Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - "Cry Out to Jesus"

No matter what, we can turn to Jesus. He hears our cry!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - "The Nativity"

Great clip to see the baby Jesus in all His magnificence and power! May this help you to focus on Him today!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - The Advent Conspiracy

As you turn your eyes on Jesus this week, try and imagine how Jesus would celebrate His birth. The clip below is thought provoking and could be life changing!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - "Jesus, Messiah"

What a great song from Chris Tomlin to turn our hearts and minds to Jesus!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Here is another clip that will help you turn your eyes upon Jesus. This one is a little older and a little longer, but the story it great. An old song with a story behind it that connects to hearts today!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - "Mary Did You Know?"

I love this song. It makes you think about Jesus in a fresh way!

One Solitary Life

Great Poem! Click on the title to go to a video of it. Enjoy!

One Solitary Life

By James Allen Francis

 

He was born in an obscure village,

the child of a peasant woman.

He grew up in another obscure village,

where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty.

Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never had a family or owned a home.

He never set foot inside a big city.

He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born.

He never wrote a book, or held an office.

He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.

While He was still a young man,

the tide of popular opinion turned against Him.

His friends deserted Him.

He was turned over to His enemies,

and went through the mockery of a trial.

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

While He was dying,

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had --- His coat.

When He was dead,

He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.

Twenty centuries have come and gone,

and today He is the central figure for much of the human race.

All the armies that ever marched,

and all the navies that ever sailed,

and all the parliaments that ever sat,

and all the kings that ever reigned,

put together,

have not affected the life of man upon this earth

as powerfully as this "One Solitary Life."

Sunday, December 14th New and Improved Outline

Here is the completed outline of today's message:

Life Interrupted

Luke 2:8-20 & Matt. 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

Christmas at Calvary Part 2

Unexpected changes to your life will either draw you closer to God or drive you further from God.

#1: What to do immediately when life changes suddenly                                          (Luke 2:8-20)

·  Reach Out - Community

·  Move Forward - Obedience

·  Lift Up - Worship

#2: What to do thoroughly, when life changes gradually                         (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19)

·  List the evidences of God’s love

·  List the evidences of God’s power

·  List the evidences of God’s plan

Do you draw closer to God when your life gets interrupted?

Did You Know?

While in a meeting in Chicago, I saw this incredible video clip about the pace of change in our world. Things are changing and they are changing fast! This means the Good News of Jesus Christ can spread even more quickly than it did before!

Enjoy!

Every Knee

Drew Sams and I team taught a vital portion of Scripture this morning. Philippians 2:1-11 has so many key theological and practical concepts intertwined. What a challenging passage!

God has greatly gifted Drew and I am thankful he serves as the Student Ministries Pastor at Calvary. It was an honor to work with him in preparing and delivering today's message.

To top off the whole morning, we saw various people willingly enter the waters of baptism to declare their allegiance to Jesus. It was such an encouraging service!

The passage we studied concludes with an incredibly bold statement about our Savior and Lord. Watch the clip below for the challenge of the text.

Great Men's Breakfast!

Today I had the great privilege of speaking at the men's breakfast at Calvary. What a tremendous room of men - two hundred and twenty-five strong! I could sense the energy the men's ministry has developed in the last year and a half. The strength of this ministry will be critical for Calvary as we move forward with the message of Christ!

I told the men I would post information about the book I suggested could help them intentionally pursue the very heart of God. So here is the information:

A MAN'S GUIDE TO THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

12 HABITS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST By PATRICK MORLEY

Moody Publishers

Copyright © 2007 Patrick Morley

All right reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-7551-0 

Jeremy Camp's Testimony

Yesterday, I referenced Jeremy Camp's personal testimony in my sermon yesterday. Here is his story:

Mehdi Dibaj

In today's sermon, I told the story of Mehdi Dibaj. What an incredible story of one caught between two worlds. Mehdi Dibaj’s Final Testament is an extraordinary document. After spending nine years in an Iranian prison on the charge of apostasy, he was eventually tried before the Islamic courts in December 1993 where he gave this courageous defense below. While I read only a portion of his defense this morning, here is the entire statement. It is worth the read!

Due to pressure though from human rights groups, Mehdi Dibaj was released in early 1994. His freedom was short-lived. On June 24th he was returning from a retreat to celebrate his daughter’s birthday. He never arrived for the party and on July 5th the authorities found his murdered body.

In the holy name of God who is our life and existence.

With all humility I express my gratitude to the Judge of all heaven and earth for this precious opportunity, and with brokenness I wait upon the Lord to deliver me from this court trial according to His promises. I also beg the honoured members of the court present to listen with patience to my defence and with respect for the Name of the Lord.

I am a Christian, a sinner who believes Jesus has died for my sins on the cross and who by His resurrection and victory over death, has made me righteous in the presence of the Holy God. The true God speaks about this fact in His Holy Word, the Gospel. Jesus means Saviour, ‘because He will save His people from their sins.’ Jesus paid the penalty of our sins by His own blood and gave us a new life so that we can live for the glory of God by the help of the Holy Spirit and be like a dam against corruption, be a channel of blessing and healing, and be protected by the love of God.

