The Enemy Attacks

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. We all know that the Christian's enemy is the devil. One of his favorite tactics is to go after the leadership in a church. It can take many forms. It can be enticement to ungodly behavior. It can be an attack on their family. It can also be in the form of distraction and disunity. Satan loves to start factions, rumors, lies, and gossip. In so doing, he can undermine confidence in leadership. If he takes out the leadership, he can take out the entire church. We really need to pray for our pastors, elders, and leaders in the church.

What are some other methods have you seen that Satan uses to get at leaders?

Jesus' Blood Never Fails Me

I'm always keeping my ears open for new songs to do in the Contemporary service. Frequently, I will find one and get so attached to the lyrics and the music that I have to listen to it over and over again (this happened with You're Beautiful which I discussed earlier). Well, I have a new one for you this week...Jesus' Blood by Delirious? If you'd like to watch a video with the lyrics you can click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-1cEWKr5us.

In this world, nothing and no one is for certain. If we trust in people or objects or ideas with our whole hearts, we will be let down every time. But...we can put our faith in knowing that Jesus' blood never fails us. Amen.

Hoss

The Back Up

As the Director of Children’s Ministries here at El Camino, it is an honor to serve God by providing what we hope are quality programs for children and their families. We believe that we are here to support families as they “bring their children up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Being the ‘back up’ was so apparent to me this Wednesday evening in Children’s Prayer Meeting.

Three year old Elias wanted to pray for his mommy, daddy and Sunday school teacher. He turned to me and said, “I can pray without saying the words with my mouth because God can hear them in my mind.” I smiled and agreed. He then immediately bowed his head, folded his hands, and his facial features got very serious. At that moment I knew he had been taught a worshipful prayer posture and a comfort for talking to God by his parents. There was no hesitation, no arguing, no questioning. He simply bowed and got busy praying.

This encounter with Elias reminded me that his parents are the first and foremost nurturers in his spiritual journey. God blesses me and the rest of the staff and volunteers on our Children’s Ministry team with the incredible privilege of joining Him and each parent in the spiritual discipleship of their children, helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus. I pray we never take this responsibility lightly, or the blessing for granted.

Learning to Love

I have just returned from 2 weeks of vacation which included visiting family and friends. Relationships are so important. As I reflect, I know that I have had wonderful relationships with some people over my 61 years. Yet there have been others with whom I have no desire to see again. It makes me ask myself a question. Why do I love certain people and not others? Scripture mandates we love others. Its the mark of Christianity to the unbelieving world (John 8:31,32). Yet I still find it hard to love some people. How do I learn to love those who irritate me, confront me, or don't give me the attention/respect that I think I deserve? I must love them because my God loves them. How do we learn to love others?

God's Perfect Plan

I have been thinking a lot the past couple of days about God's perfect plan. Sometimes I think that I could have done things differently and, if I had done so, I would be a better and happier person. That is regret and that is wrong. No aspect of my life has gone unnoticed by God. He has designed experiences for me so that I can grow in my faith in Him. So that the work that He started within me can progress to completion.

Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. - Isaiah 46:9-11

It's encouraging to know that even when I might feel lost, I am exactly where God wants me and He's taking care of things.

Hoss

You're Beautiful

I wanted to share some lyrics with you today. It's from a song called "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham and we are going to be singing it in Contemporary Service in the upcoming weeks. I've been listening to this song on a daily basis for the past couple of weeks and I can't help but think about the beauty of God's creation, the beauty of His gift of life for us and the beauty of the promise that we will see Him face to face:

I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful, You're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

Hoss

The Prayer Engine

So we are going to be adding a new feature to the website in a week or two and wanted to tell you all so you could get excited about it. It is called the Prayer Engine and it is an online prayer wall. If you have a prayer request you can post it on the wall (either with your name or anonymously). This request would be visable to the site's visitors so they can pray for you but the best part is you will be notified when someone is praying for you.

Imagine the peace, comfort and courage that comes from knowing a congregation is praying for you! Then imagine the excitement that can be shared with others when God answers that prayer! So be on the lookout for this exciting new tool.

Hoss

This 4th of July

Not much of a post today...just wanted to share some things with you this 4th of July weekend:

You may trod us into the very dirt but, like dust, we'll rise.

Gettysburg Address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvA0J_2ZpIQ

The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in the arena are the doers. They make mistakes because they try many things. The man who makes no mistakes lacks boldness and the spirit of adventure. He is the one who never tries anything...And yet it cannot be truly said he makes no mistakes, because his mistake is the very fact that he tries nothing, does nothing, except criticize those who do things.

I Have A Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk&feature=related

I pray God's blessings on our men and women in uniform and thank them for their dedication. I pray that we as Americans do not take for granted what we have...freedom and liberty. May God bless you this 4th of July as He has blessed this country.

Hoss