Monday, August 27, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Camp E.D.G.E. 2012
It is early Saturday morning. In a few short hours 50 of us will leave Camp E.D.G.E., our children's summer away camp, and head back to life as we know it. It has been an "incredible" week.
Our theme was a take off from Disney's cartoon movie 'The Incredibles.' The movie is about a family with three children who have super powers, and who work together to use them to keep their part of the world safe.
We wore 'Incredible' T shirts with Ephesians 2:10 on the back. We looked like super heroes! We learned how to become part of God's family, what our individual Spiritual Gifts are, how to use them, how to protect ourselves by putting on God's armor, and looked at how Jesus possesses, uses and models for us all the Spiritual gifts.
Last night was 'glow night.' After fun in the dark playing with glow sticks and putting on cabin-group light shows, we went to the dark campfire area and each shared something God taught us at camp, all decked out in our glow necklaces, bracelets and anklets. It was exciting to hear both campers and leaders share their excitement about identifying their Spiritual gifts, and their plans to use them throughout their lives.
Away camp is such a unique learning environment. It is early mornings and late nights, sleeping on bunk beds with 8 friends, eating camp food, swimming, learning to shoot a bow and air rifle, hiking, conquering the challenge course, making a camp craft, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores, and worshipping and learning from God's Word about our role and responsibility as part of God's family.
I pray that God will use what the campers have learned and experienced to encourage them to live their lives fully devoted to Him. It was a really fun week. But I pray that it will be more than that. I pray that each person will faithfully use their spiritual gifts for God's glory, and that they will daily put on their spiritual armor so they can fight off evil attacks and be productive for God's Kingdom.
Thank you Lord for this incredible week. Pease use it for the rest of our lives for Your glory!
Our theme was a take off from Disney's cartoon movie 'The Incredibles.' The movie is about a family with three children who have super powers, and who work together to use them to keep their part of the world safe.
We wore 'Incredible' T shirts with Ephesians 2:10 on the back. We looked like super heroes! We learned how to become part of God's family, what our individual Spiritual Gifts are, how to use them, how to protect ourselves by putting on God's armor, and looked at how Jesus possesses, uses and models for us all the Spiritual gifts.
Last night was 'glow night.' After fun in the dark playing with glow sticks and putting on cabin-group light shows, we went to the dark campfire area and each shared something God taught us at camp, all decked out in our glow necklaces, bracelets and anklets. It was exciting to hear both campers and leaders share their excitement about identifying their Spiritual gifts, and their plans to use them throughout their lives.
Away camp is such a unique learning environment. It is early mornings and late nights, sleeping on bunk beds with 8 friends, eating camp food, swimming, learning to shoot a bow and air rifle, hiking, conquering the challenge course, making a camp craft, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores, and worshipping and learning from God's Word about our role and responsibility as part of God's family.
I pray that God will use what the campers have learned and experienced to encourage them to live their lives fully devoted to Him. It was a really fun week. But I pray that it will be more than that. I pray that each person will faithfully use their spiritual gifts for God's glory, and that they will daily put on their spiritual armor so they can fight off evil attacks and be productive for God's Kingdom.
Thank you Lord for this incredible week. Pease use it for the rest of our lives for Your glory!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Urgency of the Times
The End is Near! How many times have we heard that? After a point, it begins to lose its sense of urgency. We can become like "The Boy who cried Wolf." People begin to ignore the pleas. Scripture tells us that in the last days people will be crying out the Lord is here or He is here. People will hear but, in light of all the false reports, most people will simply ignore the inevitable fact the Jesus is coming.
If Jesus is coming (and I believe He is coming sooner rather than later), then we need to be urgently about the Lord's business. We need to be warning people of the impending judgment at the hands of a righteous God. Diane posted an article that reflected on the need to share the gospel with a friend who is very critically ill. If we knew Jesus were coming tomorrow, would it incite us to share with loved ones? We don't know the day or the hour but we all need the same urgency and desire to share the good news of Jesus to a dying world as though it were going to occur tomorrow (and it could).
One of our goals as a church is that every person be urgently sharing the gospel. This should result in each of us seeing at least one person a year come to saving faith. Then if we disciple that person, they can disciple others. One of El Camino's mission speakers on Sunday addressed this very issue. Our motivation for doing this should be the shortness of time that we have remaining on earth. I don't know when Jesus is coming but I do think it could be soon. I do know that I need to be filled with the urgency and necessity to be sharing the gospel with as many people as God allows because it could be today!
