January 30, 2012

“All of us naturally avoid times of struggle, pain, and hardship, but these moments in life might just be the tool God uses to accomplish his will in and through us.”  - The Story

 

January 23, 2012

Week Two:  God Builds a Nation-

 “God will accomplish his plan and will in this world, but he often does it in ways
we would not expect and through surprising people.”  -The Story

It’s a blessing to look into Abraham’s story and see how God used him.  He wasn’t perfect and he wasn’t always obedient, but the course of human history was radically changed by God through him.  What kind of history can God change through you today?

Pastor Michael

January 9, 2012

Some weeks, I am really excited about church.  Some weeks, it just seems that everything has come together really well and that the team that is going to be ministering is really united.  It just seems like God is going to bless our efforts in ways that will  engage hearts in worship and change lives…and then the power goes out!

That’s what happened yesterday, the power went out as soon as Pastor Rick started making announcements.  Perhaps the PG & E grid wasn’t prepared for all he had to say after having been on vacation for a few weeks.  I don’t really know for sure, but I do know that the power went out—no sound, no words for songs, no lights, no heat, no sermon outlines—no power!  Well, at least there was no power in the form of electricity, but there was a clear presence of the power of God.  As we regrouped and figured out what we could and couldn’t do, opened doors for light, cuddled close to our neighbor to stay warm…it was clear that the morning was being led by someone other than ourselves, by a power greater than PG & E and with a purpose that was clear.  As a church family, I think  we needed to experience the presence of God in a different way, in a way that reminded us that he is in control, that he can bring good out of the unplanned, and that we can rely on his faithfulness in uncertain times.  Seems to me, this message was a good one for a church in transition to hear as well as a church about ready to launch a 31-week study on God’s word and work.

So, if all that happened on the first week, what’s going to happen in the next 31? Hold on!  It’s going to be a wild ride!

Blessings to you this Monday!

Michael

November 21, 2011

This Thanksgiving, let us be reminded of the many blessings we have been given.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
-Psalm 9:1

This Thanksgiving, let us look back on the year we have had and surrender all-knowing God is in control of the steps we take.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
-Psalm 50:23

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
-Psalm 92:1

My God, I thank you for the good and the bad times knowing each season of life can draw me closer to you.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
-Philippians 4:6

Today, no matter what my circumstances are, I say thank you for another day that I may draw a breath to praise you for what you have done.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
-Psalm 105:1-2

I have held back long enough. I have made it about me. Not anymore. I step aside and want to catch a glimpse of your majesty; of your glory.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
-Psalm 100:4

I know that I would not be here if it wasn’t for the love of friends and your family and the kindness of strangers. I thank God for them!

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…
-1Corinthians 1:4

May we also remember and be thankful for the men and women who gave us our freedom.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
-2 Thessalonians 1:3

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name.
-Psalm 103: 1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit;

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
-Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
-2 Chronicles 20:21

We are here, Heavenly Father, to give thanks to you as one body. To give thanks to you. To shout, “Your love endures forever!”

His Love Endures Forever!

His Love Endures Forever!

 

Pastor Michael

 

November 14, 2011

Please pray for the Creative Arts Planning Team, which is participating in a two-day Christmas Lock-In in order to create meaningful and engaging Christmas services.

Pastor Michael

November 7, 2011

Living in light of Jesus’ return is a rather ethereal concept.  I realize that “something’s coming,” but I’m not sure how to change the way I live or the thoughts that I have to better align myself with the reality of Christ’s second coming.  When I first heard the song, “When Love Was Slain” as recorded by the group Selah, I was moved by the way the lyrics simply address the fact that my life is not my own, it has been bought.  It was bought for a purpose, and it is my responsibility to live in that purpose.  Perhaps this truth will speak to you in the flowing lyrics.

When Love Was Slain
by Jennie Lee Riddle

This world is not my home,
Oh, this world is not my home,
My home’s been made at Heaven’s throne,
This world is not my home.

This life is not my own,
Oh, this life is not my own,
I am His and His alone,
This life is not my own.

I was bought when Love was slain,
What I cost, to pay death’s wage,
Now ransomed, I am freedom’s slave,
My Jesus raised me from the grave.

Come now and walk with me,
Oh, come now and walk with me,
Together we and Lord shall meet,
Come now and walk with me.

Soon Lord, very soon,
Oh, soon Lord, oh very soon,
You’ll come take me to be with You,
Soon Lord, very soon.
Soon Lord, oh very soon.

