Pastor Dan Christian

For some people, constant change is what keeps life interesting and enjoyable. Thus we have specialty coffee subscription plans delivering an ever-changing variety of beans to brew, and we have auto leasing options so that we can drive a new car every couple years. For others of us, consistency is what brings joy, so when we find a favorite item on a restaurant menu, why try anything else and be disappointed?

But no matter where you land on the spectrum of variety to regularity, some kinds of change are very difficult. A change in the leadership of a group or organization is one of those types of change that can be hard to navigate, even with those for whom variety is the spice of life.

For us as a church family, now that the change of our senior pastor is only a few weeks away, the realities of that change are suddenly hitting home. Perhaps the biggest struggle, especially for those who have been a part of this church for many years, is the insecurity of not knowing what this new season will look like or entail. We have enjoyed the stability that comes with a senior pastor who served faithfully for 42+ years, and though we believe our new senior pastor is called by God and is completely trustworthy, still we do not know to what extent our church—as we have known it—will change.

So as we enter this season of change, and as we wrestle internally to come to terms with all that is shifting, the primary question we need to ask is: What’s the point? Obviously we know the impetus for this transition is Pastor Cory’s retirement, but what is the purpose that God has for us in this?

God is always at work to grow His people toward greater maturity in Christ. God is always at work to strengthen and build His Church. And God is always at work to expand His Kingdom until people from every nation worship His name. That is God’s overarching Purpose (with a capital “P”). Any other purpose God is carrying out will relate back to His primary Purpose of growing His people, building His Church, and expanding His Kingdom.

Thus even though we cannot see now all that God will bring about through this transition, we can be confident that whatever He is doing will be aimed at fulfilling that larger Purpose. If that’s the case, then the goal for each of us individually—as well as the goal for us together as a church family—is not merely to “get through” the transition and adjust to whatever changes come about, but rather to grow through the transition into the people, and the church, that God desires us to be.

Keeping that aim of growth before us will help us walk through this season of transition with hopefulness and joy, despite the insecurity and loss that does come with change. And focusing on God’s larger Purpose will help keep us grounded in the excitement of the new changes we are anticipating.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) God is doing a work of transformation in we who belong to Him, as we turn our attention to Him and to His glory. We become like that which we behold.

So when things are uncomfortable and unknown in this season of change, how will you turn your attention to God, to behold His glory and open your heart to His transforming work? And when things are exciting and new in this season of change, how will you turn your focus on God, to revel in His glory and receive the growth that He alone can bring?

What’s the point of this transition we are walking through? It is not change merely for the sake of novelty. It is not just to welcome a new senior pastor. Rather, the point of this transition is that we as God’s people—and together as a church—would grow in our faith to become more like Christ, one increment at a time. Remember that goal.

By Pete Young

Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24

A couple was in counseling and the wife was asked, do you and your husband argue a lot, did he ever beat you up?  She answered, “Well, he would get up earlier a couple of times a week”. (We wonder why we have communication problems. Ha-Ha)

On February 22-24, 2019 we had our 7th Evergreen SGV Marriage Enrichment Weekend. We had 42 couples who had been married 50 years to newlyweds of just 2 weeks.  For many, it was their first time, some their 2nd time and then for me and my wife the 7th time. Where else would you be able to learn from the wisdom of our Senior Pastor Cory and Auntie Reine on marriage at its best, at its trials and at dealing with our ungodly beliefs that we all bring into our marriages.  

It was a great time creating new friendships and getting to know other couples playing ice breakers and sharing in our small groups. We shared on “Recalling Our Courtship”, “Remembering the Best”, “Releasing the Worse”, and “Rejoicing in One Another”. We all had a date night where husbands planned a night out with their wives. Each couple was able to communicate over thought provoking questions.  

We thank Pastor Cory and Auntie Reine for sharing and being so transparent. There was laughter, sharing how they overcame their trials and releasing their ungodly beliefs through Releasing Prayer Ministry. The most touching moments were at the end of the retreat when we had a time of testimonies by couples and renewing our vows as husband and wife which was led by Pastor Cory.   

