April 30, 2012
Good Morning! Today marks the final day of the month… can you believe it? Tomorrow is May. Mother’s Day is just around the corner… the Tinkebelle Tea is this Saturday, and I will be one of the servers, but I’m NOT wearing any tights! The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday… and I hope that you’ll be able to join us for the Prayer Service here in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, is Encouragement Card Night at Dave Ewart’s home… and those who come always enjoy a wonderful time together. You, too, are invited to join us at 7:00. And this coming Saturday is Cinco de Mayo… downtown Newhall on Main Street. Hope-n-Mic will have a booth where we will be handing out bottled water. Come on over and join in on the fun and outreach.
The fog as finally lifted and we have another gorgeous day in the SCV. Any plans you have to enjoy the late afternoon?
Last night Leslie and I, along with the Twenty-Somethings, went out to enjoy the evening at Sky-High… a trampoline experience unlike anything else. There were 22 of us in total and everyone seemed to have a great time. Check out some of the pictures below. After jumping around for an hour, we made our way to the Weekley’s home where Matt had prepared a great meal for us all. Thanks Matt Weekley and family for inviting us. We all had a wonderful time!
Good Morning! Today marks the final day of the month… can you believe it? Tomorrow is May. Mother’s Day is just around the corner… the Tinkebelle Tea is this Saturday, and I will be one of the servers, but I’m NOT wearing any tights! The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday… and I hope that you’ll be able to join us for the Prayer Service here in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, is Encouragement Card Night at Dave Ewart’s home… and those who come always enjoy a wonderful time together. You, too, are invited to join us at 7:00. And this coming Saturday is Cinco de Mayo… downtown Newhall on Main Street. Hope-n-Mic will have a booth where we will be handing out bottled water. Come on over and join in on the fun and outreach.
The fog as finally lifted and we have another gorgeous day in the SCV. Any plans you have to enjoy the late afternoon?
Last night Leslie and I, along with the Twenty-Somethings, went out to enjoy the evening at Sky-High… a trampoline experience unlike anything else. There were 22 of us in total and everyone seemed to have a great time. Check out some of the pictures below. After jumping around for an hour, we made our way to the Weekley’s home where Matt had prepared a great meal for us all. Thanks Matt Weekley and family for inviting us. We all had a wonderful time!
Encouragement
And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.” And immediately the news about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee… And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out to a lonely place, and was praying there. And Simon and his companions hunted for Him; and they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” And He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, in order that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” (Mark 1:27-28, 35-38)
Sometimes I like to go on YouTube and check out some amazing things that people can do. Illusionists doing their tricks… a young man hopping on one wheel doing all sorts of tricks on his bicycle… a giant slam dunk in the middle of a basketball game… skydivers jumping out of airplanes or falling off cliffs on top of deep canyons… and so much more. We are easily entertained by many different things in life. And this has not changed across the years. For thousands of years, man has been drawn to that which is spectacular… to the things that just don’t seem normal… we like to watch things that amaze us. Here are my few thoughts:
- Before Jesus came on the scene, there were not many miracles taking place in or surrounding Galilee. It seems there was a period of silence since the days of Elijah and Elisha were performing miracles. With a few exceptions here and there… there weren’t many “spectacular” miracles going on.
- All of a sudden, Jesus shows up in Cana of Galilee and they run out of wine at a wedding feast. A terrible embarrassment for the family. And without any grapes on hand… Jesus takes a few pots of water and has the servants pour them into separate containers. The result is amazing… the best tasting wine one could find.
- Jesus goes to Capernaum, a small fishing port where Peter, James, John, and Andrew work… along with a few others… The word has arrived there that Jesus had turned some water into wine in Cana just a few days earlier. No cell phones… no newspapers… no radio or television… but word about what He had done in Cana was traveling fast. Everyone was asking, “What did He do? Tell me again… you mean he did NOT use grapes… only water?” The word of this miracle preceded His arrival. The crowds were gathering in… and He taught them the ways of God. Yet, there were too many people… they pressed and pushed and before He knew it, He was teaching from Peter’s boat. He instructs Peter to take Him out to the deeper waters to lower the nets. Having been skunked all night, Peter thinks it’s a waste of time… BUT… he decides to go along with it… until he can hardly bring in the nets. There are so many fish nearly ripping the nets apart. Another miracle.
- So… He amazed the people with the water into wine experience… and they walked away scratching their heads, “How did He do that? Boy, we’re going to follow Him and see what else He can do.”
- He goes to the lake and somehow knows just where the fish are located. And everyone is amazed! WOW! Jesus is really cool. The crowds are growing. He’s like a modern day magician. No one can find an explanation to His tricks.
- But now, in the middle of His teaching, a demon-possessed man… known by everyone. He had been cast out of the village numerous times. He was bothersome. He was a pain. He got in the way… and he always drew so much attention to himself. He messed up everything all the time. And the crowds weren’t there to see him… they were there to see what else Jesus could do. They were looking for more wine… more fish… But… what they were about to witness they were not ready for. The demon-possessed man comes running up to Jesus… he’s yelling… cursing… disturbing the teachings… but Jesus rebukes the demon as the man falls to the ground in convulsions. There’s a scream from the demon as he departs the body of this poor man he had inhabited for some time. And there he was… once possessed by an evil spirit… and the demon comes rushing out of him. Now, for the first time ever, this man is sitting in peace and harmony with the Creator of the world. And the crowd is again… AMAZED!
- Jesus spends the rest of the day and evening healing the sick and restoring the blind… and the crowds continue to storm in. And they are amazed!
- But, Jesus did not come to amaze them. He hasn’t come to amaze us. Notice up above why Jesus said the reason for His coming was… “to preach”. Preach what? To preach the Good News. The Good News of salvation. He came to bring life. He has come to change lives… not to amaze us.
- Have you given much thought as to why you come to church? Do you come hoping to see something spectacular? Do you want to be amazed? Jesus hasn’t come to entertain… He’s come to change… to change our lives. Just like He did for the demon-possessed man when He gave him a new life… Jesus does that for you and me today.
- If you want to be amazed, go to YouTube. If you want eternal life, go to Jesus and read His Word.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What body of water was divided so that two men could walk across on dry land when Elijah took his coat and touched the waters? The Jordan River (II Kings 2:7-8)
I hope you have a great day and a terrific week. See you sometime this week.
Pastor Greg
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Good Morning! Do you ever slow down enough to look around and see those things that may often be missed because of busy-ness? Randy and Irene wrote in their blog the other day of a bald eagle flying just overhead as they cycled their way through Virginia and Kentucky. One of my running friends, who is a pilot, was sharing with me the other day that while flying at 15,000 feet above sea level a gaggle of geese were flying in a V formation at that altitude. He said that he was stunned… for he had never seen geese at that altitude before.
One time, years ago, while hiking on a trail from Uut to Achu in the Amazon jungle… a day’s journey into the deep interior… my native friend and I happened upon a large worm eating a snake. (You read it right… a worm eating the snake) A National Geographic moment… all I had was an instamatic camera (you remember those) but the photo did not come out very clear. Yet, the picture is very clear in my mind.
Have you spotted a bobcat on a wall in the early morning hours? Or a coyote howling in the moonlit night?
Sometimes it’s that beautiful sunset in the middle of a city… with cars all around… telephone poles… busy streets… houses and trees… but when you stop for just a moment, you can catch a glimpse of God’s creative work in the sky. Does He paint those pictures just for us? That sunset will appear and disappear within moments... to never return in that exact same way again. It’s a onetime chance to stop and take a look. So… this past Tuesday evening as I was leaving a church parking lot in Simi Valley, I looked up to appreciate God’s gift to us. A gorgeous sunset in the middle of a city. Check it out!
Good Morning! Do you ever slow down enough to look around and see those things that may often be missed because of busy-ness? Randy and Irene wrote in their blog the other day of a bald eagle flying just overhead as they cycled their way through Virginia and Kentucky. One of my running friends, who is a pilot, was sharing with me the other day that while flying at 15,000 feet above sea level a gaggle of geese were flying in a V formation at that altitude. He said that he was stunned… for he had never seen geese at that altitude before.
One time, years ago, while hiking on a trail from Uut to Achu in the Amazon jungle… a day’s journey into the deep interior… my native friend and I happened upon a large worm eating a snake. (You read it right… a worm eating the snake) A National Geographic moment… all I had was an instamatic camera (you remember those) but the photo did not come out very clear. Yet, the picture is very clear in my mind.
Have you spotted a bobcat on a wall in the early morning hours? Or a coyote howling in the moonlit night?
Sometimes it’s that beautiful sunset in the middle of a city… with cars all around… telephone poles… busy streets… houses and trees… but when you stop for just a moment, you can catch a glimpse of God’s creative work in the sky. Does He paint those pictures just for us? That sunset will appear and disappear within moments... to never return in that exact same way again. It’s a onetime chance to stop and take a look. So… this past Tuesday evening as I was leaving a church parking lot in Simi Valley, I looked up to appreciate God’s gift to us. A gorgeous sunset in the middle of a city. Check it out!
Encouragement
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding that I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all my heart. (Psalm 119:33-34)
This Psalm is the longest Psalm in scripture… it is the longest chapter (176 verses) in the Bible… and it is nearly smack dead center in the Word of God. As you read through this chapter, you will quickly discover that the overriding theme is the LAW OF GOD. Isn’t it interesting that the center point in scriptures speaks to God’s laws to us? And when I think of my own life… what takes center stage? What is it that I focus on the first thing when I get up in the morning? Here are my few thoughts:
- The writer in this psalm asks the Lord to teach him. He desires to learn from the Lord. He wants to know God’s laws… statutes… commandments… ways… lessons in life.
- I have found it quite fascinating that each one of us really do learn what we want to learn, don’t we? Take, for instance a computer. Some of us are masters behind the screen. We can maneuver that mouse anywhere and click from icon to icon and page to page. When someone asks a question as to how to get somewhere… you may be able to take over and click here and there faster than our eyes can even keep up.
- Cell phones… there’s more technology in our cell phones than anything our early astronauts experienced before going to the moon during the Apollo missions. And our young children can send text messages faster and in codes that few of us can understand to their friends all across the valley.
- We purchase a new video camera or a digital camera to learn the quickest tricks to give us the greatest of pictures and videos.
- Today, some of us know the exact calorie number of everything we put in our mouths…
- We’ve learned to grab the right remote control and surf the channels… skipping over commercials… going in and out of programs on HD to sporting events… to DVDs…
- We learn the skills involved in playing baseball, basketball, or soccer…
- We can quote movie after movie… program after program…
- We will sit down and study music and learn to play a musical instrument that brings joy and pleasure to us all…
- We’ve studied the streets and highways and know just where the least expensive gas stations are located.
- Isn’t it interesting that we all know how to learn… None of the above things can be done without studying and learning which comes with practice. Yet, how many times do we say, “I want to know more of God… I want to learn His ways… I want to know His will for my life… I want to get closer to Jesus.” I happen to believe that we have as much of God in our lives as we really want.
- Do you want to learn His ways? Pick up His Word… read it. Study it. Learn from Him. Do you know more quotes from movies or verses from the Bible? Can you name more models of cars or Books of the Bible? What comes easier? Listing the top cell phone models or the Beatitudes?
- Have you thanked the Lord recently for His wonderful Word? Open it today… let Him speak to you… meditate on His wisdom… learn from Him… and don’t forget to give Him thanks.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Our first Family Fun Night is this Saturday (April 28), 5:00-8:00 p.m. There’ll be food, a scavenger hunt, squirt guns, basketball, volleyball… something for all ages – for kids, teens, parents, and single people!
This is definitely something you don’t want to miss. Small Stuff babysitting can also be available, but you need to let us know you need it. You must RSVP to Pastor Kathy by Friday morning so she can make sure there’s enough food and games. It’s gonna be a blast!!
This is definitely something you don’t want to miss. Small Stuff babysitting can also be available, but you need to let us know you need it. You must RSVP to Pastor Kathy by Friday morning so she can make sure there’s enough food and games. It’s gonna be a blast!!
CINCO DE MAYO: Cinco de Mayo is coming up on the cinco de mayo, believe it or not. Robert and Aurora Heller are heading up a group of us to host a booth on Main Street for the celebration and festivities that will represent HOPE-n-MIC. The event will fall on Saturday, the 5th of May, in the afternoon and evening. Our plan is to have free water to hand out with labels on the bottles sharing the fact that Jesus is the Living Water. Would you help us next Wednesday afternoon place these labels on the bottles to get things ready for the event? And come on out and support the festivities following the Tinkerbelle Tea at church.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Elijah outran a king's chariot, running all the way from Mount Carmel to Jezreel, almost 10 miles. Who was the king? Ahab (1 Kings 18:41-46)
Have a great day… stay dry and I will see you on Sunday!
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Good Morning! We’ve got another beautiful day in the Santa Clarita Valley… I hope that you’ll be able to get out sometime and enjoy it. I haven’t been out on the trail these recent days but can imagine that the rolling hills are covered with wildflowers bursting with color. I will need to get out there and see.
I peeked my head in last night to see the Zumba Workout people in the FLC… They had a great group of ladies going at it. Good job, women! They appeared to be working out hard, enjoying the music, and following the instructor very well.
The Lakers won… the Clippers won… but the Kings lost. I don’t have a clue about the Dodgers or Angels. David D. missed our breakfast this morning to give me the Dodger results. I’m too lazy to look it up on line. The Boston Marathon was run this past Monday. Once again, temperatures were in the mid 80s… similar to the year 2004 when I ran in Boston. Times, were of course, slower due to the warm conditions. It’s nearly impossible to run a PR (Personal Record) when temperatures exceed 60 degrees for a marathon. The winning time was 9 minutes slower than last year. Temperatures were 45 degrees warmer than last year.
Last week, I preached from John 21 where seven of the disciples decide to go fishing. You recall the story… They fish all night and NOTHING! Jesus shows up at dawn (a couple of weeks after His resurrection) and tells them to cast their nets on the right-hand side of the boat. They listen to Him and can hardly haul in the net because of the large quantity of fish. Many of us have gone fishing… some of us in lakes… others of us in streams… some have gone deep sea fishing… others with fly rod… some with live bait… hooks.. lines… sinkers… some with nets… others with harpoons… and still in some cultures with poison. There are MANY ways to go fishing. And in some cases, it’s not just a pastime but a real need for protein. What’s the largest fish you’ve ever caught? Send me a picture of you with a fish and I would like to post it. Here is my friend Victor Dasem in the jungle with his catch from the Kusu River. This catfish weighed 150 pounds.
Good Morning! We’ve got another beautiful day in the Santa Clarita Valley… I hope that you’ll be able to get out sometime and enjoy it. I haven’t been out on the trail these recent days but can imagine that the rolling hills are covered with wildflowers bursting with color. I will need to get out there and see.
I peeked my head in last night to see the Zumba Workout people in the FLC… They had a great group of ladies going at it. Good job, women! They appeared to be working out hard, enjoying the music, and following the instructor very well.
The Lakers won… the Clippers won… but the Kings lost. I don’t have a clue about the Dodgers or Angels. David D. missed our breakfast this morning to give me the Dodger results. I’m too lazy to look it up on line. The Boston Marathon was run this past Monday. Once again, temperatures were in the mid 80s… similar to the year 2004 when I ran in Boston. Times, were of course, slower due to the warm conditions. It’s nearly impossible to run a PR (Personal Record) when temperatures exceed 60 degrees for a marathon. The winning time was 9 minutes slower than last year. Temperatures were 45 degrees warmer than last year.
Last week, I preached from John 21 where seven of the disciples decide to go fishing. You recall the story… They fish all night and NOTHING! Jesus shows up at dawn (a couple of weeks after His resurrection) and tells them to cast their nets on the right-hand side of the boat. They listen to Him and can hardly haul in the net because of the large quantity of fish. Many of us have gone fishing… some of us in lakes… others of us in streams… some have gone deep sea fishing… others with fly rod… some with live bait… hooks.. lines… sinkers… some with nets… others with harpoons… and still in some cultures with poison. There are MANY ways to go fishing. And in some cases, it’s not just a pastime but a real need for protein. What’s the largest fish you’ve ever caught? Send me a picture of you with a fish and I would like to post it. Here is my friend Victor Dasem in the jungle with his catch from the Kusu River. This catfish weighed 150 pounds.
Encouragement
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)
What is it that brings you peace? Or, perhaps, a better question is, What is “peace”? Tranquility? Calm? Contentment? Satisfaction? Stillness? Harmony? Sometimes, we define words by saying what they aren’t. Peace is not war. Not uproar. Not anger. Not frustration. Not chaos. Not turbulence. Not tumult.
When do you find yourself at peace? When you’re home and the family is all together? Immediately following a quiet time with the Lord? When you’re listening to music? When your work is done and you can relax? When you’re on vacation… perhaps camping up in the mountains or sitting by the pool reading a book? Taking a stroll along a quiet stream? Here are my few thoughts:
- Jesus had been speaking with the disciples preparing them for His physical departure and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. He was sharing with them that God the Father was not abandoning them. He was not leaving them as orphans. And all along, Jesus was instructing His disciples to be living lives in obedience to His words. To love one another. To obey the Word. To abide in Him.
- I find it fascinating that in light of Jesus’ words… this Peace He is giving His disciples and leaving for the church is, in many ways, another title for the Holy Spirit. He had just finished telling the disciples that the Helper was coming (The Holy Spirit), and then He proceeds to tell them that He would be leaving “Peace” with them. You and I all know that the Holy Spirit is peace. And the Holy Spirit does not come from the world. He comes to us from the Father.
- How is it that Paul and Silas could have peace while in a damp, dark, cold jail cell? The Holy Spirit was with them.
- How could Stephen have peace as the leaders in Jerusalem began stoning him with large rocks? The Holy Spirit was with Him.
- How could Barnabas trust a man who had murdered Christians and persecuted others for several years? The Holy Spirit was with him.
- How could modern day pastors return to their home countries with the Word in their hand knowing they will probably be killed by outside groups? The Holy Spirit is with them.
- How can a missionary leave the comforts of their home and culture and go to a foreign place and send their children to boarding school miles away for a period of four months at a time? The Holy Spirit is with them.
- How can someone change careers midway through their adult life and begin teaching or preaching the Good News? The Holy Spirit is with them.
- How can a student return to the school knowing they will be made fun of again? The Holy Spirit is with them.
- How can a mom sleep at night when she knows that there is a specific need with her child? The Holy Spirit is with her.
- How can the Prodigal Son’s father allow his son to leave? The Holy Spirit is with him.
- Amusement Parks will not give you peace. Money doesn’t give you peace. Job security doesn’t even bring you peace. But the Prince of Peace will give you true peace.
- May I challenge you to live in Him today? He is PEACE. He will give you peace!
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: This Sunday will be your final opportunity to vote on the boards and councils. Two options: 10:00-10:30 and 12:00-12:30. Come back at 5:00 PM to hear the reports from all ministry leaders.
HOPE-n-MIC: Tomorrow night, Friday, April 20 from 7:00-10:00, is Hope-n-Mic right here at the church. I understand that there will be enchiladas to eat. All you need to bring is a side dish and dessert. Great music.. good fun… awesome fellowship and terrific food. I hope to be there… to eat… listen and fellowship. Come on out and join us!
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is the first person recorded to have laughed? Sarah (Genesis 18:12)
On a personal note… let me share with you a few thoughts. This summer, I will be taking a sabbatical leave for seven weeks. It will be my second sabbatical since I have begun my ministry. In the first 9 days, Leslie and I will be headed to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked. I can hardly wait for this journey. For one… I have never been outside of the Americas… and now to go and visit Israel; it is going to be exciting. I’m most looking forward to The Dead Sea / Masada and the areas surrounding the Sea of Tiberias / Galilee. Of course, we’ll visit Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall, Bethlehem, Golgotha, Nazareth, and more… My plan is to take many photos, videos, and to journal everything. Thank you for sending us on this trip. Upon our return home, I will have a few days of rest before I leave for nearly four weeks to Peru. I will visit many churches and people I haven’t seen in a long time, all while writing of my Holy Land experiences. To finish off my sabbatical, I will return home, visit a few other churches and capture new ideas and thoughts about church ministry. I will be away from NewNaz June 5 – July 23. You will enjoy the various ministers who will lead the way in my absence: all of which are people connected with our church. The church staff is ready for any and all emergencies, and you have their contact information. I will provide a detailed calendar very soon regarding those speaking and preaching in the services while I am away.
I love you and I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
I love you and I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, April 16, 2012
Good Morning! Following a weekend of rain and even snow (at the men’s retreat), we have been granted a gorgeous day to start off the work week. As I sit here glancing out the window, I’m rejoicing in the day the Lord has made, and yes, I am glad in it.
1.57 inches of rain here at the church in this latest rain.
Do you like snow? Did you grow up in the snow? I could probably count on one hand the number of times I have been in a house or cabin while it was snowing outside. This weekend was one of them. We were up at pine Mountain above Frazier Park this weekend for the Men’s Retreat. Two groups of us left on Friday… one at noon and the other at 5:00. Both groups made it up safely. The unfortunate thing was that anyone who was planning to head up the mountain on Saturday… never made it due to the snow and ice conditions on the road. We enjoyed an awesome time together… Gil Mertz did an outstanding job of leading us in our discussions and times together. God was certainly present as we listened and shared with each other.
I’ve never been to a Ladies’ Retreat… and never plan to go on one either, but I imagine things a whole lot different. For one, once we arrived at the cabin… we unloaded the food and sleeping bags and all… I stayed in the kitchen to help sort out the food, as we placed some items in the fridge and other items in the cupboards. Friday night’s menu was hotdogs. We had buns… condiments… and ENORMOUS size hotdogs. The buns came in packages of 8 each. The hotdogs came in packages of 15. The hotdogs were twenty times the size of the buns. Longer… fatter… they were huge. We boiled them… spread the stuff out on the table… prayed… and inhaled our meal.
Someone asked, “What’s for breakfast tomorrow?”
The answer was French Toast until we discovered that no one thought of bringing up syrup. We looked around and found hidden in the back cupboard a bottle of syrup… perhaps having been there for several years. It was dry and crusty on the top and contained about a tablespoon of syrup inside. The following morning, Russ Meehan and I decided to go for a walk and see if the store had any syrup. We left the cabin a little after 6:30 and made our way down through the snow-covered road and trails. The store was closed and wouldn’t open for another 35 minutes or so. As we were walking along… we found this elderly lady shoveling snow in her driveway. We stopped to ask if she needed any help, but her answer was, “no”. She was simply clearing a pathway for the newspaper to be dropped off and not get buried in the snow. We chatted it up with her explaining that we were a men’s group from a church in Santa Clarita and we had forgotten syrup so we were just out for a stroll and checking at the store to see if they had any.
“You boys wait right here,” she said. “I’ve had this syrup for the longest of time, and have been looking to get rid of it.” She disappeared in her house and moments later returned with a bottle of pure maple syrup… half empty, and enough for 3, maybe 4 pieces of French Toast. We thanked her and made our way back to the cabin. When the others saw us returning with the half bottle of syrup, some were asking if I planned to perform a miracle and reproduce more syrup. I said that I could, but the syrup I would be making would be extremely watered down.
Good Morning! Following a weekend of rain and even snow (at the men’s retreat), we have been granted a gorgeous day to start off the work week. As I sit here glancing out the window, I’m rejoicing in the day the Lord has made, and yes, I am glad in it.
1.57 inches of rain here at the church in this latest rain.
Do you like snow? Did you grow up in the snow? I could probably count on one hand the number of times I have been in a house or cabin while it was snowing outside. This weekend was one of them. We were up at pine Mountain above Frazier Park this weekend for the Men’s Retreat. Two groups of us left on Friday… one at noon and the other at 5:00. Both groups made it up safely. The unfortunate thing was that anyone who was planning to head up the mountain on Saturday… never made it due to the snow and ice conditions on the road. We enjoyed an awesome time together… Gil Mertz did an outstanding job of leading us in our discussions and times together. God was certainly present as we listened and shared with each other.
I’ve never been to a Ladies’ Retreat… and never plan to go on one either, but I imagine things a whole lot different. For one, once we arrived at the cabin… we unloaded the food and sleeping bags and all… I stayed in the kitchen to help sort out the food, as we placed some items in the fridge and other items in the cupboards. Friday night’s menu was hotdogs. We had buns… condiments… and ENORMOUS size hotdogs. The buns came in packages of 8 each. The hotdogs came in packages of 15. The hotdogs were twenty times the size of the buns. Longer… fatter… they were huge. We boiled them… spread the stuff out on the table… prayed… and inhaled our meal.
Someone asked, “What’s for breakfast tomorrow?”
The answer was French Toast until we discovered that no one thought of bringing up syrup. We looked around and found hidden in the back cupboard a bottle of syrup… perhaps having been there for several years. It was dry and crusty on the top and contained about a tablespoon of syrup inside. The following morning, Russ Meehan and I decided to go for a walk and see if the store had any syrup. We left the cabin a little after 6:30 and made our way down through the snow-covered road and trails. The store was closed and wouldn’t open for another 35 minutes or so. As we were walking along… we found this elderly lady shoveling snow in her driveway. We stopped to ask if she needed any help, but her answer was, “no”. She was simply clearing a pathway for the newspaper to be dropped off and not get buried in the snow. We chatted it up with her explaining that we were a men’s group from a church in Santa Clarita and we had forgotten syrup so we were just out for a stroll and checking at the store to see if they had any.
“You boys wait right here,” she said. “I’ve had this syrup for the longest of time, and have been looking to get rid of it.” She disappeared in her house and moments later returned with a bottle of pure maple syrup… half empty, and enough for 3, maybe 4 pieces of French Toast. We thanked her and made our way back to the cabin. When the others saw us returning with the half bottle of syrup, some were asking if I planned to perform a miracle and reproduce more syrup. I said that I could, but the syrup I would be making would be extremely watered down.
Encouragement
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Proverbs 4:9-12)
Boy oh boy… is this statement ever true! Two are better than one. I would say that 90% of my running is done with at least one other person. Sometimes while we’re in the office, someone will yell out, “What are you guys doing for lunch?” You see, it’s a lot more fun when you get to eat with someone else. Sure, there are times I eat alone… but when I do… seldom will I sit there in the restaurant and eat alone. I usually will grab my grub and eat it in the car as I drive down the road listening to a talk show or some music. WHY? Because I’m listening to someone else. I’m not alone.
I like to wash cars on my day off. Sometimes I call out for one of my girls to come out and help me… and together we can wash several cars… and quickly.
Leslie shared with me the other day something that happened to her sister Dana most recently. Dana and her fiancé were sailing in his boat on one of the lakes near Fresno last week. They were out at the other end of the lake when the wind completely died down in the late afternoon. If you know anything about lakes… especially lakes that are snug against a mountain range… most people try and get off the lakes in the late afternoon because the winds can be severe, and the waters very rough. Yet, on this day the wind had completely disappeared. They were a bit frustrated and were doing all they could to NOT use their engine to return back to the ramp. Inching their way along… Dana grabbed her binoculars just to check the scenery around them and figure out how much further they might need to travel... when she captured through the lens another boat off in the distance. She studied it carefully and immediately saw a situation that was not good. Someone was in the water… and the other was in the boat.
They fired up the motor and headed over to the other boat. It was an elderly couple. The wife had fallen out of the boat, and the husband was unable to pull her back in. She had been hanging on to the railing of the boat for more than two hours in the near freezing waters of the lake. Her body was changing colors… and she was barely conscious as Dana dove into the waters and Terry helped pull her to safety.
Dana immediately removed the ladies wet clothing and lay on top of her to give her warmth. “If two lie down together they keep warm.” Terry and Dana saved a life that day. Perhaps the Lord knew that an elderly couple would be in need of assistance that day… so the winds were died down. Doesn’t the Lord know what’s best for us? Had Terry and Dana just rushed to get out of there by firing up the motor… they would never have spotted this couple in need. Had Dana not provided warmth to this lady in need… she may never have recovered.
One of my biggest mistakes is a saying many of us have said… “I’ll just do it myself.”
Yet, there is something valuable in this wonderful Proverb… “Two are better than one…” You know something… for one thing… someone is getting some training. Another thing… the work time can be cut in half. Another… there is companionship… and when you bring the third piece in which is the most important piece… “A cord of three strands is not easily torn apart.” With God in the picture… what can be against us? So wherever two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus… there is always one more PERSON.
Perhaps we need to take some time to thank the Lord for His presence in our lives. Slow down… don’t rush… there may be someone who needs a little warmth from you.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER: We had only 53 people sign up for dinner this Wednesday night. If you are one who has forgotten to sign up, please email the church as soon as you read this so we can plan on your coming. We really want to be good stewards of the resources we have. Last week, we served at least 96 meals.
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: This is a simple reminder to make sure and vote this Sunday if you haven’t done so already. You have two more chances to vote: This Sunday, April 22, between 10:00-10:30 a.m. and 12:00- 12:30 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. we’ll return in the sanctuary for the final reports from various committees.
Trivia Question: What is the first bird mentioned by name in the Bible? Raven (Genesis 8:7)
I hope you are having a terrific week... I’m looking forward to this Sunday as we embark on a new journey: THE HEALTHY CHURCH will be our theme for the year with an immediate focus on Going Solar… Empowered by the Son. See you soon!
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Good Morning! Yesterday morning we received 1.6 inches of rain here at the church. Today it’s overcast and dry, with another storm coming our way this evening… I think.
So… in the sports world, it seems that it was a good day for LA yesterday with many local teams winning.
Last night, we had a delicious dinner, as we always do here at church. New cooks showed up yesterday, though, and provided us with an assortment of food. If you left the table hungry, it was your own fault. Thank you Lucciano, Norm, and crew. The food was fantastic!
Good Morning! Yesterday morning we received 1.6 inches of rain here at the church. Today it’s overcast and dry, with another storm coming our way this evening… I think.
So… in the sports world, it seems that it was a good day for LA yesterday with many local teams winning.
Last night, we had a delicious dinner, as we always do here at church. New cooks showed up yesterday, though, and provided us with an assortment of food. If you left the table hungry, it was your own fault. Thank you Lucciano, Norm, and crew. The food was fantastic!
The men are preparing for the Men’s Retreat tomorrow. A group of us will meet at noon to head up the mountain while the second group will meet at 5:00 PM. Both groups will leave from the church parking lot. Guys… it could be a bit cold and there just may be some snow. Be prepared.
Encouragement
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
We know these words and we know the words that follow. We are called to baptize… and to teach and train disciples everywhere. You see, Easter changes everything. The power of our resurrected Lord affects life. And did you realize the power that was surrounding Easter 2012? Below are just a few examples I’ve gleaned from various sources. Perhaps, you are already aware of some of them.
Do you ever feel alone and that no one else cares or believes? Rest assured, there are many believers in Jesus Christ working together to spread the Gospel. Let’s join in with them:
#1. Pastor Rick Warren did an outstanding job fielding questions from reporter Jake Tapper on ABC's This Week program on Sunday. Tapper asked Warren some difficult questions - some "gotcha" questions -- which he handled as well as any interview I have seen. At one point, Tapper asked Warren whether he believes only those who put their faith in Jesus will reach heaven. "I do believe that. And I believe that because Jesus said it," Warren said. "Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He didn't say 'I'm one of the ways.' He said, 'I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life.' I'm betting my life that Jesus wasn't a liar."
#2. Football star Tim Tebow preached to over 15,000 people in Texas Easter morning. He talked about his faith in Christ and also the need for America to return to the God of our fathers. ''First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God," Tebow said to applause. God has truly given this young man a huge platform and the maturity to handle the attention. Please continue to pray for Tim.
#3. Bubba Watson won The Masters - the most prestigious tournament in professional golf on Sunday as millions of golf fans and non-golf fans alike watched on television around the world. Watson hit what some observers called a "miracle" shot to set up his win. Watson is an outspoken Christian golfer and he uses his Twitter account - along with his platform as one of the PGA Tour's magnetic personalities - to share about his faith in Christ. "For me, it's just showing the Light," the 33-year-old said. "There's people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It's just a way to be strong in my faith."
Do you ever feel alone and that no one else cares or believes? Rest assured, there are many believers in Jesus Christ working together to spread the Gospel. Let’s join in with them:
#1. Pastor Rick Warren did an outstanding job fielding questions from reporter Jake Tapper on ABC's This Week program on Sunday. Tapper asked Warren some difficult questions - some "gotcha" questions -- which he handled as well as any interview I have seen. At one point, Tapper asked Warren whether he believes only those who put their faith in Jesus will reach heaven. "I do believe that. And I believe that because Jesus said it," Warren said. "Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He didn't say 'I'm one of the ways.' He said, 'I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life.' I'm betting my life that Jesus wasn't a liar."
#2. Football star Tim Tebow preached to over 15,000 people in Texas Easter morning. He talked about his faith in Christ and also the need for America to return to the God of our fathers. ''First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God," Tebow said to applause. God has truly given this young man a huge platform and the maturity to handle the attention. Please continue to pray for Tim.
#3. Bubba Watson won The Masters - the most prestigious tournament in professional golf on Sunday as millions of golf fans and non-golf fans alike watched on television around the world. Watson hit what some observers called a "miracle" shot to set up his win. Watson is an outspoken Christian golfer and he uses his Twitter account - along with his platform as one of the PGA Tour's magnetic personalities - to share about his faith in Christ. "For me, it's just showing the Light," the 33-year-old said. "There's people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It's just a way to be strong in my faith."
EASTER VISITORS: As you know, we had many people here for our worship services on Easter Sunday morning. I want to thank all of you for inviting friends and neighbors to join you in this special day. Would you please do the following:
- Follow up with them to let them know how glad you were that they were here for Easter. Call them on the phone… send them a card… invite them to dinner.
- Let me know if you think that they would like to receive a card from me to thank them for their attendance. If so, I will need to know name and address.
PHOTO DIRECTORY: Pictures will be taken again this Sunday in the overflow room. Pull your family together and head on in there for a picture to be taken. We want to complete these pix so we can get the Photo Directory together ASAP.
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING: The ACM will be held at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary on Sunday, April 22… but the voting process for new elections will begin this Sunday. You can vote between 10:00-10:30 in the FLC or between 12:00-12:30 in the conference room. Voting is for members of the NEWNAZ Church from ages 15 years and older.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What two sounds made the walls of Jericho fall? Trumpets and shouts from the people. (Joshua 6:20)
I hope that you are having a great week. This Sunday we will continue with the Easter theme in a message called The Days that Followed. We will study John 21:1-14. See you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, April 09, 2012
Good Morning! It’s the day after Easter and the Lord has given us another terrific day. Have you glanced outside yet? WOW! I’m tempted to just take the day off and run in the hills all morning long. I can’t find a cloud anywhere… yet they tell me that the clouds are coming in. Today may be the last of the clear skies for the week. Rain could be here as early as tomorrow night.
Have you recovered from all of the Easter celebrations? What a day we enjoyed yesterday! Combining all three services our attendance was somewhere around 440. Our Sunrise Service was held up under the Oak Tree at 6:00 a.m. It was a little dark and very cold… but what an awesome morning we experienced. Immediately following the Higher Grounds Hour, our children went hunting for Easter Eggs at 10:10. If any of our kids didn’t get enough eggs… they just didn’t look hard enough. I believe we had more than 3000 eggs. Have you ever tried to hide 100 eggs? That in itself is hard to do… Try hiding 3000. They were EVERYWHERE. But our children had a great time traipsing through the grass scooping up their miniature treasures. I was doing my best to encourage all children to eat all of their candy before going to bed that night. Moms and dads were very pleased with me.
Good Morning! It’s the day after Easter and the Lord has given us another terrific day. Have you glanced outside yet? WOW! I’m tempted to just take the day off and run in the hills all morning long. I can’t find a cloud anywhere… yet they tell me that the clouds are coming in. Today may be the last of the clear skies for the week. Rain could be here as early as tomorrow night.
Have you recovered from all of the Easter celebrations? What a day we enjoyed yesterday! Combining all three services our attendance was somewhere around 440. Our Sunrise Service was held up under the Oak Tree at 6:00 a.m. It was a little dark and very cold… but what an awesome morning we experienced. Immediately following the Higher Grounds Hour, our children went hunting for Easter Eggs at 10:10. If any of our kids didn’t get enough eggs… they just didn’t look hard enough. I believe we had more than 3000 eggs. Have you ever tried to hide 100 eggs? That in itself is hard to do… Try hiding 3000. They were EVERYWHERE. But our children had a great time traipsing through the grass scooping up their miniature treasures. I was doing my best to encourage all children to eat all of their candy before going to bed that night. Moms and dads were very pleased with me.
Encouragement
Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
It seems that the Apostle John has waited until the end of his writing to tell us why he’s decided to write this Gospel. He has carefully laid out everything for his readers to know and understand. And just as he’s about to finish up with the writing, he tells us why he’s written this material. The birth of Jesus had come and gone… but there was no mention of it in his writing. He decided early on to hit the ground running. So, he begins with THE WORD. Jesus is the WORD. He has always been with God. He, Himself, is God. And He became FLESH. He became flesh to be the Lamb of God to take our place. From the very beginning, John knew where he was going with this Gospel. As wonderful and beautiful as the Christmas Story is, John was more focused on the week Jesus would die and conquer the grave. And so that’s where he goes. Here are my few thoughts:
- John chose to NOT call the actions of Jesus with the word “miracle”. His preference was “signs”. He wanted to write an account showing that Jesus was who He said that He was. Everything Jesus did was for, and with a purpose. EVERYTHING. When He began His earthly ministry in Cana of Galilee by turning the water into wine… isn’t it interesting that His action there was so closely associated to His final action on the cross? He reminded His disciples that those who drink from the cup will proclaim His death until He returns. And in our proclamation there is an element of thanksgiving as we remember the action of our Lord on the cross. His blood was shed for the remission of sins. And of course, His first sign that He showed the power of His Father working through Him, was turning water into wine and everyone was thankful.
- It’s in John’s writing where we find the small boy’s lunch multiplied to feed 5000 people. Jesus is the Bread of Life. It’s in John’s writing we see a blind man receiving sight. Jesus is the Light of the World. John tells us the story of the Woman at the well because Jesus is the Living Water. Lazarus is raised from the dead in John 11 because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The woman who was caught in sin and nearly stoned to death for her sinful ways is given a second chance because Jesus is forgiveness and in Him there is hope. John explains to us that Jesus is the VINE and we are the branches, and as we abide (stay connected to Him) we will bear much fruit.
- All of these things John has written about are there to show us that Jesus is the CHRIST. Jesus is the SON OF GOD. And because He has gone all the way to the cross… and died… our sins… our guilt… our transgressions have been nailed up there with Him because He carried our sins. But the resurrection from the grave is the best SIGN of all… Jesus is ALIVE. And because He is alive… this is God’s SIGN to us that death is not final. As we believe in His name we will have life… Eternal Life. Life FOREVER. LIFE EVERLASTING. And that, my friend… is a very long time.
- So today… the day after Easter… take a few moments to thank the Lord for the promise of hope we have through Jesus. Because He lives… we can face tomorrow. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. NOTHING! Eternal life begins right now!
THANK YOU: Thanks to those of you who gave a little extra this week. Some of you came to help us out on Saturday cleaning up the church and raking the leaves to prepare for the Sunrise Service. You swept… pulled weeds… prepared the food… set up chairs… strung up balloons… brought in umbrellas… gathered early to prepare songs and readings… hid Easter Eggs for the children, etc. To all of you, and the numbers are too great to mention everyone by name, but thank you EVERYONE. The church staff and I are so grateful for the help we have anytime we do special events like we had this weekend.
MENS’ RETREAT: Gentlemen… it appears that we have a few more spots open for the retreat this weekend. It’s going to be a blast and I hope that you can come up for the weekend, or part of the weekend. It’s only $50 per person. Gil Mertz will the sharing with us… there will be golf… and that’s always fun as few in the group really know how to play. I can swing a club… but I never know where that ball is headed to. Ladies… this is your opportunity to kick him out of the house for a few days… and have the place to yourself… and your kids if they are still there.
Men… I’m looking forward to this weekend… I really do hope to see you. One more thing… if you are someone, or you know someone who can’t afford the $50, please see me, we have extra funds for anyone who wants to go but is lacking in funding. No one should stay home because of money. Please join us!
GROW: The theme for Easter was SHAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL… and as I shared yesterday, the earthquake that shook the area surrounding Golgotha on that first Easter was a good thing. There was no death in that earthquake… only LIFE! Life wins!!! And if you did not receive a tomato plant from the church yesterday… please drop by sometime this week to pick one up. You want another one? You can have one. We would like to see the remaining plants find good homes and gardens than be locked away in the Family Life Center.
So, go ahead and GROW that plant and watch the fruit begin to form. We are going to have a chips and SALSA party soon. More on this in a few weeks.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who slept through a haircut? Samson (Judges 16:19)
May the Lord bless your day and week! I hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
April 7
Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46
“Jesus called loudly, ‘Father, I place My life in Your hands!’ then He breathed His last.”
“Jesus called loudly, ‘Father, I place My life in Your hands!’ then He breathed His last.”
Focusing on Luke, this verse fascinates me for a number of reasons. Let’s look at the background of the verse: the author, Luke, was DR. Luke. He saw a lot of death. It is interesting how common that scene can be when you see it so often.
Focusing on David, this individual fascinates me for a number of reasons. He called it like it was! Was he angry with God? Told Him. In love with God? Told Him that, too. Discouraged? Ditto. Are you under the false assumption that you have to have it all together to go to God? There’s a reason why that assumption is called “False”. Jesus doesn’t want perfection. He wants honesty.
Focusing on others who have said these words: Stephen. If you are not familiar with this story, open the Bible to Acts 7 and dig in! This story blows my mind!
Wait – I have more names for you: Bishop John Huss; Polycarp as he was being burned at the stake; Jerome of Prague; Bernard; Luther.
All from way back when, you say? How about: Archbishop Isaias, 2002; Estifanos, 2005; Robert Fanish, 2009; Alufunzi Ziwa, 2011.
All of the people listed above are documented with saying some variation of the same words that Jesus spoke, and the list goes on and on and on…
Focusing on today, I want you to know that I pray for my girls. Aubree and Spencer are God’s gift to me for a number of reasons, and it’s important to me that they know that. One of the many prayers I have for them is that they will live their lives for the Lord TODAY; that they will embrace the Christian life with passion and fervor. And, at the end of their lives, that they will reach up with arms ready to fall into their Savior’s arms and proclaim, with victory, that “It is finished!”
Jesus said this: “TETELESTAI!” Friends, He did it for you. Life wins!
Prayer Request: For Christians who are persecuted for Christ in many places of the world.
~ Leslie Garman
April 6
Psalm 22, Matthew 27:46
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’
Take time to read Psalm 22 -- the whole thing! Jesus doesn’t say much from the cross. So when He does manage to overcome the excruciating pain of holding himself up to fight asphyxiation and push a few words from his aching chest, we should LISTEN. This is the moment that his whole life has hinged on -- when he bears not only the weight of sin but also the inner heartbreak of every human. Isaiah 53:4 confirms “...he bore our griefs and our sorrows.” Notice that he DOESN’T say, in a televangelist voice, “Oh, Lo-ahd, Ah ask you to stah-rengthen me in thee ow-ah of mah need!” No, the words he speaks are straight from Psalm 22, penned hundreds of years earlier, before crucifixion was ever an instrument of Roman torture. This is Jesus’ worst nightmare, and in that moment, he shows us how to endure our own. This isn’t for the whining pity-party. This is the real deal. This is for when the cancer is terminal, when the child is deep in addiction. This is for when the fist has made contact, the prison doors have clanged shut, the unthinkable has happened, and there is no escape. His heart is broken, and all comfort is gone. Notice that these words are memorized! Like any Jew of the time, Jesus likely knew every word of the Psalter, and prayed (sang!) them daily. In the moment of need, this one floats to the surface. It burns in its honesty. Jesus FELT utterly forsaken. Yet I am convinced that he was praying the WHOLE thing through. Psalm 22 has eleven prophetic verses expressing anguish. But it has nineteen verses of PRAISE. Is there any doubt that the darkened sky and earthquake are evidence that the Father was painfully aware of his hurting child? Those words are for us, too. We can pray honestly with Jesus, who is ever with us in our suffering, who is praying for us NOW. We can pray “why have you forsaken me?” but also “in You they trusted, and were not disappointed.” In this darkness, remember: Easter is coming!
Prayer Request: Pray today for anyone who has experienced tragedy, depression, or deep anguish, knowing that God hears and He is faithful.
~ Bonnie Traylor
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Good Maundy Thursday to You! Nearly one third of the material we have in the four Gospels pertain to the final week of Jesus’ ministry on earth. As we read through the narrative, we capture many and various emotions… from the crowds… the disciples… and even Jesus Himself. What do you believe was crossing Jesus’ mind as He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Do you think He spotted those people He had healed weeks earlier from various diseases in the crowd that day? Did He wear a smile? Was He pensive? Was He sad?
On Monday, He left Bethany very early in the morning and as He approached Jerusalem, He became hungry. As He came to a fig tree to take something from it to eat… there was nothing… so He cursed it and made His way into the Temple. Chaos was in the air. Within seconds, tables were tossed around and sellers were chased away from their changing booths. Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin were watching His every move… now planning to make the arrest and bring Him to a faulty trial so they could kill Him. As He always did, He left in the afternoon for Bethany to spend the evening with close friends.
Tuesday was Jesus’ most busy day of the week. As they returned to Jerusalem, they saw, once again, the fig tree that was cursed only one day before. Today, it was withered up and dead! As He entered the city, Jesus answered questions… some were questioning His authority… perhaps many were reflecting on His actions the day before in the Temple. What do you think the Temple courtyard was like on Tuesday? When the moneychangers saw Jesus entering the Temple area, do you think they huddled over their tables so as to protect the coins and merchandise in case Jesus was to repeat His actions from the day before? Or do you believe that His actions were heeded and the Temple was now a place of prayer and rest? One thing is clear… on this day, a poor widow came crawling by and dropped two copper coins into the offering plate and Jesus took notice. She gave out of her poverty everything she had. Her pockets… her purse were now all empty. Her very last coin was given for the kingdom. That evening, another woman would come to Jesus to empty her all out before Him. She would break open a container holding expensive perfume and pour it over Jesus’ feet. Two women… two servants… two people… in the week when Jesus would give His all for us… they gave their very best. They gave all that they had to the kingdom. Meanwhile, one of Jesus’ disciples (Judas) takes advantage of the situation to try and get ahead just a little more in life… goes out to prepare for the betrayal.
Here’s a thought… at the end of the day… when the Temple Money Counters add up the offerings of the day… there are silver coins… denarius… copper coins… and perhaps more. Mixed in with those monies are the two copper coins the widow had placed in the plate earlier that day. The leaders knew how much money they had to work with as Judas arrived with his scheme. The deal was made… and her two copper coins would be traded, along with other funds, for some silver coins for the payoff. Did Jesus know that her offering would be used to pay off one of His disciples when he would betray his friend? Perhaps.
On that note, Jesus went off alone on Wednesday. We don’t have any information on that day for what Jesus did except a one phrase sentence that says, “He hid Himself…” On Wednesday, Jesus spent time alone in prayer with His Father.
Thursday arrived and it was time for the Passover Meal… His last one with His disciples. He would wash their feet. He would serve them bread… and give them wine to drink. They would sing… and He would pray. Tonight, we will gather in Meeker Hall for our Maundy Thursday service at 6:00. We’ll share around the table… meditate… pray… listen… share… and remember.
Tomorrow is Good Friday… and I invite you to join us for a 45-minute service at noon. Jesus went to the cross at 9:00 AM and He died at 3:00 PM. Six hours on the cross… and we will gather at the midway point to remember that He bore our sorrow… He carried our grief. He was beaten for our transgressions. He was crushed for our sins. How much does Jesus love me? You? He went to the cross and He took my place… your place and He died. He died to bridge the gap between sinful man and Holy God. You see, without Jesus, we could never make it to the Father. That means… without Jesus, we can’t make it to heaven. Jesus is the Way… the Truth… and the Life.
Good Maundy Thursday to You! Nearly one third of the material we have in the four Gospels pertain to the final week of Jesus’ ministry on earth. As we read through the narrative, we capture many and various emotions… from the crowds… the disciples… and even Jesus Himself. What do you believe was crossing Jesus’ mind as He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Do you think He spotted those people He had healed weeks earlier from various diseases in the crowd that day? Did He wear a smile? Was He pensive? Was He sad?
On Monday, He left Bethany very early in the morning and as He approached Jerusalem, He became hungry. As He came to a fig tree to take something from it to eat… there was nothing… so He cursed it and made His way into the Temple. Chaos was in the air. Within seconds, tables were tossed around and sellers were chased away from their changing booths. Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin were watching His every move… now planning to make the arrest and bring Him to a faulty trial so they could kill Him. As He always did, He left in the afternoon for Bethany to spend the evening with close friends.
Tuesday was Jesus’ most busy day of the week. As they returned to Jerusalem, they saw, once again, the fig tree that was cursed only one day before. Today, it was withered up and dead! As He entered the city, Jesus answered questions… some were questioning His authority… perhaps many were reflecting on His actions the day before in the Temple. What do you think the Temple courtyard was like on Tuesday? When the moneychangers saw Jesus entering the Temple area, do you think they huddled over their tables so as to protect the coins and merchandise in case Jesus was to repeat His actions from the day before? Or do you believe that His actions were heeded and the Temple was now a place of prayer and rest? One thing is clear… on this day, a poor widow came crawling by and dropped two copper coins into the offering plate and Jesus took notice. She gave out of her poverty everything she had. Her pockets… her purse were now all empty. Her very last coin was given for the kingdom. That evening, another woman would come to Jesus to empty her all out before Him. She would break open a container holding expensive perfume and pour it over Jesus’ feet. Two women… two servants… two people… in the week when Jesus would give His all for us… they gave their very best. They gave all that they had to the kingdom. Meanwhile, one of Jesus’ disciples (Judas) takes advantage of the situation to try and get ahead just a little more in life… goes out to prepare for the betrayal.
Here’s a thought… at the end of the day… when the Temple Money Counters add up the offerings of the day… there are silver coins… denarius… copper coins… and perhaps more. Mixed in with those monies are the two copper coins the widow had placed in the plate earlier that day. The leaders knew how much money they had to work with as Judas arrived with his scheme. The deal was made… and her two copper coins would be traded, along with other funds, for some silver coins for the payoff. Did Jesus know that her offering would be used to pay off one of His disciples when he would betray his friend? Perhaps.
On that note, Jesus went off alone on Wednesday. We don’t have any information on that day for what Jesus did except a one phrase sentence that says, “He hid Himself…” On Wednesday, Jesus spent time alone in prayer with His Father.
Thursday arrived and it was time for the Passover Meal… His last one with His disciples. He would wash their feet. He would serve them bread… and give them wine to drink. They would sing… and He would pray. Tonight, we will gather in Meeker Hall for our Maundy Thursday service at 6:00. We’ll share around the table… meditate… pray… listen… share… and remember.
Tomorrow is Good Friday… and I invite you to join us for a 45-minute service at noon. Jesus went to the cross at 9:00 AM and He died at 3:00 PM. Six hours on the cross… and we will gather at the midway point to remember that He bore our sorrow… He carried our grief. He was beaten for our transgressions. He was crushed for our sins. How much does Jesus love me? You? He went to the cross and He took my place… your place and He died. He died to bridge the gap between sinful man and Holy God. You see, without Jesus, we could never make it to the Father. That means… without Jesus, we can’t make it to heaven. Jesus is the Way… the Truth… and the Life.
April 5
Luke 23:34
“But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots; dividing up His garments among themselves.”
“But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots; dividing up His garments among themselves.”
When we read these words of Jesus, we must picture his situation. He had been in so much agony that, as he was praying, his sweat became “like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22:44) He had been denied food and water, physically and mentally attacked, deserted by his friends, and now was hanging on a cross – struggling for each breath. From our perspective, we may feel that Jesus would have been more than justified if he lashed out in anger, committing them all to a fiery tomb or worse. After all, Jesus was and is God, and could respond in any way he chooses. And so he did – respond in the way he chose – not with anger or wrath – but in love and forgiveness.
We read these words so often that we may forget how remarkable they are! So often we respond to simple, daily situations with anger and frustration. A driver accidently changes lanes in front of us or doesn’t immediately respond to a light turning green… we honk loudly, mutter unkind words or worse. A grocery clerk packs the eggs at the bottom of the bag or the fast food server forgets to put our fries in the bag… and we react with anger. You know what your “hot buttons” are and how frustrated you can become!
In the New Testament Gospels, there are just a few times when Jesus teaches us about prayer; but we do find examples of prayer from studying the behavior of Jesus. In this scripture, we see Jesus in the most difficult time of his life, putting the needs of others first. Jesus prays for the people who have harmed him the most – asking his Father to forgive them for their actions.
We can be confident that Jesus is praying the same prayer for us today as he did for his enemies over 2000 years ago… asking his Father to forgive our sins. Shouldn’t we do the same for others? Let’s lift up both our friends and foes in prayer. Let’s seek forgiveness for both ourselves and others.
Prayer Request: For wisdom and understanding from the Lord as to how we can deal with difficult people and situations.
~ Pastor Kathy
RAKING OF THE LEAVES: On Saturday, you are welcomed to join us for a quick clean-up here at the church so we can get ready for the Sunrise Service and Easter Sunday morning. Can you help?
EASTER: The theme for Easter is SHAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL… and we’ll return to the Easter story as told to us in Matthew 28:1-8. Come join us for a special day of incredible ministries and events. There won’t be any Sunday School classes, but we ask that all families sit with each other and enjoy the worship time together. There are ministries and childcare for the children ages 4 and under.
- 6:00 a.m. Sunrise Service up on the hill under the oak tree behind the church. Dress in warm clothes and bring a flashlight…
- 9:00 a.m. Higher Grounds Easter Service in the FLC
- 10:10 a.m. GIANT Children’s EASTER EGG HUNT
- 10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Morning Worship Service
TRIVIA QUESTION: What were the disciples doing just before Jesus washed their feet? They were arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest. (Luke 22:24)
I am looking forward to seeing you here. Have a wonderful weekend!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
April 4
Luke 22: 39-42
”...And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
”...And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
My favorite image of Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane… of His desperate pleas, His absolute trust, His total surrender to the painful will of the Father. I don’t know about you, but I am not especially good at trusting the will of the Father. I trust CalTrans more than I trust God sometimes. Every day I cross over dozens of bridges and overpasses and I never even think about it. I just get in my car and drive. I don’t stop at the first bridge I come to, get out of my car and check for cracks. I don’t ask at the county office to see the latest inspection report. But when I encounter a really tough trial, I fall to pieces. This Jesus in the garden shows me how it’s supposed to work. Jesus knows what is going to happen. He knows he will suffer betrayal, be crucified, and die a painful death. Three times he throws everything he has into prayer, face down in the dirt before His Father. He says, “Abba, Father, all things are possible with You.” He acknowledges the intimate relationship. He acknowledges the omnipotence. I wonder if he shouted that part, looking up at heaven: “ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH YOU!!!!” And I wonder if he whispered, with human voice cracking with sobs and eyes full of tears, “yet not my will, but yours…” This is the most beautiful picture of prayer in all of scripture to me. It isn’t lost on me that this poignant prayer of Jesus went unanswered. Even the Son wasn’t spared -- they nailed him. I want to pray like that, to trust like that. We can be certain that every scar has purpose and meaning, and our suffering is never in vain. He can use all of it!
Prayer Request: For those who are grief-stricken and suffering from the loss of family and loved ones.
~ Bonnie Traylor
April 3
Luke 5:15-16
“The news about Him was spreading even farther, and great multitudes were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
“The news about Him was spreading even farther, and great multitudes were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
Luke gives us a huge clue that Jesus may not have always healed everyone that came to Him. Upon reading these two verses, it seems that there were still a great number of people coming to Him. Maybe some people were still in route, walking long distances, on their sore feet to get to Him. And notice the first word Luke uses in the second sentence (verse 16) “But”. It almost feels that right smack in the middle of the pressing needs… people all around… Jesus just slipped away from the crowds to pray.
More valuable than healing the illnesses of all who were sick… greater than giving sight to the blind… more important than teaching or preaching… more significant than multiplying bread to feed the hungry, Jesus would “slip away” to pray. And then I wonder if He had never spent time in prayer could He have performed all of the miracles that He did? Probably not! “How did He do it? How did He get away?” Jesus made prayer a priority in His life. No matter what! He was going to put the time in to prayer. Just as you and I find time to eat… as we find time to watch TV… or read… or exercise… Jesus made sure He got away to pray.
Before going to bed each night, I review my calendar for the following day. I know that I would like to have at least an hour of running time. I make it a point to know the time when I will run. Sometimes it’s in the early hours of the morning; other times it’s in the late afternoon.
Prayer with His Father renewed Him. Following His prayer time, He was always ready to do more. And nearly each time we find Jesus slipping away to pray… He returned with a greater power and eagerness to do more for the kingdom.
Prayer Request: For strengthened marriage relationships.
~ Pastor Greg
Monday, April 02, 2012
Good Morning! Approximately 2000 years ago today, Jesus returned to the city of Jerusalem. The day before was Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into the city on the back of a small colt. Today was a new day… the day He would enter the city anew… exhausted and weary from His travels… consumed with the knowledge of the events yet to come… and hungry with a great appetite. Along the pathway was a fig tree that should have had some buds on it, yet was bone dry. It was not the season for figs… but should have had signs of the season to come. It didn’t! Jesus cursed it… then headed for the Temple. As He entered the Temple, chaos was in the air. Moneychangers over charging. Sellers of lambs and other animals to be sacrificed were ripping people off. Others… passing by simply using the courtyard of the Gentiles as a short cut to go from one end of Jerusalem to the other without a care of those needing to pray.