In response to this kindness, He has asked me to deny myself and be His fully surrendered follower, and not fear people, even if they kill my body.

I have been charged with ‘Apostasy.’ The invisible God who knows our hearts has given assurance to us Christians that we are not among the apostates who will perish, but among the believers so we may save our lives. In Islamic law an apostates is one who does not believe in God, the prophets or the resurrection of the dead. We Christians believe in all three!

They say, ‘You were a Muslim and you have become a ‘Christian.’ No, for many years I had no religion. After searching and studying I accepted God’s call and I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to receive eternal life. People choose their religion, but a Christian is chosen by Christ. He says, ‘You have not chosen me but I have chosen you.’ From when? Before the foundation of the world. People say, ‘You were a Muslim from your birth.’ God says, ‘You were a Christian from the beginning.’ He states that He chose us thousands of years ago, even before the creation of the universe, so that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we may be His! A Christian means one who belongs to Jesus Christ.

The eternal God, who sees the end from the beginning and who has chosen me to belong to Him, knew from everlasting whose heart would be drawn to Him and who would be willing to sell their faith and eternity for a pot of porridge.

I would rather have the whole world against me, but know the Almighty God is with me; be called an apostate, but know I have the approval of the God of glory.

The Almighty God will raise up anyone He chooses and bring down others; accept some and reject others; send some to heaven and others to hell. Now because God does whatever He desires, who can separate us from the love of God? Or who can destroy the relationship between the creator and the creature.

Our refuge is the mercy seat of God who is exalted from the beginning. I know in whom I have believed, and He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him to the end, until I reach the Kingdom of God, the place where the righteous shine like the sun, but where the evil doers will receive their punishment in hell fire.

They tell me, ‘Return!’ But from the arms of my God, who can I return to? Is it right to accept what people are saying instead of obeying the Word of God? It is now 45 years that I am walking with the God of miracles, and His kindness upon me is like a shadow and I owe Him much for His fatherly love and concern.

The love of Jesus has filled all my being and I feel the warmth of His love in every part of my body. God, who is my glory and honour and protector, has put His seal of approval upon me through His unsparing blessings and miracles. The good and kind God reproves and punishes all those whom He loves. He tests them in preparation for heaven. The God of Daniel, who protected His friends in the fiery furnace, has protected me for nine years in prison and all the bad happenings have turned out for our good and gain, so much so that I am filled overflowing with joy and thankfulness.

The God of Job has tested my faith and commitment in order to strengthen my patience and faithfulness. During those nine years He has freed me from all my responsibilities so that under the protection of His blessed Name I would spend my time in prayer and study of His Word, with heart searching and brokenness, and grow in the knowledge of my Lord. I praise the Lord for this unique opportunity. ‘You gave me space in my confinement, my difficult hardships brought healing and your kindness revived me.’ Oh what great blessings God has in store for those who fear Him!

They object to my evangelising. But, ‘If you find a blind person near a well and keep silent then you have sinned’ [a Persian proverb]. It is our religious duty, as long as the door of God’s mercy is open, to convince evil-doers to turn from their sinful ways and find refuge in Him in order to be saved from the wrath of a Righteous God and from the coming dreadful punishment.

Jesus Christ says, ‘I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved.’ ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’ Among the prophets of God, only Jesus Christ rose from the dead and He is our living intercessor forever.

He is our Saviour and He is the Son of God. To know Him means to know eternal life. I, a useless sinner, have believed in His beloved person and all His words and miracles recorded in the Gospel, and I have committed my life into His hands. Life for me is an opportunity to serve Him, and death is a better opportunity to be with Christ. Therefore I am not only satisfied to be in prison for the honour of His Holy Name, but am ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus my Lord and enter His kingdom sooner, the place where the elect of God enter everlasting life, but the wicked to eternal damnation.

May the shadow of God’s kindness and His hand of blessing and healing be upon you and remain for ever. Amen.

With Respect,

Your Christian prisoner.

Mehdi Dibaj

There Will Be a Day!

Tomorrow, we will conclude our worship service (Lord willing) with a song by Jeremy Camp. The song is titled: "There Will Be a Day" (iTunes link here). It speaks of the day we are with Jesus and all tears are wiped away. Camp knows the tears of life. His first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning, died of ovarian cancer one year after they were married. She was 21 and he was 23.

While on earth, we do experience suffering in our bodies, but THERE WILL BE A DAY for every believer when all this is in the past and we are whole and at home with Jesus! Listen to Jeremy Camp share a devotional in the video below based on his song .

America Can Celebrate!

I have been reading "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. 

In this book Goodwin tells the story of Abraham Lincoln and his chief rivals who became his good friends. The theme of their development as leaders in America surrounded the issue of slavery. 

Many of the stories of how people of color were treated in our nation were hard to read. The bigotry, anger, and cruelty of 19th century America toward African-Americans is not easy to digest. Over my 40+ years on planet earth, I have all too often run into people who have deep hate for others merely because of race. 

