The Numbers Game

It has been a while since I've blogged on this blogspot, but I will try to get back and blog about (perhaps) less profound topics. It's just how my mind works. And as a writer, creativity comes to me in spurts. I have had a dry spell for a while, probably because I have had issues in my personal life I've had to deal with. But by God's mercy and grace, I hope and pray my creativity well gets filled up again. Like this drought in California, there were some little storms to fill the reservoirs with water, but just in little spurts.

Anyway, the thought I had to get my blog going again was the Church. Not necessarily my church I attend (I will explain in a moment), but the modern day American Church.

It has been a blessing to see NBC broadcast A.D. The Bible Continues. It is the story of how the Christian church was formed, as found in the book of Acts (to the Apostles) in your Bible. And if you read the book of Acts, God added to their numbers daily.

See, as you read Acts, they also give numbers. Acts 1:15 says, "In these days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)." Acts 2:41 says, "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their numbers that day."

Those were specific times where Luke gives numbers. Even after that, the Apostles heal crowds of people (in Jesus' name, of course... Acts 5:12-16.) And after Saul's conversion, (then) the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and were strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers(!)" (Acts 9:31)

What is the point I'm trying to make? God is in the numbers! Not the way corporate America is into the number of dollars, but the number of souls He chooses to touch and change for Christ's sake! There's even a book in the Bible called... (you guessed it) Numbers!

Often in American churches today, they're content to have their cozy clique-ish church. We see churches today segregated by culture, by race, by denomination, even by language. And that makes me sad.

I've heard Sunday mornings are the most segregated time in the week. It shouldn't have to be that way! Now I don't mean to boast (it has nothing to do with my personal efforts), but I believe God is blessing the church I serve at and attend because we don't put "limitations" on God. What do I mean by limitations? Well, there are churches (I've heard... and have personally experienced) that want a small church atmosphere. 

"We're family." Yes, but don't you want your family to grow? 

"But we are happy the way things are. We don't like changes!" I say "Yikes" to that mentality.

Growth means health. If you're not growing, you're dying!

Unfortunately, the American Church wants their comfort. Their safety. Their security in Christ. However real life is messy. It is totally uncomfortable. It is living on purpose for the Risen Lord and Savior!

My prayer for the American Church today is to get the passion for loving people back! As The Church of Christ, we need to love! Demonstrate that kind of love, act with love. Love on people, give lovingly to those who are hurting, burdened with life's normal problems. 

The Church should NOT be a place of judgement, nor condemnation. That's NOT our purpose! The Church of Jesus Christ needs to be a place of sanctuary, not the building is a sanctuary or museum! The Church is its people, characterized by the lovingkindness, passion for Christ and reaching people to discover Jesus in their personal journeys of faith!

That's why I love my church, Bayside. We have ministries for youth. We reach out into the community around us. We do missions work in Mexico and abroad. And we are passionate in worshipping God!

If you need to find a Bible believing church like Bayside, with passionate people like ours, make your comments here or on Facebook and I would be happy to send you resources in finding a church home for you. If you've never accepted Jesus into your life and would like to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, just say a simple prayer like this: "Dear God, please forgive me of all my sins. I have lived my life selfishly without You, Your love. Please come into my heart, as I need You in my life. I want to be more loving, like You. In Jesus' name, Amen!"

If you just prayed that prayer, welcome to the Kingdom of God! Comment here or on Facebook, and I will find a church for you as well!

My Personal Egypt

Well, in that last blog, which took a while to get through with the explanation of the Egypt metaphor, I mentioned we need to share our Egypt. I have told bits and pieces of it before to explain who I am (because definitely your past makes you who you are today). So I hardly ever post two blogs at the same time, here is my personal Egypt. I share this not out of guilt, but more shame. In fact, it may not be appropriate for kids under 13... that kind of PG-13 rating at the beginning. But I want to share this because I want this to be my biggest weapon against Satan, so he won't use it as a tool to hold me back in the past (as I stated in the previous blog).

Some of you know that I am a 50-something single male. And years ago, there was the movie, "40 Year Old Virgin". I was that, even to this day. Technically.

