White Elephant!

Thanks to all of you who came out and joined us for the White Elephant gift exchange. I think that the pictures say it all.
What a joy it is to witness the generosity of all of those who give their time so freely to bless and to serve others in this ministry. As usual the teaching, the worship, the food/ beverage and the fellowship were exceptional this past Monday night.
All thanks and glory be to God for blessing us with this amazing ministry and all of you who are a part of it. It wouldn't be a ministry without you all.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Lifehouse Everything Video

If you have never viewed this video be prepared to be moved by the Holy Spirit. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.
Blessings

Louie's Testimony

Szody's Testimony

Testimonies & Pizza

1 John 5:5

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Wow, another month has passed and I think that I can speak for everyone when I say that we were very blessed and encouraged to hear some powerful and awesome testimonies of what the Lord has been doing in so many lives. I am always amazed to see and to hear how the Lord has rescued and is at this very moment rescuing so many of us out of the darkest of pits. And how sweet it is to then see how He turns those lives into lives which honor and glorify Him. Praise be to God for His merciful love. 

Also, if you couldn't make the meeting, you missed out on some great food, as usual, and you missed David who did a great job sharing his thoughts and insights on the prodigal son. I am still working on getting the videos uploaded as my camera and computer are not cooperating at the moment. Hopefully I will get them all uploaded soon. Until then I hope that you will enjoy the photos.

Blessings

Monday's Men's Meet

This past Monday, like every Monday, the MEW Worship team did a great job, Mike had a teaching that everyone could relate to (check out the MP3 to the left), and the small groups met. Not being of the feminine persuasion, I of course went to the men's group. We had half an hour to share what's on our hearts. It was mostly a jovial time, loaded with laughs and a bunch of kidding around. But someone shared something that snapped us back to a sobering attitude.

You know, the joy of the Lord is great, and it should be in us no matter what. I'm not saying that we're happy all the time, but we should have this peace in us that says 'God is on the Throne' and nothing that is in my life has slipped by Him. Everyone that we know has been placed there by our Heavenly Father, and the things that happen to them should affect us. The Word says to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. But remember, we do not mourn as those without hope.

It's because we have hope that there should be joy in our hearts, regardless of what is happening around us. Those that are going through rough times give the rest of us opportunity to be used by the Spirit...to be the flesh and blood of His love towards others. Let's always try to be sensitive to those around us.

Some Photos of the Fund Raiser..

The Fall Family Festival

Happy Wednesday

Last night was The Bridge Tuesday evening CCMB sanctioned men's Bible Study. For dinner we had a pot of chili made by Ellie, along with cornbread muffins and salad. David taught out of I Peter, and it was good fellowship all around.

Today is Wednesday. What does Wednesday make you think of? Middle of the week?...Mid Weed Bible Study at the church?...my paycheck gets deposited?...

I'm reminded of what Joshua said in Joshua 24:15 - 'choose you this day whom you will serve'

Today, and all that is in it, is a choice that we make. There are moments in time that come to us that will never be available again. Consider that. Things come and go. Events happen, like The Bridge Fund Raiser, or this Friday's Fall Family Festival, and they'll never be here again....ever. That one chance you get to witness to someone....

Listen to Mike's Monday night message to the left. In it, he tells of a Jehovah's Witness laying on her death bed, and Mike took that opportunity to talk eternal life to her.

It's Wednesday...where do you want to go today?....

Historical Facts and the Bible

OK, you'll have to bear with me for a bit, but I think this will bolster your faith. To the right is a cylinder that chronicles an event of Cyrus the Great. Here is an excerpt from a web page about Iran's History: On October 12 (Julian calendar; October 7 by the Gregorian calendar) 539 BC, Achaemanid army without any conflict entered the city of Babylon. Cyrus the Great himself, on October 29, entered the city, assuming the titles of "king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four corners of the world". Cyrus The Great, on this cylinder, describes how he conquers the old city of Babylon and how his mighty army in peace marched into the city; his claim that he entered the city peacefully supports the same statement in the Chronicle of Nabonidus. The last king of Babylon, Nabonidus, is considered a tyrant with odd religious ideas, which causes Marduk, patron deity of the city of Babylon to intervene. Cyrus considers himself chosen by a supreme god, is confirmed by Second Isaiah, the chapters 40-55 of the Biblical book of Isaiah. The Cyrus Cylinder then was placed under the walls of "Esagila" as a foundation deposit, following a Mesopotamian tradition.

