The Journey

A Thousand Words Of Thanks

You Could Learn A Lot From A Baseball Fan

Whether you're into baseball or not, you could learn a lot from a baseball fan. I know I did...

Michaela and I caught our first Fresno Grizzlies baseball game this week and had a blast. Since moving to the Central Valley we have been suffering serious withdrawals from AT&T Park and the San Francisco Giants, so this game was just what we needed. It was a great experience! Wonderful ballpark! It was great to see a few familiar players from the Giants and some great future prospects. We left Grizzly Fans.

I purchased our tickets from a total stranger on the internet but by the end of the game we had some wonderful new friends. Patrick and his daughter Taylor met us at the front gate with smiles, handshakes, and introductions. They proceeded to tell us all about the Grizzlies and the stadium. They are BIG fans and it was apparent by how well they spoke of their team. They had nothing but good things to say about the sport, the team, and the stadium.

They walked with us to our seats, showing us where everything was, including when and where to get player's autographs. Taylor took Kayla down to the edge of the Grizzlies dugout and introduced her to all of the players and coaches, "This is my friend Michaela, tonight is her first game". During the game Patrick stopped by our seats to ask how we were enjoying the game and talked about maybe catching another game together soon. He followed that by a text message from his seat "I got a game ball for Michaela" and he delivered it a few minutes later. Wow! After the final out Patrick stopped by to thank us for coming and wish us a safe trip home. I was thankful for the tickets and hospitality, but here he was thanking us for being there.

We had a great experience due to Patrick and his daughter Taylor being so warm and friendly, we both mentioned on the way home that it was like we had known them forever, and such great ambassadors for the Grizzlies. They don't get paid to be ambassadors, it's not an official job or anything, they're just fans! And now we are too!

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20

I have been thinking all day about what a great example Patrick and Taylor should be to us as Christians. What if we were warm and friendly with people that cross our paths? What if we were so excited about the Lord and His church that we couldn't stop telling others about how great our God is and how wonderful our churches are? What if we met strangers at the front doors with smiles, handshakes, and introductions? What if we showed them around our churches making sure they were comfortable? What if we introduced them to all of our friends in the church? What if we were concerned about others and went out of our way to make sure they were alright? What if we gave them gifts for no apparent reason? What if we invited them back to enjoy another church service together? What if we thanked them for joining us on Sunday?

Maybe...They would become fans too!

Have a great weekend! Sunday's just around the corner! Let's play two!

Pastor

Who Are You?

 

 

 

 

 

"Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4

I spent several hours today visiting with a pastor who was hurt by those who should have loved and encouraged him. At first listen, he seemed to be bitter and angry, and maybe he was, but there's always a story. In fact there's always several stories from different perspectives. Stories are often told to convince others that we're right and someone else is wrong. Things get really complicated when our main concern is being right. In the end, God is always right and that's what matters.

We need to love one another and let the Master deal with His servants. Who am I to pass judgement on another pastor? He doesn't work for me, he works for the Lord. Ministry is difficult...let's not make it more difficult for one another. Let's pray for and encourage one another along the way.

We've been reading and discussing Garnett Reed's book, Intentional Integrity, in my Coffee House Small Group on Tuesday nights and this week's passage from Job really struck home. We all were created by God and we all will answer to God one day.

"Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?" Job 31:15

So much more could be accomplished for the Lord if we spent our time working together rather than against one another.

Five Simple Reminders To Christian Workers

There is nothing more rewarding than finding a place to serve the Lord and then giving it your all. But serving the Lord can be very trying at times. Serving the Lord involves ministering to people, usually hurting people, and as John Maxwell often says, "Hurting people hurt people". If you're involved in ministry in any way, my prayer for you today is that you will not give up! Here are a few reminders to keep you going through the difficult times.

• Your Work Is Not In Vain!

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

• Don't Give Up! Your Reward Is Coming!

Galatians 5:9-10 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." 

• Don't Get Sidetracked By What Others Think!

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."

• Spend A Lot Of Time With Jesus!

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

• Serving And Suffering! You're not alone!

Philippians 1:29–30 "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have."

 

Praying that you have a great week!

 

Pastor Mike

We Should Celebrate Easter Every Week

This past Sunday we had tremendous services. The place was packed, the spirit was sweet, and I believe Jesus was honored. I pray that our sister churches experienced the same as they gathered. We need special days throughout the year to reignite our passion.

I was talking to one of our men in the parking lot between services and he made the statement "We should celebrate Easter every week". I completely agreed. He followed up by saying that the death, burial, and resurection are what it's all about. The Gospel! I am so thankful to be surrounded with folks that really get this. Every Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the Gospel.

What if we celebrated the Gospel every Sunday, like we do on Easter Sunday? What if we invited friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to worship with us every week? What if we looked forward to every Sunday with the same expectancy that we do for Easter? Or sang with the same enthusiasm and preached the Word with the same excitement?

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Easter Sunday is special because we have set this Sunday apart from other Sundays to celebrate the risen Savior. But we'll be worshipping the same Jesus this week! Easter is also special because we seem to put more into it...Lord, let us worship you with our whole heart every week.

"But Only So For An Hour"

"We blossom like a flower and then wither.

Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear." Job 14:2 (NLT)

Every day is a gift from the Lord. Don't waste a moment of it. Apply your lives to things that really matter. Is there something important that you've been needing to do but haven't set aside the time to do it? Don't get caught up in the every day routine and miss the special moments.

 

 

A Few Things To Remember In Difficult Times

One day! Some day! That day! Suffering will come to an end and we will live for eternity in heaven with Jesus. Until then, we must walk with Jesus day by day and trust Him to see us through.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."

• Pressured...But God Is Greater
• Perplexed...But Our Faith Is Intact
• Pursued...But God Will Never Forsake Us
• Pushed...But Never Defeated