I took this about 5 minutes before we started, all those front rows filled in pretty good.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
UCLA Update
Just wanted to thank those who prayed for the Campus Crusade event last night at UCLA. There was a good response (both in numbers, and in attitude), although John (Book) said it was probably competing with many other things going on around the campus. They had a great time of worship singing, and time to get to know each other and sign up for Bible studies, etc. They even gave away an 80 gig iPod! Let's keep that ministry in our prayers, that God would work through these students and empower them do accomplish his perfect will among the UCLA community.
I took this about 5 minutes before we started, all those front rows filled in pretty good.
I took this about 5 minutes before we started, all those front rows filled in pretty good.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Pray for UCLA
John Book of Crossroads called me up the other morning and asked if I'd be available to sit in and play drums with the Campus Crusade group that meets at UCLA. I was excited to do so, as I do not often get to play the drums these days, but also that this would be the first time I will have been a part of a Campus Crusade event!
I had never actually been on the campus of UCLA, but when I went down to University Lutheran Chapel (which is right next to campus) to rehearse with their worship band, I was struck with the gargantuan size of the school. So many students living in such a close proximity who need the gospel! It made me very thankful for the ministry of Campus Crusade, that they would go in and take God's truth to a demographic that is becoming increasingly secular and "scientific," and who for as much as they wail for "tolerance," are becoming more and more INtolerant of Christianity (noted celebrity Ben Stein is actually making a documentary on this called "Expelled").
Would you worship through intercessory prayer for the ministry of Campus Crusade at UCLA, and especially for this first meeting of the quarter that takes place tonight at 7:00 pm? Pray that God's truth would break through walls of intellectualism and doubt, and that his Spirit would be mightily at work on that campus!
I'll be sure to take some pictures, and recap a little bit after the event. Remember to pray tonight at 7:00 pm!
I had never actually been on the campus of UCLA, but when I went down to University Lutheran Chapel (which is right next to campus) to rehearse with their worship band, I was struck with the gargantuan size of the school. So many students living in such a close proximity who need the gospel! It made me very thankful for the ministry of Campus Crusade, that they would go in and take God's truth to a demographic that is becoming increasingly secular and "scientific," and who for as much as they wail for "tolerance," are becoming more and more INtolerant of Christianity (noted celebrity Ben Stein is actually making a documentary on this called "Expelled").
Would you worship through intercessory prayer for the ministry of Campus Crusade at UCLA, and especially for this first meeting of the quarter that takes place tonight at 7:00 pm? Pray that God's truth would break through walls of intellectualism and doubt, and that his Spirit would be mightily at work on that campus!
I'll be sure to take some pictures, and recap a little bit after the event. Remember to pray tonight at 7:00 pm!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Sometimes God Doesn't Open Doors...
Instead, he opens huge airplane hangar wings!
As many of you know, Jess and I currently live in a little apartment in Pasadena. Valencia is not that incredibly far away, but a thirty minute drive is still a thirty minute drive, especially when we want to try and be as involved as we can with the Crossroads community.
We were thinking that we'd move out to Valencia when Jess finished her master's/credential program at Azusa Pacific University, which would be 1.5 years from now, at which point I would also have more hours at Crossroads, and we'd be in a better position, financially, to move. But God had other plans for us...
One of the gals from the Crossroads family, Kathleen (I'm sorry Kathleen, I don't remember your last name!!), offered to rent us her condo in Valencia for a really great price...for Valencia. That was still a little more than we were comfortable with, and we were praying that God would lead us and direct us to where he wanted us. Then yesterday afternoon, Kathleen sent me a text message saying she had just spoken with a family from Crossroads who offered to pay $200 a month towards our rent for our first year!! Jess and I couldn't believe it!
So it looks like we'll be able to move out to Valencia in the coming weeks, and we'll be able to invest more in our community, and church family! Jess will face a little bit of a trek coming home from APU twice a week, but the 210 freeway rarely has traffic, especially at 9:30 pm, and we'll save on our commute on Sundays and during the week out to Valencia! I can't stop using exclamation marks!!!
So we are praising God for providing so amazingly for our needs, and for this family who has blessed us beyond what they probably realize (I wish they could've heard Jess on the phone when I told her...)!
Now, if anyone wants to help us move, or has a truck we could borrow... ;0)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your request be made known to God
– Philippians 4:6
For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious about your life,
as to what you will eat or what you will drink;
nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow,
nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about your clothing?
Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,
will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry then, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’
or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;
for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
-Matthew 6:25-33
As many of you know, Jess and I currently live in a little apartment in Pasadena. Valencia is not that incredibly far away, but a thirty minute drive is still a thirty minute drive, especially when we want to try and be as involved as we can with the Crossroads community.
We were thinking that we'd move out to Valencia when Jess finished her master's/credential program at Azusa Pacific University, which would be 1.5 years from now, at which point I would also have more hours at Crossroads, and we'd be in a better position, financially, to move. But God had other plans for us...