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Now, here is the translation of some of the lines written on the cylinder: (line 12)
12
iŠ-te-'-e-ma ma-al-ki i- Ša-ru bi-bil lib-bi Šá it-ta-ma-a h qa-tu-uŠ-Šú m Ku-ra-aŠŠar ali An- Šá-an it-ta-bi ni-bi-it-su a-na ma-li-ku-tim kul-la-ta nap- h ar iz-zak-ra Šú-[ma- Š u]
he searched; he looked through them and sought a righteous prince after his own heart, whom he took by the hand. He called Cyrus, king of Anshan, by name; he appointed him to lordship over the whole world.

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And finally, here is what Isaiah 45:1 says: 'Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut.'

Isaiah was written 100 years before Cyrus the Great stepped foot into Babylon to set free the Jewish captives! Well documented! Listen to today's message from James MacDonald and you'll be even more encouraged!

Pastor Mike's On Line!

Hey, I just wanted to draw your attention to the new MP3 Player to your left titled ' Mike's Teachings". I've uploaded last weeks teaching and have been listening to it throughout the day...not constantly, but alot. He has a gift for making it real! Grab a cup of coffee, or for you Jesse, a coke, and listen to the way that the Lord has gifted Mike to reach the world around him. Keep this ministry in prayer. Keep praying for those around you that are struggling, and as we heard this past Sunday from Pastor Tim, don't give up!

The Bridge fund-raiser

So, I believe that a good time was had by all that attended the Bridge fund-raising dinner. I know that I was completely blessed by all of the testimonies, the good food, and how handsome all of the men looked.

Jeremiah 33:8
I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.

I hope that you enjoy the pictures and I wish that I could have taken pictures of everyone but I couldn't be everywhere, after all, only God is omnipresent.

Amanda's Testimony

Last night Pastor Mike said that God has designed for each of us our own original testimony so that we will be able to touch the lives of the people that God has appointed for us to reach. Sometimes it may be to plant seeds of faith, encourage, or to minister to someone's troubled heart. 

Pastor Mike also pointed out that we have no idea how many lives will be touched by Amanda and David's testimony or by yours for that matter. May I encourage you to share your testimony freely with those that God places in your lives, because you never know what God may want to do in that persons heart. There is power in our testimony. There is power in Jesus.

God Bless you all.

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

P.S. David's testimony has been viewed 127 times and Lynnea's testimony 104 times on God tube. Glory be to God!

Sick as a Dog!

Where did that phrase come from? How does anybody know how sick a dog is? Well, I know how sick I can get, and let me tell you, it's not a dogs life! Just this past week I've come down with something that has made me ponder...how is it that Pastor Roger put it?....a good meditation.

I have a cold. I don't think that I have the flu, but the image here is that of influenza. Not very pretty, huh?! I was meditating on how our bodies were not initially made to be the host to a virus like this. We were made perfect, and sin was not in our bodies, but since the fall, it always has been. It's something that we must learn to cope with. Could you imagine having to cope with the flu for the rest of your life?! Some folks have a much more severe diagnosis. But what I wanted to share is this: Sin is like the cold that we get. It happens. It really depends on how we deal with it that makes us effective for the Kingdom or not. If we chose to let it reign in our bodies, we become weak, ineffectual, and we infect others. We'll pull them into it as sure as you please. But if we go to the Doctor for treatment, we'll get better. What would you subscribe for the illness of a cold?...What would you subscribe for the illness of sin? We need a diagnosis first, for sure. And I think that we have it. 'All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.' We're all pretty aware of the sin within. But what about that prescription we need filled? It's God's Word, for sure. I just want to encourage those reading to know the remedy for what ails them. The Bible is the in-errant Word of God Almighty. The holy Scriptures, through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, will bring us into all truth and knowledge.

