Posts with the category “hearing-god”

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAULREAD- Matthew 5:38-42REFLECT-  When I first got saved, I was fully prepared to get punched in the face one day and I knew I had to be willing to turn the other cheek. I soon came to realize that it wasn’t always the physical attacks Jesus was referring to; though for me, a physical attack seemed almost preferred to what I was in store for as a Christ follower. I began to fee...  Read More

LAY IT DOWNREAD- John 15:13REFLECT- This story deals with gun violence and may be triggering to some people. I was in my early twenties and walking through the parking lot of a shopping center when the undeniable snap of a gunshot broke through the silent night air. My friend and I did the exact opposite of what you are supposed to do in this situation and we started running toward the gunfire. We...  Read More

WHO'S NEXT?READ- Romans 12:9-11REFLECT- I am a list person, and more than that, I am a highlighted list person! You know what I am talking about. Writing down all the things that need to be accomplished for a certain task or by a certain date and then highlighting them in colors based upon similarities. At first it brings a bit of anxiety looking at the number of things that have to be done. But t...  Read More

DIRTY FEETREAD- John 13:12-16REFLECT- I remember volunteering at a men’s shelter for a worship service that included foot washing. Now, if you’ve never done this, just imagine. Really dirty feet that have not been in a shower or bath for some time. Socks were wet. Nails untrimmed. We removed the shoes and socks of these men and washed their feet. We put on clean, new socks and replaced their shoes...  Read More

PULLING RANKREAD-  Philippians 2:5-8REFLECT- Merriam Webster defines the idiom “pulling rank” as: “to use one's high position in a society, organization, group, etc., to order someone to do something or to get special treatment or privileges.” This is a common practice in our society, whether it is in business, the military or even our families. As the youngest of five kids, I NEVER got to sit sho...  Read More

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OTHER PLACESREAD- John 8:12RESPOND- When my kids were younger we would walk up to the park and kick the soccer ball around every Sunday after church. Both of them LOVED soccer. It was a big park and every week we would see a large group of Middle Eastern men playing soccer. The age range was wide, and the skill level even wider! While the adults played on the full size field, the kids and youth ki...  Read More

OUR PURPOSEREAD- Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 41:10REFLECT- Every time I descend my stairs I see a framed print that was given to me by some precious friends. It is a map of the world. On that map is written Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” It is a constant reminder to me of my purpose. There is no doubt! I know that God has called me to full time ministry becaus...  Read More

REJECTEDREAD- 1 Peter 3:13-16REFLECT- Rejection hurts. There is nothing easy about it but it cannot stop us from doing what is right. I remember a time I was out on a prayer walk with a couple of friends and on the journey we had some great times of praying with people we felt God led us to. However, at one point I sensed God leading me to ask a young man if we could pray with him but he refused. ...  Read More

FAITHFUL WITNESSREAD- Revelation 1:4-6REFLECT- Genesis 1-2 tells us that Adam was created to reflect God’s image on Earth. He was telling of who God is through what he said, but also how he lived in submission to God’s authority. Genesis 3 tells us of how Adam failed to faithfully witness to God by rejecting His authority and eating from a forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden.God sent Jesus to be ...  Read More

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLEREAD- Acts 1:8REFLECT- I spun my baseball hat around backwards and stepped out my front door fully ready to engage in mortal combat with the guy who was working on my neighbor’s house. A few moments beforehand my (then) teenage sons told me that the guy working across the street had cursed them out and threatened them with violence so I took my “Oh no you didn’t!” posture ...  Read More

THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUSREAD- Proverbs 3:6 & Romans 12:1-2REFLECT- I would consider myself a natural evangelist, but that does not mean I always want to do what God is calling me to do. I remember, one beautiful afternoon walking from the UC Davis parking lot toward campus, and near me was a young man walking with his girlfriend. I distinctly remember hearing in my spirit “Go talk to him.” To w...  Read More

