March 17, 2010

It’s Daffodil Season!

I’m sure you have noticed the signs of spring around us.  Weeds are already getting out of control, warm weather is bringing out the bugs, people are outside soaking up the sun…and the best part, daffodils!!  I love spring in many ways, and the longer I follow Jesus the more this seems to be true…and there is something special and, for me, significant in those little yellow flowers that drive through the cold hard earth and signal to us all a new season.  I noticed those I had planted peaking through the snow!  It was as if they were saying, ‘it might be cold now, it might appear as if winter is here with another storm on the way, but we know better, we know something else…and even this blanket of cold will not stop us from proclaiming it.’  Planting daffodil bulbs as fall approaches could be viewed as a profound act of trust.  It is done with the awareness that winter is coming, but after that winter there will be a new season…yes, a season with new hope, color, laughter and unreasonable love showing up in the darkest and coldest of spots.

Happy Daffodil Season,

Pastor Nate

March 16, 2010

Becky is at a Children’s Pastors Convention, along with team members, Linda Romani and Rachel Tidwell.  Pray for their time together, as they learn more about reaching children and families for Jesus Christ.

Thank you!

March 15, 2010

Another Monday is here!

Another Sunday is gone!

Another Sunday is on the horizon!

And Easter services are staring me in the face!

I woke up this morning (barely) wondering a few things:

• Who invented time changes?
• Why do the movies that win Academy Awards win them?
• Why did I let some of my “young” friends convince me to stay up late watching one such movie?
• Why is my printer at home not working after a friend fixed a bunch of problems with my computer?
• How come some days seem so filled with purpose and are met with such excitement?
• How come other days seems more like stepping back into the rat race than into God’s call?
• How do we rise above the routine and mundane?
• How do we live to His purposes for our lives?
• When it’s all said and done, what really matters?

I have been reading through a “Read-Through-The-Bible-In-Chronological-Order-In-A-Year” Bible reading plan.  Lately, I have found myself in the book of Deuteronomy.  Interesting reading.  It can be a little disengaging at times, but there is a predominant and over-riding theme:  obey God.  Obey God at all costs.  Follow his commands.  Live life His way.  Don’t be tempted to stray away following other gods.  Don’t become enamored with the world, be committed to God.  Be committed to obedience.

I wondered what the word “deuteronomy” meant.  My research showed that it literally means “second law”.  Bear with me here:  it’s not that this book reveals a second set of laws – rather, it re-emphasizes a second time the first set of laws given…remember the Ten Commandments.  All “laws” about how we are to live.  All commands about how we are to live in relationship.  Simply summarized – the first several commandments are about our relationship with God, the others about our relationship with people.  An even simpler summary is “love God, love people” (Jesus talked about this in the New Testament).

And then it hit me…this summary purpose was the answer to all of the questions that were rolling around in my head when I woke up this morning:  love God & love people!

Have a “LG&LP” kind of day!

Pastor Michael

March 11, 2010

I am writing this as I am getting ready to go to lunch.  It is interesting – in biblical times you only ate with those you love.  There was something intimate about sharing a meal.

The most intimate meal is the Lord’s Supper.  This morning, I have been planning a time for the church family to come together on Good Friday evening and share in the Lord’s Supper.   This will be a contemplative time, a time of personal confession to the Lord.  It will be a time of personal confession to the Lord, as well…A time of renewal and restoration, and a time of celebration for our privileged place in God’s Family.

You will be welcome to come anytime between 7:00-9:00 p.m., and spend time in preparation to receive the bread and the cup.

Who are you going to eat with today?  Whether it is family or friends, take the time to bless those you eat with, and let them know you love them.

Hungry & Thankful,

Pastor Rick

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

Next Page »