Tonite's message by Pastor Mike, from James 5, included a very wise saying for pilots who are getting into trouble while in the air. It involves memorizing 4 words beginning with the letter "C".
The first is "CLIMB". You need to get up higher than you are, you don't want to be near the ground when you get into trouble. So we want to climb up higher than the problem, we want to get to a place where we have some room to wiggle and to see what the problem is.
The second word is "COMMUNICATE". When a pilot figures out what is going on with his aircraft he usually communicates his problem and possible solution. We must learn to do this with all problems. Once we've climbed out of immediate danger and have a chance to see what is going on, we can communicate to someone else what we think the problem is and a possible solution.
Next is "CONFESS" your error. If you put cheapo gas in the tank or you didn't do a full pre-flight check and missed a few "key items" that are now going bad, you need to confess your error in order to accurately and truthfully assess the situation, identify the problem and move towards a solution.
Finally, you need to "CONFORM" to the solution. Our solution may be we have to crash land the aircraft and we need to resolve ourselves to do this, conform to the standards that are useed in the process and get along with it.
In our non-piloting ordinary lives we may apply these words to our own trouble. First, we need to climb out of the mess we created and give ourselves some room to analyze and take an honest look at the problem. As Christians we definitely need to communicate what is going on to someone who is willing and able to listen and help us (my first go-to person would be Jesus) see clearly what we've done. The next step is hard for anyone...confess whatever you did. Its easy to confess it to the Lord. Now confess it to someone who is going to help you...not so easy sometimes. We become afraid of being wrong, judged, ridiculed etc. because we think in the natural not spiritual. And then when our pastor or counselor or friend gives us a solution we need strength and courage to conform to the answer. It may mean taking a break from visible ministry or apologizing to people you have hurt or many other things which we perceive as embarrassing and maybe not the best idea.
But if we learn from our past, and integrate new solutions into future events, we will become more secure in the knowledge that "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We will attempt to behave in a way which will avoid problems, but when they arise, we will be open and willing and honest with each other to help solve any or all future misbehaving.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday 7-19-2010
Taming the Tongue
James 3 decides to correct our use of the tongue. How can one of the smallest organs in the body wreak so much havoc? Pastor Mike went on to talk about the various problems the tongue may cause. I felt "tongue-tied". It is one of the Chapters of the Bible which really hits home...how many of us really watch our words? How many of us are constantly choosing our words carefully and/or preferring to keep quiet rather than saying something cutting or demeaning to someone else?
Paul compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship and the bit in a horses mouth. With such small a device you can control a ship or a horse. The same is with our tongue...with the same mouth we bless and curse.
ARE YOU COMING WITH US???
This saturday we'll be meeting in the parking lot of CCMB at 8:30...then we be gone...to GREAT AMERICA!!!!
See you there...hopefully at some point upside down and moving very fast!
James 3 decides to correct our use of the tongue. How can one of the smallest organs in the body wreak so much havoc? Pastor Mike went on to talk about the various problems the tongue may cause. I felt "tongue-tied". It is one of the Chapters of the Bible which really hits home...how many of us really watch our words? How many of us are constantly choosing our words carefully and/or preferring to keep quiet rather than saying something cutting or demeaning to someone else?
Paul compares the tongue to the rudder of a ship and the bit in a horses mouth. With such small a device you can control a ship or a horse. The same is with our tongue...with the same mouth we bless and curse.
ARE YOU COMING WITH US???
This saturday we'll be meeting in the parking lot of CCMB at 8:30...then we be gone...to GREAT AMERICA!!!!
See you there...hopefully at some point upside down and moving very fast!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Pastor Mike Continues in James
Faith without works is dead...we used to be one of "those people"...but who cares now...we are to treat all people equally. (Nevertheless it still angers some of us when we are profiled as one of "those people")
Sometimes we look at very rich people and think they have everything. But we have riches way beyond those...
Don't treat someone who has a lot of money any differently...we are all equal IN THE EYES OF CHRIST!