If Jesus is coming (and I believe He is coming sooner rather than later), then we need to be urgently about the Lord's business. We need to be warning people of the impending judgment at the hands of a righteous God. Diane posted an article that reflected on the need to share the gospel with a friend who is very critically ill. If we knew Jesus were coming tomorrow, would it incite us to share with loved ones? We don't know the day or the hour but we all need the same urgency and desire to share the good news of Jesus to a dying world as though it were going to occur tomorrow (and it could).
One of our goals as a church is that every person be urgently sharing the gospel. This should result in each of us seeing at least one person a year come to saving faith. Then if we disciple that person, they can disciple others. One of El Camino's mission speakers on Sunday addressed this very issue. Our motivation for doing this should be the shortness of time that we have remaining on earth. I don't know when Jesus is coming but I do think it could be soon. I do know that I need to be filled with the urgency and necessity to be sharing the gospel with as many people as God allows because it could be today!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Invitation to a Car Show
Our After School Program is hosting the 1st Annual Desert Heat Auto Show in just a few short weeks on May 19th (from 10am-3pm) in an effort to raise needed funds for the program. If you (or someone you know) have a car or motorcycle you would like to show off at this venue, or if you simply enjoy looking at cars we would love to have you join us.
The entire event is being held right here at El Camino and involves the Children's and Worship Ministries. This is more than just a car show or a fund-raiser - we hope that this will become an annual outreach event that will bring many of our Tucson neighbors onto our campus.
I hope to see you there!
The entire event is being held right here at El Camino and involves the Children's and Worship Ministries. This is more than just a car show or a fund-raiser - we hope that this will become an annual outreach event that will bring many of our Tucson neighbors onto our campus.
I hope to see you there!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Priorities
A dear friend of mine from my teaching days is critically ill. It was totally unexpected. She was a very healthy, fit lady. When I got the text, I was heartbroken. As far as I know, she has yet to accept Christ as her Savior.
I spent that entire morning, my day off, asking God, (beseeching, begging), to spare her life and draw her and her family into a personal relationship with Himself. I am heartbroken at the prospect that she might live eternally apart from God.
In my times with God since then, I have done a lot of thinking about how I spend my time. The fact that I could've and should've invested more in my friendship with her, influencing her for Christ, hit me hard.
Psalm 119:37 says, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things." I live a pretty good life. My leisure activities include watching movies, reading, gardening, cycling, and shopping thrift stores. I wouldn't consider them necessarily 'worthless'. But are they 'worthwhile'?
When I think about my friend recovering in ICU, I wonder if the movie I watched or the shopping I did was more important than making time for her, or making time for the other friends God has placed in my life who also don't have a personal relationship with Him yet.
There is nothing wrong with watching TV or gardening. Agreed. I am entitled to rest, recreation, and fun. I work hard. But when I don't make time for what really matters, when people God has entrusted into my care don't know Him, I think I need to reevaluate some of my choices, and use my time more wisely.
I spent that entire morning, my day off, asking God, (beseeching, begging), to spare her life and draw her and her family into a personal relationship with Himself. I am heartbroken at the prospect that she might live eternally apart from God.
In my times with God since then, I have done a lot of thinking about how I spend my time. The fact that I could've and should've invested more in my friendship with her, influencing her for Christ, hit me hard.
Psalm 119:37 says, "Turn my eyes away from worthless things." I live a pretty good life. My leisure activities include watching movies, reading, gardening, cycling, and shopping thrift stores. I wouldn't consider them necessarily 'worthless'. But are they 'worthwhile'?
When I think about my friend recovering in ICU, I wonder if the movie I watched or the shopping I did was more important than making time for her, or making time for the other friends God has placed in my life who also don't have a personal relationship with Him yet.
There is nothing wrong with watching TV or gardening. Agreed. I am entitled to rest, recreation, and fun. I work hard. But when I don't make time for what really matters, when people God has entrusted into my care don't know Him, I think I need to reevaluate some of my choices, and use my time more wisely.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Peace
It has been an interesting week. Sunday morning was busy with services and the business meeting. Sunday evening, I broke a tooth. It didn't hurt. The dentist had an opening on Monday when I called. He was able to put a temporary crown on it. On Tuesday, I received an unexpected doctor's bill. On Thursday, Shar will be having surgery on her left eye. And that is just part of all that is going on. From an external perspective, the bottom dropped out and we have been hit from all sides.
