El Pollo Loco And Merry Christmas

The other day I was in El Pollo Loco and a guy came up to me and said “Merry Christmas!” with such excitement in his voice it brought cheer to my heart. As I returned the same greeting I reflected on his attitude in spreading Christmas Cheer. But what does Merry Christmas mean?

Merry Christmas – The word “Merry” means “to be full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit, laughingly happy; mirthful; festively joyous; hilarious.” You get the idea right? Think of the most cheerful time in your life, and well, you’ve got a personal experience with the definition of “Merry.”

And, the word “Christmas” signifies “Christ’s Mass” meaning the festival of the Nativity (birth of Christ). That is, God become human flesh and was born in a manger to save the world from sin and death. In “The Franklin’s Tale” Chaucer alludes to “Nowel” (Noel) as the “festive cry” at Christmastide. And we have that same festive cry in our culture today. We say “Merry Christmas!”

But I am sure you’ve heard many people struggle with loneliness during holidays. Holidays often bring back painful memories of family failure and broken relationships. Maybe even you are struggling with feelings of lonliness during this Christmas…

But if we take the time to remember the true meaning of Christmas, we will understand how much God loves us. And God’s love, will overshaddow any temporary feelings of lonliness.

So use a merry attitude and festive shout to proclaim the Joy of Christmas. And look for opportunies to explain why Christmas is a Merry time of celebration…even while eating at El Pollo Loco…

Online Church Instead Of Face To Face Fellowship?

Now that we are offering live streaming from our internet site I found the latest article on CNN interesting....

My next post will be my thoughts on this but before I share what do you thing about replacing face to face fellowship with online church?

Online churches draw believers, criticsBy Anne Hammock, CNNSTORY

-- Hjalti á Lava was searching his iPhone for a Bible app when he stumbled across Church Online, a service of Web site LifeChurch.tv. Soon he was regularly logging into the Oklahoma-based cyber-church -- some 4,100 miles away from á Lava's home in the Faroe Islands, west of Norway.

"It allows me to connect with others and have conversations about the message," says á Lava, who shares his faith with other believers in the site's live chat room. "Technology allows us today to have fellowship across borders and cultures."

In doing so, á Lava joined growing numbers of Christians worldwide who are migrating from the chapel to the computer. A map on the Church Online site showed users from 22 countries logged into a recent service.

Online religious services offer convenience to those who are too isolated or infirm to attend a real-world church. But can worshipping via a computer offer true spiritual fulfillment? Internet pastors and parishioners cite their 24-hour access to interactive tools and social-networking platforms to show their online experiences are as meaningful as those that take place with face-to-face congregations.

"We were blown away at how people could actually worship along [online]," says Craig Groeschel, senior pastor at LifeChurch.tv. "The whole family will gather around the computer, and they'll sing and they'll worship together. Instead of trying to get people to come to a church, we feel like we can take a church to them."

But critics believe virtual worship separates followers from a trinity of spiritual essentials found in brick-and-mortar Christian churches: community, Communion and connection with Christ. "Online church is close enough to the real thing to be dangerous," says Bob Hyatt, a pastor who leads the brick-and-mortar Evergreen Community Church in Portland, Oregon. In a blog post for ChristianityToday.com, he writes that calling it virtual church "gives people the idea that everything they need is available here."

The debate is an extension of a wider argument over social interaction in virtual environments versus the physical world. But because practices of faith are involved, both sides are deeply invested in the outcome, seeing it as a statement on the nature of the Christian person's relationship with God.

Supporters of online churches have a common response to their skeptics: Try before you criticize. The virtual experience goes far beyond using live chat rooms to exchange emoticons instead of hugs and handshakes, they say.

Links allow congregants to "raise their hand" and publicly commit to Christ, while prayer requests and one-on-one guidance are a click way. Sermon notes can be shared and discussed. And many online churches are aided by volunteers, allowing them to hold services several times each day.

The Internet campus of the Flamingo Road Church in Cooper City, Florida, pulls in more than 2,000 congregants from around the world during its Sunday services. Pastor Doug Gramling said his three children are part of the Internet generation that will eventually decide the future of worship. They use Web tools to stay in constant connection with friends over vast distances, which Gramling says "gives me confidence that it can happen in online church." But the disconnect from physical closeness is what Hyatt said he's "fighting hardest against." His own church offers online extensions such as podcasts and forums. But he believes "the computer screen is a supplement, not a replacement."

Hyatt and other critics are particularly distressed by the online offering of traditional sacraments, such as Communion and baptism. He believes it is "ridiculous" that someone can grab grape juice and a cracker from the fridge and watch a computer screen, thinking they are truly participating in a gathering of the faithful.

"Something about the physical presence, breaking the same bread, is what Communion is meant to be," he says.

But Church Online participant Donna Coledisagrees. "Knowing that others are also celebrating Communion, regardless of location, makes it an especially wonderful time," says Cole, who believes real-world Communion can ring hollow. "When I've taken Communion in live surroundings, I often got the sense that it was ritualistic and without meaning."

