God has been moving in amazing ways so far this summer through our Summer in the Backyard Bible Study. Last week 53 Young Adults in their 20's gathered in our backyard to worship through music and study Ephesians 5.
Let me quickly share with you a cool story of someone who was impacted by last week, even though they weren't in the backyard with us. My next door neighbor is 22 years old and found himself washing the dishes during our worship time. The music in his description, "sounded really nice and peaceful," so he decided to walk outside and listen for himself. He ended up standing next to the fence the entire night listening to the message from Ephesians 5. The passage from Ephesians 5 hit him really hard and he immediately decided to make some major life changes as he stood next to the fence.
I told him this week he should come over on the other side of the fence, so he will be with us tomorrow night. How amazing is that!
(Here is a brief update on another guy who has recently been attending our summer study)
Another incredible story is of a guy who was literally just walking by our house when the Bible Study was going on a few weeks ago. Someone coming in late invited him to come be part of what we were doing. He decided to come in and hang out with us. Little did he know the Bible Study was on marriage and relationships. Little did we know, he had just broken up 2 days before with his girlfriend of 2 years. The talk and the setting really spoke to him and he is beginning to consider getting serious in his journey with Jesus!
God is moving. Keep praying!
Fullerton pastor reflects on first 18 Months
Good write-up in the local newspaper about a Orange County Pastor's reflections on his first year and a half as the new Senior Pastor of Fullerton Pres.
Fullerton pastor reflects on first 18 months for FPC fullerton, pastor, first - News - The Orange County Register
Fullerton pastor reflects on first 18 months for FPC fullerton, pastor, first - News - The Orange County Register
The Zeulner's: God at Work
My friends Ryan and Jenn Zuelner are amazing people! Ryan is the High School Pastor at a great Church in Costa Mesa, called Grace Fellowship Church. Ryan has a huge heart for people and is so good at connecting with students. Jenn is a burn survivor, a Mom of an energetic 3 year old (and one on the way) and a mentor to high school girls and leaders.
Both Ryan and Jenn were interns for our High School group at Calvary back when I was the High School Pastor. They had a tremendous influence on our students at Calvary. I would also like to think we had a influence on them (I remember long conversations with Ryan about the prospects of asking Jenn out, hahaha!).
Recently Jenn was interviewed about how her burn accident impacted her life. I wanted to share this interview with you as an encouragement that God uses the painful moments of our lives for His Glory and Good Work. Her is Jenn's story in her own words:
"As a 20 year old I was looking for something more than just the average college lifestyle. I had a desire to serve the Lord and experience an adventure. So on a whim I decided to drop everything one summer and serve God in order to find some meaning and purpose in my life. With only a 2 week notice, I left Orange County to go and serve at a Young Life camp in Colorado.
The first week there I stood up and told everyone, “I don’t know why I’m here, but I know we are all here for a reason.”
I expected God to move.
A week later, while cleaning a drain, a bottle of drain opener exploded in my face causing the sulfuric acid to create 2nd and 3rd degree burns to my eyes, face, neck and arm.
Immediately I was transformed.
The acid disolved my skin and clothing. In an instant, everything I found security in vanished including my physical appearance and eyesight. Hours away from home, my life took a very unexpected turn.
I was rushed to Porter Hospital where I spent 7 days in the intensive care unit, then trasported to LA to the Grossman Burn Center for 23 days. While in extreme pain the first three days also brought an inability to see. On the outside, the situation appeared to be hopeless. But inwardly God was doing a miricle!
Both Ryan and Jenn were interns for our High School group at Calvary back when I was the High School Pastor. They had a tremendous influence on our students at Calvary. I would also like to think we had a influence on them (I remember long conversations with Ryan about the prospects of asking Jenn out, hahaha!).
Recently Jenn was interviewed about how her burn accident impacted her life. I wanted to share this interview with you as an encouragement that God uses the painful moments of our lives for His Glory and Good Work. Her is Jenn's story in her own words:
"As a 20 year old I was looking for something more than just the average college lifestyle. I had a desire to serve the Lord and experience an adventure. So on a whim I decided to drop everything one summer and serve God in order to find some meaning and purpose in my life. With only a 2 week notice, I left Orange County to go and serve at a Young Life camp in Colorado.