Tonight I celebrate that our nation has come to the point we have elected a man who 150 years ago would be considered nothing more than property by some Americans. Wow! What a good thing it is that we have come this far as a country!

I am proud to be an American!

Vote!

Just a friendly reminder to enjoy the right and privilege we have as citizens of the great experiment of self-governance we like to call the "United States of America" - Go VOTE on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

Many who take their vote for granted would be very upset if it were taken away. Not sure why they don't then embrace this special privilege as Americans and go vote. Don't take your vote for granted!

VOTE!

Happy 40th Birthday Lesli!

I waited a day to mention that my wife celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. Why wait? Knowing Lesli, I did not think she would want a thousand people stopping her this morning at church and giving her birthday wishes. But, Happy Birthday Lesli!

Lesli and I went to the Broadway show "Wicked" at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood yesterday afternoon (a nice Saturday afternoon matinee). Afterwards we had dinner together and then headed home. The kids enjoyed the day with friends.

It was a nice birthday. No black balloons or anything like that! Just us - enjoying the special day!

By the way, "Wicked" which is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz was just incredible! Check out the Wikipedia reference here.

Stop Daylight Savings Time!?

Tonight as we go to bed, we will turn our clocks back an hour. My home state of Indiana just joined the rest of the nation in utilizing Daylight Savings Time (DST). When I was growing up in Northern Indiana, we did not spring forward or fall back. We simply let the sun adjust and we adjusted to the sun.

When I went off to college in West Virginia, I had to get accustomed to this idea of changing my clock twice a year. It was weird to make the change. Now, I am use to it.

But as the clip below shows, not everyone was in favor of the DST idea back in the day. This is an actual clip of an advertisement during a drive-in movie theatre intermission. Check it out and don't forget to move your clock back tonight even if you are against it. You have to live in the real world you know!

Monster Mash

One of my favorite songs from the 60's is the song "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett entitled "Monster Mash." Wikipedia has some great information about the origins of this song. Pickett was just messing around and after some prodding from a friend developed this song that is just a lot of fun. Here is the song with some old Disney cartoon clips. Enjoy!

Get at iTunes here.

What a Team!

Well the Phillies won the World Series! That's my team! Way to go!

You might be curious as to how I can claim the Philadelphia Phillies as "my team." Well, Lesli and I did live in the Philadelphia area for about 3 years when we were first married. We attended several games at Veterans Stadium each year. Have we followed them closely since then? No, but now that they have won the world series, they are "my team." Notice I even left Lesli out and said "my team" rather than "our team." Amazing, when someone wins who is on and who is not on the team.

While many Phillies fans would question the legitimacy of my calling their beloved team "my team," yesterday I was warmly welcomed to the team of servants here at Calvary. Almost monthly, the employees of Calvary have a staff development day. Generally a couple of hours (including lunch) are spent refreshing, retooling, and refocussing together on the task of serving Christ together in the this place.

Yesterday was my first staff development day. Wow! What a great time! The staff gave me a welcome to California basket that included a nice "california shirt," some great jackets from Oaks Christian School, chap stick and lotion (since the air is so dry), and a compass and maps (for when I lose my way). They were so kind.

God has put together talented people in every department. Whether they work in support services or a specific ministry division each person here is passionate about using their gifts and talents to advance the Gospel. Calvary Community Church is blessed to have such a talented and tender group of servants working here on a daily basis! What a joy to be a part of this team!

On a day when the Phillies might not claim me, I am so glad the team at Calvary has welcomed me so graciously!

Tip of the Iceberg

As I followed God's call to serve Him at Calvary Community Church, there were many unknowns. I explored as much about the church as I could from the East, but there were many things I simply had to accept at face value. I could only see the tip of the iceberg. While an iceberg is often a negative reference in terms of impending danger, I am using it in the general way. I find iceberg's fascinating. They have a small tip that protrudes above the surface of the water. This tip can misrepresent what lies deep below the surface. Often the vast majority of the iceberg, its shape, and composition cannot be seen from the surface level.

Projects, people, opportunities, and organizations, like icebergs, can be looked at intensely for long periods of time and you may only see the surface reality. What you discover when you start analyzing what's below the surface can often change your assessment.

Even though the whole process and dialogue about my coming to Calvary was as thorough as it could be, it still only provided a "tip of the iceberg" perspective. The elders, staff, and search team attempted to be as informative and as open as they could be about who Calvary was, where it had come from, and how it was positioned for the future. But, until a leader is on site, actively engaged in leadership,  he or she cannot know what lies below the surface. How deep is the organization? How healthy are the ministries? How motivated and mobilized are the people? How aligned are the various groups within the body? All these kinds of questions can only be answered at a surface level until a leader has settled into the saddle a bit.

