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Running to Win

Read 1 Cor. 9:24-27. Are you running to win? Here's some inspiration to cheer you on the way.

4th of July

Everyone around here is gearing up for the big celebration of the 4th of July. I love this holiday because it marks one of the high points of the summer season. And, oddly enough, large crowds and sweltering weather only make the day better. Unfortunately, I won't be running the 10k this year. Two reasons: first, my running buddy is nursing a broken leg. Wouldn't want to leave him out with me hoofing the race without him. And second, I really don't like running. Well actually, I hate running. Not going to give into peer pressure. Last year after running a personal best, I could hardly walk for the next two weeks. Oh what a whimp I am.

I have been doing much pondering in recent weeks, even though my pondering hasn't been on this blog. Much of my efforts have been focused on taking hold of an opportunity here in Ladera Ranch to get our fledgling congregation set in a permanent location. It would be an incredible partnership for the good of the whole community. I might be a little vague here on the blog but if you show up on Sunday morning (especially this Sunday, July 5th), I'll have more to say. Not necessarily a big revelation but rather I want everyone to know that we are moving faithfully forward.

And finally, our summer shirts will be arriving sometime next week. Wish we could have 'em for Sunday but it's taking a little longer than expected. Just a little patience and we're going to look really cool!

A Wide Circle of Friends

Here are the points from my sermon this past Sunday titled, "A Wide Circle of Friends." We were focusing on Colossians 4:2-17.

First, be willing to ask for help when you need it (Paul asked the church to pray for him because he needed it).
Second, learn to encourage others (as Paul did for Tychicus).
Third, dare to stand by a friend when he or she is in a tough spot (Paul stands by Onesimus who was a runaway slave).
Fourth, sometimes you’ve got to give a friend a fresh start (Paul must have given a fresh start to Mark after the conflict on Acts 14).
Sometimes a friend will fail you completely (as Demas would fail Paul according to 2 Timothy 4).
Sixth, don’t let your friends settle for less in life (Paul pushed Archippus to finish the work he promised to do).
Finally, strengthen the bond of friendship with words written on paper (Paul concluded the letter in his own handwriting).

May 31st Picnic

Here's the slide show Erin created from our Church Picnic on May 31st. Let's do it again real soon!

Garage Theater

It's hard to believe that we started the tradition of the garage theater five years ago but here's the proof. Tonight we're going to screen a surf film or two. Bring some popcorn if you want to join us.

I love summer. It's fun to be able to spend more time with my kids.

One final small item: the 2009 Village Pres Summer T-Shirt will soon be arriving (that is as long as you place your order sometime before June 29th). Here's what they're going to look like:

We've got a few color choices and even a sweatshirt option. Come to worship on Sunday for more details!

Missional Practices

A few weeks ago Jim Toole conducted an interview with our Leadership Community asking about the missional practices of our congregation. Jim is completing his Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller and it's our privilege to be part of his research. Take a look at the video he created from our time together. Good stuff! Thanks everyone for speaking out and for the many ways tht you are bringing glory to God in this community.

Confirmation 2009

Yes. He's taller than I am. And yes. He has way more hair than I do. And yes. I'm totally proud of my son, Matthew.

On Sunday we celebrated the statements of five students who stepped forward to lay claim to the promises made in baptism. These students confessed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and they committed themselves to serving Christ all the days of their lives. My son, Matthew, was numbered in that group. If you were there you know it was an incredible service. Pastor Leanne did an outstanding job of incorporating parents and mentors into the process of faith formation. As a church we've baptized more than twenty children since our inception and this is the first time that we've offered a Confirmation program. As a parent, I'm pleased and as a pastor, I'm eager for the same good instruction and encouraging relationships to be offered to others in the years to come.

I do hope our students will take to heart the words that were spoken on Sunday morning from Colossians 3:12-17. May they always know who it is God calls them to be, may they endure the hardships of life with grace, may they be enriched by God's Word so that whatever do in this world, may it be done to the glory of God the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Being Relational

Lately I've been thinking about the many different way people are investing in the life of our growing community of faith. It's heartening because in the midst of the challenges there is a sense of the presence of God among us. Is it easy? Not really but the work itself is rewarding. When I came the words below written by Jürgen Moltmann in Hope for the Church, I couldn't help but thinking about all that has been happening among us. Moltmann wrote, “The local congregation is the future of the Church. God as love…can only be witnessed to and experienced in a congregation small enough for members to know each other and accept each other as they are accepted by Christ. The gospel of Christ crucified for us puts an end to religion as power and opens up the possibility of experiencing God in the context of genuine community as the God of love.” (as quoted in God’s Missionary People by Charles Van Engen, 31-32) Seems like I'm seeing evidence of that happening among us and it makes me smile!

Debriefing

In Missional Renaissance, Reggie McNeal says church leaders need to move from delivering information to helping people "debrief" their lives. He writes, "The truth is that people need help debriefing their lives. They need to examine their experiences to learn from them. The goal of debriefing is to help people make sense of what is going on in them and around them. In earlier times, people accomplished this while lingering over meals with their families and engaging in late-night discussions on front porches or on the phone with friends in extended conversations. In that world, we could operate a church agenda focused on merely providing information for those discussions. Now we have to stimulate those discussions for people because they are making time for them anymore, due to the frenzied pace and isolation of contemporary life." (101)

Is that the world you live in? Over the past several months it's been a struggle for me to slow down for prayer and reflection. With an ever-expanding "things to do" list, it's hard to take time to reflect and listen, to focus on "being" rather than always "doing." On Sunday I offered the outline below as a tool to help us become more intentional about "debriefing" our days. There really is more to life than merely increasing its speed. Slowing down creates the potential of a purposeful life.

Thanksgiving
Lord, I realize that everything, even myself, is a gift from you.
Today, for what things am I most grateful?

Intention
Lord, open my eyes and ears to be more honest with myself.
Today, what do I really want for myself?

Examination
Lord, show me what has been happening to me and in me this day.
Today, in what ways have I experienced your love?

Contrition
Lord, I am still learning to grow in your love.
Today, what choices have been inadequate responses to your love?

Hope
Lord, let me look with longing toward the future.
Today, how will I let you lead me to a brighter tomorrow?

Adapted from Through All the Days of Life, a collection of prayers compiled by Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J.

New Every Day

I had another birthday go by this week. I really don't mind the passing of years because I have so much to be thankful for: a wife I have shared almost two-thirds of my life with, a fifteen year old who took his first behind the wheel driving lesson this week, another son whose new interest is the guitar and a daughter who brings delight to the whole family...well, not everyone is delighted all the time but she brings plenty of fun.

Another year? Whoa! Even so, I'm glad for the measure of my life so far. I'm doing all I can to stay in shape so that I can have many more happy and productive years. A few weeks ago I came across this quote by Emily Dickinson and it's my new mantra, "We turn not older with years, but new every day." If it's true then I'm alot newer now than I was a year ago. Thank God for birthdays!