However, in the midst of it all, I have felt no anxiety or stress. The peace of God has filled my heart. Why? I have choosen to believe that God works everything out for good (Rom 8:28). He is in control. I can't change the circumstnaces, but I can trust His timing and control over them. Regardless of what happens, God loves me and desires nothing but my best. Therefore, all that has happened is for my best and I choose to trust Him in that. As a result, His peace has filled me.
However, in the midst of it all, I have felt no anxiety or stress. The peace of God has filled my heart. Why? I have choosen to believe that God works everything out for good (Rom 8:28). He is in control. I can't change the circumstnaces, but I can trust His timing and control over them. Regardless of what happens, God loves me and desires nothing but my best. Therefore, all that has happened is for my best and I choose to trust Him in that. As a result, His peace has filled me.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Arny's Message
It is amazing how God works everything out for good (Rom 8:28). I watched Sunday's sermon from home because it is not a "pretty picture" to listen to a pastor blow his nose 20 times during a sermon. Arny so gracious stepped in and gave a wonderful sermon relating to the 12 spies - all leaders in Israel. Ten focused on the negative and two focused on the opportunity God had given. This is just what we all needed to hear.
I want to be like Joshua and Caleb. I want to focus on the God who is bigger than any problem I face rather than like the ten who focused on the problems being bigger than God could handle. Throughout life and ministry, we all face problems, issues, and circumstances. I can either be anxious and preoccupied because of the trouble or I can be calm in the midst of the storm knowing that God will deal with it. Attitude is a choice. I choose to believe that God is bigger, greater, mightier than anything I ever face.
Yes, there will be difficulties and obstacles to accomplishing God's purpose. But I choose to be an optimist - God will deliver. God will provide. The things that happen in life and ministry are merely opportunities for me to trust Him. I choose not to be dissuaded by the pessimists even if they are more in number or recognized as leaders. I choose to press forward trusting God, even if none go with me.
I want to be like Joshua and Caleb. I want to focus on the God who is bigger than any problem I face rather than like the ten who focused on the problems being bigger than God could handle. Throughout life and ministry, we all face problems, issues, and circumstances. I can either be anxious and preoccupied because of the trouble or I can be calm in the midst of the storm knowing that God will deal with it. Attitude is a choice. I choose to believe that God is bigger, greater, mightier than anything I ever face.
Yes, there will be difficulties and obstacles to accomplishing God's purpose. But I choose to be an optimist - God will deliver. God will provide. The things that happen in life and ministry are merely opportunities for me to trust Him. I choose not to be dissuaded by the pessimists even if they are more in number or recognized as leaders. I choose to press forward trusting God, even if none go with me.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Hope of Resurrection
This week we had a member of El Camino go to be with the Lord. While under hospice care, he entered eternity at the same time the congregation was celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. What a great time to go be with Jesus!
We celebrate that Jerry is with the Lord and that he will rise again at the Lord's coming. While we grieve our loss, we rejoice in heavens gain. It is a special time in heaven when believers go home. Psalm 116:5 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints."
We have the comfort and assurance from Christ's own resurrection that Jerry will experience this as well. It is the hope of all who believe in Jesus.
We celebrate that Jerry is with the Lord and that he will rise again at the Lord's coming. While we grieve our loss, we rejoice in heavens gain. It is a special time in heaven when believers go home. Psalm 116:5 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints."
We have the comfort and assurance from Christ's own resurrection that Jerry will experience this as well. It is the hope of all who believe in Jesus.
I Wanna Be Like David
Our Ministry Leadership Team was asked to give our testimony on Easter Sunday about how knowing the Resurrected Savior has changed our lives. God showed each one of us exactly what He wanted us to share. We pray that He was glorified!
At the continental breakfast afterward, a beautiful lady came up to me and said, "We are so blessed to have you here." Compliments are extremely difficult for me to take, plus I was still numb from speaking in front of a group of people. It terrifies me. I responded with a gentle, "Thank you." She then reminded me that it is through the prayers of God's people here at El Camino that any of my efforts turn out to be successful. And she is so right! "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
This morning in my quiet time, I was reading in 1 Chronicles 14:10-17, about David defeating the Philistines right after God had established him as king over Israel. It spoke strongly to me about having a humble, God-honoring, thankful heart.
Verses:
14:10a David inquired of the Lord
14:10c God answered David
14:11a David did as God commanded
14:11b David rightly credited God with the success
My response to this precious lady should have been that anything that is accomplished in Children's Ministries is because God blesses us with success. I know that full well, but I obviously don't praise God enough or that would've been my immediate response, because "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."
Lord God, I know that You are Sovereign. I know that every success we have and all that we accomplish for You is due to You. Please help the immediate response of my heart to be that of thankfulness and praise to You!
