March 10, 2010

Not only reminders…

Kathy and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary yesterday!!  By all standards, outside of a couple of cards and some gifts, it was a normal day(we will get some “us time” Friday for sure).  In reality, the day was far from normal – it was drenched in 14 years of great memories; tough times, beautiful times, fun times, times when we limped and times when we seemed to soar…  As I thought through many of the events and emotions that come with 14 years of marriage to the woman you absolutely adore, the memories become far more than reminders of times past.  They become present emotions, they become present motivators, sustainers and blessings.  Seems odd, but it’s very true.  Not ‘many’ of the things that make our marriage great happened yesterday but in some way, through times of reflection and gratitude they all did.  They felt like wind in the sails, a good meal in the stomach, a funny joke that makes you laugh, a warm summer evening enjoyed  outside…you get the point, I think.  Memories, thankfulness, providence…much more than reminders…

Nate

March 9, 2010

Monday morning began with the banging of hammers and the clinking of change.  Dimes, quarters, pennies and nickels, along with some dollars and a few foreign coins, were found flying all over the conference table.  Our faithful team of Sierra Bible money counters were happily doing their Monday morning job of counting our offerings when they were handed about 200 plastic rice bowls to open and count.  I stopped for a while to hammer a few bowls open, empty the change, and separate the coins.  It was clearly going to take more time than I had to offer to get the job done.

When I last saw them, they had a three foot trash can filled with coins!  The volunteers were bent over concentrating on the task of counting, rolling, and getting the money ready to be carted off to the bank.  By the end of my day, the money had not all been counted, and I knew that our dear counting team would be back for more counting and rolling.

As I looked at the trash can so heavy with change that it could not be moved, I was reminded that it only takes .10 to feed lunch to a hungry child in Haiti.  Can you imagine the amount of children that we are feeding with our trash can of change!

This week put a dime in a visible spot to remember to continue to give, and always pray for hungry children everywhere.

Becky

March 8, 2010

I was impacted by a man yesterday who for over 37 years has had a passion to introduce people to Jesus and help them become more Christ-like.

I was impacted by a man yesterday whose passion for those not in the Kingdom is in full flame even after 50 years of being on the front line of missions.

I was impacted by a man yesterday who 8 years ago found out why his mother taught him the Russian language and how he has aligned his purpose of living to that call.

I was impacted by a man yesterday who for many years called upon the wisdom of God in the judgments he was required to make and how his judgment has now led him to reach those who are far from God…and far from Tuolumne County.

I was impacted by a woman yesterday who has a heart filled with wonder and marvel at how God is using her daughter to secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.

I was impacted by a man yesterday who left the literal presence of God to come to earth and walk with humanity to surrender his life as the ultimate sacrifice for a world that God “loves so much”.

Church was good!

Pastor Michael

March 5, 2010

I have noticed again the last couple of days how important small groups are to our spiritual growth.  Two days ago, I met with a couple that were raised Methodist and Catholic who hadn’t done church since they were young teens…40+ years!   However, a little over a year ago after attending SBC a few times, they joined a small group and have been faithfully attending and growing ever since.  Yesterday, I talked with an individual whose small group has absolutely been their spiritual lifeblood through times of crisis.  Last night, we met again with our new “Prodigal God” group and experienced firsthand the value of interacting with others around God’s Word…and this group which has been meeting at the church will now continue at our home because they all experienced the value of our time together also!  Are you in a LIFE group?  I know several that have some room, and this might just be the boost you need!  We will also be starting many new groups after Easter as we embark on our new study, “Becoming The Good Samaritan.”  Don’t miss this opportunity!

Pastor Mark

March 4, 2010

The world of communication has radically changed and continues to change every day.  It is seldom we see a teenager not texting to someone.  Even though it is illegal, people behind the wheel have a cell phone to their ear.  The days when we talked on the phone primarily at home are long gone.  Between texting, I Phones, Blackberries, and Magic Jacks, communication with these devices has become a lifestyle. I wonder, along with Facebook, Twitter, My Space and Skype, if our relationships are deeper, more powerful, more loving, more sensitive, more anything?