It was a glorious weekend that has enriched our marriages. It has reminded us of the need to be committed to one another and to realize we bring our own different beliefs into our marriages.

We have learned in marriage that the Lord gave us each other in good times and in bad times. We have also learned that we are to be God centered first in our 
marriages. Maybe one day Pastor Cory and Auntie Reine can come back and have a Grand-parenting Enrichment Weekend! 

Thank you Pastor Cory and Auntie Reine for your infinite wisdom!

In Him,

Pete Young

P. S. Remember Men, make coffee every morning for your wife, there is a book in the Bible on it. “He-brews!”

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.” Psalm 126:5

For decades I hardly ever cried. It was a learned behavior of indifference to things that really mattered and deserved tears to be shed. I failed to cry at the passing of my father. I would almost never cry at sad movies and when I did, I would do my best to refrain and/or hide it from others.

I remember crying at the closing scene of Westside Story. It was 1961 and I was fourteen years old. I decided to never cry because of a movie again. Then, in 1989, it happened again and my attitude was very different. I decided to find out why I cried and it began my father journey, which had a significant impact on my life. But that’s another story for another time.

Today, every once in a while, I cry over stories I read in Sports Illustrated. I have discovered a common theme in those stories. 

I am going to give you an example from the December 2018 issue, which I just read. The piece is entitled, “Everyday Heroes”, which recounts a story about the travails of the Paradise High School that was severely damaged during the November Camp Fire. The fire took the homes of 196 or the 200 athletes at the school. When they resumed competition the following took place.

“Paradise midfielder Gabe Price is also one of the area’s top cross-country runners. He missed the qualifying race for the state meet on November 8 because he was grabbing what he could from his home before it burned down. But Stearns made some calls and got permission for Price to run the course at West Valley High by himself a few days later to try to qualify.

To Gabe’s surprise, several of the West Valley runners showed up to pace him, invaluable support on a hilly, fairly unfamiliar course. Price finished in 17:12, nearly 30 seconds faster than the minimum time required. He was a grateful for West Valley’s assistance as he was for the jersey’s and shin guards Andersen High had donated to his soccer team. ‘The kindness and understanding… it’s been amazing to know that our opponents don’t see us as just another team to beat.’” 

I read this and I cried. I think I cry over stories of ‘everyday heroes’, people who serve others with no expectation of something in return. It is a story that reminds me of Jesus and how Jesus wants us to live our lives. 

As the preeminent example, Jesus said, “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. Jesus’s death on the cross is the greatest example of serving others via the ultimate price that anyone could every pay.

May we should be just like Jesus and may the example of others bring a tear to your eyes.

Something to think about…

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth… Ephesians 6:14

Recently, something significant happened within the United Methodist Church. According to Franklin Graham, “In a vote of 438-384, delegates from around the world attending the church’s General Conference in St. Louis reinforced a UMC policy established in 1972 stating that ‘the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.’ The church also strengthened its ban on LGBT clergy.”

Kudos to the UMC for standing on God’s Word in the face of enormous pressure from the world. 

I was reminded by a friend of something I wrote in May of 2016, which bears repeating. It emphasizes the importance of standing firm and making our voices heard in support of God’s Word. Here’s a part of that blog. 

Yesterday, one of our church members sent me a link about abortion and the United Methodist Church of America. He sent me the article by Jim Daly of Focus on the Family because I had been sharing with my Bible Study group that I (we) need to stand firm in defense of the gospel and authority of God’s Word.

This is a part of what Daly wrote.

“For 40 years the United Methodist Church has supported the Supreme Court’s infamous Roe vs. Wade decision – that is, until last week.

Delegates of the country’s third-largest religious body voted 445 to 310 to repeal the official resolution supporting the case establishing a constitutional “right” to abortion during its General Conference. They also voted to sever its affiliation with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), an interfaith organization co-founded by the United Methodist Church.