Jesus had HAD it! He flipped tables upside down… drove out the moneychangers… chased away lambs and doves… and what was chaotic now was even that much more wild. Confusion was in the air… Sellers were now chasing down their animals. Moneychangers on hands and knees picking up their coins that had fallen in the cracks and crevasses of the tiled flooring. And the Pharisees standing at a distance with arms folded and a disgusted look on their faces were growing with anger. Jesus had turned their world upside down. And then He spoke: “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a robbers’ den.”
Today, be mindful of the truth. Jesus understands you. He knows your every need. Are you hurting? Jesus knows pain. Are you suffering? Jesus knows anguish. Are you strapped financially? Jesus knows poverty. Are you wrestling with tough decisions? Jesus knows your choices. In every area of life you may be struggling in today… Jesus has already been there. He knows you. He knows me. He knows the details of your life. And notice this one truth… He invites us to a prayer life with Him. He says… “My House…” As we pray, we are privileged to go to the Father directly through Jesus. Remember, Jesus knows hunger… He knows pain… there is nothing you may be going through that He does not identify with. Go ahead… talk with Him today.
As we prepare for EASTER SUNDAY, let me remind you of some special ministries coming this week:
Good Morning! Approximately 2000 years ago today, Jesus returned to the city of Jerusalem. The day before was Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into the city on the back of a small colt. Today was a new day… the day He would enter the city anew… exhausted and weary from His travels… consumed with the knowledge of the events yet to come… and hungry with a great appetite. Along the pathway was a fig tree that should have had some buds on it, yet was bone dry. It was not the season for figs… but should have had signs of the season to come. It didn’t! Jesus cursed it… then headed for the Temple. As He entered the Temple, chaos was in the air. Moneychangers over charging. Sellers of lambs and other animals to be sacrificed were ripping people off. Others… passing by simply using the courtyard of the Gentiles as a short cut to go from one end of Jerusalem to the other without a care of those needing to pray.
Jesus had HAD it! He flipped tables upside down… drove out the moneychangers… chased away lambs and doves… and what was chaotic now was even that much more wild. Confusion was in the air… Sellers were now chasing down their animals. Moneychangers on hands and knees picking up their coins that had fallen in the cracks and crevasses of the tiled flooring. And the Pharisees standing at a distance with arms folded and a disgusted look on their faces were growing with anger. Jesus had turned their world upside down. And then He spoke: “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a robbers’ den.”
Today, be mindful of the truth. Jesus understands you. He knows your every need. Are you hurting? Jesus knows pain. Are you suffering? Jesus knows anguish. Are you strapped financially? Jesus knows poverty. Are you wrestling with tough decisions? Jesus knows your choices. In every area of life you may be struggling in today… Jesus has already been there. He knows you. He knows me. He knows the details of your life. And notice this one truth… He invites us to a prayer life with Him. He says… “My House…” As we pray, we are privileged to go to the Father directly through Jesus. Remember, Jesus knows hunger… He knows pain… there is nothing you may be going through that He does not identify with. Go ahead… talk with Him today.
As we prepare for EASTER SUNDAY, let me remind you of some special ministries coming this week:
- Maundy Thursday service with a light meal and communion at 6:00 PM in Meeker Hall
- Good Friday service at noon
- Sunrise Service at 6:00 AM under the Oak Tree on the hill behind the church. Bring flashlights and dress warm!
- Easter Higher Grounds Service at 9:00 AM
- Children’s Giant Easter Egg Hunt at 10:10 AM
- Easter Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM
April 2
Matthew 19:13-15
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
Have you ever had the privilege of hearing a child pray? As the Family Life Pastor here at NewNaz, I look forward to that opportunity every week. In fact, I often will ask our children to pray for very serious needs – knowing that their prayers are the most sincere, most heartfelt and most genuine prayers God will ever hear!
This passage in Matthew clearly describes the relationship Jesus has with children. When his trusted disciples criticized him for taking the time to pray for mere children, Jesus uses this teaching moment to tell them that these children were as close to the purity of heaven as anyone you would find on earth. But not only does Jesus pray for the children – notice that he places (or lays) his hands on them. These children are not only prayed for, they are physically touched by our Lord.
There are times when children are not easy: they are loud, antsy, unfocussed, challenging, physical, and often undisciplined. And yet… through their lack of perfection and maturity, they are most important to Jesus. And so… they should be most important to the Church. Our children hear the same things you do, feel the same emotions you experience, become overwhelmed when they have too much to do, and get confused as often as you do. Their lives are not simple; they are as complicated as ours are as adults.
I urge you to pray for our children! When you see them running in the halls, or grabbing food from the Coffee Cart, or spilling hot chocolate on the carpet – please lift up a prayer of blessing! When you hear them yell, cry, stomp into the sanctuary, or whisper in the pew – please remember them in your prayers. Do as our Lord taught us to do – encourage them to come and join us in the worship of our God!
Prayer Request: Children around the world.
~ Pastor Kathy
RAKING OF THE LEAVES: Attention MEN… and any others… would you like to lend us a hand here at the church this Saturday at 10:00 AM to help clean up and get things ready for the Sunrise Service and Easter Worship? Perhaps, afterwards… we’ll all head over to In-N-Out!
EASTER FLOWERS: Could we borrow some of your Easter bulbs and flowers to decorate the church grounds for Easter? You may bring them by the church any time this week. We will do out best to care for them. Please make sure to label them with your name so that you can pick them up following the Easter Sunday morning service.
RIBBON CUTTING: We enjoyed a great and wonderful time dedicating the new Children’s Equipment last Sunday. Check out the pix:
PALM SUNDAY BAPTISM: Yesterday we baptized 6 people. Praise the Lord! Their testimonies were powerful and we rejoice in the great things God is doing here at NewNaz.
40-DAYS: We are nearing the end of our 40 DAYS emphasis. On Saturday a group of us enjoyed a Prayer Hike in the rainy afternoon. It was great to be outside in the God’s wonderful creation.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who called herself “Marah”, a name meaning “bitter”? Naomi (Ruth 1:19-21)
I love you and look forward to seeing you in church!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
April 1
Jeremiah 29:7
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
What an appropriate Scripture verse for Palm Sunday! Jesus always loved Jerusalem, the city into which He was riding on that wonderful day, the most sacred and important city to the Jewish people. In Luke 13:34, we read that He cried over it, longing for the well-being of its inhabitants. He truly sought the welfare of the place so dear to His heart. And we can learn a great lesson from that aspect of the mind of Christ.
These words first came from God to the prophet Jeremiah as the people of Judah were being exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. Now, we may not feel like exiles – strangers in a strange land (or perhaps some of us do) – but the mandate is the same. We are to “seek the welfare” of the city in which we are living.
So how do we do this? How can we “seek the welfare” of Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Sylmar, wherever we live? Well, first and foremost, of course, is prayer. Pray for the elected officials, the administrators, the first responders, the schools, and businesses. Pray that the local churches will take their stand as a mighty influence for Christ.
There are other practical ways you can seek the welfare of your city. Research candidates and issues and vote in local elections. Volunteer at a non-profit agency, hospital (hint, hint), or convalescent home. Donate blood. Be a good neighbor. Invite family and friends to one of the casual, fun activities like Movie Night at NewNaz. The list goes on and on. You get the idea.
Our choir sings a song with the words “greater things are yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city”. I believe it – do you?
Prayer request: Pray for the outreach ministries at NewNaz (like Angel Tree and Family Promise), and about your personal involvement.
~ Pastor Carol
March 31
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is getting ready to leave. He wants to be sure that he tells his disciples what they need to know before he goes. He commands them to make more disciples. Go to the ends of the earth to make them. Use all that I taught you and go.
Jesus gives action to our faith. It is not something to keep to ourselves, but to be spread to all we meet. You may be the only Jesus anyone ever sees, or the only Bible that someone reads. Jesus explains this to us in Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
So, we come to this place knowing that we need to shine our light before men so that God may be glorified. We also know that we are to make disciples. We have a call to action. So what is your plan? How are you going to make this happen? Start with prayer. Get into God’s word and find out how to be like Jesus. Find out how he wants you to live your life so that it shines. That is a great place to start. Remember that you can minister on your way. Love people right where they are at and help them see Jesus more and more every day. This is how we are to make disciples. Not by what we do, but by what God does through us.
Prayer Request: Pray for our seniors who are graduating this year as they are now called to go and make disciples.
~ Pastor Josh
March 30
Acts 1:8
“…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
“…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
In the Garman house, we don’t question this verse. After all, I share my last name with 2 of the most respected, Christ-like people, who also happen to be missionaries who went to the “remotest part of the earth”. In the Nazarene denomination, no one was more remote than Larry and Addie!
This verse fascinates me. Why? Simple: this commission, which was written on papyrus around 62AD STILL grabs us by the shoulders today! Do you believe that Jesus is Who He says He is? If your answer is “Yes,” then this command is for you. It is a personal and private command, and it runs the possibility of a very public result: It is OUR BUSINESS to get the Word of God out to our world.
“Not for me!” “It’s one thing to believe in Jesus; it’s another thing entirely to step out on a limb for Him.” “I can’t do this.” Wait: do you put coins in an Alabaster Box? Do you invite your parents to church? Do you support a missionary (Garman / Meehan / Zimmerman / Robbins, etc.)? How about dropping a buck in the offering plate? Inviting someone to a church-sponsored event? Faith Promise giving? You do? And you say that you can’t be involved in missions?? You are!
Keep talking! Folks, keep conversation about Christ and the Church flowing! Do you have kids who want nothing to do with worship? Keep talking. How about a friend who desperately needs something and you know what it is? Keep talking. How about a spouse that has other things on his or her mind?
At the table. In a note. Jerusalem.
At the grocery story. At the Post Office. Saying “Hello” to a neighbor. Judea.
At a place where you don’t usually associate with the people. Samaria.
Keep talking.
Prayer Request: God’s blessing for employment, direction in life, and His presence among the 20-Something Group at NewNaz.
~ Leslie Garman
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Good Morning! This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. What a beautiful day we have before us. The hills are green… the skies are blue… the air is crisp and cool but will soon be warming up. As I glance out my office window, I am glad that I’m in here rather than sitting in the traffic along the I-5. The cars and trucks are crawling up the hill.
We enjoy great times here at NewNaz on Wednesday nights. If you’re not here, you miss a good time. The dinner is always spectacular… and then there are activities and studies going on all over the place. But last night was especially awesome because the Caravan Kids were having a Chocolate Covered Strawberries fundraiser. Two for a dollar! Can’t beat that.
Good Morning! This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. What a beautiful day we have before us. The hills are green… the skies are blue… the air is crisp and cool but will soon be warming up. As I glance out my office window, I am glad that I’m in here rather than sitting in the traffic along the I-5. The cars and trucks are crawling up the hill.
We enjoy great times here at NewNaz on Wednesday nights. If you’re not here, you miss a good time. The dinner is always spectacular… and then there are activities and studies going on all over the place. But last night was especially awesome because the Caravan Kids were having a Chocolate Covered Strawberries fundraiser. Two for a dollar! Can’t beat that.
So here it is… You may ask, “Pastor Greg, did you eat any of those chocolate covered strawberries last night while on your Daniel Fast?” You had better believe it. I didn’t just eat one, but two. Seeing the work that went in to make those wonderful treats… and having those kids coming up to sell me some… I figured that most of it is fruit… and chocolate grows on the cacao tree… Hey, we’re all good. But more importantly, remember… The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
May I encourage you to beware of legalism as you finish up the Daniel Fast in these next few days! I hope that your focus has been more on the Lord and less on you these ten days. I pray that you are receiving blessings from heaven as you spend more time with Jesus in prayer. I am looking forward to hearing the results of God’s working in your life.
March 29
Romans 10:13-15
“… How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher…?” – Paul
“… How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher…?” – Paul
It doesn’t matter where I go, or what I do… I am always amazed to realize that God chooses to use me. He could get His word out by a number of ways. He could paint His messages across the sky for us to read during each sunset. He could broadcast in a loud voice from heaven for all to hear every morning. God could even step down and walk with us every day.
The interesting thing is… He has done all of those things. Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to us. Through burning bushes, fiery furnaces, roaring mountains, pillars of fire, and even by strolling in a garden… yet, we’ve all turned away to do our own thing. God even appeared and walked before us in the person of Jesus, but He was rejected and ultimately crucified.
With all of His power and authority... with all of His wisdom and creativity, God has still chosen to use you and me in spreading the Good News. We are His body. We are His church. We are His children. And He has called you and me to go. He has called you and me to send. He has called you and me to give. That person you see every day may never hear or believe in Him unless you tell them.
All you need to have is a willing spirit. You don’t need to go off to seminary for 5 years to study. You just need a deep love for Jesus and a desire to know His Word. As you pray for your friends, the Lord will open the doors for you to share your testimony with them. God has selected you; He’s chosen you to be His instrument for witness. He’s calling you. He’s challenging you to speak. Are you willing?
Prayer Request: For boldness to share my faith with others.
~ Pastor Greg
PRAYER HIKE: Come on out and join us this Saturday, March 31 at 4:00 p.m. for a one-hour Hike and Pray. We will leave the church parking lot and begin our hike proceeding south along The Old Road and turn up the trail that’s labeled “Rice Canyon.” I hope you can join us. We will be back at the church parking lot by 5:00.
SUNDAY SERVICE: This Sunday is PALM SUNDAY and we are gearing up for a wonderful day! I can hardly wait. Both in the Higher Grounds Hour and 10:30 Service, we will share in communion as we conclude the TEN DAY DANIEL FAST. I am really looking forward to spending this time with you.
At 10:10, you will want to meet with us in the back of the church out on the lawn for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new children’s play equipment we have recently acquired. The ceremony will be short but meaningful. If you have purchased gift cards from the scrip program or greeting cards thru Children’s Ministries… you have contributed to the purchase of this incredible play equipment. Come on out and join us.
At 10:10, you will want to meet with us in the back of the church out on the lawn for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new children’s play equipment we have recently acquired. The ceremony will be short but meaningful. If you have purchased gift cards from the scrip program or greeting cards thru Children’s Ministries… you have contributed to the purchase of this incredible play equipment. Come on out and join us.
In the 10:30 service, we will also receive new families into membership and participate in the baptism of 6 believers. Come celebrate along with us. I just love days like this!
EASTER: Easter week is just around the corner: Our theme is SHAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL.
- April 5: Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00 PM in Meeker Hall
- April 6: Good Friday Service at noon
- April 7: 10:00 AM Clean up… MEN… and anyone else, can you join us to rake up leaves, and clean up around the property to get ready for Easter Sunday?
- April 8: Sunrise Service at 6:00 AM under the Oak Tree; 9:00 AM Higher Grounds Easter Service; 10:10 Children’s Easter Egg Hunt; 10:30 Easter Morning Worship
MEN’S RETREAT: Hey Men!!! Are you coming up to the mountains for the retreat along with us? I am looking forward to this great time we have together. See Jay Harn or Greg Carver if you have any questions. The cost is only $50 and the dates are April 13-15.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What rich man sat in a pile of ashes? Job (Job 2:8)
I love you all and I am looking forward to seeing you in a few days.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 28
Isaiah 6:6-8
“…Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8)
“…Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8)
Are there any verses or passages in Scripture that you’d like to just sort of gloss over? Usually that happens when we encounter ideas and thoughts that make us uncomfortable. We don’t want to obey. Maybe if we ignore it, it’ll go away.
As a college student/young adult, I felt like that about Isaiah 6:8. I just knew that, if I said “Here am I. Send me,” God would decide that He wanted me in the most remote village in India. And I just did NOT want to go. Plain and simple. But I had no peace until I finally said those words, “send me.” And guess what? I discovered that He didn’t want me in India after all. He just wanted my love and obedience.
It seems to me that there are many times we agree to do something for the Lord because we see a need. Greg or Kathy or Josh asks us. We pray about it and then we say “OK, I’ll do it.” And there’s nothing wrong with that. If there’s a ministry need that you can fill, by all means, do it!
But Isaiah’s response to God’s call is more than that. “Here am I. Send me!” Exclamation point! Kind of like a second grade class when the teacher asks for volunteers to run an errand. Thirty hands go up and thirty voices squeal, “Pick me! Pick me!”
When we hear that special call from the Lord, the one that makes us raise our hands, hearts filled with excitement, and respond “Pick me! Pick me!” that is the beginning of an incredible journey with God. He may not send you thousands of miles to India (He sent me three miles to Henry Mayo). But, rest assured, He WILL send you. And, trust me, it will be the adventure of your life!
Prayer Request: Ask God to purify your heart so that you can clearly hear His voice and answer “Here am I. Send me!”
~ Pastor Carol
March 27
Colossians 4:2-4
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (American Standard Version)
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (American Standard Version)
Paul begins this passage with the word “continue.” And by starting with this word, he is assuming that we are praying in the first place because that is what he must be doing; we must pray.
The Greek word used here is “προσκαρτερέω”, which literally means “wait on” or “to endure or preserve in or with.” Here Paul is instructing us that it is with upmost importance that we continue to pray in the face of anything that is thrown at us. Not only are we to endure in prayer, but we are also to endure in watching for thanksgiving. Paul means here that we are to always be praying to see the great and powerful things that God is doing in our lives, no matter the circumstance. Paul is in prison, as we read in verse 3, the New International Version says, “…for which I am in chains.” Paul is in chains for proclaiming the Gospel and he is asking those around him to pray that he may have the strength to continue to proclaim the gospel even though it means more chains.
Do you have what it takes to proclaim the Gospel in the face of chains? Are you already in chains? Paul urges us to let nothing stand in the way of praying and conversing with our heavenly Father. It is through prayer that we gain the strength to do God’s work, and be God’s people.
Prayer Request: Continued momentum for Higher Grounds.
~ Ryan Robbins
Monday, March 26, 2012
Good Morning! With the recent rains we’ve been getting, we could have green hillsides even into June. That would be quite neat. As I came into the office this morning, I checked on the rain gauge and it shows that we’ve received 3.35 inches of rain in these latest few storms from yesterday. If you ever wonder about the amount of rain measured by the church… just come on over sometime when it’s raining and see how much more rain we do receive than in other parts of the valley. Snuggled up next to the hillside gives us nearly twice as much rain than anywhere else in our area!
I’ve heard great reports so far from the Ladies’ Retreat as many of our women were away for the weekend in Ventura. Thanks to Anita Robbins and her crew for leading this retreat. BTW… Attention men… don’t forget to sign up for our Men’s Retreat that’s coming in a just a few short weeks. The cost is only $50 and the dates are April 13-15. We always enjoy an awesome time. So plan now to be part of the weekend.
Good Morning! With the recent rains we’ve been getting, we could have green hillsides even into June. That would be quite neat. As I came into the office this morning, I checked on the rain gauge and it shows that we’ve received 3.35 inches of rain in these latest few storms from yesterday. If you ever wonder about the amount of rain measured by the church… just come on over sometime when it’s raining and see how much more rain we do receive than in other parts of the valley. Snuggled up next to the hillside gives us nearly twice as much rain than anywhere else in our area!
I’ve heard great reports so far from the Ladies’ Retreat as many of our women were away for the weekend in Ventura. Thanks to Anita Robbins and her crew for leading this retreat. BTW… Attention men… don’t forget to sign up for our Men’s Retreat that’s coming in a just a few short weeks. The cost is only $50 and the dates are April 13-15. We always enjoy an awesome time. So plan now to be part of the weekend.
March 26
Matthew 9:36-38
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
I personally find myself viewing people from two different basic perspectives depending on my circumstances of the moment. Sometimes, when God is speaking mysteriously to my heart and mind about the “big picture,” I do see people as souls in need of salvation, and I become alert to opportunities to do an act of kindness, or to initiate some conversation to show I care. But often when I’m busy, focused on what I need to get accomplished in order to move on to whatever is next, I see people as annoyances. They are competing with me for space and time, and I wish they would have just stayed at home.
Jesus never looked at people that way, because first of all, he always knew what his primary purpose was for being born here on earth. Second, he started off his days alone with God, probably asking God to guide his thoughts and activities for that particular day. Jesus himself said we were not to worry about tomorrow. So the challenge for me is to remember what my primary purpose is here on earth now that I’ve made Jesus the Lord of my life, and to remember that if today I hear his voice, I need to respond to it and not harden my heart. (Hebrews 4:7) I am to view people with compassion, not as annoyances.
And not only am I to pray that God sends people to reach the individuals around me, I am to make myself available to be one of the “workers” in his “harvest field.” How we see the person in the car next to us, or in the line in front of us, or in the restaurant at the next table is probably an indication of what our priorities and perspectives are for us at that moment. Before we can pray to God to send workers into the harvest fields, we need to pray to God and ask Him to change our hearts so that we are always full of compassion for those around us.
Prayer Request: When challenges arise in our lives, that we may seek God’s compassion and a willing heart within ourselves.
~ Russ Meehan
I haven’t been on any hiking trails in the recent weeks, but I can imagine that the trails are quite muddy right now. Well… this reminds me: We have an exciting weekend of ministries and special events coming up:
- HIKE & PRAY: This Saturday, March 31, you are welcome to join us for a Prayer Hike that will leave the church parking lot at 4:00 PM. We will walk alongside The Old Road headed south for 300 yards before turning right onto the trail and following the signs “Rice Canyon”. We will be back at the church by 5:00 PM.
- PALM SUNDAY: This next Sunday is Palm Sunday, April 1, and we have an exciting day planned. Several new families and individuals will join the church in membership. And we will also baptize 5 new people. Come celebrate this exciting day with us all.
- PLAYGROUND: Immediately following the Higher Grounds service, at 10:10 AM, we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the new equipment in the backyard of the church.
40-DAYS: We have less than two weeks before Easter Sunday, and I hope you have been reading through the devotionals. Are you growing in Him? Have you been focused on prayer? And now that we are in the middle of the 10-DAY DANIEL FAST, I trust that you are spending some very special time with the Lord. Thank you for praying along with me for the many needs we have in the church family. As we approach Easter Sunday morning, I truly believe that the Lord is going to do some very special things for us.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who told Pilate that a worrisome dream made it clear that Pilate was to have nothing to do with Jesus? His wife
I pray that this day is a very special day for you in your journey with the Lord. I love you and I am looking forward to seeing you here in church. Perhaps I will see you on Wednesday… if not, I will see you on Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 25
Psalm 63:1-5
“…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…” (vs 1)
“…My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You…” (vs 1)
I grew up in a family of 11 kids near the inner-city of St. Louis. Mom stayed at home while dad worked as a maintenance man at a local school. To save money to feed this small army, my mom had to be extremely creative. She would make instant mashed potatoes from a box, she would buy ice milk instead of ice cream, and she discovered at least 101 ways to prepare and serve bologna!
That’s all we experienced growing up so we never knew what we were missing. When I left home, I assumed there was no difference from the fake stuff to the more expensive luxuries that we could never afford. Until one day I was treated a serving of creamy, whipped, REAL mashed potatoes. One taste and I was forever ruined for the instant stuff from a box. I used to think ice milk was as good as it gets until I tried Haagen-Dazs. My taste buds have never recovered.
In Psalm 63, David talks about how his “soul thirsts for God” and how his “flesh yearns for God”. This kind of fervor sounds intimidating at first. It’s one thing to say we love God but how often do we have the kind of thirst and yearning that David described? Usually this kind of passion only surfaces when we go through times of trauma and are desperate for God’s help.
David had obviously tasted the REAL thing. If we don’t have that same kind of desire for God, it could be because we’ve become content with the fake stuff. We allow so many distractions into our lives that we hardly notice a thirst or yearning for God. If we do feel restless, we often default to lesser things to try to fill the emptiness of our souls. Leonard Ravenhill once said “The main reason we don’t have revival is because we’ve learned to live without it.”
Today we have a choice to settle for the imitation or to pursue the real thing. Once we’ve tasted God’s very best, there’s no going back.
Prayer Request: Protection over our military men and women.
~ Gil Mertz
March 24
Psalm 42:1-2
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.”
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.”
Did you know that:
- over 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water?
- your own body is made up of about 70% water?
- the most common cause of a headache is dehydration?
- an average person can go three weeks without food but only 3 days without water
- the first reference to water in the Bible can be found in Genesis 2 – right after God created the heavens and the earth!
We know what brings us to water; our biological need for hydration. But what brings us to God? This is a question without a simple answer. Many of us would answer by saying “who” brought us to church… or encouraged us to invite Jesus into our hearts and lives. But the question of “what” brings us to God is much more complex. Is it our need for forgiveness and acceptance? Is it our need to understand who we are and what is our purpose? Is it our need to acknowledge that there is something bigger and greater in the universe? The answer may be yes to all of these ideas, but I believe that there is something in each of our souls that makes us hunger for a relationship with God. We are made by God and for God… why wouldn’t our heart and soul naturally respond to the call of God?
I challenge you today to free your heart and soul to respond to God. Enjoy the adventure that God has planned for you!
Prayer Request: Wisdom to be granted to our governing officials: city, county, state, and federal.
~ Pastor Kathy
March 23 – April 1
TEN DAY “DANIEL FAST”
Daniel 1:8-21
Daniel 1:8-21
“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine he drank… Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials… And Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander had appointed over Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence…’ So he listened to him in this matter and tested them for ten days…”
Are you willing to embark on a ten-day journey where you will seek the Lord with your whole heart, mind, and strength? Throughout these 40 DAYS, we have been praying for God’s will to be done in our own lives and in the church. I am so thankful for your prayer support. I need you and I am so grateful to have you on my team.
Many, many years ago… even before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Daniel was grateful for 3 close friends who stood beside him on this TEN DAY FAST. These four young men were captured by the Babylonian Empire, along with many other strong, handsome, and intellectual young men from other countries as well. Yet, Daniel and his three friends had “made up their minds” to honor the Lord above everything.
Daniel needed to convince the commander of Babylon, who was in charge over them, that God was going to honor their commitment to Him. So, Daniel and his three friends did this TEN DAY FAST. The Bible tells us that at the end of the period, they were stronger, quicker, and better leaders.
Will you join me for these next ten days leading up to Palm Sunday, April 1, on a Ten Day Daniel Fast (vegetables and fruit)? I encourage you to drink fruit juices and water. Eat vegetables and fruit. And you can be as creative as you want with these foods. But remember to always do so with a heart that is seeking the Lord in everything.
~ Pastor Greg
March 23
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Jesus
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Jesus
I’ve been told, “Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry or you’ll buy more than you really need.” How true is that! Sometimes I’ve come home with lots of food, and food I really don’t need. How many times have we had to throw away spoiled food because it sat in the refrigerator too long? Have you ever found a zucchini or a tomato in the bottom of the tray in the fridge you had forgotten about? Oh boy! Squishy… fur growing all over it… you get the picture.
We see things we think we will need. We wish for things we may never have any use for. We hope for things that will do us no good. How many times have we purchased something because “it was a good deal”?
As we begin the TEN DAY DANIEL FAST today, may I challenge you to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” just as Jesus spoke? More than anything, seek His kingdom. Thirst for holiness. I’m sure the king’s choice foods were very tempting to Daniel and his three friends, but they sought God’s wisdom just a little bit more. They chose to seek God’s ways first. And after ten days, the Lord blessed them with even greater health than all others.
Perhaps Daniel understood the value in the Lord’s command to Adam and Eve in the Garden when He told them, “I have given every green plant for food.” (Genesis 1:30) Today we all know the health benefits of vegetables and fruits. So, for ten days, many of us will eat only vegetables and fruits as we hunger and thirst for righteousness.
The best deal you’ll ever get is when you seek God with your whole heart. When your stomach begins to churn for a burger and fries… spend a few moments in prayer.
Prayer Request: For a deep passion to know God and to walk with Him.
~ Pastor Greg
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Good Morning! Someone commented last night that I didn’t give the weather forecast for the week last Sunday. Well… here it is: As I glance out of my office window, I can see beautiful blue skies with fluffy white clouds. The sun is climbing over the hills and it appears that we’re going to have another gorgeous day. Yesterday was absolutely awesome. When we have days like these, I wish that I were out there running. I decided to take a week off from running to heal up a bit. I may be out this evening to jog and see how things feel.
Back to the weather… I’m told that rain may be closing in on us by Sunday. Many of our ladies will be away at the Ladies’ Retreat as the rest of us will be coming to church in the rain. Springtime has arrived… it’s time to plant those flowers in the backyards, and if you have room for a vegetable garden… this is the time. The nights of frost have come and gone… Lately, I’ve been redoing my sprinklers in the backyard and getting ready for new plants and flowers. Tomorrow morning when I finish running, I’ll hop on over to the garden section of the store to do my buying. Hopefully, by Easter time we should have some good-looking flowers.
The Sweet Sixteen begins today. In the office, we decided to fill out our brackets for the NCAA Tournament… that is, all of us but one. Not one of us was able to predict the Sweet Sixteen. In fact, I believe that I heard only 3 people in the world got the Sweet Sixteen correct. Leslie and Bonnie have Duke winning it all. They’re out! Josh has North Carolina winning it all… while Kathy and I have picked Kentucky. We’ll see.
Good Morning! Someone commented last night that I didn’t give the weather forecast for the week last Sunday. Well… here it is: As I glance out of my office window, I can see beautiful blue skies with fluffy white clouds. The sun is climbing over the hills and it appears that we’re going to have another gorgeous day. Yesterday was absolutely awesome. When we have days like these, I wish that I were out there running. I decided to take a week off from running to heal up a bit. I may be out this evening to jog and see how things feel.
Back to the weather… I’m told that rain may be closing in on us by Sunday. Many of our ladies will be away at the Ladies’ Retreat as the rest of us will be coming to church in the rain. Springtime has arrived… it’s time to plant those flowers in the backyards, and if you have room for a vegetable garden… this is the time. The nights of frost have come and gone… Lately, I’ve been redoing my sprinklers in the backyard and getting ready for new plants and flowers. Tomorrow morning when I finish running, I’ll hop on over to the garden section of the store to do my buying. Hopefully, by Easter time we should have some good-looking flowers.
The Sweet Sixteen begins today. In the office, we decided to fill out our brackets for the NCAA Tournament… that is, all of us but one. Not one of us was able to predict the Sweet Sixteen. In fact, I believe that I heard only 3 people in the world got the Sweet Sixteen correct. Leslie and Bonnie have Duke winning it all. They’re out! Josh has North Carolina winning it all… while Kathy and I have picked Kentucky. We’ll see.
March 22
John 14:16-18
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
When we look at these verses from the power of prayer standpoint, it is a great promise that God will send us another Helper, the Holy Spirit, when we ask Him. Jesus told His disciples this while He was preparing them for His leaving them.
Jesus knew His disciples would feel abandoned, like orphans, as we sometimes feel alone. I know there have been times that I felt lonely even while being in a large group of people. I could look around and see everyone talking and enjoying themselves, and it was as if I were watching from a bubble but not really there. I didn’t feel connected to the world, yet I knew I was loved and that is because of Him living in me and my acknowledging that God had adopted me; I was not alone. This we can have but the world cannot because they have not received Him. The Spirit of Truth will guide us even through the dark places where we see no light. We can look back and see how He’s guided and comforted us through our asking the Father.
Actually, this scripture becomes very exciting if we just include verses 19 and 20 because they complete the affirmation of the Trinity and that Christ includes us in the fellowship of the Trinity! How much better can we have it than to be included with our Creator, our Savior, and our Helper! We need to share this truth with a lost and dying world.
Prayer Request: Protection over our schools: students, teachers and staff.
~ Randy Estes
Jesus knew His disciples would feel abandoned, like orphans, as we sometimes feel alone. I know there have been times that I felt lonely even while being in a large group of people. I could look around and see everyone talking and enjoying themselves, and it was as if I were watching from a bubble but not really there. I didn’t feel connected to the world, yet I knew I was loved and that is because of Him living in me and my acknowledging that God had adopted me; I was not alone. This we can have but the world cannot because they have not received Him. The Spirit of Truth will guide us even through the dark places where we see no light. We can look back and see how He’s guided and comforted us through our asking the Father.
Actually, this scripture becomes very exciting if we just include verses 19 and 20 because they complete the affirmation of the Trinity and that Christ includes us in the fellowship of the Trinity! How much better can we have it than to be included with our Creator, our Savior, and our Helper! We need to share this truth with a lost and dying world.
Prayer Request: Protection over our schools: students, teachers and staff.
~ Randy Estes
10-DAY DANIEL FAST: Tomorrow, March 23, begins our 10-DAY Daniel Fast. I hope you are planning to join in. We have included a lot of reading material to guide you through the fast for which I hope is helpful. If you need more information on a Daniel Fast, you can find a lot of reading material online. There is so much out there. But, let me encourage you to read the Devotionals prepared for you in the booklet each day. Please be in prayer for the specific requests we have presented for you every day as well. Remember to seek the Lord by asking Him what He wants for you to do… by doing so, you will discover new and exciting mysteries the Lord has for you each day. Come… let’s GROW together!
PRAYER HIKE: On Saturday, March 31 @ 4:00 PM, you can join us for a one-hour prayer hike. We will meet in the church parking lot. If you are late… begin hiking south along The Old Road until you see the sign reading “East Canyon”. Take East Canyon to Rice Canyon. I hope to see you here.
EASTER WEEK SCHEDULE: APRIL 1 – 8:
- Palm Sunday is on April 1… no kidding. We are receiving new members on this day as well as baptizing new believers. You will not want to miss this exciting day in ministry.
- April 4: On Wednesday, we will have a normal schedule for all ministries.
- April 5: On Thursday, we will have Maundy Thursday in Meeker Hall where we will spend a few moments reflecting on the Lord’s last meal and words with His disciples before going to the cross.
- April 6: Good Friday Service at noon.
- April 7: Saturday, 10:00 AM Clean-up. Men… and anyone else… would you like to join us for raking up leaves and cleaning up for the Sunrise Service???
- April 8: EASTER: Sunrise Service at 6:00 under the Oak Tree on the hill behind the church. 9:00 AM Higher Grounds Easter Service. 10:30 AM Easter Morning Worship Service.
TEENS / MINI GOLF: Our students wanted to see if they had the luck of the Irish as we went mini golfing last Sunday. We dressed up like leprechauns and Aaron put his head inside of a whale. Who knew you could have so much fun golfing and glowing in the dark. ~ Pastor Josh
TRIVIA QUESTION: What woman got up and started doing household chores after Jesus healed her of a fever? Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15)
I hope to see you on Sunday as we continue our journey through the 40 DAYS. The message I am sharing this week is called “Strength for Today”. I can hardly wait for this Sunday to share some of the great truths from the Book of Daniel as we lean on Jesus. He will give you strength to make it through today. That… I am certain of. I love you and hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 21
John 14:12-14
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
When I was in the third grade, my friend Jenny invited me to her house for a sleepover. Jenny’s dad owned several car dealerships in our town, and her house was HUGE -- a lovely, sprawling maze on the country club golf course with enough bedrooms for all eight children, cared for by several household employees. Jenny took me down to the 6-car garage and let me pick a bicycle off of a rack of a dozen, and we took off. Jenny and I waltzed into the country club, where we ordered whatever we wanted and Jenny had free reign to record her dad’s name on the poolside bill. That night, I watched as Jenny climbed up into her adoring father’s lap, and he listened to her excited talk as though there was no one else in the world. Not having a father at home, I didn’t get it. What I DID get was that no amount of money can buy a relationship like that.
I think sometimes we add “in Jesus’ name” to a prayer so often we don’t remember what it means. In this passage, Jesus has served his disciples, washed their feet, sent Judas off, and the eleven remain. Thomas and Phillip want to know how to get to the Father. He tells them “no one comes to the Father but by me.” But Jesus isn’t standing, arms crossed, blocking the way to the Father. He’s saying that if you can manage to creep, crawl, stumble or fumble your way to Him, then you get the Father, too! But it isn’t about the stuff, it’s about the relationship. Once we know Jesus, we get to sit like a beloved child in the arms of the Father, full heirs to the kingdom, rooms in the mansion, the whole enchilada.
Prayer Request: Families and individuals struggling with finances.
~ Bonnie Traylor
March 20
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"
Paul is focusing here on God and His power, but implied is the probability that we do not ask God enough, nor do we imagine or think about all that He's capable of doing for us. Like in my last devotional, I kept asking for dry sunny weather, and when I didn't get it, I felt betrayed.
I failed to mention that due to some strange details I won't go into, my climbing companion and I got turned around on a foggy ridge and headed in the wrong direction, back to where we had just come! When you've been walking 4 days, averaging about 8 hours of intense up and down hiking with a pack on your back per day, such a mistake can be brutal and demoralizing. I had some reasons to suspect something was wrong, but I kept going. It would have been an hour or more later before I would have recognized a definite landmark, but thanks be to God, only 15 minutes in the wrong direction, we saw a torn bag that had somehow dropped out of Francisco's backpack. It was evidence that we were going backwards. We immediately turned around and got on track. And oh yes, the compass I had did confirm it.
Many would think that the torn bag falling out was a coincidence. However, I believe otherwise. We had covered 3 hours of extreme steep up and down hiking through thick cloud forest, including 3 river crossings where the water tried to sweep us off our feet. I believe God picked a location for that bag to fall to save us what would have been an extra two hours of hiking on an already six to seven hour hike. Some would then ask, "Well, why didn't God just keep you from getting turned around in the first place?"
Good question, but I think the answer is clear in my mind. I need to see that I'm prone to mistakes and God is there to gently correct and get me back on track. He does care about whether or not we have a pleasant sunny day, but he's more concerned with the bigger picture. So He doesn't always give me my petty whims and desires, but will use my discomforts and anguish to guide me to a more eternal focus. Like a spoiled child my tendency is to get mad when I don't get what I want. But God, thankfully, is gentle, and to us who have even a tiny bit of faith, He'll reveal Himself in ways we don't expect, to give us hope and to confirm to our weak minds that He still loves us and cares for us.
Prayer Request: Those who are searching for work.
~ Russ Meehan
Monday, March 19, 2012
Good Morning! We’ve got a gorgeous but cold morning in Santa Clarita. The skies are clear following a weekend of rain… and snow in the mountains. I’ve got my little rain gauge out in the back behind the office trailer… can you believe it? We received 2.05 inches of rain. I know we didn’t get that much rain in Valencia at our house. It just amazes me that we get nearly twice the amount of rain at the foothill by the church than anywhere else in the Santa Clarita Valley. If you haven’t turned your sprinklers off… you may take advantage right now and save some water. You won’t need them running anytime this week.
The L.A. Marathoners had perfect conditions yesterday. Cold… little wind… and no rain. Did you know anyone who ran in the race? A few of my friends ran quite well. For me… perhaps next year. I’ll have to wait and see.
Good Morning! We’ve got a gorgeous but cold morning in Santa Clarita. The skies are clear following a weekend of rain… and snow in the mountains. I’ve got my little rain gauge out in the back behind the office trailer… can you believe it? We received 2.05 inches of rain. I know we didn’t get that much rain in Valencia at our house. It just amazes me that we get nearly twice the amount of rain at the foothill by the church than anywhere else in the Santa Clarita Valley. If you haven’t turned your sprinklers off… you may take advantage right now and save some water. You won’t need them running anytime this week.
The L.A. Marathoners had perfect conditions yesterday. Cold… little wind… and no rain. Did you know anyone who ran in the race? A few of my friends ran quite well. For me… perhaps next year. I’ll have to wait and see.
CRISIS CARE KITS: Yesterday the Missions’ Council put together a great luncheon for those who stayed around to pack Crisis Care Kits in the FLC. I believe that the final count of boxes they put together to ship out was 20 Banana Boxes with 6 Crisis Care Kits in each. That means you helped us bring in 120 Crisis Care Kit items to be packed. Thank you for your support for those who are in need all across the world. In times of catastrophic events, many people have lost everything. These CCK are a blessing! THANK YOU!
LADIES’ RETREAT: This weekend, March 23-25, many of our women will be away for their Annual Women’s Retreat. Please be in prayer for these ladies as they spend a few days together.
MEN’S RETREAT: Attention all Men… It’s not too late to sign up for the retreat. It’s only $50 for the whole weekend. April 13-15. Contact Jay Harn or Greg Carver for more information. I’m going…. Are you?
March 19
Psalm 35:13-14, 28
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting and my prayer kept returning to my bosom.
I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. And my tongue shall declare Thy righteousness and Thy praise all day long.”
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting and my prayer kept returning to my bosom.
I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. And my tongue shall declare Thy righteousness and Thy praise all day long.”
There are so many kinds of prayer: the anonymous yet sincere prayer when we hear an ambulance or see a car accident, the prayer we say for our children as they walk out the door to school, the prayer for protection as a loved one boards an airplane, the congregational prayer we say at church – just to name a few.
In these scriptures, the psalmist David describes his experiences as he prays for his enemies; people who have repaid his good acts with ones of evil. Ah… How challenging! Because, as much as we would like to ignore it, God does not call us to only pray for the people we like, or care for. God calls us to pray for everyone – even our enemies! In addition, God teaches us that a quick, cursory prayer is not enough. No, using David as an example – we are to pray for our enemies as if they were a close friend, brother, or even mother. We are to put our entire soul and body into the prayers; assuming the most humble demeanor and fasting as we would for an intimate friend or member of our family.
Our Lord knows that when we pray for an enemy, we are experiencing one of the most difficult conversations we can have with God. Gone is our bravado, gone are our pretenses. With God, we are an open book. Honesty is not an option – it is a requirement! How wonderful to be able to go to God in prayer; regardless of the circumstances. It is in these prayers that we praise God and rejoice that his righteousness makes us the people we long to be: humble, praying, loyal disciples of our magnificent God!
Accept the challenge today – pray not just for your friends and family but for those who you consider you enemies. Experience the many blessings you will receive from our God.
Prayer Request: People you may be aware of who are afflicted and addicted to a variety of substances.
~ Pastor Kathy
In these scriptures, the psalmist David describes his experiences as he prays for his enemies; people who have repaid his good acts with ones of evil. Ah… How challenging! Because, as much as we would like to ignore it, God does not call us to only pray for the people we like, or care for. God calls us to pray for everyone – even our enemies! In addition, God teaches us that a quick, cursory prayer is not enough. No, using David as an example – we are to pray for our enemies as if they were a close friend, brother, or even mother. We are to put our entire soul and body into the prayers; assuming the most humble demeanor and fasting as we would for an intimate friend or member of our family.
Our Lord knows that when we pray for an enemy, we are experiencing one of the most difficult conversations we can have with God. Gone is our bravado, gone are our pretenses. With God, we are an open book. Honesty is not an option – it is a requirement! How wonderful to be able to go to God in prayer; regardless of the circumstances. It is in these prayers that we praise God and rejoice that his righteousness makes us the people we long to be: humble, praying, loyal disciples of our magnificent God!
Accept the challenge today – pray not just for your friends and family but for those who you consider you enemies. Experience the many blessings you will receive from our God.
Prayer Request: People you may be aware of who are afflicted and addicted to a variety of substances.
~ Pastor Kathy
40 – DAYS: We are now 20 days into our 40-DAYS Prayer journey and we are about ready to enter the 10-DAY DANIEL FAST. I invite you to read through the material prepared for you on the fast and join me in prayer for this 10-DAY period from March 23 – April 1.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the first person recorded to be a red head? Esau (Genesis 25:25)
I love you and I look forward to seeing and hearing the results of God’s blessings on your lives. See you soon…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
40 DAYS… &
the 10-DAY DANIEL FAST
the 10-DAY DANIEL FAST
We are 20 days into the 40-DAYS emphasis on PRAYER, and I trust that the devotionals have been helpful to you both online and in the booklet format. This Friday, March 23, begins our 10-DAY DANIEL FAST and will conclude on Palm Sunday, April 1, with communion. Many of you have been asking, “What is a Daniel Fast?” To answer this question, we return to the Book of Daniel 1:8-12. Here are seven thoughts to observe before going on a Daniel Fast:
1. Fasting and Prayer go hand in hand. If you do not include prayer in your routine, you’re simply on a diet.
2. Be specific in your prayer life. Daniel made up his mind to NOT eat foods that were not kosher or foods and drinks that had been offered up to idols. Our focus is on GROWTH!
• Receiving from the Lord the blessings He has for us
• Rejoicing in the Truth of Who He is
• Reaching out to Others so more people will know Jesus
3. This is a spiritual commitment before the Lord. Seek the Lord FIRST in all that you do.
4. Decide what foods and drinks you are fasting from, and what foods and drinks you will take during this 10-day period. Remember that your list of foods to eat or avoid do NOT need to be just like someone else’s food list. Please have a loving and Christian attitude at all times. For those with physical limitations, always consult your physician first.
5. Typically, these are the foods and drinks associated with a DANIEL FAST:
• All fruits These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, and watermelon.
• All vegetables These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, and zucchini.
• All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn.
• All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
• All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans.
• All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
• Beverages: spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.
• Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices.
6. Typically, these are the foods and drinks avoided in a Daniel Fast:
• All meats, because Daniel didn't want to take the chance of eating non-kosher meat and/or meat that was offered to idols.
• Animal products, including dairy.
• white flour and all products using it
• white rice, white bread, hominy, and pasta
• fried foods
• caffeine
• carbonated beverages, including diet sodas
• wine or any other alcoholic drinks
• foods containing preservatives or additives
• refined sugar
• high fructose corn syrup
• chemical sugar substitutes
• margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products
7. Trust in the Lord to see you through. Be faithful and don’t give up. If you slip up one day… return to the fast just as soon as you can. This is not some magical answer.
8. There are a number of Daniel Fast Recipes online to help you determine menus for yourself and your family. Here is one link that may be helpful:
1. Fasting and Prayer go hand in hand. If you do not include prayer in your routine, you’re simply on a diet.
2. Be specific in your prayer life. Daniel made up his mind to NOT eat foods that were not kosher or foods and drinks that had been offered up to idols. Our focus is on GROWTH!
• Receiving from the Lord the blessings He has for us
• Rejoicing in the Truth of Who He is
• Reaching out to Others so more people will know Jesus
3. This is a spiritual commitment before the Lord. Seek the Lord FIRST in all that you do.
4. Decide what foods and drinks you are fasting from, and what foods and drinks you will take during this 10-day period. Remember that your list of foods to eat or avoid do NOT need to be just like someone else’s food list. Please have a loving and Christian attitude at all times. For those with physical limitations, always consult your physician first.
5. Typically, these are the foods and drinks associated with a DANIEL FAST:
• All fruits These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, and watermelon.
• All vegetables These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, and zucchini.
• All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes, and popcorn.
• All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
• All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and white beans.
• All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
• Beverages: spring water, distilled water, or other pure waters.
• Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs, and spices.
6. Typically, these are the foods and drinks avoided in a Daniel Fast:
• All meats, because Daniel didn't want to take the chance of eating non-kosher meat and/or meat that was offered to idols.
• Animal products, including dairy.
• white flour and all products using it
• white rice, white bread, hominy, and pasta
• fried foods
• caffeine
• carbonated beverages, including diet sodas
• wine or any other alcoholic drinks
• foods containing preservatives or additives
• refined sugar
• high fructose corn syrup
• chemical sugar substitutes
• margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products
7. Trust in the Lord to see you through. Be faithful and don’t give up. If you slip up one day… return to the fast just as soon as you can. This is not some magical answer.
8. There are a number of Daniel Fast Recipes online to help you determine menus for yourself and your family. Here is one link that may be helpful:
www.christ-web.com/missions/farho/daniel-fast-recipes
May the Lord bless you in your journey with Him! I look forward to hearing the positive results of what the Lord is doing in your life. May you grow in Him! May we grow together!
March 18
Daniel 10:1-3
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.
In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.
In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.
It’s around 534 BC, the 3rd year of Cyrus’s reign. Daniel was an elderly man. We are not told WHY Daniel was in mourning, but we can guess: in year 1 of Cyrus’s reign, he issued a decree which permitted the people of Israel to return to their homeland. Two years had passed and only a few had returned. This brought grief to Daniel’s heart: his people did not want to return to their land! As a result, he fasted. Why? He didn’t get an immediate answer to his prayer.
How effective would my testimony be if, when I am plagued with questions and doubts, I fell on my face before the Lord and immediately responded with prayer instead of finger-pointing? How potent would my witness be if I responded with prayer, followed by joy?
My family did this. This scene plays out in my mind many times, and it always makes me smile. Vacaville prison. Easter Eve, and the whole family is together – all 7 Caulks. Because we were up there so much, and because my parents INSISTED ON FRIENDLINESS, the guards liked us. They even let Steven take in crayons. Why did we have crayons? Because my parents had a plan. Once inside, we quickly ran around to the vending machines and purchased boiled eggs. Can you imagine this scene? The 7 of us, in a prison visiting room, laughing and loud, coloring Easter Eggs? You can picture what happened next. That’s right, my parents hid the eggs and all 5 of the kids went on a massive Easter Egg hunt. In a large room, full of hardened men and the families who care for them, my parents planned JOY. Not only did they plan joy, but they planted joy on every person in that room.
I look back now, and I think that my folks had a strategy. Life isn’t always easy, but they refused to give up on the JOY that Christ had for them! Friends, in tough times, pray. Pray again. Pray sacrificially. See the joy blossom!
Prayer Request: Families with special needs children.
~ Leslie Garman
March 17
Luke 4:1-4
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
Jesus was about to start his public ministry knowing that it would end with his death on the cross. Instead of worrying, or begging to get out of it, he simply fasted. He knew that he would not be able, on his own, to make it. Jesus’ strength comes from the father.
When we go into a time of fasting, we often take something out of our lives that we can, or should, live without. We fast from listening to the radio while in the car, or we skip a meal. But if we stop there, then we are missing the point. We need to be filling our lives with the things of God. We need to be getting into his word. Look how Jesus answers these temptations. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” When you are hungry, especially a forty-day hungry, any food sounds great. But Jesus feeds off of the word and doing his father’s will.
When your trials and temptations come, how do you answer? Do you rely on your own strength, your own vices, your own understanding, or do you rely on God and his word? When you enter into a time of temptation and trial, slow down and take time to be with God before jumping in feet first into the darkness. Pray and fast and focus on God’s word as you encounter what he has for you.
Prayer Request: Pray for those who are in broken homes that they may find peace.
~ Pastor Josh
When we go into a time of fasting, we often take something out of our lives that we can, or should, live without. We fast from listening to the radio while in the car, or we skip a meal. But if we stop there, then we are missing the point. We need to be filling our lives with the things of God. We need to be getting into his word. Look how Jesus answers these temptations. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” When you are hungry, especially a forty-day hungry, any food sounds great. But Jesus feeds off of the word and doing his father’s will.
When your trials and temptations come, how do you answer? Do you rely on your own strength, your own vices, your own understanding, or do you rely on God and his word? When you enter into a time of temptation and trial, slow down and take time to be with God before jumping in feet first into the darkness. Pray and fast and focus on God’s word as you encounter what he has for you.
Prayer Request: Pray for those who are in broken homes that they may find peace.
~ Pastor Josh
March 16
Ephesians 6:10-20
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (vs. 11)
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” (vs. 18)
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (vs. 11)
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” (vs. 18)
The armor described in this passage had two purposes for a soldier – to advance against the enemy or to stand and hold your position. Breastplates, shields, helmets, and other gear were never designed for retreat. If a soldier turned and ran from the battle, he had absolutely no protection from the back. The same is true for us if we choose to turn and run from battle.
Standing our ground may not seem as glorious as going on offense for victory but there are times when the victory is in the standing. In 1814, the Americans were outmanned and outgunned at Fort McHenry and yet withstood a barrage of more than 1,800 bombs for 25 straight hours but when the British gave up, our “flag was still there”. America did not actually win that battle, but because they stood their ground it turned the war around to ultimate victory.
In 1836, less than 200 men made a courageous stand at the Alamo in Texas against over 1,500 Mexican soldiers. They lost that battle but because they stood, they bought Texas 13 precious days to rally the troops. Their sacrifice and courage also inspired the eventual victory as the phrase “Remember the Alamo!” became the calling cry to freedom.
Regardless if we advance or make a stand, Paul urges to tap into our greatest offensive and defensive weapon and that is prayer. Samuel Chadwick said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
The most powerful armies in the world will stall immediately without communication and a supply line. Prayer provides both communications directly with God and serves as the supply line. If we try to fight our battles in our own strength, we will lose but when we seek the Lord and his strength and power through prayer at all times in the Spirit, we will be victorious!
Prayer Request: For strength and discernment for single parents during challenging times.
~ Gil Mertz
Standing our ground may not seem as glorious as going on offense for victory but there are times when the victory is in the standing. In 1814, the Americans were outmanned and outgunned at Fort McHenry and yet withstood a barrage of more than 1,800 bombs for 25 straight hours but when the British gave up, our “flag was still there”. America did not actually win that battle, but because they stood their ground it turned the war around to ultimate victory.
In 1836, less than 200 men made a courageous stand at the Alamo in Texas against over 1,500 Mexican soldiers. They lost that battle but because they stood, they bought Texas 13 precious days to rally the troops. Their sacrifice and courage also inspired the eventual victory as the phrase “Remember the Alamo!” became the calling cry to freedom.
Regardless if we advance or make a stand, Paul urges to tap into our greatest offensive and defensive weapon and that is prayer. Samuel Chadwick said, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.”
The most powerful armies in the world will stall immediately without communication and a supply line. Prayer provides both communications directly with God and serves as the supply line. If we try to fight our battles in our own strength, we will lose but when we seek the Lord and his strength and power through prayer at all times in the Spirit, we will be victorious!
Prayer Request: For strength and discernment for single parents during challenging times.
~ Gil Mertz
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Good Afternoon! We are having a gorgeous spring day outside… I hope you are able to take advantage of it somehow. My plan is to head out this evening for a nice run before it gets dark. I kind of like the time change that gives us extra light in the evening. Of course, I enjoy the light in the early hours of the morning… but I can’t have it both ways unless I move to Alaska. That ain’t happenin’!
This just in… WE NEED YOUR HELP: Crisis Care Kits are being put together this Sunday by many of you following the 10:30 service. Did you know that these CCK are sent all over the world in times of need? Following natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires… They are wonderful items that are “just the right thing” for families and individuals in crisis. But we are still in need of the following items. Can you bring them to the church by this Sunday morning? Thanks…
Good Afternoon! We are having a gorgeous spring day outside… I hope you are able to take advantage of it somehow. My plan is to head out this evening for a nice run before it gets dark. I kind of like the time change that gives us extra light in the evening. Of course, I enjoy the light in the early hours of the morning… but I can’t have it both ways unless I move to Alaska. That ain’t happenin’!
This just in… WE NEED YOUR HELP: Crisis Care Kits are being put together this Sunday by many of you following the 10:30 service. Did you know that these CCK are sent all over the world in times of need? Following natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires… They are wonderful items that are “just the right thing” for families and individuals in crisis. But we are still in need of the following items. Can you bring them to the church by this Sunday morning? Thanks…
- 52 – medium-size bottles of shampoo (12-18 oz)
- 81 – bars of soap (bath size or larger)
- 43 – medium-size toothpastes (4.-6.4 oz)
- 134 – toothbrushes
- 57 – boxes of Band-Aids (30 or more)
- 61 – fingernail clippers
- 136 – hand Towels
- 204 – pocket-size packages of facial tissue
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
This is the Old Testament’s great psalm of penitence and confession. It comes from the lips of King David after God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David with the horror of his actions in his affair with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband Uriah, and the attempted cover-up (2 Sam 11). It is our model and our guide for confession.
After confessing his sin and begging God to have mercy on him, wash him thoroughly, purge him, and restore him, David speaks in this verse of his brokenness. There is a kind of sorrow that comes from getting caught in our sin that is really closer to regret. When David speaks here of a “broken heart,” he is using an expression implying deep sorrow. According to Spurgeon, “he goes safely who goes humbly.” The “bones that were crushed” (v. 8) are now beginning to re-knit.
We are never closer to God than when our hearts are broken. “God is close to the broken-hearted, he helps those whose spirit is crushed” (Ps 34:18). “[He] heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds…” (Ps 147:3). These verses anticipate and look forward to the mystery whereby we can wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. My dear friends, why wait? Unburden yourself this very day to the One before Whom all hearts are open and no secrets are hidden!
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Prayer Request: Is there unconfessed sin in my life?
~ Dave Vernon
40 DAYS: We are journeying on through our emphasis on GROWTH as we approach the 20-day mark of our 40 DAYS in Prayer. Keep up your reading of the devotionals and prayer needs. On March 23… next Friday, we will begin our 10-DAY DANIEL FAST. Are you ready to see great and awesome things the Lord has for you and his church? What are you willing to give up in order to seek the Lord with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? This Sunday in the bulletin, you will be given a detailed explanation of just what the Daniel Fast is all about. I will again post the material on Monday’s Few Thoughts.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What precious metal did Solomon NOT use in the construction of the Temple because it was not valuable at the time? Silver (I Kings 10:21)
I love you and hope to see you in church!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 14
Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 has been a difficult scripture for me, and I am sure for a lot of us, because we don’t read it correctly. The two big stumbling blocks in this verse are “God causes” and “for good.”
First, we need to realize that God does not cause all things but does allow things to happen in our lives as the natural process of living. Matthew 5:45 tells us “for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Good and bad (rain falling on us is so often viewed as the negative in our lives) things happen to the Christian and the non-Christian, but the Christian has God to go with them through the bad. We are told in Isaiah 40:31 that when we wait for the Lord, we will gain new strength. God will cause all things to work together for our good as we wait on Him and trust Him even though those things are not good or pleasant.
The second stumbling block is “for good.” When we read this, we often think we are going to get a prize, something tangible that we can see. What is for our good? Our good, as found in this verse, is to be called according to His purpose. If we read before and after this verse, we see that His purpose is for us to be in His love. Nothing can separate us from His love, even when we are unforgiven sinners, He constantly seeks to bring us into relationship with Him through Christ’s sacrifice. God has chosen us, He has chosen all mankind. We just need to “love God” as the verse says. We do this by accepting His Son as our Savior and then living in His will. Then, God can “cause all things to work together for good to those who love God.”
P.S. Just because you experience bad things or difficulties doesn’t mean you don’t love God! Wait upon the Lord, He will renew you!