Matthew Bailey, a arishioner in the Franktown United Methodist Church in Virginia, believes that the meaning of the ritual is what matters. "If people are willing to go to the trouble of giving their own Communion, then it is quite probably 'real' for them," he says. While Bailey chooses to remain at his face-to-face church, he believes any person "faithfully attending an online church service, is being more proactive, and thus probably more attentive, than many longtime churchgoers." Douglas Estes, lead pastor of Berryessa Valley Church in San Jose, California, andauthor of "SimChurch," a book about Internet church services, would like to see this debate go away. "The Bible sees church not as a man-made building but as a people gathered to glorify God with their lives," he says. Estes believes the quality of a community should be judged by the spiritual fellowship it offers.

"There is only one substantive difference between an online church and a brick-and-mortar church: The place where they meet."

I’ve Received Christ—What Now?

By Bill Holdridge

Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz

You may be asking yourself the question: So what do I do now? What steps should I take, now that I’ve received Christ into my life?

Read and Study the Bible

The first step every new believer should take is to begin digging into the Bible. Begin reading it, and then study it. The Bible is God’s inspired word to us … every word was literally breathed by Him for our spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible also tells us to study it, that we might be approved workmen who understand how to rightly divide its message (2 Timothy 2:15). By reading and studying the Bible, you will grow spiritually, just as newborn infants grow by drinking their mother’s milk (1 Peter 2:2).

We would strongly recommend that you begin by reading the gospel of John. It’s the fourth book in the New Testament. It presents a very clear message about Jesus Christ, and is written that we might know Him better, and experience the life that is in His name. After reading John, then just read right on through the rest of the New Testament! Then read the Old Testament. Then do it all over again! Don’t worry about understanding everything at first. Everything will become clearer as time goes on.

After reading, then learn to study the Bible. Coming to Bible study is an important part of learning the Word, so do that frequently. Then take whatever classes you can to improve your study skills. There is no single step you can take that is more important than developing the lifetime habit of immersing yourself into the scriptures.

Pray

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of prayer. Prayer is simply talking with God, and having Him talk with you. You can pray at any time and anywhere, because prayer is not limited to being in church. You can pray on your knees, standing up, or with your eyes open or closed. The eloquence of your prayers is not important—all that matters is that you’re sincere and that you trust God, as you pray in Jesus’ authority.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is an excellent pattern for prayer, given to us by the Lord Jesus Himself. Many have used it as an outline for their own prayer life.

It may also be helpful to remember the following acronym as an aid to prayer:

A: Adoration (Worship)

C: Confession (Of Specific Sins)

T: Thanksgiving (Gratitude)

S: Supplication (Specific Requests)

Do not neglect this vital part of your Christian walk. As someone has said, “Prayer is the breath of the newborn soul, and there can be no Christian life without it.”

Attend and Become Part of a Local Church

One of the keys to spiritual growth is to become part of a healthy local church. In its biblical form, the church should provide biblically-sound teaching, genuine worship, an atmosphere in which Christians are able to use their God-given gifts and abilities, and spiritual leadership that will help keep believers accountable.

There are those who might say, “I don’t need to go to church. I like to spend my time alone with God, and I don’t need to be around other Christians.” The reality is that no Christian can endure or prosper long if he or she lives in isolation without the support of a church. No matter how many Christian books, magazines, CDs, and movies you have, they can’t replace the experience and fellowship you get from attending church and being with other believers.

In the book of Hebrews, it says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25, NKJV). This passage is as valid today as when it was first written.

A healthy church will focus upward (worship), inward (spiritual growth and edification), and outward (outreach). It will believe that the Bible is God’s inspired, infallible Word, authoritative in all areas of faith and practice. It will also focus on the teaching of the Bible, Biblical fellowship, prayer, and breaking of bread together (Acts 2:42).

Witness

One of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is to tell others about Jesus Christ, and lead them to Him. It is a real joy to see someone else experience the same things you did when you became a Christian.

God tells us that it’s important to share your faith with other people (see Matthew 28:20). In fact, it’s not just something He wants you to do; He commands us to do it!

Sharing your faith can sound like a scary thing to do, but it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways you can do that is by telling them your story. When you share how God has changed your life, it lets people see that you were once in their shoes, but have now been changed by the power of Christ. A changed life is one of the best evidences of what Jesus can do.

Remember the actual message of the gospel as you share with others: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (NKJV).

1 Adapted from the website of Harvest Christian Fellowship. The address is http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/first-steps/four-keys.html. Please go to this site for a more in-depth treatment of each of these four steps.

Modern Day Proof For Evolution, Or Media Hype?

The Big Ida

The Rise & Fall of Another Missing Link & Other Media Hype

by Casey Luskin

This past May 20, there was a good possibility that your day started something like this: You crawled out of bed, logged on to the internet, and soon discovered that Google had changed its banner graphic to display the image of a small, long-tailed fossil primate.

Being the internet-savvy user that you are, you immediately recalled that it’s not uncommon for Google.com to change its design to observe holidays or honor famous historical figures. Nonetheless, you wondered what this cute brown mammal was doing on Google’s home page, so you clicked on the link.