One of the gals from the Crossroads family, Kathleen (I'm sorry Kathleen, I don't remember your last name!!), offered to rent us her condo in Valencia for a really great price...for Valencia. That was still a little more than we were comfortable with, and we were praying that God would lead us and direct us to where he wanted us. Then yesterday afternoon, Kathleen sent me a text message saying she had just spoken with a family from Crossroads who offered to pay $200 a month towards our rent for our first year!! Jess and I couldn't believe it!
So it looks like we'll be able to move out to Valencia in the coming weeks, and we'll be able to invest more in our community, and church family! Jess will face a little bit of a trek coming home from APU twice a week, but the 210 freeway rarely has traffic, especially at 9:30 pm, and we'll save on our commute on Sundays and during the week out to Valencia! I can't stop using exclamation marks!!!
So we are praising God for providing so amazingly for our needs, and for this family who has blessed us beyond what they probably realize (I wish they could've heard Jess on the phone when I told her...)!
Now, if anyone wants to help us move, or has a truck we could borrow... ;0)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your request be made known to God
– Philippians 4:6
For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious about your life,
as to what you will eat or what you will drink;
nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow,
nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about your clothing?
Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,
will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Do not worry then, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’
or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;
for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
-Matthew 6:25-33
Thursday, September 20, 2007
St. Augustine on Prayer
I'm wading through St. Augustine's "Confessions" right now (which, if you have enough persistence to make it through, I highly recommend) and he just described leaving his mother in Carthage to go and teach in Rome. She had been a fervent prayer warrior in his life, and even though he was not yet saved, he realized how desperately she prayed for him.
In this particular instance, she "grievously bewailed [his] journey, and followed [him] as far as the sea," where he tries to calm her by delaying his departure another day. When he finally does leave, she was left behind...
"...in weeping and prayer. And what , O Lord,
was she with so many tears of asking Thee,
but that Thou wouldst not suffer me to sail?
But Thou, in the depth of Thy counsels
and hearing the main point of her desire,
regardest not what she then asked,
that Thou mightest make me what she ever asked."
(book V, section 15) (emphases added)
This passage says so much about the sovereignty of God in our lives! Though "Mrs. Augustine" was a devoted woman of prayer, and she prayed fervently that God would not take Augustine to Rome, God had a plan to bring him to salvation! God hears our prayer, and he answers us according to His will, but sometimes, even when we think we're praying in accordance with His will, God's plan is beyond our scope!
This should encourage us to pray all the more, knowing that God will always accomplish His perfect will in our lives, knowing "the main point of [our] desire," and knowing how to most perfectly display His glory in answering that prayer!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
See You In A Few Weeks
Thanks to everyone who worshiped with us this morning! I believe God was glorified as we sought to realize and savor God's grace, mercy, and peace in our lives as we go about building his church!
I'll be back with you on October 7th, so in the meantime, be faithful to hold fast to the glorious truth of the gospel, remembering that Christ's death on the cross was God's ultimate example of his grace, mercy and peace (peace=reconciling).
If I could recommend a great book to you, check out C.J. Mahaney's "Living The Cross Centered Life: Keeping The Gospel The Main Thing." It's a really simple book to follow, but its words are powerful, and Mahaney is a very gifted speaker/writer.
I also posted an entry on Jess and my personal blog recapping a little of the morning, so to save me typing it twice, check it out here.
Again, Jess and I are so excited to come and minister with you, and we'll see you soon.
I'll be back with you on October 7th, so in the meantime, be faithful to hold fast to the glorious truth of the gospel, remembering that Christ's death on the cross was God's ultimate example of his grace, mercy and peace (peace=reconciling).
If I could recommend a great book to you, check out C.J. Mahaney's "Living The Cross Centered Life: Keeping The Gospel The Main Thing." It's a really simple book to follow, but its words are powerful, and Mahaney is a very gifted speaker/writer.
I also posted an entry on Jess and my personal blog recapping a little of the morning, so to save me typing it twice, check it out here.
Again, Jess and I are so excited to come and minister with you, and we'll see you soon.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Preparing for Worship: September 16th
This Sunday we have the opportunity to meet together to corporately worship our Sovereign Lord! This will hopefully be the grand culmination and climax of a week lived in the wondrous joy of his grace and mercy! Each morning that we've woken this week has been a gift that we wretched sinners do not deserve, but God allows us to breath, think, laugh, love, see, hear, touch, and also to cry, hurt, and mourn. Understanding that each moment is a gracious gift of God really puts those things in perspective, as we strive each day to know and worship our Creator better!
As you go about your daily tasks the remainder of this week, ask God to be preparing your heart to meet together to worship on Sunday. Ask that he would be molding and shaping your life, so that when you encounter your brothers and sisters of Crossroads, you would be equipped to edify them as you worship together, through your words and actions towards them.
This Sunday, Pastor Todd begins a study through the book of 1 Timothy. A GREAT way to prepare for worship is to READ THE BOOK. 1 Timothy is 6 chapters long, and you should be able to easily read the entire book before Sunday. Ask the Spirit to illuminate your heart to the truth of his word.