Prayer Request: A fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon the music ministries in the church: Worship Teams, Choir, Handbells, instrumentalists…
~ Randy Estes
March 13
James 4:3
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Take time to read this verse in context in James 4:1-10. Have you ever wondered exactly how adultery begins? Years ago, a good gal married a great guy. Great Guy had a childhood friend, Best Bud. The three of them were close. Best Bud never married, as his job took him to foreign lands often, but when he was in town, Best Bud stayed at the house, helped with the kids. I’m not sure there was any one moment when Gal decided to give her heart to Bud. Guy trusted Bud, Bud was helpful, and Gal needed company when Guy’s job consumed more and more hours. Thirty-odd years later, Gal left Guy for Bud. True story.
I think that by the time the thought “maybe this is wrong” occurred to any of them, it was too late. This is how the enemy works. There is a seductive rationalization that what I’m doing with my time is fine. There’s nothing wrong. The abnormal has become normal. God, however, is never fooled, and will not participate in this kind of love triangle.
Sooner or later, all of us have affairs of the heart when it comes to God. We numb the pain with drugs or alcohol. We fill the lack of intimacy with porn, casual sex, food, or Facebook. Sometimes, the good is the enemy of the best. In Africa, gourds are baited with food. Monkeys put their hand through a small hole to grab the food, but they can’t take it out again because their fist is clenched, and the monkey is trapped. Work, family, hobbies, exercise, housework, and even church activities are all good things, but it is possible to engage in those without ever drawing near to God. God simply cannot fill our hands or our lives with HIS perfect treasure, if they are clenched and filled with the enemy’s bait. LET IT GO. Empty your heart, your mind, your calendar, and let God give you the only thing that can fill the emptiness… Himself.
Prayer Request: God’s anointing upon every Sunday School teacher and Small Group leader.
~ Bonnie Traylor
Monday, March 12, 2012
Good Morning! Do you ever have difficulty in adjusting to the time change? Yesterday, you lost an hour of sleep… yet we enjoyed an extra hour of daylight last night. The days are slowly growing longer until we peak on June 20… when the sun will stand still momentarily before making its transition to shorten the days. Isn’t it funny how the longest day appears so early in the calendar as compared to the hottest days of the year? Today… the sun is working, but only doing half of its job. It’s light out… but quite cold.
On Saturday, I enjoyed a quick half-day trip to our old stomping grounds… Carpinteria. There was a 10K and a 5K that a few of us decided to race in at Carp. The conditions were near perfect, but the body was lacking strength. It’s very challenging to race a 10K at 8:00 AM and turn around and race a 5K at 9:15. Having a 35-minute break between the two is both good and bad. I like it because I need as much time as I can get to recover. I don’t it because it’s hard to get the legs going again after waiting around for any period of time. But, the races were fun and we all returned home safely.
Yesterday was a very good day here at church. May I remind you to keep praying for those individuals the Lord has placed on your mind to whom you can reach out! Many of us jotted down names of people who influenced us in our Christian walk… and many of us put down on paper the names of people to whom we need to witness. Be bold… don’t procrastinate… respond with a “10-4” and do it!
Good Morning! Do you ever have difficulty in adjusting to the time change? Yesterday, you lost an hour of sleep… yet we enjoyed an extra hour of daylight last night. The days are slowly growing longer until we peak on June 20… when the sun will stand still momentarily before making its transition to shorten the days. Isn’t it funny how the longest day appears so early in the calendar as compared to the hottest days of the year? Today… the sun is working, but only doing half of its job. It’s light out… but quite cold.
On Saturday, I enjoyed a quick half-day trip to our old stomping grounds… Carpinteria. There was a 10K and a 5K that a few of us decided to race in at Carp. The conditions were near perfect, but the body was lacking strength. It’s very challenging to race a 10K at 8:00 AM and turn around and race a 5K at 9:15. Having a 35-minute break between the two is both good and bad. I like it because I need as much time as I can get to recover. I don’t it because it’s hard to get the legs going again after waiting around for any period of time. But, the races were fun and we all returned home safely.
Yesterday was a very good day here at church. May I remind you to keep praying for those individuals the Lord has placed on your mind to whom you can reach out! Many of us jotted down names of people who influenced us in our Christian walk… and many of us put down on paper the names of people to whom we need to witness. Be bold… don’t procrastinate… respond with a “10-4” and do it!
March 12
Mark 9:17-29
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me over come my unbelief!” (vs. 21-24)
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (vs. 28-29)
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me over come my unbelief!” (vs. 21-24)
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (vs. 28-29)
When this father brings his son to Jesus, he is at the end of his rope. I am sure that he had doctors look at him. He probably even begged the rich to help pay for it. Then he hears about this man named Jesus who brings sight to the blind, and makes the lame walk. If he was not in his current situation with his son, he might have laughed at the idea of healing the lame. But this father would do anything for his son.
I am sure that deep down he knew that this wouldn’t work. If a man is this powerful, then why would he help someone like me? I am sure that he expected to be made fun of by Jesus. But when Jesus asked him to bring him his son, hope arrived.
The disciples are a different story. They are confused about why they couldn’t help the boy on their own. They said the words that Jesus would say, and did the motions that Jesus would do, but nothing happened.
We are like that sometimes. We show up and expect God to show up and do his thing without ever realizing that he has so much more to give us. When you believe and pray, you will find that God has a greater plan for answering your prayers than you could ever imagine. If you want something to come out of your life, remember, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Prayer Request: Please pray for our 6th graders coming up into the youth group this year.
~ Pastor Josh
40 DAYS: As you continue reading through the 40 DAYS Devotional, keep your heart in tune with the Lord. Pray always. Seek Him in everything. Not long from now, we will begin the Daniel Fast; are you a daring Daniel? Are you planning to participate? Many of us are getting ready for this 10-Day Prayer & Fasting. The dates are March 23 – April 1. The fast is taken from Daniel 1:12 where Daniel said, “Please test your servants for 10 days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
- Jesus has already informed us that certain things cannot happen except through prayer and fasting.
- Our 10-DAY Daniel Fast is a time when many of us are eating vegetables and fruit and seeking the will of God.
- Do you have special needs in your life? Remember Jesus’ words (bullet point #1)
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS MAUNDY THURSDAY? As with a lot of words and phrases… we go back to the Latin language. First of all, Maundy Thursday is the day before Jesus died on the cross… that being a Thursday. Some people refer to it as Holy Thursday. There are two theories as to where the actual word “Maundy” comes from:
- Some scholars believe it is derived from the Latin word mandatum which is the first word in the new commandment Jesus gave His disciples on that evening, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…” And He proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet.
- The other theory is that it is derived from the Latin word mendicare which refers to a small basket that beggars used for begging. The baskets were distributed by the King of England to certain poor people before attending mass on that Thursday.
- Whatever the answer is… the word “Maundy” is a word we never use except on this specific day. If you look closely at the word MAUNDY… you can quickly see the English word so closely associated to it: MANDATE. Therefore, it is in my opinion, that the first explanation is most fitting. As Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, or any other term you choose to use… let’s remember Jesus’ final words before taking His last meal with His disciples… He gave them a new mandate… a new commandment… and then He lived it out.
CRISIS CARE KITS: We are in need of more CCK items. Please bring them to the church by this Sunday, March 18, so that the missions’ team can assemble the boxes on Sunday afternoon. If you plan to be part of the assembly team, please inform the church office (office@newnaz.org) by Wednesday so that we will have enough lunch meals provided.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Every three years King Solomon’s trading ships returned home with gold, silver, ivory and what hairy animal?
Apes
Apes
I’m looking forward to this Sunday. Several great and awesome things are in store for us. My message is called “Anyone Looking?” as we study Daniel 1:1-8. I love you and hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 11
Romans 8:26-27
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
If you didn’t know, I have a Chihuahua. I would say that I have become very much a “dog person,” but I don’t consider Pixie Lee a “dog.” I view her as a surrogate child – when my son, Garrett, was in the sheriff academy preparing for a job in law enforcement and giving me updates like: I got pepper sprayed today or I passed my shotgun test… I really (REALLY) needed something to “baby.”
When I’m home, if I’m sitting down, she’s on my lap. When I go from one room to another, she follows me. When the coyotes howl or the wind is really blowing, she gets nervous and will come to me. My presence, just being in the same room or close enough to touch, is comforting to her.
When I read this verse, I am the Chihuahua… I know that when I go to my Father, for whatever reason, there is a peace. When I am having a bad day, when I don’t feel right (physically or emotionally), seeking Him is a comfort.
And the most beautiful part about the God/me relationship is that He “knows.” When Pixie Lee comes to me and wants to be close, I can only provide my presence and guess (if it isn’t obvious) what she needs. My Father “knows” – my mind/body/soul are transparent to Him and when I seek Him, He sees and provides what I need when I don’t know what is wrong or what to ask for. And all I need to do is come to Him. What a blessing!
Prayer Request: The Pastoral Team here at NewNaz for great vision and leadership tools.
~ Peggy Spencer
March 10
I Thessalonians 5:16-17
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;”
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;”
In this passage, Paul is giving the church at Thessalonica three specific instructions on how to live in successful Christian conduct. I first look at the last part of these verses which says, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is important to me because it is God’s will for my life, and I am able to do it because of Christ in me.
The first and third instructions can be difficult for me as it is difficult to “rejoice always” and “in everything give thanks” unless I remember that I am always to rejoice because God has an eternal plan for me to be in fellowship with Him for eternity and He is making it possible daily. I don’t give Him thanks for everything but can give Him thanks in everything because He empowers me to live through any situation with the help of brothers and sisters in Christ.
The second instruction “to pray without ceasing” comes easy when we have a burden. We naturally go to God asking Him to remove or fix it. Sometimes we just need to pray asking Him to help us through the difficult times. I also think it is important to continually give Him thanks in prayer for His help and the good He provides in our lives.
Remember, God has created us, “knit us together in our mother’s womb,” and Christ has come that we might have life and have it abundantly. So rejoice, pray, give thanks; it is God’s formula for a fulfilled life!
Prayer Request: The many people who are undergoing treatments for long term illnesses.
~ Randy Estes
March 9
James 5:13-14
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…”
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…”
Do you remember the names Martin and Gracia Burnham? They were in the news around 10 years ago because they were kidnapped by a militant group with ties to Osama bin Laden. They weren’t the first; they won’t be the last. What stood out about them? They were missionaries with 3 kids. Married 18 years. Throughout their 400-plus days of captivity, they not only spoke of Jesus; they LIVED Jesus. They volunteered for more work. They told their captors “good night” every night. They shared about Jesus with them.
I would like to tell you that everything turned out all right, but it didn’t. On June 7, 2002, Martin died.
Is this how God honors His chosen? How do you explain this tragedy? How do you explain yours? Tension at home. Demands at work. Bills on your desk. Tumor in your body. Hardness in your heart. Do you feel like you are submerged in a sea of suffering? Do your prayers seem to be unanswered? God is there.
Let’s look at this from another angle: are people strengthened by your struggles? One of the many things I love about my folks, Dearl and Bobbie, is that throughout their struggles, God displayed His glory. People watched my folks; I watched them, too: with pride. I don’t ever recall hearing them complain about the bitter pills they had to swallow. Rather, they continued to march up to the 2nd row of their church and plop themselves down in “their” seat. Did they always feel like being seen? I doubt it.
Here’s what I want to say: God’s glory WILL be displayed. Stars and sunsets. Flowers and rivers. People and struggles. A kidnapped couple in the Philippines. Because of Martin’s death, nations around the world heard the name of Christ. Millions saw the interviews with his family. Every major network gave minutes to a man who loved Christ more than life. Through Dearl and Bobbie, God was seen. Through Martin Burnham’s death, God was seen. Through your struggles, may God be seen.
Prayer Request: The health needs for those who are preparing for surgery or are in recovery today.
~ Leslie Garman
I would like to tell you that everything turned out all right, but it didn’t. On June 7, 2002, Martin died.
Is this how God honors His chosen? How do you explain this tragedy? How do you explain yours? Tension at home. Demands at work. Bills on your desk. Tumor in your body. Hardness in your heart. Do you feel like you are submerged in a sea of suffering? Do your prayers seem to be unanswered? God is there.
Let’s look at this from another angle: are people strengthened by your struggles? One of the many things I love about my folks, Dearl and Bobbie, is that throughout their struggles, God displayed His glory. People watched my folks; I watched them, too: with pride. I don’t ever recall hearing them complain about the bitter pills they had to swallow. Rather, they continued to march up to the 2nd row of their church and plop themselves down in “their” seat. Did they always feel like being seen? I doubt it.
Here’s what I want to say: God’s glory WILL be displayed. Stars and sunsets. Flowers and rivers. People and struggles. A kidnapped couple in the Philippines. Because of Martin’s death, nations around the world heard the name of Christ. Millions saw the interviews with his family. Every major network gave minutes to a man who loved Christ more than life. Through Dearl and Bobbie, God was seen. Through Martin Burnham’s death, God was seen. Through your struggles, may God be seen.
Prayer Request: The health needs for those who are preparing for surgery or are in recovery today.
~ Leslie Garman
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Good Morning!
Have you given much thought to those certain things that bring contentment to you? What small things in life bring a smile to your face… make you happy? Sometimes, when I’m finishing a long run and I’ve got 3 miles to go, I begin to think of a nice hot cup of coffee. On those cold mornings… that cup sounds very good… and once I finish and sit down… yeah, there’s a smile on my face.
When my desk is messy, and I decide to spend a few extra moments cleaning it up… that makes me happy.
At the end of the day and I have a free evening, I find contentment in turning on the TV to watch a basketball game. And when my home teams wins… I really have a smile on my face.
On Friday afternoons, most recently, it’s been fun to spend a few extra moments with my daughter who cleans horse stalls four days a week. I like working outdoors, even if it’s cleaning the mess the horses make. Last week, I took along with us some cut-up apples to feed the horses… that is fun to me.
I like to look out the window and see activity here at the church. Those things bring a smile to my face.
When I pray to the Lord for certain needs… and He answers me in ways I can’t explain… I’m happy. He provides.
When I come home in the evening, Leslie has prepared dinner for us, and we ALL get to sit around the table TOGETHER… I love that!
When I wake up on my own before the alarm goes off… I much prefer that because it’s so much easier crawling out of bed.
I enjoy hearing my daughter playing the piano in the background or singing from her room. That always brings joy to me.
In many ways, I guess I’m like our dog… listening and waiting to hear the sound of the garage door opening… or the front door unlock… There’s nothing better than knowing we’re all safe at home together.
Have you taken a few moments to thank the Lord for all of those small... yet so very special things you encounter every day?
Good Morning!
Have you given much thought to those certain things that bring contentment to you? What small things in life bring a smile to your face… make you happy? Sometimes, when I’m finishing a long run and I’ve got 3 miles to go, I begin to think of a nice hot cup of coffee. On those cold mornings… that cup sounds very good… and once I finish and sit down… yeah, there’s a smile on my face.
When my desk is messy, and I decide to spend a few extra moments cleaning it up… that makes me happy.
At the end of the day and I have a free evening, I find contentment in turning on the TV to watch a basketball game. And when my home teams wins… I really have a smile on my face.
On Friday afternoons, most recently, it’s been fun to spend a few extra moments with my daughter who cleans horse stalls four days a week. I like working outdoors, even if it’s cleaning the mess the horses make. Last week, I took along with us some cut-up apples to feed the horses… that is fun to me.
I like to look out the window and see activity here at the church. Those things bring a smile to my face.
When I pray to the Lord for certain needs… and He answers me in ways I can’t explain… I’m happy. He provides.
When I come home in the evening, Leslie has prepared dinner for us, and we ALL get to sit around the table TOGETHER… I love that!
When I wake up on my own before the alarm goes off… I much prefer that because it’s so much easier crawling out of bed.
I enjoy hearing my daughter playing the piano in the background or singing from her room. That always brings joy to me.
In many ways, I guess I’m like our dog… listening and waiting to hear the sound of the garage door opening… or the front door unlock… There’s nothing better than knowing we’re all safe at home together.
Have you taken a few moments to thank the Lord for all of those small... yet so very special things you encounter every day?
March 8
Luke 11:11-13
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
You know that feeling when an adorable young child comes to you with trust and humility to ask for something? Your heart melts and you not only give them what they requested, you want to shower even more on them. Our Heavenly Father feels exactly the same way about us.
We often hear that God answers our prayers in three different ways: yes, no, or wait. Determining which answer is yes, which is no, and which is wait can be perplexing at times. This is especially true when we let our own personal agendas influence the answer we want. However, there is one prayer that God is 100% guaranteed to answer instantly and affirmatively every time. That’s when we ask to be born again and receive the Holy Spirit.
Salvation comes when we repent of our sin to God, ask Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, and we become born-again by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often the neglected person in the Trinity, but he is far more than just a symbol of God’s presence. He is co-equal and co-existent with God and Jesus.
He also does much more than inhabit us at the point of conversion; the Holy Spirit continues to dwell inside us every day. He convicts us of sin (John 16:8-11), sanctifies us in the sight of God (1 Corinthians 6:11), teaches us from God’s word (John 14:26), produces godly fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), endows us with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14:12), empowers us to witness for Christ (Acts 1:8) and guarantees us eternal life in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Andrew Murray once said, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” With that I have just two questions: Who gets to choose and what are we waiting for?
Prayer Request: God’s anointing upon those who are experiencing deep depression and emotional stress.
~ Gil Mertz
PHOTO DIRECTORY PICTURES: It’s that time once again to update our Photo Directory. We will begin taking pictures this Sunday in the overflow room between services and after 2nd service. We’ve all changed over the years… so we might as well come on out and get our picture taken for the new directory.
40 DAYS: As we continue on our journey through our 40 DAYS, let me encourage you to pray for the specific needs expressed on each day of the week. I am certain that God wants to breakthrough in your life… but certain blessings may not come EXCEPT through Prayer & Fasting. As March 23 approaches, are you getting ready for our Daniel Fast when we will eat vegetables and fruits for 10 days? Perhaps as you hunger for those breads, meats, and sweets, you’ll take some extra time to pray for the needs we all have. Ultimately, our goal is to GROW! Are you growing?
TRIVIA QUESTION: Which animal is praised among all others because it is wise… it prepares its food in the summer… and it gathers provisions in the harvest? Ant (Proverbs 6-7)
This Sunday, I will preach on reaching out… the title of my message is “10 - 4”. I truly believe that the Lord is speaking to us… all of the time… are we listening? Are we getting it? We have a mission to accomplish… let’s reach out to others. Let’s bring them in. Let’s go to them. Let’s be bold in our witness for the Lord. Paul said it well in his first chapter to the ROMANS: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel…. I love you and I hope to see you in church.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Oh, and don't forget, DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME begins Sunday!
Remember to change your clocks.
Remember to change your clocks.
March 7
Luke 11: 5-10
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” (vs. 9-10)
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” (vs. 9-10)
I went on a 5-day trek to one of the world’s most active volcanoes in Ecuador. The web forecast showed promising conditions and guidebooks had said that February was a favorable month weather-wise. Still, it was rainy upon our arrival. During the whole 9 hours of our first day’s walk through the mountains, I asked God to clear the sky. Although He didn’t, I was thankful that my sleeping bag and pad had stayed dry in my pack. That night as I listened to the patter of rain on the plastic covering the straw roof of the hut we were in, and during the next day’s 6-hour hike up and down thick vegetative muddy trails, I continued pleading with God for dry weather. During the second night, as I listened to the rain hit the tent fly in varying degrees of intensity, I thought of the parables of Jesus on boldness in prayer from Luke 11:5-10 and the persistent widow in Luke 18. I continued to ask God to take pity on us for our planned 1:00 AM departure for the summit. An hour late at 2:00 AM, the thick foliage at the base of the cone kept our outerwear soaked as if it had been raining. Six hours later, as we neared the summit, the winds increased and brought stinging snow into our faces. I actually got down on my hands and knees to get up the final 10 feet or so to the crater rim. Nothing to see at the top, we heard some gasses gurgling in the crater and dashed back down without even taking the camera out. The fourth morning, we took down our wet tent and began what would be a 7-hour hike back to the hut, all under cloudy, misty, sometimes drizzly skies. The rivers we had to cross were swollen and muddy. Back at the hut, my thoughts turned to a “why God?” mode. God immediately put the following verses in my head: Psalm 66:18, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” and James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” I won’t go into personal details, but I knew there was something in my heart that I had to take care of. And I got on it right away. So while Jesus made it clear that we are to come boldly before the throne of God and make our requests known, we need to as the writer of Hebrews says in 10:22, “…draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience...”
Prayer Request: For our loved ones who have wandered away from the Lord that they will turn around and seek the will of God.
~ Russ Meehan
March 6
Philippians 4:8-9
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Lyrics by Andrew Peterson:
It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder
So easy to loose this old tongue like a tiger,
It’s so easy to let all this bitterness smolder…
It’s easy to curse and to hurt and to hinder…
Aren’t those words true? It is too easy to obsess over things that others do – either to me or that just annoy me – and relive them over and over again. When I choose to hold onto that “wrong,” I turn inward and can make that nugget of discontent or frustration into a mountain of bitterness that will only crush me if I don’t let it go. If I’m focused inward on what is wrong, I miss what is “out there.”
It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder
So easy to loose this old tongue like a tiger,
It’s so easy to let all this bitterness smolder…
It’s easy to curse and to hurt and to hinder…
Aren’t those words true? It is too easy to obsess over things that others do – either to me or that just annoy me – and relive them over and over again. When I choose to hold onto that “wrong,” I turn inward and can make that nugget of discontent or frustration into a mountain of bitterness that will only crush me if I don’t let it go. If I’m focused inward on what is wrong, I miss what is “out there.”
When I dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent… when I pursue what is worthy of praise, I find the God of peace as promised. The world becomes larger and brighter. And when I do this, I can become an encouragement to others to seek what is good. How does this happen? By not being “me” centered… by serving others: visiting a friend in the hospital, praising another’s accomplishments, sending a note of encouragement, participating in the upcoming Family Promise week, stepping out of my comfort zone and welcoming that new person in the church doors, thanking God for the gift of salvation and His love…
Instead of a whirlpool that only leads to that dark, mean place inside of myself, by searching for what is good, I come into the presence of God and an open horizon. When I am focused outward and upward, when I look to others and see the admirable qualities they have, when I choose to be thankful for the many blessings God has graced me with – I become lighter… and a much nicer person to be around.
Prayer Request: For peace and calm during times of high level stress for those who are caregivers.
Instead of a whirlpool that only leads to that dark, mean place inside of myself, by searching for what is good, I come into the presence of God and an open horizon. When I am focused outward and upward, when I look to others and see the admirable qualities they have, when I choose to be thankful for the many blessings God has graced me with – I become lighter… and a much nicer person to be around.
Prayer Request: For peace and calm during times of high level stress for those who are caregivers.
~ Peggy Spencer
Monday, March 5, 2012
Good Morning! These past few days have been absolutely beautiful. Little wind with picture perfect blue skies… Springtime is just around the corner.
As you know, Leslie and I were away for part of the week on a 4-day cruise as we traveled to Catalina Island and Ensenada with Leslie’s family. Nearly the whole trip, we encountered strong winds and cool temperatures, but we had a great time rising early in the morning to catch the sunrise… touring the buffets… and playing games in various places on the ship. On one of the nights, I had the chance to climb up high and capture a few shots of the sunset. Once the sun gets close to the horizon… it disappears rapidly.
Good Morning! These past few days have been absolutely beautiful. Little wind with picture perfect blue skies… Springtime is just around the corner.
As you know, Leslie and I were away for part of the week on a 4-day cruise as we traveled to Catalina Island and Ensenada with Leslie’s family. Nearly the whole trip, we encountered strong winds and cool temperatures, but we had a great time rising early in the morning to catch the sunrise… touring the buffets… and playing games in various places on the ship. On one of the nights, I had the chance to climb up high and capture a few shots of the sunset. Once the sun gets close to the horizon… it disappears rapidly.
Allow me a moment to shout out a very special thanks to the Prayer Team Leadership for their direction in the PRAYER CELEBRATION last night. We enjoyed a wonderful time in praise and prayer as we continue our journey through these 40 DAYS together. The prayer time last night was special and we anticipate great blessings from the Lord as we continue to wait upon Him.
Speaking of the 40 DAYS… have you picked up a devotional booklet? If you haven’t, you may do so at the Welcome Center.
INTOUCH… And don’t forget to pick up your quarterly NewNaz publication at the Welcome Center with new photos and info on upcoming events and ministries throughout the church. The InTouch is a great way to share information with friends and neighbors. Stop on by the Welcome Center and take one home with you.
May the Lord bless you this week! I look forward to being with you again. This coming Sunday, we have a very special day planned. You won’t want to miss it. I can hardly wait. See you soon…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
March 5
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Have you ever been worried about giving a presentation? Even if you did all the correct research, planned your talking points, had visuals, and of course picked your outfit for the presentation, you still feel like you forgot something, or you are going to mess it up, or you lack confidence. We do this a lot in our lives. We do all that we are supposed to do, and yet we still feel like we are not going to match up to where we are supposed to be.
When we go with our own understanding, we tend to think we have done enough until a trial comes. When we rely on God, who transcends all understanding, we find that he has done more than enough to satisfy all that we need. When all that you need is satisfied, then you will be at peace. You will just be following a path that is already laid out for you, rather than trying to forge your own path that only leads to your destruction.
So as you go about the rest of your day, think about how you can become more reliant on God and what he has for you, rather than leaning on your own understanding. Be ready for what he has for you and know that he will bring you through it. He has already won. Therefore, if you walk with him then you already have the victory. Why would you be anxious if you already won?
Prayer Request: Pray for the students of our church to continue developing a faith of their own.
~ Pastor Josh
TRIVIA QUESTION: How many times are dogs mentioned in the Bible? 14 times (but no Chihuahuas...)
March 4
Philippians 4:4-5
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
Rejoice! Always! Again! Rejoice! The apostle Paul is pretty definite in this mandate, isn’t he? He doesn’t give us an option. Can’t pick and choose when we rejoice and when we grumble. Nope – rejoice always!
Rejoicing is sometimes difficult, but it becomes easier when we remember how Paul says we are to rejoice – in the Lord! Not in our circumstances or our emotions, but in the assurance that God is with us through it all. We are to take delight in God’s love and care at all times, lifting our hearts to Him in thanks, in confession, in request.
But what’s this about a “gentle spirit”? What has that got to do with rejoicing in the Lord? Maybe it’s this – gentleness is one of the fruits of the spirit, and when we cultivate these fruits, God takes delight in us. And when He rejoices in us, it’s easy for us to return the feeling. A “cycle of rejoicing.”
In “The Message,” Eugene Petersen paraphrases Philippians 4:5 as follows: “Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them”. Not judgmental, not argumentative, not negative. Just encouraging, listening, understanding. Now, THAT’s a gentle spirit!
As I minister at the hospital day by day, I receive many gifts from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the most vital of these is the gift of gentleness. So many hurting people just want a listening ear, a hand to hold, a prayer offered. I’m no physician, but I can give those things. And you can, too, no matter where you go or who you meet in your busy day. Rejoice in the Lord always!
Prayer Request: Pray for opportunities to show a gentle spirit to the people God puts into your path today.
~ Pastor Carol
March 3
Matthew 6:11-13
‘Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”
‘Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”
In Matthew’s gospel, Our Lord has already assured the disciples that God knows their needs before they even ask (Matt 6:8). In the first part of the prayer, we have already acknowledged God’s all surpassing uniqueness, thus the second part of this most perfect “disciple’s prayer” calls us to acknowledgement of our all-encompassing need for His daily provision and protection. An honest appraisal of life affirms this to be true. But still we are encouraged to pray with a boldness of faith in asking for specific things (our daily bread).
Jesus goes on to stress a connection between divine forgiveness and human forgiveness. First, Jesus implies that where I am unable to offer or receive forgiveness, God’s forgiveness may be absent. It is the experience of God’s forgiveness in my own life that enables me to offer and receive forgiveness from others. Yet, when I genuinely open myself to the sometimes impossible task of forgiveness, I become in some way a channel of divine forgiveness.
Then there is the rather puzzling petition that the Father would not lead us into temptation. This is not to suggest that God ever causes temptation, but is a rhetorical way to ask for God’s protection from sin. James, in his letter to the Church, makes clear that God never tempts anyone, but that we are more often the victim of our own sinful desires (James 1:13-14). I have a friend that says in jest that sometimes he feels like he just needs a “sin break!” In other words, he finds it hard work to a life of holiness, and sometimes feels discouraged over his failures. This is precisely why Jesus encourages us to pray to the Father that we be delivered from our own selfishness and self-centeredness.
The Lord knows we are weak. I believe we would be surprised to hear the Lord tell us He expected more failure from us than we expected of ourselves! I use this part of the prayer to remind myself of those besetting sins of which I am most sorrowful, and pray with urgency that the Father will protect me from wandering into temptation.
Prayer Request: Pray for the grace to see yourself with neither condemnation nor complacency, that you might be delivered from temptation.
~ Dave Vernon
March 2
Matthew 6:9-10
“When you pray therefore, pray in this way, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”
“When you pray therefore, pray in this way, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”
This prayer, which is traditionally known as The Lord’s Prayer, rightly ought to be called The Disciple’s Prayer; it is Jesus’ guidance for how the disciple is to approach God. We begin this prayer by reminding ourselves that not only is our God holy, but even His very Name is in itself holy and powerful. We would do well to remember our spiritual grandparents, the Hebrew people, trembled before that Name, and dared not even speak it. Yet we are encouraged to speak with the God of the universe in terms of intimacy: Father.
While it is true this prayer looks forward to the climax of history with the coming of the Lord (Your kingdom come), I cannot escape the present importance of discipleship (on earth, as it is in heaven). I will often take off from here in my private prayer and pray the Father’s will, not just on earth, but specifically that my own life be conformed to His will. I also include my family relationships, my workplace, and that His will be realized in our NewNaz relationships and ministries.
I hear also the echo of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Jesus taught us to pray the same way He Himself prayed as He faced death; praying to His “Father… Your will be done…” This is a pattern of consistency that tells us – yes, even enables us – to pray in life and in death. Holy, Lord, is Your Name!
Prayer Request: That God’s will would be fully realized in my primary relationships – home, work, community.
~ Dave Vernon
While it is true this prayer looks forward to the climax of history with the coming of the Lord (Your kingdom come), I cannot escape the present importance of discipleship (on earth, as it is in heaven). I will often take off from here in my private prayer and pray the Father’s will, not just on earth, but specifically that my own life be conformed to His will. I also include my family relationships, my workplace, and that His will be realized in our NewNaz relationships and ministries.
I hear also the echo of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Jesus taught us to pray the same way He Himself prayed as He faced death; praying to His “Father… Your will be done…” This is a pattern of consistency that tells us – yes, even enables us – to pray in life and in death. Holy, Lord, is Your Name!
Prayer Request: That God’s will would be fully realized in my primary relationships – home, work, community.
~ Dave Vernon
March 1
Matthew 6:7-8
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
I am comfortable enough to admit it – I like to talk! I admire people who can “keep their own counsel”… in other words, people who know when to keep quiet. When I was a little girl, they sold a doll named “Chatty Cathy” and, as you can imagine, people began to call me by the same name! My mother would often tell me that “you just like to hear yourself talk.” So, when I read these words of Jesus, I am both challenged and convicted by them.
I often have discussions with believers about what words we should use when we pray. Some believers are most comfortable with formal prayers that are memorized – such as the Lord’s Prayer (found in Matthew 6:9-13) or the Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary) which is used most dominantly in the Catholic Church. Some believers are not comfortable saying the words of their prayers aloud – preferring to lift up their prayers silently. Some residents of monasteries spend many hours in prayer, and some believers struggle to focus on their prayers more than a few minutes a day. There are as many types and forms of prayer as there are believers; and I believe that is the way that God intends it to be.
These verses tell us that God does not need many, or any, words to hear our prayers. Our prayers must sincerely reflect who we are – each one of us unique, each one of us having different concerns and needs, and each one of us talking to God in the way that we (not others) are most comfortable. There is no “right” way to pray. There are no “right” words or “right” length of prayer. There is only our hearts, opening to God, sharing our deepest concerns. Yet, Jesus is also telling us not to pray just to “hear ourselves talk”. God knows us – He knows what we need before even we know… and certainly before we go to Him in prayer. But never doubt that we are called to prayer, to talk to our Lord, to share our burdens, and to receive His response. Let’s commit to talk to God today – and every day – in the manner in which we are most comfortable!
Prayer Request: For those who are incarcerated and their families during times of physical separation.
~ Pastor Kathy
I often have discussions with believers about what words we should use when we pray. Some believers are most comfortable with formal prayers that are memorized – such as the Lord’s Prayer (found in Matthew 6:9-13) or the Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary) which is used most dominantly in the Catholic Church. Some believers are not comfortable saying the words of their prayers aloud – preferring to lift up their prayers silently. Some residents of monasteries spend many hours in prayer, and some believers struggle to focus on their prayers more than a few minutes a day. There are as many types and forms of prayer as there are believers; and I believe that is the way that God intends it to be.
These verses tell us that God does not need many, or any, words to hear our prayers. Our prayers must sincerely reflect who we are – each one of us unique, each one of us having different concerns and needs, and each one of us talking to God in the way that we (not others) are most comfortable. There is no “right” way to pray. There are no “right” words or “right” length of prayer. There is only our hearts, opening to God, sharing our deepest concerns. Yet, Jesus is also telling us not to pray just to “hear ourselves talk”. God knows us – He knows what we need before even we know… and certainly before we go to Him in prayer. But never doubt that we are called to prayer, to talk to our Lord, to share our burdens, and to receive His response. Let’s commit to talk to God today – and every day – in the manner in which we are most comfortable!
Prayer Request: For those who are incarcerated and their families during times of physical separation.
~ Pastor Kathy
Wednesday, February 29
Matthew 6:5-6
“And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be heard by men… but you, go into the inner room...” – Jesus
Jesus “practiced what He preached.” If He spoke it, He did it. When He prayed, He didn’t make a big scene. In this passage, Jesus warns His listeners to NOT be like hypocrites who like their prayers to be seen and heard by others.
While growing up in the jungle, we had no TV… there were no stores or malls to roam around in… so, on rainy days and nights, unless I was out fishing or alligator hunting, there wasn’t a whole lot to do. One of the things that interested us was jigsaw puzzles! Mom would lay out the puzzle parts on the table, and we’d spread the pieces everywhere. On the counter, on chairs… anywhere we could in order to begin the construction. At times, I recall, we’d hit a dead spot and minutes would go by without a single piece going in. Sometimes we’d just stare at the puzzle, attempting to find the right match… to no avail. I can remember in those moments of lull, when I’d find the perfect piece, I’d grab it… clear my throat (thus trying to get the attention of everyone)… place it in the proper spot and tap my finger on it multiple times until mom would say, “Yes, Greg, we see it!”
As I reflect on my puzzle building days, I don’t think my family was all that impressed with me. Come to think of it, when my siblings would do the same, it even irritated me. Parading our own “righteousness” around does not do us or anyone else a whole lot of good.
Who are you trying to amaze? Be careful to not impress people these 40 Days. They may look at you once… perhaps twice, but it will not last. Take a few moments each day as you find a quiet spot to meet the Lord. He’ll be there.
Prayer Request: Confess all jealousy and any spirit of arrogance before the Lord.
~ Pastor Greg
Monday, February 27, 2012
Good Morning! So what are you going to do this Wednesday since you get a whole extra day? February 29 comes around only once every four years. Last year we didn’t have it… nor the year before… or the year before that… Don’t waste it away. Of course, most of you will get up, and head off to work, school, or do your typical and normal routine. For me, I’ll be doing something different. Leslie’s family decided, back at Christmas time, to do a 4-day cruise. So, in just a little bit, we’ll be making our way to the port to board the big canoe. I’m not quite sure where we’ll be on Wednesday, but one thing is for certain… my day will NOT be my typical routine. Though, I will get to run. I will spend a few moments reading the devotionals. I will wake up early to watch the sunrise over the bow of the boat. I know… I’ll take a nap… perhaps even two naps.
Good Morning! So what are you going to do this Wednesday since you get a whole extra day? February 29 comes around only once every four years. Last year we didn’t have it… nor the year before… or the year before that… Don’t waste it away. Of course, most of you will get up, and head off to work, school, or do your typical and normal routine. For me, I’ll be doing something different. Leslie’s family decided, back at Christmas time, to do a 4-day cruise. So, in just a little bit, we’ll be making our way to the port to board the big canoe. I’m not quite sure where we’ll be on Wednesday, but one thing is for certain… my day will NOT be my typical routine. Though, I will get to run. I will spend a few moments reading the devotionals. I will wake up early to watch the sunrise over the bow of the boat. I know… I’ll take a nap… perhaps even two naps.
Encouragement
“Whoever seeks to keep his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:33
“He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
“He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39)
As we prepare to embark on our 40 DAY journey this Wednesday, may I remind you of this verse… these two verses. One, from Matthew… the other from Luke. This is why Matthew, Mark, and Luke are what we call The Synoptic Gospels. We, of course, know what the word “Gospel” means. The Good News… the Testimony of Jesus Christ. The word Synoptic comes from two Greek words syn and optic: “Together” and “see”. In other words, these three Gospel writers witnessed the testimony of our Lord and wrote in a very similar fashion. They saw the Gospel together.
When it comes to possessing things, I’m not sure that things have changed all that much over the centuries and even millennia. It’s always more difficult to give up that which we already own. How many times have you heard someone say, “Well, if I had a million dollars, I’d give $100,000 to the church or to help feed the poor and homeless right now.” You see, it’s always easier to speak of giving away that which we don’t have. But, the moment we gain that which we never had before… we tighten up. Here are my few thoughts:
- Throughout the Gospels we find Jesus challenging His listeners and followers to give it up. He spoke to some by saying, “Sell everything, give the money to the poor and follow Me.” To another he said, “Drop your nets and follow Me.” Yet, to another he challenged, “Let the dead bury the dead… you follow Me.”
- All of us have something. Something of value. A car… a home… a hobby… goals… ambitions… vacations… your life! All too often, I believe we think we have tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll take care of that. So we procrastinate. We put things off until tomorrow. I’ll begin my exercise routine tomorrow. I’ll start the diet tomorrow. I’ll begin my savings tomorrow. I’ll start my devotional life tomorrow.
- Tomorrow has come! It’s time to take care of business now.
- This Wednesday, we begin our 40 DAYS emphasis on PRAYER. I am so excited to journey with you in Prayer. I believe God is going to work some very special blessings in and through us. I am certain that Jesus’ words are true. When we lose ourselves in Him… we find new meaning. If we simply journey through life trying to accumulate as much as we can for the sake of getting… we will end up losing… and losing BIG.
- I return to one of my favorite two verses in all of scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT in your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This is so flip-flop from what the world teaches. In so many ways, our culture is reminding us to be smart and lean on our understanding. Think. Do what’s right for you. But the Lord says, “Lose your life for His sake. Give it up.
- So as we begin this 40 DAY journey, may I encourage you to put the things of distraction aside and seek first the Kingdom of God? Search the Lord. Study His Word. Pray. You will find Him.
40 DAYS DEVOTIONAL: Don’t forget to pick up a devotional at the Welcome Center if you haven’t done so already. These daily readings have been prepared by certain members of the church for you to enjoy. Please spend a few moments each day praying for the specific needs and prayer items at the bottom of each page. This way, the entire church will be praying in unison. May the Lord bless you and cause you to GROW!
CELEBRATION OF PRAYER: This Sunday, March 4 at 5:00 PM, you are invited to participate in a special evening of praise, petition, and reflection in the sanctuary.
TRIVIA QUESTION: True or False - When compared to body size, the Chihuahua has the largest brain of any dog. TRUE! Pound for pound, the Chihuahua has the largest brain in the dog world. :)
I love you and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. We will continue this week with our emphasis on prayer as I preach a message entitled “LEARNING TO LISTEN”. Perhaps, in prayer, there is nothing more difficult to do than learning how to listen to God. See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Good Morning! In just a few days, we will experience something that comes around only once every four years… Leap Day, February 29. People who are born on February 29… do they usually celebrate their birthday on February 28 or on March 1? Do you know of anyone born on February 29? I’m not sure if I know of anyone.
We’re quickly moving along through the winter months. Days are already beginning to grow just a bit. Have you noticed? It’s about time to make your summer plans. What trips do you have lined up? Vacation spots… camping trips… and other outings…
Another gorgeous day for us in on the horizon… Yesterday was absolutely perfect. I think we even made it to the mid-80s for our highs. Not bad for February, though we do need some more rain.
Have you picked up you 40 DAYS Devotional Booklet from the Welcome Center? Stop by and pick one up and join us for the period of readings to begin on Wednesday, February 29. You’ll enjoy each read.
Good Morning! In just a few days, we will experience something that comes around only once every four years… Leap Day, February 29. People who are born on February 29… do they usually celebrate their birthday on February 28 or on March 1? Do you know of anyone born on February 29? I’m not sure if I know of anyone.
We’re quickly moving along through the winter months. Days are already beginning to grow just a bit. Have you noticed? It’s about time to make your summer plans. What trips do you have lined up? Vacation spots… camping trips… and other outings…
Another gorgeous day for us in on the horizon… Yesterday was absolutely perfect. I think we even made it to the mid-80s for our highs. Not bad for February, though we do need some more rain.
Have you picked up you 40 DAYS Devotional Booklet from the Welcome Center? Stop by and pick one up and join us for the period of readings to begin on Wednesday, February 29. You’ll enjoy each read.
Encouragement
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)
When’s the last time you stopped to glance up into the night’s sky? Do you remember the last time you made your way outside of the city lights to look up into the heavens? Do you recall the last time you saw the full moon rising above the hills in the eastern skies? Have you seen a falling star recently? How about the various constellations in our skies at night? Here are my few thoughts:
- One thing that amazes me whenever I’m staring out into the night sky is that these same stars I’m looking at are the exact same stars that were seen by Moses and the Israelites when crossing through the wilderness. The big dipper was there. They had full moon nights… as well as new moon nights. The same North Star that was present when the magi journeyed to Bethlehem we see today.
- I’m awestruck that right now, with the beautiful deep blue sky, there are millions of stars up overhead. Though, I can’t see them… they are still there. And tonight, when I’m out on the running path, they will be bright and clear.
- I’ll never forget when I was 10 years old… exactly one year after Apollo 11 landed on the moon and our American astronauts took their first steps on the surface of the moon, I was in the village of Listra which is just upstream on the Kusu River from our mission station. Mom and dad decided to go in the early afternoon to show a film that night for the village of Listra. The entire family went along. As dad was setting up the equipment, I was lying down on the grass outside with a few of my native friends staring up in the sky. The moon was full… the skies were bright. Stars were twinkling everywhere… jungle surrounding me… the Kusu River roaring behind me… I stared at the moon and said to my friends, “Last year, I was in Ohio at this time and watched as my countrymen walked on the moon.”
- Of course, they looked at me as though I were crazy. They first of all wondered how I could know such a thing. But their biggest question was “Why?” So I explained to them that I had seen it on TV… which was something they had never seen in their lives. “What’s a TV?” It wasn’t long before I would give up trying to convince my Aguaruna friends that we had walked on the moon.
- But we continued to stare at the sky together. The moon was bright and full. The stars were perfectly situated in their proper spots. The night was perfect, as it was the night before… and the night before that… and today… the night skies look the same.
- God is constant. As we wake up each and every morning and move about our day, we experience the created work of our God. The air we breathe. The forest of oaks in our valley are not worried whether it will rain or not. And many of them have been around for hundreds of years. The giant oak tree standing behind our sanctuary has seen many changes. It was here before any Interstate 5 was constructed. It witnessed the first car make its way up The Old Road towards Bakersfield back when the trip was a half-day journey. Yet… this same oak was here when the stage coach passed by. It may have been here when the local Indians gathered under her for a short rest while on their hunting trips.
- Have you slowed down enough to consider the works of the Lord? Tonight, the moon won’t be out, or if it is, it will be a small sliver, since it will nearly be new moon… but the stars will be bright and clear. Take a look… It’s the same sky David wrote about in the Psalm. They declare the glory of God and His wonderful and creative work. You may want to spend a few moments in praise and worship.
FAITH PROMISE FOR MISSIONS: This Sunday morning for both services, we will focus on missions as we hear from Russ and Lori Meehan who are missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They have recently concluded more than 25 years of missionary service in Colombia and Ecuador and are now preparing to work in Papua New Guinea. We look forward to their ministry this Sunday. Higher Grounds at 9:00 in the FLC and our 10:30 gathering in the sanctuary!
HOMELESS SHELTER: NewNaz has just completed a second project with the Homeless Shelter providing meals for those in need. Last Wednesday, the Caravan Kids gathered in the FLC to organize food items to be given away on the weekend. Then on Saturday, a team of leaders came to the kitchen, made sandwiches, and finalized the last items to be carted away to the shelter. Thank you all for your help!
FAMILY PROMISE: The leadership reports the following: “Because of your love for our neighbors in Santa Clarita, we accomplished some amazing things working together in 2011! Just a year ago today, we were planning and working towards our opening. But keep in mind, we had no Director, no Resource Center, and no van. Today, each one of these significant needs has been met, and miraculously, we served a total of 41 individuals during the last half of 2011! Your generosity and willingness to serve has made an amazing difference in the lives of those 41 guests since last Valentine’s Day.” Our next week to host Family Promise is March 26 – April 1.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What vegetable did the Israelites desire most while wandering in the wilderness? Cucumbers (Numbers 11:5)
I love you and I hope to see you on Sunday!
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, February 13, 2012
Good Morning! The big question for us this morning is, “Will it rain today?” Sure looks that way out there right now, but you never know in SoCal. We’ll have to wait and see. Though it seems that the parking lot is getting a little wet at this time. I was surprised to hear that those of you who live in Canyon Country and Agua Dulce received a good downpour on Saturday. As I was driving to the church on Saturday morning, it sure looked like it was going to dump buckets… but, it never came our way. My little rain gauge is bone dry!
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day… What’s your plan? A card… flowers… chocolates… dinner? Beware of the crowds… there will be lots of people in the restaurants and huge long waits… Leslie, I love you… how about we stay home? I can BBQ something.
This report just in from my folks in Peru. Many of you have been praying for them while they have returned for 7 weeks in the jungle to do some work. Most recently they have finished a few week journey at the Nuevo Horizonte Mission Station where they have been helping with repairs and holding a Children’s Camp there at the station. Mom reports that more than 650 children came to the camp with more than 100 adults. Can you imagine more than 750 people on the station for a week-long camp? PTL! But mom and dad have got to be wiped out, I’m sure. On their behalf… thanks for the prayers. They are doing well and are now headed to Iquitos to build a church.
Good Morning! The big question for us this morning is, “Will it rain today?” Sure looks that way out there right now, but you never know in SoCal. We’ll have to wait and see. Though it seems that the parking lot is getting a little wet at this time. I was surprised to hear that those of you who live in Canyon Country and Agua Dulce received a good downpour on Saturday. As I was driving to the church on Saturday morning, it sure looked like it was going to dump buckets… but, it never came our way. My little rain gauge is bone dry!
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day… What’s your plan? A card… flowers… chocolates… dinner? Beware of the crowds… there will be lots of people in the restaurants and huge long waits… Leslie, I love you… how about we stay home? I can BBQ something.
This report just in from my folks in Peru. Many of you have been praying for them while they have returned for 7 weeks in the jungle to do some work. Most recently they have finished a few week journey at the Nuevo Horizonte Mission Station where they have been helping with repairs and holding a Children’s Camp there at the station. Mom reports that more than 650 children came to the camp with more than 100 adults. Can you imagine more than 750 people on the station for a week-long camp? PTL! But mom and dad have got to be wiped out, I’m sure. On their behalf… thanks for the prayers. They are doing well and are now headed to Iquitos to build a church.
Encouragement
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (First Corinthians 6:19-20)
The weekend has come and gone, but not without some major news: The death of pop star singer, Whitney Houston, reminds us of the frailty of life. Life is fragile, and this side of heaven, life is short… temporary… and to be understood as a blessing and gift from God.
Upon turning 50 last year, I decided that I should, at least try and, have a complete physical once a year. So I did last year in January… and then again this year a few weeks ago. The results from the physical have come back pretty good. The doctor informed me that my heart rate may be a bit too slow, perhaps contributing to some dizziness I experience whenever I rise too quickly from a seated position. He informed me that I should eat more salt. “I can handle that,” I said… “I love salt!” He seemed to not be alarmed since he knew the amount of running I did each week.
But, then the lab technician called me with the results of my blood work. She said that everything came back normal EXCEPT, so I waited to hear what she had to say… except for my cholesterol. That was something I did not want to hear. I love the foods that are high in cholesterol. MAN! Why? Of course, she didn’t know me and suggested that I try and insert some exercise routine into my schedule during the week. I informed her, “I’m not sure if my wife will want me to do anymore exercising.” But, I listened and have decided to change a few things. No, I am not going on a diet! But, if my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” I decided that I had better do some taking care of it. Sure, I run lots… but I also eat lots of junk food. No one loves hamburgers, tacos, and fries more than me. No one! Sure, I love salads… I enjoy vegetables… I love all of that stuff, but when I’m on the run… especially in route to a hospital somewhere, it’s tough to eat a salad while driving. So… here is my plan: Hamburgers are to be consumed ONLY on very special occasions. I haven’t had one in 10 days. That NEVER happens. You see, I’m trying to live out the challenge Paul has given us in these few verses. Here are my few thoughts:
Upon turning 50 last year, I decided that I should, at least try and, have a complete physical once a year. So I did last year in January… and then again this year a few weeks ago. The results from the physical have come back pretty good. The doctor informed me that my heart rate may be a bit too slow, perhaps contributing to some dizziness I experience whenever I rise too quickly from a seated position. He informed me that I should eat more salt. “I can handle that,” I said… “I love salt!” He seemed to not be alarmed since he knew the amount of running I did each week.
But, then the lab technician called me with the results of my blood work. She said that everything came back normal EXCEPT, so I waited to hear what she had to say… except for my cholesterol. That was something I did not want to hear. I love the foods that are high in cholesterol. MAN! Why? Of course, she didn’t know me and suggested that I try and insert some exercise routine into my schedule during the week. I informed her, “I’m not sure if my wife will want me to do anymore exercising.” But, I listened and have decided to change a few things. No, I am not going on a diet! But, if my “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” I decided that I had better do some taking care of it. Sure, I run lots… but I also eat lots of junk food. No one loves hamburgers, tacos, and fries more than me. No one! Sure, I love salads… I enjoy vegetables… I love all of that stuff, but when I’m on the run… especially in route to a hospital somewhere, it’s tough to eat a salad while driving. So… here is my plan: Hamburgers are to be consumed ONLY on very special occasions. I haven’t had one in 10 days. That NEVER happens. You see, I’m trying to live out the challenge Paul has given us in these few verses. Here are my few thoughts:
- Once I receive Christ as my Lord and Savior, He takes up residence in my life. He bought me with His life and I am now His. I belong to Him. I must take care of the body where the Holy Spirit resides. Exercising is important. Eating is essential. We may not all be able to pump iron… run high mileage… pay for a gym membership… but there are many things we can do to care for our bodies.
- There is nothing good that one can gain from taking illegal drugs. A temporary high… a feel good situation… but it ultimately leads to destruction. Though, there may be some good benefits in the foods we eat… we must still be careful to NOT overdo it. One can argue, “there’s protein in the meat of a hamburger… and the lettuce, pickles, oh, and the tomato… and let’s not forget that fries are a potato and they are vegetables.” We must be careful to eat in moderation.
- I enjoy cookies… in fact, I have ordered some through the Girl Scouts… and they should be coming soon. But, I will be careful to eat them in moderation. Same thing with donuts. Oh my!
- You see, life is fragile… and we must do our best to care for the bodies that the Lord says belong to Him. It takes work and discipline. Sometimes it’s not so much fun. I’m so excited to see the Zumba Class offered on Wednesdays in the FLC at 5:00 PM. This is one day a week… but it’s a start.
- One week from today, I get to drink one whole gallon of that wonderful shake some of you have done when you hit that half of a century mark. Oh boy! I can hardly wait.
ENCOURAGEMENT CARD NIGHT: And Pizza… Joann was the master chef as she prepared the greatest pizza I’ve ever had the other night for Encouragement Cards. We were instructed that three cards had to be written first before we could dive into the pizza. If you are looking for an evening of fun with ministry… check out the Encouragement Card Night once a month at Dave Ewart’s home. I believe it is typically the 1st Tuesday of the month beginning at 7:00 PM.
FAITH PROMISE FOR MISSIONS: At least once a year, we like to challenge everyone to participate in our missions’ giving opportunities we call Faith Promise for Missions. We will have guest speaker, Missionaries Russ and Lori Meehan, with us on Sunday, February 26, in both services. They have served as missionaries in Colombia and Ecuador for more than 25 years and are now getting ready to head off in July to Papua New Guinea. Historically, NewNaz has been strong in missions’ support and I am encouraging you to think and pray about what the Lord would have you do this year for missions. Faith Promise is a great and systematic way to give for missions. This Sunday, a handout will be available to you to see how your missions’ giving is used.
Trivia Question: Who outran a team of horses? Elijah (I Kings 18:46)
I love you and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. I will continue to preach on the subject of PRAYER with an emphasis on “Praying is Preparing.” See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, February 06, 2012
Good Morning! The Super Bowl has come and gone. Did you watch the game? We had the Twenty-Something group at our home yesterday… I believe 18 young people showed up. Most of them cheering on the NY Giants to victory… there were a few rooting for the Patriots. So, looks like most of them went away content with the results of the game.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Any plans? Flowers… cards… chocolates… or just pay off the bills accumulating in the mailbox? What are you doing? Probably the greatest thing you can do this Valentine’s Day is to NOT go further in debt. If you have to charge it… don’t’ purchase it. There are a number of ways to say “I love you” without spending lots of money. I’m afraid that our culture spends way too much money on unnecessary items for each other, which only causes further hardship when we try to repay the credit card companies. Be wise… be careful. It wouldn’t hurt to even talk beforehand with your spouse or fiancé or girlfriend/boyfriend what your plans for Valentine’s Day will be. If you do so in advance… this I can guarantee… March, April, and May will be a whole lot better for you.
Yesterday was a fabulous day here at church. In both services, God’s presence was felt. I am so grateful for the worship we experience every time we come together. As you heard me share… we are embarking on a new journey as we learn how to pray once again. Sure, I know that many of us know how to pray. We pray every day. We pray each morning… at night… before meals. But is your prayer life ever boring? Do you feel that you’re just going through the motions? For this reason, we are studying on PRAYER each Sunday morning this month. I hope to see you on Sunday as we take a close look at the Positions in Prayer.
Good Morning! The Super Bowl has come and gone. Did you watch the game? We had the Twenty-Something group at our home yesterday… I believe 18 young people showed up. Most of them cheering on the NY Giants to victory… there were a few rooting for the Patriots. So, looks like most of them went away content with the results of the game.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Any plans? Flowers… cards… chocolates… or just pay off the bills accumulating in the mailbox? What are you doing? Probably the greatest thing you can do this Valentine’s Day is to NOT go further in debt. If you have to charge it… don’t’ purchase it. There are a number of ways to say “I love you” without spending lots of money. I’m afraid that our culture spends way too much money on unnecessary items for each other, which only causes further hardship when we try to repay the credit card companies. Be wise… be careful. It wouldn’t hurt to even talk beforehand with your spouse or fiancé or girlfriend/boyfriend what your plans for Valentine’s Day will be. If you do so in advance… this I can guarantee… March, April, and May will be a whole lot better for you.
Yesterday was a fabulous day here at church. In both services, God’s presence was felt. I am so grateful for the worship we experience every time we come together. As you heard me share… we are embarking on a new journey as we learn how to pray once again. Sure, I know that many of us know how to pray. We pray every day. We pray each morning… at night… before meals. But is your prayer life ever boring? Do you feel that you’re just going through the motions? For this reason, we are studying on PRAYER each Sunday morning this month. I hope to see you on Sunday as we take a close look at the Positions in Prayer.
Encouragement
When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, “the Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. (Psalm 126:1-3)
Do you celebrate the big things? I’m not talking about going out and spending lots of money. I’m not talking about extravagant spending. I’m talking about being so overwhelmed with joy and happiness that you just can’t contain it. You’ve got to let it out. You’re so excited. And you want others to experience the same joy and laughter. Remember the stories Jesus told in Luke 15? He told the story of a shepherd who had lost one sheep. He told the story of a woman who had lost one coin. He told the story of a dad who lost a son. In each of these stories, something dear and precious was lost. In each of these stories, all three who had lost something… ended up finding that which had been lost. And, upon finding it… they threw a huge party. It was time to celebrate. The word went out; neighbors, friends, and family were all invited to celebrate. The sheep was safely corralled with the others. The coin was found in the cracks of the flooring. And the son had finally returned home to his family. The psalmist says that there was incredible laughter and joy as the young warriors returned from captivity. Here are my few thoughts:
- When the Israelites were finally set free from Egypt, there was incredible celebration going on in the camp as they exited the land for the Red Sea.
- When Gideon returned home the next day following victory over the Midianites, I’m sure there was great celebration throughout the land.
- When David returned to Jerusalem after his victory over the Philistines, they were shouting and cheering in the streets. His triumph was heard throughout the land.
- When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, the home immediately turned from mourning into laughter. Can you imagine the hugs and kisses???
- Over the years, I have experienced some neat and awesome victories. Sure, I’ve even had my share of defeats. I don’t like to lose. But I have lost some battles here and there. And so have you. Some of you have lost money. And when this happens… it is tough. Some of you have lost jobs. Some of you have lost loved ones. Some of you are getting bad reports from your doctor. Some of you keep seeing that credit card bill pile up. Some of you are watching your children or siblings making terrible choices. Some of you can’t see any glimmer of light in the deepest and darkest tunnel you are in this very moment.