Little did you know that this innocent fossil graphic was not just any link. It was a lure that had successfully led you into a carefully orchestrated PR campaign involving leading paleontologists, top TV networks, the internet’s most popular website (Google), and numerous other media outlets in a coordinated effort to promote evolution to the public.

The fossil, dubbed “Ida” by her discoverers, was introduced to the media as the “eighth wonder of the world” whose “impact on the world of palaeontology” would be like “an asteroid falling down to Earth.”

Famed BBC broadcaster Sir David Attenborough got involved, making a documentary titled Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor: The Link, to explain why Ida is “the link that connects us directly with the rest of the animal kingdom.” Co-sponsored by both the BBC and the History Channel, the program attracted a massive audience.

For those who don’t get their information from cable TV, Ida’s promoters also held a press conference generating a flood of news stories:

Good Morning America and Nightline covered the fossil.

National Geographic called her the “critical ‘missing link’ species.”

ScienceDaily and a Discover magazine commentator praised Ida as our “47-million-year-old human ancestor.”

Skynews told the public that “proof of this transitional species finally confirms Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.”

With Google’s eager assistance, Ida went viral: One of the leading search terms that day was “missing link found.” Even the Drudge Report was reeled in by the media frenzy, briefly featuring Ida as the headline story.

Continue Reading at http://www.salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo10/10luskin.php

Cell Phone Tools - Old Info By Maybe New To Some....

Here is an old article with some cool tools for your cell phone....All Free!

Michele Schwartz February 2006 issue Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Travelers have more reason than ever to bring along a cell phone, thanks to new text-messaging tricks--all of which are free (excluding your provider's fees). Google, Yahoo, and a company called 4INFO are making accessible all sorts of information that travelers will love having at their fingertips. Basically, you send a text message to the company's five-digit "short code" to request info. Yahoo's code is 92466 ("Yahoo" spelled on a keypad), 4INFO's is 44636 ("4INFO" on a keypad), and Google's is 46645 ("Google" without the "e").

Portable phone book

Type whatever you're looking for, along with a city or zip code--such as "museums Chicago" or "seafood 20815." Google, Yahoo, or 4INFO will do a search, and then send the results and the contact info to your phone.

Weather

All three companies use "w" as shorthand for "weather": Type in a "w," along with a zip code or city and state, and Yahoo, Google, and 4INFO will give you a three-, four-, or five-day forecast, respectively.

Translation

Google has a cool language feature, with "t" standing for "translate." If you text-message "t ticket to spanish," you'll get back "boleto." Or try it the opposite way: "t il pleut from french" yields "it rains." It works with words and simple phrases, and between English and five languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Flight updates

Send 4INFO a message with an airline and flight number for updates on the day's arrivals and departures. If you don't know the flight number, use the airline name, plus the airport codes or the departure and arrival cities.

Directions

For driving directions with mileage, text-message Google "san diego ca to la ca," "wash dc to bwi," or whatever your basic itinerary is. Turn-by-turn directions will appear within a minute.

Currency conversion

Send a message to Google using currency codes ("65 eur in USD") or plain language ("5 british pounds in american money") for the day's exchange rate.

Trip planning

Here's one that doesn't involve dialing short codes. Yahoo has a feature called Search Local that lets you transmit info from a computer to your cell phone. Say you locate driving directions, or a restaurant that sounds good, on Yahoo: Click on Send to Phone and the directions or the restaurant's contact info pops up in a text message a few seconds later, free of charge.

An Update On My Health...

Funny...the reason blogs (web logs) were created was to give others a detailed daily log of your personal life (sorry I think that is TMI for the WWW). But I did want to get those who are interested and concerned with my health issues a bit of an update.

As some of you know I have been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease for a little over six years. It is an auto-immune disorder that is, according to the medical professionals, incurable. I have been taking the advise (various medications) of the medical professionals, as well as trying to eat right and take various holistic approaches. Both of which have had limited success.

Many of you have noticed the ulcers in my mouth and lips within the last 4 months to a year. This has been the latest symptom along with constant Colitis.

My Doctor has placed me on Steroids again. Steroids temporarily fix all of the symptoms but are not a good long-term solution. As a matter of fact, you can not stay on them too long because they are dangerous to your body and when you get off of them your symptoms often get worse. So it is used as a bridge drug to take you to a longer solution.

So I am now trying a new Drug (about 10 years on the market) call Remicade next week. They must run various tests (all of which I past this week) before you start. Remicade is a biologic infusion that takes about 3-4 hours through IV. I start this Tuesday and ramp up in two weeks. After two weeks I will get them every 4-5 weeks for as long as it helps (the plan is the rest of my life).

So thank you for praying for me (for those of you who knew about it). And if you know the Lord Jesus Christ would you agree with me in prayer for strength and healing? Thank you.....