After six weeks of service here, I am so excited to report that Calvary Community Church just gets better the deeper below the surface I go. Is it a perfect place with no problems or issues? No (after all I am here and I brought my own set of issues and problems with me). But, the health, strength, depth, passion, focus, unity, energy, breadth, and heart of Calvary below the surface is even greater than what I discovered above the surface. My early assessments of the "tip of the iceberg" have proven to be confirmed by the rest of the iceberg below the surface!

So what? What difference does it make?

Since the Church has a basic health deep down, that means we will not need to spend a great deal of energy realigning, reestablishing, reorganizing, reframing, or restarting stuff. We can jump in together and see people come to Jesus, see them get grounded and growing, see them live lives pleasing to the Lord, and see them telling others about Jesus. To me it means God is about to take Calvary into a wonderful season of ministry to the people of the Conejo valley and the world - no time wasted on major organizational adjustments! God is about to do some great stuff and we get to be a part of it! It means that together we get to see real lives changed through power of Jesus Christ!

No Jacket Yet!

While for Southern Californians this may seem normal, I have not yet needed a jacket during the autumn days here in  the Greater Conejo Valley area. The temperatures have not yet demanded it. While it can be somewhat cool in the evenings, at night, and in the early mornings, the bulk of the day is sunny, warm, and around 80 degrees (mostly over 80). This seems so strange for a guy who was raised in Northern Indiana - far different from Southern California.

Where my dad lives (Elkhart, Indiana), the weather forecasts for yesterday and today both predicted a 50% chance of rain or snow with highs both days of 39 degrees. Where I live (Simi Valley, CA), the weather forecasts for yesterday and today both predicted 100% chance of sunshine with highs both days of 85 degrees. Big difference!

My guess is that my relatives in Indiana are wearing jackets and more than likely winter coats. Me, I haven't needed a jacket yet during the daytime and maybe twice have I put one on in the evening (when we were going to Oaks Christian School friday night football games - then I didn't need them).

This change of weather from what I grew up with in Indiana and experienced when Lesli and I lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia is so very hard to adapt to. It is just awful!

Please note the sarcasm! And, note that as I write this I am not wearing a jacket!

Like a Bear (or Tiger) Hug

Lesli and I have enjoyed our opportunity to meet many of the people who make up the community of believers here at Calvary. Every Sunday and Monday in October (that makes eight) we have met with around 60 people for a relaxed time of introductions and questions . The last one occurred this evening. These have been incredible for us! 

We have deeply appreciated the chance to get to know the flock better. They have been like a congregational bear hug (not a tiger hug - no symbolism with the photo - I just thought it was funny and couldn't find a good bear hugging a guy picture). Anyway, if you were able to attend one of these, thank you. You really helped me get a better understanding of the Calvary family.

I have walked away from all eight receptions with several basic observations (not in any order):

• There is great unity in the body about "making much of Jesus"
• Many married couples met at Calvary (at least 1 - usually 2 or 3 - at each reception)
• People love it when the services draw them into worship
• Larry and Becky DeWitt (founding pastor and his wife) are dearly loved
• My desire to meet and get to know Larry has blessed many - seemed so natural to me
• People are hungry to hear the Word of God taught in a practical way
• Many are interested in what the new pastor's vision for Calvary is
• There is a passion for a healing among those who have left Calvary in the past few months
• The Elders, Ministry Staff, and Congregation are all on the same basic page
• People are enthusiastic about their areas of ministry and using their gifts and talents for the Lord's glory
• Small group connections have kept many people deeply connected to Calvary during the interim
• The church family wants God's best for the Pastor and his family
• Calvary Community Church cares about people in the world and our area who are hurting in life
• The Calvary body values efforts which strengthen marriages and families
• Children and Student ministries are critically important
• The church wants to reach out beyond the walls to the community and the world
• Whether people have been at Calvary for decades, years, or months they show up to support what God is doing in their church family

The New Adventures of the Thornton Kids - Part 2

Megan went on a trip with her class this week. On Thursday, the same day Jon got back, her 4th grade class from Hillcrest Christian School, went to the Santa Barbara Mission. She loved it. The next day, I drove her to school and she could not stop talking about all the beauty and history of this church built in the 1780's. She talked about the panoramic views and how neat it was for her to see this place her class had just studied as a part of California History (check out the video clip below).

While compared to the trips of her siblings, her trip was the shortest distance (about 45-55 minutes from her school) and took the least amount of time (1 day), to her, it was as impressive as a trip to the Pali Institute or down the Colorado River.

She bought each of us a small gift from the mission gift shop. Lesli, Katie, Jon, and Megan got trinket souvenirs. She couldn't decide what to bring me. Remember this is a working Catholic Parish. She found a small pamphlet size book of prayers and got it for me. On our way to school the next day she told me she couldn't decide if I would like it more than the other thing she almost got me. I asked what the other thing was. She said it was a special tube of "Holy Water - whatever that is." She went on and said: "I know you like prayer things and holy things." Well, she is right. I will keep and treasure the Catholic prayer book simply because Megan knew I like to pray. 

She loved the trip so much she wants us to go visit the mission as a family sometime. We will. Anyway, she had a blast.