IF YOU HAVE ORDERED TICKETS TO GREAT AMERICA PLEASE REMIT PAYMENT TO MIKE OR MICHELE OR SPEAK TO THEM PERSONALLY. TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.
Faith without works is dead...we used to be one of "those people"...but who cares now...we are to treat all people equally. (Nevertheless it still angers some of us when we are profiled as one of "those people")
Sometimes we look at very rich people and think they have everything. But we have riches way beyond those...
Don't treat someone who has a lot of money any differently...we are all equal IN THE EYES OF CHRIST!
IF YOU HAVE ORDERED TICKETS TO GREAT AMERICA PLEASE REMIT PAYMENT TO MIKE OR MICHELE OR SPEAK TO THEM PERSONALLY. TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Monday June 28, 2010
Mark 1:22-27
How can we be hearers only and not doers of the word.
We need to take the lessons we learn and move into ministry and doing things for others rather than just ourselves.
If we simply read the word and hold it in we will become like the dead sea...water flows in and nothing flows out and the water stagnates.
We are sanctified...called and set apart for the service of God.
Were all sinners saved by grace struggling every day to put off the old man and put on the new.
Its all about methodically putting it all back together.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday June 21, 2010
Pastor Mike continues in James
Today Pastor Mike continued in the Epistle of James, continuing to warn us about trials and how easy it is for us to give up as soon as we face some adversity. When we first came to Christ, how many of us were told that we would soon be fighting some of the toughest battles we have ever fought? Especially when some of us were chained to those life-dominating sins, no one told us how hard it would be do detach from the chain. But the good news is that Jesus will take us through, be with us every moment, and give us the faith necessary to withstand the trial.
Sign ups for SPIRIT WEST COAST
Sign up sheet for Spirit West Coast volunteers was passed around. If you volunteer I believe the cost is $25, but if you work a double shift the day is free!!
Here's a link to the Monterey Schedule (just copy and paste into your browser's address bar):
http://monterey.spiritwestcoast.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RkLOXhTazcU%3d&tabid=409&language=en-US
Next week:
Worship featuring Bruce Peck on guitar
Today Pastor Mike continued in the Epistle of James, continuing to warn us about trials and how easy it is for us to give up as soon as we face some adversity. When we first came to Christ, how many of us were told that we would soon be fighting some of the toughest battles we have ever fought? Especially when some of us were chained to those life-dominating sins, no one told us how hard it would be do detach from the chain. But the good news is that Jesus will take us through, be with us every moment, and give us the faith necessary to withstand the trial.
Sign ups for SPIRIT WEST COAST
Sign up sheet for Spirit West Coast volunteers was passed around. If you volunteer I believe the cost is $25, but if you work a double shift the day is free!!
Here's a link to the Monterey Schedule (just copy and paste into your browser's address bar):
http://monterey.spiritwestcoast.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RkLOXhTazcU%3d&tabid=409&language=en-US
Next week:
Worship featuring Bruce Peck on guitar
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday June 14, 2010 - The Caseys Return!
Yes folks, our Pastor and wife have returned rested(?) and renewed from their Marathon/Vacation in San Diego.
Worship included a new song about Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans (thoughts) I have for you"
It is not just fun to play but very moving while playing.
Pastor Mike gave us another fantastic message from the Book of James. Pastor Mike reiterated not if but when we go through trials, we must have faith that Jesus will take us through them. He also reminded many of us that when we are in the midst of a trial we press in hard to God, but as the trial eases up so do we. We must not be tricked or duped into believing that we can ease up on our relationship with God simply because a trial has passed.
Thought to ponder: Satan wants us to believe that we can fix our past. But God wants us to know that our past can be forgiven.
Remember to sign up for the Great America Excursion on Saturday July 24, 2010!!
Worship included a new song about Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans (thoughts) I have for you"
It is not just fun to play but very moving while playing.
Pastor Mike gave us another fantastic message from the Book of James. Pastor Mike reiterated not if but when we go through trials, we must have faith that Jesus will take us through them. He also reminded many of us that when we are in the midst of a trial we press in hard to God, but as the trial eases up so do we. We must not be tricked or duped into believing that we can ease up on our relationship with God simply because a trial has passed.
