Are You A Slave?

Someone asked the question the other day. Do you consider yourself a slave of Jesus as Paul did in writing to the Corinthian church. Here is my reply.

Yes, I am a slave...a bond slave. The Lord Jesus has set me free from my chains of sin and given me complete liberty to choose a direction to walk. Like Peter I have to say, "Where else will I go Lord, You have the words of life." I have chosen to submit myself to Him now willingly. I have given up my right to make money...I have chosen to make some hard decisions and not to pursue money but to pursue relationships and to encourage others in their relationship with Jesus. I have suffered greatly in one sense because of these decisions, but I have also had the privilege of seeing God provide in ways that causes Him to receive glory and honor. If we never live our life fully trusting in Him, we never get to experience His provision. I we take control of our life and are able to do everything on our own where is the need for God? As a bond slave it is my Master that tells me what to do. I have to admit that at times it is very hard, but if I will pray and talk with Jesus He speaks the words that set me free and help me to do the right thing. Just the other day I was riding my bicycle home from the store. While I was riding I was telling God how hard life was for me and I was asking if all of the sacrifices are even worth it. I wasn't sure I was even making the right choices. As I was riding along and talking with Jesus I looked down and rode past a coin in the street. I turned around and picked up the quarter and the first words I read on the coin was, "In God We Trust". I knew immediately that God was asking me once again to trust Him. He was encouraging me to be like Peter and "choose" once again to trust Jesus. To choose to be a "living sacrifice". I will continue to be His bond slave because He has the power of life.

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I am always amazed at God's faithfulness when we step out to serve and touch people in love. Yesterday's trip downtown to give away clothing, first-aid supplies and personal hygiene items was such a great time of connecting. We had so many wonderful conversations, times of prayer and giving of practical aid. We can sense that the people there trust us and value the efforts we make to help out.

The theme that kept coming up all morning was to be faithful in the small things. This was a topic that others kept bringing up and it became obvious it was the theme of the day. We talked amongst the homeless about how the giveaway is just one small act of sacrifice and service...but if each one of us would live a life of sacrifice and serve the other God could literally use us to change the climate on the streets. Many of them had stories already of the small things that they are doing to help others on the streets. We talked about how Jesus is the example of true love, sacrifice and service and how he can give us strength through by His Holy Spirit.

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Patrick had a wonderful conversation with a gentleman during the giveaway who came to church today. Patrick is working hard to help meet some of his immediate needs and perhaps someone can come along side and help too.
During the giveaway Ralph came up and asked for prayer. When he was asked what he would like prayer for he responded that he wanted to give his life back to Jesus. He had become addicted to alcohol and let it push him away from Jesus. We prayed for him and then encouraged him to pour out his heart in prayer. He did and God heard from heaven I am sure. We encouraged him to not isolate and to connect with the family. Who knows, we may see him joining us soon.
Shortly after that we got to meet "Amanda" who is dying of cancer. She had visited Santa Barbara once before and when she was diagnosed she "came here to die." We listened to her story, prayed for healing and then bought her a round trip bus ticket to visit her 7 year old son in L.A. who she gave up to the foster care system. She will be back in Santa Barbara in a day or two and we are praying she will make good on her promise to visit us and be baptised. There was a sparkle in her eye as she left and was giving thanks to Jesus. She has a good friend on the streets who is a Christian and is working with her. Please pray for them.
After we had packed up a few of us were sitting around talking about the day when a group of college aged kids came up and asked us if we would like a free lunch. Turns out this crazy bunch of Jesus lovers were down there to provide a meal for the homeless. We went down and joined them for a wonderful meal, worship and fellowship. I was so encouraged to see these guys out there all on their own providing such a banquet. They had one of the homeless guys cooking the food they provided which was carne asada, sausages, pasta salad, tortillas and dessert. They had chicken in the cooler they were going to cook for dinner in a couple hours too! I was humbled as I stood in line with my friends who we just gave clothes to and was served by this gracious group of Jesus People.

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Keeping Our Focus

May 2009

Keeping Our Focus

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses

Surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance

And the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run

With endurance the race that is set before us,

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”

(Heb 12.1-2)

Turbulent Times

We are living in times of increasing storm winds of change, bringing fear and uncertainty to those around us. Economic crisis, climate change, natural disasters, violent conflicts that take a terrible toll—especially on women and children, breakdown of the family and relationships

leaving children subject to abandonment, abuse, and the tragic fallout that follows.