- Yet, I do have good news. The Lord God is faithful. He knows just where you are. He has NEVER failed His children. NEVER! And He never will. As you return home tonight, may I encourage you to look around? Take a moment to take a quick inventory of what you do have. Let me encourage you to begin with your own life. You are breathing… you ARE alive! Take a moment to thank the Lord for the life He gives. Celebrate the fact that you are born again. Do you have family? Do you have friends? Do you have a home? Is your home protecting you from the elements outside?
- You may be surprised to see that little victories will often turn into great and HUGE victories. Remember, David didn’t start off by killing Goliath… He started way back flinging that slingshot of his at thieves, then a bear… then a lion…
- When that unexpected encouragement card shows up… celebrate. When that unexpected check appears… celebrate. When you’re in church and that song brings out the joy within you… celebrate. When you’re in the car and that Praise CD pops up… celebrate. When you’re lying on your bed tonight under the comfortable warm sheets and blankets… celebrate.
- You’ve got a lot… a whole lot. And just one more thing… you see, heaven is really not that far away. For many of us… it may be within the next 50 years. And those who have gone on to be with the Lord are awaiting our arrival. The few years we spend here on earth cannot compare to the eternity we will have in heaven. Let’s remind ourselves of the great hymn that says, “Heaven is a wonderful place. Filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.”
ZUMBA: Attention ladies… here’s a chance to really get into shape and have fun all at the same time. Beginning this Wednesday, from 5:00-6:00 PM in the FLC you can join the ZUMBA Class. If you need further info… contact either Pastor Kathy or Anita Robbins.
FAITH PROMISE FOR MISSIONS: Are you aware that you can participate either weekly or monthly by giving systematically to our Missions’ Ministries through what we call Faith Promise for Missions? These weekly funds go to support missions’ needs here at home, in our country, and across the world. To help us better grasp the need for missions, Missionaries Russ & Lori Meehan will be our special speakers on Sunday, February 26. Mark this in your calendars today to be part of this great Sunday.
I love you and I trust you are experiencing a wonderful week. See you soon…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
ANSWERS FOR
How much did it cost?
How much did it cost?
1. Daily Newspaper $ .10
2. Average Home $15,000.00
3. 1st Class Postage Stamp $ .04
4. Gallon of Gasoline $ .31
5. Movie Ticket $ .50
6. Popcorn at the Movie $ .20
7. Average New Car $ 2,500.00
8. Minimum Hourly Wage $ 1.25
9. Pay Phone (local calls) $ .10
10. 45RPM (single) Record $ 1.00
11. Candy Bar $ .05
12. Ice Cream Bar $ .15
13. Loaf of Bread $ .20
14. Color TV Set $ 400.00
15. Soft Drink $ .10
16. Refrigerator $ 500.00
17. Doctor’s Office Visit $ 5.00
18. Music Album $ 3.00
19. Tennis Shoes $ 5.00
20. Transistor Radio $ 40.00
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Good Morning! One of the things I enjoy doing on Wednesday nights with our adult Bible Study Class in the Conference Room is to provide something fun or funny. Sometimes it comes out as something like a quiz. Do you want to take the quiz I gave last night? How much do you remember of yesterday? How about 50 years ago? How much did it cost in 1962? I will attach the quiz to the end of these Few Thoughts.
We are having another gorgeous day in Santa Clarita. No wind… clear skies… a picture perfect day! Must be running weather... Before you know it, springtime will be here, so you had better get those hiking boots out of the closet and don them on your feet. I had two gentlemen come up to me on Sunday saying that they enjoyed the Towsley Canyon hike I spoke of last week in my Few Thoughts. There are so many hiking trails in our valley that are a blast. You can run… hike… walk… ride a bike on nearly all of them. Take your dog along as well. I know that Kusu used to enjoy the hikes when we’d take her into the hills.
This Sunday afternoon is the eagerly anticipated… highly viewed… widely televised Super Bowl Game. Not quite as popular as the World Cup (in terms of world viewers), it is the number one viewed sporting event in our country. I find it amazing that there are so many ways people will wage their bets in Vegas for this game. Who will win the coin toss? What kind of outfit will be worn by Kelly Clarkson when she sings the National Anthem? What will be the first commercial to be shown after the first kickoff? Who will score first? Will the first score be a touchdown or field goal? Will the first touchdown be a pass play or running play? How many times will the announcers mention the name “Peyton Manning” during their announcing of the game? You name it… they have it! Are you watching the game? Are you for the Pats or the Giants? Do you care?
On Sunday afternoon, we are having the Twenty-Somethings at our home for the game. So… if you are reading this, or you know someone who is in that age group… come on over to the Garman’s home at 3:00 PM this Sunday. We’d love to have you. It’s going to be fun.
Good Morning! One of the things I enjoy doing on Wednesday nights with our adult Bible Study Class in the Conference Room is to provide something fun or funny. Sometimes it comes out as something like a quiz. Do you want to take the quiz I gave last night? How much do you remember of yesterday? How about 50 years ago? How much did it cost in 1962? I will attach the quiz to the end of these Few Thoughts.
We are having another gorgeous day in Santa Clarita. No wind… clear skies… a picture perfect day! Must be running weather... Before you know it, springtime will be here, so you had better get those hiking boots out of the closet and don them on your feet. I had two gentlemen come up to me on Sunday saying that they enjoyed the Towsley Canyon hike I spoke of last week in my Few Thoughts. There are so many hiking trails in our valley that are a blast. You can run… hike… walk… ride a bike on nearly all of them. Take your dog along as well. I know that Kusu used to enjoy the hikes when we’d take her into the hills.
This Sunday afternoon is the eagerly anticipated… highly viewed… widely televised Super Bowl Game. Not quite as popular as the World Cup (in terms of world viewers), it is the number one viewed sporting event in our country. I find it amazing that there are so many ways people will wage their bets in Vegas for this game. Who will win the coin toss? What kind of outfit will be worn by Kelly Clarkson when she sings the National Anthem? What will be the first commercial to be shown after the first kickoff? Who will score first? Will the first score be a touchdown or field goal? Will the first touchdown be a pass play or running play? How many times will the announcers mention the name “Peyton Manning” during their announcing of the game? You name it… they have it! Are you watching the game? Are you for the Pats or the Giants? Do you care?
On Sunday afternoon, we are having the Twenty-Somethings at our home for the game. So… if you are reading this, or you know someone who is in that age group… come on over to the Garman’s home at 3:00 PM this Sunday. We’d love to have you. It’s going to be fun.
Encouragement
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring Good News to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Perhaps one of the greatest prophecies ever written about the coming Messiah! Isaiah penned these words, speaking NOT about himself… rather of the One who was still to come. Yet, Isaiah was giving a promise to his people that God was still completing a work in and through them. They were challenged to never give up. They were called to hold on because God had a plan for them… their chains would come off. Their souls would be free.
Jesus was not very popular when He arrived back to His homeland in Nazareth. At first, everything was okay… he approached the podium, opened the scriptures, and read these words from Isaiah. He was accepted… all was well… UNTIL He added these words, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21) Isn’t it interesting how people never change? The culture may change. Methods, of course, change. Technology brings about change. The world is continually changing. BUT, people never change. And we read story upon story in the Bible of various persons… and don’t they behave just like us? We see stories of men seeking power and prestige. We find men with issues of anger and rage. There’s jealousy. Temptations… idolatry… adultery… theft… lies… The Bible has it all.
Everyone in Nazareth knew Jesus. He was Joseph’s son who had learned the art of carpentry. His mother was Mary. He was just another man from that small insignificant town of Nazareth… so they thought. You see, they had watched Him grow up. He was one of them. He was no different. And change was very hard for them. Jesus was just another carpenter. He was no different from any other man. But they missed one key lesson. He was Emmanuel… God in the flesh. And they would soon discover this truth. Here are my few thoughts:
- I have been told on numerous occasions that truth always prevails. I was told this as a young boy… and even in my years as a pastor. Sometimes, we may be falsely accused. The truth will come out sooner or later. Sometimes, the truth may not come about until after death… but the truth will be known. Stephen, the first Christian martyr… truth rang loud and clear… and not long after his death did Paul become a Christian. Five Christian men were killed in 1956 in the jungle of Ecuador by a tribe of Waodani natives… but later the truth was known.
- When Jesus stepped up to the podium and made the proclamation that this prophecy was now going to be fulfilled… one of two thoughts could be made: Either He was who He said He was or He was speaking falsely. They would soon find out. Up until this point, they had not seen any miracles. No one had their sight restored. No crippled person had climbed off of their mat and walked. No demons had been cast out. Lepers had not been washed clean. And no one had been raised from the dead.
- When Jesus left Nazareth… He made His way to Cana where He performed His first miracle… He came to Capernaum, not that far away, and cast out demons. His work had begun. Truth prevailed. He began to show signs of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. He was who He said He was.
- Do you ever have moments of doubt? Do you ever question the authenticity of God’s Holy Word? May I encourage you to go back and read of the love that Jesus Christ has for you! Spend a few moments in prayer thanking the Lord for the salvation that comes to you through the cross. Thank Him for new life He gives to you through His resurrection and the hope you have for tomorrow. You will soon rediscover the truth of Jesus. He is Lord. He is love. He is Savior. He is God!
TRIVIA QUESTION: 50 years ago… in 1962, how much was a 1st class postage stamp? $.04
I love you all… hope to see you this Sunday as we take a close look at a questions raised by one of the disciples: “Lord, teach us to pray." Do you want to know how to pray, once again? Is there anything the Lord can teach you about prayer today that may help you in your own journey? This Sunday, we will begin a new quest on the subject of prayer. See you here!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
How Much Did It Cost 50 years ago??
1. Daily Newspaper
2. Average Home
3. 1st Class Postage Stamp
4. Gallon of Gasoline
5. Movie Ticket
6. Popcorn at the Movie
7. Average New Car
8. Minimum Hourly Wage
9. Pay Phone (local calls)
10. 45RPM (single) Record
11. Candy Bar
12. Ice Cream Bar
13. Loaf of Bread
14. Color TV Set
15. Soft Drink
16. Refrigerator
17. Doctor’s Office Visit
18. Music Album
19. Tennis Shoes
20. Transistor Radio
2. Average Home
3. 1st Class Postage Stamp
4. Gallon of Gasoline
5. Movie Ticket
6. Popcorn at the Movie
7. Average New Car
8. Minimum Hourly Wage
9. Pay Phone (local calls)
10. 45RPM (single) Record
11. Candy Bar
12. Ice Cream Bar
13. Loaf of Bread
14. Color TV Set
15. Soft Drink
16. Refrigerator
17. Doctor’s Office Visit
18. Music Album
19. Tennis Shoes
20. Transistor Radio
a) $ 3.00
b) $ 500.00
c) $ .10
d) $ 15,000.00
e) $ .04
f) $ 5.00
g) $ 40.00
h) $ .10
i) $ .31
j) $ .20
k) $ 400.00
l) $ .20
m) $ .15
n) $ .05
o) $ 2,500.00
p) $ 1.25
q) $ .10
r) $ .50
s) $ 5.00
t) $ 1.00
b) $ 500.00
c) $ .10
d) $ 15,000.00
e) $ .04
f) $ 5.00
g) $ 40.00
h) $ .10
i) $ .31
j) $ .20
k) $ 400.00
l) $ .20
m) $ .15
n) $ .05
o) $ 2,500.00
p) $ 1.25
q) $ .10
r) $ .50
s) $ 5.00
t) $ 1.00
Monday, January 30, 2012
Good Morning! What do you own that you will never… ever get rid of? Do you have anything that you purchased some time back… or someone gave to you… but you will never get rid of it? This past Saturday, Leslie and the girls decided to have a garage sale. The weather was pretty good (a little windy)… we had been doing some clean up around the house since Christmas and lots of things had to go… so we thought… why not? But isn’t it interesting the things we come across? Things we’ll probably never use, yet they can be so hard to toss out or sell. Old records… trophies… stuffed animals… books…
I forgot to bring my camera on Saturday night but those of us who came to NewNaz Movie Night to watch COURAGEOUS had a wonderful time. We enjoyed pretzels, candy, coffee, tea, and lots of fun and fellowship. The movie was fantastic! I believe we had nearly 80 people counting some of the children who also came. A special thanks to Dale Robertson and Kathy Cannon for getting this thing rolling. We hope to have more Movie Nights down the road.
Good Morning! What do you own that you will never… ever get rid of? Do you have anything that you purchased some time back… or someone gave to you… but you will never get rid of it? This past Saturday, Leslie and the girls decided to have a garage sale. The weather was pretty good (a little windy)… we had been doing some clean up around the house since Christmas and lots of things had to go… so we thought… why not? But isn’t it interesting the things we come across? Things we’ll probably never use, yet they can be so hard to toss out or sell. Old records… trophies… stuffed animals… books…
I forgot to bring my camera on Saturday night but those of us who came to NewNaz Movie Night to watch COURAGEOUS had a wonderful time. We enjoyed pretzels, candy, coffee, tea, and lots of fun and fellowship. The movie was fantastic! I believe we had nearly 80 people counting some of the children who also came. A special thanks to Dale Robertson and Kathy Cannon for getting this thing rolling. We hope to have more Movie Nights down the road.
Encouragement
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; there is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt, there is no one who does good, not even one. Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge, who eat up My people as though they ate bread. And have not called upon God? There they were in great fear where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; you put them to shame, because God had rejected them. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. (Psalm 53:1-6)
There are lots of things I would consider to be quite foolish. Here are a few:
- A gallon of water is far less expensive than a gallon of gasoline, and even though they are both liquids, I would never put water in the gas tank of my car. Only a fool would do that sort of thing.
- A train can be heard a quarter of a mile away down the tracks, though it can’t be seen just yet because of the bend around a hill… but you can hear it coming. I would never lay down on the railroad tracks just because I can’t see the train approaching. Only a fool would do that sort of thing.
- Plastic melts just like cheese… but only a fool would melt plastic over their macaroni.
- I’ve never been to Australia, but I happen to believe that Australia exists. Only a fool would say there is no such place as Australia.
And here in our passage, we are reminded of people who refuse to trust and believe in God. With so many signs indicating that God, not only exists but desires to have a relationship with each one of us, I am amazed that there are those who say “there is no God.” Yet, many people go through life without ever trying to discover that deep relationship with God. Some people think it’s just too hard. Some don’t know how. Others just put it off for another time.
This Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of prayer. I have discovered one of the greatest questions asked by a nameless disciple when he approached Jesus in Luke and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It has come to my attention that many of us may not know how to pray.
Could it be that some people simply say, “There is no God” because they don’t know how to begin a relationship with Him? How are you doing today? Have you conversed with God Almighty this morning? Are you spending time with Him this week?
TRIVIA QUESTION: What disciple outran Peter to Jesus’ tomb? John (John 20:4)
I love you and hope to see you this week.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Good Morning! For those of you do not live in the Santa Clarita area and who read these few thoughts… let me say that we are expected to see temperatures in the low 80s today. Not bad for the end of January. It’s a bit cold out there right now. So… the temps should rise some 40 degrees in the next few hours. WOW! I’m peeking out my office window and see nothing but blue skies. Interstate 5 appears to be flowing right along both ways. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I arrived home last night following our mid-week ministries here at NewNaz… turned the TV on and caught the last quarter of the Lakers’ Game as I also flipped back and forth with the Australian Open (tennis). If you enjoy watching sports on TV… seems like there is usually something quite big happening somewhere around the world… nearly all year long. In 10 days, the Super Bowl will take place in Indy between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Who are you rooting for? Do you care? This summer, the Olympic Games will convene in London. Then it’s the Tour de France… You get the picture. Lots of good stuff.
Have you noticed that the hills surrounding us are all turning green? The recent rains have watered the ground nicely… in fact, in both storms combined over the weekend we received 1.45 inches of rain. Not a ton… but enough to get the grass growing. In a few more months… perhaps as soon as 8 weeks, we should begin to see flowers blossoming along the hills. Are your legs getting ready for a wonderful spring hike? Towsley Canyon Park isn’t that far from the church… always a great place to hike and run. Here are a few photos of Towsley Canyon:
Good Morning! For those of you do not live in the Santa Clarita area and who read these few thoughts… let me say that we are expected to see temperatures in the low 80s today. Not bad for the end of January. It’s a bit cold out there right now. So… the temps should rise some 40 degrees in the next few hours. WOW! I’m peeking out my office window and see nothing but blue skies. Interstate 5 appears to be flowing right along both ways. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I arrived home last night following our mid-week ministries here at NewNaz… turned the TV on and caught the last quarter of the Lakers’ Game as I also flipped back and forth with the Australian Open (tennis). If you enjoy watching sports on TV… seems like there is usually something quite big happening somewhere around the world… nearly all year long. In 10 days, the Super Bowl will take place in Indy between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Who are you rooting for? Do you care? This summer, the Olympic Games will convene in London. Then it’s the Tour de France… You get the picture. Lots of good stuff.
Have you noticed that the hills surrounding us are all turning green? The recent rains have watered the ground nicely… in fact, in both storms combined over the weekend we received 1.45 inches of rain. Not a ton… but enough to get the grass growing. In a few more months… perhaps as soon as 8 weeks, we should begin to see flowers blossoming along the hills. Are your legs getting ready for a wonderful spring hike? Towsley Canyon Park isn’t that far from the church… always a great place to hike and run. Here are a few photos of Towsley Canyon:
Encouragement
“… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before His ascension to the Father. And prior to these prophetic words of Christ to the disciples, He informed them to wait. They were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit to come upon them. In order for them to be true witnesses for Him, they would need to be filled by Him and with Him. So they went back to Jerusalem and waited. They waited… 10 days… In the midst of their waiting they prayed… they wondered… they discussed… they ended up selecting a replacement for Judas Iscariot. And on the 10th day after the ascension… or 50 days after the resurrection… Pentecost occurred. The Holy Spirit came upon them and they were filled.
You see… something happens when we wait upon the Lord. Something special takes place when we allow the Lord to take over. Something awesome occurs when the Holy Spirit of God floods our lives. It all started at Pentecost. It was a Sunday… it was the first day of the week. And the beginning to Jesus’ prophecy was shaping, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses… in Jerusalem…” Here are my few thoughts:
- It starts within. Jesus didn’t call His disciples to go into all the world first. He called them to minister to those who were closest first. JERUSALEM. Where is our Jerusalem? As I reflect on that question… my thoughts come home… our church… our lives… those closest to us. One of the reasons I focus so much time on our Sunday Worship services… Higher Grounds and our 10:30 Celebration, is because this is our Jerusalem. I enjoy our Wednesday night ministries so much because there is fellowship and ministry happening in every area as we share a meal together, studying, challenging our children and teens, preparing for music ministries, and so much more… This is our Jerusalem. So we come together and hear the praises and share in the needs in prayer for God to meet us here… This is our Jerusalem.
- But as I review the many ministries we are linked to, I am grateful to the Lord for entrusting us with ministries to our JUDEA. Where is our Judea? And what are we doing in “Judea”? Last month for advent, you will recall the Angel Tree ministry. WOW! Eight or nine families we were able to minister to right here within the Santa Clarita area…. Our Judea.
You showered these families with gifts and the Angel Tree Team loaded bags of gifts in cars and vans taking them to the various homes. We have completed three weeks of Family Promise ministries to homeless families in the SCV area… our Judea. We are involved in the Crisis Pregnancy Center by assisting them with funds… participating in walks and celebrating LIFE along with them… this is our Judea.
- This past Sunday, many of you stayed around the church following the worship services to prepare a meal for the Homeless Shelter. Gumbo! Who doesn’t like GUMBO! You prepared it… chopping up vegetables… cooking the meat… preparing the rice… and taking it over to serve those who were in need. This is our Judea.
- You see… I get excited when I hear of the many ways the Lord is using us. It starts right here at home. Are you involved in ministry? Has the Holy Spirit taken hold of your life? Are you a witness for Him?
COURAGEOUS – NEWNAZ MOVIE NIGHT: Don’t forget that this Saturday night, January 28 beginning at 6:30, Courageous will be showing right here at the church. Bring your family… enjoy some pretzels and candy… and watch the movie with your friends. This is a great way to invite someone to church.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Samson’s haircut cost him his strength, but which man wished his had no length? Absalom (2 Samuel 18)
I love you and I look forward to seeing you this weekend. I am so excited to preach from the Word this Sunday in a message called “STAND FIRM” as we wrap up the study from Ephesians. See you in church!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, January 23, 2012
Good Morning! I just checked the rain gauge behind the trailer and it’s raining… not very hard, but it is raining. On Saturday morning, we received .65 inches of rain. Not a ton… but enough to measure and write down. Peggy informs me that the rain is supposed to pass by this afternoon sometime. We’ll see if she’s right. She usually is!
Yesterday afternoon was a busy day for certain families and individuals in the church as they returned to the church following worship to prepare gumbo in the church kitchen to feed the hungery at the Winter Shelter. We hope to have photos of the event very soon. Thank you, everyone, who worked this compassionate ministry.
I just received an email from my dad and mom who are stuck in Bagua. Dad said that the road is closed into the jungle due to landslides. For those of us who have participated in Peru Peddlers know where the problems are along the course. Rain causes landslides… landslides cause mud. They hope the roads open up in a day or two as dad says that it is very hot in Bagua. Here are a few photos of journeys into the jungle from yesteryear.
Good Morning! I just checked the rain gauge behind the trailer and it’s raining… not very hard, but it is raining. On Saturday morning, we received .65 inches of rain. Not a ton… but enough to measure and write down. Peggy informs me that the rain is supposed to pass by this afternoon sometime. We’ll see if she’s right. She usually is!
Yesterday afternoon was a busy day for certain families and individuals in the church as they returned to the church following worship to prepare gumbo in the church kitchen to feed the hungery at the Winter Shelter. We hope to have photos of the event very soon. Thank you, everyone, who worked this compassionate ministry.
I just received an email from my dad and mom who are stuck in Bagua. Dad said that the road is closed into the jungle due to landslides. For those of us who have participated in Peru Peddlers know where the problems are along the course. Rain causes landslides… landslides cause mud. They hope the roads open up in a day or two as dad says that it is very hot in Bagua. Here are a few photos of journeys into the jungle from yesteryear.
Encouragement
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31)
The Greek word “if” is often translated “since”. Sometimes our vernacular changes in time. Have you noticed that? The word “if” contains an element of doubt… and for this reason, I like to re-phrase these words to, perhaps, speak more in the positive light, which I believe is just the way Paul meant for these words to sound in the first place. What shall we say to these things? Since God is for us, who is against us? Is there any question in our minds today as to whether or not God is for us? Do you question His love for you? Do you question His guidance in your life? Here are my few thoughts:
- None of us likes to go through difficulties, trials, and crises… if you do, you are unique. I will do everything I can to avoid a problem. I now wear a small headlamp Leslie gave me for Christmas last year when I run in the dark. This headlamp has several settings on it. One setting is a dim lit light (thus conserving battery life)… another setting is a flashing light (warns cyclists who may be approaching me)… and my favorite is the brightly lit light for obvious reasons. I can see better, people approaching me on foot or on bike can spot me quicker… and it still does not use that much juice.
- Often times while running with my light, I can see a glistening spot along the running path up ahead. On some cold and clear mornings, temperature can dip down into the low 30s and upper 20s. Those glistening spots signal icy conditions. I do my best to avoid ice. Sometimes there are large puddles of water… I will go around them, rather than run right through the water. Runners usually look ahead to cut all tangents… if the running trail curves right… runners prefer to run as close to the right side of the path as possible. When it curves left… we cut left. I don’t know any runner who looks for obstacles to run over, through, or tumble upon. We avoid those elements as much as possible.
- The same is true in life. I like my life to run as smoothly as possible. If I can expedite a procedure, I will do my best to do so. But sometimes in our journey, difficulties do arise. Things we never expected pop up. Life is full of surprises. And in my journey as issues of difficulty arise; there is no need to question God’s love for me. He loves me just the same.
- When my girls have a rough day… and our kids go through some tough times… we want to pick them up… we want to hold them… we want to protect them from all of life’s struggles… And one thing is for certain… I am for my girls. I want to see them win. I want them to win in life… win their battles. And there are certain things… crises… issues… I cannot do for them. So, I pray for them… along with them… and help in every way I can.
- God is on our side. He is on your side. He is not against you… and even when you fall and stumble… He is not against you. He IS against sin… and He does want to destroy the sin in and around us. But He is NEVER against us.
- The victory is yours. The victory is ours. The victory is mine. God is for us! Yesterday we opened up the worship service with a clip from Rocky II, and the more I think about the words of Mickey to Rocky following “Win, Rocky win!” I echo the trainer’s words, “What are we waiting for?”
- We have the tools given to us thrusting us to victory. Church, what are we waiting for? Victory is yours because God is for you. Wherever you are in your journey today… remember that God is for you. He is our light shining the way… follow it.
ROOT BEER FLOATS: Please join the 1st & 2nd grade Caravan Searchers when they sell Root Beer Floats for 50¢ each this Wednesday night, January 25. They’re working on their Stewardship Badge and learning about tithing. Next Sunday, they will give 10% of their proceeds to the church and then use the rest to fund their Party Planning Badge when they have a Valentine’s party for their parents. Wednesday Night Diners: there isn’t any dessert with dinner… so please support the Searchers for just 50¢ more!
NEWNAZ MOVIE NIGHT: Join us on Saturday night, January 28, at 6:30 for a free screening of the movie “Courageous.” This is a great Christian movie about several men and their walk with the Lord. It speaks to men, women, and the family unit in both an entertaining and emotional manner. We will also be showing movies for both small children and older kids. This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to church! Questions? Contact Pastor Kathy.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What prophet ate a book and found it sweet as honey? Ezekiel
Be careful on the roads today. They are slippery. Drive slowly. There’s no need to be in a rush. I love you and hope to see you this week.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Good Morning! My hands are still cold and I’m even in my office right now. It’s been a while since we’ve received any rain, but it looks like a storm may be brewing. We’ll see. We need it. According to our rain gauge here at the church, our last rain was on December 12. So… c’mon storm clouds… bring us some rain.
I was talking with a pilot friend the other day mentioning that the world of technology has really changed in the recent years. The computer industry has developed to the point we can get information about anything at any time and get it very fast. People with smart phones are now paying for their cup of coffee at Starbucks. You can get the up to date… and hour… news of events happening across the world while sip your cup of coffee. You may find difficulty in naming 10 adults who don’t have a cell phone or a computer. Kids are roaming around with high speed technology in their back pockets.
So I asked my pilot friend, “Everything is faster today, but when I travel to Peru, or anywhere across the USA, it still takes me the same amount of time as it did 40 years ago to get to my destination…” in fact, I said, “Since 9/11, it now takes me longer to get from my home to my point of destination. What’s with that?”
He laughed about it, as he told me that our travel will not get any faster. Which of course makes sense when you think of the speed of sound… Air travel is limited to how fast one can travel because of the sonic boom caused when anything breaks the sound barrier both entering and exiting. So… I guess my journey to Peru will still be 8½ hours 30 years from now. One would think, then, that we’d be flying in greater comfort then, with all of the improvements. Nope… now we get charged for a suitcase… a meal… headphones…
Beware… it won’t be long before they keep your shoes when you remove them to go through the X-ray machine. Of course… I wouldn’t mind traveling barefoot.
Good Morning! My hands are still cold and I’m even in my office right now. It’s been a while since we’ve received any rain, but it looks like a storm may be brewing. We’ll see. We need it. According to our rain gauge here at the church, our last rain was on December 12. So… c’mon storm clouds… bring us some rain.
I was talking with a pilot friend the other day mentioning that the world of technology has really changed in the recent years. The computer industry has developed to the point we can get information about anything at any time and get it very fast. People with smart phones are now paying for their cup of coffee at Starbucks. You can get the up to date… and hour… news of events happening across the world while sip your cup of coffee. You may find difficulty in naming 10 adults who don’t have a cell phone or a computer. Kids are roaming around with high speed technology in their back pockets.
So I asked my pilot friend, “Everything is faster today, but when I travel to Peru, or anywhere across the USA, it still takes me the same amount of time as it did 40 years ago to get to my destination…” in fact, I said, “Since 9/11, it now takes me longer to get from my home to my point of destination. What’s with that?”
He laughed about it, as he told me that our travel will not get any faster. Which of course makes sense when you think of the speed of sound… Air travel is limited to how fast one can travel because of the sonic boom caused when anything breaks the sound barrier both entering and exiting. So… I guess my journey to Peru will still be 8½ hours 30 years from now. One would think, then, that we’d be flying in greater comfort then, with all of the improvements. Nope… now we get charged for a suitcase… a meal… headphones…
Beware… it won’t be long before they keep your shoes when you remove them to go through the X-ray machine. Of course… I wouldn’t mind traveling barefoot.
Encouragement
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” (Daniel 12:4)
The vision Daniel received of the end times perhaps describes where we are today. Ground transportation has improved in my lifetime with rapidity… especially in third world countries. When we first arrived in Peru in 1965, it took us 3 full days to get to the jungle from where our journey began in Chiclayo, because the roads were so bad. The distance was just a little more than 300 miles… but travel was slow. Yet, with road improvements, it is quite easy to make the entire journey in one day. These types of improvements could be multiplied over the recent years all across the world. And even right here in America, some of our highways have been improved to interstates where there are multiple lanes, thus cutting down on traffic and allowing quicker times.
But little has changed in these recent 50 years with travel. The models of cars have changed. We have more gadgets in them than our grandparents did. We have GPSs… TVs… CD players… great stereos… electronic toys… heaters and air in the seats… (I know, I know… not all of you have these things… I don’t, but they are available)… and more… But none of these items help us get to wherever we are going any faster. You can be driving an old beat up Ford Pinto (my first car) or a brand new Ford Mustang… it makes no difference in when you get to your destination. The time is still the same. Could it be that Daniel was seeing and hearing things spoken about that are now taking place in our lifetime? Here are my few thoughts:
But little has changed in these recent 50 years with travel. The models of cars have changed. We have more gadgets in them than our grandparents did. We have GPSs… TVs… CD players… great stereos… electronic toys… heaters and air in the seats… (I know, I know… not all of you have these things… I don’t, but they are available)… and more… But none of these items help us get to wherever we are going any faster. You can be driving an old beat up Ford Pinto (my first car) or a brand new Ford Mustang… it makes no difference in when you get to your destination. The time is still the same. Could it be that Daniel was seeing and hearing things spoken about that are now taking place in our lifetime? Here are my few thoughts:
- “Many will go back and forth…” If someone would have told Daniel, or anyone in his time, that sometime down the road, people would be flying back and forth and be in one country one moment… and on that same day being clear across the world in a different country. That thought would have been unthinkable. Yet, the Lord informed Daniel that this very thing would happen. Transportation would be very rapid… and people would go back and forth… quickly. The strange thing is… our travel now has reached its limit. We can’t travel any faster.
- “And knowledge will increase…” Observe carefully… the Lord used the word “knowledge” not “wisdom”… there is a difference. Knowledge deals with information while wisdom has to do with spiritual truths. There is more information available to us today… at any time… anywhere… and quickly. Who uses a dictionary anymore? I know I do, because I’m old school and I still like “books”. How about a set of encyclopedias? You don’t see advertisements on TV any longer trying to sell the newest 24 volume set of encyclopedias. “It’s yours for $399…” Nope. Kids are carrying around 50 sets of encyclopedias in their back pockets… and they have access to them on the playing field, when they’re in line at Disneyland, while they’re watching TV, when they’re waiting for their dinner while sitting in the restaurant.
- We are living in the day of information… How many times are you sitting around a group of friends… a topic comes up… someone asks a question that no one knows the answers to… but within seconds, your friend does a quick search… and BAM… the answer is before you.
- Are we living in the last times? Perhaps. Lots of scripture has been fulfilled. Jesus is coming again. It may be morning, may be noon, maybe evening (I think) it will be soon. Jesus is coming again. Are you getting things in order? Is your heart ready? Don’t wait. Remember, God has called you to be holy…. And you can keep GROWING HEALTHY until He comes for you.
LADIES DDD: Dinner, Dessert, & Devotions on Friday the 20th. Dinner is at the Elephant Bar at 6:30, followed by Dessert & Devotions at Vickie Converse’s home. Please contact Anita if you have any questions or would like to RSVP (cup7120cake@yahoo.com)
HOPE-n-MIC: Tomorrow night is the first Hope-n-Mic for the New Year. A change is taking place… from now on Hope-n-Mic is on the third Friday of the month from 7:00-10:00. You like good music? You like to try out your instrument… your voice… in a non-threatening place? You like to just sit and listen? Come on over to Hope-n-Mic!
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who was the only disciple of Jesus NOT from Galilee? Judas Iscariot
I love you and hope to see you on Sunday.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, January 16, 2012
Good Morning! Some of you may have the day off from work today as we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. May I encourage you to take a few moments to thank the Lord for the freedom you have today as you live in this great land? There are many freedoms we experience daily right here in America. We have the freedom to worship… freedom to love and to be loved… freedom to work… to play… to have incredible friendships with ALL people… I am blessed today! Are you?
If you enjoy football and marathon running… this past weekend was a fun one. Four NFL teams advance… four went home. The team that was, perhaps, the favorite going into the playoffs is now finished. Once again… it’s not how great you did in the regular season but how well you are playing when the playoff roll around. Green Bay had only lost one game all season long… and they were eliminated by a Wild Card team yesterday. Last year, if I recall, it was Green Bay who was the Wild Card team that struck it right by playing their best ball at the end of the season and into the playoffs. They ended up winning the Super Bowl. Tim Tebow and the Broncos were nearly destroyed by the Patriots. A great finish between the 49ers and Saints and also between the Ravens and Texans. One more weekend of football then the Super Bowl.
However… did you know that this past Saturday the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials were held in Houston? I knew that I would be busy at noon on Saturday, so I recorded the race and watched it later on in the day. Ryan Hall led the men early hammering the pace at around a 2:07 estimated finishing time. If you are wondering what sort of mile splits that would be… it’s around a 4:50 per mile. Can you imagine running 26 miles at a pace of 4 minutes and 50 seconds per mile? I can’t! The women were around a pace of 5:30. WOW! Great races by both groups and the teams to represent the USA are now set for the Marathon: The men… Meb, Ryan and Abdi. The women… Shalane, Davila and Kara.
Good Morning! Some of you may have the day off from work today as we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. May I encourage you to take a few moments to thank the Lord for the freedom you have today as you live in this great land? There are many freedoms we experience daily right here in America. We have the freedom to worship… freedom to love and to be loved… freedom to work… to play… to have incredible friendships with ALL people… I am blessed today! Are you?
If you enjoy football and marathon running… this past weekend was a fun one. Four NFL teams advance… four went home. The team that was, perhaps, the favorite going into the playoffs is now finished. Once again… it’s not how great you did in the regular season but how well you are playing when the playoff roll around. Green Bay had only lost one game all season long… and they were eliminated by a Wild Card team yesterday. Last year, if I recall, it was Green Bay who was the Wild Card team that struck it right by playing their best ball at the end of the season and into the playoffs. They ended up winning the Super Bowl. Tim Tebow and the Broncos were nearly destroyed by the Patriots. A great finish between the 49ers and Saints and also between the Ravens and Texans. One more weekend of football then the Super Bowl.
However… did you know that this past Saturday the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials were held in Houston? I knew that I would be busy at noon on Saturday, so I recorded the race and watched it later on in the day. Ryan Hall led the men early hammering the pace at around a 2:07 estimated finishing time. If you are wondering what sort of mile splits that would be… it’s around a 4:50 per mile. Can you imagine running 26 miles at a pace of 4 minutes and 50 seconds per mile? I can’t! The women were around a pace of 5:30. WOW! Great races by both groups and the teams to represent the USA are now set for the Marathon: The men… Meb, Ryan and Abdi. The women… Shalane, Davila and Kara.
Encouragement
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King. God, in her palaces, has made Himself known as a stronghold. (Psalm 48:1-3)
Have you noticed how often we use photos of mountains with snow-capped peaks to describe the Majesty of God? Rocky and jagged mountains towering above the clouds with ice and snow glistening in the sunshine overhead! There’s just something awesome about the power of mountains. When’s the last time you saw a mountain move? Every time I return to Peru and travel through the Andes… that same mountain I saw 45 years ago looks the same today as it did back then. However, the Amazon jungle has changed. It seems like every time I travel along the Marañon River there’s a new island somewhere… the river shifts and changes its course just a bit. But the mountains and large rock formations remain the same.
Here are my few thoughts:
- When I was learning to play soccer, a comment I heard time and time again from my coaches was, “Greg look up when you are dribbling.” The same is true for the one playing basketball. Sometimes it’s so much easier to look down at our feet when dribbling the soccer ball or down at our hands with the basketball. And when we do… we never see a defender coming towards us… or we never see the open man on our team to whom we can pass the ball to.
- “Look up!” If we lived our lives by only looking down at our feet, we’d miss an entire world the Lord has created. We would never see snow-capped peaks or rocky mountains with glaciers of ice and snow. We’d miss the waterfalls cascading down the cliff of a giant mountain wall.
- The writer says, “Beautiful in elevation…” There’s something incredibly awesome and majestic when we look up and see the sun climbing its way over a humongous mountain in the early morning, or a gorgeous sunset with a rainbow of colors before the moon crawls across the sky.
- As we take a few moments in the day to look away from our own troubles and trials… we look up to see that God is still there. Immoveable. Unchangeable. Steady and true. He is a stronghold for you and me today. Are you trusting in Him?
LADIES DDD: Dinner, Dessert, & Devotions on Friday the 20th. Dinner is at the Elephant Bar at 6:30, followed by Dessert & Devotions at Vickie Converse’s home. Please contact Anita if you have any questions or would like to RSVP (cup7120cake@yahoo.com)
HOPE-n-MIC: Hope-n-Mic is now moving to the third Friday of the month. That means… this Friday, January 20 from 7:00-10:00 is Hope-n-Mic right here at NewNaz.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What prophet walked around naked for three years? Isaiah (Isaiah 20:3)
Have a wonderful week. I love you and hope to see you soon…
Pastor Greg
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Good Morning! How are you doing? Not, “Good morning, how are you?” Rather, “How are you doing on day twelve of the New Year?” Did you make any new commitments since January 1, 2012? Were you planning to exercise more? Eat better? Spend more time in the Word and prayer? Talk to Grandma and Grandpa more? Be early instead of late to appointments? Not procrastinate on projects you want to work on? Complete the project you have in the garage before starting a new one? Invite someone over to your home? Send a card of encouragement? Begin a savings account? Put some money aside for vacation?
Sometimes, the simplest of things to do are the most difficult to accomplish. Leslie and I have decided to go through some things we’ve stored away for years. So… last week we both made our way in the attic and began to sort through some stuff. That project will continue tomorrow. You know… we (including many of you) hold on to a lot of junk. Do you really know what’s in the bottom of that third drawer in your dresser? How about that item hanging on the coat hanger in the back of your closet? Do you know what’s on the shelves in your garage… or stored away in boxes that keep you from storing your car in the garage? I’ve got stuff I haven’t used in years and, for whatever reason, I’ve thought that I still need them “just in case”.
So… Leslie, I hope you’re reading these few thoughts… we need to continue our “cleaning” tomorrow.
BTW… some of you have commented about the Few Thoughts… receiving an email and then having to re-read the portion you already read when you are sent to the NewNaz website. We are trying to help you in this process. How do you like this new format?
Good Morning! How are you doing? Not, “Good morning, how are you?” Rather, “How are you doing on day twelve of the New Year?” Did you make any new commitments since January 1, 2012? Were you planning to exercise more? Eat better? Spend more time in the Word and prayer? Talk to Grandma and Grandpa more? Be early instead of late to appointments? Not procrastinate on projects you want to work on? Complete the project you have in the garage before starting a new one? Invite someone over to your home? Send a card of encouragement? Begin a savings account? Put some money aside for vacation?
Sometimes, the simplest of things to do are the most difficult to accomplish. Leslie and I have decided to go through some things we’ve stored away for years. So… last week we both made our way in the attic and began to sort through some stuff. That project will continue tomorrow. You know… we (including many of you) hold on to a lot of junk. Do you really know what’s in the bottom of that third drawer in your dresser? How about that item hanging on the coat hanger in the back of your closet? Do you know what’s on the shelves in your garage… or stored away in boxes that keep you from storing your car in the garage? I’ve got stuff I haven’t used in years and, for whatever reason, I’ve thought that I still need them “just in case”.
So… Leslie, I hope you’re reading these few thoughts… we need to continue our “cleaning” tomorrow.
BTW… some of you have commented about the Few Thoughts… receiving an email and then having to re-read the portion you already read when you are sent to the NewNaz website. We are trying to help you in this process. How do you like this new format?
Encouragement
Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denari worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people.” (John 6:7-9)
Don’t you love this story? I do! It’s perhaps my favorite Bible story. The Feeding of 5000! Can you picture the scene? Do you realize the incredible miracle taking place here? Do you know how many 5000 really are? The Bible says that there were 5000 men, but let’s play conservative and say that John just used “men” as we use the word “guys” to often speak of everyone. Though, there may have been a whole lot more people than 5000 that day.
By today’s standards, if we were to try and feed 5000 people a very simple sandwich meal… say $5 per person… which would be pretty difficult to do… the total cost would be $25,000. Can you imagine the committee meetings… the planning… the discussions with numerous fast food places… Who’s going to get the In-n-Out truck to come? Will the church board approve? Did we budget this meal? Do we take this out of Evangelism and Outreach? Are we going to charge per person? Per family? Is there a discount for families larger than 4 people? Do we subsidize?
You know… it’s kind of a great thing that this event sort of… just happened. There was no time for the Board of Disciples to get around Jesus to discuss the issue. The problem was there before them. One of the Gospel writers said that the first solution the disciples came up with was to have Jesus send the crowds home. “Get rid of them.” They could see the problem coming. Here are my few thoughts:
Don’t you love this story? I do! It’s perhaps my favorite Bible story. The Feeding of 5000! Can you picture the scene? Do you realize the incredible miracle taking place here? Do you know how many 5000 really are? The Bible says that there were 5000 men, but let’s play conservative and say that John just used “men” as we use the word “guys” to often speak of everyone. Though, there may have been a whole lot more people than 5000 that day.
By today’s standards, if we were to try and feed 5000 people a very simple sandwich meal… say $5 per person… which would be pretty difficult to do… the total cost would be $25,000. Can you imagine the committee meetings… the planning… the discussions with numerous fast food places… Who’s going to get the In-n-Out truck to come? Will the church board approve? Did we budget this meal? Do we take this out of Evangelism and Outreach? Are we going to charge per person? Per family? Is there a discount for families larger than 4 people? Do we subsidize?
You know… it’s kind of a great thing that this event sort of… just happened. There was no time for the Board of Disciples to get around Jesus to discuss the issue. The problem was there before them. One of the Gospel writers said that the first solution the disciples came up with was to have Jesus send the crowds home. “Get rid of them.” They could see the problem coming. Here are my few thoughts:
- Problems are everywhere. Aren’t they? Any problems you’re dealing with right now? Bank account is too small for the bills coming in. Not much overtime in the near future. Grades at school are not what they should be. Can’t find a job. Problem with a co-worker… boss… employee. Relationship issues. The list goes on… and you can fill in the blank. I happen to believe that we have certain problems we are dealing with all of the time.
- And you know… some problems seem to grow. It’s the same problem we were dealing with yesterday. But, there are certain problems that can come up out of nowhere. They just all of a sudden appear. And that’s what happened 2000 years ago in the wilderness out near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus preached too long… and before the disciples knew it, they had a crowd of 5000 people who were hungry. Jesus came and asked one of the disciples, “Hey Philip, what should we do to feed this group?” And… we see Philip’s answer.
- Do you realize that there is a solution? God has an answer to our problems. And the way God chooses to answer our needs is right before our eyes. I love this story for several reasons. Here are just a few:
1. Jesus found the answer to the problem among those people who were already there. He could have prayed manna out of heaven. He could have had quail appear from the western skies. He could have snapped His fingers and created anything. But He didn’t. He used what He had.
2. Jesus did not give the 5000 a filet mignon dinner. He could have. They didn’t even get vegetables with this meal. Where’s the desert? But did you see that no one got water bottles… or coke… not even iced tea or lemonade? They received bread and fish… nothing more… nothing less. And you know something… they could eat as much as they wanted because there was plenty of bread and fish left over.
- I don’t want to minimize this story in any way. It is a miracle story. Jesus provided when the disciples had no way of providing on their own. But… I am certain that God still works miracles in our lives by providing for us when we need it most. And when He provides He often uses us… you and me… and the resources we have. The problem is… we must be careful to NOT respond like the some of the disciples did when they said… “Get rid of them.” Some problems won’t go away on their own.
- So the miracle began when the problem was brought to Jesus. The disciples found the resources… and they brought the resources to Jesus. Jesus used the disciples to have the people sit in smaller groups. Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread … and the fish, and gave to His disciples to hand out. Is there much difference for us today? Call upon the Lord… but don’t sit around and wait for Him to do something. Join Him in His work. The resources are there. Let Jesus lead you. You will need to do some work also.
- And remember… some problems are not solved outside of Prayer and Fasting.
WITH THE LORD’S HELP: Many of you have written down a verse of promise for 2012… or you are making a commitment to the Lord this year. If you’ve haven’t written anything down just yet on the painting in the foyer… you can still do so on Sunday.
TRIVIA QUESTION: What is the only domesticated animal not mentioned in the Bible? A Cat!
I love you and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Pastor Greg
Monday, January 09, 2012
Good Morning! We started the season with all sorts of rain… then we hit a dry spell and I don’t know if the weather folks see any rain down the road or not. It’s been beautiful recently. Are you taking advantage of the nice weather? Getting in any hikes?
The NFL Playoffs are now in full swing. A lot of attention has been placed on the Bronco’s QB, Tim Tebow, for his Christian views. He’s been ripped… He’s been praised…. He’s been questioned… He’s been doubted… Some like him… Some don’t… Yesterday, the Denver Broncos played the Pittsburg Steelers while we were having Come & Go Communion. Most people didn’t give the Broncos a chance to win the game… especially when the Steelers made it all the way to the Super Bowl last year. Following the Come & Go Communion last night, I went to watch the recorded game. I, like most people, was shocked in the Denver O.T. win. May the Lord continue to help Tim Tebow share a positive testimony in every win… and even in a loss! I would imagine that in nearly every game, there are Christian players on both sides of the ball. I would hope that all players who profess to have a relationship with the Lord would give praise to Jesus whether they win or lose. Don’t we have to do the same? Some days, we have very productive and good days at work. Other days… things don’t quite go so well. Yet, the scriptures call us to praise Him in all situations… “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”
Speaking of Christian athletes… especially the outspoken ones… we have another event coming up this Saturday. The Olympic Trials for the Men’s Marathon will take place in Houston this Saturday, January 13. Toeing the line will be Ryan Hall. Again, I do not know the personal stories of the other gentlemen who will be racing for the top three spots on the USA Team, but there may be several others who know the Lord. Whether they finish 1st or 51st, my hope is that each believer will give praise to the Lord. It’s just that the media typically follows the winner. So when Tim Tebow has 4th quarter comebacks… they approach him. When Ryan Hall busts out an American Record in 2:04 at Boston… they follow him. And both of these men are very confident in their relationship with Jesus. I like that.
Good Morning! We started the season with all sorts of rain… then we hit a dry spell and I don’t know if the weather folks see any rain down the road or not. It’s been beautiful recently. Are you taking advantage of the nice weather? Getting in any hikes?
The NFL Playoffs are now in full swing. A lot of attention has been placed on the Bronco’s QB, Tim Tebow, for his Christian views. He’s been ripped… He’s been praised…. He’s been questioned… He’s been doubted… Some like him… Some don’t… Yesterday, the Denver Broncos played the Pittsburg Steelers while we were having Come & Go Communion. Most people didn’t give the Broncos a chance to win the game… especially when the Steelers made it all the way to the Super Bowl last year. Following the Come & Go Communion last night, I went to watch the recorded game. I, like most people, was shocked in the Denver O.T. win. May the Lord continue to help Tim Tebow share a positive testimony in every win… and even in a loss! I would imagine that in nearly every game, there are Christian players on both sides of the ball. I would hope that all players who profess to have a relationship with the Lord would give praise to Jesus whether they win or lose. Don’t we have to do the same? Some days, we have very productive and good days at work. Other days… things don’t quite go so well. Yet, the scriptures call us to praise Him in all situations… “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”
Speaking of Christian athletes… especially the outspoken ones… we have another event coming up this Saturday. The Olympic Trials for the Men’s Marathon will take place in Houston this Saturday, January 13. Toeing the line will be Ryan Hall. Again, I do not know the personal stories of the other gentlemen who will be racing for the top three spots on the USA Team, but there may be several others who know the Lord. Whether they finish 1st or 51st, my hope is that each believer will give praise to the Lord. It’s just that the media typically follows the winner. So when Tim Tebow has 4th quarter comebacks… they approach him. When Ryan Hall busts out an American Record in 2:04 at Boston… they follow him. And both of these men are very confident in their relationship with Jesus. I like that.
Encouragement
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Proverbs 28:13-14)
Be very careful what you hide. The only thing I find in scripture that is good to hide is the Word of God… and where we are called to hide it is in the depths of our hearts. Not on some shelf in the back closet. Not in some drawer under a bunch of junk we never use. Not behind some door in a bedroom we never enter. But… deep within our hearts…
Two years ago, I ordered some Scrip Gift Cards through our Children’s Ministries. I was thinking, like many of you, these gift cards will be great stocking stuffers for the girls. So, when November came around I thought that I’d be extra smart and begin Christmas shopping early… more than a month before Christmas. The cards arrived… and since I didn’t want Leslie or the girls to find them, I decided to hide them. And hide them I did. When I went to grab them to wrap them up in tissue paper and put them in the stockings, I couldn’t find them. I had forgotten where I had hid them. I hid them so well, it’s now been 14 months later and I still can’t remember where I hid them. So… somewhere in our home or in the garage or in the office or… are $50 worth of gift cards… one of which I believe was a gas card. Here are my few thoughts:
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I learned years ago that hiding anything that is no good… is not good. Every morning while living in the dorm, we would have room and dorm inspection. The dorm moms would make their way through our rooms checking every bed… looking in the closets… dressers… and all. Sometimes, I’d get in a rush and decide not to sweep the floor completely clean and hide the dirt under some shoes or a small mat by my bed. Needless to say, the dorm moms picked up every mat… they would remove shoes… they knew all of the tricks. And we always got caught. So… you guessed it, some of us boys would not prosper.
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Sin is just like it. You try and sneak through life… hiding what you know you should not do… you will not prosper. The Word says for us to confess it and get away from it. Whatever it is. Where there is dirt, sweep it up and throw it in the trashcan and EMPTY it. Don’t even leave it in the trash can… it’s still in the room. It could spill over and fall back on the floor. Get it out of the room. And you will be blessed.
PRAYER & FASTING: Yesterday, we began a 21-Day Prayer & Fasting emphasis with the Los Angeles District. We are encouraging everyone to spend extra time in prayer and fasting for Breakthrough in our lives and in the church. You may decide to fast one day per week during this 3-week period. You may choose to fast a meal each day. You may fast from certain foods. Whatever the Lord may direct you to do, I encourage you to spend a few more moments in the day in prayer for breakthrough in your life. Remember, Jesus said that some things cannot happen without prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21)
CHANGE IN HOPE-n-MIC: Beginning this month, Hope-n-Mic is moving to Friday nights. The first Hope-n-Mic for 2012 is on January 20 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. 
Have a great week. I love you and hope to see you soon!
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, January 5, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR! That’s right… we’ve said our good-byes to 2011 and have welcomed in the New Year. It’s hard to imagine, but 2012 has arrived. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday we were hanging around in the 1980s. Thirty years ago, I was returning to the states to give it another shot. And I’m glad I did. I managed to return to school… finish my studies… although in many ways, seems like I’m an eternal student… got married and now have a wonderful family… great and loving church…
Do you remember some of the top hits in 1982? Here are a few:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! That’s right… we’ve said our good-byes to 2011 and have welcomed in the New Year. It’s hard to imagine, but 2012 has arrived. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday we were hanging around in the 1980s. Thirty years ago, I was returning to the states to give it another shot. And I’m glad I did. I managed to return to school… finish my studies… although in many ways, seems like I’m an eternal student… got married and now have a wonderful family… great and loving church…
Do you remember some of the top hits in 1982? Here are a few:
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“Africa” - Toto
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“Eye in the Sky” - The Alan Parsons Project
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“You can do Magic” - America
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“Even the Nights are Better” - Air Supply
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“Hard to Say I’m Sorry” - Chicago
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“Gloria” - Laura Branigan
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“Jack & Diane” - John Cougar
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“Gypsy” - Fleetwood Mac
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“Maneater” - Hall and Oates
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“Who can it be Now” - Men at Work
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“Truly” - Lionel Ritchie
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“Through the Years” - Kenny Rogers
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“Eye of the Tiger” - Survivor
Any of these songs bring back memories? Which song mentioned above do you especially remember? I’ve never been to Africa… but I sure remember enjoying Toto’s song. To see a full list of the Greatest Hits in 1982 click here http://www.severing.nu/music/1982.html
So what are you doing differently this year? What are your plans… hopes… dreams… goals? Have you seen the painting we have up for you to write your Promise Verse on? “With the help of the Lord…” what would you like to see done in your own life this year? Come on over and write it down. You don’t even need to put your name on it.
So what are you doing differently this year? What are your plans… hopes… dreams… goals? Have you seen the painting we have up for you to write your Promise Verse on? “With the help of the Lord…” what would you like to see done in your own life this year? Come on over and write it down. You don’t even need to put your name on it.
Encouragement
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
There were times, when I was a young boy growing up in Peru, that we would spend the Christmas and New Year’s break out on the coast rather than in the jungle. These few weeks were fun and exciting since the culture in the city was so much different from that in the jungle. Of course, the month of December meant the beginning of summer along the coast. The air was hot and humid… the ocean water was pleasant… and we had some great days at the beach body surfing and hanging out.
Some of our traditions were to eat panetone at Christmas Eve and especially on Christmas morning… and then again on New Year’s Eve and morning. But what I remember the most about the week between Christmas and New Year’s was the way barrios would come together to build a huge image in the middle of the street. Sometimes it would take the neighbors 3-4 days to build a large object in the street. Cardboard… thin scraps of plywood… cloth… paper… and every other material that would easily burn. Typically, they would build a large man out of scraps of material, but I’ve seen neighbors build boats, cars, and houses out of various materials. On New Year’s Eve at midnight, someone would take a match and light it while everyone would stand around cheering as they watch the image of that which was constructed burn to the ground. The old is gone… Here are my few thoughts:
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Without God, all things are temporal. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing! I remember going to the beach outside of Chiclayo to a place called Las Rocas right next to Pimentel. Sometimes the entire family would go. We’d roast hotdogs, swim in the ocean, and catch some waves… Out in the water about 100 yards was this ship that had capsized in the late 1950s. Year after year, when we would make our way to the beach, we’d swim near that rusted dilapidated wreck of a ship. Stuck there in the sand, it protruded out of the water some 15 to 20 feet. You could still see that it was a ship at one time in its life… but the ocean’s salt water was getting to it… and in a hurry.
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While in Peru last October, we were driving along the coastline between Pimentel and Santa Rosa… I asked the driver if he wouldn’t mind veering off to the beach so that I could see the spot where we had played and swam so many years ago. The sand and beaches of Las Rocas looked very much the same… yet one thing was quite different. The ship was no more. In time, the salt water had completely eaten away the metal… and she was no more. That, once hard, dense, metal object was now a thing of the past. It was a temporal object. It was not built to last forever.
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The Apostle Paul reminds us that when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior… when we give Him complete control of our lives… we become a new creation. The old is burned away… gone forever… and something new happens. We become new. We exchange the temporal for the eternal.
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And I enjoy our fireplace at home. When I’m camping in the mountains, I love a nice fire at night and early in the morning. There’s something awesome about throwing a log on top of the fire and watching it burn. In an hour or so… the log will burn to nothing but ash. It’s gone! Forest rangers tell us that natural fires in the mountains a nature’s way of keeping life on the move. The old gets burned so that the new can come.
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Have you given much thought as you enter this year to any areas in your life that you need the Lord to burn away so that new growth… new life can come? If you are in Christ… you ARE new. Don’t go back to the old...
HIGHER GROUNDS: It’s new… it’s refreshing… it HIGHER GROUNDS… Beginning this Sunday… certain changes are taking place at 9:00 AM. The hour of worship in the FLC is now called “Higher Grounds.” Come check out the new look as we worship the Lord together.
NEW 10:30 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS: This Sunday, the new Sunday School class taught by John Grisbach will meet for the first time in room #105. After HIGHER GROUNDS, come and explore the concepts of evolution and creationism – two topics that are sure to generate great conversation and thought-provoking ideas!
COME & GO COMMUNION: This is a quick reminder to sign up for our annual Come & Go Communion this Sunday in the sanctuary. I will begin at 3:20 PM with the first group. Each group will come in for 20 minutes. I try and stay right on time for each group… so if you are late, please wait for the next group and you will be able to join them. Since the segments are only 20 minutes each, you will not need to wait very long. You may come as a small group… family unit… friends… it’s all up to you. The last group will be served at 6:00 PM. I hope to see you here.
PRAYER & FASTING: One of the greatest ways to usher in the New Year is to spend some extra days in prayer and fasting. Our District Superintendent has called the district to join him in a 21-Day Prayer and Fast for Blessing & Breakthrough. Are there any areas in your life you of which you would like God to bless? Are you praying for breakthrough in certain areas? I invite you to join us in these 21-Days of Prayer & Fasting. You may want to fast one meal a day in this 21-day period. You may choose to fast one entire day per week for 3 weeks… You may fast from certain foods for the entire time. Whatever it is the Lord puts on your mind to do… I encourage you to do it.
ADVENT AND NEW YEAR’S PHOTOS: Here are a few photos taken over the recent weeks.