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WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?READ- 1 John 3:16-24REFLECT- What’s in it for me? This is probably the greatest Amercian question. Our society is so focused on ‘what’s best for me?’ Now this makes sense in the secular, non church world. Let’s be honest, if this wasn’t true there wouldn’t be commercials and we could watch our 60 minute tv show in 35 minutes. As a spiritually young freshman in high school this ...  Read More

LOVE LIKE THE MASTERREAD- Mark 5:21-43, 1 John 4:7-13REFLECT- Since the lockdowns in 2020, I’ve noticed that I’m a little more selfish with my time. I certainly didn’t hate being at home most of the time. I really missed my peeps and being in church, but I enjoyed hanging out at home. And now I find that I crave it when I get super busy. Sometimes it seems like so many things are pulling at me for...  Read More

LOVE IN FORGIVENESSREAD- John 15:13, Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 6:12REFLECT- We read that Jesus so loved the Father (and us) that he was willing to submit to the Father’s will for us. Even though it hurt, a lot.  If we ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, we are forgiven and will live because of Jesus’ willingness to suffer for us. That is awesome! But did you catch the second part of Matt. 6:12? The l...  Read More

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? READ-  Philippians 2:3REFLECT- I am in a cover band. I have been (off and on) for decades. I find it relaxing the way that some people find playing golf or reading relaxing. A couple of years ago we were playing our annual Halloween night reach-out event in Marysville, CA. The event itself pulls in thousands of people in for a couple of hours and our band gets to pla...  Read More

WHAT IS LOVE? (BABY DON’T HURT ME NO MORE)READ- John 14:15-24REFLECT-  Most of you might know the lyrics to the popular pop song What is Love by Haddaway, and if you don’t maybe ask someone of the 80s, 90s generation and they can tell you. It seems like the artist of this song has a strong devotion to his partner but he is getting hurt by staying in the relationship; maybe she is not reciprocating...  Read More

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORNREAD- John 15:1-4REFLECT- With Spring upon us I love watching the flowers bloom and the beautiful colors of creation return to the cold and barren trees. Even in this wet weather, our roses have already begun blooming and the cold sharp thorns have started to become hidden behind the blooming roses. I love it when our roses bloom; the plain gray of the house suddenly become...  Read More

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WHAT DID YOU SAY?READ- Psalm 85:8REFLECT- Let’s be honest! All of us have slipped into what is known as “selective listening” at one time or another. You know what I am talking about here! It’s when we choose to listen to the bits and pieces that we want to, and ignore or pretend to be listening to the other pieces of information. Whereas this may become useful when you are processing tons of info...  Read More

IT’S NOT A ONE WAY STREET!READ- Proverbs 2:1-6, Proverbs 22:17-18, Jeremiah 33:3REFLECT- Have you ever been in a Bible study and secretly hoped that the leader doesn’t suggest popcorn prayer? You know, the kind of prayer where people just take a turn, often leading to awkward silences? You don’t want to be the only person who doesn’t pray, but praying out loud in a group can be scary. I can’t pray...  Read More

ACTIVE LISTENINGREAD- Revelation 1:1-3; Luke 11:28REFLECT-  As a child I used to get in trouble OFTEN. During my video game phase I would be so wired into my game that whenever I was told something by my parents it didn’t always work out ideally for anyone. I would be told something along the lines of, “Son, you’re hearing me, but you’re not listening.” As I entered adulthood, in particular, marri...  Read More

LISTEN WITH YOUR EYESREAD- Psalm 19:1REFLECT- A large percentage of what is communicated in human communication is non-verbal. The percentage of verbal to non-verbal communication varies, depending on the research, but most would agree that at least 70% of what is communicated in a person to person conversation is done through non-verbal cues. We “hear” what other people are saying by not just the...  Read More

LISTENING IN THE STORMREAD- Mark 4:35-41REFLECT- We have certainly had our share of storms this year. That doesn’t even take into account the other difficult things that you might have been facing lately. I don’t know about you, but whenever there is wind and rain I can’t wait for it to be over. Give me sun! In this story, it seems like it was all about when the storm ceased, the winds calmed down...  Read More