So if you're ailing right now, and want to get better? Read the Word. It's the only antidote for what is plaguing mankind!

The leadership team of The Most Excellent Way met for breakfast to touch base away from the regular Monday meeting this past Saturday morning. Mike shared a great devotion with the group. We had a blessed time eating and catching up and sharing about what's happening in each group. It's such a blessing to see all the people God uses to reach into the lives others. In this picture Amanda & Mike were clearly in agreement on something! Although, I don't remember what it was. Romans 8:28

Thanks MEW leadership and helpers. You are appreciated by us and the Monday night crew that you serve.

This is such an awesome testimony to the Lord and His power to set us free from addictions and chains. Thank you Lynnea and keep shinning for Jesus! 

P.S. Lynnea is going to make an appearance on God-tube and U-tube as well. Please pray that the Lord will use this testimony to encourage and to set others free from their addictions.

P.S. In 3 days Lynnea's testimony has been viewed 74 times on God tube! Praise Jesus.

Our Rock of Refuge

I hope this encourages you as it did me. Blessings.

Psalm 31:1-5

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

September Birthdays

Milestones in sobriety

Wow, I can't believe it has already been a month since the last birthday celebration. So happy birthday to Yolonda and Szody and all of the September babies. 

P.S. Pastor Mike isn't fibbing when he says that he can't sing. Check out the video:-)

David's one year sobriety speech

                                                                                       So at last I figured it out! It was not a simple task for me to get this video uploaded, but after a few experiments, questions and a little reading I finally accomplished the task set before me. 

So, watch out if you see me with my camera because you could be on God tube next. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

P.S. 31 people have already watched David's testimony. Praise God and please pray that God will penetrate peoples hearts through David's testimony. 

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Mike Yap shares the word!

Wow, what an awesome blessing to have Mike Yap teach the word of God with us this past Monday night. Mike shared on John 13 and his main theme was of love and obedience. Near the end of his lesson, Mike posed a question that I hope left a few of us thinking, and this is not a direct quote but you'll get the idea, "If you knew that you were going to die, what lesson or instruction would you want to leave for your loved ones?


Chuck gets a 30 day token!

Serving the body of Christ

So, Im pretty sure that everyone had a great time at the Acts 2:42 event. The baptism and worship were awesome. The bbq was a huge success and the food was outstanding.

A huge thanks to the Caseys and the Bridge guys for all of their labor in preparing the food, bringing the props, and all of the fixins as well as setting it all up,  serving it up and cleaning it up. Wow, great job team! 

Also thanks to all of you from the MEW ministry who came out to serve Jesus style. You all are awesome! I hope the pictures bless you as they have me.

I'll Add Anyone!

To the left is a counter that I found...simple enough for the page, and it can keep track of the victory we have through Jesus and His power to save. David has been free from addiction for one year and we want to encourage everyone to 'continue in the faith' towards freedom in all areas of our lives.

I also wanted to insert a short video of David at the Acts 2:42 event on Sunday...kinda funny.

ARE YOU ON THE JESUS BOAT?

ARE YOU ON THE JESUS BOAT? This past Monday I could really relate to Pastor Mike as he spoke on Faith. The scripture that he based his study on was in Hebrews 3:1-2 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house."

The American Heritage dictionary defines faith as 1 Confident belief or trust in a person, idea or thing. 2 Secure belief in God and acceptance of God's will. I prefer the second definition these days. Pastor Mike shared about his past, and how he was searching in all the wrong places for a power greater than himself that could restore him to sanity. 

He said that he once watched an infomercial that stated "Beat your addictions guaranteed! Results may vary. Hmm. Sounds a little suspicious to me! This is just one example, but Pastor Mike was seeking, searching, and looking to everything except the truth. Fortunately his search for faith and freedom from his addictions and chains led him to the cross and into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way the Truth and the Life.

Kudos to Mike who celebrated 6 months clean and sober this past Monday. Way to go and glory be to God for restoring this man's life.

