August 25, 2011

Have you missed me?  When I went to part time effective July 1st, I am longer working on Thursdays.  Thursday was always the day I wrote something for the Pastor’s Corner.  I have just learned that my day is still Thursday, but I need to write on Tuesday seeing I won’t be there Thursday.

So…here I am, trying to think of something to say. The first thing that comes to mind is how grateful I am for my Sierra Bible Church family.  You have been so good to me and such a source of encouragement as I have been writing 5:21.  Now that it’s actually here, you have blessed me with affirmation and “atta boys,” and you even purchased a lot of books!

I am very grateful for this church family.  My prayer is that couples here at Sierra Bible will embrace God’s design for marriage and find great joy and God’s blessing, together, as you apply His truth to your marriage.

Pastor Rick

June 23, 2011

It’s been interesting reading the Book of Philippians in preparation for preaching the next two Sundays.  My first observation has been how familiar a lot of the verses are to long-time church attendees, like me.

The other thing that has surprised me is the challenge to love each other.  If I would have been asked before reading through this book a number of times, I would have said it was about joy, and it is.  But…joy doesn’t come without aggressive love.

So, let me challenge you to surprise yourself by reading through Philippians a number of times and see if God doesn’t show you things that are not only surprising but maybe even life changing.

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Rick

June 16, 2011

The book is done!  After 16 months of writing and phone calls and changes and weariness – the book is done.

I look back over the process, and it really is miraculous – beginning from a luncheon with the Chandlers who introduced me to Mark Cutshall, my editor, who has become a best friend.  Then to Craig Groeschel, who pastors Lifechurch.TV and preaches to 45,000 each week, who gave the book its first endorsement, to Dr.’s Les and Leslie Parrott, who have written and published more books on marriage than anyone else and who have written the forward for the book.  God’s almost tangible direction on this project has been nothing short of miraculous and, now the book is done!

It will probably be 30 days between publishing and UPS.   Please pray with me that the Lord will use it to strengthen marriages around the world.  Thanks for your prayers!

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

June 9, 2011

Yesterday morning, Pastor Mark was at U.C.S.F. for his aggressive radiation treatment which lasted most of the day.

I would encourage all who read this to be praying.  Pray as often as you can.

Your prayer matters,

Pastor Rick

May 19, 2011

I have been thinking, of late, about the biblical commandment that we are to do everything we can conceivably do to maintain the unity of the body of Christ.

As I look over the church landscape, there are all kinds of divisions, perspectives, criticisms, and self-righteousness all within the borders of the body called the “church.”  Sierra Bible Church is an interesting place that is non-denominational and made up of people from a variety of denominations. Yet, Sierra Bible is mandated to maintain the unity of the body of Christ.

That means two things:

1.       Not being critical of other churches

2.       Not being critical of each other

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, when people came to visit Sierra Bible, they would come away with this perspective: “I marvel at how the people at SBC love and support each other.”

I think if that were true we would have a little taste of Heaven and that taste would be awfully good.  We CAN make that happen.

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

May 12, 2011

I was reminded again this morning of a very important portion of scripture…Romans 12:18, “ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

This passage of scripture brought to mind a truth I heard preached on long ago.  We are never less like Christ when we are saying negative things about other people.  It is a trap that is very very easy to fall into.  Not only do we hurt ourselves, but we hurt the person who is bearing the brunt of our criticism.  We hurt the church if that’s our common behavior within our church family, and we hurt Christ because He loves that person.

So, how about parking our critical spirits far away from the church so we don’t harm the members of Sierra Bible Church or our other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Think about it.

Pastor Rick

May 5, 2011

I don’t usually celebrate all the Hallmark Holidays.  But…Mother’s Day is different!

I miss my Mom.  She died 29 years ago from Parkinson’s disease.  She was my closet friend and my biggest fan.  She was highly gifted musically, and she played the piano by ear.  I would come home from college with a new quartet number, and she would sit down at the piano and by the fourth or fifth word she would be playing the music. I always remember the long trip from Worchester, Massachusetts, to Buffalo, New York, to visit my Mom’s Mom and her sisters.  It was an annual event and took about eleven hours on the road.  We sang all the way.

Kind, compassionate, a Mother par excellent, a devoted follower of Jesus, and a life well lived with no complaints in spite of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  Her countenance never changed, she was always beautiful.  Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Pastor Rick

 

April 28, 2011

The afterglow of the Easter service remains.  It was amazing to see the John Muir Building at the fairgrounds filled to overflowing.

The music was incredible.  Pastor Mark’s sermon was so visibly profound, which we all knew was a blend of his heart and the journey he is presently experiencing in his own life.  Ken Mansfield’s story was amazing.  His journey from the heights of show business success to the darkness of losing it all to the light of Christ was a blessing.  Then Liz’s rendition of “Imagine”, accompanied by all the signs of all the hardships of this life, let us know we have a forever future.  Our prayer warriors prayed with lots of people who were radically challenged by God’s Spirit.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen.  We are so very blessed.

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

April 21, 2011

I met this morning with our staff, and we spent a lot of time discussing the logistics for our Sunday Easter Service.  The dozens and dozens and dozens of volunteers that will help move chairs, risers for the choir, tables, tablecloths, and signs to direct people to information about SBC to the fairgrounds – it is a massive effort!

Our time was closed in prayer for everyone who will attend the Easter Service.  Whether young or old, believer or doubter, male or female, we prayed that everyone who comes will know, when the service is over, that Jesus is not only alive but that He is alive in us!

I encourage your prayers for everyone.  We know those that come to church only on Easter and Christmas and live without Christ, live far below God’s design for them.  So, pray, pray, pray that the resurrected Christ will do a marvelous work in all our lives as we celebrate the defeat of death and the power of life in Christ!

We’ll see you there,

Pastor Rick

April 14, 2011

Well, at last count, we have 10+ new Life Groups beginning the week following Easter.  If you sense the Lord prodding you to host a Life Group, please let Lori know at 532-1381 x-116.  We will be happy to add you to the new group list.

If you’re not in a Life Group, I am sure one of the 10+ new groups would be happy to have you join them!  Again, you may call Lori and get into a group close to your home that, hopefully, meets on a night you are available.

This new series on Heaven is amazing.  I guarantee that much of what you believe about Heaven is not true.  You know the scripture that says, “…the truth will set you free…”  Well, the “truth” about Heaven will make a huge difference in the way you live.  So…don’t miss the truth, and sign up or call Lori to join a group for this exciting series.  You will be blessed!!

Looking forward to Heaven,

Pastor Rick

 

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