The RCRC advocates for abortion without restrictions – the legal killing of any pre-born child for any reason at any point during pregnancy. The group even supports partial-birth and sex-selection abortion, and promotes rituals to bless the work of abortion clinics.”

Why the change of heart?

The movement away from abortion and the continued stance for biblical marriage is largely due to the presence and the voice of its five million African members who are predominantly conservative in their theology, in other words, they believe in what the Bible says. 

If those five million African members fled, things would not have changed. They stayed and made their voices heard, which resulted in change.

I happen to believe that, within the church, the pro-LGBT and pro-choice movement are the result of a minority voice held in concert with a very worldly chorus. It may be time for those who hold to the authority of Scripture to raise their voices in an anthem declaring the sanctity of life and the value of God’s creative order in marriage within the church. 

There are times to take a stand by leaving. However, there are other times to stand firm and advocate for what is right in the sight of God. I take heart in what Paul wrote in Galatians 6:9. He encouraged us by writing, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”.

May God continue to grant us the wisdom to know when to flee and when to stand firm and make our voices heard amidst the din of sin.

Something to think about…

by Rickie Miyake

January 2nd. My regular Wednesday stint as an Options volunteer kicked off 2019 in a superb way! For those of you not familiar with this organization, this description is on their web site home page:

At Options, your health and well-being are our first priority. We specialize in providing services to women faced with unplanned pregnancies and considering abortion. We are here to provide you with pregnancy options by sharing truth with compassion and empathy so you can make a decision with confidence.

A young woman had just left, relieved after learning her pregnancy test result was negative. Along with providing education and addressing concerns of potential moms, the Gospel is shared with each of them during their visits.  This first visitor of 2019 made the best and most important decision of her life by asking Jesus to be her Lord and Savior!  She came in anxious and uncertain and left with blessed assurance!

Like they do each time a client chooses life, the staff joyfully praised God by singing No Longer Slaves, written by Brian Johnson, Joel Case and Jonathan David Hesler, and I happily joined their celebration.  Here’s what they sang, changing the I and my or me in the original lyrics to she and her to refer to the client who now had the blessed assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ:

She’s no longer a slave to fear
She is a child of God
She’s no longer a slave to fear
She is a child of God

From her mother’s womb
You have chosen her
Love has called her name
She’s been born again, into a family
Your blood flows through her veins

Now, this woman came in thinking she was pregnant but turned out she wasn’t. What about the ones whose test is positive? When they choose life for God’s unborn creation in their womb, again there is much rejoicing afterwards but with a different song, No One Else, by Cory Asbury and Laura Hackett (with I in the original lyrics changed to they or them for mommy and baby).

No one else can love You like they love You, Lord
‘Cause they were made unique in Your heart
They were made to bring You joy

Now they have a purpose
Now they have a destiny
You made them for Your glory
You made them for Your glory

What a joyous time! Please join me in praying that these two songs will be overflowing in 2019 (and beyond).  Whenever they sing these songs, I am reminded of Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep:

So He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’  I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”  Luke 15:3-7 (NASB)

Saving what God has created is sweet beyond measure.  But what about the times when the client chooses to terminate the life within her, despite Options’ best efforts to convince her to keep the baby?

Instead of genuine praise and joy over the decision to choose life, there is genuine sadness and mourning over the pending loss of life. On the days when I’ve been there and this has happened, the grieving  brings to mind the account of the babies slaughtered by Herod after realizing the Magi had tricked him:

Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the
prophet was fulfilled:

 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she refused to be comforted,
Because they were no more.”  Matthew 2:17-18 (NASB)

Regardless of what the client decides, love your neighbor as yourself sees practical use. The women are told they’re always welcome whenever they’d like to visit and there are also follow-up phone calls.  And, for those who choose life, gifts for the baby. Options isn’t a revolving door; the love that Jesus displayed for us is displayed for the women during and after their visits.

I’ve been blessed during my volunteer time to have a firsthand demonstration of how God works through His people as I see the love, care and concern His servants at Options have for their clients and each other.

Learn more about Options at their web site:
https://www.optionslapuente.org/