At the continental breakfast afterward, a beautiful lady came up to me and said, "We are so blessed to have you here." Compliments are extremely difficult for me to take, plus I was still numb from speaking in front of a group of people. It terrifies me. I responded with a gentle, "Thank you." She then reminded me that it is through the prayers of God's people here at El Camino that any of my efforts turn out to be successful. And she is so right! "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
This morning in my quiet time, I was reading in 1 Chronicles 14:10-17, about David defeating the Philistines right after God had established him as king over Israel. It spoke strongly to me about having a humble, God-honoring, thankful heart.
Verses:
14:10a David inquired of the Lord
14:10c God answered David
14:11a David did as God commanded
14:11b David rightly credited God with the success
My response to this precious lady should have been that anything that is accomplished in Children's Ministries is because God blesses us with success. I know that full well, but I obviously don't praise God enough or that would've been my immediate response, because "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."
Lord God, I know that You are Sovereign. I know that every success we have and all that we accomplish for You is due to You. Please help the immediate response of my heart to be that of thankfulness and praise to You!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Resurrection
This Sunday the Church celebrates the Resurrection. We identify the event as Easter. The world has corrupted the meaning of this most glorious celebration by making it a day for children to search for decorated eggs, eat candy, and hear about the Easter bunny. However, this totally changes the focus of the real meaning of Easter.
On Sunday morning following the crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. He left the tomb victorious over sin and death. He proved, gave evidence, that He is God and that He paid the penalty for all our sins.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then Christians are to be the most pitied people in the world. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15. But we are not stupid, deceived, or deluded. We have a living hope. Jesus is alive. Jesus is God. And because He is raised from the dead, I know that my sins are forgiven.
I rejoice that we can celebrate the resurrection in confidence that Jesus is alive and that one day we will live with Him as well.
On Sunday morning following the crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. He left the tomb victorious over sin and death. He proved, gave evidence, that He is God and that He paid the penalty for all our sins.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then Christians are to be the most pitied people in the world. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15. But we are not stupid, deceived, or deluded. We have a living hope. Jesus is alive. Jesus is God. And because He is raised from the dead, I know that my sins are forgiven.
I rejoice that we can celebrate the resurrection in confidence that Jesus is alive and that one day we will live with Him as well.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Distractions
We are house hunting. We are looking for a home with guest facilities to meet my mother-in-law's needs. So we are updating our current home and searching for a different one.
House hunting is fun after all these years. Our needs are different since our four boys are all grown up. We are looking for different features in a home than we needed last time. There are so many houses to choose from, and so many things to consider.
All this house hunting and fixing-up has me distracted. I fight at work to be focused and productive. During my quiet time with God each morning my mind has been wandering to thoughts about houses. And my relationship with my husband is stressed since my mind is preoccupied.
This morning in my quiet time, I read Revelation 2:12,13. "Yet you remained true to My Name. You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives."
I want to remain true to my God, even when I get busy with the affairs of this world. I want my time alone with God to be rich and full, and to consider Him in every decision I make and in everything I do all day long. I want to want what He wants. I want to serve Him, my family, my coworkers, and all the people God brings my way, with love and faithfulness. I want a house to be a provision from God, not a distraction pulling me away from what God has called me to do and to be.
Lord, thank You for refocusing me on what is important, what really matters. Lead us to the house that You have for us. Please protect us from making any decision that will hinder us from doing what You have called us to do, and that will not bring You glory.
House hunting is fun after all these years. Our needs are different since our four boys are all grown up. We are looking for different features in a home than we needed last time. There are so many houses to choose from, and so many things to consider.
All this house hunting and fixing-up has me distracted. I fight at work to be focused and productive. During my quiet time with God each morning my mind has been wandering to thoughts about houses. And my relationship with my husband is stressed since my mind is preoccupied.
This morning in my quiet time, I read Revelation 2:12,13. "Yet you remained true to My Name. You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives."
I want to remain true to my God, even when I get busy with the affairs of this world. I want my time alone with God to be rich and full, and to consider Him in every decision I make and in everything I do all day long. I want to want what He wants. I want to serve Him, my family, my coworkers, and all the people God brings my way, with love and faithfulness. I want a house to be a provision from God, not a distraction pulling me away from what God has called me to do and to be.
Lord, thank You for refocusing me on what is important, what really matters. Lead us to the house that You have for us. Please protect us from making any decision that will hinder us from doing what You have called us to do, and that will not bring You glory.
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