I love you and I hope to see you this Sunday. The message this Sunday is called Right Relationships. We are returning to our theme on GROWING HEALTHY as we study the Book of Ephesians. I hope to see you in church!
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Good Morning! Warm greetings to you on a very warm December morning in Santa Clarita! WOW!!! It is gorgeous out there today. If you get the opportunity… head on outside and enjoy the outdoors sometime this week... The skies are blue and the air is clean… There are lots of trails to explore.
Did you have a very Merry Christmas? I hope you had the greatest of times with your family and friends. Sunday was a great experience for us all. First of all, it was neat to see such a full house on Sunday morning here in the sanctuary. The worship service was a wonderful experience for us all. Following the combined morning worship service, we headed home to have our family Christmas together. And then on Tuesday, we made our way up to Porterville to enjoy a day-and-a-half with Leslie’s family. And now that we are back home… we are gearing up and getting ready for a Happy New Year.
Good Morning! Warm greetings to you on a very warm December morning in Santa Clarita! WOW!!! It is gorgeous out there today. If you get the opportunity… head on outside and enjoy the outdoors sometime this week... The skies are blue and the air is clean… There are lots of trails to explore.
Did you have a very Merry Christmas? I hope you had the greatest of times with your family and friends. Sunday was a great experience for us all. First of all, it was neat to see such a full house on Sunday morning here in the sanctuary. The worship service was a wonderful experience for us all. Following the combined morning worship service, we headed home to have our family Christmas together. And then on Tuesday, we made our way up to Porterville to enjoy a day-and-a-half with Leslie’s family. And now that we are back home… we are gearing up and getting ready for a Happy New Year.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?: Tomorrow, Friday, December 30 at 10:00 a.m. if you would like to help us in what we are calling “Yanking of the Greens”… this means that we will be taking down all of the Christmas decorations and getting the facilities in tiptop shape for the New Year. The work will all begin at 10:00 in the morning. For those who show up… lunch will be provided. We should have everything done by noon and at the latest 1:00 p.m.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!: Don’t forget about this coming weekend. We have a special and very different Sunday prepared. You can read more about it in the paragraph that Pastor Kathy has written below. But… let me remind you that we have, once again, a combined morning worship service at 10:30… only this time we are meeting in the FLC for a Pancake Breakfast and Service. This will be fun and exciting. Just think… we’re going to be a true New Testament Early Church… “And they were continually devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer…” (Acts 2:42) And we will be doing just that… the only difference is that we’ll be putting butter and syrup on our “bread”.
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Is there a special Bible Verse of Promise you are hanging on to this coming year? Are you asking the Lord to help you in some commitments you want to make this coming year? If so… we have a large “banner” painted by Dave Ewart that will be on display in the FLC this Sunday for you to write down any special verses of promise or commitments you would like to make before the Lord for the New Year.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Don’t forget our New Year’s celebration on Sunday morning! Join us for great fellowship and a pancake breakfast. We will begin serving at 10:15 and will continue through the first 15-20 minutes of our service. Everyone is invited – and our children can even wear their pajamas! There will be no Sunday School so families will eat, and worship, together (nursery care through 3-years-old will be provided). Our menu includes pancakes, ham, juice, coffee, milk, and tea (if you have special dietary needs, please feel free to bring whatever you need to supplement your breakfast). Remember – the Rose Parade and football games are being held on Monday – so what better way can you welcome 2012 but with good food, good friends, and worshiping our Lord?!
COME & GO COMMUNION: I especially love this annual ministry and event. On January 8, we will have what I like to call Come & Go Communion. This simply means that you can come at any time between 3:20 – 6:00 p.m. on that Sunday for a special 20-minute time period with a few other people. I only ask that you sign up at the Welcome Center, or the table which will be in the lobby of the FLC this Sunday so that I can know who and how many to prepare for at each segment. This is always a favorite time of mine with you as we usher in the New Year.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: This is a reminder that beginning Wednesday, January 4, all ministries resume as normal. There will be a dinner here at church for which you WILL need to sign up for. All other events and ministries as usual will be in full operation.
- On Thursday morning, the Men’s Breakfast will also be back in session at 6:00a.m. @ IHOP.
- The following Sunday, January 8… back to two worship services: 9:00 in the FLC and 10:30 in the sanctuary with Sunday School classes at both hours.
FAMILY PROMISE: A special thanks to many of you who have assisted with meals, or acting as host, or working in leadership this week for Family Promise.
Again, let me thank you for all of your support and encouragement you have shown throughout 2011. You have been a blessing to me and I look forward to working along with you in 2012. I believe the vision God has for NewNaz is bright for us all. Let’s work together to accomplish His plan for His church.
Pastor Greg
Monday, December 19, 2011
Good Morning! Christmas is just around the corner. Can you believe it? And the weather outside is showing signs of rain. I have not checked the weather report, so I have no idea what to expect.
Yesterday, we enjoyed a wonderful day here at church. The children did a great job… Santa showed up… and we also had a few moments to look into the scriptures and study “The Great Invasion” as we took a close look at Luke 2:7. And aren’t you glad Heaven invaded earth? I am.
The SCV Band presented a wonderful Christmas concert here at NewNaz last Saturday night. Two of our own are members of this band… and what an outstanding concert they provided. Thanks Marcus and Kenneth. However, before the concert began, I discovered this one rose in the midst of three thorns: What do you think?
Good Morning! Christmas is just around the corner. Can you believe it? And the weather outside is showing signs of rain. I have not checked the weather report, so I have no idea what to expect.
Yesterday, we enjoyed a wonderful day here at church. The children did a great job… Santa showed up… and we also had a few moments to look into the scriptures and study “The Great Invasion” as we took a close look at Luke 2:7. And aren’t you glad Heaven invaded earth? I am.
The SCV Band presented a wonderful Christmas concert here at NewNaz last Saturday night. Two of our own are members of this band… and what an outstanding concert they provided. Thanks Marcus and Kenneth. However, before the concert began, I discovered this one rose in the midst of three thorns: What do you think?
Encouragement
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. To Abraham was born Isaac; and to Isaac, Jacob; and to Jacob, Judah, and his brothers, and to Judah were born Perez and Zerah by Tamar. (Matthew 1:1-3)
This is how the New Testament begins. The very last verse in the Old Testament reads, “And He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” From that verse we close out the Old Testament and open with these verses above written by Matthew. Very quickly, Matthew gives us a brief recap of the line of Christ. When we take a closer look at those involved in the story of Jesus… questions come to mind. Here are my few thoughts:
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Abraham was called of God to leave the land he knew and to simply follow wherever God led. His journey with God was similar to a roller coaster experience. He followed but the moment a trial came up, he tried taking matters in his own hands. And this did not happen once, or twice… but many times. It seems as though Abraham needed to learn on the subject of PATIENCE.
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Isaac was next in the line of Christ. His story seems to be more stable than that of His father. His life’s testimony is a story on TRUST… for we all remember how he willingly followed his dad up the mountain of God and allowed his dad to tie him up for a sacrifice. Yet, it was Isaac who also showed a flaw in his family life when he showed favoritism to one of his sons… Her preferred Esau while his wife loved Jacob.
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Jacob seemed to be a mess from the start. Listening to his mother, and watching time running out on dad, he becomes a deceiver early in life by lying to his dad, stealing away the birthright… and much, much more. Since the time of Abraham, Jacob is the one with the largest family. Children are everywhere… and leading his children was not his strength. They learned and did just like dad… becoming master deceivers themselves. Jacob’s life is a study on LEADERSHIP.
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Judah… what a man… what a mess! This is where I begin to scratch my head in wonder. How in the world did God not allow Joseph to be in the line of Christ? Joseph was, in so many ways, a close study on the life of Jesus. But God had different plans… It was Judah that He chose. Judah was the brother who came up with the idea of selling Joseph as a slave to Egypt. It was Judah who wandered away from the family, married a Canaanite (against the will of God), committed incest… adultery, lied… cheated… and the list goes on. Apart from Joseph, there is more written on Judah than any other brother… and it was not good material… UNTIL… the brothers return to Egypt. It was Judah who spoke out for Benjamin. It was Judah, who was willing to put his own life on the line. It was Judah who could not bear to see their dad suffer any longer. It was Judah who spoke out and sought forgiveness. And as we study the life of Judah, we learn a valuable lesson on REPENTANCE and SUBMISSION.
Isn’t that what the Lord requires of us? There are some key words written above. PATIENCE… TRUST… LEADERSHIP… REPENTANCE… SUBMISSION. As we enter this week of Christmas 2011… I challenge every dad… every mom… ever individual… every child and teen… every grandparent… every person to come and behold the Savior of the world who loves you and gave His life for you. You may think that you have done too much wrong… there’s too much sin… for the Lord to redeem you. NOT TRUE. Take a look above. God gives up new opportunities… new starts… and don’t wait until the New Year. You can have the greatest and most victorious Christmas if you give it all to Jesus right now. Let Him lead you today.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: I love the children in the church. They are something special, and I am grateful for their willingness to be used by Jesus. I also thank SANTA who showed up to bless our children. We all enjoyed his visit.
CANDLELIGHT SERVICES: We will have two Christmas Eve Services: 5:30 and 11:00 PM. These are always favorite times to usher in Christmas.
SPECIAL REMINDERS:
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No Wednesday Night ministries here at NewNaz for the next two weeks: December 21 & 28.
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On Christmas Day, we have one combined service at 10:30 in the sanctuary. No Sunday School.
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New Year’s Day we have one combined service at 10:30 in the FLC. No Sunday School BUT we are having a pancake breakfast at the same time as the service.
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Sunday, January 8, from 3:40-6:00 PM we will have “Come & Go” Communion in the sanctuary.
I love you all and hope to see you at the Candlelight Service.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Good Morning! My typical Thursday morning has the same routine… no running in the early morning since I like to shower and be at the Men’s breakfast by 6:00. Following the breakfast, I head over to the church to begin my day in the office. This morning, there was a slight break in the routine. Around 7:30 I look out my office window and fire trucks are flying onto our property. For a brief moment, I thought that they were using our parking lot as a station to go somewhere else. But then I noticed two firemen jump off their fire trucks and run towards the back of the main church building. It was then that I decided to go take a look for myself.
“Is everything ok?” I asked. The captain replied, “We received a call from a driver on the freeway saying the church was on fire.” We both knew exactly what had happened. Due to the very cold morning and the vents on the roof of the church… steam was rising up from the rooftop and from the freeway it could appear as smoke. “Thanks for coming out.” I said. Then he commented, “We had a similar false alarm when you had a BBQ going on one summer afternoon.” I remember that one as well.
Good Morning! My typical Thursday morning has the same routine… no running in the early morning since I like to shower and be at the Men’s breakfast by 6:00. Following the breakfast, I head over to the church to begin my day in the office. This morning, there was a slight break in the routine. Around 7:30 I look out my office window and fire trucks are flying onto our property. For a brief moment, I thought that they were using our parking lot as a station to go somewhere else. But then I noticed two firemen jump off their fire trucks and run towards the back of the main church building. It was then that I decided to go take a look for myself.
“Is everything ok?” I asked. The captain replied, “We received a call from a driver on the freeway saying the church was on fire.” We both knew exactly what had happened. Due to the very cold morning and the vents on the roof of the church… steam was rising up from the rooftop and from the freeway it could appear as smoke. “Thanks for coming out.” I said. Then he commented, “We had a similar false alarm when you had a BBQ going on one summer afternoon.” I remember that one as well.
Encouragement
Thus says the Lord, “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentations and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Thus says the Lord, “Restrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded,” declares the Lord, “and they shall return from the land of the enemy. And there is HOPE for your future,” declares the Lord, “and your children shall return to their own territory.”
(Jeremiah 31:15-17)
(Jeremiah 31:15-17)
Sometimes when prophecies were made in the Old Testament, they spoke about things in the immediate future as well as years down the road. Jeremiah was speaking to his people during a very difficult time around 586 B.C. when the captives were taken out of Jerusalem and led past Ramah (Bethlehem) on their way to Babylon. So you can imagine the weeping and mourning taking place as moms watched their young people being taken away during this time. But this passage also speaks of a future weeping that would take place nearly 600 years later… all because of another ruler… a weak and insecure king named Herod. Here are my few thoughts:
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Herod was as evil of a king as you could find. First of all, He was a liar as he informed the magi to bring the report back to him so that he, too, could worship the Lord.
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Herod was so cruel and insecure, for fear of his little throne, had three of his own sons put to death. He also killed his favorite wife, Marriamne, and her mother. And before he died, he had a sense that there would be no mourning in Judah over his death… so he had his guards capture all of the leading, principal men in Jerusalem and placed them in the hippodrome. His plan was upon his death, these principal men were to be killed so that there would be mourning during his death.
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He was weak… He was insecure…. He was a coward. And when he learned that a “new king” had been born… he had to do something about it. He had his guards journey out towards Bethlehem killing all boys of two years in age and under.
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When I think of this massacre in and around Bethlehem… many families were affected by the birth of Jesus. Yet… at the same time, many families up north… near Galilee, who may have not known a thing of what was taking place in Bethlehem. For those in Nazareth, Capernaum, Caesarea… and all other places up north… life just went on. That’s sort of the way it is today. There are countries in the world that are in great suffering today. There are families right now mourning great loss. Jesus was born in the midst of families who were hurting… but He was born while some families were experiencing great joy.
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As Jesus grew older and got the opportunity to see things with His physical eyes… and walk with the people… live with them… mix with them… laugh with them… cry with them… God is Emmanuel. He is with us. He knows all that you are experiencing. He understands.
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I love the Apostle Paul’s word in Romans 8:28 when he writes, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.” What I hear Paul saying is this… “there is HOPE for your future.” Don’t give up. Pain may come. Suffering may take place. And you will weep. You will mourn. But in Christ Jesus there is hope. Jesus knows that and is eager to come along your side… lifting you up and encouraging you.
SCV BAND CONCERT: This Saturday night at 6:00 PM, you are invited to come and listen to the Santa Clarita Valley Band play a concert of Christmas music here in our sanctuary. This will be a great way to come and relax and enjoy some great music. You will also have a chance to see several of our own in the band: Kenneth Eernisse, his grandpa Bob, and Marcus Traylor are all members in the band. Come on and join us!
CHRISTMAS CARDS: The deadline for bringing in Christmas Cards for distribution has now passed by. BUT, if you would help us out by stopping by the “Christmas Card Table” and see if you have any cards to be picked up… that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
PRIMETIMERS CHRISTMAS PARTY: We enjoyed a wonderful time with the PrimeTimers for their Annual Christmas Party at IHOP last Saturday night. Even Spencer and Anna-Lisa had a great time.
ANGEL TREE: I want to thank everyone for their participation in this year’s Angel Tree Ministry. We had a wonderful time distributing the gifts to the various families. The day was beautiful as we left the church with gifts in hand and in the trunks of our cars. This was a truly special day!
Christmas is only 10 days away. I love you and I hope to see you soon.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, December 12, 2011
Good Morning! It’s raining and I’m sure it’s snowing somewhere… Be safe out there as you travel the wet and slippery roads. It’s December 12 and there are just 13 days left before Christmas. And how’s your shopping coming along? If you’re thinking of Scrip gift cards through the Children’s Ministry… you may only have one more week to get your order in before Christmas… talk to Peggy. Also, Wednesday is the LAST day to drop off your Christmas cards for Children's Ministries to deliver them.
Good Morning! It’s raining and I’m sure it’s snowing somewhere… Be safe out there as you travel the wet and slippery roads. It’s December 12 and there are just 13 days left before Christmas. And how’s your shopping coming along? If you’re thinking of Scrip gift cards through the Children’s Ministry… you may only have one more week to get your order in before Christmas… talk to Peggy. Also, Wednesday is the LAST day to drop off your Christmas cards for Children's Ministries to deliver them.
Encouragement
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth, for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. And this One will be our peace. (Micah 5:2-5)
Most of us like cheering for the underdog. We like the “Cinderella” stories. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a sports team… a musical talent… or a business deal… we just seem to be drawn to those who come from small, insignificant places. Micah was a prophet who made some great prophecies long ago… and long before Jesus was ever born. One of the fun things to do is to observe the statements he made of Jesus. Here are my few thoughts:
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It is Micah who mentions that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem. We already know that Beth (Hebrew word for “house”) lehem (Hebrew word for “bread”) means the “house of bread” because of the many grain fields surrounding the small town. It’s the town were Naomi returned with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to live in once again. It’s the place where Ruth marries Boaz. Bethlehem is the home of Jesse and his sons. It’s the place where David was anointed to be the next king of Israel. Bethlehem was close enough to Jerusalem that many Bethlehem shepherds worked for the temple in Jerusalem, providing lambs for sacrifices.
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Micah mentions that Jesus would be a ruler. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Romans even recognized His royalty, though it was done in mockery, they nailed a sign above His head on the cross that read, “King of the Jews”.
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Micah says that Jesus is from “long ago.” John says that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God.” Jesus has always been. He is the Great “I AM”.
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Micah points out that Jesus is eternal… “days of eternity”. And what did Jesus say moments before He died on the cross? “Today you will be with me in paradise.” There is life after death… and He proved His authority over death on more than one occasion. He brought Lazarus back to life…. But more importantly, He, too, was resurrected from the dead.
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“He will shepherd His flock” may be one of the most overlooked prophecies from Micah. How many times do we find Jesus speaking either in parables or preaching about sheep? He tells us in The Gospel According to John that He is the GOOD SHEPHERD. He spoke on the parable of the LOST SHEEP. John the Baptist made known that Jesus was the LAMB OF GOD.
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And don’t you like the way Micah finishes off this passage? “And this One will be our PEACE!” Paul says that He is our peace who has broken down every wall. And don’t forget the message the angels sang to the shepherd of “Peace on Earth…”
Thank you, Micah, for the many words you gave hundreds of years before Jesus was born. And just as the choir sang last night… Jesus is real! Let’s live for Him!
IMAGINE: It’s been a wonderful weekend. Yesterday, we enjoyed two IMAGINE presentations. For the first one at 10:30 in the morning, we had a full house… and the second one at 6:00 p.m. was quite well attended but not as full. Yet, the Spirit of the Lord was present as we were all blessed to worship the Lord together. Thank you, choir, sound, visual, and lighting technicians for your ministry. It was a very special day for everyone.
HOPE-n-MIC: I was able to sneak in and be part of the Hope-n-Mic Christmas Party here at the church last Thursday. The creative songs from everyone who participated were a blast!
I love you and hope to see you sometime this week.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Good Morning! It’s Thursday… it’s December… it’s beautiful… it’s cold. Just came in from the hospital… praying all goes well.
IMAGINE: Just a quick reminder for this Sunday, December 11… we will have one combined morning service at 10:30 and an evening one at 6:00. The Celebration Choir will present IMAGINE in bother services. You will NOT want to miss this worship experience, and I am hoping that you are inviting your friends to come and be ministered to. I believe coffee and goodies will be out about a half-an-hour before both services begin. So come early… relax… sip a cup of coffee and enjoy a cookie or whatever treat there is… and don’t forget to fellowship before we start. I do hope to see you here.
Good Morning! It’s Thursday… it’s December… it’s beautiful… it’s cold. Just came in from the hospital… praying all goes well.
IMAGINE: Just a quick reminder for this Sunday, December 11… we will have one combined morning service at 10:30 and an evening one at 6:00. The Celebration Choir will present IMAGINE in bother services. You will NOT want to miss this worship experience, and I am hoping that you are inviting your friends to come and be ministered to. I believe coffee and goodies will be out about a half-an-hour before both services begin. So come early… relax… sip a cup of coffee and enjoy a cookie or whatever treat there is… and don’t forget to fellowship before we start. I do hope to see you here.
Encouragement
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone…” (Genesis 2:18)
I do not wish to take this verse out of context, as we all know the phrase that follows describes the creation of a woman to Adam. However, this verse is very fitting at Christmastime. Christmas, like Thanksgiving, and other holidays are great occasions for family and friends to get together. And when I think of it… that’s the way it’s been throughout history. So many times when man was alone… God seemed to bring other people along their side. Remember when David was alone fleeing for his life… God gave him Jonathan. How about Moses when he was thrown out of Egypt and ends up in Midian… God gave him Zipporah from Jethro. The widow thought that she and her son were all alone ready to die… but God gave her the Prophet Elijah in just the right time.
And as we journey through advent… my thoughts return to this verse, “it is not good for man to be alone…” And God sent forth His Son… born of a virgin… lying in a manger. Here are my few thoughts:
And as we journey through advent… my thoughts return to this verse, “it is not good for man to be alone…” And God sent forth His Son… born of a virgin… lying in a manger. Here are my few thoughts:
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Jesus did not push His way into our world. He was not born in the finest of hospitals… nor was he placed in some fancy room of the best hotel in town. Instead, He was born, perhaps, in a stable and his first bed was a manger. But it was not good for Joseph and Mary to be alone so God made an announcement to some shepherds on the night Jesus was born… and they came to gather around the manger.
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It was not good for Joseph and Mary to be alone, and eight days later, Simeon and Anna give thanks to the Lord in their presence.
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It was not good for Joseph and Mary to be alone, and in the right time, God sent forth some magi to present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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It was not good for Joseph and Mary to be alone, so God had them return to Nazareth to raise the family among other family members.
This Christmas, make sure you take advantage of the moments you have in every hour of the day. Renew friendships… get connected with family… if you are alone… call someone up… Don’t sit around home waiting for someone to call. The Lord has given you a church… and every week we are here. Don’t stay home. Come on over… grab a cup of coffee and a treat to eat. Sit down with others for worship and sing with joy. Listen and pray. Fellowship… It’s not good for you to be alone. Perhaps you can be the first to take the initiative.
HOPE-n-MIC: Tonight from 7:00-10:00 PM, the Christmas Party will happen. This is always a fun event. I hope to be here. There is also a TOY DRIVE so please be prepared, if you can, to bring a small toy along.
CHRISTMAS CARDS: Don’t forget to drop off your Christmas Cards for Children’s Ministries to deliver to your church family. This fundraiser benefits our kids but is also an easy way to get your cards to their “NewNaz” destination. This is the last Sunday to drop them off! See Pastor Kathy if you have any questions.
LADIES ORNAMENT & COOKIE EXCHANGE: I stopped by for only a few moments… and yes, I was the only man in the home that night, until Kenneth made his bold move downstairs. The cookies were great and it seemed the exchange of ornaments went well also. Here are a few photos of the event.
L.A. DISTRICT CHRISTMAS DINNER: It has been our privilege for the past few years to host the annual Los Angeles District Pastors’ Christmas Dinner in our FLC. I especially thank those of you who served by setting up, tearing down, and ministering throughout the evening. The district family is grateful… and so am I.
I love you and am really looking forward to the IMAGINE presentation this Sunday. I hope to see you here.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, December 05, 2011
Good Morning! It was cold out for our early morning run today… in fact, black ice on the running path where sprinklers were left on and water on the trail had frozen. This may have been our first encounter of ice for the season.
A very busy week for many of us… these few thoughts will be short. Tonight we will host the Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene Christmas Dinner in the Family Life Center. We’ll have a full house with pastors, spouses, staff… and other district leaders including our District Superintendent and his wife. We welcome everyone on our campus.
Last night, I went to the Santa Clarita Master Choral Concert where several of our own sang in the performance. Did you know that we had a good group of our children sing in the city’s children choir? Great job everyone… it was a great evening of music.
Good Morning! It was cold out for our early morning run today… in fact, black ice on the running path where sprinklers were left on and water on the trail had frozen. This may have been our first encounter of ice for the season.
A very busy week for many of us… these few thoughts will be short. Tonight we will host the Los Angeles District Church of the Nazarene Christmas Dinner in the Family Life Center. We’ll have a full house with pastors, spouses, staff… and other district leaders including our District Superintendent and his wife. We welcome everyone on our campus.
Last night, I went to the Santa Clarita Master Choral Concert where several of our own sang in the performance. Did you know that we had a good group of our children sing in the city’s children choir? Great job everyone… it was a great evening of music.
Encouragement
Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz… and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands…” Thus says the Lord God, “It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass.” (Isaiah 7:3-4, 7)
Can you identify with King Ahaz? It seemed that every enemy and neighboring country was out to get him and wipe out his small kingdom. As he sat in Jerusalem, shaking in his boots, here comes Isaiah with a message, “Hang in there, king… don’t worry… just be calm… it doesn’t really matter how big these armies are… they’re nothing! Just because they have planned evil against you… God says that it’s not going to happen. So hang on in there and don’t give up.” Here are my few thoughts:
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Sometimes there are life situations that look quite bleak. A financial mess… and you see no way out. Hang in there.
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Poor decisions made by family members and you are concerned for their wellbeing… keep on praying…
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Health reports that are not good and show all signs of a terminal problem…
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Deadlines to meet at work and you don’t see enough hours in the day to complete the tasks…
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The economy tells you that there are no jobs in your field of work so you had better start looking elsewhere…
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Loneliness is killing you and you just want a good close friend….
Whatever it is you struggle with in life… the Lord has a message for you at Christmastime. “Don’t give up!” The world NEVER has the last word. The devil has never been stronger than our God… and he isn’t today… and He won’t be tomorrow. Remember, every miracle ever recorded started off with a problem. The disciples told Jesus to send the crowds away… but Jesus fed them on just two small fish and five loaves of bread. The Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea… but God said, “March forward!” The Pharisees said, “Stone him… kill Stephen,” and they did… But Jesus said “Upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” And Saul, the leader of the persecutors that day… became the greatest leader of the early church and Stephen was pleased.
There is hope in the Lord! I love you and pray that this week will go well for you as you trust in Him with all your heart.
IMAGIINE: This Sunday, December 11, the Celebration Choir will be presenting IMAGINE at 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Please note that there will NOT be any Sunday School this coming Sunday and we have only one combined service in the morning. Don’t forget to invite your friends…
LADIES COOKIE & ORNAMENT EXCHANGE: Take two dozen cookies and a Christmas ornament to Janice Eernisse’s home on Tuesday night at 6:30.
HOPE-n-MIC: The final Hope-n-Mic of the year is this Thursday, December 8, from 7:00-10:00 PM.
LOST & FOUND: Don't forget to take the time to go to the Resource Room (located next to the Conference Room) and check to see if any of the items in the Lost & Found Box are yours. Anything not claimed will be donated on this Friday, December 9.
Have a wonderful week. I love you all…
Pastor Greg
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Good Morning! Check it out… it’s December 1! The final month in the year. Christmas Day is only 25 days away. Are you ready? Do you have all of your shopping completed? Is your home decorated? Have you enjoyed a glass of eggnog yet? Most of my answers to the above questions is “yes”… and I especially have been enjoying the eggnog.
Let me remind you to pick up a Devotional Advent Reading if you haven’t done so already. The church staff decided to write a few devotional thoughts for you to have each day in December leading up to Christmas. They are all simple reads… and included on each page are suggestions of what you can do as an individual, or even as a family, to bless others with during this advent season. So take a moment this season and reflect on the many treasures you enjoy at Christmas time!
Please be in prayer for the Burgess family; we just received word that Chuck’s mom passed away.
Good Morning! Check it out… it’s December 1! The final month in the year. Christmas Day is only 25 days away. Are you ready? Do you have all of your shopping completed? Is your home decorated? Have you enjoyed a glass of eggnog yet? Most of my answers to the above questions is “yes”… and I especially have been enjoying the eggnog.
Let me remind you to pick up a Devotional Advent Reading if you haven’t done so already. The church staff decided to write a few devotional thoughts for you to have each day in December leading up to Christmas. They are all simple reads… and included on each page are suggestions of what you can do as an individual, or even as a family, to bless others with during this advent season. So take a moment this season and reflect on the many treasures you enjoy at Christmas time!
Please be in prayer for the Burgess family; we just received word that Chuck’s mom passed away.
Encouragement
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab and tear down all of the sons of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17)
Moonlit nights are beautiful. The further you get away from the city lights, the clearer the skies become. The stars are brightly lit and flickering in the sky. The moon casting its beam of light on the earth’s surface below is nothing short of spectacular. I’ve never been a student of the stars and galaxies, but I do enjoy gazing up at the night sky. Can you imagine what it must have been like for those magi, who had studied the skies all their lives… and then one night… all of a sudden… there it is, a star… they hadn’t seen before… perhaps a new one… or one that had been there all along, but was not a “standout” until then… Having studied the scriptures, they finally put the pieces together and realized that prophecy was being fulfilled right before their very own eyes. They gather their belongings to begin a caravan to search for the King the star represented. Here are my few thoughts:
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The prophecy in Numbers was written more than 1000 years earlier. I happen to believe that the star was in the sky all along. For Jesus did not have His beginning when He was born in Bethlehem. He has always been. He is the great “I AM.” Perhaps the star spoken of in Numbers was there in the sky from the beginning of time…. The creation of the world. The star was already in place even before Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden.
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The writer says, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.” These words suggest that the star was there all along… just not in plain sight. Unless you were a student of the stars you would, perhaps, never know that something in the skies was changing. These magi from the East had been studying these stars for many years. They observed carefully every detail… movement in the skies.
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A few days ago, I was invited to pray a blessing over our service men and women at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park here in Newhall. When Leslie and I arrived there a few moments early, I was gazing up at the night’s sky… when all of a sudden… from up overhead… a shooting star fell through the night sky. It was bright and clear and seemed to last forever… Sometimes while running in the early dark morning hours, we’ll see shooting stars streak across the sky. That is one thing I never get tired of seeing. It’s simply awesome!
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And here we see a prophecy being made of a Star that will come from Israel. The people waited… hoping… watching… wondering… but, only a few foreigners were gazing in the right place to see that prophecy was being fulfilled before their own eyes. I don’t think the Star of Bethlehem was big. I don’t think that the common person glancing in the skies would have noticed much of a change the night Jesus was born. You see, as I read through scriptures… that’s not the way the Lord works. He appeared quietly through Gabriel to Zacharias… then to Mary… and then to Joseph. He could have made a huge announcement to all of Jerusalem by shouting out from heaven, “MY SON WILL BE COMING SOON… BE ALERT!”
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But He didn’t. Instead, He quietly… peacefully… calmly… gave signs to those who were interested… perhaps even searching. Could it be that some Bethlehem shepherds watching over their flocks that night were talking about the Messiah who was to come sometime, “And, wouldn’t it be neat if He came in our lifetime?” So God nudges the army of angels and says for them to go make an appearance to those shepherds… and they did.
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God didn’t shove His way into the best hotel or hospital… but He appeared in the most humble means… and rested His head on some straw.
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Simeon… an older man had been waiting a lifetime to see the Messiah… and He did.
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How much of Jesus do you want this Christmas? I happen to believe that you will get what you want. You want some grace in your lives… go searching the scriptures for some grace… spend some time with the Lord and you will find what you need.
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Check it out… He is near. He is here!
ANGEL TREE: Don’t forget to bring the gift AND the tag taped on the outside of the gift wrapped package for the Angel Tree by this Sunday, December 4. This will help the Mission’s Team organize the gifts to be given to the appropriate families. Thank you!
ADVENT READING AND CANDLELIGHTING: I especially love to see our families coming up front to share in the reading and the lighting of the Advent Candle. Last week, we heard the Good News of Jesus’ birth as prophesied in the Old Testament… and then we witnessed the lighting of the 1st candle… The Prophets’ Candle.
This coming Sunday we will read about the Christmas Angels and light the 2nd candle… The Angels’ Candle. Come and join us!
IMAGINE: Are you making plans to be with us for one of the presentations of IMAGINE? The Celebration Choir has been working very hard on this year’s Christmas presentation… 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. And don’t forget to invite your friends and neighbors.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES: Every year, we usher in Christmas Day with a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. This year we will have two services: 5:30 and 11:00 p.m. If you or your family would like to participate in one, or both, of these services with a special song or reading… please let me know ASAP.
INTOUCH: You will want to pick up your INTOUCH quarterly publication at the Welcome Center. This Winter’s edition will give you lots of information as to the upcoming ministries and events.
I love you and I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday. Have a wonderful day.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, November 28, 2011
Good Morning! Perhaps we’ve all eaten a little too much food these recent days. Lots of leftovers… pies… sweets and other treats. We are blessed with the abundance we enjoy today. Let’s remember to be thankful for all that we have in life… even the small things. I especially loved reading the comments and on the “I AM THANKFUL FOR…” banner that was hung in the FLC for Pie Night. Many of you expressed your thanks to the Lord for the abundant blessings He pours out for us.
Good Morning! Perhaps we’ve all eaten a little too much food these recent days. Lots of leftovers… pies… sweets and other treats. We are blessed with the abundance we enjoy today. Let’s remember to be thankful for all that we have in life… even the small things. I especially loved reading the comments and on the “I AM THANKFUL FOR…” banner that was hung in the FLC for Pie Night. Many of you expressed your thanks to the Lord for the abundant blessings He pours out for us.
As we’ve taken time to decorate the church for advent, I want to thank you for several things:
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Thanks for the large group we had on Tuesday, November 22, to decorate the church!
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Thank you for the poinsettias you are bringing over to the sanctuary. We will always take more poinsettias.
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Thank you for picking up the Angel Tree tags for the needy families in our community. There are a few more tags on the tree.
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Thank you for stepping in to assist with Family Promise the week of Christmas.
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Thank you!
Encouragement
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke of his youth. Let him sit alone and be silent, since he has laid it on him. Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope. Let him give his cheeks to the smiter; let him be filled with reproach. For the Lord will not reject forever, for if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness. (Lamentations 3:22-32)
I typically do not spend a great deal of time in the Book of Lamentations. Jeremiah, who was known as “The Weeping Prophet”, spent a great deal of time expressing grief over the condition of Israel. It pained him to see the downward spiral his people continued to journey in. It seemed that their decisions were a bad one after another. They went from bad to worse… and in a hurry. The further they got away from the Lord… the rougher the journey. Here are my few thoughts:
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I wonder what the Lord thinks about our Christmases today. Just when we think that our culture could not get more materialistic minded… all of a sudden Black Friday has crept into Thursday. When department stores… malls… and centers were opening extra early on Friday morning… the day after Thanksgiving… several stores decided to beat all others by opening on Thanksgiving Day at 10:00 PM to begin Black Friday.
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People were camped out in front of stores hours and even days before Black Friday was even open for sales. Several fights broke out where people were in a mad rush to pick up that one special item that was hundreds of dollars off… Amazing!
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Even on that first Christmas… in a small town called Bethlehem, there were hundreds… if not thousands, of people cramming every hotel, motel, and inn for a place to stay. And on that busy night, with crowds pressing in everywhere… not for sales… but for a place to rest their heads, heaven broke through earth’s rush of life… and far away in the backyards of a stable, a baby’s cry broke the silence in a barn.
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There were no lines zig-zagging through bales of hay with eager folks to witness the birth of a baby born in a barn. There were no groups of campers out front waiting for the arrival of heaven’s King of Kings. It was a lonely night for Joseph and Mary until a few smelly shepherds arrived to see what had been proclaimed to them earlier that evening.
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As Jeremiah so plainly lays it out for us, God is forever love… He is always kind… He is eternally compassionate. He patiently waited for the arrival of the shepherds. He waited for the wise men who lost their way when they turned for Jerusalem instead of following the star for Bethlehem. He waited until the eighth day for Simeon and Anna to praise Him after Joseph and Mary made their way to Jerusalem.
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And as we can see today… God’s blessings are new each and every morning. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!
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As we enter this season of advent… we celebrate the FACT that Jesus Christ has come. The long-awaited Messiah that was prayed for in the Old Testament has come… Today, as you enter this season of advent, slow down… count your blessings and take a look at the faithfulness of the Lord in your life. Sit down… be silent… be still… If you feel like you need to be in a rush… run over to wherever your Bible is located… take hold of the scriptures… spend a few more moments with the Lord in prayer today. He’s a whole lot better than that sale item for something you may never really need.
Congratulations to Pastor Aaron & Marcia Song! Hayeun Evan Song was born on Sunday, November 27.
DEVOTIONAL ADVENT READINGS: If you have yet to pick up the devotionals written out by the staff of the church, you may do so at any time by dropping by the Welcome Center. The readings will start on December 1.
ADVENT WORKSHOP: To begin the Christmas Season… Kathy Cannon and her team of leaders led us in a wonderful advent workshop following the second morning service in the FLC. We enjoyed soup and salad and then the creation of crafts and ornaments. What a special time we enjoyed together!
IMAGINE: In only two weeks, we will have a special Christmas Presentation called IMAGINE. You will not want to miss this choir presentation which will all happen on Sunday, December 11. 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Begin now to invite your friends and neighbors to join you for this Christmas special.
LOST & FOUND: Please take the time to go to the Resource Room (located next to the Conference Room) and check to see if any of the items in the Lost & Found Box are yours. Anything not claimed will be donated on Friday, December 9.
I love you and I hope to see you in church real soon. Have a wonderful week. Make it a point to begin this advent season with Jesus on the forefront of your mind. See you soon.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Monday, November 21, 2011
Good Morning! Rain, rain, rain… that was the name of the game yesterday! While we were in church, it rained steady for nearly the entire time, giving us more than 1.4 inches of rain during that short period. I know… in certain places of the world, 1.4 inches of rain in a 3-hour period is nothing, but for SoCal it’s a big deal and especially for the month of November. So this morning we are overcast, cloudy and cold. A perfect morning for a hot cup of coffee while sitting indoors.
Good Morning! Rain, rain, rain… that was the name of the game yesterday! While we were in church, it rained steady for nearly the entire time, giving us more than 1.4 inches of rain during that short period. I know… in certain places of the world, 1.4 inches of rain in a 3-hour period is nothing, but for SoCal it’s a big deal and especially for the month of November. So this morning we are overcast, cloudy and cold. A perfect morning for a hot cup of coffee while sitting indoors.
Encouragement
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels, and the judgments uttered by His mouth. (Psalm 105:1-5)
How do you begin your day? What’s the first thing you think of when you rise out of bed? Or better yet, as you lay there in your bed… staring at the alarm clock wishing it read “2:00 AM” so that you could roll back over and catch a few more hours of sleep. What are you thinking as you lay there in bed waiting for your legs to carry you out of bed to begin your day? What we do in those first few moments of the day, I happen to believe, will determine our actions throughout the day.
I especially like the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Thessalonica when he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always… pray without ceasing… in everything give thanks…” In similar ways, Paul is repeating what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 105. Check out some of these words: “Give thanks… Call upon His name… Make known… Sing to Him… Speak of all His wonders… Glory in His name… Seek the Lord… Remember His wonders…” Think about it… we could spend a lifetime simply responding to what the psalmist calls for us to do. Here are my few thoughts:
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One of the things I especially enjoy is taking my time while driving along some of our roads and streets in the SCV area. Can you spot where these photos were taken? If you guessed Wiley Canyon Road… you are correct. I love this drive, especially this time of the year. While coming to the church on Saturday, I had to pull over and snap a few photos of the trees. Do you ever just give thanks to the Lord for the beauty you see in His handiwork?
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Before you begin your day… take a few moments to thank the Lord for the special blessings you are enjoying today. If you think about it, I am certain your list will grow as you begin to bless the Lord with a heart filled with thanks.
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Did you enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee or tea this morning? Was the furnace to your home working properly? Did you sit around the breakfast table for a meal? Do you have friends and family who love you today? Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? If, so… you have an inheritance in His kingdom… are you thankful?
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If I may challenge you to do anything this week… before you roll out of bed… take a moment to share your thanks and praise to the Lord who loves you and cares for you today. It will do you a lot of good!
PIE NIGHT: Are you coming to Pie Night tomorrow night (Tuesday, Nov.22 at 6:30)? This is always a special evening for all of us as we come to enjoy a slice of pie, or two, or three… And if you can… please join us at 4:00 PM, just two-and-half-hours earlier to begin decorating the church for Christmas. We could use your help.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING: I am told that 90% of Americans will be eating turkey this Thursday. That’s a very high percentage… but I guess it’s families like the Garmans that keep it from getting to the 100% level. We will enjoy a Peruvian meal of papa a la huancaina, sopa, lomito saltado, and flan for our Thanksgiving meal. I’m sure that we will throw in a piece of Panetone as well.
I trust that you will enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends. Some of you are traveling to be with family… others of you are welcoming out-of-town relatives. May your day be extra special as you remember and reflect on the many reasons we have to be thankful! My body may not be in perfect condition for racing right now… as I still struggle with sciatica and periformis muscle issues. But, I can still run and enjoy the outdoors… so, my Thanksgiving Thursday morning will begin bright and early. A group of us will rise early and head out to Burbank to race in a 5K they are hosting there in downtown Burbank. A great way to kick off the terrific day… I am truly thankful for the opportunity to run. God is good!
Are you one of those early morning Black Friday shoppers? Which one of these two ladies will hit the ground running early Friday morning???... I mean… shopping, not running? I can’t get either one of them to join me in the Thanksgiving race in Burbank.
I trust that you will enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends. Some of you are traveling to be with family… others of you are welcoming out-of-town relatives. May your day be extra special as you remember and reflect on the many reasons we have to be thankful! My body may not be in perfect condition for racing right now… as I still struggle with sciatica and periformis muscle issues. But, I can still run and enjoy the outdoors… so, my Thanksgiving Thursday morning will begin bright and early. A group of us will rise early and head out to Burbank to race in a 5K they are hosting there in downtown Burbank. A great way to kick off the terrific day… I am truly thankful for the opportunity to run. God is good!
Are you one of those early morning Black Friday shoppers? Which one of these two ladies will hit the ground running early Friday morning???... I mean… shopping, not running? I can’t get either one of them to join me in the Thanksgiving race in Burbank.
ADVENT WORKSHOP: Don’t forget that this coming Sunday is our 1st Sunday in Advent… and to celebrate this wonderful day, there will be a craft workshop following the second worship service. You can stick around with your family and enjoy a bowl of soup and a special time decorating ornaments and other things that Kathy Cannon is preparing for this neat day.
ANGEL TREE: It’s that time of the year, once again… stop by the church lobby and pick up an ornament/name tag that is hanging on the Angel Tree. We ask that you purchase the item on the tag and return the gift, along with the tag, by December 4. Thanks for your help!
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Do you enjoy the Christmas colors and flowers? I do. Why not pick up a few poinsettias and bring them over to the church. If you would prefer to pick up an artificial one… that is fine too. If it is real… please make sure there is a container underneath to catch the water… or make sure there is colorful wrapping around the container. Please make sure to mark your flower pot so that you can pick it up after Christmas.
PLNU BOARD OF TRUSTEES: I have been privileged to be a member of the BOT for PLNU these last 10 years or so, and have just returned from our semi-annual meetings at the university in San Diego. What a beautiful place… though the sun never came out while we were there. I was thankful for the reports shared and heard of the way the Lord is moving across the campus. Sure, there are issues and trials there… as there are in any place… but to hear how the Lord is stirring the hearts of young lives is a blessing to me.
There is so much happening… It’s a great day to be in ministry. I look forward to our next 5 Sundays as we celebrate Christmas. May the Lord watch over and bless you! I love you and I hope to see you in church.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, November 14, 2011
Good Morning! A gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley… blue skies everywhere following a few rainy days, though not much rain was received. Since October 1, we have received 3.7 inches of rain at the church. That’s amazing for this time of the year, though. Many years we are bone dry through Thanksgiving… and to get several storms already. WOW!
A special thanks to all of our veterans who have served us over the years. I trust you had a good Veterans’ Day on Friday. Leslie pointed out for me to see that in The Signal, my great uncle, Bill Harrison, who had spoken at our Patriotic Service about 3 years ago, was here in town to speak at one of our schools last week. You may remember his story. He is 91-years-old and is a survivor of WWII when his ship went down in the Pacific; he survived more than 8 days floating with a group of men on an inflatable raft.
Good Morning! A gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley… blue skies everywhere following a few rainy days, though not much rain was received. Since October 1, we have received 3.7 inches of rain at the church. That’s amazing for this time of the year, though. Many years we are bone dry through Thanksgiving… and to get several storms already. WOW!
A special thanks to all of our veterans who have served us over the years. I trust you had a good Veterans’ Day on Friday. Leslie pointed out for me to see that in The Signal, my great uncle, Bill Harrison, who had spoken at our Patriotic Service about 3 years ago, was here in town to speak at one of our schools last week. You may remember his story. He is 91-years-old and is a survivor of WWII when his ship went down in the Pacific; he survived more than 8 days floating with a group of men on an inflatable raft.
Encouragement
“Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
Several years ago, Bette Midler sang a song entitled From a Distance. The chorus repeated itself time and time again, “God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us… from a distance.” I recall hearing that song on the radio for the first time and thinking to myself… and perhaps even sharing my thoughts with Leslie, as to how much I disliked that song. As I listened to the lyrics again, I discovered that the message spoke to the fact that things appear so different from a distance. We even sing a song that says “purple mountains majesty…” yet, if we get up close… there is no purple in the mountains at all. Is the ocean water really blue? But, this song suggests that God is watching us from a distance… and here in this passage, the Lord even asks Jeremiah and all of Israel this same question. Here are my few thoughts:
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Sometimes we go through life, perhaps, thinking… even hoping, that maybe God is watching us from a distance. At times, our actions in life may make it seem that we hope He is observing us from a distance… and not engaged in our lives. The question we might ask ourselves, “Would we do the things we do, or say the things we say, if we saw the Lord standing along our side?”
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Yet He sees everything. He is near. Not simply near, but here. How close is near? In comparison with New York, San Diego is near to where I live. But, if I’m going out for a run this afternoon, San Diego is a long ways off. I would never make it there in a single run.
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As we spend time with the Lord in our daily devotional time… let’s remember that He is here, right there.
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In the very last verse in the Book of Ezekiel, we see another title for the Lord: THE LORD IS THERE Let it be known that God is there… He is near… He is here. There is no escaping His presence. We may wish, at times, that God is watching us from a distance… but He is not. I happen to believe that He is on the edge of His seat, eager and ready to descend from heaven, with the trumpet sound, and the loud SHOUT… Are you ready for His coming to reclaim His church?
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Today, live your life as if He is coming right now to claim His bride to His side. If you are hurting and in pain… may the Lord wrap His loving arms around you and help you understand His holy presence! If you are in despair… may the Lord grant you eyes to see so you can look to Him for the hope you need! Are finances tight? The Lord… the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, will help you through. Are you suffering? The Lord is the great healer who is right here. Are you lonely? The Lord is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
DECEMBER GRIEF: This time of year, while it is filled with excitement and blessings as we anticipate the holidays, can also bring sadness and stress as we remember family members and friends who are no longer here to share these experiences with us. Pastor Carol will be leading a seminar/discussion tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at church, on making the holidays meaningful by honoring the memory of our loved ones and joyful Christmases together.
PIE NIGHT IS COMING: With Thanksgiving just around the corner… next week (November 23) we will NOT have any Wednesday night ministries here at NewNaz. Instead, you can come on Tuesday, November 22, and do one of two things… or both: Beginning at 4:00 PM, we will begin the process of decorating the church for Christmas. Can you help? There will be lots of assignments and work to do. Then afterwards, we will meet in the FLC for our annual Pie Night at 6:30. I hope to see you here!
THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: Yesterday, we spent a few moments reflecting on the many countries in the world that are suffering from persecution. In certain places, there is more persecution than ever before. Christians are beaten… imprisoned… and even killed for their love to Jesus. I trust that you will not just make this a “once a year” prayer item, but that you will continue to pray for the church around the world. One interesting fact is that some of the greatest church growth happening today is happening in heavily persecuted areas. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it.” He is doing that very thing… and we are part of it.
DALLAS HOLM CONCERT: We enjoyed another wonderful evening with Dallas Holm and his wife, Linda. They ministered to us in a concert format on Friday night, November 11. The choir also enjoyed singing backup for him on the song he recorded, “Rise Again.” I am grateful to the Lord for the ministry of the Holms to us. Not only is Dallas a gifted musician, but he is also a powerful preacher for the Gospel of Jesus.
I love you all… hope to see you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Good Morning! The good news about rain that is coming… typically it warms up a bit. And that’s been the case the last few mornings. No frost or bitterly cold mornings. And now they say it’s supposed to rain beginning tomorrow over the weekend. So far… since October 5, we have received 3.25 inches of rain here at the church. And I can hardly remember getting a drop before Thanksgiving in years past.
You know… sometimes the staff comes up with a great idea. Sometimes the ideas are… Well, last week Pastor Kathy Cannon came up with the idea that the staff should handle the Wednesday Night Dinner. So we did last night. I brought my camera to prove to you that the staff does work at times… but forgot to take a picture of us working. So, if you weren’t here, you’ll just have to take my word for it. We did enjoy the work in the kitchen. Setting up… serving… I didn’t cook anything, but someone did… and it was good. But most of all, our thanks goes out to Anna Ulvan. WE would have been lost in the kitchen had she not been there. Thank you Anna for saving the day!
Good Morning! The good news about rain that is coming… typically it warms up a bit. And that’s been the case the last few mornings. No frost or bitterly cold mornings. And now they say it’s supposed to rain beginning tomorrow over the weekend. So far… since October 5, we have received 3.25 inches of rain here at the church. And I can hardly remember getting a drop before Thanksgiving in years past.
You know… sometimes the staff comes up with a great idea. Sometimes the ideas are… Well, last week Pastor Kathy Cannon came up with the idea that the staff should handle the Wednesday Night Dinner. So we did last night. I brought my camera to prove to you that the staff does work at times… but forgot to take a picture of us working. So, if you weren’t here, you’ll just have to take my word for it. We did enjoy the work in the kitchen. Setting up… serving… I didn’t cook anything, but someone did… and it was good. But most of all, our thanks goes out to Anna Ulvan. WE would have been lost in the kitchen had she not been there. Thank you Anna for saving the day!
Encouragement
When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.” (I Samuel 4:3)
Chapter 4 in the Book of First Samuel was a very harsh period for Israel. Eli was the last of all the judges they had. (Unless you consider Samuel a judge… who, in my estimation, served as both judge and prophet.) There was wickedness among the sons of Eli who served as priests before the people. They were wicked… sinful and incredibly corrupt. All they thought about was themselves… and they disgraced the priestly office and ministry. In the midst of a lack of spiritual guidance… Israel was smack in the middle of conflicts with the Philistines. For decades the Israelites did NOT do as the Lord had instructed, and they allowed many of the neighboring nations to dwell among them. Little, if any, purging took place… and slowly but surely, the pagan influence of the land began to infiltrate the Israelite camp. It was not a pretty sight. Here are my few thoughts:
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In chapter 2, we learn two things about Eli’s two sons: First: They did not know the Lord. Second: They did not uphold the practices of the priestly office. Yet, they continued on leading and serving in this spiritual position of leadership… and as they did, they were corrupting everything around them.
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As they went out to fight against the Philistines… the Philistines would win, and win big. This went on for quite some time, until finally, the two sons of Eli get this idea in their head… “Let’s get the ark of the covenant… that’s our problem… we haven’t had the ark with us… and when the ark is not there, God is not here. Because, God lives in the ark.” You see, these guys had led Israel to believe that God was someone who could be controlled. You can call this “God in the Box!”
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They thought that it was possible to package up God in just the way they needed Him to be in order to give them victory. It’s interesting that they got the first thing right when they asked the question, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?” They were right about it. The Lord was ultimately in control. He had allowed the Philistines to prevail on the battlefield. But little did they know that God had not been present for quite some time. He does not stick around where sin is present. God and sin do not mix. But, these superstitious guys think that what was missing was the box… “If we can only get the box… our good luck charm… out there… THEN we will win.”
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You see, even in this thinking, they had lost their focus all together. Take a closer look at what they say, “… that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies.” God is nowhere in the picture. Their focus is solely on the box… the ark. Not on God. You would have thought that after all they had been through that they would have fallen to their knees in repentance and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness, and sought Him with their whole heart, mind, and strength. But, to them… God was to be controlled… contained… influenced…
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As I reflect on this passage and take a closer look at my life, I pray that my habits don’t get in the way of my relationship with the Lord. As I read the Bible, may the Lord speak to me! May the Holy Spirit guide my every thought and action! Is your Bible on the shelf just to be there as a “good luck” measure? Do you come to church because you want to make sure that God sees you going to church? Do you pray before you bite into your food because you don’t want to get sick if you forget to pray? God is not to be controlled in any way by our thoughts or actions. He is in control. He is in charge. Seek the Lord first in all things. Allow Him first place in every area of your life.
HOPE-n-MIC: Tonight from 7:00-10:00, you are invited to Hope-n-Mic right here at the church. Robert and Aurora Heller, along with their crew, put a great event together each month. If you are free… come on over and enjoy the music. You will enjoy it!
DALLAS HOLM CONCERT: This Friday night, November 11 at 7:00 PM, Dallas Holm will be in concert right here at NewNaz. There is no charge for the event, but we will receive a freewill offering in the concert. For those of you who may not know Dallas, he is a renowned Christian artist who ministers through music, and he also has a gift for teaching. He may be best known for his song recorded a few decades ago, Rise Again. We invite you to come and share with us for this exciting evening together.
CONGRATULATIONS, CHAPLAIN DAVID VERNON: Last weekend our very own, Dave Vernon, was honored as Chaplain of the Year by the non-profit organization Marketplace Chaplains. PJ and Dave were flown back to the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina where he was surprised by this honor on Saturday night. We commend Dave on his great ministry to the places he serves and families he works with. What a blessing it is to have Dave working in ministry along our side! Congratulations Dave, on a well deserving honor.
KOREAN 3RD ANNIVERSARY: Here are a few photos from last weekend’s celebration here at church:
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: You will want to be here this Sunday as we pray together for our Christian brothers and sisters in areas where there is incredible persecution. I will then transition into the message the Lord has placed on my heart to preach entitled, Pursuing Holiness, as we continue our journey through Ephesians. May the Lord bless you! I love you and I hope to see you in church this Sunday…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, November 07, 2011
Good Morning! I think we may have skipped right over fall and run smack into winter. My word, it’s cold out there! As I left the house this morning for the coffee shop, I could see my breath as I walked across the parking lot. I think the temps were in the 30s. That is cold for SoCal, especially for early November. Ok… enough about my whining… we move on.
The Santa Clarita Marathon was run yesterday… and no, I did not run in any of the events. When I woke up on Sunday morning as watched the rain fall... I was especially glad to have the morning off from running. I don’t mind running in the rain… it’s just difficult getting out of the car to start off in the rain. At around mile 18 or 20… if the rain would come at that time in the race, would be very nice. My friends who ran in the half and full marathons yesterday did quite well. Some of the guys I run with even went to race in the NYC Marathon (same day as SCV). It’s neat to see the different times that everyone ran. I will continue to heal up and begin to get ready for the Nashville Marathon on April 28.
Encouragement
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built His house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:24-29)
I love this story… always have. As a child I can remember singing the song. It was one of those fun Sunday School-type songs… with hand motions and all. And how fun it was to get to the part of the foolish man. Oh yeah… it was my favorite. “The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. And the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down as the floods came up. The rains came down as the floods came up. The rains came down as the floods came up and the house on the sand went CRASH.” You see… this song was written for every boy… every boy who needed to let out some energy. It was never good enough to just use our hand motions. NO WAY! When it came to the CRASH… I had to let it all out. As a boy, I remember thinking that this was my time to shine. The bigger the CRASH… the greater the emphasis on the stupidity of NOT building the house correctly. So… when we’d sing that song and we came to the word “CRASH”… I would crash… literally. My entire body would fall to the floor… convulsing… flopping… because when those rains hit and the floods came… I was wiped out. And of course, that action seemed to always rouse a response from those around me… so the next time we’d sing it, I would have to outdo my previous act. Boys will be boys. This behavior would go on for a very long time… until the leader would come… stand over me… and say… “Okay Greg… I think you are taking this too far.” Here are my few thoughts:
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A key word in the beginning of this passage is essential to understand Jesus’ point about the wise man and foolish man. “Therefore…” means that we must look back over the words Jesus had just spoken earlier. In the previous verses, Jesus was speaking on our actions. “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Jesus was big on the idea of “practicing what you preach."
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Notice how Jesus mentions that we must put into practice what we hear from Him. To believe is also to take action. It is not good enough to know about Him… we must KNOW HIM.
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For a period of time we can go through life and, perhaps, fake out other people. We can come to church with our happy smiles… say all the right things… sing all of the songs… find the scripture in the Bible without reluctance. If you think about it… much of what we do in life… we can do because we’ve been doing it for such a long time… and others watching us may think that all is well and God and we are so tight.
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From the outside looking in… everything looks great and normal. Paul once said, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” We will never be able to fake the Lord out. NEVER! And in time… we won’t fake out others either. Sooner or later, storms in life will come.
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I think that may very well be the reason I love the story of Joseph in the Old Testament so much. That’s why I like the story of Job. Both of these men… when they encountered struggle after struggle… trial after trial… problem after problem… and storm after storm… their character did not waiver. We have heard some people say, “This storm is going to make you stronger!” I’ve always hated that expression. Maybe I don’t want to get stronger right now. Even though there is an element of truth to that statement… I believe more importantly, storms come up in life because they just DO. Welcome to life! Storms come. The rain will fall. Trials come up. No one likes them… and if you do… you are all alone. I can’t stand to go through the storms in life.
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But there is one truth that rings forever… when that storm comes and attacks you, it will certainly reveal one true thing: It’s going to reveal the true you. How deeply rooted are you? How firm is your foundation? I have laid many foundations in areas of construction. One of the most difficult things to do in preparing for the foundation work is digging the footings. Where there a rocky soil… it is tough and toilsome. It’s never easy. The temptation is to dig a very shallow footing and call it quits. Once the building is up… you would never know. UNTIL…
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Today, may I encourage you to dig deep… dig into the Word of God. Build your foundation on Jesus and His teaching. Don’t simply rely on the teachings from Sunday to get you through. You need His grace today. Storms will come, and if you aren’t rooted well… you could crash. You don’t want to crash… you want to come through the other end with flying colors.
