Last Nights Meeting

The Spaghetti feeding frenzy went well last night, with band on hand to deliver some awesome music and worship. Several testimonies were given, including one from Harvey! Yes, he's back! It was great to see and hear Harvey, along with the other (MEW Moss Landing included) who shared with us. Several others were first timers, and we welcomed them with open arms. Will try to post a couple of pictures later....Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

An another note, we have an update about Scott and Melissa provided by Angela. Following is the text of her e-mail update:

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. I an personally having a bit of a crisis involving my sister. In the last 5 weeks, Terry's body has been plagued with a few tumors. These tumors are growing and spreading rapidly. She has a great doctor and is a breast cancer survivor, so they have done biopsy's & scans of the growths. Should have results in a few days. Please pray for her and thank you.

The reason that I bring this to you all is that this week is Melissa's friends visiting day, and I usually round up a few friends and we go to see her together. This week I will be going to see Terry instead so I am asking that if the Lord puts a visit on your heart and you are available between 8 and 9 am this Saturday, please go see Melissa. She really needs the encouragement from her friends. All you need to do is bring your id and know her booking # which is 0900315. You can get info @

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/SHERIFF/contact.htm
Thank you and if you can't visit her please try to write and definitely continue to pray for her. It is really not a pleasant place to be and she covets those letters, visits and prayers.

And for Scott, AWESOME NEWS to share and I am just going to use his direct words from his latest letter to me. 8-31-09

"I have some pretty great news! God has answered our prayers for Fire Camp! Medical hold is released and the Dr. says my body mass index looks very good! Lost 30 lbs so far and am running 3 miles around 5x a week. Imagine that! LOL. So anyway, they say I could be sent in 30 to 60 days and I am so grateful to God for this! He is so good, isn't He? This means, God willing, I'll be home to all of you, hopefully in 16-18 months from now! Maybe even learn to be a fireman as a new career choice if the Lord sees fit...

It's starting to feel and seem like that maybe the hardest part is over. Still, not without pain from missing my babies, but I'm learning to thank the Lord for all the hard stuff too. Thanking Him for this trial, for prison and this time of chastening is difficult to say at first, however, I can see even now that I'll be so thankful this happened later cause I'll know the Lord in a closer and more special way because of His walking us through this. So good things, right? Amen!

Please say hi to everyone at the Bridge and Most Excellent Way. Also please give big Harvey a bear hug for me. I am grateful to him and his family. Please send love to Pastor Geoff and Denise and all of the staff at Calvary. I will write them as well. Please let everyone know that I love them dearly and I'm staying dedicated in learning and growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing quite frequently and trying to keep up with all the letters. I'm blessed to have so much support it's a challenge to keep up with the letters. But that is definitely a good thing!

Bobby Gwin is being blessed by the "treats" and having coffee like that is a pretty special thing in here. Our bible study is down to three of us right now but it's kind of nice like that as well. We continue to pray to have God use us in here and now some are coming with prayer requests. I love you guys and thanks for everything".

I will let you all know as soon as I have a new address for him and praise God for His faithfulness in answering your prayers for this family. Please continue to pray that God will provide a place for Melissa and the 4 children when she gets out Nov 20th. She trusts that the Lord will provide but is still a bit anxious over not knowing where she will go when she gets out. If you know of a place or hear of anything please let me know and I will do whatever I can to help this family. Jesus loves us so much. Glory be to God! Until the next update, thanks so much for the prayers, love and encouragement to this family and to me.

Blessings.

In His love,

Angela

Were You Once In A Hole?...

This past Monday we had a bitter sweet celebration. We celebrated Charlie,Mike and Sylvia's leaving. They are moving on. Both are relocating to other states.... They will both be missed a great deal. Charlie just celebrated one year clean and sober. He has also been a great drummer while he was here. Charlie shared a few things that have helped him over the past year stay clean and sober.