The Word of God is all about relationship.  I wonder if our technology is helping or hurting our relationships.  Think about those you love most.  Make sure they know you love them. Whether through some of the new technology or maybe an old fashion hug, make sure they know how you feel.

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

P.S. – Don’t forget to communicate with God, and He’s NOT on Facebook.

March 3, 2010

The season of Lent has become, for me, about setting new rhythms to the way I see life, do life, and think about life.  For the past three years, I have used, along with about fifty of our High School Students, a little guide called Sacred Space to help move and motivate these rhythms.  Each week, there are two or three short pages that we read each day and then a passage of Scripture that goes with each individual day.  This week’s daily repetitive readings include these words:

“Everything has the potential to draw forth from me a fuller love and life.  Yet my desires are often fixed, caught, on illusions of fulfillment.  I ask that God, through my freedom, may orchestrate my desires in a vibrant loving melody rich in harmony.  In the presence of my loving creator, I look honestly at my feelings over the last day, the highs, the lows, and the level ground.  Can I see where the Lord has been present?”

Last night on the way home from working at the food bank, my four year old Kirah said, ‘I wish I could see God!’  We talked a bit about this in the car, but as we were putting the girls down for bed it was this ‘Lent Rhythm’ that helped us see the invisible God.   We looked thoughtfully at our day…the highs, lows and level ground…you’ll never believe what who we saw…

Nate

March 2, 2010

Please pray for Becky while she is on vacation this week!

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us-”

Psalm 90 14 – 17

March 1, 2010

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

When I was in 7^th grade, my Bible teacher, Mrs. Pat Hendrickson, worked with our class to memorize this verse.  She explained that it would become one of the guiding verses of our life – she was right.  Certainly in my years of living, I have had my share of leaning on my own understanding instead of leaning into God.  Looking back from where I am now, I see those times but you couldn’t have convinced me at the time that I was living and moving from a perspective of what I thought was best.  I guess you have to have some years behind you to know how little we really know and how great our need for God’s spiritual wisdom in our lives really is.

To be intentional about seeking God’s best is a big challenge.  That best comes through God’s voice in our lives, through his Word coming alive in our lives and often times through the words of wise Christ-followers speaking into our lives.  A good work of advice I also learned from Mrs. Hendrickson.

Another good word of advice:  Be careful about listening to advice from a volleyball named “Wilson”!

Pastor Michael

February 26, 2010

One of the exciting developing ministries at SBC is CNN – Community Needs Network.  Yesterday,  the kitchen was packed with boxes of frozen chickens, a new freezer is overflowing with packages of frozen hamburger, and the large pile of empty boxes outside our Food Pantry was a reminder of large quantities of food restocking the shelves inside that will be given out over the next week. Your generosity in donating to CNN and the multiplication of funds through food purchasing at ATCAA have exponentially expanded our outreach to the needy in our area.  The greatest blessing to me, however, is seeing a faithful group of our SBC family treating those who are often feeling hurt and hopeless with grace, kindness, and prayer as they reach out to meet their needs – THANKS to all who are making this ministry such a success!

Pastor Mark

February 25, 2010

How often do you pray for your church?  If we are honest, and I certainly hope we are, we would have to confess “not all that often.”  I think that is a mistake for all of us.  The church is the Body of Christ.  It is the visible presence of Christ in this sin-sick world, and it is the target of the enemy.  If he can tear the church apart, the presence of Christ is radically minimized.

So, let me ask you to start praying for the church.  Pray for the Elder Board which, incidentally, is meeting tonight.  We could use your prayers.  Pray for the Pastoral Staff and the Support Staff.  Pray for our unity that we might reflect the heart of Jesus.  Pray for those who submit prayer requests.  If you do not receive those prayer requests, please call the office and get on that list so you can faithfully pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When you come to church on Sunday and you drive by Promiseland, pray for the ministry to our children that takes place that morning.  When you find your seat in the Family Life Center, pray for Michael and the worship team as they lead us in praise and adoration; and when Pastor Mark gets up to speak, pray that God will give him a special anointing.

Finally, you might think of praying for yourself that you will listen intently and worship wholeheartedly; and when you leave the Family Life Center and get into your car, pray you will be a witness to the world of the heart of Christ to you and through you.  Your prayers matter!

Prayerfully,

Pastor Rick

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