But when I was in my mid-twenties, I was doing okay. I met a cute girl at church, who I was serving in the Junior High ministry with. I liked her. And I thought she liked me. We went out a couple of times. I thought she would be "the one". But, little did I know, she was dating her BOSS! And they eventually got married. She didn't even have to change her name! I mean, she married a guy with the same last name! And those that have heard this story, that's when I said "two Wongs don't make it right"!

I could easily blame her and the other guy for that terrible chapter in my life! Something that I was an innocent party to. Often, that could be a part of your Egypt story: someone dumped you, cheated on you, abused you, or simply left you.

It devastated me to the point I didn't even date anybody after that for TEN years! Yeah, the prime of my life, wasted because I didn't want to feel rejection like I had.

But then there's more to the story. The part that gets... ashamed. Even as a Christian, I did it.

Well, working in health care, I have to deal with naked bodies. And I handle myself professionally when working with patients. But, I easily got into pornography. All I had to do is see a beautiful woman on the cover of a Playboy, and that was it. I was hooked. I love beautiful women! After all, they are God's creation! Right?

The problem was I was worshipping God's creation over God, the Creator! I was lusting over these beautiful women! And to make it even more disgusting, I got into the sex toys and the blow-up sex dolls. It was my way of dealing with the pain of dealing with a real woman!

Even in those Clinton years, Chief Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said masturbation was a good way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases! And this was when AIDS and HIV was coming out. It seemed like the safer route of dealing with these issues than dealing with a real woman!

But in my heart of hearts, I felt the shame. the guilt. The pain. The loneliness. It wasn't right. But being the insecure introverted nerd I was, that was my reality!

So, that's my personal Egypt. Out in the open. On the Internet, no less.

But now I have nothing to hide! God has forgiven me of my past and now that I have unloaded the guilt baggage off of me, I am set free!

God is love. He always was. And He still is! If you need that kind of love and forgiveness, come to Him now in prayer: "Holy Father God, forgive me for I am a sinner. Please take my past and make me new, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for ALL of my sins. Please cleanse me of my unrighteousness in my past. Make my future renewed in Your Almighty Love and Grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!"

If you just prayed that prayer, you are now a Child of God! You are forgiven and free from your past. Lay it ALL down at the feet of Jesus!

Blessings,
Garret

Progressive Faith

Happy New Year! As I write my blog on the first day of 2013, I know I have been changed in many ways. The journey of my life has brought me from critical cynicism to a growing faith. I have come from being judgmental into a more compassionate me. I came from living a nominal Christian life into one of burgeoning faith.

Living life out on the limb is not comfortable, by any means. And in many ways can be simply scary. But if you have a life of trusting in the Almighty God, that's real faith. Faith in a puny god results in puny faith. Abundant faith in an abundant God affords blessings. Really trusting in a God who Created the Universe can bring faith way beyond our wildest dreams. At least I believe so. And that's where I am today.

I have been hearing a new year brings a new chapter in our lives. Of course, in Day One of the new year, we will see how that really unfolds. However, I really want to trust in a God (yes, big "G") who can do anything.

The sovereign Lord is my strength... - Habakkuk 3:19a

I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

In fact, throughout scripture, God speaks about living by faith.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)

Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. - Galatians 2:16

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

Sarah Young, in her book, "Jesus Lives" writes (as Jesus speaking to us): "People settle for mediocrity because it feels comfortable. Meanwhile, they continue to battle fear. Only My Love is strong enough to break the hold that fear has on you.

"Recognize that you are on the threshold of a new adventure, and that I will be with you each step of the way. As we venture out together, cling tightly to My hand. The more you abandon yourself to Me, the more exuberantly you can experience My Love."

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

 The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

So I want to live out a bold faith where I need to fully trust my Holy God and Savior! I don't want to be a casual Christian (that's an old DeGarmo and Key song). But to live and trust in the Almighty, Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God He really is. That is progressive faith.

That is my resolution, if you want to call it that. I prefer to call it my life decision, because there's no reason to turn back. My pastor Ray Johnston always says, "may the rest of your life be the BEST of your life!"

Are you willing to surrender and trust the God of the Universe, the Creator and Sustainer of Life? All you need to do is say a simple prayer like this.