We witnessed a powerful declaration of the Redeeming Love of God from the fury of the

tempest in Tevis’ life this past Sunday. God reigns in the midst of the storm!

Refuge in the Storm

We have been called out as the Family of God to be a place of safety and restoration into the fullness of our true identity—a place of face to face personal transformation in the midst of the

tumult of an increasingly impersonal world. We need to remember who we are!

Our Core Values

Warm – Embracing all with God’s love, committed to cultivating deep friendships and small groups where we receive God’s heart and each other’s hearts—to be the family we need, and

the world around us needs!

Worship – Come early—to welcome newcomers and greet friends—with an undivided heart to experience the Presence of God that restores our souls, renews our vision, strengthens our

faith, and inspires fresh hope to run the race.

Word – Building our lives upon the rock that withstands every storm…The Word of God.

1^st Sunday – Marty, family communion service, Living out the Lord’s Prayer.

2d Sunday – Dan, Colossians, Newcomers, Specialty Coffee in the Courtyard.

3d Sunday – Fresh input of other voices, young and old.

4^th Sunday – Dan, Colossians, strengthening the foundations of the family of God.

Wind – Receiving the power of the Holy Spirit to love, heal, sustain, and transform.

World – Reaching out to all, especially those unlike us—those unfamiliar with God and His

ways—providing a way home to His heart and into His family.

Each of us are MVP’s: Most Valuable Players

M = Mission = Messengers of Heaven

V = Vision = Bringing Heaven to Earth

P = Purpose = Discovering Our Potential in Him—and helping others find theirs

Each of us has a sphere of influence no one else has, with a story no one else has.

Let’s let God use it to bring healing to hearts and to welcome His kids home!

National Vineyard Conference: Heroic Leadership in Times of Change

There were six keynote messages that were gripping:

• Paying any price to follow Jesus – Cherith Fee Nordling
• To reach our generation – Bert Waggoner, National Director
• By the Power of the Holy Spirit – Don Williams, Elder Emeritus in the Vineyard
• Moving beyond our comfort zones to reach our cities – Jay Pathak, Church Planter, CO
• Especially Our Children! – Wes Stafford, Director of Compassion International
• Ultimately to love our enemies – Sami Awad (Palestinian Christian) and Rich Nathan

Check out www.holylandtrust.org for Sami’s ministry in Palestine.

You can hear each of these outstanding messages at our National Website. Go to:

www.vineyardusa.org, click on “National Conference” at the top of the screen, and enjoy!

The Treasure of the Generations

For those of us approaching fifty or beyond, it is not time to “relax,” but to pray, to impart the legacy God has entrusted to us, to invest in and support those younger than us, and to

strengthen each other to run faithfully to the finish. Let’s finish well and strong.

For those of you in your 40’s, you are modeling and carrying primary leadership in our family in this season of your lives. We love you, are grateful beyond words, and pray for God’s strength

and vision as you provide such vital strength to our family.

For those of you in your 20’s and 30’s, it’s your turn to lead a new generation into the adventure of the Kingdom of God with a model and wineskin that reflects who you are. Every

generation has its own unique personality and expression. Go for it! We’re with you.

For our teens and children… they are our Father’s highest priority investment!

Take a fresh look at Matthew 18.1-14.

85% of all who say “Yes” to Jesus, make that decision between the ages of 4 and 14.

9% make that choice between the ages of 15 to 20. That means 94% by age 20!

6% make that choice after the age of 20.

“It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.”

Giving Our Best

Let’s invest in the values of eternity—giving the Lover of our souls our first and best, not just

the margins and leftovers of our lives.

Let’s give the first and best of our Time, our Strength, and our Money to see His Kingdom reach our city, our region, and the nations—and to hear those wonderful words at the end of the race

“well done, good and faithful servant.”

Proud to be with you on the adventure as our God Protects, Provides, and Empowers us to be

and do all that He has called us to!

P.S. Don’t toss this aside… keep it visible so we can remind ourselves to “Keep Our Focus.”