October 24, 2011

What a busy weekend…I seldom look forward to Mondays, but after this weekend, a Monday seems like a break!  Doctor’s appointment in San Francisco, football game in Jackson, two appointments on Saturday morning, mowing the lawn, a wedding and reception, a soccer game, three worship services on Sunday, a birthday party and then home to set-up the computer after the hard drive crashed.  Very busy! One perspective on all this craziness is that is too busy to be sane.  Another is, it’s the time of our lives as we support our children and connect with people outside our normal circle of friends.

Either way, it’s busy.  And either way, I am thankful for the peaceful presence that God, through his Spirit,  is to me.  May this God, His peace and presence, be with you all this week.

Pastor Michael

October 17, 2011

Last night, I had the great pleasure of going to a SELAH concert in Modesto with some friends.  SELAH has been a group I have appreciated for several years, and it was to my delight that I discovered late on Saturday night that they were going to be at Shelter Cove Church.  So, I bought a bunch of tickets, gathered some friends, and off we went.  It was a very meaningful evening and a very peaceful concert.  One song in particular moved me to tears…and so, I am sharing the lyrics with you today in hopes that no matter what you are facing, you will look to him.

Pastor Michael

I LOOK TO YOU

By R. Kelley

As I lay me down,
Heaven hear me now.
I’m lost without a cause
After giving it my all.
Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun.
After all that I’ve been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,
In you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.

And when melodies are gone,
In you I hear a song.
I look to you.
About to lose my breathe,
There’s no more fighting left,
Sinking to rise no more,
Searching for that open door.
And every road that I’ve taken
Lead to my regret.
And I don’t know if I’m going to make it.
Nothing to do but lift my head

I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,
In you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.

And when melodies are gone,
In you I hear a song.
I look to you.
My levees are broken
My walls have come
Tumbling down on me
The rain is falling.
Defeat is calling.
I need you to set me free.
Take me far away from the battle.
I need you.
Shine on me.

I look to you.
I look to you.
After all my strength is gone,
In you I can be strong
I look to you.
I look to you.
And when melodies are gone,
In you I hear a song.
I look to You.

October 10, 2011

An excerpt from the book Every Monday Matters to start your week off right:

Show Your Smile

Facts:

• A smile is a universal expression of happiness and recognized as such by all cultures.
• A smiling person is judged to be more pleasant, attractive, sincere, sociable, and competent.
• Smiling or even seeing somebody smile releases endorphins that work in the brain to give an overall feeling of well-being.
• Happy people generally don’t get sick as often as people who are unhappy.
• People are born with the ability to smile.  Even babies born blind smile.
• Adults laugh approximately 15 times per day, while children laugh about 400 hundred times per day.
• It takes only 17 muscles to smile compared to 43 muscles to frown.
• Women smile more than men.

Take Action Today:

• Smile at everyone you see today.
• keep track of how many times you smile and laugh today.
• If you are having trouble smiling, here a few suggestions to help:

*Make faces at yourself in the mirror.
*Shake your body like it’s laughing from the inside.
*Jump on the bed.
*Hug someone you love.
*Visit a pet store.

• At the end of you day of smiling, notice how you feel and whether people acted differently around you.

“Smiling is contagious.  Happiness leads to smiling and smiling leads to happiness.  Happiness is your natural immunity, having a profound, positive effect on your health and well-being.  If you are happy, smile.  If you aren’t happy, smile anyway.  It will help you get there!”

Pastor Michael

 

 

 

 

 

October 3, 2011

I love my children.  They are all so very different, which is perplexing in many ways for many reasons.  But it’s all part of how I can love them all uniquely, and why I am impressed by them individually.  Through all of their imperfections, they each stand as an example to me of being Christ-like in different ways.

Take Jesse for example…

He is a kid who is gifted in many ways.  He excels at most everything he does, and he seldom has to work hard for anything.  It’s not that he is lazy or apathetic; it’s more that he can get by just fine on his natural abilities.  But this year, I have seen him have to step up to a challenge for which he was not prepared.  It’s a direction that I never really encouraged him to pursue.  So, he has some ground to make up to meet the many expectations that people have of him, as well as those he has of himself.   What has impressed me most about him is his tenacious effort to become better, to grow, to listen, to learn, and to not let people down.  He has pursued every opportunity that will help him step up to the challenge and not always with the encouragement of those who should be encouraging him the most.

While I recognize that this is all from a father’s perspective, I think I see things clearly.  In a spiritual sense, I wish we would all work as hard to become more like Christ.  If we had once ounce of Jesse’s work ethic and applied it to being in God’s word, praying, serving others, and meeting needs, the world would be filled with a bunch of people who look more like Jesus.

I know God has high expectations of all of us and great hopes that we would surrender our lives in a way that we can be used to be about His Kingdom work.  I just wonder how many of us are willing to put in the work.  I just wonder…

“Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.”

1 Peter 1:18-21 from The Message

Blessings!

Pastor Michael

Next Page »