Mike & Sylvia have been a part of our church for 20 + years. This will be a huge change for them and their family. They are moving to Montana. Mike has had victory over his addiction from sexual sin for 2 1/2 years. Him and Sylvia have been working with two groups dealing with sexual sin. Their marriage was able to be salvaged because they allowed God to do an amazing work in it. The Bible says that in this world we will have trials.............. But, we are to be good of cheer for He has overcome the word. Mike and Sylvia shared a bit about how their marriage and how it has been put back together. Thank you Mike, Sylvia, and Charlie.

July Birthday's and Harvey's Testimony

Praise God for another great night of food, fellowship, worship, birthdays and testimony.
If you didn't get a chance to come last week and had to miss Harvey's testimony, don't be discouraged, look for a video version to be upload to the blog within a couple of days.
Thanks MEW for always blessing us with God's abundance. I hope that you enjoy the pictures.

Another Scott Update

Hello Everyone,

It has been a busy June and already the second week of July is ending. Time flies! I have received a letter from Scott that includes praise reports and answered prayers, so I wanted to share the good news with you all. God is so faithful to answer prayer; praise the Lord oh my soul!

Some Praise

• “God has been faithful to give me the strength to endure this. I am diving into His word and I am being conscious of other men and how God wants me to be of service to them. God keeps moving me around a little bit and everywhere I go there’s at least one or two really strong Christians to hook up with and make strong bonds with. We are planting the second bible study as of yesterday and there are obviously a lot of men hungry for the Lord. It is good to get outside of myself and help them.”
• “As far as fire camp goes, I am still very much in the running for it, nevertheless, God’s will first. I do pray for His favor here as it should get me home about six months early and you know how much I love and adore my family. I can’t wait to be with them again. I love my kids so much and never wished to hurt them or anybody for that matter.
• “As far as camp goes, honestly I would be close to passing the test today! I’ve been training for 90 days and I am getting in pretty solid shape! I am very confident I’ll pass the P.T. test! The Dr. just had to go by an “old school” chart at 5’ 91/2” I should be exactly 200 pounds. I have lost about 20 pounds so far and I am about 235 now.”
• “ I want to let you know that I include Pastor Nate, Pastor Geoff, all the support team, friends and family in my daily prayers.”

Some Requests

• “If you ever want to send me a prayer need list from the Saturday prayer group, I would love to receive it and pray over it.”
Well brothers, obviously I don’t go to that prayer meeting but if you do and the Lord puts it on your heart, PLEASE meet this request for him. I know that it would bless him and encourage him greatly to have a bit of his church family brought to him while in that dark place. I have found that it is better to put my thoughts and prayers on others than to put them on my self, my circumstances, feelings or emotions.
Scott Nichols
CDC# G60555
N.K.S.P. A-GYM 34L
P.O. Box 5004
Delano, CA 93216

• Scott also asked for some books. I sent him 3 last week, and I don’t know how much longer he will be in reception but I do know that any book sent will be passed on and used by the Lord in some way. Some of Scott’s favorite authors are Chuck Smith, Jon Courson, Greg Laurie, Dr. James McDonald. If the Lord puts it on your heart to bless Scott with a book or two, the books must be shipped directly from a source such as http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.christianbook.com/

Prayer Requests

• Scott still cannot receive or make phone calls and cannot have any visitors yet. Please pray that communications would open for the family and that they would be able to visit Scott soon.
• Melissa’s letters to Scott are being returned so please pray that he would get approval to receive her letters. She is a mess over it so please pray for her to trust God in this area.
• Continue to pray for the Lord’s will to be done regarding fire camp.
• Pray against depression and any spiritual warfare that may oppose what God is doing in and through Scott.
• Pray for unity within the family and for God’s love and grace to fill their hearts to overflow.
• Pray however the Spirit leads you and then pray some more☺

Thank you all for your love and support of this family. I am so blessed to see the Lord working through all of your prayers and love. May God bless you and shine His face upon you.

