Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy Tuesday, January 12, 2010…

I just got back from Silver Spur. I had lunch, took a tour, and met with some old and some new friends. Silver Spur is a wonderful Christian campground right here in our own backyard. A little light for Jesus nestled in the foothills, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. During this past hour, I have been reminded of the amazing way God works in and through people. Over the years, this camp has been touched by so many people who are willing to serve the Lord. You can see that God has used their efforts in an amazing way. Because they have used their gifts and talents, many people have come to know Jesus.

It is the same at SBC, God wants to use us in amazing ways as we seek to introduce others to His son, Jesus Christ. Whatever our gift or talent might be, he can use you in great ways.

Have a blessed Tuesday, and I pray that you will come to know the blessing of knowing and serving Jesus.

Becky

Monday, January 11, 2010

Monday mornings…don’t you love them? They are like a new beginning every seven days. A fresh start in a new week with the potential for adventure and opportunity just on the horizon. It’s so exciting isn’t it?

Well, okay, I admit it, I don’t really embrace Mondays with this kind of excitement and anticipation. It’s not that I don’t look forward to new beginnings, it’s more that I don’t really like to say good-bye to yesterdays, especially if yesterday was a Sunday. And yesterday was!

I am so thankful to be a part of Sierra Bible Church – my life is enriched in so many ways as we reach out to introduce people to Christ and together become more like Him. Really, and yesterday confirmed this.

As the various elements of each service unfolded, it was clear that our church family was engaged. Who couldn’t be when we were challenged with our lostness either as the responsible religious brother or the irresponsible irreligious brother? You know the type because we are the type, we want what the Father has but we don’t really want the Father…and either way we go, we have gone far from home because we have wandered far from Him. But to be reminded that He wants us to come home because He loves us – well, that seems too great a gift. This is what the people in my small group communicated yesterday and communicate everyday in many ways: God loves us so much that He will run out and meet us with an embrace and kiss and all kinds of revelry when we turn toward Him. God wants us home, with Him.

Sundays are so amazing, and this is why I don’t like to say hello to Mondays! But it’s here and no matter what lies ahead, when I trust in Him and surrender to Him then I can say with confidence, “all the way my Savior leads me!”.

Good morning Monday!

Pastor Michael

Promiseland Playground

Friday, January 08, 2010

Special thanks to all who gave so generously in December to help our “General” budget, as well as support some of our mission outreaches across the street and around the world.

Our General giving was about 40% over budget with the help of some year-end gifts, and almost $7,000 was given to WATCH for needed tables and chairs through our Christmas Program, and over $10,000 to Hope Of The Nations through the Christmas catalog. Our Community Needs Network continues to minister to people on a daily basis through what so many of our church family provide for those experiencing special needs during this difficult time for many, as well – THANKS!

Pastor Mark

Thursday, January 07, 2010

I covet your prayers for the all-church participation as we study the book, The Prodigal God. I heard Timothy Keller speak on The Prodigal God at Willow Creek Summit this past summer. Out of a dozen speakers, Dr. Keller, by far, was the most compelling. His impact upon me didn’t fade away in days, but instead, continues to impact my life and my tendency to be “pharisaical.”

I hope and pray that our entire church will commit to this series by being here on Sundays and participating in a Life Group, and joining me as we pray for God to use this series in life-changing ways for all of us who call SBC our home.

Blessings

Pastor Rick

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

I love relationships. It is a yearly, monthly, weekly, daily goal to be in growing relationships. I do understand that I can’t be in a growing, deepening relationship with everyone – we dare not become vastly wide and minimally deep. I also understand that relationships take cultivation, work, consistency and a bit of ‘luck’ (for lack of a better term).

Last week, we were making a visit to our partner church in Ensenada, Mexico. After getting the 150 SBC donated gifts past over armed guards, settling in with our ministry partners and connecting over the generalities, we set up one of a few meetings to sit face to face and connect regarding life, ministry and anything else. It was at this first meeting that I realized our relationship had changed. In previous meetings, I would say over and over ‘please, tell me what you need, what you want, how we can help.’ Once we had a chance to know these needs, we could see whether or not we could meet them. One of the reasons we have continued to support, encourage, and partner with this church is in the reality that for years they struggled with asking. They were extremely grateful for anything we could do and felt visibly uncomfortable to ask.

As we sat eye to eye on this particular trip and began to talk about ministry and hopes and needs, it was apparent to me that things had changed. Our relationship had changed. Our friends asked. They leaned across the table and said, ‘can you please help us?’ My heart jumped. Not simply to meet their requests but because they had requests, and they had ‘friends’ they were willing to ask.

Might our relationships this coming year experience the blessing of our God. Might they grow in patience, joy and peace. Happy New Year!

Nate

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Happy New Year!

A brand New Year with brand new opportunities! What an amazing time we live in! What an amazing opportunity God has placed before us!

This week, I had the privilege of leading my first baptism class of 2010 with a family whose two boys attend our Promiseland Sunday morning ministries. I was so blessed to spend time sharing what it means to know and follow Jesus Christ. The children had great questions and were excited about sharing their love and desire to follow Jesus.

What a great opportunity we have, and so many of you have been part of this process and others like it. Thank you for your willingness to be involved in the lives of children and their families.

It is my prayer that each of us will see the many people that God has placed before us. May we be a light in this community that holds up the Word of God each day pointing people to The One who gave His life for us, Jesus.

Enjoy the New Year

Becky

Monday, January 04, 2010

Happy New Year!

I hope your new year so far is wonderful…real life hits for us today – kids back in school, back in the office at SBC for me, Mel’s parents to the airport to go back to Ohio, Mel back to work, Mel’s car in the shop for a possible new transmission…Happy Stinkin’ New Year! It’s not that bad really, all things considered.

I so am thankful for my family, my friends, Sierra Bible Church, and all the other “riches” that God has sent my way. Nothing can really overshadow all that He has offered me. That’s why I loved church so much today…it was a good challenge for me to “Reset” my priorities for 2010.

2010 sounds like an exciting year at SBC doesn’t it? More than that, it sounds like an exciting year of covenanting with God to live with Christ-Centered principles as our guide. Our shared moments of worship, baptism, the Word and nailing our covenants to the cross during communion were a significant way of starting off the new decade!

Let’s stick with it family!

Pastor Michael

Thursday, December 31, 2009

SBC staff would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! We pray that the coming year will be a blessing and a tribute to God’s love for all of us. Welcome 2010!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Please pray for Pastor Nate and his family as they are in Ensenada helping with outreach at our sister church there. Nate will be involved with preaching, meetings, and a large outreach to the community. Please ask that God would bless their efforts.

« Previous Page — Next Page »