Thought to ponder: Satan wants us to believe that we can fix our past. But God wants us to know that our past can be forgiven.
Remember to sign up for the Great America Excursion on Saturday July 24, 2010!!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Monday June 7, 2010
Pastor Mike and Michele on Vacation!!
We had blessed worship .. more traditional songs this week .. but the idea is that we make a "joyful noise unto the Lord".
Harvey gave the teaching from 1 and 2 Samuel, the cave time of David, when the 3 mighty warriors arose. Three warriors whose names translated are "sitting in counsel", "Heard by God" and "Helped by God". Three warriors who were completely abandoned by their troops in the midst of battle, God giving each of them a miraculous victory. Because they had each sat in the counsel of God, they had each been heard by God and they had each been helped by God.
All of us at the Most Excellent Way can be mighty warriors. Those who came to the cave were those in debt, those sick of their current lives and looking for something else. Sound familiar? I know I came looking for something else Freedom from life dominating sin, freedom from the life I've totally screwed up. Now I have been given a second chance to repair, only through the miraculous efforts of Jesus, that life that was lost.
So, be willing to sit under His counsel, to be helped by God and be heard by God (pray) and you also may shed the scales of addiction and sit at the feet of Jesus, seeking the better way.
We will be passing around sign up sheets for Great America. Lets all fellowship!!
Harvey gave the teaching from 1 and 2 Samuel, the cave time of David, when the 3 mighty warriors arose. Three warriors whose names translated are "sitting in counsel", "Heard by God" and "Helped by God". Three warriors who were completely abandoned by their troops in the midst of battle, God giving each of them a miraculous victory. Because they had each sat in the counsel of God, they had each been heard by God and they had each been helped by God.
All of us at the Most Excellent Way can be mighty warriors. Those who came to the cave were those in debt, those sick of their current lives and looking for something else. Sound familiar? I know I came looking for something else Freedom from life dominating sin, freedom from the life I've totally screwed up. Now I have been given a second chance to repair, only through the miraculous efforts of Jesus, that life that was lost.
So, be willing to sit under His counsel, to be helped by God and be heard by God (pray) and you also may shed the scales of addiction and sit at the feet of Jesus, seeking the better way.
We will be passing around sign up sheets for Great America. Lets all fellowship!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
What's Goin' On? Monday May 30, 2010
Pastor Mike, once again, gave an excellent teaching in James (why does it sometimes feel like I'm getting slapped and other times like I'm getting hugged when I pick up the book of James?)
Points: When we go through trials we will keep going though these trials until we reach the other side. Our vast experiences have brought us forward to see how far we've come and how far we can go.
TRIALS GROW US . . . THERE CAN'T BE A TESTIMONY WITHOUT A TEST
This weeks question: "What role will humility play in your life?"
MARATHON TIMES:
Mike 4:53 Michele 4:55 Yay and Hooray
You may now have desert!!
Worship guested Bruce Peck and Craig Underwood on guitars...they sound sweet together don't they?
June 12, 2010 if any of you care to give belated birthday blessings to David Davis, Jasmine Humada (worship Team Violinist), Cathy Davis and .... da da da da ... our very own Pastor Mike...there will be a small bonfire at the De Monte Fire Pits.
Points: When we go through trials we will keep going though these trials until we reach the other side. Our vast experiences have brought us forward to see how far we've come and how far we can go.
TRIALS GROW US . . . THERE CAN'T BE A TESTIMONY WITHOUT A TEST
This weeks question: "What role will humility play in your life?"
MARATHON TIMES:
Mike 4:53 Michele 4:55 Yay and Hooray
You may now have desert!!Worship guested Bruce Peck and Craig Underwood on guitars...they sound sweet together don't they?