BOUTIQUE: On Saturday from 9:00-3:00, life was quite busy in the FLC with the boutique going on. We had many venders show up with all sorts of creative things. There seemed to be something for everyone. Of course, I was drawn to the goodies table where there were baked items to munch on. Great job, ladies… for putting on a great boutique!
KOREAN 3RD ANNIVERSARY: Our Korean ministry celebrated its 3rd anniversary here at NewNaz yesterday. There were a couple of Korean Churches from the Los Angeles area that came to join us in the celebration as we worshipped at 4:00 PM and then enjoyed a wonderful meal together in the FLC following the service. We commend Pastor Aaron and Marcia Song on their leadership along with Jack and Mari Kim. One thing that I especially enjoyed was watching the Taekwondo Demonstration Team in action. They were good and very impressive. BTW… the instructor of the studio is now a member of our Korean ministry. We thank the Lord for what He is doing through our Korean ministry here at NewNaz… Photos to come on Thursday.
May the Lord bless you today and throughout the week! I love you and I hope to see you on Wednesday… or Sunday. Remember, this Sunday we will take some moments to honor our brothers and sisters in Christ who are under heavy persecution as we take some time to pray for the church.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, November 3, 2011
TIME CHANGE ON SATURDAY NIGHT!
Good Morning! The dry winds are blowing in the SoCal area once again and many fear the arrival of fire season. It is during this time of the year we have had some of our worst fires in the days past. Yesterday morning while on my early AM run… the wind was so strong it nearly blew my running partner and I off the pathway a few times. My mouth was dry and I was very thirsty by the time we turned around to head back to the cars. Fortunately the wind was consistent, so… where we had the headwind, after turning around we got the tailwind to push us along.
Encouragement
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and scourge you in their synagogues; and you shall even be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:16-18)
Where in the world did we ever get the idea that the Christian walk is an easy one? That once you say “yes” to Jesus… you will have smooth sailing waters from here on out… Don’t get me wrong… since I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior… my life has been great…Jesus has redeemed me and has brought me into His family. I have peace that is everlasting and a joy that is unspeakable… I am free today!
As we approach the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, these words of Jesus come to me with fresh new meaning. The picture Jesus paints of His faithful followers and witnesses for the Gospel is challenging. He says that He is sending them out as “sheep in the midst of wolves.” Have you ever watched the Discovery Channel and seen the actions of wildlife out in the open? Have you seen the lion or the hyena lying in wait… Here are my few thoughts:
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Most of us don’t really know what it’s like to be sheep in the midst of wolves for one of several reasons: Perhaps we’ve never lived in a dangerous country where it was forbidden to share the Gospel message of Jesus. Or maybe, we think that we’ve not been commissioned by the Lord to do so. Or perhaps, we’ve been too timid and have never stepped out of our comfort zone to share our love for the Lord.
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One thing I find interesting is that when Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, they all returned safe and sound. In Luke, we discover that Jesus sent out 70 in groups of twos. There is no report of anyone getting hurt or being persecuted. At least… at that very time. The persecution would arise in their latter years of ministry.
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But the thing I find most intriguing in these words of Jesus is when He transitions from speaking metaphorically of the persecution to come to where He speaks in literal terms. From His choice of words like sheep… wolves… serpents… doves but in the very next verse, Jesus uses a transitioning word: “BUT”… It is almost as if Jesus pauses for a brief moment to give a huge warming. “you are going out as a helpless lamb among hungry lions and wolves... BUT let Me tell you…beware of men!” You see, Jesus was well aware of the evil tendencies of mankind. At least when a wolf attacks a sheep… it’s for food. There is a reason for it. But, men can be ugly… sin is all too destructive. Sin tears apart… and makes men do things that are unspeakable.
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Men destroy for the sake of destroying… because they don’t like you… because they don’t like God. As I’ve been reflecting these recent weeks on the photos and countries listed in our bulletins… I’ve been praying for the Church around the world. People, even now, are being persecuted for Christ.
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May the Lord grant them His peace… His wisdom! Have you searched deep within? Do you want to be a spokesman for the Lord? You may not get attacked today… you may not get persecuted today… you may not even be criticized today. But, go ahead… shine your light for Jesus today. It’s okay… He will guide you all the way. It may not be easy… it probably will NOT be easy. But remember, we are all called to be His witnesses. Paul reminds us that whether we have the gift or not, we are all called to do the work of an evangelist. Don’t look for the easy way in life. Step out of your comfort zone. It’s hard… I know it… you know it… but do it anyway!
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: Ladies and MEN… don’t forget about the Holiday Boutique right here in the Family Life Center this Saturday, November 5, from 9:00-3:00. I hear, and I have even begun to see, lots of neat and creative things coming in. There will be all sorts of fun booths for you to come and check out. I’ll be here… will you?
NEW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AT 10:30: Beginning this Sunday, November 6, at 10:30 Gil Mertz will begin teaching a new adult Sunday School Class that will run for a period of six weeks. If you come to the 9:00 AM service, this is a perfect way to get connected in a small group study afterwards. The meeting place will be in the Conference Room.
3RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR KOREAN MINISTRY: You are invited to come and share in the celebration service for our Korean ministry this Sunday, November 6 at 4:00 PM in the sanctuary. Special guest speaker, Rev. Bongha Lee, will give us the challenge in the message the Lord places on his heart to share. During the dinner celebration, there will also be a Taekwondo performance team to demonstrate their skills. Come celebrate along with Pastor Aaron Song and his ministry.
THURSDAY’S TOP TEN: Why I like the month of November…
10: It’s less than 8 weeks until Christmas.
9: Thanksgiving is just around the corner… who doesn’t like the delicious meal we’ll all share with family and relatives?
8: The traffic is so slow and backed up on the freeway right now… but I’m snuggled behind my desk with my portable heater working full throttle.
7: No heavy training this month. One small race on Thanksgiving morning is all.
6: There’s no need to run the air conditioning, thus keeping the electric bill down.
5: This month helps me focus on the Persecuted Church as we approach the International Day of Prayer for many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord undergoing heavy persecution.
4: Usually it’s the start of the NBA season. What a bummer! Not this year.
3: As a kid, November was a great month because it meant that in a few weeks we’d be getting out for Christmas vacation and we would see mom and dad after 4 months of being away in boarding school.
2: My daughter, Aubree, will come home soon.
1: My refrigerator is full of leftover chocolates and candy from Trunk or Treat!
10: It’s less than 8 weeks until Christmas.
9: Thanksgiving is just around the corner… who doesn’t like the delicious meal we’ll all share with family and relatives?
8: The traffic is so slow and backed up on the freeway right now… but I’m snuggled behind my desk with my portable heater working full throttle.
7: No heavy training this month. One small race on Thanksgiving morning is all.
6: There’s no need to run the air conditioning, thus keeping the electric bill down.
5: This month helps me focus on the Persecuted Church as we approach the International Day of Prayer for many of our brothers and sisters in the Lord undergoing heavy persecution.
4: Usually it’s the start of the NBA season. What a bummer! Not this year.
3: As a kid, November was a great month because it meant that in a few weeks we’d be getting out for Christmas vacation and we would see mom and dad after 4 months of being away in boarding school.
2: My daughter, Aubree, will come home soon.
1: My refrigerator is full of leftover chocolates and candy from Trunk or Treat!
I love you and hope to see you in church this Sunday. The message is entitled “My Place in His Plan.” You see, God has a plan for you… for me… so long as we let Him lead. As we enter into chapter 4 in Ephesians, we begin to focus on the more practical aspects of Paul’s letter. I hope to see you here.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, October 31, 2011
Good Morning! It’s the final day in October. Tomorrow begins a new month… and this week ends the Daylight Savings Time. Yep… that’s right, come Saturday night when you go to bed, you will need to change your clocks so that you get an extra hour of sleep. This one is the good and easy one. If you do nothing and forget to change your clocks… you will be an hour early for church on Sunday.
I’m looking out my office window right now… a perfect and calm day. The skies are blue… the wind is calm… the air is crisp and cool. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Yesterday after church, someone informed me that we are to have a La Niña winter this year. I’m not really sure these weathermen can do such great jobs predicting what sort of winters we’re going to have. I always crack up whenever I go to the 10-day forecast… they can hardly get it right in three days… and then they try and give us a 10-day forecast? C’mon! So what does La Niña mean anyway? Less rain but colder temps… more rain but warmer temps… warmer temps but snow in the middle of the day… I think La Niña means… “Good luck trying to figure it out.” At least when they say El Niño, you know what’s supposed to happen. Isn’t that the way it is in life? Ok… I had better stop here before I get into trouble.
We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday at church yesterday. One combined service was special. Sometimes it’s simply great to all be together. I enjoyed that. It was the beginning of a new time for the second hour of worship. From this point forward, our service times will be 9:00 (in the FLC) and 10:30 (in the sanctuary). The Chili cook-off was a huge success. Many of you brought your favorite homemade chili to share in the FLC. We had chili to spare this year… with cornbread… hotdogs… brownies and all. What a special afternoon! Thank you Pastor Kathy Cannon and your team of leaders for pulling this thing together! Below are a few photos of the day’s events and ministries:
Good Morning! It’s the final day in October. Tomorrow begins a new month… and this week ends the Daylight Savings Time. Yep… that’s right, come Saturday night when you go to bed, you will need to change your clocks so that you get an extra hour of sleep. This one is the good and easy one. If you do nothing and forget to change your clocks… you will be an hour early for church on Sunday.
I’m looking out my office window right now… a perfect and calm day. The skies are blue… the wind is calm… the air is crisp and cool. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Yesterday after church, someone informed me that we are to have a La Niña winter this year. I’m not really sure these weathermen can do such great jobs predicting what sort of winters we’re going to have. I always crack up whenever I go to the 10-day forecast… they can hardly get it right in three days… and then they try and give us a 10-day forecast? C’mon! So what does La Niña mean anyway? Less rain but colder temps… more rain but warmer temps… warmer temps but snow in the middle of the day… I think La Niña means… “Good luck trying to figure it out.” At least when they say El Niño, you know what’s supposed to happen. Isn’t that the way it is in life? Ok… I had better stop here before I get into trouble.
We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday at church yesterday. One combined service was special. Sometimes it’s simply great to all be together. I enjoyed that. It was the beginning of a new time for the second hour of worship. From this point forward, our service times will be 9:00 (in the FLC) and 10:30 (in the sanctuary). The Chili cook-off was a huge success. Many of you brought your favorite homemade chili to share in the FLC. We had chili to spare this year… with cornbread… hotdogs… brownies and all. What a special afternoon! Thank you Pastor Kathy Cannon and your team of leaders for pulling this thing together! Below are a few photos of the day’s events and ministries:
Encouragement
And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. And when Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made erect again, and began glorifying God. And the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the multitude in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; therefore come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead him away to water him? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” And as He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire multitude was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him. (Luke 13:10-17)
Why do we at times feel it necessary to police the area? Why is it that we, all too often, look for the negative in various situations? Someone says, “What a nice day it is today.” And someone near us says, “Yeah, but the sun sure is bright shining directly in my eyes.” Someone says, “The worship service was wonderful today.” Another says, “Yes, it was nice but the choruses were too long… or the sermon was dry.”
Have you ever gone out of your way to do something extra special? You work hard at it… perhaps a meal… a recital… anything… You give it your best shot, and afterwards people are coming up thanking you for a job well done. But then… there’s that one special person who just knows a little bit more about the meal… the recital… the sport… and they have to let you know. “You know what would really have made that meat more tender is if you would have added… or that meal was really nice, but the next time you may try potatoes with it instead of rice.” “You did a real good job on the music in your recital, but next time you may want to have the piano turned a little more to the right.” There are always those who seem to know it just a little bit better than you. Have you noticed that? Does it frustrate you? Here are my few thoughts:
Have you ever gone out of your way to do something extra special? You work hard at it… perhaps a meal… a recital… anything… You give it your best shot, and afterwards people are coming up thanking you for a job well done. But then… there’s that one special person who just knows a little bit more about the meal… the recital… the sport… and they have to let you know. “You know what would really have made that meat more tender is if you would have added… or that meal was really nice, but the next time you may try potatoes with it instead of rice.” “You did a real good job on the music in your recital, but next time you may want to have the piano turned a little more to the right.” There are always those who seem to know it just a little bit better than you. Have you noticed that? Does it frustrate you? Here are my few thoughts:
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To tell you the truth… I hate it whenever I finish something that I am pleased with… and then here comes the observations… especially when I never asked for the comments. Now, it’s an entirely different thing when I invite discussion and comments.
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But here, in this passage, Jesus is in the church… worshipping with others. And He sees a woman in need… and decides to do something about it. Jesus had a few options:
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He could have sat there in worship and glanced over at her and said, “Bless you lady, I hope you have a great day.” After all she had been this way for 18 years and was not expecting to be healed anyway.
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Another option was to go up to the synagogue official and say, “Excuse Me… but, if you don’t mind… I would like to release this woman of her affliction right here and now.”
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Jesus could have ignored her all together.
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He could have called everyone together and made this a town hall meeting. But Jesus never was into the big and spectacular things. He went about quietly, ministering to those in need. He never sought popularity. Whenever the crowds came and gathered around Him… He preached… He taught… and He even fed them.
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But here, Jesus gets bothered by this one man, and a few others who are there to make sure the rules and regulations are being kept. For so long they had defined what could and could not be done on the Sabbath. And they were more concerned with making sure the rules were followed. For 18 years they had seen this woman in need. For 18 years they had accepted her condition as normal. But here comes Jesus… Lord of the Sabbath… to do His ministry… and He frees her of this horrible affliction.
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Next thing you see is revival… Immediately, upon receiving the healing, she breaks out in praise as she glorifies God. That’s revival. Jesus, who was truly worthy of receiving praise and thanksgiving from this woman, doesn’t get recognized. The Bible says that she “began glorifying God.” She didn’t know that Jesus was God in the flesh… but immediately begins to give praise to God. That’s revival.
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When I think about the church today, my hope and prayer is that we find just where the Holy Spirit is working and join Him in the work of God. I was so pleased to see the joy and excitement around the church yesterday. The children were all here… many were excited to dress up in their favorite costumes… others were coming to get their faces painted… and each of our children were received with wide open arms of love. Yesterday was not only about dressing up… or eating chili… or baking brownies… but as we came together, it brought God’s people together for worship and praise. There was a sense of unity and God’s Spirit was present through it all.
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May I return to my closing comments in the sermon yesterday? How burdened are you for the church today? Just as Jesus was burdened for this one woman for whom He says, “Satan has bound for 18 long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” He saw her… He knew her need… He knew He could do something about it. He knew what the rule was... but He also knew that revival was greater than special manmade rules to protect a day of the week. So, He ministered… the result: A woman gets blessed and praises God…. And before you know it… the whole multitude was doing the same.
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This is what we are called to do. We are called to lead people to Christ. If we lead people to Jesus… Jesus will do the cleaning… the washing of sin… Redemption belongs to Him. Let’s go forth and bring them in.
I pray that this will be an extra special day for you and your family. I love you and I look forward to seeing you in church.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Good Morning! On Tuesday morning, I had to make a trip to our district office in Arcadia and encountered a heavy mist the entire way down. Sort of reminded me of Lima, Peru this time of the year. Cold… damp… not a whole lot of fun. Of course, days are changing and winter will be here before we know it. Which means that Lima will be having summer weather in just a couple of months as well.
Before I go any further… let me remind all of you of the events and ministries this coming Sunday, October 30. We have only one combined morning worship service in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Please make note of this. There will be coffee… I believe that the choir and worship team will have their run-through a little early… but there will NOT be any activity or ministries at 9:00. Are you bringing hot chili for the cook off??? Are you bringing brownies for the bake-off? We have planned an exciting day of events and ministries for all. There will be more than enough food and games for children and families. Come… join in… invite your friends!
I’m looking forward to the worship service this Sunday. Leslie has prepared a great package of music the choir and worship team will lead us in. I will continue to lead our sermon topic on GROWING HEALTHY as we enter the third chapter of Ephesians. The message is entitled, “The Mystery”. I like to watch a good mystery on TV… but no one is better at putting together a great mystery than the Lord. Remember, He spoke often in parables as He taught and preached in the various towns and villages. Many people walked away scratching their heads in wonder of what they had just heard. The Apostle Paul shares with us the greatest of all mysteries ever revealed to man in this chapter. I can hardly wait to preach an incredible challenge to the church found right here in Ephesians 3. I hope to see you here.
By The Way… don’t forget your ALABASTER BOX this Sunday… these funds are used on the mission field to either help purchase land or construct buildings like clinics, churches, parsonages, district centers, and more… Your coins do add up.
Good Morning! On Tuesday morning, I had to make a trip to our district office in Arcadia and encountered a heavy mist the entire way down. Sort of reminded me of Lima, Peru this time of the year. Cold… damp… not a whole lot of fun. Of course, days are changing and winter will be here before we know it. Which means that Lima will be having summer weather in just a couple of months as well.
Before I go any further… let me remind all of you of the events and ministries this coming Sunday, October 30. We have only one combined morning worship service in the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Please make note of this. There will be coffee… I believe that the choir and worship team will have their run-through a little early… but there will NOT be any activity or ministries at 9:00. Are you bringing hot chili for the cook off??? Are you bringing brownies for the bake-off? We have planned an exciting day of events and ministries for all. There will be more than enough food and games for children and families. Come… join in… invite your friends!
I’m looking forward to the worship service this Sunday. Leslie has prepared a great package of music the choir and worship team will lead us in. I will continue to lead our sermon topic on GROWING HEALTHY as we enter the third chapter of Ephesians. The message is entitled, “The Mystery”. I like to watch a good mystery on TV… but no one is better at putting together a great mystery than the Lord. Remember, He spoke often in parables as He taught and preached in the various towns and villages. Many people walked away scratching their heads in wonder of what they had just heard. The Apostle Paul shares with us the greatest of all mysteries ever revealed to man in this chapter. I can hardly wait to preach an incredible challenge to the church found right here in Ephesians 3. I hope to see you here.
By The Way… don’t forget your ALABASTER BOX this Sunday… these funds are used on the mission field to either help purchase land or construct buildings like clinics, churches, parsonages, district centers, and more… Your coins do add up.
Encouragement
How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:103-104)
Who doesn’t like something sweet? Many times after we have stuffed ourselves silly with a wonderful meal, we say, “Boy, I don’t have room for anything else.” That is… until the dessert tray comes out. We glance over the sweet smelling dishes of chocolate cake… the cheesecakes… the pies… and variety of treats… and then we say, “Well, I guess there’s room for a little bit more.” It’s hard to pass up on the sweets. I enjoy a good tasting pastry. I love donuts. I can devour ice-cream no matter what. Anywhere, any place… and it doesn’t matter how hot or how cold it is… I enjoy a great bowl of ice-cream. It’s sweet and good tasting! You know… no wonder ants and other animals go after honey and other sweet things. They know what tastes good.
Last night was our annual Trunk or Treat here at the church. All ministries met briefly after a delicious meal, once again, for a time together, and then we made our way out to the parking lot where many car trunks and trucks were decorated and families were dishing out candy… sweets… Oh yeah!!! Kids were all wearing their costumes of princesses and pirates… A wonderful night!
Here are my few thoughts:
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The psalmist says that God’s Word is just like a good tasting Snickers Bar or Butterfinger. As soon as you bite into it, it is so refreshing. As I wandered around the cars and trunks last night, I watched carefully the children wander around in their costumes going from trunk to trunk with their small containers eagerly waiting to receive a gift. I observed the adults standing near their trunks with basketfuls of candy handing them out to every child who came by. It was so neat to see the delight on the faces of those giving out candy. It was also as delightful to see the faces of the kids receiving handfuls of candy as well.
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I happen to believe that God looks at us in the same way. He is eager and ready to pour out a blessing our way… His trunk is loaded with great blessing… but He’s waiting for us to come by with our baskets. He is giving us numerous opportunities to open His Word and apply His principles in our lives. “O, taste and see that the Lord is good!”
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One candy that seems to be a favorite to many children is the sour patch candies. Upon unwrapping the candy… it looks like any other ordinary candy. But once you place it in your mouth… it’s sour… you want to spit it out (at least I did the first time I tried one)… it was bitter… it was sour… it wasn’t all that pleasant…. But the longer you keep it in your mouth… the taste begins to change… and the sweetness appears… and it becomes good, tasty, and SWEET.
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At times when reading God’s Word, He calls us to do something a bit tough. When we invite Him to search us… try us… see if there’s anything wrong within us… And then He does… it may be sour… it might taste a little bitter… but as you rely on Him… the sweetness begins to form… God is good and He knows just what you and I need.
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As you open your doors to Trick or Treaters this weekend… shine the Jesus light on those little ones coming to your front doorstep. Let them taste and see that Jesus is good!
One of the blessings in Work & Witness is the relationships made between team members and the people to where we go. We may miss our families back home in America but we gain other relationships when we travel elsewhere. Grandkids are special no matter where you go. Isn’t that so, Randy?
The Pastor’s Retreat was a real blessing to all who were there. Can you imagine cooking a meal for more than 200 people without the help of a modern stove or oven? The food was delicious as we enjoyed a meal or two with the pastors. Observe the stack of plantains (green cooking bananas that are peeled and cooked like boiled potatoes).
After these bananas are peeled they’re placed in the pot on the makeshift stove. The cooks go out into the jungle and bring as many branches and logs for firewood.
After the meal is prepared, the pastors all line up with their plates and eating utensils to be served by the cooks.
I love you and hope that you have a wonderful weekend. See you on Sunday… it’s going to be a terrific weekend for us here at NewNaz. I’m making chili… it will be hot and spicy. Come and taste… vote for mine… of course, you won’t even know which one is mine. If I had grubs… yes, I’d split some open and pour them in the chili. That would be good, but I don’t have any. See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, October 24, 2011
Good Morning! Yesterday was a picture-perfect day here in the Santa Clarita Valley. The skies were clear… the air was warm… and there was little to no wind. We enjoyed a wonderful day in worship for both hours here at church and the Lord was certainly present through it all.
Now that it’s been several days since our return to the states from Peru, I’m beginning to get caught up on all my rest. Many of the days we spent on this trip to the jungle were long days and late nights. There were several nights I didn’t get to bed until well past midnight. And you all know how much of a night owl I am NOT. And then, we were up early each morning… while at the Pastors’ Retreat for Prayer Meeting and then breakfast. One of the neat things I enjoyed on this trip was reconnecting with many old friends… some of whom I had not seen in years. So many of them were there! Between classes or after a breakfast or dinner, we’d chat and catch up on all of the news of our lives. I wish you could have heard our conversations. How my brother Esteban has been called back to the ministry and is pastoring the church in Chicais. How he has started the church in developing a fish pond to bring in some more funds for their ministry.
As I mentioned earlier… we had a great team of 10 people on this trip. Here we are… enjoying a wonderful dinner in the home of the Puican’s. They fixed an awesome Chifa Dinner for us all.
Good Morning! Yesterday was a picture-perfect day here in the Santa Clarita Valley. The skies were clear… the air was warm… and there was little to no wind. We enjoyed a wonderful day in worship for both hours here at church and the Lord was certainly present through it all.
Now that it’s been several days since our return to the states from Peru, I’m beginning to get caught up on all my rest. Many of the days we spent on this trip to the jungle were long days and late nights. There were several nights I didn’t get to bed until well past midnight. And you all know how much of a night owl I am NOT. And then, we were up early each morning… while at the Pastors’ Retreat for Prayer Meeting and then breakfast. One of the neat things I enjoyed on this trip was reconnecting with many old friends… some of whom I had not seen in years. So many of them were there! Between classes or after a breakfast or dinner, we’d chat and catch up on all of the news of our lives. I wish you could have heard our conversations. How my brother Esteban has been called back to the ministry and is pastoring the church in Chicais. How he has started the church in developing a fish pond to bring in some more funds for their ministry.
As I mentioned earlier… we had a great team of 10 people on this trip. Here we are… enjoying a wonderful dinner in the home of the Puican’s. They fixed an awesome Chifa Dinner for us all.
On the second day of our journey, we headed over to the bus station to wait for our bus that was to take us over the Andes into Bagua. Mom must have gotten in trouble… because this photo makes it look like she was placed in jail. We bailed her out and we were soon on our way.
Before we got on the bus, I made my way to the open market to pick up a few things for the trip. One of which was the fruit “granadillas”. Have you ever eaten a granadilla? They are quite delicious… and as a kid our family always made it a point to pick up many granadillas before travelling. It’s a large hard shelled fruit, about the size of an apple. Once you peel off the outer layer of shell… you are left with this white skin-like covering… poke a hole in the skin and suck our all of the slimy “snot-like” substance surrounding the seeds. Everything, including the seeds, is edible. You can see that Jennifer and mom are enjoying this fruit.
Upon our arrival in the jungle, the natives were all ready for us… A large crowd had gathered at the gate to welcome us. I can’t describe the feeling we sensed as we were welcomed by everyone… they sang… we hugged… we celebrated… and what a day we enjoyed. (Photo 869) Felix was ready for us. He knew just what Pastor Gregorio enjoyed eating. So… he went back into the jungle just where he knew some palm trees had fallen… in order to remove the suri… he pulled out a dozen or two of the large grubs from the palm shavings of the tree, and brought them to us for a dinner snack that first night. Such a kind man Felix is…
Encouragement
O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord most high is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdues people under us, and nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loves. God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with a sound of the trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a skillful psalm. God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted. (Psalm 47:1-9)
When’s the last time you clapped your hands? When someone cracked a joke? When your favorite team scored a touchdown… or hammered in the final run to win the game? We clap our hands on many occasions. Most often we clap our hands to show appreciation to someone who has just performed. At a recital, we clap our hands. At concerts… following a speech… after a special… when someone receives an award… when our children kick in a goal… and so on. There are many reasons we clap our hands.
The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 47 to clap our hands before the God of this universe. We ought to clap our hands to show our appreciation for all that He has done for us. We need to clap our hands to express our love to Him for who He is. He has done far more than hitting a homerun. He’s gone beyond giving a speech… He’s done more than singing a special song… Here are my few thoughts:
The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 47 to clap our hands before the God of this universe. We ought to clap our hands to show our appreciation for all that He has done for us. We need to clap our hands to express our love to Him for who He is. He has done far more than hitting a homerun. He’s gone beyond giving a speech… He’s done more than singing a special song… Here are my few thoughts:
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The Lord has created the heavens and the earth. Each and every star was precisely positioned just where He desired it to be placed. The oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams were formed by His one command. The trees, forests, and jungles were all created by His own word. He is the Lord of heaven and earth… and He is deserving of our praise. You can imagine the joy and excitement I felt as I returned to land where I was raised. To the see the rivers… the jungle and the people. God is so good! More than once, I clapped in celebration of everything I saw and experienced. The jungle looks the same… with few changes. The mission station may have aged a bit… but still looks like Nuevo Horizonte.
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As I wandered around the jungle… I captured pictures of all that was familiar to me. Flowers blossoming on the trees….
or the breadfruit hanging from a branch on the Pan de Arbol Tree
or journeying down the Marañon River and seeing one of our churches along the hillside.
God is good and deserving of our praise. Therefore, I will clap my hands before Him!
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One of the joys in this recent journey to the jungle was to bless our Aguaruna Pastors and families with gifts to be used in their churches and homes. We showered each pastor with certificates… materials such as oil… communion cups… and sermon material to be used in their local churches. And here at home, many of you brought items to be given away: sewing kits, combs, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, mirrors, calculators, backpacks, flashlights, soccer balls, purses, CDs, and DVDs… and so much more. You even provided funds for me to buy pots and pans, along with other things I purchased in Peru for giveaways.
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Every pastor who attended the conference was given a ticket. Each night of the conference, mom called out numbers that were on the tickets… We gave out more than 200 tickets… and each night we gave away more than 50 prizes so that every pastor walked away with something. You talk about a hand-clapping experience! I thank the Lord for the church I belong to. I thank the Lord for the generosity of His people back here at home. You made it possible for every pastor and family… every church represented at the conference to return home flooded with blessings. “O, Clap your hands, all peoples!”
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Life is so precious… Life is a gift from God. I had the privilege of dedicating a baby boy on this trip. Can there be anything more special than receiving the small gifts from the Lord and returning them back to God in dedication? I don’t think so.
Pastor Manuel Lopez assisted me in the dedication of this special child back to the Lord. “O clap your hands, all people…!"
We have reason to rejoice today. Celebrate your life in the Lord. Thank Him for all He has done for you. Praise Him for who He is. Life may not be perfect as the world may define it. You may be struggling with a certain area in your life today. It may be job related. There may be health issues. It could be family crisis. But, you have salvation in Jesus Christ. You have new life. You have hope in Him. He is your Redeemer… Savior… He is your Friend. Go ahead… clap your hands before Him. It will do you a lot of good.
FALL FESTIVAL: This Sunday, we will have ONE COMBINED worship service at 10:30. It’s our annual Fall Festival… with booths and games for our children following the morning service. We will have a Chili Cook-Off and Brownie Bake-Off as well. Make sure to invite your friends and family… come join us for an exciting day at church. You will not want to miss this great ministry!
I want to thank all of you for your prayers while we were away. Thank you for praying for mom. At times she grew weary and tired as she was feeling some of the ramifications from the chemotherapy. Yet God was good… she traveled step by step with us. And what an answer to prayer to see mom back in her environment with the people she loves.
I love you and I hope to see you soon. Have a wonderful week!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Good Morning! We arrived home yesterday morning from our trip to Peru and all is well. After being gone for two weeks, it’s amazing to think of the changes that have taken place in those few short days:
Good Morning! We arrived home yesterday morning from our trip to Peru and all is well. After being gone for two weeks, it’s amazing to think of the changes that have taken place in those few short days:
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When we left, it was raining (unusual for this time of the year in SoCal), but upon our arrival back home, the skies were clear and the air was warm.
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Did you know in that one storm we received two weeks ago… we got just less than 2 inches of rain here at the church? 1.95 to be exact. Yep, I have a rain gauge behind the office trailer to measure each storm.
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Last night, though, the cool autumn winds were blowing in, and then again this morning… it was cold… I was cold.
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When we left two weeks ago, the Baseball playoffs were barely underway and everyone was talking about the Yankees vs. the Phillies in the World Series. And then we arrive in LAX and I hear that neither advanced. Who knew?
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Two weeks ago, experts in the NBA thought that the season could be salvaged… doesn’t look that way right now.
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Before we left on the trip, I had watched a bit of TV… some sporting events… and a few shows. Yet, while I was away in Peru… the TV didn’t come on once… Of course… in most places we stayed… there was no TV, and then when we were in a hotel with TV… I was far too tired to even click it on.
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Food has changed a bit for me. In the last two weeks, we’ve eaten a lot of rice, yuca, bananas, chicken, and yes… suri (grub worms)… my first meal yesterday upon arriving home was a hamburger.
Before I go any further with these Few Thoughts, let me thank you for your prayers while we were away on the trip. God was so good to us, protecting us along the way… granting us good health to accomplish the tasks we had at hand… and blessing us with His holy presence in all that was done in His name. I wish I had time to convey the details of all the things that transpired over the two short weeks we were away. Perhaps, you will hear more details in the Few Thoughts and church services to come. Photos of the journey to be included…
Encouragement
With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself to the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8)
Each time I return to Peru to visit the people with whom I grew up… verses like the one mentioned above come to my mind. This trip was no exception… Sometimes I think that the human tendency is to work our way to approval. Some people think that unless I suffer… I’m not worthy. Unless I work hours at a time… I’m not good enough. But what is it that the Lord requires of you… of me? Micah says… three things the Lord wants of us. And it does not matter which culture you come from… God wants His children to live by these standards. Here are my Few Thoughts:
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“Do justice” Do what is right… all of the time. The Apostle John explains this point so well in his first letter towards the end of the New Testament. Each and every day we are given opportunities to do what is good, right, and just. Make godly decisions. Live according to the Word of God.
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“Love kindness” Sometimes this is not so easy. Sometimes it is hard to be nice… especially to those who have done you wrong. Yet, the Lord REQUIRES of you and me… to love kindness. Be nice! Show love. Jesus even said for us to turn the other cheek. Did He mean it? From the cross His words to the soldiers nailing Him to the wooden cross were, “Forgive them, Father, they don’t know what they are doing.” To the people crying out, “Crucify Him!” His words were the same, “Forgive them, Father, they don’t know what they are doing.” I can’t think of any greater illustration of loving kindness than the example laid for us in Jesus.
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“Walk humbly with your God” I believe that I am beginning to understand a little bit more of what this means. It’s Jesus first… not me. It’s Christ first… not you. These past two weeks were incredible weeks for me as I witnessed worship service after worship service. Whether it was in Bagua, Nuevo Horizonte, Nauta, or Iquitos. I was privileged to experience a gracious people walking humbly with their God. In Bagua, we saw the church alive and growing. In the midst of great heat and humidity, time did not matter… the people came to worship and celebrate as we partook in the dedication of another church building. We celebrated in the baptism of several new believers as we made our way down to the Utcubamba River.
As we arrived at the Nuevo Horizonte Mission Station, we were welcomed by nearly 200 pastors and families singing a “Welcome” song as we pulled in to the property. That crowd would grow as the days progressed to over 400 people. Some of these pastors traveled as far as 3-4 days to get there for the Pastors’ Conference. In full heat and humidity, we taught, worshipped, celebrated, and handed out many things to everyone who attended. I wish you could have experienced some of our altar services… the anointing of oil… the testimonies… the power of the presence of our Living God.
In so many ways… I believe that you were there alongside of our journey. We had many late nights… Services from 7:30-10:00 and beyond. Sometimes we weren’t through until after 11:00 p.m., then up for prayer meeting at 5:00 a.m. or 6:00.
Over the course of the next few weeks, I will try and convey to you what your prayers, help, participation and involvement did for the pastors, families, and churches we affected. All this to say, “To God be the Glory!” I am challenged to “do justice… to love kindness… and to walk humbly with my God.” Thank you again for your prayers… and for allowing me the opportunity to step away from the pulpit, away for a couple of weeks from my pastoral duties here at NewNaz to share with the church in another land. You see… this trip enriched my life, perhaps more than the difference I was able to make on the lives of those who attended. Today as you read these few thoughts… just remember “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” You will not be disappointed.
In so many ways… I believe that you were there alongside of our journey. We had many late nights… Services from 7:30-10:00 and beyond. Sometimes we weren’t through until after 11:00 p.m., then up for prayer meeting at 5:00 a.m. or 6:00.
Over the course of the next few weeks, I will try and convey to you what your prayers, help, participation and involvement did for the pastors, families, and churches we affected. All this to say, “To God be the Glory!” I am challenged to “do justice… to love kindness… and to walk humbly with my God.” Thank you again for your prayers… and for allowing me the opportunity to step away from the pulpit, away for a couple of weeks from my pastoral duties here at NewNaz to share with the church in another land. You see… this trip enriched my life, perhaps more than the difference I was able to make on the lives of those who attended. Today as you read these few thoughts… just remember “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” You will not be disappointed.
PHOTOS OF THE PERU TRIP: Here are a few photos of the trip. As soon as I get a chance to go through the pictures… I will have a better presentation. And of course… what would a trip be without suri (grub worms)? I had several natives bring these to me. They were quite delicious!
I love you and I hope to see you on Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, October 3, 2011
Good Morning! Well… running is more and more of a challenge as we get older. Perhaps, not the running as much as the pace. The 51-year-old legs are not cooperating like they used to. A friend and I headed up to St. George on Friday of last week to run in the marathon on Saturday. The drive up was nice, though, we kept watching the temperatures soar as we drove through Las Vegas and into St. George. As we opened the car door to register at the Marathon Expo, the temperature was 98 degrees at 4:00 PM. We both figured we’d be in trouble for the race the next day.
However, the temps did cool down to 75 degrees as we got our things ready at 4:30 AM the next day. We headed out to the finish line where the busses were awaiting the 6000 plus runners to drive us out to the start. No gloves were needed for this race. It was warm! The race started about 20 minutes late, and by 6:50 AM we were on our way for the 26.2-mile journey. I tried hanging on to the pace… and coming through the half… I thought that I’d break 3 hours. But at mile 20, doubt began creeping in the mind. That’s no good! Yet, I still thought that there was a chance. I gave it all I had. With 4 miles to go I thought… “just maybe… but everything needs to be perfect.” And then with 2.2 miles to go… I looked at the clock and knew that there was no way I would come under 3:00. I crossed the finish line at 3:01:04. A minute and four seconds off. For any of you who run… you know that’s a huge margin. Oh well… it was fun, and I will take some time off… heal… and prepare for the Nashville Marathon in April.
Good Morning! Well… running is more and more of a challenge as we get older. Perhaps, not the running as much as the pace. The 51-year-old legs are not cooperating like they used to. A friend and I headed up to St. George on Friday of last week to run in the marathon on Saturday. The drive up was nice, though, we kept watching the temperatures soar as we drove through Las Vegas and into St. George. As we opened the car door to register at the Marathon Expo, the temperature was 98 degrees at 4:00 PM. We both figured we’d be in trouble for the race the next day.
However, the temps did cool down to 75 degrees as we got our things ready at 4:30 AM the next day. We headed out to the finish line where the busses were awaiting the 6000 plus runners to drive us out to the start. No gloves were needed for this race. It was warm! The race started about 20 minutes late, and by 6:50 AM we were on our way for the 26.2-mile journey. I tried hanging on to the pace… and coming through the half… I thought that I’d break 3 hours. But at mile 20, doubt began creeping in the mind. That’s no good! Yet, I still thought that there was a chance. I gave it all I had. With 4 miles to go I thought… “just maybe… but everything needs to be perfect.” And then with 2.2 miles to go… I looked at the clock and knew that there was no way I would come under 3:00. I crossed the finish line at 3:01:04. A minute and four seconds off. For any of you who run… you know that’s a huge margin. Oh well… it was fun, and I will take some time off… heal… and prepare for the Nashville Marathon in April.
Encouragement
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to Thee do I pray. In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch. (Psalm 5:1-3)
“In the morning…” What is it that you do in the morning? Do you have a routine? Do you get up… out of bed at the same time every morning? Do you ever groan in the morning? The routine to my mornings vary quite a bit. It usually depends upon what I am doing that morning, or even the day. You see, the night before I go to bed, I will take a look at my schedule and figure out just when I will be able to run the next day. Running is very important to me. I enjoy the time outdoors… the training… the exercise… Yet, there is one thing I do that trumps all of that… PRAYER. I try my best, each and every morning to begin the day on my knees before the Lord. It’s not a long prayer… it’s not a “help me” prayer… it’s not a “good luck charm” prayer… It’s just a simple prayer acknowledging that the new day before me is a gift from the Lord. He has made it… and I need to be glad in it. So I like to invite Him to search me deeply and see if there’s anything that needs “fixed” before I go any further. Here are my few thoughts:
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Getting older can be tough… it is tough. Whenever that alarm goes off in the morning, we feel those aches and pains we never used to feel. If we’re lucky, we wake up on our own before the alarm even sounds. That’s the way I like to rise. I am always thrilled whenever I wake up, roll over to glance at the alarm, and discover that I woke up before it woke me up. Don’t you like that?
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The aches… the pains… the back… no wonder the psalmist said, “Consider my groaning…” I happen to think that David was writing this psalm in his later years. He knew what it was like to go through hardships. He knew about family problems. He was well aware of those who wanted to kill him. He had spent many sleepless nights in caves… on rocks… and in the wilderness. And whenever he managed to catch a few moments of rest… I am certain he groaned a bit.
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But there is one element in David’s prayer I especially appreciate. Twice we see David crying out in the morning. He simply lays it out there for the Lord to hear… see… and understand. What a great way to begin the morning! But notice his final words in this brief and short prayer… “… and (I) will eagerly watch.”
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Do you ever feel as though your prayers hit the ceiling and bounce back at you? Do you ever say your prayers and then go on with your business as if you’ve never even prayed earlier that day? David tells us that he calls to the Lord… cries with his voice… tells Him about his aches and pains… but then he “eagerly watches."
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You see, to pray to the Lord is to recognize that He cares. And when He cares… He is planning to come down and do something. How many times do we get ahead of the Lord? How often do we wake up… share our thoughts with the Lord… but take off to do things before allowing the Lord to even take action in our lives?
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May I encourage you to slow down today! Tomorrow morning, as you wake up, share your heart’s desires with God. Talk to Him… cry out to Him. But don’t forget to eagerly watch. That means WAIT! If you need a reminder, keep a notepad by your bed saying that you want to begin your day with the Lord. Share with Him your concerns… but don’t forget to allow Him to begin His work in you. “Eagerly watch!”
THANK YOU: I want to thank all of you for contributing to the Pastors’ Conference materials we requested some time back. Many of you have purchased the things we needed… others of you contributed funds for us to buy the things that were needed. We are going to Peru fully loaded. Thank you! I will do my best to keep in touch with you through the Few Thoughts. Perhaps with a few photos as well… We depart for Peru on Wednesday.
Have a wonderful week. I love you and will keep you posted as to our travels in Peru.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Good Morning! The daylight hours are slowly shrinking. That was very clear to me this morning as I made my way to the Men’s Breakfast at IHOP. I left the house at 5:50 and it was completely dark outside. In fact, it was so dark I didn’t even know that there was any fog until the sun began to rise in the eastern skies. As we wrapped up breakfast I pointed out, “Take a look at the fog outside.” What a morning! I left IHOP as I drove my way to the church checking out all of the areas where the fog hovered over hills, and crawled its way up some meadows out by Towsley Canyon. Meanwhile, the sun was doing its best to break through. And breakthrough… it finally did. What a gorgeous day! This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. It matters not how much work I have to do… or if I am behind on any project… or if I am panicking on certain needs of the day… I am rejoicing and glad in this day.
Are you ever awakened in the middle of the night… say 2:20 AM and you cannot go back to sleep? That seldom… hardly ever… happens to me. Once I hit the sack… I am usually out for the count. But last night was different. 2:20 AM I was wide awake. I tossed and turned… So, when this happens, I do what I like to do and begin praying for those things on my mind. Sometimes it’s my children… or church needs… or missions concerns in Peru… As I prayed, I wish I could say that I went right back to sleep… not so. Leslie finally woke up. I have figured out things. When you can’t sleep… you toss and turn… make so much noise… she’ll finally wake up… and she did.
“What’s going on?” She asked me. My reply was quick and simple, “I can’t sleep… am concerned about the baggage and all that we have going to Peru. So I’ve been praying for the Lord to guide us through this whole ordeal.” We talked for a little bit… and before long… I was back to sleep. Sure, I woke up about 2 or 3 other times all ready to go… until the alarm went off a little after 5:00 and then... I could hardly move. Many of you who are reading these words know just what I am saying. But isn’t it great to know that in times like these we have someone to go to? Take advantage of those moments… try not to turn on the TV… talk to the Lord… He’s awake.
Good Morning! The daylight hours are slowly shrinking. That was very clear to me this morning as I made my way to the Men’s Breakfast at IHOP. I left the house at 5:50 and it was completely dark outside. In fact, it was so dark I didn’t even know that there was any fog until the sun began to rise in the eastern skies. As we wrapped up breakfast I pointed out, “Take a look at the fog outside.” What a morning! I left IHOP as I drove my way to the church checking out all of the areas where the fog hovered over hills, and crawled its way up some meadows out by Towsley Canyon. Meanwhile, the sun was doing its best to break through. And breakthrough… it finally did. What a gorgeous day! This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. It matters not how much work I have to do… or if I am behind on any project… or if I am panicking on certain needs of the day… I am rejoicing and glad in this day.
Are you ever awakened in the middle of the night… say 2:20 AM and you cannot go back to sleep? That seldom… hardly ever… happens to me. Once I hit the sack… I am usually out for the count. But last night was different. 2:20 AM I was wide awake. I tossed and turned… So, when this happens, I do what I like to do and begin praying for those things on my mind. Sometimes it’s my children… or church needs… or missions concerns in Peru… As I prayed, I wish I could say that I went right back to sleep… not so. Leslie finally woke up. I have figured out things. When you can’t sleep… you toss and turn… make so much noise… she’ll finally wake up… and she did.
“What’s going on?” She asked me. My reply was quick and simple, “I can’t sleep… am concerned about the baggage and all that we have going to Peru. So I’ve been praying for the Lord to guide us through this whole ordeal.” We talked for a little bit… and before long… I was back to sleep. Sure, I woke up about 2 or 3 other times all ready to go… until the alarm went off a little after 5:00 and then... I could hardly move. Many of you who are reading these words know just what I am saying. But isn’t it great to know that in times like these we have someone to go to? Take advantage of those moments… try not to turn on the TV… talk to the Lord… He’s awake.
Encouragement
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)
We have available in nearly all of our stores… mirrors of all shapes and sizes. We have mirrors in every restroom… behind every bathroom sink… on walls… behind counters or dresser drawers… on bookshelves… in ladies’ purses… inside drawers… in tool boxes… MIRRORS are found everywhere. How many times have you walked past a department store’s cosmetic station (not that I have ever stopped by to shop) and glanced at the mirror in the background. You look at it and you see your reflection in the mirror. “How’s my hair look?” “Do I look goofy?” “Is there anything stuck in my teeth?”
C’mon… we’ve all glanced at the mirror when passing by. Isn’t that what the rearview mirror is for in our cars? We are always checking for imperfections, aren’t we? I do that every Sunday morning… I pass by the mirror in the foyer… or I’ll step in to the restroom to see how things look… and sometimes I head into the choir room because there is a mirror located there also. And I know… I know… as you read this, some of you are thinking, “Pastor Greg actually looks into the mirror before entering the sanctuary, AND THAT IS THE BEST HE CAN DO?” Here are my few thoughts:
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Back in the days of this letter from the Apostle Paul, they didn’t have mirrors in every corner of the stores or every room of the house. The mirrors they used were polished bronze or polished silver. They were just polished metal in the ancient world, unlike the glass mirrors of today. And the poor people could only afford the inferior quality. Regardless of how well they were polished, though, they could only give an imperfect image. As Paul writes… “…we see in a mirror dimly…” The picture was not that great. You could see… you could tell it was you… but, it was anything but perfect.
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When I was a child growing up in boarding school, I remember some of the mirrors we had. Over the course of time… they lost their ability to reflect perfectly the image that was in front of it. Somehow the mirror would get gritty… and the appearance was rough as we stared into it. Paul says… there will come a day when we get to see “face to face…” I know what that means… not because of the mirror but for another reason...
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Occasionally, while attending board school, living hundreds of miles away from mom and dad, and knowing that the distances through the jungle made it impossible to see my parents except for a few weeks at Christmas and a couple of months in the summer, we would have radio contact with mom and dad. We tried to set up Saturday contacts. At Yarina Cocha (A Wycliffe Base), there was a ham operator who would allow us to come in and see if mom and dad were on the radio. “O-A-9-C… calling Ocean Able 9 Charlie…” My brother and sister and I would always sit… patiently… waiting… hoping… praying… listening… I can still hear the static noise as we listened. The whistling… buzzing… we could faintly hear others on the radio conversing back and forth with someone… somewhere… We listened… and when we heard, “This is Ocean Able 9 Charlie” come through… we’d immediately sit up… Mom and dad were on the radio!
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Those radio conversations were precious. Trying to focus on every word we heard through all of the static and noise as they spoke was very challenging. Yet… we listened… we talked… we shared… we laughed… and even cried. I remember thinking how I wish I could see them. I wish they were there with me… or I was there with them. As we would say our good-byes, we always heard these words, “We love you kids, and we’re praying for you… we can hardly wait to see you. Over.”
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The four months would finally pass… the love for mom and dad never diminished…. The voice we would occasionally hear on the radio was faint at times… but it wouldn’t be long when we’d see mom and dad face-to-face. As clear as the sky is outside today… I can remember nearly every plane’s landing. Whether it was our flight to Lima… or a jungle flight to the Maranon River… or Chiclayo… I will never forget the excitement of seeing mom and dad. Seeing their face… them seeing me. It’s party time… a time to celebrate. The perfect love a parent has for their children… the child has for their parent.
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One day… we will see Him face to face! There’s going to be a party someday very soon!
A VICTORIOUS VISION: Do you know that there is still another second phase of construction we plan to build and add on to the Family Life Center? It’s a two-story structure that’s attached to the front of the current building. Take a look at the floor plan of the upper level. You can help us prepare for this project even now. We still have a $667,000 balance on the current FLC facility so we don’t want to incur further debt at this time. We need your help! Will you commit to give for one year (October 2011 – September 2012) towards our Victorious Vision Building Fund? The funds we receive will be used to pay off our debt and be used to seed for the second phase. Pledge cards are available at the Welcome Center.
This Sunday, we will celebrate along with the church around the world in communion for Worldwide Communion Sunday. I invite you to come as I preach a message entitled BY GRACE. Let’s Grow Healthy together…
Pastor Greg
Monday, September 26, 2011
Good Morning! The fog was thick, once again, this morning… yet they say hot weather is returning to us this week. I believe temps are to be in the mid to upper 90s by Wednesday and Thursday for SCV. Enjoy! Life has been busy for me recently. I’ve been on call for the hospital needs most recently… and there have been quite some needs. Let me share with you one:
I was tired on Saturday night as Spencer kept waking me up from the couch, saying, “Dad, go to bed!” I finally did at around 9:30 PM. Saturday was a full day of an early morning run, ministry needs, counseling, hospital visits, and a wedding in the late afternoon. So I followed my daughter’s advice and hit the sack at 9:30. My cell phone rang at 12:30 AM. It was the hospital. They were requesting my services in the ER. I got myself dressed… made my way over… and headed into the ER. As I entered the room I saw one young man weeping by the bedside of his brother. He was young… perhaps in his early 30s. His brother lay breathless on the table. He had just passed away. Only 38 years old. Moments later, another couple entered the room weeping, and asking me in Spanish why there were no machines hooked up to him. I answered, “I’m sorry, but he has passed away… and there is nothing further that can be done.”
The lady shouted out in Spanish, “no, no… it is not his time… Pepe… get up… get up Pepe, you have to fix my computer.” She began rubbing his chest… “He’s still warm… Pepe… come back… wake up… it’s not your time.”
My heart hurt for this small family. The deceased was here from Mexico. His entire family was still back in Jalisco, except for his brother and this couple. I stood there with them… trying to encourage… though, all I could do was be there. What do you do in times like this? One thing... and one thing only… and that’s what I did. I prayed, asking for the Lord to give me direction… words to say… and a listening ear.
You see, every situation is different. There is no death like another. It can be in the ER or the ICU or anywhere else. It’s never the same. Families react differently. And it’s tough. But one thing I am thankful for… the opportunity God allows me and you to make a difference. Since that early morning, I have had a chance to be in contact with this brother on several occasions via the phone. Today, I will again be meeting with him to make arrangements.
As I made my way home early Sunday morning, it was 2:30 AM. I crawled back in bed, prayed… thought… and wondered… a little more difficult to get back to sleep… I thought about my family… the girls… Leslie… and prayed for them all. I thought about the church. The sermon I was going to preach in a few hours. Time is so precious. This 38-year-old man was young. He was alive and energetic with no health issues one moment… and within minutes… he was gone. They say he was up with his friends that night… and said that he didn’t feel too well… collapsed and went unconscious. The belief is a major heart attack.
Good Morning! The fog was thick, once again, this morning… yet they say hot weather is returning to us this week. I believe temps are to be in the mid to upper 90s by Wednesday and Thursday for SCV. Enjoy! Life has been busy for me recently. I’ve been on call for the hospital needs most recently… and there have been quite some needs. Let me share with you one:
I was tired on Saturday night as Spencer kept waking me up from the couch, saying, “Dad, go to bed!” I finally did at around 9:30 PM. Saturday was a full day of an early morning run, ministry needs, counseling, hospital visits, and a wedding in the late afternoon. So I followed my daughter’s advice and hit the sack at 9:30. My cell phone rang at 12:30 AM. It was the hospital. They were requesting my services in the ER. I got myself dressed… made my way over… and headed into the ER. As I entered the room I saw one young man weeping by the bedside of his brother. He was young… perhaps in his early 30s. His brother lay breathless on the table. He had just passed away. Only 38 years old. Moments later, another couple entered the room weeping, and asking me in Spanish why there were no machines hooked up to him. I answered, “I’m sorry, but he has passed away… and there is nothing further that can be done.”
The lady shouted out in Spanish, “no, no… it is not his time… Pepe… get up… get up Pepe, you have to fix my computer.” She began rubbing his chest… “He’s still warm… Pepe… come back… wake up… it’s not your time.”
My heart hurt for this small family. The deceased was here from Mexico. His entire family was still back in Jalisco, except for his brother and this couple. I stood there with them… trying to encourage… though, all I could do was be there. What do you do in times like this? One thing... and one thing only… and that’s what I did. I prayed, asking for the Lord to give me direction… words to say… and a listening ear.
You see, every situation is different. There is no death like another. It can be in the ER or the ICU or anywhere else. It’s never the same. Families react differently. And it’s tough. But one thing I am thankful for… the opportunity God allows me and you to make a difference. Since that early morning, I have had a chance to be in contact with this brother on several occasions via the phone. Today, I will again be meeting with him to make arrangements.
As I made my way home early Sunday morning, it was 2:30 AM. I crawled back in bed, prayed… thought… and wondered… a little more difficult to get back to sleep… I thought about my family… the girls… Leslie… and prayed for them all. I thought about the church. The sermon I was going to preach in a few hours. Time is so precious. This 38-year-old man was young. He was alive and energetic with no health issues one moment… and within minutes… he was gone. They say he was up with his friends that night… and said that he didn’t feel too well… collapsed and went unconscious. The belief is a major heart attack.
Encouragement
For we know in part, and we prophecy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. (First Corinthians 13:9-11)
Through the lenses of love, many things change. We will do things for someone we love that we would never do otherwise. Have you noticed that? Love changes things. Jesus changes things. This is one of the reasons I am certain that when we get saved and sanctified, a tremendous life change takes place. Love takes over. We are no longer in the driver’s seat… we switch places and allow the Lord to take control. Jesus is perfect… He is love… and as He takes control of our lives… the partial is done away. Here are my few thoughts:
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I want to take a moment to boast on my brother for just a bit. http://hometownstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26193:garman-teacher-county-clarita-2011-09-23-14-29&catid=26:local-news&Itemid=97 Tim Garman was named Teacher of the Year for his school in Castaic by his peers towards the end of the school year in the spring. He went on to become Teacher of the Year for the School District. And most recently was selected as one in the “Sweet Sixteen” among 75,000 teachers in Los Angeles County as Teacher of the Year. On Friday of last week, several of us family members gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City to watch Tim receive his honors. I was so proud. He made it to the “Sweet Sixteen” and will now go on to State.
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Tim, my younger brother… Tim the Teacher… let’s go back in time: Growing up in the jungle, we had several family rules. All of us children were required to do the dishes after every meal. There were no restaurants in the jungle… so, that meant home-cooked meals three times a day… seven days a week. Mom, a great cook, knew just how to cook. The bummer is that with great cooks always come many, many dishes. There were always a mile high stack of dishes to be cleaned. An endless job!
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When traveling in the car… we gave Tim the worst spot in the car, telling Him, “Oh Tim, this is the best place… I wish I could be there.” And he bought it, as we placed him in the back of a hot, sweltering suburban, with boxes tumbling on him and dust pounding his way.
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We also had the rule that during mealtime, if anyone got up from the table to refill their glass with drink, they would need to do so for everyone. You see, our table was small, and to keep everyone from going into the refrigerator at odd times of the day, mom kept containers of drinks on the counter: water, tea, punch… There were six of us in the family. It was interesting to note that we learned to eat an entire meal without ever taking a sip from our glasses. That is, all of us except Tim. He just couldn’t ever go through the meal without drinking and going back for a refill. And we knew it. Sometimes Tim would try and sneak away from the table, and the moment he did, we’d all reach for our glasses and guzzle down our drinks as fast as we could to hand him our empty glasses for a refill. Poor Tim!!!
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One morning, Tim had gotten up, not once, not twice, but three times. He must have really been thirsty. He wasn’t a day over 5 years old. And as he got up, I handed him my glass for a refill… and he had HAD it! He stomped his foot on the ground, he was so mad, and shouted out, “TIM DO THIS… TIM DO THAT… TIM DOES EVERYTHING!”
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Well… that happened many, many years ago… and we have never forgotten it. Tim served us many, many times. And today… my brother continues to serve. Serving 5th graders in Castaic. He takes his Christian love into the classroom and leads those kids to a better education. Way to go, Tim!
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You don’t have to be a pastor, missionary, evangelist, president, apostle, prophet, teacher, or anything else like that… make the best of your time… wherever the Lord has placed you today. You can make a difference and have an influence on others right where you are. Show the Jesus love to someone today!
A VICTORIOUS VISION: In the morning services yesterday, we shared with you the vision we have for the completion of the Family Life Center. As you look at the FLC today… it is half finished. There is still another 10,800 square of construction on the front side to be done to include: large fellowship hall, kitchen, offices, restroom, classrooms, and storage. This two-story structure will sit on the lawn located in front of the current FLC. As you know… we also have an outstanding balance on our loan of nearly $670,000. Can you help us by making a commitment to pay off the mortgage and begin seeding the fund for our second phase?
Thanks for the donations you are making for the Pastors’ Conference we are having in Peru in just a few weeks. We are packing the bags and we have nearly all of the things we need to make this a fabulous experience for the 150+ pastors who are coming.
I love you and I hope to see you this week.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
I love you and I hope to see you this week.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Good Morning! Oatmeal… Do you enjoy a big bowl of oatmeal? Do you like it with fruit… raisins… nuts… milk…? Who makes the best oatmeal? This morning for our men’s breakfast at IHOP… about half of us enjoyed a nice bowl of oatmeal. Typically, there are at least two or three guys eating oatmeal. I, perhaps, order it half of the time. I also like eggs and pancakes. But there is something about oatmeal that I like. It’s warm… and if I have my choice, I love to make it extra thick… perhaps with some clumps in it. I like it with all sorts of dried fruit and nuts all drowned in milk. Brown sugar on top… oh yeah! You’ve got yourself a nice meal there. Yet, this morning I had to settle for the simple bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar. Of course… a few pieces of wheat toast.