In His loving service,

Angela

2:42

I have been a little busy and apologize for not getting the pictures posted sooner. I hope that you enjoy. Guys, sorry about the pink.

Scott Nichols Update

Hi everyone,

I hope that you are all well. I just wanted to share with you that we had the garage sale last weekend and raised a total of $600.00.  I will put $100.00 on both Scott & Melissa's books and give Bonnie $400.00 to bless the kids. Praise God for such a success and such wonderful helpers and generous givers, oh yea and the buyers too!

The more important news is that Scott has a new address. So if you were inclined to bless him with a note of encouragement this should be the address that he will have until he is processed and moved from reception. 

Scott Nichols
CDC# G60555
N.K.S.P. -A-GYM-N34L
P.O. Box 5004

Delano, CA 93216

Also, Scott was denied fire camp because of a weight issue. He is on an exercise and diet regimen so please pray that he would lose the weight safely and that fire camp would become available to him, if it is the Lord's will. It would knock off quite a bit of time from his sentence and that is a good thing, but God's ways are not always ours, are they?

God bless

Angela 

Another Scott Update

I want to let everyone know that I will be having a garage sale on June 20th to raise money for Bonnie (Scott's Mother) and the kids just to help out with the little extras like growing teenagers and 4 year olds, summer fun, etc. If you are interested in helping me out, I could really use you. And if you have any items that were heading for the thrift store and you would like to donate them to this instead, please, please, please do so, soon. Please pray as well.
You can contact me by email @ angelalafalke@gmail.com

Also, if it is on your heart to send Scott any stamped envelopes he really could use them. It takes about 2 weeks for him to get mail, and I'm sure he would appreciate any encouragement that you may send along with those envelopes...(no shame, huh?)

Scott Nichols
CDC# G60555
N.K.S.P. C-2-A #117
P.O. Box 5004
Delano, CA 93216

This quote is taken from a letter that I received from Melissa about Scott's trip to prison and I hope that it encourages you as it did me. God hears the prayers of His saint's!

"On the way to prison, the guard that drove him was a victim of Scott Motors so he gave him a hard time. When Scott got to prison he was so weary and the guard who received him had compassion and put him directly with the "old men" on level 1-2 security instead of level 3-4. That was a miracle because it usually takes 2 weeks to house. God really used the trip up and the guard who received him! He has already had his physical and is in great shape!"
There was also a prayer request for Mike & Amy Daugherty. It seems that Mike has been accepted in to the Bridge Restoration Ministry and his wife is currently in the Door to Hope recovery house in Salinas. Praise God for what He is doing in this season of Scott and Melissa's lives. Our God is an awesome God!

I hope that you are all well and on behalf of Scott & the family thank you for everything.

In His love,

Angela

Scott Nichols Update

Hi everyone,

I just heard from Melissa and she was able to get a hold of Scotts CDC# and address where you can send letters. She said that this will be his permanent # so when he gets moved from reception the mail will catch up with him.

Scott Nichols
CDC# G60555
N.K.S.P. C-2-A #117
P.O. Box 5004
Delano, CA 93216

Melissa seems to think that the more letters that he receives while in reception, the quicker they may process him. I don't know how any of this stuff works but I do know that he could sure use encouragement so get those pens to the paper and watch God work. Please continue to pray that he will get processed quickly and that if it is the Lords will that he would be accepted in to the firecamp.

Thanks to you all. The family covets your prayers, support, encouragement and love.

In His love,
Angela

Stand By Me

Those in difficult times surely know how critical it is for someone to be by your side. Every time I hear that old song 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King, I think of how the Lord is always by my side. Through hard times and good times alike, the Lord is always there. Recently, an old friend of mine sent me a video of performers from around the world singing 'Stand By Me', only, they never got the chance to see each other...they only sang together. It's kind of like the church body. Imagine how it will sound when one day we'll be together, all in the same place, with others from throughout time, singing and praising God. Are you down today? Struggling? Take a look at this video and know that the Lord stands by you....