SHHHHH!READ- 1 Kings 19:11-13REFLECT- Life can be a never-ending cacophony of thunderous outside noise fighting for our attention. It can be stressful and even overwhelming sometimes, so much so that we just want to cover our ears and scream, “BE QUIET!” We cry out, “God where are you?! Talk to me! Say something!” fully expecting a booming voice to rage down from the mountain and roar over all of ...  Read More

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Being StillREAD- Psalm 46:10; Psalm 37:7REFLECT- I grew up believing that no one is for me but me. Everyone will let me down. I have to be the one who does anything for me or it just won’t happen. When I became a follower of Jesus, I still kept trying to get what this life might have for me. Psalm 46:10 quickly became my favorite verse and I realized that it isn’t by my own strength I can do anyth...  Read More

UNFINISHED BUSINESSREAD- James 4:7-8REFLECT- Have you ever had a day where all you wished for was five minutes of silence? I know you have! Whether it’s in the office, in the classroom or especially when you first get home from work or school. Those of you with children at home may know this feeling more often than not. But the reality is that most of us don’t know how to respond or act in long pe...  Read More

What a Difference a Day MakesREAD- Genesis 3:6-10REFLECT- Sin is a destructive thing. It drives a wedge between us and God. Adam and Eve went from open conversation with God to hiding out and holding back just a day later. Sometimes, the truth is we want the sin more than the relationship. Other times, it is just shame that is holding us back from experiencing the closeness and conversation of God...  Read More

You Might Catch Hands!READ- Isaiah 6:8REFLECT- I hate being startled! I’m not sure that hate is a strong enough word. Allow me to elaborate. I despise, detest, loathe, and abhor being startled with the white hot passion of a thousand suns burning for all eternity in the black abyss of the eternal universe. My children know (through years of trial and error) that startling the old man is not a good...  Read More

True VoiceREAD- Psalm 23REFLECT- Sheep know the voice of their shepherd. In a real-life scenario, when a shepherd calls to his sheep that have spent much time with him, they respond to his voice. A different person, with a different voice, doing the same call to the sheep will not be able to get them to respond. The sheep, despite their limited capability, know the voice of the one who cares for t...  Read More

What do we do when God seems silent?READ- Esther 3:5-6; 3:13-17; 8REFLECT- I used to (and sometimes still do) have an obsession with Chipotle. Everything about it is amazing: the portion sizes, the chips, the guac; top tier stuff. I was still living at home when my dad had an intervention with me; he said, “Son, you cannot spend $50-60 dollars a week at chipotle.” Those words irked me, but I knew ...  Read More

Please join us today for worship in person at 9:00 or 10:30 am, or watch us live online at 10:30 am. ...  Read More

In One Ear And Out The OtherREAD - James 1:22REFLECT - My wife and I have been foster parents for nearly two decades. In that time we have had fifty seven foster children in our home. We have adopted two of the fifty seven, have custody of another, and also have three biological kids. All of those children have come with their own unique set of challenges and blessings. One of those challenges (as...  Read More

Morning StarREAD -  2 Peter 1:19-21REFLECT - Have you ever had a long, troubling night? Tragedy, stress, troubles of various kinds keep you awake all night. It seems, in those times, there is no hope, or resolution, but then the sun begins to rise. Something about the first dawn lightens one’s spirit. This is what God’s Word can do when we are going through tough times. The Bible did not find its ...  Read More

A Lit PathREAD - Psalm 119:105REFLECT - In all honesty, sometimes I like being in the dark. Often, when I am up at night I keep the lights off and navigate by what I know and the faint glimmer of light that trickles in from various places. After all, I know where I am going and know my way around my house. Most of the time this is not a problem at all, until it is. Boom! My kids left something in ...  Read More

When the word of God says that “all scripture is God breathed”, it means that God’s breath of life has been infused into it. In a similar way, God breathed his life into humanity as we read in Genesis 2:7. God formed us and breathed his life into us. He has done the same thing with His Word, the Bible. He created it through humanity, and...  Read More