The beginning of the book is a call to hold fast to the truth of the gospel, and to beware of false teachings. Many of the songs that we'll sing together speak of this theme of knowing and clinging to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and we use these songs to preach the gospel continually to ourselves, so that we may savor it more fully!
We'll begin with the song "Holy Is The Lord" as a call to worship, and to focus our hearts on the character of God. Then we will worship through announcements as we seek ways to fellowship and serve those in our congregation. We will then sing "God Of Wonders," which helps us understand the holiness of God.
When we understand the holiness (or "set-apart-ness") of God, we then understand why He cannot tolerate sin, and that because we are fallen, sinful creatures, we are naturally doomed to experience the full wrath of a just and holy God!!
BUT
God planned, before the beginning of time, to send his son as a substitute for us! Through the blood sacrifice of Christ, we have the hope of being spared the horrible wrath of God, and of inheriting eternal life in his presence!
That's what the song "In Christ Alone" is all about, and hopefully you read the last blog entry to get to know the song a little bit! We'll sing this amazing song together, and then sing "We Fall Down" as a look forward to that glorious day when we'll bow before our God at the end of time and worship him in his presence forever more!
We'll then worship through the hearing of the powerful Word of God, and we ask the Lord to convict and encourage us by its truth, according to his Spirit's work in our lives.
We'll respond with "Once Again" which draws us back to the glorious cross of Christ, and end with "How Great Is Our God," appropriately closing our time together in adoration of his incomprehensible nature!
We look forward to worshiping with you, and we pray God would be preparing your hearts to meet with our brothers and sisters, and with our Lord!
As you go about your daily tasks the remainder of this week, ask God to be preparing your heart to meet together to worship on Sunday. Ask that he would be molding and shaping your life, so that when you encounter your brothers and sisters of Crossroads, you would be equipped to edify them as you worship together, through your words and actions towards them.
This Sunday, Pastor Todd begins a study through the book of 1 Timothy. A GREAT way to prepare for worship is to READ THE BOOK. 1 Timothy is 6 chapters long, and you should be able to easily read the entire book before Sunday. Ask the Spirit to illuminate your heart to the truth of his word.
The beginning of the book is a call to hold fast to the truth of the gospel, and to beware of false teachings. Many of the songs that we'll sing together speak of this theme of knowing and clinging to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, and we use these songs to preach the gospel continually to ourselves, so that we may savor it more fully!
We'll begin with the song "Holy Is The Lord" as a call to worship, and to focus our hearts on the character of God. Then we will worship through announcements as we seek ways to fellowship and serve those in our congregation. We will then sing "God Of Wonders," which helps us understand the holiness of God.
When we understand the holiness (or "set-apart-ness") of God, we then understand why He cannot tolerate sin, and that because we are fallen, sinful creatures, we are naturally doomed to experience the full wrath of a just and holy God!!
BUT
God planned, before the beginning of time, to send his son as a substitute for us! Through the blood sacrifice of Christ, we have the hope of being spared the horrible wrath of God, and of inheriting eternal life in his presence!
That's what the song "In Christ Alone" is all about, and hopefully you read the last blog entry to get to know the song a little bit! We'll sing this amazing song together, and then sing "We Fall Down" as a look forward to that glorious day when we'll bow before our God at the end of time and worship him in his presence forever more!
We'll then worship through the hearing of the powerful Word of God, and we ask the Lord to convict and encourage us by its truth, according to his Spirit's work in our lives.
We'll respond with "Once Again" which draws us back to the glorious cross of Christ, and end with "How Great Is Our God," appropriately closing our time together in adoration of his incomprehensible nature!
We look forward to worshiping with you, and we pray God would be preparing your hearts to meet with our brothers and sisters, and with our Lord!
Monday, September 10, 2007
In Christ Alone
Pastor Todd is going to began preaching through the book of First Timothy this coming Sunday, September 16th, and we really thinks the song "In Christ Alone" is a great fit for this text, and would like it to become a "First Timothy Theme Song" of sorts. Now, he also said that the song has not been introduced to the congregation yet, so to help acquaint you with it, I've posted the lyrics here so you can get familiar with them. I'd also recommend the audio recording of the song by the authors, so you can use it as a tool for personal worship during your week (put it on your iPod/iPhone, burn it onto a CD to listen to in your car, etc.).
You can pick it up from:
-iTunes
-KeithGetty.com
-Amazon.com
"In Christ Alone"
By Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright 2001 ThankYou Music
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
The fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Till on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His, and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ!
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns, or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!
I'd encourage you to print out these lyrics so you can learn the song, and come Sunday morning ready to rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!
You can pick it up from:
-iTunes
-KeithGetty.com
-Amazon.com
"In Christ Alone"
By Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright 2001 ThankYou Music
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
The fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
'Till on that cross, as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His, and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ!
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns, or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!
I'd encourage you to print out these lyrics so you can learn the song, and come Sunday morning ready to rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!
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