The New Adventures of the Thornton Kids - Part 1

A couple of weeks ago Katie went off to Pali Institute Science Camp. All of the 7th graders at Oaks Christian School loaded buses and spent a couple of days learning, playing games, and developing relationships through trust building activities. Pali describes itself on its own website: "Pali Institute is an outdoor education and science camp facility situation in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains, minutes from Lake Arrowhead and 90 minutes from Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties."

Katie came back a bit car sick from the ride, but enthusiastically showed us a DVD that each student got which captured their week in video snippets. She gave us the names of many kids as they came on the screen and told us what happened during each event. She had a blast (except for the bus ride, oh the camp thing, and they didn't get to take enough showers).

This past week, Jon went with his 9th grade class at Oaks on a 4 day/3 night canoe trip down the Colorado River along the Arizona - California border. Led by naturalists, they camped out each night at predetermined spots. These campsites were primitive places to simply pitch tents and visit rough outhouses. No showers, beds, air conditioning, or television could be found anywhere along the trip. He had several different canoe partners. He said the landscape was beautiful (he saw several views like the picture above).

Jon described the details of the class' excursion with a lot of funny stories. He couldn't stop talking about the cool things they saw and did. After four days without a shower and four days of a lot of paddling (not that he got in any trouble - you know, paddling - like rowing), as soon as I picked him up Thursday night, he bragged about how awful he and his stuff smelled and how buff and tan he must have gotten from the trip. He had a blast!

Tomorrow... Part 2 will talk about Megan's excursion with her class.

Can't Get This Chorus Out of My Head Today

All day today, I have been singing a chorus to myself. It is a Rich Mullins song entitled Sometimes by Step. When a tune gets caught in my head, often Lesli will do anything to distract me with another one. I hum the same part over and over again. I think that can be annoying to others. But today, I kept it to myself and she never heard me or tried to hum another song to get me off my repetitive tune. Anyway, this song (especially the chorus) was a blessing to me throughout the day.

The lyrics are below and you can click on the song title above to locate it on iTunes.

CHORUS:

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days 

Boys Will Be Boys

Thought I would simply share a smile today. Enjoy the story below:

After a hearty rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her kitchen window.

The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole. As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, mother ran to the yard in a panic.

'Why on earth did you do that to your little brother?!' she asks as she shook the older boy in anger.

'We were just playing 'church' mommy, ' he said.

'And I was just baptizing him.....in the name of the Father, the Son and in....the hole-he-goes.'

To All The Saints at Bible Center

As I have studied Philippians chapter one over the past few weeks, I cannot help being grateful for, affectionate toward, and praying for the believers at Bible Center Church in Charleston, WV. Below is Philippians 1:3-11 from the New Living Translation. As Paul addresses all the saints at Philippi (verse 1) from his heart, this passage expresses my heart and hope for all the saints at Bible Center.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God.... God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Thanking God for Three New Friends

While praying today, I thanked God for three men. A year ago, I did not know any one of them. On Sunday, they each became very special to me. Sunday Calvary Community Church hosted an Installation Service for me in the afternoon. With my input, the leadership asked three pastors from the area to each give me a brief challenge.

The three men were: Larry DeWitt (founding pastor of Calvary), Doug Posey (Senior Pastor of Living Oaks Community Church in Thousand Oaks), and Francis Chan (Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley). 

Lesli and I met Larry and Becky DeWitt on one of our early trips to Calvary. Larry served as the Senior Pastor of Calvary until about five years ago. He "retired" from the ministry here after almost three decades of service to Christ. I purposely put the word "retired" (I did it again) in quotes because if you know Larry, he will never "retire." What a blessing and encouragement he has been to me. He exudes a genuine, infectious passion for Christ I do not think I have ever experienced this kind of passion in one person (and I doubt I will ever experience this passion from one person again in my lifetime). 

His charge to me was to "make much of Jesus." I heard this phrase from him when we first met and instantly connected to it and to him and Becky. They are such great cheerleaders of Calvary and of Lesli and me. As I thanked God for Larry this morning, I asked God to never let me lose the passion Larry brought to Calvary in "making much of Jesus!"

Doug Posey, Curtis Johnson (Executive Pastor at Calvary), and I had lunch a couple of weeks ago. Doug and his wife, Wendy, were a part of the calvary family for a decade and a half. Doug served on staff as a pastor for the vast majority of that time. Four years ago, the Elders of Calvary supported Doug in launching a new church at the other end of the Conejo Valley. 

Before I arrived here, many of the leaders and members of Calvary bragged (properly so) about Doug, Living Oaks Community Church and what he has meant to this church family over the years. Doug is so tall he has to duck as he comes through the doorway of most rooms. As we had lunch together, I found him to be a gentle giant. A man committed to God's truth and living it out in grace. His charge to me at the installation service was from Second Timothy chapter 4: "Preach the Word." From what I have learned by chatting with Doug and what I know of his reputation as a pastor, He embodies this thrust personally and professionally. So, today, I thanked God for Doug and the authentic challenge he shared to stick to the Word when it is popular and when it is not popular. 