June 12, 2010 if any of you care to give belated birthday blessings to David Davis, Jasmine Humada (worship Team Violinist), Cathy Davis and .... da da da da ... our very own Pastor Mike...there will be a small bonfire at the De Monte Fire Pits.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Worship: Prior to playing "Save Me", Jodie explained the story behind the song and testified about the suicidal death of someone she knew, and could the words of the song possibly be the last words going through his head before death?
Pastor Mike completed Galatians 6:1-18.
(Have you checked your SUCKOMETER today?)
Pastor Mike made an orthodontal reference to braces...they are tightened in order to straighten your teeth. As the bands of our lives are tightened, can we be lead? References to 2 Cor. 5:17 were repleat . . . why do you want to go back to the old man? We have come to find out we cannot do it on our own, but we can only do it with the help of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Verse 15 kind of proved pivotal "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision avails anything, but a new creation."
The question of the day: "What role will humility play in your life?"
Next week: Worship Team with Bruce and Craig on guitars.
Worship: Prior to playing "Save Me", Jodie explained the story behind the song and testified about the suicidal death of someone she knew, and could the words of the song possibly be the last words going through his head before death?
Pastor Mike completed Galatians 6:1-18.
(Have you checked your SUCKOMETER today?)
Pastor Mike made an orthodontal reference to braces...they are tightened in order to straighten your teeth. As the bands of our lives are tightened, can we be lead? References to 2 Cor. 5:17 were repleat . . . why do you want to go back to the old man? We have come to find out we cannot do it on our own, but we can only do it with the help of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Verse 15 kind of proved pivotal "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision avails anything, but a new creation."
The question of the day: "What role will humility play in your life?"
Next week: Worship Team with Bruce and Craig on guitars.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WHATS NEW AT MEW ?!?!?
The Most Excellent Way (Monterey) is on the MOVE . . . upcoming events concerning places to go and people to see will include (but are not limited to):
CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST
GREAT AMERICA AND MINIATURE GOLFING (NOT AT THE SAME TIME)
BOWLING AND BONFIRES ON THE BEACH (Definitely not at the same time, balls don't roll well in sand)
BOWLING AND BONFIRES ON THE BEACH (Definitely not at the same time, balls don't roll well in sand)
Great America:
Saturday July 24, 2010
Miniature Golf & Pizza:
Saturday August 21, 2010
Bonfire and BBQ on the Beach:
Saturday September 25, 2010
Bowling:
To Be Determined
Saturday July 24, 2010
Miniature Golf & Pizza:
Saturday August 21, 2010
Bonfire and BBQ on the Beach:
Saturday September 25, 2010
Bowling:
To Be Determined
CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST
The Most Excellent Way (Monterey) is sponsoring a contest for the best tee-shirt design. The winner will win something FANTABULOUS (a surprise package worth....??). The design will be reviewed by a professional graphics artist and customized for tee-shirt printing. It will become the semi-official, official tee-shirt of the Most Excellent Way (Monterey).
RULES (The Fine Print)
We realize that rules are not easy to follow for those recovering from life-altering addictions so we've made it real simple. . . . please don't draw or copy or cut and paste "stuff" from the old-man's way of life...no needles, joints, handcuffs, crack pipes etc.
The Worship Team is still looking for a PERMANENT Guitarist....preferably one who knows his/her way around a git-fiddle and can transpose and improvise when necessary.
Pastor Mike's message finished up Galatians 5, showing us the pros and cons of the roads we choose. . . flesh or spirit.... the do's and the dont's. Messages available on Calvary.com
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK "What is humility to you?"
RULES (The Fine Print)
We realize that rules are not easy to follow for those recovering from life-altering addictions so we've made it real simple. . . . please don't draw or copy or cut and paste "stuff" from the old-man's way of life...no needles, joints, handcuffs, crack pipes etc.
The Worship Team is still looking for a PERMANENT Guitarist....preferably one who knows his/her way around a git-fiddle and can transpose and improvise when necessary.
Pastor Mike's message finished up Galatians 5, showing us the pros and cons of the roads we choose. . . flesh or spirit.... the do's and the dont's. Messages available on Calvary.com
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK "What is humility to you?"
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