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)

July 9, 2010

Sunday is Baptism Day! Our first summer baptism will begin in the Pinecrest Ampitheatre at 4:00 as we listen to the testimonies of 20 people who will then proclaim their faith through the ritual of baptism in the chilly waters of Pinecrest Lake-one of the most beautiful areas of all God’s creation-come join us for this always special celebration.

July 8, 2010

It’s good to be home! At the same time I treasure the time Linda & I enjoyed away.

My vacation began on a plane to Providence, Rhode Island, a car rental and a short trip to Massachusetts to do a Heaven Now Seminar at a Christian Reformed Church.  A roommate from college got word that I was coming and organized a class reunion for the Class of 1965.

What a terrific time!  Some folks I hadn’t seen in 45 years…some 30.  We laughed, shared stories and remembrances.  We hugged, prayed and thanked God for each other.  We promised to stay in touch.  We experienced God’s treasured gift of relationships.

The rest of the vacation included the Seminar, visiting relatives in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, flying to Texas for nine days with my children and grandchildren.  In the midst of it all I could not forget SBC.

On Sunday morning, Linda & I arrived at the church my son-in-law pastors and found a new person from Sonora, California.  My daughter had asked him where he was from and couldn’t believe he said Sonora.  She asked if he knew where Sierra bible Church was and he told her that it was his home church.  She asked him if he knew her Dad, Rick Larson, and he told her that was his Pastor.  Within minutes I was greeted by a man who greets me every Sunday morning named Gene Heston.  Talk about a small world!!!

Make sure in this “small world” you treasure your friendships and keep them as active as possible.  They are God’s gift to each of us.

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

July 7, 2010

Free for…

Our 4^th of July service was awesome on Sunday.  As I was sitting there clapping for those that have actively fought for my freedom and being challenged from God’s Word with regards to living into that freedom I thought about a topic I’d like to teach on some day, mostly because I’d like to do some more thinking and learning in this area.  What hit me this 4^th of July morning is that when I think of freedom I generally think of what I’m free from.  Free from slavery, tyranny, religious oppression.  What I rarely think about, but moved me greatly on Sunday was thinking about what I’m saved ‘for’.  I firmly believe that the freedom I enjoy was won by the lives of those that fought for it, sacrificed for it.  I also believe that God willed it…for a purpose.  My freedom is not an accident.  It didn’t catch God by surprise and cause him to think, “OK, now what?” 

Something said on Sunday has found its way into my heart and it was this, ‘in many ways we haven’t done too well with our freedom’.  That is so very true.  Maybe it’s because I have allowed myself to view my freedom as an excuse to be free for all the wrong things; consuming, wasting, pleasure, hoarding…

The question remains…’what on earth am I free for’?

July 6, 2010

Summer Tuesdays

Summer is my favorite time of the year.   It may have started when I was a child, with no school, and with summer camp, family campouts in the mountains or even in my own backyard, and just long days with friends and family.  All of these things were part of my childhood years, and even to this day the sound of a lawn mower, pool pump, or ice cream truck can each make me smile.

Seeing my garden come to life and spending quiet, still mornings on our deck gazing up at the mountains reminds me of how good our heavenly Father is to us.  Today there was a bird so big in our bird feeder, I wasn’t sure it would get out.  Another bird tried to fly into my kitchen.  Meanwhile, I’m working away on my computer, with the dog asleep under my feet.  It made me smile and feel happy and blessed for God’s amazing creation.  Again I was reminded that we are so blessed to be able to enjoy such simple and yet wonderful pleasures.

I pray that you will enjoy your day.

Becky

Psalm 148

Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.  He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens,
old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

July 2, 2010

Today, I would like to ask for your prayers for Ev and her family.  After returning last Sunday from 10 days in Southern CA with her Mom , she flew down again yesterday afternoon because Hospice folks said they did not expect her to live more than a couple of days.  She recently turned 94 and has lived a good, full life with Christ at the center of all she has done.  It was her faithful witness when Ev’s Dad was not yet a Christian that introduced Ev to Jesus.  Your prayers for our family would be appreciated…and I hope to see you Independence Day morning at either our 8:00 or 9:30 service!  (Remember, no 11:00 service this week.)  My tentative plan is to drive down immediately after the 9:30 service on Sunday.

Mark

June 30, 2010

Becky and Nate are both enjoying some well-deserved time off this week.  Please pray that they (and their families) will have a wonderfully relaxing, refreshing time away.  Thank you!

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 25, 2010

Sunday is a big day for SBC that mostly goes unnoticed! It is an important day for us because it closes another fiscal year at SBC. It is a significant day of blessing for us because God has graciously and generously provided through His people for the needs of SBC this last year. Our General Offering giving is within $38,000 of fully meeting our annual budget of almost $1.300,000. When our Designated Giving is included it has been one of our largest giving years. In a year where we have faced many challenging economic realities this becomes a particular praise for our church family. We will be doing this at our Congregational Meeting on Sunday at 7:00pm. Come join us! We will also be looking at our vision for the new year both financially and in our ministry priorities. And…if you want to help us fully meet our 09/10 budget your last Sunday gifts are welcomed and appreciated!

June 24, 2010

Pastor Rick and his wife, Linda, will be traveling today on the last “leg” of their vacation.  Please pray for safe travel and for their continued rest and relaxation.  Thanks!

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