Some Pics of Monday Night

Make sure that you take the Blog Poll at the left....Mike wants to know that ya'll are payin' attention to him!!!

Bike and Car Show - Operation 'June Bug'

Here's an advertisement for this Saturday's event in Salinas put on by Cross MC Ministries and Calvary Chapel Salinas. 12:00 to 6:00 pm at the Natividad Creek Park. Free food, music and children's activities. If you're looking for something to do and some great fellowship, stop by and enjoy the day in Salinas! (Thanks for the ad Louie!)

One of the Worshop Songs from Monday Night...

Counted 200 Seperate Sites!

I know...I know. We shouldn't really be counting. But I think that it's pretty cool that we can get the word out about some things. It's a birthday of sorts for the MEW Monterey Blog in that, since it's inception, there have been 334 hits on the blog from 200 various 'on-lookers'. (The counter registers new computers to the site, and differnt days, so it doesn't matter if you - 're-load' - your page...it won't count it.)

I'd like the hits to catch up to The Bridge, which just turned 800! Video's, music, teachings....maybe even worship sets! Let me know what you'd like to see, and I'll try to make it happen. Don't forget the 2:42 event happening after the 2nd service. It'll prove to be a great time of fellowship. And really don't forget to come tonight! See you there.

What a testimony!

If you are wondering about what goes on in the women's group, read on and come for a visit. This past Monday all of the women joined together to hear a powerful and encouraging testimony. The testimony was of repentance, obedience, and the freedom found in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Our dear friend and sister in Christ had a difficult childhood, one with abuse and neglect. As she continued through her difficult life, she was tormented for years by an eating disorder as well as chemical addictions, cutting, and suicidal tendencies. 

If you talk to her today, you would never guess that she had ever been this person that was so lost in her pain, but that is what happens when we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. The Lord has set her free of the sins that plagued her life in the past, and He continues to wash and renew her mind daily. What a mighty God we serve.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 

A Clip from Monday Night's MEW

Mike finished Hebrews 2 last night! He always seems to have a unique way of making a point. Not in the clip is his explanation of Kimchi/sanctification. You ask him! Anyway, it was another night of great fellowship and spiritual insight. There are also a few pictures of the women's group. Be looking for the postings of his messages, just as soon as I figure out how to post MP3 files of our own. Thanks for looking and listening.

Prayer Wall at GodTube

Hey, if you haven't found this yet, I encourage you to take a look. It's a Prayer Wall on GodTube that let's you post a prayer requests, light a candle, and see the needs of others in prayer. It's something that helped me to put things in the proper perspective, in that sometimes our situations are much smaller in comparison, but we tend to magnify them. We also get very familiar with the prayer needs of those around us, and in our minds, and maybe in our hearts we say: 'Oh yeah, so-and-so needs a job, or so-and-so has this problem they need help with.' These are only a smattering of the prayer requests that Almighty God hears continually....and works on continually. It's a really hard thing for us to get our minds around, but we should always keep in perspective how Big our God is, and His power and compassion....and how really small we are. Yet, He uses us. Take a look at the wall, and maybe even take up some prayer time in your closet for some distant saint that is crying out to the Lord for something big in their lives. Who knows, maybe one day in Heaven, someone will thank you for praying for them. HERE is the link.

Cookies and Cupcakes

I thought that I would share a few photos from last Monday, and I hope that you enjoy them. I also would like to encourage you to come and join us as we worship the Lord and enjoy the awesome fellowship, teaching, and love found at the Most Excellent Way. 

If you have never been to a gathering, I'll explain that we at the Most Excellent Way Love to celebrate milestones in each others lives. Each week we celebrate milestones in sobriety from 30 days up to one year and each month we celebrate all birthdays for that particular month. This month we all rejoiced with Tony as he is approaching the big 30, and don't worry, there are always plenty of cupcakes to go around so no one will feel left out.

One last thing, we don't always have cookies, but there is always something to nibble on during the break time. To learn more about the cookies, read the post from Mike and Ellie below.

God bless you and we hope to see you Monday night at 7pm.

