July 26, 2010

I was thankful for the “Got A Problem?” Sunday yesterday.  It was really powerful to be challenged in this area of  “idolatry” and addictions.  I appreciated the worship, the message, Guy Holmes’ testimony, the special music & dance, the prayer time…it all seemed so real and vulnerable.

Let the words to “Hold On” by the Christian Band, “33 Miles,” minister to you today…

I’ve been there a thousand times,
I’ve felt the rain like a thousand knives.
And it hurts, I know it hurts!
I’ve been there like a fighter plane,
Trying to fly my way through a hurricane.
And it’s hard, I know it’s hard!

Don’t be afraid, You’ll make it through,
Just call out to me and I’ll come running to you!

Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder.
Just give me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over,
And I’ll be fighting for you.
Just give me your hand and,
Hold on!

I’ll give you hope, I’ll give you faith!
And if it’s dark, I’ll light the way,
For you, for you!
By your side, until the end,
Until you’re standing tall again!
I’m here, I’ll always be here.

And if the tide, sweeps you out to sea,
When your strength is gone, and it’s hard to believe!

Hold on, hold on!
When the current pulls you under,
And your heart beats like thunder!
Just give me your hand,
And hold on, hold on!
Until the storm is over.
And I’ll be fighting for you,
Just give me your hand!

Pastor Michael

July 19, 2010

So, here it is-boiled down, condensed, compressed, compacted, synthesized, reiterated, simply stated:

“Earn money by working hard and earn enough to help those in need.”

That was it, that was what yesterday was all about!  Need I say more?

Pastor Michael

July 12, 2010

Getting out of bed early on Sunday morning…intentionally!
Getting to church by 6:30 a.m. to meet with a bunch of techies who got out of bed too…intentionally!
Sound check with instrumentalists at 6:45 a.m. who showed up to play…intentionally!
Sound check & run through with singers at 7 a.m.  who are giving of their time and talent…intentionally!
Prayer with the whole team at 7:45 a.m. who gathered to be used by God…intentionally!
A baptism at Pinecrest Lake at 4 p.m. to celebrate people who are making public proclamations of their commitment to Christ…intentionally!
11:30 p.m. go to bed thanking God for a great day…intentionally!

Sounds like a plan doesn’t it?

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” -Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

June 28, 2010

Monday morning again?  Didn’t we just have a Monday?  How is it that the weekend goes by so fast?

Since it is Monday, that means it’s time to organize my week, get ready for my appointments and planning meetings, finish up planning for Sunday, get ready for Bible Study group…but didn’t I just do that?

Sometimes life gets that way…busy, distracting, chaotic, mundane, repetitious, frustrating…

That’s why we need God!  That’s why we need to draw near to Him and live in his grace, His peace, His compassion.

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” – Psalm 73:28

Be near to God this week!

Pastor Michael

June 21, 2010

What a busy weekend!  Yard work & fix-its, wedding rehearsals and weddings, Sunday worship & Father’s Day…

What a busy weekend!

Perhaps your weekend had a wild pace to it as well.  And yet, somehow I hope you were able to connect with people, unplug from the normalcy of a routine week, and gain a renewed sense for who God is, His love for you and the purposes that he has called you to.

My prayer for you this week will be that you experience the love of our Heavenly Father.

Pastor Michael

June 14, 2010

Have you ever had expectations about something that, when met with reality, look nothing like what was anticipated?  I’m sure you have, I’m sure everyone has…and I am sure that ‘s what last week was all about – at least for me and my family.

Each year, we go to Carlsbad in north San Diego County for a week.  Usually we take family or friends with us, but this year I felt that it was really important for just the five of us to go – well, really, all the people we invited had other plans!  Regardless, we left after church on the 6^th loaded up in my truck with all of our luggage, our beach gear and everyone plugged in to the appropriate “help the long drive south go by fast” electronic device.  We made it in record time and found ourselves eating at our favorite taco stand a few hours later.  After checking in and unpacking, we ran to the hot tub to make our family plans for the week and start relaxing.

Evidently the boys had invited a family friend to meet us there, and in a matter of a few minutes they were off following  their own travel itinerary.  Evidently the family staying above us had a whole herd of water buffaloes staying with them and found it necessary to see how many stampeding noises they could make…all night long!  Evidently someone asked God for gloomy, cold & sunless days.  Evidently the beach was too cold to enjoy.  Evidently someone neglected to tell me how boring Legoland would be.  Evidently the friends Melody & I were planning on hooking up with all had other plans.  Evidently our quiet little resort escape was no longer a secret and hundreds of other people were in our paradise.  Evidently things don’t always work out as you expect…but then that’s not really new news is it?