The first week there I stood up and told everyone, “I don’t know why I’m here, but I know we are all here for a reason.”
I expected God to move.
A week later, while cleaning a drain, a bottle of drain opener exploded in my face causing the sulfuric acid to create 2nd and 3rd degree burns to my eyes, face, neck and arm.
Immediately I was transformed.
The acid disolved my skin and clothing. In an instant, everything I found security in vanished including my physical appearance and eyesight. Hours away from home, my life took a very unexpected turn.
I was rushed to Porter Hospital where I spent 7 days in the intensive care unit, then trasported to LA to the Grossman Burn Center for 23 days. While in extreme pain the first three days also brought an inability to see. On the outside, the situation appeared to be hopeless. But inwardly God was doing a miricle!
My parents flew out to be by my side. I knew all the while that I had gotten an answer to Gods bigger picture for my life. My heart was forever changed. Through this trial I fell hard at Gods feet. The nurses found my mom and I in the intensive care unit singing my favorite worship song “open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see you”. In my darkest hour I saw God moving and it was there I chose to embrace the love that he had for me. In that moment, I chose joy. Everything else had been stripped away.It was during this time that God truly captured my heart and showed me what true beauty and value is all about. I give God all the glory for what he did drew me closer to Him. Jesus had come to restore, renew and capture me as his own!
There are days when I long to go back to the clarity of my hospital bed where God’s love was so tangible. With over 30 reconstructive surgeries God has healed all things both inside and out, meanwhile I have found purpose in exposing young women and burn survivors to true beauty; the beauty of a relationship with Jesus Christ."
By Jennifer Zeulner
adapted from gracefellowshipchurch.org
adapted from gracefellowshipchurch.org
Trinity Baseball Bats
All-Star fever has hit Orange County as Anaheim prepares to host the MLB All-Star game this coming Tuesday at Anaheim Stadium. Fox Sports recently filmed a piece on my friend Jeff McKee's baseball bat company in Fullerton. Jeff and his family makes baseball bats for All-Stars like Vladimir Guerrero and Adrian Gonzalez. Jeff is a follower of Jesus Christ and represents God in such cool ways through Trinity Bats. I have so much respect for Jeff. Click here to watch a video on the making of a baseball bat from the Trinity Bat Wherehouse...
Summer in the Backyard
Marie and I have been hosting a Backyard Bible Study at our home for Young Adults (people in their 20's) this summer. Last night was week 3 and 50 people showed up! Among the people to come was a guy who lives on our street who was walking by and asked someone walking up our driveway what was going on with all the cars. They told him it was a Bible study and invited him to come in. And he did and stayed the entire time!
I had a great talk with him after as he explained how he has been searching for God. Another guy who I have become friends with because he works at one of the coffee shops I frequent, showed up and brought 2 friends with him as well.
The Lord is at work, calling people to Himself. What an honor to be part of it.
I had a great talk with him after as he explained how he has been searching for God. Another guy who I have become friends with because he works at one of the coffee shops I frequent, showed up and brought 2 friends with him as well.
The Lord is at work, calling people to Himself. What an honor to be part of it.
Glory, Glory Hallelujah
The other night I was watching the only TV channel we get reception on (hahaha), when a made for TV special from the Ford Theater in Washington DC came on. With President Obama and other high ranking officials in attendance the Battle Hymn of the Republic was sang. I have never taken the time to really examine the words of this hymn. The lyrics are amazing! Read them below and take them to heart next time you hear this famous song played at your local 4th of July event.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.
(Chorus)
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my grace shall
deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on."
(Chorus)
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
(Chorus)
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
(Chorus)
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.
The Faith of Manute Bol
I was reading through one of my favorite blogs this week, when I came across this great editorial from the Wall St. Journal commenting about the life of former NBA Basketball player, Manute Bol, who passed away at the age of 47 last week.Manute Bol was never that great at basketball, but he was 7 foot, 7 inches! He took his height and dynamic personality and faith in Jesus Christ and lived an incredible life.
Manute was one of my favorite players as I grew up in Northern California and he played for my favorite team, the Golden State Warriors. During my Junior High Years, I wore a Manute Bol Warriots T-shirt at least 3 times a week! Little did I know at that time, what a powerful impact Bol would have on his home country of Sudan and on so many others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