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

May Extravaganza

Here are some pictures from the May Extravaganza. I hope that you were able to come out for the awesome worship, food, fun, testimonies and fellowship, and if you didn't please be sure to come out next time. The next one will be June 8th.
I hope that you enjoy.

I Wonder...

If you have ever wondered what the women do at the women's retreat, here is a sneak peak.

Sometimes, we get caught....

Sometimes, when we do something, we want people to notice us....sometimes, we don't! Just the other day, on the way home from the men's prayer meetin', someone noticed a familiar scene. Maybe it's because it happened to them, maybe just because it happens a lot. This is a classic scene that might happen to anyone not entirely within the parameters of the law. Speaking of law, aren't you glad that we're not under 'The Law' anymore, but under grace?! The only ones that would be able to identify this particular person are the ones that 'know' him/her. If I could give clemensy for law breakers, all law breakers, then you might think that the law would be useless. But it's not. The Law is a schoolteacher to show us that we need a Saviour. Thank you Lord for the grace that You provide to account for our sins!

Scott Update

For those of you who haven't heard from Angela about what's going on with Scott, here is the latest from her visit yesterday. Please continue to hold our brother and sister in Christ up in prayer, and consider writing a letter of encouragement to them.

Hello Everyone,
I am very sorry that I haven't had much news for you about Scott, but I do now. I went to see him this past Saturday and he shared some much needed prayer requests and a few praise reports that I am blessed to pass on to you all.

I'll start with the praise, since it's Easter Sunday and all. Scott is blessed to be teaching 2 bible studies a day with a young brother who is on fire for Jesus. Also, Scott was able to share the gospel and to lead an inmate to the Lord. Scott said that there is a great need for the inmates to be told about Jesus.

So the first prayer request is that more workers would be sent into the prisons, and not as inmates!

Scott has also been immersed in the word and is keeping his eyes where they need to be on Christ. Please pray for Scott to continue to be faithful, obedient and confident in the ministry that the Lord is calling him in to.

Scott might get to visit Melissa before he is transferred so please pray God's favor in that. Praise God that they have been able to correspond by letter.

Scott said that he will be transferring soon. He said it could be today, Easter Sunday, and if not today then next Sunday for sure, so if you want to visit him go this Saturday 1-3 and hopefully he will still be there. When I went there was no line and he came out quickly. He has one hour to visit and only one person at a time can go in but you can alternate people if there are more than one that want to see him. Bring your drivers license or id card, and you can pick up a visitors form at the guard table if you are unable to download it.

The next prayer request was that his paperwork would process quickly and that he would not be stuck in "reception" for too long. He said that "reception" is not a good place to be and it can take up to 6 months to process so please pray for God's favor in this and for Scott's protection while he is there.

Scott will eventually end up at Delano jail in Delano, CA, and I will get the info to you as soon as I know anything. He said that for the next 2 months he will be unable to write or make any calls, so please pray during this time for God's strength to be with him. He will still get letters forwarded to him once he is processed, so please write to him if you haven't already, and if you have God bless you and keep them coming.

Once he reaches Delano they have a program called "Fire Camp" that Scott wants to be in. If he gets in it will cut his time down to 1 and a half years I believe is what he said. So please pray the Lord's will in that as well.

Well, I hope that I didn't forget anything, and if you want info on Melissa, just let me know and I will add you to her updates as well. God bless you all and Scott and Melissa both appreciate all of your love, support and prayers.

In His love,
Angela

The Rib Throw Down!

Hooray! I found my camera. I hope that you enjoy the pictures from the rib throw down. Coming soon will be some short video clips of the event.
Well done Pastor Mike. Even though you lost the competition, the event was a hit. Looking forward to the second annual rib throw down, but next time, win!

Well, it's over!