I’m really not complaining – really, I’m not.  Because here’s the cool part of all of the unpredictability…God blessed us with a wonderful week!  Since the weather was so bad, we had lots of down time as a family…and lots of time to do things that we wouldn’t have otherwise.   The boys got to golf on two really nice courses, we had a great night with a bunch of relatives eating Mexican food around a bonfire.  We had gourmet Filipino food prepared by a great friend of ours.  A visit to the Midway Museum and 28 laps around a race track on electric race cars were not on the original agenda but  turned out to be highlights of our time.

But for me, the best moment of all, was the moment early Sunday morning.  We loaded up all of our stuff and hit Interstate 5 at 6 AM.  A few minutes up the road everyone was fast asleep again.  I had worship music playing as I was headed north along the coast.  All the world was still sleeping…really what else would they be doing on a Sunday morning anyway…but I was worshiping!  With a heart filled with gratitude to the Lord for a terrific week of just being, I thanked the Lord for my beautiful wife and partner in life & ministry.  I thanked the Lord for my amazing children and how they are growing in “wisdom & stature”.  My life is blessed!

Have you ever had expectations about something that, when met with reality, look nothing like what was anticipated?  I’m sure you have, I’m sure everyone has…and I am sure that ‘s what last week was all about – at least for me and my family!

Pastor Michael

June 7, 2010

Please pray for Pastor Michael and his family as they are on vacation this week.  Pray for safety, rest, FUN, relaxation, and a refreshing of his spirit.

May 24, 2010

Can you believe it?  The “Becoming a Good Samaritan” Series is coming to an end…or is it?  Maybe it’s not the kind of parable that comes to an end, but rather starts anew over and over.

I know for me, this series has created more internal conflict than peace and resolution in my life.  I have questioned and wondered why such terrible things happen in our world and considered what my role is in bringing about an end to evil.  How can I be a part of addressing the critical needs in the lives of people both across the street & around the world?  It’s overwhelming!

I know it would probably be more spiritual to quote a verse from the Bible (especially if it’s in red letters) than it would be to quote Helen Keller but it’s impacting:

“I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. – Helen Keller

So, I want to live my life doing something about something…for Christ!

Pastor Michael

May 17, 2010

Melody’s sister and family came to visit us this last week from Mansfield, Ohio.  It was a wonderful time and a full few days as Melody & I took some time off and pulled our kids out of school to enjoy our guests.

It seemed that no matter where we went, God was magnified through his creation!

• We spent a few days at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.  A trip to Coit Tower revealed God’s creativity as we gazed out at the bay, the green hills, the cityscape and the interesting people!  A boat ride to Alcatraz, a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, and a ride down Lombard Street somehow pointed us all to the magnificence of God.

• We spent Friday in Yosemite.  Amazing!  A little brown bear, millions of dogwood blooms, and more water and waterfalls than I have ever seen!  God could be seen in the majesty of Half Dome and El Capitan, and he could be heard in the thunderous roar of Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls!

• Saturday, we went for a walk on  the Tuolumne Railroad Trail.  It seemed that every single one of the countless wildflowers were singing God’s praise.  The bush lupine were playing a symphony!

I am reminded again about how awesome our God is.  I am also reminded about the incredible gift of his creation that he has given us.  And, I am challenged to be a “Good Gardener”!

Pastor Michael

May 10, 2010

Whew!  What a week!

• My wife, Melody’s, birthday was on Tuesday
• A softball game for my 10 year old daughter
• Our 21^st wedding anniversary was on Thursday
• A golf match that is sending my two high school aged sons to sub-section play-offs was Thursday
• All weekend, we were getting ready for out-of-town company (weed and pine needle removal)
• I chauffeured  my older son back and forth to prom festivities with his “date “on Saturday
• Mother’s Day was on Sunday

Such busy things this week – but such a pleasure to honor those that I love at their point of celebration.

And that’s how I felt about Sunday – such an honor to celebrate Jesus and to worship him with a full heart of gratitude for the rich blessings he has poured into my life.  Ultimately, I pray that I am a blessing to him as well, as I pour out the blessings I have received from him into the lives of those around me that are in such need.

I am praying for lots of “Kindness in a Grocery Bag” opportunities for all of us this week!

Pastor Michael

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