Francis Chan and I met the first Sunday the Thorntons lived in California. It was September 14th and we had arrived two days earlier. Calvary was saying good-bye to interim teaching pastor Gordon Kirk that Sunday so we did not want to disrupt that special time. We visited Cornerstone Community Church where Francis serves as Pastor. Prior to the service, I introduced myself to him and thanked him for the input he had given the leadership at Calvary regarding their search for a Senior Pastor. Calvary's leadership has great respect for Francis and Cornerstone. They are also proud of Francis' wife, Lisa, who grew up as a part of the Calvary family. 

The elders had shared with me how Francis had met with them this summer and encouraged them to look first and foremost for a godly man to lead Calvary - not just someone with a certain skill-set. His words to them and prayer with them had been referenced often in my discussions with the Board about coming here as Senior Pastor. While Francis and I have not yet had an opportunity to sit down and chat, he was a perfect fit for me and Calvary in terms of challenging me Sunday afternoon about maintaining my walk with the Lord and pursuing His holiness. His challenge was simply: "Be a godly man." Just after having been in one worship service at Cornerstone, I know Frances is an unwavering preacher of the Word. He is clearly one who makes much of Jesus. So, to hear this man (who is younger than I) tell me to be first and foremost a godly man was truly a challenge and a blessing. I thanked God, today, for this new friend and the focus he has already stirred afresh in my life and ministry.

I thank God for these three new friends and co-workers. May God help me to be a godly man, to preach the Word, and to make much of Jesus!

Momma Scolds Horse

Katie started a six week study of Mandarin Chinese today. As a 7th grader at Oaks Christian School, she is required to take Spanish, Chinese, Latin, and French. The school calls this course the "Language Wheel." Each seventh grade student studies one of these languages for nine weeks and then they all rotate to a new teacher and a new language for the next nine weeks. This gives each student the opportunity to discover the language that interests them and prepares them to pick which language they will take in High School (four years of one of these languages is required to graduate from Oaks).

Katie enjoyed her six weeks in Spanish and really liked the Spanish teacher (she started at Oaks about 3 weeks late so her Spanish session was shortened). Today, she came home and said that on this first day of Mandarin Chinese she learned to say "momma scolds horse." Seemed a bit odd to begin with such a phrase to me, but hey, I don't know one word of Chinese - let alone teach it. It would seem you would teach students how to say things like "good morning" or "how are you today." Again, that's just me.

The teacher taught them these three words to explain about the tonal inflections that make Mandarin so distinct from other languages. These words each demonstrate the various tonal ranges used. Well, that makes sense. I guess the teacher knows best.

Katie loved it. She eats this kind of stuff up. Now she wants to take Spanish for one year (her eighth grade year) and then take Chinese in high school. We will see if that sticks as the plan, but for now, she can sort of say "momma scolds horse."

We are so proud of her and we hope that if we need to rely upon her language skills to communicate to Chinese people, Lesli is scolding a horse at the time.  

(Re)Joy - Embracing Life Without Being Silly

Life can be hard. Life can be lonely. Life can be overwhelming.

How do you smile in the middle of life? How do you find joy while facing tough stuff? How do you embrace what you are going through without getting too serious or too silly? Where is the balance? What is the source of such balance?

Today, we begin a new series of messages at Calvary Community Church entitled: "(Re)Joy - Embracing life without being silly." The Apostle Paul writes from a prison cell. Not because of some horrific crime is he sitting in a Roman jail with the constant companionship of Roman guards. No, he is there because he told everyone he could about a man named Jesus and how He changes lives for the better. He is in prison for doing good stuff, for doing God's work.

How can he explain to some people who are special to him about joy from a prison?

Join us on this journey through Paul's letter to the church at Philippi and find out how Paul finds the balance of joy!

Still Amazed He Would Wash Their Feet

Today, I spoke at a conference in San Antonio, Texas about the passage in John 13 where Jesus washed the disciples feet. The theme of the conference was "Be a Servant." To me there is no greater example of servanthood than that of the entire life of Christ and no greater image of what that life meant in summary than Jesus stooping to wash the grimy feet of his closest followers.

In a matter of hours he would be beaten, abused, mocked, rejected, and crucified. He knew that. Yet, he taught them such a valuable lesson about life, people, and our mission. In Mark He summarized His whole purpose for coming to earth by saying "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many" (10:45). Oh that I was that kind of servant. Totally, dedicated to others in life and death!

Friday, I stopped by a Christian Bookstore and saw this statue. What a simple scene, but what a profound challenge - "Be a Servant!" As I communicate the Word at Calvary tomorrow, it is my deepest passion to reflect to the body gathered the very image of Christ - the servant.

Remember the Alamo

This Saturday I am speaking at an Awana Clubs Conference in Texas. So, today I am in San Antonio. I spent a few hours wandering around the downtown area. The River Walk and the Alamo were great sites to visit. Boy, do I wish Lesli had come with me on this quick trip (I fly back to CA Saturday afternoon). The River Walk is an incredibly beautiful and romantic area.