Years ago… just after we were married, Leslie and I were shopping for some food together. As we journeyed through the isles, it dawned on me that I wanted oatmeal… I wanted for us to buy some raw oatmeal… so I told Leslie the very first thing that popped in my mind, “Let’s get some Quaker.” Of course… I didn’t say it that way… I said “QUAWKERR” After all… in Peru, we seldom, if ever called oatmeal avena (the Spanish word for it)… because of the Quaker on the container or bag… we always called it, pronouncing it as you would read the word “QUAKER” (QUAWKERR). Leslie looked at me, and said, “What are you talking about?”
“You know, Quawker”… This time I did not roll my “r”… thinking that would help. She said, “What?”
So I pointed to it on the shelf. Well… we had a good laugh at that one. Let me correct myself. She had a good laugh at that one. It had never dawned on me that the dude on the container was a Quaker. I had always just thought that this guy, who dressed funny, was associated with oatmeal.
Good Morning! Oatmeal… Do you enjoy a big bowl of oatmeal? Do you like it with fruit… raisins… nuts… milk…? Who makes the best oatmeal? This morning for our men’s breakfast at IHOP… about half of us enjoyed a nice bowl of oatmeal. Typically, there are at least two or three guys eating oatmeal. I, perhaps, order it half of the time. I also like eggs and pancakes. But there is something about oatmeal that I like. It’s warm… and if I have my choice, I love to make it extra thick… perhaps with some clumps in it. I like it with all sorts of dried fruit and nuts all drowned in milk. Brown sugar on top… oh yeah! You’ve got yourself a nice meal there. Yet, this morning I had to settle for the simple bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar. Of course… a few pieces of wheat toast.
Years ago… just after we were married, Leslie and I were shopping for some food together. As we journeyed through the isles, it dawned on me that I wanted oatmeal… I wanted for us to buy some raw oatmeal… so I told Leslie the very first thing that popped in my mind, “Let’s get some Quaker.” Of course… I didn’t say it that way… I said “QUAWKERR” After all… in Peru, we seldom, if ever called oatmeal avena (the Spanish word for it)… because of the Quaker on the container or bag… we always called it, pronouncing it as you would read the word “QUAKER” (QUAWKERR). Leslie looked at me, and said, “What are you talking about?”
“You know, Quawker”… This time I did not roll my “r”… thinking that would help. She said, “What?”
So I pointed to it on the shelf. Well… we had a good laugh at that one. Let me correct myself. She had a good laugh at that one. It had never dawned on me that the dude on the container was a Quaker. I had always just thought that this guy, who dressed funny, was associated with oatmeal.
And guess what… in the jungle we don’t eat oatmeal… we DRINK it. Perhaps just what’s in this pot on the jungle stove.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been in to see Dorothy Myers, whose health had been failing her quite rapidly. The last time I had gone to see her, she did not recognize me. I kept telling her, “It’s Pastor Greg from the Church of the Nazarene.” I must have made that statement 6 or 7 times, and each time I said it, she replied, “Oh, the Church of the Nazarene… I’m a member of the Church of the Nazarene. Such a good church!” She may have forgotten her pastor. She couldn’t remember my name. As she glanced up at me… she looked clear on through me. I was unimportant to her in the last days of her earthly life… but not the church. Not the ONE who is head of the church. She remembered Jesus… and she remembered the Church! I walked away from her room last week with wonderful feeling. It’s not about me. I’m simply His instrument… the Lord’s messenger. Jesus told His listeners that He was going to build His CHURCH, and the gates of hell couldn’t stop it. And He has done that very thing. He continues to do that very thing. Dorothy went to be with the Lord on Tuesday of this week with one thing on her mind… the CHURCH! It had been years since she last stepped into this place we call “the church”… but in her eyes, she never missed a moment of being in church. How cool is that?
I will lead the family in a small intimate gathering next Tuesday in Ventura to remember the life of Dorothy Myers. Wow! What a wonderful lady.
Encouragement
(Love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. (First Corinthians 13:6-8)
It’s football season… and there’s lots of hitting, blocking, and tackling going on. I was listening to the radio a few days ago and discovered that one of the top NFL Quarterbacks (Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys) had one of his ribs fractured and a punctured lung in last weekend’s game. He managed to finish the game, even under those circumstances, and his team won. To me… that’s quite impressive. But then I was listening to talk radio and some of the guys were saying that if he were to play this coming Sunday, and they were on the field as defensive linemen… they’d be going after Romo with full force… going right after his ribs… I think if I were the quarterback, I would begin to think of reasons why I couldn’t play this weekend.
Remember Rocky II… the movie…? It’s been years since I’ve seen this movie, yet there is a part in it that always cracked me up… because… I can remember thinking the same thing. Immediately following the first movie, Rocky determined to never fight again. Apollo Creed wanted a rematch. Finally, Rocky decided to fight, though his young bride was not in favor… until the very end. Once he received her blessing, the workouts intensified… he was on a mission… as was Apollo Creed. The night for the big fight finally arrives. Rocky makes his way into the ring. He stretches… jogs around… loosens up… and then, over the loud speakers, the announcer makes the introduction for Apollo Creed who is now entering the ring. The crowd cheers… some booed… And just as Apollo steps into the ring, Rocky leans over to his manager and says, “It’s Apollo!” Mickey, his manager responds, “Who’d you expect?”
Rocky replies, “I was hoping he wouldn’t show up.” Sometimes we want the easy way out. The victory without the fight. To win by default. Here are my few thoughts:
Remember Rocky II… the movie…? It’s been years since I’ve seen this movie, yet there is a part in it that always cracked me up… because… I can remember thinking the same thing. Immediately following the first movie, Rocky determined to never fight again. Apollo Creed wanted a rematch. Finally, Rocky decided to fight, though his young bride was not in favor… until the very end. Once he received her blessing, the workouts intensified… he was on a mission… as was Apollo Creed. The night for the big fight finally arrives. Rocky makes his way into the ring. He stretches… jogs around… loosens up… and then, over the loud speakers, the announcer makes the introduction for Apollo Creed who is now entering the ring. The crowd cheers… some booed… And just as Apollo steps into the ring, Rocky leans over to his manager and says, “It’s Apollo!” Mickey, his manager responds, “Who’d you expect?”
Rocky replies, “I was hoping he wouldn’t show up.” Sometimes we want the easy way out. The victory without the fight. To win by default. Here are my few thoughts:
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Love looks for the best in others. Love never wishes evil on another person. The person who is full of love doesn’t demand to be in the limelight.
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I like Rocky’s honesty in that he was hoping Apollo would not show up. We feel like that at times. But down deep, he would want to win knowing he beat the best in the world. To beat the best in world meant that he would be facing Apollo.
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Daily we are faced with incredible challenges. You are facing some tough situations that are extremely trialsome right now. You may want to take a few shortcuts… perhaps taking advantage of a few opportunities that may not be the right thing to do. Would Jesus do it?
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Just because “everyone else is doing it” does not mean that it is the right thing to do. “Love,” Paul says, “rejoices with the truth.” Truth will always prevail. It may take a week… a month… or even years… but TRUTH ultimately wins.
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As you reflect on your own life… can you think of people who may have caused harm to you? They hurt you somewhere way back when? And you have held a grudge against that person for some time. You can hardly think of that person without getting upset. You’re bothered whenever you think of what happened years ago. Is it worth it?
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The Apostle Paul says that all of those things will fade away… “gifts of prophecy… be done away; tongues… will cease; knowledge… done away…” Everything around us is temporary… it DOES NOT LAST. But one thing is eternal… LOVE. Within love, there is forgiveness. Within love, there is hope. Within love, there is life. Love is Jesus… Jesus is love. You will weather the toughest of storms in life… and when you do, you will be like a flower holding onto the rain that splashes off your petals.
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Whatever challenges you are facing… meet them head-on. But do so in love.
THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS: I will be leaving for Peru in two weeks… taking along with me the many supplies you have provided for the Pastors’ Retreat. You have brought in many goods for us to shower the pastors and their wives with. We could use a few more hand/dish towels, combs, and sewing kits. All of which can be purchased at the 99 cent store. Thank you!
FAMILY PROMISE: In a few days, we will be hosting our second week of Family Promise (homeless families in need). Thank you for signing up and assisting us with your help. You will cook, host, encourage, sleep over, clean up… and so much more. What a blessing you are to the Body of Christ!
I love you and I am looking forward to this weekend. On Sunday, we will continue our journey on the series GROWING HEALTHY as we take a look at Ephesians Chapter one in a message entitled “The Plan and the Power.” The Lord always provides a way. Have a wonderful weekend. See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, September 19, 2011
Good Morning! It’s another gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley. Cooler morning and I hear that the temps are to rise into the mid-90s by this afternoon… No running for me this morning as I’m beginning to taper down a bit for the marathon I have in less than two weeks. These last two months have been a little rough in my training. The body does not want to do everything the mind tells it to do. And when it does obey… the body is much slower.
Just a quick note to all of you for your kind words, notes of encouragement, and cards I received for my 51st birthday yesterday. Yes, yes, yes… lots of funny “old man” type cards. Everyone’s got to get their little joke in about getting older. I’ve done it… in fact, I still do. So… if you dish it out, you got to expect some in return. So, for my birthday yesterday I received some gift cards, Gu, Gatorade, compression socks, $2 bills, coffee, a $1 million bill, and more… You are all so good to me. BTW… the offer still stands for anyone who would like 10% of the $1 million bill. I will give you the bill and you can give me $900,000 in $100 Ben Franklins.
Lots of hospital needs this weekend. Be in prayer for Cher who continues to recover from emergency surgery on the small intestines. Bill S. was in for one night… and then Patti P. who is also in, but could be going home today. Pastor Kathy spent some time in the emergency room early this morning and was sent home to recover from a kidney stone. Lift them all up in your prayers.
On Friday, Cindy McLean’s father passed away and the service for him will be in LA tomorrow (Tuesday) in a small family gathering. Pray for Foster, Cindy, and the boys along with their families.
Good Morning! It’s another gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley. Cooler morning and I hear that the temps are to rise into the mid-90s by this afternoon… No running for me this morning as I’m beginning to taper down a bit for the marathon I have in less than two weeks. These last two months have been a little rough in my training. The body does not want to do everything the mind tells it to do. And when it does obey… the body is much slower.
Just a quick note to all of you for your kind words, notes of encouragement, and cards I received for my 51st birthday yesterday. Yes, yes, yes… lots of funny “old man” type cards. Everyone’s got to get their little joke in about getting older. I’ve done it… in fact, I still do. So… if you dish it out, you got to expect some in return. So, for my birthday yesterday I received some gift cards, Gu, Gatorade, compression socks, $2 bills, coffee, a $1 million bill, and more… You are all so good to me. BTW… the offer still stands for anyone who would like 10% of the $1 million bill. I will give you the bill and you can give me $900,000 in $100 Ben Franklins.
Lots of hospital needs this weekend. Be in prayer for Cher who continues to recover from emergency surgery on the small intestines. Bill S. was in for one night… and then Patti P. who is also in, but could be going home today. Pastor Kathy spent some time in the emergency room early this morning and was sent home to recover from a kidney stone. Lift them all up in your prayers.
On Friday, Cindy McLean’s father passed away and the service for him will be in LA tomorrow (Tuesday) in a small family gathering. Pray for Foster, Cindy, and the boys along with their families.
Encouragement
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered… (First Corinthians 13:4-5)
Years ago someone said to me, “Insert your name where the word ‘love’ appears in the 13th chapter.” So I did… and I remember thinking how things did not sound just right. I wanted Greg to be patient and kind… I wanted to NOT be arrogant or brag... I didn’t want to seek my own or act unbecomingly, but it was hard. And then I was told to insert the name “Jesus” for the word “love”. Jesus is love, Jesus is kind, Jesus is not jealous; Jesus does not brag, and He is not arrogant… Everything about that statement made perfect sense… Jesus was all of that and more. Here are my few thoughts:
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As I read through the Gospels journeying from one story after another… I get the feeling that Jesus was never in a rush. He seemed to take His time in everything He did. He slowed down as He met with people. He spent time in certain places and never seemed to be in a hurry to get from one place to another. Jesus was patient… in nearly all aspects of His life. The only time, it seems His patience was tried, was with the religious establishment who unjustly governed the people.
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Jesus was always patient… He was always kind. And He still is. I am certain that there were many trying and difficult long days and nights for Jesus. The crowds were always demanding just one more miracle… just one more healing… just one more word of advice… just one more… And how is it that He was able to keep on going?
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After a long day of meetings… hospital visits… teaching or preaching… whatever it is that I may do, I like to get home, kick back just a little. Sometimes I will go out for a slow run just to get outside. Sometimes I like to sit back on the couch with a bowl of ice-cream and flip through the channels until I find something I like. Jesus never had TV. I was cracking up last night as I read through some emails. In one of the services yesterday I made the comment that there was a time when there were NO cell phones. Last night, one of our young people wrote me an email, “Pastor Greg, there really was a time when there were no cell phones?” Matt Guinn… you make me smile.
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So what did Jesus do? I doubt that He ate ice-cream… I know that He didn’t have TV to watch. Electronics wasn’t even a word. No electricity… no pizza parlors… no In-n-Outs… no golf courses… So what did He do? He had to do something.
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Have you noticed how much Jesus enjoyed the water? Though we don’t have any record of Jesus sailing across the Mediterranean Sea, we do know that He spent a great deal of time around the Sea of Galilee. We find Him crossing the lake (Sea) many times. It seems He was very comfortable in boats. I believe that Jesus found rest and relaxation during the times He spent in those fishing boats. He liked being around the water and boats. He enjoyed the outdoors He had created. He found rest and renewal when He was there.
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And so we read, quite often, times and places Jesus would retreat… away from the crowds, sometimes in a boat… sometimes on the land… but when He did He spent time with His Father.
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I am becoming more and more aware that if I am going to live out the love of Jesus… I need to spend time with Him. As you go about your day today, may I challenge you to break away from your routine… step back from whatever you are doing… and reconnect with Jesus. It’s not that TV should be off limits… or your computer… or anything else… but if you want to experience the full love and attitude of Christ, you must daily spend some moments with Him. I can promise you this: He will strengthen you and guide you.
A NOTE FROM TYLER: “Church, Thank you to everyone that has thought of me, and prayed for me. I need it more than I thought as today proved with BMR-week 1. Marksmanship was very bad for me today. I may explain later. Anyways, stay strong! – Fighting for Freedom, PFC Shefton”
FAMILY PROMISE: Our second week for this ministry begins on Sunday, September 25. Thanks to all of you who have signed up to help. As you are aware, our church has volunteered the facilities to house homeless families on a quarterly basis where we provide food and shelter for one entire week. During this week, they receive training and assistance to return to their working careers at the main office in Canyon Country. For further information please contact either PJ Vernon or Anita Robbins with your questions.
FAMILY LIFE CENTER: What do you know about the Family Life Center? How old is our building? Do we have any debt on the building? Is there a plan to do any further construction? Is there anything I can do to help today? If any of these questions have ever come across your mind, I invite you to come this Sunday, September 25, for some answers.
I look forward to seeing you this week. May the Lord bless you as you walk with Him! I love you all…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Good Morning! This past weekend with the startup of football and then… with all of the focus on the 10th anniversary of 9-11… all of the stadiums were doing some special events to help us remember. I received this email and photo from Cindy Lovin who writes, “My son, Stephen was the lead Osprey in the flyover for the Sept 11 memorial at the San Diego Chargers game yesterday. It was awesome! I was so proud. It is the first time that Ospreys have been used as a flyover.” Cindy… we are proud too!
Good Morning! This past weekend with the startup of football and then… with all of the focus on the 10th anniversary of 9-11… all of the stadiums were doing some special events to help us remember. I received this email and photo from Cindy Lovin who writes, “My son, Stephen was the lead Osprey in the flyover for the Sept 11 memorial at the San Diego Chargers game yesterday. It was awesome! I was so proud. It is the first time that Ospreys have been used as a flyover.” Cindy… we are proud too!
There are some shocking reports I see and hear on the news. Last night when Leslie and I arrived home, we relaxed for a moment as we searched the channels for something to watch. First of all… we caught the last portion of the “America’s Got Talent.” There were four finalists… Three were large groups and one was a single man. Perhaps you are already aware, the single man ended up winning the whole thing. $1 mil and a show in Vegas. His story was a true story from rags to riches… from detailing cars to becoming a millionaire. However, I will say… I thought that the two other groups were quite amazing with the originality and performing abilities I saw.
But… following the show “America’s Got Talent,” Leslie and I watched the beginning of the news at 10:00. Yes, you heard it right… Greg Garman stayed up till past ten and watched the first 15 minutes of the news. One of the first stories shocked me. Evidently some women celebs have pictures of themselves on their cell phones… and someone has hacked their accounts and posted photos of these women on the internet. Here’s what I don’t understand… What in the world is anyone doing with photos of themselves that they don’t want anyone to see… and they are carrying it around on their cell phone? Are you kidding me? No one should be hacking accounts… but… c’mon… Enough said.
Encouragement
If I speak with tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (First Corinthians 13:1-3)
It’s 10:00 p.m. and you’ve just gone to bed. You’ve worked hard all day… you finished two projects you had been working on for sometime… your head hurts… and your mind is still spinning from what you still need to accomplish tomorrow. You’re overwhelmed. Yet, you lay your head back on the fluffy pillow as you pull the sheet over your body. The window to your bedroom is slightly opened and you feel the nice, cool and gentle breeze across your face and shoulders. And just as you close your eyes for a much needed night’s rest, the young people next door decide to start their party. The dialogue taking place outside in the patio is not too bad… but the commotion begins to grow. You hear the clanging of glasses… an eruption of laughter… and then the music. It’s soft and gentle, at first, but it seems to grow louder… and LOUDER. As you lay there in bed, it’s become more than background noise… you can’t sleep… you’re fighting the noise… you try to cover your head… but it’s too warm… you’re miserable… upset… and all you can hear now is the loud percussion… the bass… the drum… and those crazy clanging cymbals. Here are my few thoughts:
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When writing on the subject of “love,” the Apostle Paul has a lot to say. Throughout this chapter, he shows great contrasts. What love is and what love is not. But, I find it interesting that the first example he gives us deals with our speech. In his letter, James mentions about the power of our tongue. With it we bless and with it we curse. But notice how Paul says that even when we say things that may be good and well… if there is no love in what we say, it’s meaningless. And not just meaningless… we are obnoxious. Just like a clanging cymbal.
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There are lots of people today who think that because of their good deeds, they are heaven bound. I gave to the food pantry last year. I helped out a person the other day who was in need. I said something good last week in a speech I gave. I walked/ran a marathon for charity. I gave to the church. I visited an elderly person who had no one around. I cooked a meal for Family Promise. I gave to missions. I went on a Work & Witness trip. I fasted for an entire day.
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The Apostle Paul would say, “Who cares? Big deal! Do you have the love of Jesus in you?” The word Paul uses in this chapter is agape (noun). It is not the verb. So it’s not about what you do… not your actions. There is a time and a place for our act of love… But here, Paul is talking to us about who we are. What’s deep within us… Do you have that pure, holy, Christian love deep within?
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We don’t do things today to be seen by others. If that were the case… our reward is fully received at the time of our actions. Jesus said that in Matthew.
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There’s an old chorus I learned many years ago. I’ve sung it in English. I’ve sung it in Spanish. The words ring true in both languages. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. WHERE? Down in my heart. WHERE? Down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. WHERE? Down in my heart to stay. The only difference in the two languages are in the final phrase. Instead of the last “WHERE?” In Spanish, we ask “WHY?” and the reply is awesome: “Because Jesus has saved me!”
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And when Jesus saves, He washes away all selfish junk. It’s not about me. It’s all about Him. That gives me joy. It is joy unspeakable. It is joy in my heart. I do things because I want to… it’s in me… it’s Christ living in me.
THANKS TO THE PRAYER TEAM: Last night, the Prayer Team gathered together to prepare the bottles of oil I would be taking along with me to Peru for the Pastors’ Conference in a few weeks. They filled nearly 200 bottles of oil, placed labels on them… and prayed for the pastors in the Amazon jungle who would be receiving these bottles and their villages where they serve. One of the topics I will cover in the seminars I will lead will be on “Anointing.” Each pastor will receive a bottle of olive oil to take back to their communities as they pray, anoint, and lay hands on the sick. Thank you Prayer Team!
A NOTE FROM TYLER: Hey Church, Thank you for being there to pray for me! Thank you Evan Murray and Sue Doran for your uplifting cards. They made my day better after going through the gas chamber (cs gas) twice. Tomorrow we have some sort of road march so I gotta cut it short. I love you guys! Fighting for Freedom, PFC Shefton. Tyler, we love you and we are proud of you!
This Sunday, we begin a new series on GROWING HEALTHY as we tackle the great doctrine of Holiness. We’ll begin with the first chapter in Ephesians. I look forward to our journey through this great letter of Paul. I love you and I hope to see you all soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, September 12, 2011
Good Morning! It’s the day after… most of us can still remember the day after 9-11-01. We woke up in the morning with a lump in our throats, yet at the same time there was a sense of patriotism like never before. It seemed that our country was united as one. Prayers were offered up across the land as we all were trying to put the pieces back together.
“Change” may be one of the best words to describe what has transpired in our lives these past 10 years. So much of what we had done in the years gone by, we can no longer do the same way today. Travel… packing… mailing… speaking…
Yet, we press on. We wake up this morning knowing that a new day is before us. “It is the day the Lord has made.” We can rejoice and be glad in it… or we can choose to grumble and complain about all that is wrong. It’s a beautiful morning… I’ve already been to the hospital to pray with an individual… I made my way through the traffic… I’ve come back to the office… I had a nice cup of coffee… I’ve been energized by the Word of God… I’ve got bills to pay just like all of you… aches and pains here and there… but, the Lord has given me another day to rejoice… share His love… do what I can to make a difference in this world…
Last Thursday night, I believe, was the first NFL football game of the season… but yesterday was the “official” beginning of NFL games. How did your team/teams do? I did get to see part of the Cowboys vs. Jets game… and it was a close one all the way to the end. The women’s US Open finals were yesterday… and the men’s are today.
And now… I’m less than three weeks away from the St. George Marathon. Yes, it’s a full 26.2 mile marathon (any time you have the word “marathon” means that it is 26.2 miles). Ultras will vary in distance… but never the marathon. I will go up to St. George on Friday, September 30, to race early in the morning on Saturday, October 1. My training has not been as sharp as it has been in the past. It’s a little more difficult as the years roll by. Yet, I hope to run well… and I know that I’ll have fun in doing so… at least in the first 22 miles. It’s those horrible last 4 that are a killer. Following the race… I’ll be home by late afternoon and ready for church the next morning on the 2nd.
Good Morning! It’s the day after… most of us can still remember the day after 9-11-01. We woke up in the morning with a lump in our throats, yet at the same time there was a sense of patriotism like never before. It seemed that our country was united as one. Prayers were offered up across the land as we all were trying to put the pieces back together.
“Change” may be one of the best words to describe what has transpired in our lives these past 10 years. So much of what we had done in the years gone by, we can no longer do the same way today. Travel… packing… mailing… speaking…
Yet, we press on. We wake up this morning knowing that a new day is before us. “It is the day the Lord has made.” We can rejoice and be glad in it… or we can choose to grumble and complain about all that is wrong. It’s a beautiful morning… I’ve already been to the hospital to pray with an individual… I made my way through the traffic… I’ve come back to the office… I had a nice cup of coffee… I’ve been energized by the Word of God… I’ve got bills to pay just like all of you… aches and pains here and there… but, the Lord has given me another day to rejoice… share His love… do what I can to make a difference in this world…
Last Thursday night, I believe, was the first NFL football game of the season… but yesterday was the “official” beginning of NFL games. How did your team/teams do? I did get to see part of the Cowboys vs. Jets game… and it was a close one all the way to the end. The women’s US Open finals were yesterday… and the men’s are today.
And now… I’m less than three weeks away from the St. George Marathon. Yes, it’s a full 26.2 mile marathon (any time you have the word “marathon” means that it is 26.2 miles). Ultras will vary in distance… but never the marathon. I will go up to St. George on Friday, September 30, to race early in the morning on Saturday, October 1. My training has not been as sharp as it has been in the past. It’s a little more difficult as the years roll by. Yet, I hope to run well… and I know that I’ll have fun in doing so… at least in the first 22 miles. It’s those horrible last 4 that are a killer. Following the race… I’ll be home by late afternoon and ready for church the next morning on the 2nd.
Encouragement
The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:13-20)
God sees you. He sees everything you do. That can be both reassuring and scary. But you know something… when we live right… as we seek to know Him more… when we study His Word, applying His teachings in our lives… God sees it all.
Have you ever done something good just to do it? Not to be noticed. Not to receive credit. Just because you wanted to do something for someone… or you simply wanted to do good. Perhaps we have all been in situations like that. It feels great to help out in a time of need. It feels awesome to be like the Good Samaritan when someone was hurting and in need of help. What was the Good Samaritan’s name? Yeah, I know… it was a parable of Jesus… but a real life situation… and those kinds of things happen over and over again.
Nothing escapes the eyes of God. When you stop a young boy in the hallway to tell him that you liked the way he sang in church… God sees that. When you drop off cookies for the firemen He sees that too. When you stop to help a homeless man who needs a bite to eat… God knows. When you drop an encouragement card to a friend who is in pain or sorrow, God sees.
It doesn’t always have to be the big and huge things done, for God to notice. In fact, I kind of feel the opposite. Sure, we applaud when someone says something great from behind a podium… or we clap our hands following a musical special that’s sung on some platform somewhere… but I believe God looks for the “other” things. The small things that are not so noticeable. Jesus said that it’s the cup of cold water in His name. It’s the widow’s mite.
And that’s what we find in the story of the casting out of the demons from Mark 5. The demons were sent to a herd of pigs… and they all tumbled into the water and drowned. The man, who was now clothed and in his right mind, wanted to come with Jesus, but Jesus sent him back home to tell everyone what God had done. We don’t even know his name. But forever, he is known as the demon possessed man healed by Jesus. A year later, Jesus returned to the Decapolis where this man lived. And my… how things change. A year earlier, at the healing of this demon possessed man, the crowds of Decapolis sent Jesus away. They got rid of Him, because of the pigs… the loss of business… the change… But this time, he had a gathering… a flowing… the Bible says there were 4000 people crowding in to hear from the Master. WHY? Because a man, whom we don’t even know by name… obeyed the Lord… returned to his homeland and shared what “good things” Jesus did for him. And Jesus fed 4000 people that day… just as He had done for 5000 on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
God sees everything. Don’t give up. Don’t do it to impress others. Live your life for Jesus!
FAMILY PROMISE: In less than two weeks, we will once again be hosting Family Promise at our church. The need has grown and we will have four families with us from Sunday evening, September 25th, until Sunday morning October 2nd. The needs are many! Calling all cooks and those with a gift for hosting. We will need dinner prepared each night (except for Wednesday) for approximately 20 people. This can be a group effort or family affair. We also need evening hosts (Food preparers can stay and fit this bill nicely). And we'll also need those who can sleep over with our guests. Breakfast is grab-n-go and will be provided. If you would like to help out, please contact Anita Robbins.
If you would like to help out but don't have any time, donations of food or funds is always appreciated. Thank you!
If you would like to help out but don't have any time, donations of food or funds is always appreciated. Thank you!
ENCOURAGMENT CARD NIGHT: Tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 13 at Dave Ewart’s home from 7:00-8:30…
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Every Wednesday night we have a great time filled with all sorts of ministries. It all begins at 5:00 with the Prayer Team meeting in the Conference Room… Dinner from 5:30-6:30. Please be sure to sign up and pay at the door. Caravans and Youth Group at 6:30. Adult Bible Study at 7:00 as well as Choir practice. C’mon and check out what is happening!
I love you all and hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Good Morning! Yesterday afternoon things got heated up for us in the office trailer. Now… I like warm to hot weather… you all know that. But, by 4:00 in the afternoon, in the office trailer, with the AC working for all she’s worth… the coldest we could get the offices were 90 degrees.
Good Morning! Yesterday afternoon things got heated up for us in the office trailer. Now… I like warm to hot weather… you all know that. But, by 4:00 in the afternoon, in the office trailer, with the AC working for all she’s worth… the coldest we could get the offices were 90 degrees.
We decided to pack up our things and head over to the Conference Room to work from there. Today… we just may not wait that long.
Thank goodness, Wednesday Nights are back. I love the mid-week ministries we have ongoing here at NewNaz. There is something for everyone. And it all starts early. The Prayer Team usually arrives around 5:00 or even before to begin praying for the needs of the church. The kitchen crew is usually already at it getting food prepared for us all. By the time 5:30 rolls around, we’re all eager to grab a plate and head into the line. And last night, the food was nothing short of FANTASTIC. BBQ chicken, potatoes, salad… brownies and ice-cream… C’mon! Life is not much better than that. And then I discovered that the salad items were straight from the Weekley’s home garden. Great job, guys! Food was great. Fellowship was awesome. What a great evening!
Then at 6:30, the kids broke away for their opening activities in the FLC before Caravan started up again. The teens all met in the trailer. The Worship Team was back in full action preparing to lead us in worship on Sunday… and then at 7:00 the adult Bible Study resumed in the Conference Room while the Celebration Choir rehearsed for the upcoming Sundays. All in all… the first Wednesday night back went well. Thank you all for coming. But let me remind you to please sign up for next Wednesday night’s meal if you plan to eat with us. We are making a few changes… one of which, not much extra food will be prepared… so if you don’t sign up, you may not get to eat with us until the very end. It’s only $3 per person and $12 for a large family. If you think you can do better than that… go try and feed your family for $12. McDonald’s is just up the road. Thanks Carolyn and crew… you people deserve a round of applause!
Encouragement
… and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (I Corinthians 11:24-25)
One of the greatest sacraments we take part in throughout the year is communion. Why do we break the bread and eat it? Why do we take the cup and drink from it? In this letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explains for us exactly what Jesus intended us to do. There’s a key word found in both verses… When Jesus took the bread and He broke it… He then passed the broken bread to His disciples... and they ate. As they received the bread from Jesus… they left that upper room, and a few weeks later under the influence of the power of the Holy Spirit, began to plant churches. Before long, they were spreading themselves out all over Asia Minor and Europe… and Africa… planting churches. Everywhere they went they remembered the words of Jesus. That’s precisely what Jesus had intended them to do… REMEMBER!
Today, we have cameras to help us remember our family outings and vacations. We purchase knick-knacks on trips…sometimes mugs, small refrigerator magnets, calendars, paintings… and bring them back to our homes, placing them on the shelves, so that when we pass by we always remember that trip… that journey. Here are my few thoughts:
Today, we have cameras to help us remember our family outings and vacations. We purchase knick-knacks on trips…sometimes mugs, small refrigerator magnets, calendars, paintings… and bring them back to our homes, placing them on the shelves, so that when we pass by we always remember that trip… that journey. Here are my few thoughts:
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It’s been nearly 10 years since the outrageous attacks against the USA on 9-11, 2001. You will never forget what you were doing when you got word of the planes crashing into the twin towers… the plane striking the Pentagon… or the plane headed for the White House but crashed in an open field in Pennsylvania. Some of us were glued to our TV sets watching in disbelief. Others of us were trapped in another city trying desperately to find a way to get home. You remember exactly what you were doing when a friend called you up to say, “turn on your TV.”
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We won’t forget that day. There are images of horror embedded in our minds of the events on that September 11, 2001 morning. How could we forget? And I am most certain that every day… at nearly every airport in the world … someone is thinking of 9-11. The way we travel has completely changed these past 10 years. 9-11 has, not only affected the USA, but every country in the world. Before an international flight we are required to be at the airport 3 hours before the flight. THREE HOURS! And if you live an hour away from the airport, without traffic… you may need to leave your home 4 -5 hours before your flight is ever scheduled to depart.
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Today, we remove our laptops from our bags… we take our shoes off… throw out bottles of water and other liquids… and then have our body entirely scanned to be sure we are safe to travel. So much has changed since 9-11. Most recently, as I was getting ready to depart from Nashville to return home, I went through all that I’ve described above… no lights came on or whistles went off… but I still had to be pulled aside and scanned with the wand just to be sure. Life is different today.
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We remember… and perhaps we will never forget. And in a similar way, Jesus was preparing His disciples to never forget what they were about to witness. They had seen crucifixions before. That was nothing new. They had seen thieves and murderers hanged on a cross. But Jesus was preparing them for something greater. Something that would last for generations… for centuries… for millennia to come. His perfect life… unblemished blood would be shed on a cruel cross. He would die as a sinner, even though, he was NOT GUILTY. Yet, He became sin for us… so that we might look to Him for saving eternal grace.
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There were those in Jesus’ day who couldn’t stand Him. They were jealous. They were filled with hatred. They wanted Him destroyed. So... they planned the false accusations… they blamed Him for everything that was wrong. And He willingly let them take Him to a rugged cross.
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I look at our country… so thankful to call myself an American. I am so grateful at the singing of the National Anthem to place my right hand over my heart and thank the Lord for the privileges I receive in living in this land. There are those who hate us for who we are. I believe that many are jealous of America. The last time I checked… hundred of people… thousands of people… perhaps tens of thousands of people are still trying to get in. We may not have everything perfect in the USA… but there is no country in the world where more people are trying to get visas than in the USA.
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This Sunday, we will remember 9-11. We will remember those who lost loved ones and friends. We will remember why we are a great country. We will remember to give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of living in this land. I’m proud to be a Christian! I am grateful to be an American. Let’s remember!
HOPE-n-MIC: Tonight from 7:00-10:00, you are invited to Hope-n-Mic right here at the church. Robert and Aurora Heller, along with their crew, put a great event together each month. If you are free… come on over and enjoy the music. You will enjoy it!
I love you all and I hope to see you on Sunday. It will be a great day! See you then…
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Good Morning! After I woke up this morning and headed over to IHOP for the Men’s Breakfast… I was cold. It’s still cold out there. After all, it’s September 1 and autumn is in the air. Cooler mornings and warm afternoons… Baseball season is about to end and Football season is just around the corner. I believe that the first college games begin this Saturday.
Has anyone been following the World’s Track & Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea? I’ve been able to see a few events… not nearly as much as I had planned on watching. I believe that the US Open is happening right now… that’s Tennis for those who may be wondering, and not golf. So, if you are a sports freak… these are good times. For me, my marathon training needs to be at peak right now. I have a marathon in just over 4 weeks. The St. George marathon is on Saturday, October 1… in one month. A few of us have run what we call the Tour de Santa Clarita on special holidays… and have decided to run it again this Monday on Labor Day. It’s a 30-mile run around the city: Starting at Lowe’s, we head up Bouquet to Vasquez Canyon Road to Sand Canyon to Soledad to Sierra Hwy to The Old Road and come by the church back to Lowe’s. A long and fun run that will begin at 4:30 a.m. A great way to start off the holiday!
This Sunday, we have an exciting day planned. I can hardly wait. Adam & Martha Boyd will be our special guests who are preparing to leave for their first missionary assignment in Papua, New Guinea, with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We will also share in the Baby Dedication of a very precious young baby girl. Come join us for a great Sunday.
Next Wednesday, life here at the church will be busy once again. Dinner will be served between 5:30 – 6:30. The meal price is $3 per person or $12 per family of four or more.
Good Morning! After I woke up this morning and headed over to IHOP for the Men’s Breakfast… I was cold. It’s still cold out there. After all, it’s September 1 and autumn is in the air. Cooler mornings and warm afternoons… Baseball season is about to end and Football season is just around the corner. I believe that the first college games begin this Saturday.
Has anyone been following the World’s Track & Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea? I’ve been able to see a few events… not nearly as much as I had planned on watching. I believe that the US Open is happening right now… that’s Tennis for those who may be wondering, and not golf. So, if you are a sports freak… these are good times. For me, my marathon training needs to be at peak right now. I have a marathon in just over 4 weeks. The St. George marathon is on Saturday, October 1… in one month. A few of us have run what we call the Tour de Santa Clarita on special holidays… and have decided to run it again this Monday on Labor Day. It’s a 30-mile run around the city: Starting at Lowe’s, we head up Bouquet to Vasquez Canyon Road to Sand Canyon to Soledad to Sierra Hwy to The Old Road and come by the church back to Lowe’s. A long and fun run that will begin at 4:30 a.m. A great way to start off the holiday!
This Sunday, we have an exciting day planned. I can hardly wait. Adam & Martha Boyd will be our special guests who are preparing to leave for their first missionary assignment in Papua, New Guinea, with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We will also share in the Baby Dedication of a very precious young baby girl. Come join us for a great Sunday.
Next Wednesday, life here at the church will be busy once again. Dinner will be served between 5:30 – 6:30. The meal price is $3 per person or $12 per family of four or more.
All you need to do is sign up on a “Welcome Card” and place it in the offering plate when it goes by on Sundays, call or email the church office by noon Monday, or sign up the Wednesday night before… Kid’s Caravan ministries will resume… Worship Team practice, Celebration Choir, Youth Group, Adult Bible Study, Nursery Care, and more… I hope to see you all here.
Encouragement
O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day… From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:97, 104)
There are lots of things we say we love. Have you noticed that? I love Chinese food. I love pizza. I love to run. I love tulips. I love to travel. I love sports. I love camping. I love… There are lots of things we say we love. Do we? I’ve said that I love Chinese food. I know I’ve said it… because I really do enjoy Chinese food. But, I’m not sure I’d like to eat Chinese food every day. I’ve said that I love camping… and I do like to go camping. But I also like my own bed, and I’m not sure I’d like to go camping 365 days in the year. If that were the case… I’d sell my home… ask the church board if I could pitch a tent in the back of the church and call it home. Sure… I run nearly every day… but again, my every thought and time is not consumed with running, although Leslie may think so. Here are my few thoughts:
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The psalmist says, “O how I love Thy law”… there is something special and powerful about the Word of God. Right here in my office I have, perhaps nearly 10 different translations or paraphrase versions of the Bible. How many Bibles do you have lying around your home? Three… four… eight??? It is the most translated book of all times. It is the number one best seller of all time. It is found in more homes than any other book in the world. It is the most read book every day in the year. And unfortunately, it is the most unread book in many homes as well.
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“O how I love Thy law…” All you need to do is watch the response of a native group of people who are receiving the written Gospel in their language for the first time. In some cases, you would have thought that someone just came to them and dropped $1 million in their laps.
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There is something enduring about the Word of God. It is a difficult book to read and remain unchanged… unchallenged. The Holy Spirit takes hold of the one who reads the Word of God with the hope of connecting with the Father through the His Son, Jesus Christ. As we read the Word, we walk with the Lord. As we read the Word, some of our habits begin to change. As we read His Word, we see things around us with a different perspective. As we read His Word, we gain wisdom and understanding. Therefore, wise decisions are being made. We begin to see sin more clearly… and the more we see sin… we want nothing to do with it. And for this reason, he writes, “Therefore, I hate every false way.”
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When you hate something… you want nothing to do with it. You don’t tolerate it. You want to stay as far away from it as you can. And the Bible speaks against robbery. I hate the very act of stealing. Have you ever had someone steal anything from you? You remember the feeling. Years ago, our car stereo was stolen… and I remember exactly how I felt. Invaded… angered…
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But you know that the Word speaks as much, if not more, on the subject of how we treat others? When wrongdoing is happening… the psalmist says, “I hate every false way.” What do you really love? What do you really hate?
LABOR DAY: The church office will closed this Monday, September 5 for Labor Day.
PRIMETIMERS REAGAN LIBRARY TRIP: Our Primetimers group enjoyed a nice trip last week to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Everyone who went seemed to enjoy themselves.
The InTouch, our NewNaz quarterly publication, is now available for you to pick up at the Welcome Center. This is a great tool to use when sharing with your friends and family about the ministries in the church.
I love you and I hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, August 29, 2011
Good Morning! Happy Birthday Leslie!!! Today is her big day… She only has 365 days left before she hits that big mark of one-half of a century… WOW! That is scary.
It’s been hot in the Santa Clarita Valley recently. Summer has finally arrived. Up until last week, I think that this is the most mild summer we’ve had in the last 20 years. But the heat has cranked up a bit and we continue to soar into the 100s. Looks like it is to be that way once again today. No rain this way… and we continue to pray for those suffering along the east coast with the results of Hurricane Irene.
This Sunday, we will Adam and Martha Boyd with us for both services. They are newly appointed missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators who will be soon be making their way to Papua New Guinea to begin translation work. Martha is the niece to Bill and Ruth Summers. You will want to come and hear of what they believe God will be doing through their efforts for the Kingdom.
Good Morning! Happy Birthday Leslie!!! Today is her big day… She only has 365 days left before she hits that big mark of one-half of a century… WOW! That is scary.
It’s been hot in the Santa Clarita Valley recently. Summer has finally arrived. Up until last week, I think that this is the most mild summer we’ve had in the last 20 years. But the heat has cranked up a bit and we continue to soar into the 100s. Looks like it is to be that way once again today. No rain this way… and we continue to pray for those suffering along the east coast with the results of Hurricane Irene.
This Sunday, we will Adam and Martha Boyd with us for both services. They are newly appointed missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators who will be soon be making their way to Papua New Guinea to begin translation work. Martha is the niece to Bill and Ruth Summers. You will want to come and hear of what they believe God will be doing through their efforts for the Kingdom.
Encouragement
He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
The kingdom of heaven is not so much like a radish. I was told years ago… if you want to have something show up very quickly just days after you plant it… do radishes… that’s what I was told. And sure enough, I remember planting radishes and not too long later… I saw the growth coming out of the ground… and before I knew it… we had radishes. It was quick… the plant never grew very tall… it was delicate… and I enjoyed red radishes.
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We all enjoy garden herbs. Some of us have a variety of herbs growing in our window sills. You may have scallions, basil, cilantro, or parsley. They are fun to plant and to watch grow. Most of these herbs don’t grow more than a few inches in height. Some might get up to 18 inches. They grow rapidly… and you can go out and trim a few of them to place the herb on your plate for dinner later on that night.
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I find it interesting that Jesus chose to describe the kingdom of God to that of a mustard seed. I also discovered that the mustard seed Jesus most likely spoke of was what may be called “black mustard” of the Mediterranean. This herb or plant is different. It grows much taller than typical herbs. It can reach the height of 9 feet. That’s much taller than you or me. It is more sturdy… sturdy enough for a bird to come and make its nest. It is very practical… and not only provides the herb but has medicinal value as well. And last of all… the mustard plant (also called a tree because of its size) grows and spreads out. It is not destroyed easily.
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I was told years ago that if you ever plant zucchini, make sure you have lots of friends. Boy, is that the truth. Where we lived a few years ago, we had plenty of room to plant a garden. I decided on tomatoes, radishes, strawberries, and zucchini. I watched carefully, as everything began to sprout… and then grow. I observed as the zucchini began to spread it vines across the yard. It grew and grew. Before we knew it, we could see small flowers blossoming… then zucchinis beginning to form. A few weeks later I recall cutting those zucchinis off the vine. The leaves became so large… some zucchinis were hidden underneath and continues growing. Some grew so large; they didn’t even look like zucchini. They were huge. We cooked some… ate as many as we could… and before we knew it… were giving them to other people. Whoever wanted some… got them.
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The mustard tree Jesus spoke of was much the same way. It grows and grows… It takes a little longer than the small household herbs to get to its full strength… You know what, we’re the same way. Have you ever seen a horse? A cow? Though, they are mammals like us… their days as babies are not at all like you and me. They have no time to waste. Once they are born… they need to be ready to defend themselves. So they are born ready to walk and then run. Thoroughbred racehorses are two years old and racing. They are full grown. Can you imagine a two-year-old going up against a 22-year-old adult at the starting line of a 100meter dash?
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When Jesus spoke on the mustard seed… and its ability to grow to the size of a tree… His listeners understood another truth about the kingdom of God. It would last. It was not some fragile herb easily destroyed when water was scarce. It was not easily destroyed when the weather conditions would turn freezing cold. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 16? He said, “Upon this rock I will build My church… nothing will destroy it!”
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Isn’t it awesome to know that we belong to a kingdom that is built to last? It is built to last forever. And throughout history, man has tried to destroy this kingdom. But… His kingdom marches on. Armies have marched against it. Dictators have risen to speak against it. But Jesus reminds us that there is no better place to invest our lives… our resources… our time… than in the kingdom of God.
PRIMETIMERS: Last Thursday, a great group of our PrimeTimers made their way to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley. I have heard great reports of their time spent together. Check out two of our celebs as they enter Air Force One!
I love you and I hope to see you all soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Good Morning! Confused? Perhaps… Here we are, about to close out the month of August, which means summer is nearly over, but it is now when we begin to get the hot weather. Days are slowly getting shorter as the sun delays its rise above the eastern hills. Once again, I believe we are to be in triple digits for Santa Clarita… and I think it is to last through the weekend. Peggy, Josh, and I will wait to see how thing unfold for us in the office today. A couple of days ago, we managed to get the office trailer down to 85 degrees… yes… that is with the AC. If it gets near that temperature today, we’ll head to the Conference Room.
This morning we started up the Men’s Breakfast for the fall. I enjoy this early morning experience with the guys who come. If you forgot… that’s okay, we’ll be back next week… same time 6:00 a.m. at IHOP just off the freeway and Lyons Ave. Men… come on and join us. The devotional books, Reflecting God, are out in the rack in the foyer near the Men’s Restroom.
Earthquakes… Tornadoes… Hurricanes… Fires… Having traveled cross country recently, and passing through states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, we were reminded of the natural disasters that strike from time to time. Upon our arrival in Oklahoma City, we were welcomed by a huge electrical storm. Lightning that was striking only miles away. Loud crashing thunder rolled across the skies. And then… the downpour… it rained… poured… as the girls went outside to enjoy the warm showers. We listened to the locals tell us stories of tornadoes twisting their way through the lands. Newscasters and tornado chasers following each and every funnel. Then, there are earthquakes… in Virginia?! 5.8 or 5.9 depending on who you listen to… Wow! The Washington Monument is now closed due to cracks that were discovered near the top. Then… yesterday, another 7.0 earthquake strikes the Peruvian rainforest near the Brazilian border. Fortunately in an isolated area where there are few, if any, people. No one was hurt.
And now… Hurricane Irene is on her way to North Carolina… Did you catch any of the video of its damages to the Bahamas? The waters are fierce! Then it’s the fire season for us in SoCal. We may not know where or when… but we are most certainly guaranteed a fire to break out somewhere. Yet, through it all… we press on… we don’t worry… we don’t fret… This world we live in is a very fragile one. We know who holds the future. In His hands we put our trust. Until then, we prepare… we need not be caught off guard. Are you prepared for an emergency? Do you have water? Cash? Extra food? Gas in your car? Do your kids know where to meet you in the event you are separated and want to be together?
Good Morning! Confused? Perhaps… Here we are, about to close out the month of August, which means summer is nearly over, but it is now when we begin to get the hot weather. Days are slowly getting shorter as the sun delays its rise above the eastern hills. Once again, I believe we are to be in triple digits for Santa Clarita… and I think it is to last through the weekend. Peggy, Josh, and I will wait to see how thing unfold for us in the office today. A couple of days ago, we managed to get the office trailer down to 85 degrees… yes… that is with the AC. If it gets near that temperature today, we’ll head to the Conference Room.
This morning we started up the Men’s Breakfast for the fall. I enjoy this early morning experience with the guys who come. If you forgot… that’s okay, we’ll be back next week… same time 6:00 a.m. at IHOP just off the freeway and Lyons Ave. Men… come on and join us. The devotional books, Reflecting God, are out in the rack in the foyer near the Men’s Restroom.
Earthquakes… Tornadoes… Hurricanes… Fires… Having traveled cross country recently, and passing through states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, we were reminded of the natural disasters that strike from time to time. Upon our arrival in Oklahoma City, we were welcomed by a huge electrical storm. Lightning that was striking only miles away. Loud crashing thunder rolled across the skies. And then… the downpour… it rained… poured… as the girls went outside to enjoy the warm showers. We listened to the locals tell us stories of tornadoes twisting their way through the lands. Newscasters and tornado chasers following each and every funnel. Then, there are earthquakes… in Virginia?! 5.8 or 5.9 depending on who you listen to… Wow! The Washington Monument is now closed due to cracks that were discovered near the top. Then… yesterday, another 7.0 earthquake strikes the Peruvian rainforest near the Brazilian border. Fortunately in an isolated area where there are few, if any, people. No one was hurt.
And now… Hurricane Irene is on her way to North Carolina… Did you catch any of the video of its damages to the Bahamas? The waters are fierce! Then it’s the fire season for us in SoCal. We may not know where or when… but we are most certainly guaranteed a fire to break out somewhere. Yet, through it all… we press on… we don’t worry… we don’t fret… This world we live in is a very fragile one. We know who holds the future. In His hands we put our trust. Until then, we prepare… we need not be caught off guard. Are you prepared for an emergency? Do you have water? Cash? Extra food? Gas in your car? Do your kids know where to meet you in the event you are separated and want to be together?
Encouragement
Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. (- Jesus, from Luke 6:38)
I happen to believe that whenever Jesus spoke, He always spoke the truth. Jesus did a lot of speaking on forgiveness… He spoke a lot about money and treasure. He taught on prayer… fasting… and preached on giving. Jesus expected his listeners to give. He expects His church to give. And He goes on to even say that we are the ones who will determine our return in life. You know something… it really is a simple truth we experience every day. Think about it…
Generally speaking, we get whatever we put into it. Here in Santa Clarita… if you determine to not pay more than $100,000 for a house… good luck. You have $1,500 for a car. Well, here in SoCal… you may have trouble finding a used car for that price… and when you do… you may be getting what you put into it. It’s hard to find a nice, sit down restaurant for the prices you pay for fast food.
Jesus says, “For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” I believe we all have something to give. None of us are exempt from giving. I learned this as a young boy growing up in the jungle. My first memories of church services take me back to the days on the Kusu River where the nearby villages would come to the mission station for worship. This was a brand new thing for them. Many natives came out of curiosity… they just wanted to come because everyone else was coming. Some people truly came to worship and learn. Canoes would come down river from Kusu Chigamai and Lystra loaded with families, children, dogs, and chickens. Boats and canoes would make their way down from Chipe which was up the Maranon River. There at our port, just where the Kusu River mingles its waters with the Maranon River, it was like a parking lot… filled with canoes and boats. A few people would come by trail… Sunday mornings were always fun and exciting for me as a young boy growing up. Here are my few thoughts:
Generally speaking, we get whatever we put into it. Here in Santa Clarita… if you determine to not pay more than $100,000 for a house… good luck. You have $1,500 for a car. Well, here in SoCal… you may have trouble finding a used car for that price… and when you do… you may be getting what you put into it. It’s hard to find a nice, sit down restaurant for the prices you pay for fast food.
Jesus says, “For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” I believe we all have something to give. None of us are exempt from giving. I learned this as a young boy growing up in the jungle. My first memories of church services take me back to the days on the Kusu River where the nearby villages would come to the mission station for worship. This was a brand new thing for them. Many natives came out of curiosity… they just wanted to come because everyone else was coming. Some people truly came to worship and learn. Canoes would come down river from Kusu Chigamai and Lystra loaded with families, children, dogs, and chickens. Boats and canoes would make their way down from Chipe which was up the Maranon River. There at our port, just where the Kusu River mingles its waters with the Maranon River, it was like a parking lot… filled with canoes and boats. A few people would come by trail… Sunday mornings were always fun and exciting for me as a young boy growing up. Here are my few thoughts:
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I observed the faithfulness of God’s children in the jungle learning to give… some people, giving beyond their means. I especially enjoyed offering time. Usually mom made sure that we (Garman children) had an offering to place in the offering plate when it would come by. Many people during those early days of ministry had no idea what it meant to tithe or to give an offering. But little by little, slowly and steadily… the early Christians began to recognize that God deserved first place in their lives… and they started to bring back to the Lord what He had blessed them with.
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Today, here in Santa Clarita, few of us, if any, are paid with bananas, eggs, or yuca… but in certain parts of the world they are. How refreshing it is to return to the jungle to see God’s children still in action. Even though cash is more common than it was in the mid 1960s, there are still many people who do not see coins, not to mention, crisp clean bills. And so… the tradition carries.
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Observe carefully, a typical tithes and offering time in a native village. This photo was taken in March while I was there in Chipe. The ushers that morning were all women. Four ladies were called forward to receive the morning tithes and offerings from the church. You will notice two ladies holding plates. In those two plates were envelopes with cash. There was also an egg. One of the ladies was holding a nice piece of yuca. The other was holding plantains. That morning there were a few bundles of sugarcane (not pictured) and a few other items. The pastor and the board would receive these offerings… sometimes they were distributed to the one with the most need. Other times, these offerings were used to feed a guest. Sometimes the pastor and his family would feed on these offerings.
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This tradition started back nearly 50 years ago… and still continues strong. The natives have learned that God is faithful and true. He will provide. He will always remain faithful to His obedient children.
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I know that these days are tough times for many people… in our church… in our community… in our state. And I want to thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord and His church. We are making it through the summer months. Sometimes, these months can be killers, especially in the area of tithes and offerings. But, so many of you have been faithful to give… Thank you.
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Just remember, it was Jesus who said it… you are the one who will determine the outcome. Wherever your treasure is… you will find your heart as well.
PRAYER NEEDS: As we know, there are many requests we have. Financial needs, school matters, family concerns…
- Janice Eernisse requests prayer for her brother who is having a heart procedure in Bakersfield today. It was delayed one day.
- Gayle Mendoza reports that her hometown near Lincoln Nebraska has suffered a tanker spill and the town is evacuated. She is concerned for friends and loved ones back home.
- Baby Austin is back in the hospital with a blood clot in the vessels that supply the liver and has a narrowing in the bile duct. He may be in surgery at this time to remedy these conditions.
PERU MISSION’S NEEDS: Many of you are aware that I will be leading a small group of us to Peru in October. The purpose for the mission trip is three-fold:
1. To participate in a couple of church building dedications. Particularly in Bagua at the Los Olivos Church.
2. To help restore a few buildings on the New Horizons Mission Station... many buildings are in need of repairs.
3. To lead a tri-district Pastor's Conference at New Horizons at the same time the repairs are going on.
For this reason, I am requesting your help. We would like to present the pastors in the jungle a few items to take back to their villages and give to their wives. This Sunday, my mom will briefly explain what items we are looking for. They will be small in size (we need to carry these things in our suitcases)... things like a small purse, combs, tissue... and most of these things can be picked up at the 99 cent store. We plan to have as many as 150 pastors who will want to take a small package back to their wives. There will be a box in the foyer for these items to be placed in. Thanks for your help!
1. To participate in a couple of church building dedications. Particularly in Bagua at the Los Olivos Church.
2. To help restore a few buildings on the New Horizons Mission Station... many buildings are in need of repairs.
3. To lead a tri-district Pastor's Conference at New Horizons at the same time the repairs are going on.
For this reason, I am requesting your help. We would like to present the pastors in the jungle a few items to take back to their villages and give to their wives. This Sunday, my mom will briefly explain what items we are looking for. They will be small in size (we need to carry these things in our suitcases)... things like a small purse, combs, tissue... and most of these things can be picked up at the 99 cent store. We plan to have as many as 150 pastors who will want to take a small package back to their wives. There will be a box in the foyer for these items to be placed in. Thanks for your help!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. The message is called FIRMLY PLANTED and our text is Psalm 1. May the Lord receive our worship! May He speak to us through His Word! At the close of the service, we will take a few moments to remember His sacrifice for us as we celebrate in communion. See you all soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, August 22, 2011
Good Morning! However, as I begin these Few Thoughts, Spencer and I are about 40,000 feet in the air. We’ve just left Dallas/Ft. Worth and are now headed for LAX. We said our goodbyes to Leslie and Aubree back in Nashville… had a change of planes in Dallas and are now on our way home. Leslie will be with Aubree just a few more days before she returns home to be with us. Aubree will soon be in her dorm and getting acclimated to Trevecca Nazarene University. The school’s campus is one of the oldest Nazarene campuses, but located in a very beautiful spot.
This morning, we had the privilege of sitting together as a family in church as we attended the oldest Nazarene church in the south… Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. Today they were installing their new pastor who is making the transition from Chicago First, along with his family. He, as well as all of his family, are all graduates of TNU.
Well… as you know, Aubree, Spencer, and I began our road trip last week on Sunday afternoon out to Tennessee. Our first night we stopped in Needles, CA. The question of the week was this: “Why would anyone live in Needles?” There is not much to do there. We were up on Monday morning… on the road once again and made a detour to Lake Havasu. Took a couple of quick photos…
Good Morning! However, as I begin these Few Thoughts, Spencer and I are about 40,000 feet in the air. We’ve just left Dallas/Ft. Worth and are now headed for LAX. We said our goodbyes to Leslie and Aubree back in Nashville… had a change of planes in Dallas and are now on our way home. Leslie will be with Aubree just a few more days before she returns home to be with us. Aubree will soon be in her dorm and getting acclimated to Trevecca Nazarene University. The school’s campus is one of the oldest Nazarene campuses, but located in a very beautiful spot.
This morning, we had the privilege of sitting together as a family in church as we attended the oldest Nazarene church in the south… Nashville First Church of the Nazarene. Today they were installing their new pastor who is making the transition from Chicago First, along with his family. He, as well as all of his family, are all graduates of TNU.