Holy Father God, please forgive me because I don't know what to do. I surrender my life to You. Please take my life and bless me with Your Holy Love. I love You and want to follow You. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Did you just pray that? If you did, welcome into the Family of God! Find a good Bible believing and teaching church to grow your faith and walk with Jesus, your Savior! Don't just settle for being accepted into Heaven, though that's the eternal promise given to believers and followers of Jesus. But to live a life of God's blessings, go out on that spiritual limb and trust in God. Fully.

Blessings,

Garret

Conflict Resolution?

Most of us know the recent events involving a national fast food chain and a special interest group. It created controversy, defamatory comments, untrue allegations, hundreds of thousands of people in the mix (myself included) and "taking sides". Well enough of being vague and speaking in generalized terms. Let me just put it out there: the LGBT community was outraged at Chick-fil-A for having a president who has Christian convictions. That's really it!

Think about it. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. You can't get chicken on a Sunday, a Sunday, a Sunday... at least at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. So what makes one think their no Sunday company policy would be any different than a typical Christian perspective that homosexuality is a sin? They just wanted to make a ruckus over their gay agenda (and it is a gay agenda that propagates "tolerance" through TV shows, movies and now restaurants)! And in doing so, they perpetuate lies about the Chick-fil-A company and restaurants.

First of all they say Chick-fil-A discriminates against homosexuals. The truth is that the official statement from the Chick-fil-A clarifies: The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena. 

Denny Burk

The other distorted fact is that they say Dan Cathy made an anti-gay marriage statement. But in the interview they were referring to he never uses words like "homosexuals" or "gay marriage". My source is the link: www.dennyburk.com/two-lies-about-chick-fil-a-perpetuated-in-the-media/ .

 So as the controversy continued, mayors of cities got caught in the mix. I heard of many mayors of cities that don't even have a Chick-fil-A restaurant not wanting them to build in their cities. The one that caught national attention was the mayor of Boston, made by the former Governor and Presidential candidate, now talk show host Mike Huckabee. That started the Chick-fil-A appreciation day on Wednesday August 1st.

Mike Huckabee

So on August 1st, hundreds of thousands of people went to their local Chick-fil-A restaurant. Well, perhaps the "closest" Chick-fil-A restaurant they could go to. I heard of a couple from Oregon come down to the Sacramento (or Elk Grove) Chick-fil-A.

Rick Warren

 

The scene at the Alta Arden (Sacramento) Chick-fil-A

Friday, August 3rd was to be the gay day where they staged "kiss-ins" at the Chick-fil-A restaurants. And thus dividing the debate, rather than coming to compassion between the groups and cooler heads prevailing. But I saw some people at the restaurant I was at with stickers saying: "I support equality in marriage AND freedom of speech". I think these supporters of the restaurant get the message. Although I was there to support the restaurant for their conviction of traditional marriage, I commend those that believe in true freedom.

"Our culture has accepted two lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means to agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." -- Rick Warren

I love what Pastor Rick Warren says here, because it is true. Because we are all human, we are all going to have our own opinions. In a room of ten people, there are going to be ten opinions. Like my Pastor, Ray Johnston says, "If the two of you both agree on everything, there is no need for one of you". What that means is no two people are going to agree on everything. That's why God created diversity.

Especially where there is much diversity in cultures, ethnicities, and even sexual orientation, (as we do have in Sacramento and throughout California) we have to RESPECT each other! We will never agree on everything. And that's what makes this country so great. We have to have the freedom to love, express ourselves and to be ourselves. Please respect each other, whether or not we love or even like each other.

I know they always proclaim freedom of the church and state! But as believers and followers of Christ, we need to love the sinner, hate the sin!

This quote from my pastor, which he posted on Facebook was eloquently put:

"As Americans we live in a diverse country which means... that there are going to be people that occasionally express an opinion different than yours. In my view that is a very good thing because it adds richness and tapestry to our culture. It becomes a bad thing when those disagreements are expressed in hostile ways. Immature people love to pour gas and enjoy watching the destruction. As a culture we need two things: (1) Strong convictions, and (2) Civility. Maturity is walking hand in hand when you don't see eye to eye."   -- Ray Johnston

Ray Johnston

Simply put, Ellen De Generes, who is openly gay always ends her talk show by saying, " Be kind to one another".

