It may be time for a new camera, but I hope you enjoy the photo's taken at The Most Excellent Way White Elephant Christmas Extravaganza.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
9-20-2010 - THE C's OF GETTING OUT OF TROUBLE
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.
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.
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!!
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