Well… as you know, Aubree, Spencer, and I began our road trip last week on Sunday afternoon out to Tennessee. Our first night we stopped in Needles, CA. The question of the week was this: “Why would anyone live in Needles?” There is not much to do there. We were up on Monday morning… on the road once again and made a detour to Lake Havasu. Took a couple of quick photos…
got a bite to eat… and back on the road for New Mexico. Of course, we passed through AZ… before pulling in to a friend’s home whom I went to high school with back in the late 70s. We spent the night… then hopped back in the car for Oklahoma City. Our goal in OK City was to see as many people as we could. Todd and Nancy Summers… Ken and Lisa Jones (my boarding school roommate and wife)… and my Aunt and Uncle Linda and David Garman. Just as we pulled up in the driveway to my aunt and uncle’s home, one of the hoses from the radiator cracked. Talk about perfect timing… and the Lord’s hand with us… though, the shops were all closed for the day… we waited until the morning to get it repaired and were off on our way by late morning. We pulled in to the hotel around 10:30 Wednesday night… just as Leslie was registering at the desk counter. Again… perfect timing.
The following morning I went for a run… Leslie and the girls decided to go over to the school about 4 miles away and I told them I’d meet them there. I quickly discovered that there are few sidewalks… no shoulders on the roads… and somewhat dangerous to run in the Nashville area. I seemed to be a moving target. Upon my return back to the hotel, I decided to find a new running location for my long run on Saturday.
Trevecaa Nazarene University is an older school. A beautiful campus with red brick buildings and block buildings all over the place. We saw the dorm where Aubree will be living. We checked out a few other buildings around the campus as Aubree went from place to place meeting with as many leaders as she could. Here I am back at home… I miss her already. It will be nice to have her home for Thanksgiving… and then Christmas.
The following morning I went for a run… Leslie and the girls decided to go over to the school about 4 miles away and I told them I’d meet them there. I quickly discovered that there are few sidewalks… no shoulders on the roads… and somewhat dangerous to run in the Nashville area. I seemed to be a moving target. Upon my return back to the hotel, I decided to find a new running location for my long run on Saturday.
Trevecaa Nazarene University is an older school. A beautiful campus with red brick buildings and block buildings all over the place. We saw the dorm where Aubree will be living. We checked out a few other buildings around the campus as Aubree went from place to place meeting with as many leaders as she could. Here I am back at home… I miss her already. It will be nice to have her home for Thanksgiving… and then Christmas.
Encouragement
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night, the Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 121:5-8)
Before backing out of the driveway for our trip last week, we prayed together as a family, asking the Lord to bless the trip… to watch over and protect us… to keep the car from breaking down… so that we could arrive in Nashville without difficulty. It’s interesting that we can read this psalm and learn of God’s watchful eye on His children. And then read Psalm 23 and learn that there are times we go through the “valley of the shadow of death.” Life is a journey. We have our ups and we have our downs. All of us have experienced mountain peaks… but we’ve also been through the desert.
We didn’t start our journey until 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite warm outside. As we drove through the Antelope Valley… and then through parts of the Mojave Desert… I recall looking out across the dry desolate desert and thinking about those covered wagons making their way towards the west some 160 years ago. Our goal was to make it to the California/Arizona border that night. Their goal was to make it to the hill they could see in the morning by sunset… some 15 miles away. Hot… dusty… no AC… uncomfortable… rough… but they journeyed on. It was still over 100 degrees in Needles at 9:30 PM, and more than 90 degrees at 7:00 AM. As I filled up with gasoline, I shared with the girls how blessed we were to not have any car trouble. The AC was working perfectly… in fact, it was too cold as we kept turning the vents away from hitting us.
The sun was bright and hot… but never harmed us. And then, as I already mentioned… the water hose that cracked on our trip… did not crack until we had arrived to our destination for the day. My first thought was, “Why?” “Why did this have to happen?” But then… just as soon as those thoughts came to me… I remembered… the car is a 1993 Honda. It has 172,000 miles. It’s an older car… been well used. And we were pushing it for all it was worth. And she was doing well.
We had prayed that the Lord would protect our journey along the way. And He had done that very thing. We had crossed the desert with raging temperatures. And He was with us. Each night we thanked the Lord for His watchful care. What a joy it was to see the variety of created works He provided for us. We saw plateaus… we saw mesas… cactus… rocks… and more rocks. We saw the transitioning of terrain from desert to plains to brush… to forests… And we kept on going. He was with us along the way.
While in Nashville, we decided to visit the zoo for one of the days. A wonderful family time we enjoyed. Take a look at some of the animals.
We didn’t start our journey until 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite warm outside. As we drove through the Antelope Valley… and then through parts of the Mojave Desert… I recall looking out across the dry desolate desert and thinking about those covered wagons making their way towards the west some 160 years ago. Our goal was to make it to the California/Arizona border that night. Their goal was to make it to the hill they could see in the morning by sunset… some 15 miles away. Hot… dusty… no AC… uncomfortable… rough… but they journeyed on. It was still over 100 degrees in Needles at 9:30 PM, and more than 90 degrees at 7:00 AM. As I filled up with gasoline, I shared with the girls how blessed we were to not have any car trouble. The AC was working perfectly… in fact, it was too cold as we kept turning the vents away from hitting us.
The sun was bright and hot… but never harmed us. And then, as I already mentioned… the water hose that cracked on our trip… did not crack until we had arrived to our destination for the day. My first thought was, “Why?” “Why did this have to happen?” But then… just as soon as those thoughts came to me… I remembered… the car is a 1993 Honda. It has 172,000 miles. It’s an older car… been well used. And we were pushing it for all it was worth. And she was doing well.
We had prayed that the Lord would protect our journey along the way. And He had done that very thing. We had crossed the desert with raging temperatures. And He was with us. Each night we thanked the Lord for His watchful care. What a joy it was to see the variety of created works He provided for us. We saw plateaus… we saw mesas… cactus… rocks… and more rocks. We saw the transitioning of terrain from desert to plains to brush… to forests… And we kept on going. He was with us along the way.
While in Nashville, we decided to visit the zoo for one of the days. A wonderful family time we enjoyed. Take a look at some of the animals.
Last night, Spencer and I arrived home safely and we thank the Lord for His tender loving care upon us. Thanks for your prayers for us along the way. The Lord has truly watched our going out and our coming is. It’s good to be home!
May the Lord bless you this week! I look forward to seeing you, especially this coming weekend. I will finish up with our series SUMMER IN THE PSALMS in a message entitled Firmly Planted. I love you and will see you soon.
Pastor Greg
Pastor Greg
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Good Morning! We are back from our camping trip in the mountains which you will see in just a short moment. Yes, I have photos of it all. Isn’t it interesting that with digital cameras we can do so much. Do you remember the days when you had to look down on your camera to see exactly how many pictures you had taken? Then you had to think twice whether the photo you were about to snap was worth the frame? And THEN, you had to wait until your entire trip was over… you were back home and had to take the roll of film to the store to get developed? Remember those days? THEN… someone came up with the idea of ONE-HOUR developing… you had to pay extra for it… but you did. Remember paying for your developed film, and opening the packet up right there at the counter? You couldn’t wait to get home.
Technology has changed a great deal over the years. Our kids have no idea of just how we had to wait to see our vacation pictures. Today, they snap the photo on their i-Phones, digital cameras… they record the sounds and the sights, and immediately upon reviewing what was just taken, can delete it at once and do the whole thing over again. Times have changed!
I took my camera everywhere with me. On every hike my camera was strapped around my neck waiting for the perfect shot. Click… click… click… I took many pictures. And each night, I grabbed my laptop to upload the pictures I had taken earlier that day. What a way to go!
Good Morning! We are back from our camping trip in the mountains which you will see in just a short moment. Yes, I have photos of it all. Isn’t it interesting that with digital cameras we can do so much. Do you remember the days when you had to look down on your camera to see exactly how many pictures you had taken? Then you had to think twice whether the photo you were about to snap was worth the frame? And THEN, you had to wait until your entire trip was over… you were back home and had to take the roll of film to the store to get developed? Remember those days? THEN… someone came up with the idea of ONE-HOUR developing… you had to pay extra for it… but you did. Remember paying for your developed film, and opening the packet up right there at the counter? You couldn’t wait to get home.
Technology has changed a great deal over the years. Our kids have no idea of just how we had to wait to see our vacation pictures. Today, they snap the photo on their i-Phones, digital cameras… they record the sounds and the sights, and immediately upon reviewing what was just taken, can delete it at once and do the whole thing over again. Times have changed!
I took my camera everywhere with me. On every hike my camera was strapped around my neck waiting for the perfect shot. Click… click… click… I took many pictures. And each night, I grabbed my laptop to upload the pictures I had taken earlier that day. What a way to go!
Encouragement
And immediately He (Jesus) made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away. And after bidding them farewell, He departed to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:45-46)
It seems that Jesus enjoyed getting away to the mountains. Have you noticed the number of times we find Jesus hanging around the lakes, sea and mountains? If you read the Gospels, you will find that Jesus spends a great deal of time in places like these. Sure, He spent lots of time in villages… towns, and even the city… but, in His three-year ministry experience, the four Gospel writers remind us that Jesus took some time to get away.
My family and I most recently took some time to get away… and get away we did. It’s been our annual tradition to head up the mountains in Kings Canyon to a remote location near the end of the road… only 30 miles northwest of Mt Whitney, but on the western side of the sierras… to a place called Cedar Grove. The elevation is only 4600 feet above sea level. The canyon is deep where the south fork of the King’s River flows rapidly towards the north to gather the waters of the middle fork and ultimately uniting with the north fork where it will flow into the San Joaquin Valley. High above the King’s River are towering mountains… rocky peaks… snow patches… and of course, beautiful forests of sweet smelling pines and giant sequoias.
I’m not quite sure what the terrain might have looked like in Jesus’ day as He journeyed to the mountains to get away from the busy-ness of life… but I’m certain that there were places where trees gathered in groups of forests…. A trickle of water bouncing off a rock and gathering into pools below provided Him with a fresh taste of crystal clear drinking water. Rock formations all around gave Him the reminder of strength and stability of His Heavenly Father. Perhaps the streams and small rivers He had to cross as He journeyed up the mountains reminded Him of the Living Water that He was… even then… for those who were looking to Him with thirst. Here are my few thoughts:
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Jesus got away. We may not find the word “vacation” in the scriptures, but we will find words like “departed, Sabbath, withdrew…” Even in creation, God laid the example for us by resting on the 7th day. We read in the 10 Commandments… the 4th one, that we are called to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” It is essential that we take breaks from our routine in life to spend some time away. And for me… there’s no place like the outdoors.
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We know that there were hotels in Jesus’ day (Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem and the Story of the Good Samaritan)… yet, isn’t it interesting that we can’t find one example of Jesus going to an inn? Perhaps He did, I’m certain that there was nothing wrong with the inns during Jesus’ day, but whenever we see Jesus going to a town, it seems He always spent time with friends. Perhaps, He didn’t have enough money for Him and His disciples. But one thing is for certain… Jesus spent loads of time in the mountains.
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Here’s why I enjoy the mountains so much: 1. There is no cell phone or internet capability up there so there is no temptation to check for voicemail, text messages, or emails. The cell phone just sat in the car. 2. There is no TV or radio so we couldn’t watch anything even if we wanted to. 3. There are few cars and people so there was no fighting through traffic or crowds. 4. No restaurants so all of our meals had to be prepared right there around the camp… and boy did we eat well! 5. There’s no electricity… yet we had lanterns and flashlights to help us make our way around at night. 6. Many hiking trails… running paths… to keep me busy and going. 7. A campfire every morning and night… so there were plenty of logs to split, cut, and prepare for the fire. 8. Games every night with the family. 9. The natural, created work of God was more beautiful than anything man could create… and I enjoyed the view each and every day. 10. And finally, I love getting to the mountains because it is a break in my daily routine of life here at home. So there were many opportunities to meditate… pray… and think… and I did that very thing.
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Here are some photos of our experiences. Enjoy!
HOPE-n-MIC TONIGHT: Tonight, from 7:00-10:00 is Hope-n-Mic right here at the church. You are all invited to come and join in.
SUNDAY SERVICE: I am looking forward to this Sunday’s worship service. There are several special ministries taking place. We will be receiving a few people into the church membership… baptizing six new believers… hearing a report from our children of their summer ministries… and more. I hope that you are planning to be part of this weekend’s ministries.
I love you all and trust that you are having a wonderful week. Tonight will be the second to the last race at COC. I believe that some people are planning to run and split just as soon as possible to make their way over to Hope-n-Mic. See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Good Morning! Tonight will be the 4th race of 7 in the COC Cross Country Summer Series. The temperatures at the start of the race have been extremely moderate as compared to the years in the past. Come on out and join the gang. Last week, there were more than 600 runners/walkers. Cost is only $5… it all starts at 7:00.
Several of you have thought about me as you’ve read the LA Times and the articles surrounding Machu Picchu. It’s amazing to think that 100 years have already passed since Hiram Bingham discovered it on July 24 in 1911. Machu Picchu is an incredible site. Built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec, perhaps Machu Picchu was the place where many Quechua people were prepared and learned some 600 years ago. It’s location on top of a mountain provides spectacular views of snowcapped peaks in the distant parts, and lush green valleys circulating around the Urubamba River thousands of feet below. It’s one of the few places the Spanish Conquistadores never conquered. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Land of the Incas… I highly recommend it. You will fly from Lima to Cuzco… then take a bus to the town of Ollantaytambo where a train will be waiting. The train ride is nearly a 2-hour ride along the valley floor following the Urubamba River. The train will end at Aguas Calientes, a small touristic town where you will hop on a bus to take you up the meandering road that leads to the ancient city of the Incas… Machu Picchu.
Good Morning! Tonight will be the 4th race of 7 in the COC Cross Country Summer Series. The temperatures at the start of the race have been extremely moderate as compared to the years in the past. Come on out and join the gang. Last week, there were more than 600 runners/walkers. Cost is only $5… it all starts at 7:00.
Several of you have thought about me as you’ve read the LA Times and the articles surrounding Machu Picchu. It’s amazing to think that 100 years have already passed since Hiram Bingham discovered it on July 24 in 1911. Machu Picchu is an incredible site. Built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec, perhaps Machu Picchu was the place where many Quechua people were prepared and learned some 600 years ago. It’s location on top of a mountain provides spectacular views of snowcapped peaks in the distant parts, and lush green valleys circulating around the Urubamba River thousands of feet below. It’s one of the few places the Spanish Conquistadores never conquered. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Land of the Incas… I highly recommend it. You will fly from Lima to Cuzco… then take a bus to the town of Ollantaytambo where a train will be waiting. The train ride is nearly a 2-hour ride along the valley floor following the Urubamba River. The train will end at Aguas Calientes, a small touristic town where you will hop on a bus to take you up the meandering road that leads to the ancient city of the Incas… Machu Picchu.
I’m headed to Peru this October, and would love to have you join me on a Work & Witness Trip to New Horizons. However, time will not allow for a stopover in Machu Picchu on this trip. We will be traveling through the jungle, holding a pastors’ conference and doing construction and repairs on the mission station. Dates are set for October 5 – 18. Cost is $1900.
Encouragement
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:7-9, 14)
A few weeks ago, I started on this psalm, highlighting the first phrase, I made a few comments about it. This morning, I want to look at the second phrase just briefly. “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” A testimony bears witness to something… and in this case, bears witness to the will of God and the duty of man. One thing I enjoy observing whenever I go to various places… is the consistency of God’s created work. I am certain that whenever I travel to the Amazon Jungle, it will be warm to hot and humid… very tropical… and it matters not what time of the year I go. I will not find snow in the jungle. I will not wake up and find frost on the ground. Likewise… if we were to travel to the midwest or back east somewhere… in another month or two, the leaves will explode with colors. Fall will arrive. This happens year after year after year. Right now, on top of Mt Everest, there is snow… there is ice on the glaciers. Right now, it is hot and dry in the Mojave Desert. I can be certain of these truths.
Next week, my family and I will be camping up in Kings Canyon. The elevation is only 4600 feet above sea level. We’ve been camping at the same location for many years… Cedar Grove. The Kings River flows down through the valley floor from the snow-covered peaks along the back side of Mt. Whitney. I really don’t need to look up what kind of weather we’ll have… because I have been there so many times. I can bear witness to what is there. The days will be warm to hot. Nights will be cool. The river will be rushing with water from the winter’s snowfall and the hot summer days. The ponderosa pines and sequoias will give out an aroma that is unlike anything else. There will be some wildlife… many squirrels, rabbits, dear, and bear are all around. We will hear thunder in the distant mountains and even see flashes of lightening every now and then. A rainstorm could even come our way. These are things I can be certain of… I have been there… and I do not expect many changes. Here are my few thoughts:
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The psalmist says that the Lord’s testimony is sure. That simply means that it is certain. It is true. It is definite. You know what I find amazing… whenever a friend comes to me (because they know I’m a pastor) and informs me of a recent discovery… perhaps an archeological discovery. I have been approached by certain people with excitement saying, “Did you hear what was recently discovered?” You see, some people get all excited because they see and touch something that the word of God spoke of many years ago. I don’t need to see Noah’s Ark today. I am certain that the story is true. Don’t get me wrong… I’d love to see it… I’d love to see its size and all… but I know, without a doubt, that the story is true.
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How much more are God’s words true for us today? How many times do we hear the Lord speak to us about anything? He has told us over and over again that He will NOT leave us… He will NOT abandon us. He will be with us in everything we do. His testimony is true. And look what it does…
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The word “simple” does not mean ignorant… stupid… or unintelligent. What it means is one who is openminded… who can be taught… and has a desire to follow in the ways of the Lord. God’s Word is there for the one who wants to use it. How many times do we see Jesus reminding us to call on Him? He says, “Come unto Me all you who are weary and carrying heavy loads.” Jesus says all of that because He wants to do something about it for us.
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One of the greatest joys in life is watching the way our children grow up in the Lord. Hearing them articulate their beliefs in Jesus is nothing short of amazement. Our children in the church are learning to trust in Jesus. They are discovering why they can trust in Jesus. Go ahead… this Sunday morning… ask them. You know why they are trusting in Jesus? Here’s why: Because they are simple in their ways and in their minds and desire to grow in the Lord. They want to do right. And guess what? They are becoming wise as they hear the testimony of the Lord because they know it to be definite.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Last night, we decided to cancel the Wednesday night adult studies in the Conference Room for the next three weeks. We will resume on August 24.
BAPTISM: We have a great group of people who are getting baptized on Sunday morning, August 14. I always look forward to these services. If you are one of those people who have informed us that your desire is to be baptized… or perhaps you want to learn more about what it means to be baptized, I would like to meet with you, and all others who are getting baptized on Wednesday evening, August 10, at 6:30 in the Conference Room.
CHURCH FAMILY TRIPS: I just received these recent photos from the McLeans who were away last week on their vacation camping out at the lake… water skiing and all other fun things.
I love you and hope to see you on Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, July 25, 2011
Good Morning! July is rolling by quickly… only one more week left and we are in August! It won’t be long before we begin hearing and seeing the back-to-school commercials on the radio and TV. Where has the summer gone? For us… we will head up to the mountains next week to spend some time camping out. Hiking… running… camping… relaxing… eating… and sleeping. That’s what we will do. And, hopefully spot a few bears here and there… deer, too.
The COC Summer Cross Country series is going well. We have a great turnout to run the 3-mile loop on Thursday nights at 7:00… several from the church. It’s not too late to come on over and hop in this Thursday night. Cost is only $5.
Last week, we had a good group of senior high boys and girls go up to Big Bear for their weeklong Summer Camp. They all returned quite excited about their experiences… and now they have one week to rest up and prepare for another weeklong Summer Mission Trip to San Diego. Their summer has been one of one week on… one week off… another week on… and another week off... And then… this morning, our children met in the church parking lot before heading to their camp. They have already left and are now in route to Camp Emmanuel Heights up past Atascadero. But before they left, I had the opportunity to take a few photos. They are the greatest group of kids anywhere!
Good Morning! July is rolling by quickly… only one more week left and we are in August! It won’t be long before we begin hearing and seeing the back-to-school commercials on the radio and TV. Where has the summer gone? For us… we will head up to the mountains next week to spend some time camping out. Hiking… running… camping… relaxing… eating… and sleeping. That’s what we will do. And, hopefully spot a few bears here and there… deer, too.
The COC Summer Cross Country series is going well. We have a great turnout to run the 3-mile loop on Thursday nights at 7:00… several from the church. It’s not too late to come on over and hop in this Thursday night. Cost is only $5.
Last week, we had a good group of senior high boys and girls go up to Big Bear for their weeklong Summer Camp. They all returned quite excited about their experiences… and now they have one week to rest up and prepare for another weeklong Summer Mission Trip to San Diego. Their summer has been one of one week on… one week off… another week on… and another week off... And then… this morning, our children met in the church parking lot before heading to their camp. They have already left and are now in route to Camp Emmanuel Heights up past Atascadero. But before they left, I had the opportunity to take a few photos. They are the greatest group of kids anywhere!
Encouragement
…But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (I Peter 3:15)
People are watching you. As we’ve been journeying through this Summer in the Psalms we have looked at that phrase time and time again. In yesterday’s message, Gil Mertz mentioned, under the Stone of Kindness, that it’s not what we say, but HOW we say it that really matters. And sometimes how we say something doesn’t even involve words. But it most certainly involves action. One statement I have heard numerous times in the Christian community is this: “O Lord, send us a revival… we need a revival in our land today.” Have you ever heard someone pray that kind of prayer? Have you ever said that to the Lord? Have you ever wished that for the church? I have! Here are my few thoughts:
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I am convinced that people who truly pray that sort of prayer… and mean it… are on their knees before our holy God. They are people of action. They are people that are looking FIRST, at their own lives. They are NOT looking for the faults in others. They aren’t focused on what’s wrong with the country… the church… other people. They are seeking the heart of God for themselves. They want more and more of Christ. And their action will show it.
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I like what I heard in the sermon yesterday… “If we want revival in America, it must first start in the church.” I believe that to be true. As we reflect on Pentecost… it was in the Upper Room where the disciples FIRST received the Holy Spirit. Revival broke out first among the small group of followers before it spread to the multitudes.
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Sometimes we pray for God to change them, when we are the ones who need the changing first. It’s not that they don’t need change… but perhaps we need it first.
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Do you remember those days years ago, when you were in school… you got into trouble. Something you did… you said… whatever it was, it really doesn’t matter, but you were the one who got caught. Immediately upon being caught in the act… you pick another kid in your class to throw under the bus. Did you ever do that? Unfortunately, I did. You’ve heard some kids say, “Everyone’s doing it!” Another one is, “Don’t look at me!” In other words… “They are to blame also.”
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Adam did it. Eve did it. We all have done it. But I am certain of this… revival will NEVER break forth in the church until revival happens to me. God wants to break through in my life first. He wants to break through in your life first. NOT IN THEM…
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You are accountable for you. I am accountable for me.
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As you go about your week… ask the Lord to challenge you to be Christlike in the world you live in. Kindness goes a long way. Don’t look for the faults in others. If you do… you will find them and it won’t make you look any better. When Jesus came upon the Samaritan woman, He could have found a million faults in her life. But He searched down deep within her and found a little girl crying for help… and He was kind to her. When Jesus found Peter, he was a rough rugged fisherman and Jesus could have found many faults but He chose to be kind and went fishing with him. When Jesus came upon Zaccheus in a tree… He could have found hundreds of faults… but He chose to show kindness and had dinner with him that evening.
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Check it out… people are watching you… be kind… let Christ shine through you today.
A NEW BLOCK WALL: Under the leadership of Daryel and Dale, we were able to put up a block wall last Saturday where a storage shed will soon be placed. Thanks everyone for your help! Let me say this… “Those blocks weigh a ton! My Word!!!” I, for one, was so glad to see the final block put in place.
I hope you have a wonderful week. I love you and hope to see you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Good Morning! Seems that we may be in one of the cooler places in the country right now. Sure… temperatures are getting warmer, BUT, from what I read and hear, things are hotter in other parts. Anyways… it’s a great day and I hope that you will enjoy it. I will.
This evening marks the third race at COC for the Summer Series. We meet at 7:00 PM on the stadium’s track. Cost is $5 per person per race. It’s fun… It’s warm… It’s as competitive as you want it to be… You will not be the first… and you won’t be the last… There are people much faster than you… and people who are slower as well. The bottom line is that we all have a wonderful time getting out there… seeing each other… running… laughing… walking… jogging… whatever you can do… you just do it.
Good Morning! Seems that we may be in one of the cooler places in the country right now. Sure… temperatures are getting warmer, BUT, from what I read and hear, things are hotter in other parts. Anyways… it’s a great day and I hope that you will enjoy it. I will.
This evening marks the third race at COC for the Summer Series. We meet at 7:00 PM on the stadium’s track. Cost is $5 per person per race. It’s fun… It’s warm… It’s as competitive as you want it to be… You will not be the first… and you won’t be the last… There are people much faster than you… and people who are slower as well. The bottom line is that we all have a wonderful time getting out there… seeing each other… running… laughing… walking… jogging… whatever you can do… you just do it.
COPA AMERICA: Peru gave it their best shot but came up short against Uruguay 2 – 0. I had recorded the game and watched it later on that Tuesday evening. Peru had their chances to score… but never found the net. One thing I did find out is that the coach for Peru’s national team, Sergio Markarian is a Christian believer. An outspoken one!
THE TOUR: The Tour de France has now arrived in the French Alps. This is where things get exciting. It’s the survival of the fittest. We will find out soon… who can climb and who can’t. The yellow jersey is up for grabs since the one who is wearing it today is having a difficult time climbing in the mountains. So… tonight… while having dinner after the COC race… we will be watching the tour on tape.
Encouragement
But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them, and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.” (Luke 10:33-34)
“SURPRISE!!!” All of us have been involved in a surprise at some point in time. Perhaps you have been the recipient of an expected surprise… or you have been on the giving end. We’ve all had surprises. You come home from the night away, and upon entering your own home… you never knew that someone had arranged for your friends to come into your house. “Surprise!!!” They all yell… and you are. You’ve seen it on youtube whenever a young man decides to propose to his girlfriend on the big screen of some major league baseball game… and she appears to be surprised. You’ve had a rough week… and a close friend knows it… and they knock on your front door with dinner all prepared, “Surprise!” You open the mail… and there’s a check you had forgotten about… it finally arrived, “Surprise!” You get ready to preach… and as you walk up to the pulpit, the usher hands you a note with scribbled handwriting, and it reads, “I’m going to be a big sister – Aubree.” Surprise! And that’s when and how I discovered that Leslie was pregnant with Spencer. Life is full of surprises…
And we don’t know anything about the man who was beaten up. All we know is that he was barely alive. Perhaps he was conscious, but unable to help himself. Perhaps he saw the priest come his way… hoping there’d be some help. But, the priest had other things of more importance to do and he passed by on the other side. Maybe… his hopes were inspired once again seeing that a Levite was approaching his way. But, he too, had more important things to do that day.
Yet, Jesus mentions that there was one more person passing along… a Samaritan… one who was disliked… rather, hated by the Jews. What crossed this half dead man’s mind as he could barely catch a glimpse of this Samaritan? “He’s going to finish me off!” “Oh… just my luck, a Samaritan!” Remember, he had been taught all of his life that Samaritans were no good. They were the “other” people. They weren’t part of us. “Son, don’t expect anything good from a Samaritan.” His hopes were shot. Here are my few thoughts:
And we don’t know anything about the man who was beaten up. All we know is that he was barely alive. Perhaps he was conscious, but unable to help himself. Perhaps he saw the priest come his way… hoping there’d be some help. But, the priest had other things of more importance to do and he passed by on the other side. Maybe… his hopes were inspired once again seeing that a Levite was approaching his way. But, he too, had more important things to do that day.
Yet, Jesus mentions that there was one more person passing along… a Samaritan… one who was disliked… rather, hated by the Jews. What crossed this half dead man’s mind as he could barely catch a glimpse of this Samaritan? “He’s going to finish me off!” “Oh… just my luck, a Samaritan!” Remember, he had been taught all of his life that Samaritans were no good. They were the “other” people. They weren’t part of us. “Son, don’t expect anything good from a Samaritan.” His hopes were shot. Here are my few thoughts:
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When I came to the states for college many years ago, I had assumed that I would get one trip back home to the jungle to visit mom and dad… and the land that I loved. You see, I was aware that through your mission’s giving, Missionary Kids were given one round-trip ticket to their homeland from college in their four-year college experience. I knew that I had that one trip that the General Church was going to cover for me. I wanted to use that trip wisely. I wanted to wait and use it at the right time. Well, you know how things work… the very first opportunity I had to use it… I sent my letter to Kansas City and used up my FREE trip immediately. When I returned to the states to resume my studies, I had thought, “Well, that’s it… I won’t be able to return to Peru for a long time.” I had no money. Mom and dad didn’t have the funds to get a plane ticket… So, I knew that… THAT was it.
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One spring day as I was making plans for the summer, knowing that Peru was NOT going to happen, I was trying to figure out where I’d live that summer. What I would do. My aunt and uncle had already informed me that I could stay with them. But then… I received a letter in the mail from a church in northern California. They were sending a Work & Witness Team to Peru and were going to build a church in the jungle. They were asking if I would be willing to lead the group to Peru and help them with the construction. If so, they would pay my way both ways. SURPRISE!!! Are you kidding me? I didn’t have to think twice. I was on that right away. I spoke with the pastor and together we agreed to NOT inform my parents… but I would surprise them in the jungle.
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Mom and dad had no idea that I was coming. All they knew is that I was staying in the states, living with my aunt and uncle, looking for work… So when the day arrived for me to connect with the team, I headed up north to join them. We flew to Peru… Upon arriving in Chiclayo, my brother Tim was there to meet us. He did not know that I was with them until I got off the plane. I think he could have killed me. He was surprised to see me, but then he realized that his 2-day trip from the jungle to pick up the team was in vain.
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We took the bus over the Andes… into Bagua… then got on the pickup trucks to head to the jungle. I got off the truck moments before we arrived at the station. Mom was prepared to greet the team… she and dad were standing outside our home as the team members introduced themselves while I hid down in the soccer field. Mom and dad had no idea.
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While growing up in the jungle, I had learned… by practicing over and over… to yell the “Tarzan” yell. Natives all along the river knew just where I was nearly at all times. People in Chipe... Kusu… Numpatkaim… and of course… whenever I was out on some boat trip… mom would know whenever I was nearing the mission station since I yelled out from the boat along the river. It was a fun thing for a teenage boy to do… and, of course, even as a young adult into my early 20s. Today… if I were to yell like that… I would perhaps start coughing and gagging.
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As I stood behind some trees on the soccer field below our home… waiting for the right moment as mom was instructing the team members where to go… I let out the “YELL.” My voice echoed through the jungle as it had done years earlier. And then I could hear mom screaming, “He’s here, he’s here… Donde esta Gregorio? I can hear him… where is he?”
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We all like surprises… and this one man got the surprise of his life when a Samaritan man stopped, got out of his car, opened up his suitcase, took out some clothing, grabbed the first aid kit and assisted him. He reached down and picked him up… placing him in the passenger seat… and took him to the hotel… paid for his lodging and instructed the manager to put the remainder of expenses on his VISA.
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Was this all a dream? I’m sure the following morning when the beaten up man came to… he went down to speak with the manager asking him what had happened. “Don’t worry about it, sir… you’ve been taken care of by a good Samaritan.” SURPRISE!!!
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I am convinced that God is still in the “surprise” business… and He chooses you and me to provide those surprises to others. What are you doing today to bless others… and to bless God?
REV. GIL MERTZ: We have a special speaker this Sunday in both morning services. Gil, who is from the Family Research Council, will be our guest speaker. He and his wife, Patricia, recently moved to the Santa Clarita Valley and have been attending our church. You will not want to miss this special morning as he shares with us a message entitled, FAITH AND POLITICS.
PERU WORK & WITNESS: You can become part of a Work & Witness Team to the Amazon Jungle in Peru this October. The dates are October 5-18. Total cost is $1900.
HOPE-n-MIC: I love random photos from Hope-n-Mic. These come to us from Aurora Heller. Thanks for the photos:
I love you and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Monday, July 18, 2011
Good Morning! It’s another gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley. As I peek out my office window, I can see blue skies… a “moving along” freeway (the 405 opened earlier than expected)… the sun is shining and not a cloud in sight. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
The Senior Highers will be arriving soon… they will connect here at the church before carpooling up to Church Camp. It’s been a good summer for certain members of the teens… some have gone to NYC in Kentucky… Jr. High camp has already taken place… this week is Senior High Camp… and in a few weeks, they will head to San Diego for the Summer Mission Trip. Pray for our youth… that the Lord will guide them (better put… that they will allow the Holy Spirit to guide them) and that they will be the blessing to their friends that God wants them to be.
Good Morning! It’s another gorgeous day in the Santa Clarita Valley. As I peek out my office window, I can see blue skies… a “moving along” freeway (the 405 opened earlier than expected)… the sun is shining and not a cloud in sight. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
The Senior Highers will be arriving soon… they will connect here at the church before carpooling up to Church Camp. It’s been a good summer for certain members of the teens… some have gone to NYC in Kentucky… Jr. High camp has already taken place… this week is Senior High Camp… and in a few weeks, they will head to San Diego for the Summer Mission Trip. Pray for our youth… that the Lord will guide them (better put… that they will allow the Holy Spirit to guide them) and that they will be the blessing to their friends that God wants them to be.
WWC: (Women’s World Cup) I’ve never been a proponent for the penalty kicks at the end of a soccer game to determine the winner! The USA Women’s Soccer Team lost yesterday to the Japan in Penalty Kicks. We went up 1-0… Japan came back to tie it at 1-1. We then went up 2-1… but Japan came right back and did it again. There were two extra 15-minute periods in overtime… but no winners. Thus… Penalty Kicks. You ask, “How would you do it, Greg?”
I’m glad you asked. This is what I would promote. At the end of regulation, if the game is tied, the two teams play 15-minute periods with the “golden goal” rule. First goal wins the game. In the first 15-minute period, each team must remove one player from their team. They are allowed one substitute for each 15-minute period. If there is still no score, the two teams remove, yet, another player from their teams… and are given another substitute opportunity. Every 15 minutes, the teams change sides… remove a player and are given an extra sub. The field will open up and a goal will be scored… eventually. This way… the game is played as normal and the game is never determined by just ONE element of the game (PK’s). FIFA… are you listening to me? I have thought this for at least 20 years… and not because we (USA) lost yesterday. I even said this back when USA Women’s Team the World Cup several years ago when they played here in the states.
I’m glad you asked. This is what I would promote. At the end of regulation, if the game is tied, the two teams play 15-minute periods with the “golden goal” rule. First goal wins the game. In the first 15-minute period, each team must remove one player from their team. They are allowed one substitute for each 15-minute period. If there is still no score, the two teams remove, yet, another player from their teams… and are given another substitute opportunity. Every 15 minutes, the teams change sides… remove a player and are given an extra sub. The field will open up and a goal will be scored… eventually. This way… the game is played as normal and the game is never determined by just ONE element of the game (PK’s). FIFA… are you listening to me? I have thought this for at least 20 years… and not because we (USA) lost yesterday. I even said this back when USA Women’s Team the World Cup several years ago when they played here in the states.
COPA AMERICA: Well… Peru beat Colombia on Saturday in the quarter-finals… so they will go on to play Uruguay in the Semis tomorrow. Argentina is out… and so is Brazil. Who would have thought? No Mexico… no Chile… no Costa Rica… The four that are left are: Peru vs. Uruguay and Venezuela vs. Paraguay.
Encouragement
And departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and having gone up to the mountain, He was sitting there. And great multitudes came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, dumb, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them, so that the multitude marveled as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. (Matthew 15:29-31)
Church Summer Camps are nothing new under the sun. These events have been taking place for a very long time. I believe that there will always be a need for campgrounds. People enjoy getting away. Teens love to go to a “new” place… they like to get up to the mountains where the air is cool… the sun is bright… and pine tree are towering and providing an aroma unlike anything else. There’s nothing like hearing the crystal clear and cold streams of water flowing over rocks as they meander their way through the mountainous terrain. The smell of pine needles… kicking of pinecones as you walk along the trails… bunking with 20 other teens in a small, smelly cabin… camp food… activities and worship time together. Oh… how fun church camp can be!
This week, our youth will be linking up with two districts for Summer Church Camp. They are on their way to Big Bear… up in the mountains for an entire week where they will worship… fellowship… talk… pray… listen… run… swim… eat... sleep… and have loads of fun.
You know something? There’s nothing like going up to the mountain. And check out where the crowds went 2000 years ago. Jesus left the sea and headed for the mountains. Perhaps, to get away in a retreat setting for a while… He spent a lot of time in the mountains. But this time… the crowds followed Him. They brought along with them the sick and all who were in need. In fact… they left their homes in such a rush that they forgot to bring along any food. Here are my few thoughts:
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The last word before the departing prayer that Pastor Josh asked the teens this morning was, “Do you kids all have meal money for our way up and for the way back?” The teens were all prepared to stop for breakfast on the way up the mountain. They are aware that the registration fees they have already paid will cover their meals while up at camp. They carried with them enough money to buy something on the way home. They were ready.
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These crowds who had heard that Jesus was headed up the mountain… dropped everything and followed Him without preparing a thing. One thing was for certain… they KNEW Jesus could meet their needs. Matthew is clear to point out that they knew Jesus could heal the sick, restore the crippled, make the blind see, and help those who could not speak to talk… So, if He could do all of this… they were not worried about anything… including food. They just wanted to go up and be with Jesus.
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In a very similar way… that’s what our youth are doing… they’ve left for camp. They’ve rolled up their sleeping bags… carted away their bags and clothes… and have figured that everything will be fine upon their arrival at camp. I don’t think that there is one teen worried about what they will eat. For they know it will be provided. They’re not worried about who will take care of the activities… it will be done. They’re not concerned about the worship or where to sleep or anything else like that… they just go up there and know that it will be okay.
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And here I am… back at the office… knowing that they are on their way… I’m praying for their safety on the way up… and their protection on the way back down. But more importantly, I’m asking the Lord to meet them up there. I’m praying that they will forget about anything and everything back home… and simply rely on Jesus. Jesus is already up there. Of course, Jesus is already here as well… BUT… as you and I all know, there is just something special about going up to the mountain. I believe it is okay to have a mountaintop experience. Jesus had several mountaintop experiences. Moses did. So did Elijah. And Noah too. Abraham did with his son, Isaac. And the disciples had an incredible mountaintop experience on Mt. Olivet when Jesus ascended to the Father.
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You know what… come to think of it… I’m going to have a mountain top experience today. A little bit later on… I’m going to walk up on the trails and spend some time with Jesus. I encourage you… do the same… sometime this week… just go outside… and climb up the trail just a bit. Get way… pray… and spend some time with Jesus. Sure… He’s in your living room… or kitchen… and even your office… but, when you get away… sometimes, special things happen.
PERU WORK & WITNESS: A Work & Witness trip is planned for October 5-18 of this year. We will be going to the New Horizons Mission Station in the Amazon Jungle to help rebuild some buildings in need of work. The cost for the entire trip which includes air, ground & river travel, accommodations, all meals… and more is $1,900. A deposit of $500 is due the beginning of August. Please let me know if you are interested in being part of the team.
MORE PICTURE OF VBS: Our children had a wonderful time last week here at Vacation Bible School. Thanks again to all of the workers, teachers, cooks, registrars, musicians, leaders, and support crew!!! I was privileged to walk around and photograph the various activities. What an awesome week!
Have a wonderful week. I love you and I hope to see you here in church. This coming Sunday, Rev. Gil Mertz will be our special speaker in both services as he will preach on the subject of “Faith and Politics.” You will not want to miss this Sunday. I am looking forward to hearing from the Lord through him. See you soon!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Good Morning! These are interesting days in the world of sports. Are you interested? Let’s see…
Good Morning! These are interesting days in the world of sports. Are you interested? Let’s see…
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For you Baseball fans… The All-Star Game was played on Tuesday and the National team of all-stars beat the American team.
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For you Soccer fans… Two major events are happening these days. First of all, the Ladies USA Team has won their semi-final match and will go to the Championship Game for the Women’s World Cup. They will face Japan. Quite exciting for our ladies’ soccer…YAY! Then we have the Copa America (America’s Cup) taking place in Argentina which includes all South American countries and a few invites. Peru is still in it… so is Chile… Venezuela, and Argentina… and more.
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Then, the Bad Water Ultra Marathon has just taken place. Can you imagine running 135 miles from Bad Water Death Valley (Lowest point in the USA) to Whitney Portal (Highest point) in two days? But not only that… the race is done in the middle of the summer. The winner just completed the course in less than 24 hours. WOW! Sounds challenging, and I’d love the shot at it some day.
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And finally… we have the Tour de France approaching the midway point. Crashes everywhere… lots of broken bones and road rash. I’m a whole lot more comfortable watching the tour from my couch. It has been quite exciting and I look forward to sitting with my family each night around 8:30 to watch the recorded event.
And for those of you NOT interested in sports… there’s the weather… a whole lot cooler in Santa Clarita this week.
But here’s the biggest news of all… VBS is this week: Tonight marks the mid-week point for VBS. I’ve been able to wander around taking pictures of everything. Pastor Kathy Cannon and her leadership team have done an outstanding job guiding our children. Since a picture is worth a thousand words… here we go:
But here’s the biggest news of all… VBS is this week: Tonight marks the mid-week point for VBS. I’ve been able to wander around taking pictures of everything. Pastor Kathy Cannon and her leadership team have done an outstanding job guiding our children. Since a picture is worth a thousand words… here we go:
Encouragement
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether… let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:7-9, 14)
Over the next several Encouragements in these Few Thoughts… I believe what I will do is take one element each time from these teachings in the Psalms. Let’s take the first one: “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.” Can anything truly be perfect? Can anyone be perfect? We make lots of comments about perfection: We say, “That was a perfect book. The day was just perfect. They are perfect for each other. He pitched a perfect game. Things could not be more perfect.” One thing is for certain, I am not perfect. You can ask Leslie… my girls… people in the office… everyone will tell you that I am not perfect. One of the easiest ways to tell that I am not perfect is by reading these Few Thoughts. That’s why I have written at the very top for you to see ALL OF TIME, “UNEDITED… UNREVIEWED… AND MAYBE UNDONE…” But one thing is for certain… God’s law… His ways are always perfect. In fact, in the Hebrew it reads, “Blameless”… you could also say, “complete”. Do you want completeness? Do you want reconciliation and a life without blame… you can have it by keeping His law in your heart. Here are my few thoughts:
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Last week, there were several races right here in the Santa Clarita Valley. We started off with the two races on July 4th. The first race was a 10K at 7:00 AM… the second race was immediately following at 8:00 AM and it was a 5K. I wanted to run a great time… for both of them. One might say, “A perfect time for me.” I gave it my all… for both of them… but came up short in the times that I was hoping to run. Then again on Thursday night, we’ve started the COC Summer Series races on the trails through COC. This 3-mile loop is tough… with one killer hill… lots of up and down… and a very fast finish. Yet… my old legs had difficulty carrying me home. I tried to run fast the last mile… but couldn’t. I wanted to run a great time… but the legs weren’t there. You could say that I didn’t have the most perfect of races… yet… you know what? I competed in all three races… and loved all three finish lines… I felt the hills. I hurt on the steep declines… and the heat was a bit tough as well… I know… I know what you’re thinking, “You like the heat, Greg.” And you are right, I do. But it can be hard to race in the heat.
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The Lord knows what’s best for us. We wake up… roll out of bed… begin our day on our knees saying, “Lord, whatever you want… Your will be done…” But do we mean it? The moment we hit the first trial of the day, we grumble. Then a problem comes up… we whine. The workload picks up… the phones ring… the kids fuss… and the list goes on and on…
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I am convinced that the daily issues will be there. They will come up. There will be problems that around the corner. All I can say is HANG IN THERE. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Be steady and stable. The law of the Lord is there for you… and as you slow down and stop… focus on your faith in the Lord… all things will be put in perspective. When you cross the finish line that night… you will be able to breathe a sigh of relief because you have made it through a tough day.
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I am certain that the Lord is faithful and true… He restores our soul as we meditate on His perfect law. His Bible is there for you… for a reason. Take it off the shelf… spend a few moments in it today. You will find rest and restoration to your soul. You’ll probably get a great night’s rest as well.
AUGUST 14: A very exciting service is scheduled for Sunday, August 14. We will hear from our children in a report of their summer ministries. Do you want to be BAPTIZED? We will have a baptism service as well in the second hour. And… new members will be brought into the church. Let me know if you want to be baptized.
I love you and I hope to see you in church!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Good Morning! I hope you have had a wonderful week celebrating our country’s Independence Day last Monday. We did! What a special weekend the Garmans enjoyed with family and friends! In fact, we even got to turn the T.V. on for nearly the entire game of soccer: Peru VS Uruguay. A very good game! Peru scored first about halfway through the first half… but Uruguay stormed back to put the ball in the net just before the half. The second half was scoreless leaving the two countries in a 1-1 tie. They each receive one point as they continue their round robin play in the COPA AMERICA which is being held in Argentina.
If you enjoy watching sports other than baseball, football, golf, basketball, and hockey… you will enjoy two events these days: Soccer, as I have already pointed out (on one of the Spanish channels) and the Tour de France… a three-week cycling competition. They are now on Day 5. I like to tape it and watch the recording as I fast forward through all of the boring castle tours and commercials…
Sunday was fabulous here at NewNaz. We experienced one of the most awesome Patriotic Services anywhere. Leslie and her crew of leaders did an outstanding job of leading the day in worship and celebration. The music was powerful as were the testimonials and readings. I want to thank all of those who participated in one way or the other. And then, to finish off the afternoon with live music and a BBQ and Picnic right here on the grounds. Thanks to Pastor Kathy Cannon and her crew of food workers for getting everything ready to go. We planned on having a great group here for the picnic… but the numbers we ended up with surpassed our expectations… but Kathy was on top of it all and she sent someone out to buy more burgers at the right time. Check out some of the photos of the day:
Good Morning! I hope you have had a wonderful week celebrating our country’s Independence Day last Monday. We did! What a special weekend the Garmans enjoyed with family and friends! In fact, we even got to turn the T.V. on for nearly the entire game of soccer: Peru VS Uruguay. A very good game! Peru scored first about halfway through the first half… but Uruguay stormed back to put the ball in the net just before the half. The second half was scoreless leaving the two countries in a 1-1 tie. They each receive one point as they continue their round robin play in the COPA AMERICA which is being held in Argentina.
If you enjoy watching sports other than baseball, football, golf, basketball, and hockey… you will enjoy two events these days: Soccer, as I have already pointed out (on one of the Spanish channels) and the Tour de France… a three-week cycling competition. They are now on Day 5. I like to tape it and watch the recording as I fast forward through all of the boring castle tours and commercials…
Sunday was fabulous here at NewNaz. We experienced one of the most awesome Patriotic Services anywhere. Leslie and her crew of leaders did an outstanding job of leading the day in worship and celebration. The music was powerful as were the testimonials and readings. I want to thank all of those who participated in one way or the other. And then, to finish off the afternoon with live music and a BBQ and Picnic right here on the grounds. Thanks to Pastor Kathy Cannon and her crew of food workers for getting everything ready to go. We planned on having a great group here for the picnic… but the numbers we ended up with surpassed our expectations… but Kathy was on top of it all and she sent someone out to buy more burgers at the right time. Check out some of the photos of the day:
Encouragement
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. (Psalm 40:1-4)
The Tour de France is one of the most demanding athletic events in the year. This three-week competition leads cyclists through rainy conditions… up and over freezing cold mountains… and down into hot and humid locations. These athletes will average more than 100 miles per day at speeds that are nearly incomprehensible. On roads that meander through the Swiss Alps, there are incredible crashes where cyclists will receive bruises, road rashes and broken bones. Some have even fallen to the point of death.
One of the things that amazes me the most is to see, at the beginning of a stage… four or five riders who decide to break-away from the peloton (the large group of cyclist). The five riders will bolt out of the pack and take large leads. Sometimes these leads may be as much as 8 minutes in front of the Peloton. The five men will work together… taking the lead to help the other four riders draft behind them. This is the reason the Peloton is so strong… the riders in the middle are nearly pulled along, much like a vacuum, and with the large numbers in the front… everyone can take turns sharing the lead and doing the hard work.
But I love to watch the break-away… always hoping that they may make it to the end… not allowing the Peloton to catch them. Inevitably, within 10 miles of the finish, they are sucked back to the Peloton. The Peloton will wait… and wait… and wait for the right moment to pick up the pace and reel them in. Here are my few thoughts:
One of the things that amazes me the most is to see, at the beginning of a stage… four or five riders who decide to break-away from the peloton (the large group of cyclist). The five riders will bolt out of the pack and take large leads. Sometimes these leads may be as much as 8 minutes in front of the Peloton. The five men will work together… taking the lead to help the other four riders draft behind them. This is the reason the Peloton is so strong… the riders in the middle are nearly pulled along, much like a vacuum, and with the large numbers in the front… everyone can take turns sharing the lead and doing the hard work.
But I love to watch the break-away… always hoping that they may make it to the end… not allowing the Peloton to catch them. Inevitably, within 10 miles of the finish, they are sucked back to the Peloton. The Peloton will wait… and wait… and wait for the right moment to pick up the pace and reel them in. Here are my few thoughts:
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There’s a lot of strategy going on during the Tour de France. Many of the riders are NOT there to win… they are simply there to assist their team. In fact, there are a number of races taking place on any given day… throughout each stage. There’s the race for the Yellow Jersey… the overall winner with the fastest time. Then there’s the Green Jersey… he’s the sprint champion who races the short sprint flags to gather as many points as possible. There’s the Polka-dot Jersey… the King of Mountains (no explanation here)… he’s the tough dude who digs down deep on the climbs. Then there are the stage winners each day… not to mention the Team Time Trials and Individual Time Trials. It really is an exciting event.
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In yesterday’s stage, there were more crashes than I can remember for one day. Seems like riders were having the most difficult time staying on their bikes. One rider was taken away by ambulance. But, the lead group had as much as a 6:00 minute lead on the Peloton. Yet, in the front of the Peloton there was no panic. There were no worries. They simply allowed those front four riders to be a couple of miles in front… the peloton knew that there was a lot of riding yet to be done for the day. There was no concern that they’d real the four guys back in. So they waited… waited patiently… waited for the right moment to kick it up a notch… and they did. Little by little, the break-away four were reeled back in.
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You see… each team in the Tour de France has a captain who is riding with an ear piece. He’s constantly listening to the trainer who is in a car watching carefully every move from other teams. The trainer can see the break-away… He’s aware of the gap… the distance between his riders and those in front. And even though his riders can’t see the four front riders, he communicates with them… informing them just how far back they are. Two miles up ahead is more than the naked eye can see, especially with twisting and turning roads… the riders in the Peloton have to rely on the trainer communicating back to them. They have to trust his judgment.
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Life is much the same way. The psalmist reminds us to wait. We are told to NOT get ahead of ourselves. We may not be able to see what’s up ahead… what might be around the corner… but we have a coach who sees everything. He knows what’s up ahead. And if we keep our listening device in our ear… we’ll hear Him… and we won’t try to get ahead of Him.
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God sees everything… and He desires that we trust Him in those things we cannot see. Wait upon the Lord… and allow Him to put a new song in your heart. Sing out for the Lord… rejoice in the life you have in Him. Slow down when He says for you to slow down… sprint when He says for you to sprint… remain tight in your church family (the Peloton).
FAMILY TRIPS AND VACATIONS: Dale and Janice report that their kids enjoyed playing their trombones along the beach near Oceanside. Great job teens!
TIME TO RUN: Yay!!! It’s here. It’s that time of the year again. The first Thursday following July 4th. Tonight begins the COC Summer Race Series. It’s a 3-mile course through the campus and trails of COC (College of the Canyons), and it all begins at 7:00 PM. I believe the cost is $5.00 per race, or $25 for the race series, which includes In & Out Burger on the final night. The series is comprised of 7 races. My family and I will be out there. So are a number of other people from the church. Come on out and join us. You can race… you can jog… you can walk. You may need to get there a bit early to register.
I’m looking forward to this Sunday as we continue our journey through the SUMMER IN THE PSALMS. We’ll be looking at Psalm 96 in a message entitled “Making a Difference” Part II. It’s going to be a great day… so, until then… I hope you have a wonderful few days… enjoy the sun… if you go to the beach… have fun… get wet…
Speaking of wet… last night the NewNaz kids all came over to our home for a pool party. More on that next week… and photos to show of their fun.
I love you and hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Speaking of wet… last night the NewNaz kids all came over to our home for a pool party. More on that next week… and photos to show of their fun.
I love you and hope to see you soon.
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Good Morning! And Happy Fourth of July… this will be my final Few Thoughts before Monday, July 4. What do you enjoy most about the Fourth of July? The fireworks shows? Backyard BBQs? Parades? A concert? Baseball game? Sleeping in and not going to work? Getting up early to run in a local race? Swimming pool parties? A long bike ride? As I review some of these events I’ve just mentioned… it just dawned on me… we’re going to be participating in many of them. Nope, no baseball game… and I’m not sleeping in, either… but I do enjoy the local races… a good BBQ and then fireworks afterwards… and oh yeah, we’ll see at least part of the parade as well. Whatever your plans may be… take some time to thank the Lord for all of the blessings we enjoy living in the wonderful USA.
PATRIOTIC SERVICE: This Sunday, July 3, we will experience a very inspirational and awesome service. At 10:45, we’ll be enjoying songs and hymns that will take you back to yesteryear. You will hear testimonies of why people are glad to be Americans. We will honor our military men and women… both retired and active… The choir will share in some special music and Leslie will close the service with the traditional singing of The National Anthem. (On Monday afternoon, a few days ago, I took this photo of Mt. Whitney from the Lone Pine Ranger Station with the USA flag flying high).
At 9:00 a.m., we will still be having our worship experience in the Family Life Center where there will be certain elements of the 10:45 service in it. And don’t forget to come and fellowship around the coffee and snacks provided in the courtyard before both services.
And then at noon… you will want to stick around for the All-Church Hamburger and Hotdog BBQ Picnic right here on the grounds. There will be live music entertainment in the courtyard for us all to enjoy. We are asking for a $3 per person or $10 per family donation to help offset the cost. I hope to see you here.
Encouragement
And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him… (Matthew 5:1)
Mountains… who doesn’t like looking at mountains? Have you noticed how many photographs are taken of mountains? Paintings? There’s just something about mountains that draw people in. They are majestic… no mountain is like another. They are uniquely shaped and formed. Some mountains have glaciers… others have rocks… some volcanic… active and inactive… some mountains are covered with forests… some are bare… some mountains have streams of waterfalls while others have canyons with rivers and turbulent waters… but, nearly every mountain has been climbed at one time or another. And it appears that Jesus was even drawn to mountains. Immediately following His baptism, He left the Jordan basin to head out for the wilderness… the desert… where there were many mountains and spent 40 days alone. We find a story of Jesus taking along with Him, three close friends, up to a mountaintop where He was transfigured before them… This story is found in all three of the synoptic Gospels. It was on a mountain where Jesus purchased our salvation with His own life… the mountain is called Golgotha. And here in Matthew, we are told that Jesus ascended a mountain… sat down and taught His disciples. Come to think of it… Jesus liked going to mountains. Here are my few thoughts:
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Observe what the Bible says in verse one… “He went up the mountain… and after He sat down…” Sometimes we may try and spiritualize things way too much. Why did Jesus sit down? If you’ve ever hiked up a mountain... or climbed anything that required going uphill… you get tired. Jesus, along with His disciples, after hiking up to this hilltop… I’m sure He was tired… And He sat down. I like that! Jesus, not only saw a mountain to climb… but He went up it… and when He got there… He was tired… and He sat down.
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Sure… He saw an opportunity to teach more and more people… so He went to a higher spot to teach. He liked being around people… He enjoyed teaching… but, one thing I notice is that Jesus spent a great deal of time outdoors.
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Perhaps this is another reason I enjoy hikes. When I look around and see the beauty of God’s creation… I want to go see it… I’m drawn to it. I want to experience the depths of the canyons. I want to get to the top of the mountain. I like going deep into the forest. I like to see what’s around the corner… What is it that the birds can see that I can’t… unless I go to those places?
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Last Monday afternoon, Aubree and I left with a group of 8 other people to attempt the summit of Mt. Whitney. We drove out to Lone Pine… where the temperatures were near the 100-degree mark. Drove up in the early evening to Whitney Portal (end of the road and where the trail begins). We laid out a campsite where we slept outdoors for the evening. The rangers had informed us to beware of bears because they had been active tearing into ice chests and even breaking into cars most recently. So we carefully stored all food items in bear boxes and went to our sleeping bags for a few hours.
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The night was nothing short of awesome. The stars were bright with just a sliver of the moon showing…
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3:00 a.m. came quickly… and we were up and on the trail by 3:40. We didn’t get 2 minutes out of camp when we stumbled on a momma bear and her cub walking along looking for people food. They just love sandwiches and soda…
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The hike was going well… crossing stream after stream… some of us getting soaking wet… we all journeyed along. Step after step. Within three miles, we came upon snow… then ice… and then snow fields… We had known that there was more snow than normal for this time of the year… yet, we were still hopeful to summit the mountain anyway. The reports we had heard were that crampons and ice axes would be needed… but we thought that perhaps with the warmer weather… we could have some luck… and if not… we’d go as far as we could in our regular hiking and running shoes.
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Needless to say… we made it as far as 2/3 of the way up, before we decided to turn back. For those of you who have summitted Mt. Whitney, and know the location of the switchbacks… we made it to nearly the halfway mark where the switchbacks are, before calling it quits. There are no switchbacks right now… so we were scaling the ice and snow field to the right of the switchbacks.
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Yet the journey was fun… the time spent out doors and hiking was gorgeous. God created an incredible mountain for us to enjoy. The streams and lakes are beautiful. If you have the opportunity to go hiking… I say, “Go for it… and thank the Lord for His beautiful creation.”
SATURDAY SET UP: As you know, we are getting things ready for Sunday… our Patriotic Service and BBQ Picnic. I could use some help at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday going through the storage shed if anyone would like to help get some canopies out and clean it out with me.
I love you all and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Have a great weekend!
Growing Healthy,
Pastor Greg
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