Here is what God has spoken to my heart during the six years of this of this journey and it still is true to my heart today;

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (12) Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. (13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

A Summary Of Wales From Misha Townsend

Forwarding this along from Misha Townsend who was on the team to Swansea Wales..... Hi Everyone! So since we only got 2 minutes to share at church this morning (impossible!), I wanted to share some of what God did through our trip to Wales. Our main purpose was to support Calvary Chapel Swansea, through various events and outreaches for the community. We did three days of VBS for the kids, a movie night, women's luncheon, youth club, family festival, international food festival, talent nightl, and helped with Sunday service and Sunday school. It was a very busy several days! But it was so awesome how God gave us strength and pulled everything together even when things got hectic. One of the biggest blessings was teaching and loving on the kids. So many of them were needy for attention, acting out, or trying to be tough, but God truly did a work in their hearts through His love. All of us on the team could tell so many stories about each one of the kids...the ones who felt safe to open up to us, whose behavior changed because of loving discipline, who received the gospel with an open heart, the ones who simply were able to come to church and hear about God's love for the first time. It was eye-opening and sobering for me to see how little these kids knew about God. Many of them have such a skeptical attitude, they've been raised not to believe in God. But at the same time they are hungry for Him, even if they don't know what it is they hunger for. All we could do was seek them out, bring them to the Father, and show them His love. For me one of the biggest challenges, and greatest blessings, was the worship. I was really nervous to be leading worship and leading the music for VBS. But God kept my fingers from hurting (yay!) and totally blessed it. Especially the music with the kids--I felt like I was just standing there singing and doing some weird silly movements, and God just filled the room with His presence. I hadn't expected the music to make such an impact on the kids, but it did. And to see those kids singing about Jesus, about God's love for them, even if they didn't fully understand it yet, was so awesome. It provided so many opportunities to reach out to the kids personally, too; one little boy was fascinated by the guitar and kept asking me to teach him. It was an opportunity to show him love, attention, security. We got to sing worship songs with some of the teen girls, who were otherwise pretty closed-off to hearing about God. It provided an opportunity to build relationships. We also held a luncheon for the women--Pastor Dave and Pastor Clint prepared all the food, it was awesome! ;) It was such a blessing to fellowship with and minister to the ladies there. We also had a "toddler time" on Saturday, an opportunity for moms to come and hang out while we played with their kids. Joy, Sharon, and I did a puppet show (and then our stage fell over lol). We really wanted to just reach out to the community and make them feel welcome and comfortable in the church. One boy who had recently been placed in a foster home came to help us out, and ended up coming every single day during our stay. He had never really been to church before, but he totally dived in to serve in any way needed. He would come in the morning for our team devotions, and stayed most days all day to help out with all our events. His heart is definitely open to the Lord--keep him in prayer that he will receive salvation and grow in his faith. There's so much more I could say...so many small miracles, small blessings. But nothing is small in God's eyes. It was awesome to see how each person on our team contributed their part and filled a special need. Sharon helped to keep us organized and really reached out to the women and parents, You-K provided discipline and love to the kids, Pastor Dave taught the word faithfully and was willing to dress up like a crazy professor (lol!), Aydde was faithful to organize and prepare snacks every day for VBS, and served us with her awesome cooking, Lisa taught the kids with love and was always available to talk to them individually, Sylvia reached out to the parents in an awesome way, Joy was always ready with fun games and to teach the youth. And then there was Pastor Clint and Sol, who were amazing hosts and helped us out in so many ways. And then the wonderful people who opened their homes for us to stay with them (Becca, Dan & Sam, Sol, thank you so much!!), and those from the church there who came to help out as well. God worked through so many different peoples' lives. Ok well I've written a lot, but I just wanted to give you guys an idea of what happened on our trip--especially those of you who were praying for us! We definitely needed the prayers, and God definitely answered. Please keep praying for CC Swansea; pray for Pastor Clint and Sol as they now follow up with discipling and teaching the kids and their families, pray that God would grow and strengthen the church there, pray that the kids would keep coming to church and that the seeds planted would grow into genuine faith. And pray about going yourself, next year! :) Thank you for reading. :) God bless!

Ministry In Wales....WOW!

Well sorry for the lack of posts here yesterday....we have been busy! Finished Holiday Bible Club, Finished the Saturday Festival, Sunday Service and International Food Fellowship, and Sunday Night Talent Show! WOW...what a week. More pics to follow but here are some new ones....

The Ignite Holiday Club is Growing!

Thank you so much for praying! We had 32 kids today at Ignite Holiday Bible Club and 20 returned for Evening Film Night (we showed "Inkheart"). As promised here are "some" pics....