Pastor James MacDonald

I just want to take a post to encourage you to listen to the messages that I update with James MacDonald. The 'Most Excellent MP3 Player' on the left should allow you to listen no problem. His series recently is called Experiencing the Holiness of God and is taken out of Isaiah 6. He talks about what happens when we see God, and the Glory that fills the Temple, and the change that should take place in our lives when we realize how 'Holy Holy Holy' God is. This should change us. It should make us realize what an awesome, amazing, powerful, majestic, magnificent, glorious God we should be serving. And He sent His Son to die for us. Do you get the distance in that?! Do you understand how far we are from God, and His attributes?! His ways?!...and He sent His Son to die for us.

Take a listen, because we need to hear, and be reminded of the God that we serve and the God that loves us to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Faith as a Mustard Seed

Mike departed from the section of Hebrews that was scheduled. He felt led to talk about 'How much faith does it take?' Everyone in the room raised their hand as he asked ' Who wants to have more faith?' And in return, he had cookies handed out. He then spoke about Matthew 17:20 and that if we had faith like the grain of a mustard seed, we could say the this mountain 'Move from here to there' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.
How much faith does it take? Do you have faith as a mustard seed? The cookie that Mike had handed out was much more compared to just a single grain of mustard seed. Just consider that Jesus wants you to realize that you already have what it takes to overcome the mountains in your life. Let's be people that exercise our faith, no matter how small it may seem.

Hebrews 2:10

So don't laugh too hard, but I must confess that I am a first time blogger. I try to be cool, I even bought a Mac, but I'm still a slacker when it comes to these "high tech" things. Sweet, the picture showed up! This isn't so tuff.

Tonight at the Most Excellent Way meeting, Pastor Mike taught and shared his thoughts on Hebrews 2:10-18.  His wisdom and humor always bless me. Ferrari seats in a 1977 thunderbird. Did I hear that right?

Anyhow, you might be wondering, why the picture of this crazy person on a crazy looking ropes course, high above the ground? And I would say that crazy person is me. Before I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was terrified of heights. It took all of my courage to look over the edge of a cliff, ride the chair lift up a black diamond run at Squaw Valley USA, or even to fly in an airplane. 

As I began my search for God, I realized that the reason for my fear of heights was an underlying fear of death. As the Lord began to teach me of His great love and with His promise and assurance of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and eternal life spent with God himself, I began to loose that fear of heights and now you can't keep me off of the ropes courses.

Hebrews 2:14,15

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power over death-that is, the devil-15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

I hope this encourages you and that we would all have a deeper understanding that His promises are true and that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

 

Tuesday, the Day After

It's Tuesday, and upon the reflection of last night and all that Mary and Eddie had to say, I'm reflecting about a lot of things. I think about Mike and Michele, the life that they have already lived...I think about a friend of ours going through some serious court days.....I think about how Eddie's and Mary's life is affecting many others, and how God has called them to their ministry.

Pastor Roger used to say, and probably still does, "A great meditation" when referring to something that we should be dwelling on. How about the fact that, even though our lives seem to be useless sometimes, and we don't think that we've arrived at all, God still uses us! What a wonderful meditation!

Imagine, that you're putting together a Pro Football team. You have all the money and backing. You have all the coaching staff you'll ever need. You even have the stadium, with concession stands and the Garlic curly fries. The last thing you need is to pick the players. Would you pick you?! God does! Look at the disciples. Next time you're at MEW, take a look around and just try to find someone the Lord doesn't want on His Team....you won't find them....meditate on that....

Here are some pictures from Monday's Most Excellent Way. What a Blessing!!! Eddie and Mary came and shared about what the Lord has done in their lives, and I'm just amazed at what He can accomplish with a willing heart and a humble spirit.

As Mike mentioned, Ellie and I will be gone for a while, and in the meantime, Jeff and Angela have agreed to get acquainted with 'Blogging' for this site. Hope that all of you enjoy this site, and please, give feedback as to what you would like to see in the future. Maybe some of the worship music can be downloaded, or Mike's messages. We'll see about getting Mary and Eddie's audio on sometime soon! - MP