We have so many things to be thankful for at Calvary Church Santa Ana.
This video captures a few of the Thankful moments from 2009...
Truth and Transformation
I am reading a fascinating book this Thanksgiving weekend by Vishal Mangalwadi. The name of the book is called, "Truth and Transformation - A Manifesto for Ailing Nations"
Mangalwadi is described by Christianity Today as "India's foremost intellectual."
In this book Mangalwadi, explains how the moral failure of nations (and the individuals that make up nations) impacts every facet of life (grocery store prices, bank failures, etc.) and ultimately ruin nations. Using the background of his own observations in his home country of India and looking towards the current trajectory of the West, Mangalwadi writes with an urgency and conviction I have rarely come across.
A Week of Thanks, Day 6
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."
2 Corinthians 2:14
A Scripture for Black Friday
We were on "those people" this morning raiding our local Targer and Best Buy at dawn.
Here is a scripture I am dwelling on for the day, as we contemplated buying a new video camera:
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Here is a scripture I am dwelling on for the day, as we contemplated buying a new video camera:
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
A Week of Thanks, Day 5
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:56-57
A Week of Thanks, Day 4
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:15-16
A Week of Thanks, Day 3
"And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign."
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign."
Revelation 11:16-17
Life Together
One of the groups I shepherd at Calvary Church is the Young Adult group.
This is a gathering of people ages 22 to 32. We meet weekly on Tuesday nights for
worship thru music, a Bible study + small group discussion.
I am hoping to brand the name for the Tuesday gathering, "Life Together" in 2010.
I want this name to communicate to those who attend and those who might attend what the goal/purpose of our Tuesday gatherings is. To live "Life Together" as believers in Jesus Christ. This means that we consistently care for one another by praying for each other, encouraging one another to grow in our devotion to Christ and holding each other accountable to living a Godly life. This means we eat together, play together, laugh together and even experience pain together. This is my dream for this group of people at Calvary Church. I really like what Rick Warren tweeted today about living life together:
Deeper levels of Fellowship:
1.Sharing together (shallowest)
2.Studying together
3.Serving together
4. Suffering together
This is a gathering of people ages 22 to 32. We meet weekly on Tuesday nights for
worship thru music, a Bible study + small group discussion.
I am hoping to brand the name for the Tuesday gathering, "Life Together" in 2010.
I want this name to communicate to those who attend and those who might attend what the goal/purpose of our Tuesday gatherings is. To live "Life Together" as believers in Jesus Christ. This means that we consistently care for one another by praying for each other, encouraging one another to grow in our devotion to Christ and holding each other accountable to living a Godly life. This means we eat together, play together, laugh together and even experience pain together. This is my dream for this group of people at Calvary Church. I really like what Rick Warren tweeted today about living life together:
Deeper levels of Fellowship:
1.Sharing together (shallowest)
2.Studying together
3.Serving together
4. Suffering together
A Week of Thanks
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe"
Hebrews 12:28
Deadly Viper Character Assasins Book Pulled From Shelves
This has been the watercooler topic of the week for many in Christian ministry.
The book "Deadly Viper Character Assasins" by Jud Wilhite and Mike Foster
was pulled off the shelves this week by Zondervan publishing after many in the Asian American community and Christian community took offense to the "ninja" based motif of this book on Christian integrity.
Read a note from the authors about the controversy here.
Read what many find to be offensive about the book here.
Read my comments to one of the leaders involved in the reconciliation of this controversy, Soon-Chan Rah, here.
What are your thoughts?
The book "Deadly Viper Character Assasins" by Jud Wilhite and Mike Foster
was pulled off the shelves this week by Zondervan publishing after many in the Asian American community and Christian community took offense to the "ninja" based motif of this book on Christian integrity.
Read a note from the authors about the controversy here.
Read what many find to be offensive about the book here.
Read my comments to one of the leaders involved in the reconciliation of this controversy, Soon-Chan Rah, here.
What are your thoughts?
What Would You Do with $300K for the Kingdom of God?
This was a hypothetical question I was recently posed...
What would I do with 300,000 dollars to further local outreach in Orange County, Ca?
The possibilities are endless!!!
What would you do in Orange County or in your city with 300k?
What would I do with 300,000 dollars to further local outreach in Orange County, Ca?
The possibilities are endless!!!
What would you do in Orange County or in your city with 300k?
What to give thanks for when there feels like there is nothing to be thankful for
Most of us will be asked what we are thankful for in the coming week.
If you have had a difficult year, this task may be exercise in discouragment.
The cool thing is if you are believer in Jesus Christ you always have a reason to be thankful not matter your circumstances.
Psalm 7 reminds us that no matter what we can be thankful for God and his character:
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."