First Day Of Ministry In Wales

Well thank you for praying (if you did). Today's events were totally amazing! Started with a morning devotion from You-K on trusting God in difficulty or challenges (Daniel 3:19-25). So we went out on the streets to get the Word out for the Holiday Bible Club later in the afternoon. Door to Door and one on one here in this village (neighborhood here in Wales). Met some kids and played Football with them in the park. Later that day all three boys came to the HBC at the church! Also others that we met around in the village came as well. We had about 20 kids show up (great turn out here in Wales). They made me wear a wig and a white coat (pictures are coming I promise). The Holiday Bible Club was well received and when really well. Our team from CCMV team works so well together. The younger kids had such a blast! We are going to re-think the program for the older ones tomorrow. The 12-14 year olds just wanted to go outside and smoke fags (cigs). So tommorow we are going to break out the water balloon sling-shots and start a fun little war with the older ones....bring it! Promise Pics tommorow! Well the day concluded with a great devotion from Joy on being Joyful at all times from Philippians 4:4...Solomon and I didn't even pick up on the Joy ReJoice thing until this evening!!!! From those here to you there.....Thanks for sending us with your prayer and support! promise pics tommorow..

We Are In Wales!!!

The travel was long (28 Hours)but not one problem or challenge we could not easily take to prayer. So today is street evangelism and Ignite Holiday Bible Club for the kids here around the church! The team is ready and excited to see many kids come! Please pray for a great turnout of children (hoping for at least 40). I am staying with Sol about a block from the church. All the comforts of home and time for devotions with The Lord! And internet so updates should be regular. God is good....all the time! Continue to keep us in prayer...We need what DL Moody called Holy Spirit Love Motive. We want this place touched by Jesus Christ through our lives! Quick story before I let you go....On the Bus ride from London (4.5 hours), older couple sitting next to me. Praying "Lord use me to speak to them about You!" So I say "How's the weather here?" Quick and short response...."rain." "OK Lord, help me break the ice here." So I pull out my blue and red evangelism track. Both seem interested! The woman reads it afterward front and back! I tell them a couple of jokes (they totally laughed!) Got to share about what we are here for and the churches planted here by Calvary Chapel....God you are so good! Pray for this wonderful couple that they would trust Christ through His gospel (even as detailed on my small blue and red cards). This trip is starting off in the Holy Spirit... Just they way God likes it! So keep checking back here as I hope to update you on the first day of ministry here at Calvary Chapel Swansea!!!!!

Going To Wales!

Well after 11 years of supporting our Friend and Partner in Ministry, CCMV is sending out a team to come alongside Clint Pickens in Wales. We are doing a Vacation Bible School for the church he pastors and various neighborhood outreaches. I am so excited! I will be updating this blog with the details so check back!

Immediate details: Leaving monday August 17th at 8:00am.

Ministry Location: Swansea, Wales, UK

Church Website: href="http://www.calvarychapelswansea.co.uk/"

Please Pray for us and for those in Swansea, Wales

What God Can Do With One Man

A friend sent me the following in an email; When James Buchanan was President of the United States, there was a sudden downturn in the economy. Like our current recession, the Panic of 1857 hit almost every industry. Banks and businesses failed. The stock market plunged 66% from 1852-1857. Thousands of people were out of work. The economic meltdown spread to Europe, South America and the Far East. In New York alone, 30,000 out-of-work people protested and caused civil unrest. A quiet, zealous forty-six-year-old businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier saw the spiritual needs of those days. He started a noon-time weekly prayer meeting in New York City. Lanphier printed some flyers that invited people to a prayer meeting with the title, "How Often Should I Pray?" He left these leaflets in some offices and warehouses. The agenda was simple: Pray for a few minutes or for the entire hour. Prayers were to be brief. Lanphier's group met on the third floor of the old North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton Street in New York. The first day, September 23, 1857, Lanphier prayed by himself for half an hour. But by the end of the hour, six men joined him. The next Wednesday there were twenty. On October 7 there were nearly forty. The prayer meeting grew so much that they decided to meet daily. The next week over one hundred came. Many of them were not even believers. They came because the Holy Spirit had spoken to them about their sin. Soon pastors who had attended the noon prayer meetings on Fulton Street started morning prayer meetings in their own churches. Soon these prayer meetings were overcrowded too. Men and women, young and old were praying too. The presence of God was felt in these prayer meetings. Then, the newspapers began to report on these prayer meetings. In just a few months, there were prayer meetings across America. Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, and most of the large cities had prayer meetings. In rural places, the revival spread too. Thousands and thousands of people across the United States were praying at these services and at home too. Spiritual revival spread like wild-fire across the nation. The revival went to the high seas too. As one ship neared port, the captain signaled the harbormaster "Send a minister" because revival had broken out on board. On the ship, people began to sense their own need for God, and began to pray. When another small commercial vessel arrived in the harbor, the captain, and every member of the crew had pledged faith in Christ within the last 150 miles of their voyage. Ship after ship arrived in the US with the same story, telling of passengers and crew who were convicted of sin and turned to Christ. History records that the U.S.S. North Carolina, a navy battleship, was anchored in New York. There were four Christians who agreed to meet together for prayer. They knelt on the lower deck. They were so filled with joy that they broke into song. Some unbelieving sailors on the top deck heard the singing, looked down, and saw the boys kneeling. These men ran down to the lower deck to make fun of them. But the conviction of the Holy Spirit so overcame them that by the time they reached the bottom deck they fell on their knees in repentance. The revival spread through the Union and Confederate armies. One historian claims that the Civil War may have been shortened because of the revival. This time in American history is called the Second Great Awakening. God moved because people were open to the leading of God. It is estimated that 6.6 percent of the total population of the United States came to faith during this time. Think of it, all this happened in an economic downturn, while war and social upheaval was going on. And one lone man, Jeremiah Lanphier, was one of God's tools to bring about this great revival. We live in similar times to the ones in which Jeremiah Lanphier lived. In times of economic, social, and spiritual upheaval, God often works the best. But God has no hands but our hands. God needs people like you and me to bring about the renewal and revival.Will you be just like Jeremiah Lanphier? Will you be open to God's voice in your life? Will you be God's person for our nation and our world? Will you be open to be used of God to change the world?

