Recently we introduced the #jesuschangedmylife challenge to our junior high and high school students. I wanted to take a minute and explain our heart behind this challenge and how students and parents (or anyone really!) can participate in it! Initiated by a church in Los Angeles, this movement was designed to give believers an opportunity to share their faith with others during this…
42 days . . . I reached 42 days before I broke. In beautiful Southern California, we continue to live the quarantine life. My three boys continue to try learning with mom and dad as their teachers. My wife Celia keeps us all sane while at the same time running a company remotely. As for me, I work from my…
When we decided to start praying in January – Father, pour out your Spirit on us and move us forward together – we had no idea that within two months we would enter into a worldwide crisis and pandemic. We had no idea we would be living these types of lives week in and week out. We had really good…
Easter is coming, a joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the defeat of sin and death. Yet to fully enter into that joy, we must first enter into Jesus’ suffering. Good Friday reminds us that Easter came at an incredible cost. It shows us a picture of humanity at its worst, and it shows us a picture of God’s selfless…
If you’re anything like me, it’s hard to watch more than 30 minutes of news on TV these days. The truth is that there isn’t much I can do to change this crazy COVID-19 reality. However, there is One we all know who can, our merciful King Jesus! Scattered throughout the Upper Room Discourse in John’s gospel is this amazing…
Ten weeks ago today, I started this gig at Church of the Open Door. What a crazy 10 weeks it has been! I recently reflected on how I said yes to God, and yes to the job, but was kind of clueless on what it would look like. The learning curve has been steep and fast, and there have been…
For the next several weeks, we have been asked to worship with our immediate families instead of together as a church family. This is different and challenging, but we must trust that our loving heavenly Father has this too in His hands. This week I was reminded from Ephesians 5:19-20 our unique call during worship: Speaking to one another in…
When we are good historians of God’s faithfulness, we look back on our lives and clearly see unique opportunities that He has fashioned for His children to shine His love and grace. I believe we will look back on this time and realize that He has done that for us. This morning our elders were able to talk and we…