Psalm 7:17
If you have had a difficult year, this task may be exercise in discouragment.
The cool thing is if you are believer in Jesus Christ you always have a reason to be thankful not matter your circumstances.
Psalm 7 reminds us that no matter what we can be thankful for God and his character:
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."
Psalm 7:17
Have a Free 49 Minutes?
Download my sermon from last Sunday at Calvary,
"What Should The Church Be Known For? (1 Timothy 5:1-16)
I really enjoyed the sweet agony of preaching Sunday.
It was sweet, because it is such a huge honor to teach God's word from the Bible to others.
It was agony because I wrestled with the text for over 6 weeks, begging God for insight, writing and re-writing my sermon notes over and over, practing late into the night and not being able to sleep the night before because of nerves!
To listen to the podcast, go HERE.
"What Should The Church Be Known For? (1 Timothy 5:1-16)
I really enjoyed the sweet agony of preaching Sunday.
It was sweet, because it is such a huge honor to teach God's word from the Bible to others.
It was agony because I wrestled with the text for over 6 weeks, begging God for insight, writing and re-writing my sermon notes over and over, practing late into the night and not being able to sleep the night before because of nerves!
To listen to the podcast, go HERE.
Orange County Car Theft Victim: I Want My Bible Back!
I came across an interesting article today in our local paper, the Orange County Register:
FULLERTON – Insurance agent Henry Jones, whose car was stolen Sunday in front of his downtown office, has posted a $1,500 reward. Not so much for the car, but for the safe return of a beloved Bible he shared with his wifethe couple shared.
Jones said it's not the loss of his 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid that's disconcerting.
"It means the world to me," Jones said of the Bible he and his late wife, Vi, read together during their married life and on trips around the world.
His wife died Aug. 31 after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Jones said the well-worn Bible has been on the pulpit in Methodist founder's John Wesley's Chapel in London, inside the New Room, the Methodist faith's oldest house in Bristol, England, in the Vatican and on world cruises."
Read the rest of the article here.
I hope his Bible is recovered!
FULLERTON – Insurance agent Henry Jones, whose car was stolen Sunday in front of his downtown office, has posted a $1,500 reward. Not so much for the car, but for the safe return of a beloved Bible he shared with his wifethe couple shared.
Jones said it's not the loss of his 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid that's disconcerting.
"It means the world to me," Jones said of the Bible he and his late wife, Vi, read together during their married life and on trips around the world.
His wife died Aug. 31 after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Jones said the well-worn Bible has been on the pulpit in Methodist founder's John Wesley's Chapel in London, inside the New Room, the Methodist faith's oldest house in Bristol, England, in the Vatican and on world cruises."
Read the rest of the article here.
I hope his Bible is recovered!
10 Days From Today
I will be preaching in our 2 main services at Calvary on November 15th.
I am preaching on 1 Timothy 5:1-16.
Here is my Title and 2 main points:
"What Should the House of God Be Known For?
5:1-2: The House of God should be known for the way we treat each other as family.
5:3-16: The House of God should be known for the way we exercise compassion towards the helpless among us
Lord give me wisdom as I prepare.
I need you God!!!!
I am preaching on 1 Timothy 5:1-16.
Here is my Title and 2 main points:
"What Should the House of God Be Known For?
5:1-2: The House of God should be known for the way we treat each other as family.
5:3-16: The House of God should be known for the way we exercise compassion towards the helpless among us
Lord give me wisdom as I prepare.
I need you God!!!!
Owl City
I just bought the band Owl City's latest CD, "Ocean Eyes"
Does this make me:
A. 6 months too late
B. Hip and Trendy
C. Hopelessly and awkwardly trying to stay 25
What If U2 Would Have Been Born in Orange County?
Phil Cooke posted an interesting thought on his excellent blog today from a conversation he had with writer Steve Turner. Steve asked Phil, "If the rock band U2 had been born in Orange County, California, would they have become just another church worship band?"
Read the rest of the post here and scroll down below to the comment section to read my thoughts.
Read the rest of the post here and scroll down below to the comment section to read my thoughts.
The Difficult Side of Leadership
Today I had to make a decision that impacted some folks that I really like.
They weren't happy at all with my decision.
But I knew it was the decision I had to make as I prayed, searched the scriptures and sought counsel from others.
This is the painful and difficult side of leadership.
Leading people well with integrity and Godliness even when it isn't popular.
I pray the Lord continues to give me humility and wisdom in these type of situations.
They weren't happy at all with my decision.
But I knew it was the decision I had to make as I prayed, searched the scriptures and sought counsel from others.
This is the painful and difficult side of leadership.
Leading people well with integrity and Godliness even when it isn't popular.
I pray the Lord continues to give me humility and wisdom in these type of situations.
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