Salad Bar Christianity

Have you ever been down the cereal isle at any grocery store? Unless you know what you are looking for you very well might find yourself captured by the color of the boxes instead of the ingredients inside...I am so glad that my ministry is not the only one that God has given to the San Fernando Valley. I am so glad that my style of ministry is not the only one that is available to God's people. Variety is a wonderful thing, and within the Church of Jesus Christ God has put together so many different people who all love and follow His Son. But one of the problems the Church has experienced is what someone once called "Salad Bar Christianity." That is, going from local Church to local Church, and never becoming part of a fellowship of believers. Never investing your life into a "home" fellowship and never giving others a chance to invest into your life. Let's face it, The Kingdom of God is all about relationships. First a relationship with Jesus Christ, then with each other in the Body of Christ, and finally with our outreach through relationships into the World. In God's Word three main metaphors are used to illustrate the Church of Jesus Christ;

1. The Church As A Building - Ephesians 2:19-22
2. The Church As A Body First Corinthians 12
3. The Church As A Bride - Revelation 19:5-9

In each of these metaphors there is a clear picture of long-term relationships. A building, a body, and a bride are never to be temporary or transient. Even the Human Body, while temporary in this world will be the seed by which our new Resurrected bodies will be formed. So, why would anyone who is part of Jesus' Church not "plug in" and develop long-term relationship. Why would anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ not invest his or her life into others who are following Jesus as well.... Well, just a little something to challenge our Salad Bar attitudes.....

When Life Doesn't Seem Fair

Last night I spoke at Calvary Chapel Living Water in Corona. What a wonderful fellowship they have there. Pastor Jerry asked me to teach for him as he was away on his anniversary. Well I decided to teach on Hannah's life from 1st Samuel chapter one. She had a life that did not seem fair. She was childless in a culture that saw infertility as a curse by God. She had a rival between she and her husband (Elkanah married a second wife for kids) who mocked her to the point of tears. She had a backslidden spiritual leadership to guide her (Eli and his sons). She was accused of being a drunkard by Eli the High Priest. What did she do with all of this "unfairness?" She waited on the Lord! She took her problems to God! She made a deeper commitment to God's plan for her life! She made a vow to give the child back to God should He open up her womb.... Well she did have that child and others as well. But do you know what she named that first son? Samuel, which means "God hears!" So, what are we to do when life doesn't seem fair? Wait upon The Lord! Isaiah 40:2-31

Congradulations Miss California!

Well Carrie Prejean is in my opinion one of the biggest winners in all of the beauty padgends ever! She kept her own convictions even when it cost her the Miss USA title. When asked her oppinion regarding Prop. 8 she affirmed civil unions but unashamidly answered that marriage is between a man and a woman. Clearly Perez Hilton (the one who asked the question and is a gay activist) wanted to eleminate anyone in the contest that does not agree with his oppinion. Talk about eliminating tolerance! So many who have opposed Prop. 8 have shouted "intolarance!" at those who hold a different view. And now we see such a backlash at Carrie because she has her own view. Perez Hilton said that Miss USA needed to be more "inclusive and politically correct." Well because she disagreed she is not included and is incorrect....go figure... BTW Carrie Prejean's oppionion is in full agreement with President Obama and Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton on the issue of Same Sex Marriage...But where's the backlash against them from Perez Hilton. Carrie Prejean in my oppinion has the strongest character than most people her age and came out the real winner of the Miss USA Contest. She did not lose her integrity and character for fame and fortune....You go girl! Check out the article on foxnews http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517137,00.html

A Post Christian Nation?

I read this nice article on http://www.foxnews.com/

BILL SHULER: Ten Ways America Can Become “Post-Christian” By Bill ShulerPastor, Capital Life Church

Newsweek magazine’s sensationalist cover story, headlined, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America,” was, in my view, the result of an underlying agenda that caused the article to draw the wrong conclusion.