I had forgotten a great deal of the story behind the Alamo. So, it was fun to "remember the Alamo." Again, Lesli would have been a great touring partner there because she would have seen things I did not see or notice. These kinds of historic places are better when seen through multiple eyes - not just your own. 

As I moved through each area of the Alamo, I could not help but picture the people who once inhabited the place. One room in particular had a sign indicating that it had been the hiding place for the women and children who were trapped in the siege and battle of 1836. It was not a large or fancy room. I could imagine the fear and uncertainty that filled that space. When in historic spots, I try to remember that real human beings experienced the setting in real life. They were not mythical beings. They were people just like we are!

I think I will "remember the Alamo." 

Herding Cats

Today, I was sitting in the Long Beach Airport. I overheard a couple of guys sitting next to me talking about leadership. They were having both a philosophical and practical discussion about what leadership is and what it isn't. One of them kept saying, "leadership is like herding cats."

That made me think of my favorite clip regarding "Herding Cats." Enjoy!

Taking Silly String Seriously

While preparing for a new series of messages on the book of Philippians, I was googling images that might represent some of my thoughts. My research was not intended to help with presentation graphics (we have such a great creative arts team that I wouldn't even try). For me images often help me grasp abstract concepts.

Since the theme of Philippians is joy and Paul writes about it from prison, I wanted to get an image that was serious about life but having a whole lot of fun at the same time. Words like "joy," "silly," "fun," and "laugh" seemed to be the best to google. Then, I decided to search the two extreme words of "serious" and "silly" - just to see what would happen. Well, the photo above was the result of a google image search. A little research revealed that this is an Los Angeles Municipal Code for Hollywood. 

Obviously Los Angeles takes the Halloween usage of Silly String very seriously! Maybe this image will make a good illustration at some point in our study!

Fires Have Many Effects

Death and destruction are the worst of the brush fire results. People's lives are forever changed. Beyond other obvious inconveniences like air quality and smoke, I have learned that fires in Southern California can reek havoc in many other ways as well. Sometimes these problems cause you to learn new things. At least Lesli and I learned a few things! 

On Monday when the 118 freeway closed completely to the South of Simi Valley, traffic on the 101 over in Westlake Village was a mess. Getting home at the end of the day was a challenge. Lesli and I needed to get back to the church in the evening for one of the receptions Calvary is hosting this month to welcome us. But, by the time we needed to leave, our main routes to the church (the 23 and the 101) were at a stand still. This has not been the norm for us. While traffic has gotten thick, it has never been at a stand still (even at rush hour). Not until Monday evening!

Fortunately, we got a call from the church office suggesting we come to the church via "surface roads" rather than the freeways. We had no idea there was another way. We went on the "surface roads" and made great time. We found shopping plazas, restaurants, and housing communities we had heard of but had not yet discovered. The route flows well and is beautiful. While most of the fires' results are terrible, the havoc they can cause can force you to learn some new stuff - at least Lesli and I did.

The Four Seasons

Tonight, Lesli and I attended the 4th of eight receptions to welcome us to Calvary Community Church. Bill Rehwald, an elder, introduced us by reviewing the fours seasons of Southern California: 1) earthquakes, 2) sunshine, 3) mudslides, and 4) fire. He joked about how the Thornton family has experienced three of the major seasons. Mudslides are the only season yet for us to experience.

Today the reality of the infamous SoCal brush fires became obvious to us. Traffic was backed up on the 101 and the 23 freeways (since the 118 was closed). Smoke was so thick from the major fire about 10 miles from the church and somewhat closer to our house that fire alarms went off at the church and Jon and Katie's school. Ash fell from the sky like scattered snowflakes. The smoke created an eerie yellow affect to the sky and daylight around noon. 

All this was caused by dry conditions and by strong Santa Ana winds. These winds are strange to someone from the east. Skies are blue (until the smoke moves in) and wind gusts like a major thunderstorm blow through. A very unusual occurrence when you are accustomed to storm clouds forming along with such winds.

Everyone we ran into throughout the day today simply said: "Well, welcome to Southern California!" 

One of the great things to observe involved a sister church to Calvary. Shepherd of the Hills, a strong Evangelical church near the main fire has had a tremendous testimony as the main evacuation center for families. What a refreshing demonstration of the kindness of Christ in this tough season!  

Trust His Heart - Lyrics & iTunes Link

I concluded today's sermon with the lyrics from a song recorded by Gospel singer Babbie Mason. Entitled "Trust His Heart," the song encourages the followers of Christ to rely upon the sovereign, loving heart of the Savior when they cannot see the evidence of His hand in their lives.

After the death of their brother Lazarus, Mary and Martha could not see what God was doing in working out His eternal plan through their lives. Jesus demonstrated how worthy He is of His followers' trust in raising Lazarus from the dead! When you cannot see what He is doing, trust His heart!

Many asked me about where they could get the lyrics and the recording of this powerful song. So, the lyrics are found below and here is the link to Babbie Mason's song on iTunes: CLICK HERE.