Tony is probably the most relieved of all! The Rib Throw-Down at CCMB Saturday was a complete success! There was plenty of food, fun and family times had by all that attended, and most exciting of all was the crowd pressing in on the scene just after the rib judging. Tony anxiously awaiting the results of the extensive (and indisputable) judging. Integrity being what it should from the ones that model following after our Lord, Mike stepped up to the plate and ate....not ribs, but fish eyes! Toner, you're a good man, along with those that stood by Mike and took one for the team! Good job, guys, and hope there's a better rib-rub next year!

It's Almost Saturday...

...and the Rib Throw Down will be underway! Mike did one last test of his recipe yesterday with hopes of beating Andy to the ground on Saturday. Here's his secret rib rub:

4 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper; freshly ground
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon thyme; dried
1 tablespoon rosemary; dried
1 tablespoon cornstarch

But don't let anyone know that he's going to use it on Saturday! He'll kill me if he found out! Good Luck, boys, and hope all the meat is fully cooked!

Let's Gross You Out!

OK, for those of you who were there on Monday night, you'll know what the picture is all about. For those who weren't, the bottom line is WIN THE RIB THROW DOWN! The running mates of both MEW Monterey and MEW Moss Landing will have to drink a glass of fish eye's for losing the Throw Down! How's that for incentive to win! Anyway, the Rib Throw Down will be @ Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay March 21st. Be there, or you may have to eat fish eyes!

Harvey is Free!

If you missed Harvey's testimony last Monday, please watch the video and be blessed.

March Madness

This past Monday at the MEW was awesome. It was the first of the month combined meeting, where we celebrate birthdays, listen to testimonies, and eat delicious food. Pastor Mike also does his usual teaching. He has been going through the book of Hebrews, and this week he taught a few verses out of Hebrews chapter 10. He titled the message "Never again, this is the last time!" He posed a question to the group asking if any of us had ever said this about an addiction or sin in our life, and I think that it was a YES for all of us.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and if you haven't been to the MEW, you don't know what a blessing that you are missing, so come and check it out.

God bless

Another Video Worth Watching....

OK, so here's another video by that Mike guy...wonder what it is this time? It has to do with what Mike Casey was teaching last night, and also what he was announcing about Scott, and how sometimes, even when we think we know why we're here, we might be here for someone else. Take a look and listen to this video, and tell me that we're not all on the same team! PS - Grab your tissue...

God's Imagination

Shown here to the right is a fish called 'Macropinna microstoma' or Barrel eyed Spookfish. It is one of many creatures that are right off the coast of Monterey being studied by scientists around the world. Imagine if you had the opportunity to study God's creation and find out the reasons why things work the way they do?! What an amazing God we serve, and one with such an imagination! I always thought that if I were Adam, I might have run out of names for the animals, birds, and fishes in the sea...I'm not sure if this particular species was presented to Adam or not for naming, but God did create this special creature, and for a purpose. Check out the video and narration by one of MBARI's renowned Scientists HERE. I'm not sure how long the link to this video will be up, so I apologize ahead of time for late-comers.

On something completely different, last night was another fine night to spend at MEW. I can't get over the sharing that happens in the men's group, and the words from Mike are always encouraging.

Short VIdeo Worth Watching

It Wasn't Better...

Mike reminded us last night about the past. Just writing that makes me think of how it was those days that were worthless for the Kingdom. Hebrews 9 tells us that the only sins that the High Priest could give atonement for were those done in ignorance. What about all the rest that we knew of as we acted out our sin nature?...is there such a word as 'unatoned'?...or how about 'non-atoned'. What a frustrating thing to have a washing machine that would only clean part of your clothes! As we read about the tabernacle that the Hebrews had to cart around for forty years let's think about the day that God our Father provided complete cleansing from ALL our filthiness! Thanks Mike, for faithfully bringing the Word to us again.