The article did, however, prompt me to consider the fact that Christians must never be complacent about their faith. We must continue to nurture , and, of course, share it. Posted here are some thoughts on how we could lose a standard of faith–how American christianity could possibly decline and fall. Such a decline and fall would start with the individual. Here are some examples of what each of us could do to make America “post-Christian”:

1. Reduce your prayer life to blessing your meals.

2. Embrace a form of religion over Jesus.

3. Win arguments but lose people.

4. Choose which parts of the Bible you want to believe — and discard the rest.

5. Don’t share your faith so as not to offend.

6. Dilute the message to gain a wider audience.

7. Embrace success and forget the poor.

8. Get uncomfortable around the unchurched.

9. Keep the Bible on the shelf.

10. Keep Jesus in stained glass.

Through the generations Jesus’ followers have established schools, hospitals and orphanages. They have reminded the world that man is not an end unto himself. The call now goes out to a new generation. The Scriptures declare, “You are the salt of the earth…the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”

Spending Time With God

This week someone sent me a great devotion. Thought I would share it with you....The language is a little older English but you'll figure it out!

I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. -Psalm 119:147-148

Briefly, the way to escape religion as a front is to make it a fount. See to it that we pray more than we preach and we will never preach ourselves out. Stay with God in the secret place longer than we are with men in the public place and the fountain of our wisdom will never dry up. Keep our hearts open to the inflowing Spirit and we will not become exhausted by the outflow. Cultivate the acquaintance of God more than the friendship of men and we will always have abundance of bread to give to the hungry. Our first responsibility is not to the public but to God and our own souls. A.W. Tozer, God Tells the Man Who Cares, p115-116.

Fireproof Marriages

Tonight (March 1st) we kicked off our first "Fireproof Marriages" couples ministry. What a blessing to see so many people taking the time and investing into their marriages. Often we think the only time to go to a couples ministry is when we are having diffculties in our marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth. If we invest into our relationship we will have a much to draw from during times those difficult challenges that always come...

We discussed how our love for each other must be unconditional and persisten. Also our attitude must be one of sacrifice with joy as we serve Jesus by loving our spouse...Come out and join us next month if you are near by...(Check Out Our Church Calendar at http://www.ccmv.us/ ).

Reflections On Egypt, By Dan Nelson

As we walked down the steps from the Air France jet liner onto the cool tarmac, there was the ominous sense that this was going to be a long two weeks. The bright city lights shone a warm glow against the dense smog laden Cairo night sky. As the heavily armed soldiers directed us onto the bus that would bring us to our luggage and the forbidding immigration line, we tucked in tightly together and tried not to talk or draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. We were tired after almost twenty-four hours of travel and already facing a time zone crisis. Nobody wanted surprise delays in the airport. Cash and passports were collected and we waited as the line pushed closer and closer to the first of many checkpoints we would encounter during our time in Egypt. Just in time, our passports were returned with visa stamps in place and we proceeded through to the next officer. Luggage was inspected randomly. Smiles were non-existent. AK-47’ s were. After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a matter of minutes, a door opens and we walk through. On the other side were familiar faces gleaming with sunshine. Friends. Christians. Smiles. Greetings were shared, with kisses from cheek to cheek, as is customary on that side of the world. Once outside the airport, it became increasingly critical that we remained together and avoided added notice. We had friends but also we have enemies. We merely didn’t know who the latter was. Then we saw a familiar face beaming from beside his van. It was “Tom”, as we call him (his real name is a bit more difficult to say), our driver from the last two years, and as far as we are concerned, the best one Egypt has to offer. After all, the rules of the road here are quite different than anything I have ever experienced anytime in my life. Cairo makes Tijuana look as tame as Autopia at Disneyland. For the next two weeks, our life would be in the hands of the moment-by-moment decisions that Tom, surely skillful enough to win Nascar if he would ever be allowed into our country, would make. In reality, our dependence would be upon God. I am telling you the truth when I say that if you didn’t come to Egypt believing in the power of prayer, you will be a fervent prayer warrior once you experience what the streets of this metropolis conundrum has to offer. And that is where I want to focus this installment as I chronicle my spiritual adventure during this missionary trek: on becoming a person of prayer. One thing that is very striking to me about my many friends that serve Christ as Africans is their strong commitment to prayer. It is as though they understand something that most Americans have forgotten: the critical element of personal communication with God. Somewhere lost in our luxury and plethora of conveniences, Americans have seemingly sidetracked from their source of greatness. I am convinced that we live in the best country in the world and the untold myriads of people on lottery lists that can only dream of coming here is proof of this. And, while there will always be those who want to bash us and others who want to give the credit for the greatness of the USA to anyone or anything other than the glory of God, I believe that the prayer of faithful men and women has a whole lot to do with our success. Many of these prayers are recorded in the annals of American history and in our official Congressional records. Our time was invested with Christians from throughout Egypt and refugee leaders from Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. By far, the most common request among all the people we were with was for prayer. Why prayer? Many of them are very poor. Their lives are difficult. They have experienced things that most Americans will only see in movies or on late night World Vision child sponsorship pitches. And for many of them, the closest they will get to an American lifestyle experience will be to watch Hollywood imports on television. They live in a Muslim controlled environment and shutter at the naiveté of the world regarding what the experience is like for them. Despite their circumstance and poverty, and for many, minimal opportunities for a bright future, they seem to understand something that so many Americans would be greatly benefited to learn: only the hand of Jesus can help where it is needed most. As Americans, we are caught in the “I want more” mentality, and we tend to presume that others pray like we do: selfishly. In our pluralistic society, almost all of the religious diversity has the common element that “self” is at the center. Christianity is meant to be different. Jesus modeled for us something more than what every other religious thinker could ever be. I don’t want to frustrate you but I don’t want to tell you what they prayed for most of the time. I want to encourage you to spend a bit of time pondering this. You may find that your own prayer today is heightened as a result; a little less mud and a bit more glory. If only I can find a way to bring back some of the sweet and Spirit-filled worship from the people following Christ in North Africa. As we ponder the challenges facing our country, I wonder if God’s people will once again become people of prayer in America. For a long time we have been “people of plenty”. What would it take for us to become “people of prayer”? Dan Nelson is pastor of Calvary Chapel Christian Church of the Ojai Valley.