Trust His Heart
All things work for the good
Though sometimes we can't
See how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just can't see him,
Remember He's still on the throne

Chorus:

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see his plan
When you can't trace his hand
Trust His Heart

He sees the master plan
He holds the future in his hand,
Don't live as those who have no hope,
While our hope is found in him.
We see the present clearly
But he sees the first and last
And like a tapestry He's weaving you and me,
To someday be just like him

(Chorus)

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

(Chorus)

When you can't trace his hand
When you don't see his plan
When you don't understand
Trust His Heart

What I Watch to Relax

Yesterday, I shared with you what I am currently reading to kick back a bit. One of the other things I enjoy is laughing - laughing while watching old TV sitcoms is especially fun. My DVR records a couple of old sitcoms every day. From time to time, I sit down and watch an episode or two.

This week I watched a couple of old The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart episodes. He is so very funny!

I also watched an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies entitled Getting Settled. The youtube clip of the funniest part of this episode is above. The clip includes two great scenes: 1) the Clampetts can't figure out why it is that every time music chimes someone comes to the door, and 2) Jed Clampett invests in stock. Jethro chases the music. Mr. Drysdale encourages Jed to invest some of his fortune in stock. Problems emerge in the difference between what a banker thinks stock is and what a farmer from the hills thinks stock is.

Just click and enjoy the clip. It might be good for some of us to relax and laugh a bit regarding stocks - after a week where the stock market dipped 18%!

What I'm Reading to Relax

Most of my "professional" reading centers around these themes: Bible, theology, Christian life, ministry, leadership, etc. I like to read books outside these themes to simply relax. Fiction is not my favorite. Biographies of historic American figures are what I enjoy most for casual reading. Right now, I am reading "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by presidential biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin.

At nearly a thousand pages, the author spent ten years researching and writing this great book. While I have read several other biographies about Lincoln and his leadership, this book has a unique perspective. Goodwin writes about Lincoln through the eyes of those who were closest to him during his presidency - five men who were at one time some of Lincoln's staunchest rivals. Three of them (Steward, Chase, and Bates) were ahead of Lincoln as the presidential favorite at the 1860 Republican convention. In many ways, he subtly positioned himself to be the alternative choice to these favorites - and it worked.

Lincoln would later include all of his major rivals in his cabinet. Men who had once said awful things about him would come to love and admire him so much as they watched him govern that they were emotionally, personally, and professionally devastated by his assassination more than most.

What Lincoln did in developing his "Team of Rivals" was as unheard of in 19th century politics as it would be today. Imagine Barack Obama getting elected President and appointing John McCain Defense Secretary, Sarah Palin Energy Secretary, Hillary Clinton Secretary of Health and Human Services, Bill Richardson Secretary of State, Mitt Romney Commerce Secretary, and Mike Huckabee Attorney General. That is the kind of cabinet of advisors Lincoln built with his "Team of Rivals."

I am enjoying reading the mini biographies of the major rivals Goodwin includes. She does a great job painting portraits of their families, personalities, successes, and struggles. As you understand these various life stories, you understand how they intersected, influenced, and were affected by Abraham Lincoln. Great stuff! Only seven hundred pages to go!

Anyway, that's what I am reading.

 

Lawn and Garden Services (Times Two)

As we settle into our new home, there is much to be done. Some of it I can do. Some of it will require professionals. Then there are those things that for the time being I might hire others to do until I settle into a pattern. Lawn and garden care fits this last category. Right now, I do not have a mower and right now I have foliage which is out of control.

Since our house was a foreclosure and sat empty for almost two years, the gardens around the house (while beautiful) have gotten overgrown. They need some attention. So, I contacted the man who mows and manages the flowers, shrubs and trees for about a half hour a week next door to us. He comes every Monday and does a good job for a very reasonable price.

So I called him and we chatted about him spending a half hour a week getting my lawn and plants back in shape. I would take over once everything was cleaned up. Great conversation and an incredible price. Then he called me. Or, so I thought he called me back. It turns out that the two phone calls were two different gardeners offering their services for a few months at an unbelievable rate. Unintentionally, I hired both (thinking I was hiring one).

Both men are hard workers and keep several yards looking great in our neighborhood. Both are hispanic and speak little English. Since I speak very little Spanish, I must have miscommunicated with both of them. So I called and left a message with each (after they both showed up in the same week). My message suggested I needed to talk to them because I had accidently hired two gardeners. I thought that would straighten things out. Boy was I wrong!

This week neither showed up!

God's Son Was Close to Him

Live on national radio a young man named Logan summarized the love of God in sending His Son better than most adults can summarize God's grace. While unpacking some stuff in my office today, I came across the DVD version of the exchange between the radio host "Mike" and the young man named "Logan." 

The sincerity, simplicity and genuineness of Logan's words capture how lovingly sacrificial God's act of redemption was for you and for me.

I would urge you to listen to the two and a half minute clip. Let the sweet spirit of this young guy speak to you today!

Click here for the clip of Logan.