Or even simpler is the old saying by Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

 Love and respect is all I'm trying to propose here. We cannot be the hands and feet of Jesus if we're turning those who need Jesus the most away from the Truth of the Gospel.

Blessings,

Garret

Elen De Generes

Rodney King

Looking Upward

Coming off an incredible Christmas season, I was reminded that living a Christian life isn't about doing "holy" and "sacred" things. I have always prescribed to the notion that real Christianity is a relationship, not religion or rituals. Going to church wasn't about trying to be sanctified by walking through the doors. It was about building relationships with others.


For those who do not know me, I go to Bayside Church in Granite Bay, California. Our Senior Pastor, Ray Johnston always says "we're the church for people who don't like church". Perhaps that's the philosophy of the ministry and how we reach out to the community. But many of my friends (myself included) LOVE our church! 


Our Teaching Pastor, Curt Harlow says "we don't take ourselves very seriously, but we take God very seriously". What that means is, we like to have fun. We laugh, enjoy life and be authentic, real people. That's how we should live and be testimonies of God's grace and love.


Okay, to my point. This past Christmas, for our Christmas Eve services, we had the acclaimed runner-ups to the last season of America's Got Talent, the Silhouettes come and perform for our services. It turns out they are not a Christian group, but from a dance school in Denver, Colorado. They did a performance specially choreographed for our Christmas Eve services. It was a huge draw from all over the community and beyond. Each service was packed! And we had overflow rooms, yes, not just one overflow room, but TWO overflow rooms! We quickly added two more services (from 15 to 17), live streamed the services online, and even one of the local television stations, the Fox affiliate, Fox 40 broadcasted our service midnight Christmas morning and again at 9:00 AM Christmas day.

Just those at the campus, total attendance was a record 42,000 plus people for the services. Those who accepted Christ for the first time was a record 2,600 plus people! I heard the Fox broadcasts beat other Christmas services, like the typical St. Mark's cathedral mass. People were impacted for Christ and that was incredible to see God work through our church!


That's about building relationships with people in and around the community. That's showing God's love is real and a personal Christmas gift given to anyone who openly receives it. That's a horizontal relationship: relating to people at the person to person level.


But there's much more to this life besides just relating to each other. Sure, we need to show love towards everyone! But the key to having that awesome impact is the vertical relationship we have with the Holy Heavenly Father God! Without being plugged into the ultimate source of love and compassion that comes from the Father Himself, we could not and probably would not care to do such a thing!


God's love doesn't come only at Christmas. God doesn't only live at church. God's resources don't come out of some holy spigot and you have to do this and that in order to receive His blessings. No, all you need to do is come. Come and accept Jesus Christ as God's one and only Son, and Jesus will walk beside you. You will be given the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and guide you. And the Heavenly Father will love you as He sees His Son reflected in your life. That's the symbiotic vertical relationship I'm talking about.


Have you ever taken that step of faith and accept Jesus as your personal Savior? I've said before it takes more faith to be an atheist. Think about it. Would you rather believe life is random and subject to your circumstances based on some scientific evolution? Or would you put your trust and believe in a Higher Power that loves you, cares for you, and knows you personally?


Dear God, forgive me of all my sins. I doubt Your existence and Your power. But Your Word says that You love me. Please show me Your Holy unconditional love. Please help me to live my life according to Your Will. I come before You and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.


If you just prayed that prayer, welcome into the family of God! Find a Bible believing and Bible preaching church that lives out what they preach. You cannot live a Christian life on your own. You will need support and love from other like-minded believers. The Bible is God's Holy Word to us. Check it out! There's sex in the Bible. Really! And all kinds of things: the first murder, lying, cheating, adultery. And yet God still uses these people! Really! 


It's all about looking upward towards God. Don't look away. That's when things go downhill. Quite literally, in fact. If we keep our eyes and our thoughts on Jesus, then He will keep us by His side!


Oh, and the Silhouettes... they, along with some of their parents, all accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior because our church loved on them. And they're coming back to Bayside next Christmas Eve. That's building relationships horizontally. Amazing how love goes in all directions!


Blessings,
Garret