You are my son

                                         

   

Romans 4:7,8
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Once again, tonight's meeting was a blessing. The worship, the message from Pastor Mike, the food, the fellowship and the small groups are all such an important part of why this ministry has been successful in bringing people to know Jesus more intimately.
David Hill is one of those people that has been touched by Jesus through this ministry in a big way. I have been deeply moved to hear David's story of how he has been reunited with his Mother and just returned from a three day trip to meet her face to face. Tonight, as David shared a little about his trip it was as if Jesus spoke right into my heart and I hope others heard this word as well.
David told us that he was a little apprehensive to share with his Mother about his past involvement with drugs and all the other stuff that comes with drug addiction. David called Pastor Mike for advice and Pastor Mike told him if he didn't tell her now, he probably never would. David decided to tell his Mother everything and after he let it all out she said to him, " You are my son and nothing you can do or say will ever take away the way I love you".

As David shared those words tonight, I thought that I heard Jesus say Yes and Amen. I think that this is how Jesus loves each and every one of us that call upon His name. He died on the cross so that we could experience God and His amazing love. 

David's Mother also said that "son, your past was all part of the way that God brought you to me." God has a plan for us, and I think that our testimonies are strengthened by the trials, by the backslides, by the mistakes and bad choices that we make.  How sweet it is to know that we are loved and forgiven by the Most High God.

Birthday's, Tostada's and Testimonies

Birthdays

Happy birthday to all of you February babies. Wow, January has flown by and here we are celebrating February birthdays already. By the way, if you haven't been to a first-Monday-of-the-month MEW Birthday/Testimony/Chip Disbursement night, you might want to put it on your calendar and join us for the fun. 

Tostada's

Sal spent the whole day Monday cooking up a delicious mexican feast for all of the Mew attendees and I can personally testify that the feast was just as good the next day since I was blessed to join the Bridge bro's for dinner. Thanks again to Sal and to everyone that helped pull this months gathering together.

Bible Teaching 

Mike's teaching in Hebrews has been awesome and if you missed it on Monday or just want to hear it again you can listen to past messages right here on the blog. Also, I was informed that very soon Pastor Mike's messages are going to be made available on the CCMB website as well. Moving on up!

Worship & Testimonies

Last but not least the worship was sweet, way to go guys, and the testimonies were a blessing. Thanks Louie, Szody and Jack for sharing what the Lord has done and is doing in your lives.  

Acts 10:42
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

I hope that you enjoy the photos.

 

Last Night's Teaching was Great!

The image you see to the left is, of coarse, a vortex. If you listen to the mp3 of Mike's teaching last night, you will find out why I've put this image up. I won't say anything else about that, but I will tell you that last night Mike had a fantastic message! If you could just take 26 minutes of your time today and listen, you will be blessed.
Mike has such an incredible way of relating life to life. What we've gone through, what we might currently be going through, and perhaps even what we will go through. The book of Hebrews, Mike continues to remind us, is a book that says 'Don't go back!' I want to encourage everyone listening to, and reading this today, don't go back. Whatever you have been through and ever thought that it was better back there, you are wrong. Yield to your loving Heavenly Father today and swim in the Grace and Peace that He offers you this very moment. Don't let today go by without seizing the day!

Incredible!

"This is just the tip of the iceberg", as they say. The story of David continues to amaze me, as I'm sure it would you if you knew...
Without giving too much detail, I'll let you know that David's life has so radically changed that the only way to describe it is 'Incredible!' It's recently come to his attention that there is family out there he thought was unreachable. David was told things about his family that led him to believe he would never again see or speak to his mother, and yet, God made a way. I plan on getting all the details directly from David himself so that nothing is left to either speculation or ignorance. The way that God is working in this young man is fantastic! I believe that David will spend the rest of his life being a 'fisher of men'. Thanks for sharing about it last night at MEW! God Bless, David

Jeff on The Worship Team....

Jeff found himself on the Wednesday Evening Worship team this past week! That makes 50% of the team the Bridge guys, Jeff and Elliott. Serving in such capacities are a great testimony of the changed lives that are afforded through surrender to the Lord.