We Are Back Home From Egypt!

Well, Rubios fish tacos, Starbucks, and Trader Joe's... OK so maybe these are not the most important things on my mind but they certainly caught my attention. But the most anticipated is family, friends, and our Church family at Calvary Chapel Mid Valley. It was wonderful to be back home and worship Jesus with the fellowship of those who sent us.... We will have a slide show and presentation of the details of our trip this Sunday at church. I hope you can make it...If you can not make it, we hope to post the slide show online at our website (http://www.ccmv.us/). Thanks again for sending us. We both share in the fruit equally!

Have You Ever Gotten 15K Emails?

Well I have been vandelized by an email bot.... I have gotten over 15 thousand emails in the last 5 days.... So, while I wanted to keep my dcuff@ccmv.us email address, the tech folks who support us are telling me it is impossible. I must give up my old email address... So, if you would are one of the people who think I am a flake for not replying back to your email to me, I am sorry. Please forgive me.... Also, if you would like my new email address please call the church office and let me or my staff know. We would be glad to give it to you. For obvious reasons we can not publish it online....

On Our Way Back Home!

Well we have had a wonderful trip here in Egypt! We have been to Luxor doing leadership conferences, marriage counceling, prayer for various believers, and made many wonderful friendships.... We have been to Assuit and preached at Soul Salvation Society. They welcomed us into their hearts and made us feel like family. We met servants who have gone to Syria, Iraq, and Sudan for our boss. They are the heros of the faith!!!!! We just finished a meeting with a married couple who serve our boss in Yemen! WOW! These folks are on the cutting edge for our Master! We have met earlier today with a team from Brazil who serve OMB here in Cairo! They are such wonderful people and have gone where many of us only pray.... Our trip home (we leave for the airport in 15 Minutes) will take us about 24-28 Hours... We are looking forward to coming home to tell you all of what our Master has done for you through us! Thank you for sending us....There is much fruit and exiting opportunities for the future.... He and He alone Gets all the glory!

Ministry In Mina

We had a wonderful time in Mina! Church services, leadership training, visiting the sick, meeting with local church leaders, and renewing old friendships! We are now in Luxor...our train ride and taxi ride was about 7+hours. We had a great service with Soul Salvation ministry here in Luxor. Leadership training is in the morning...Oh and we are having dinner right now (1:45am) Egyptian style.... I have been trying to upload photos but the connection here is difficult... we will keep trying!

Cairo Conferences - Wow!

We have finished the leadership and outreach conference in Cairo. What a blast! The people are wonderful and the Spirit of God was there to meet us and them as we gathered in His Name! Topics for leadership - Serving Our Savior, Fruitfulness In Ministry, The Importance Of The Word Of God, Sharing Your Faith, Kingdom Relationships....

We should have a little video we made during our first few days in Egypt up soon!

Psa 138:1-8 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great [is] the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

First Day Of Cairo Ministry

Taxi ride to the conference center....

The first day of ministry in Cairo went very well.....Leadership training and outreach went very well. Thank you for praying...We taught on "Sharing Your Faith," and "Relationships In The Kingdom" and explained the long-term vision of our new website (http://www.ccmv.us/).

In the evening we had some wonderful Sundanese worship and Dan Nelson preached on John chapter three. I gave a message on personal revival from Isaiah 60:1 and 2nd Corinthians 4. Dan and I led a man named Hanni to our Boss....

Made It To Cairo!

Well we made it to Cairo! Our flight from Salt Lake City was two and a half hours delayed so we missed our connection in Paris to Cairo. So we then flew back to Amsterdam then to Cairo. Just an extra half day (total 30 hour travel time). Here is Lester sleeping in Paris, France.... They lost our luggage (please pray) and hope to get it back to us on Thursday! A huge Thank You to all of you who sent us. Today is our first conference with the Refugees in Cairo. Should be about 200 people coming tonight! Also, leadership training during the day this afternoon. Pray that The Lord touches and teaches the people through us for you all! David, Lester, Amir, Dan, and Manal

We Are Going To Egypt!

Well most everyone already knows but I forgot to post the announcement on my blog...go figure... So, here is the skinny....After canceling this year's trip to Egypt because of financial concerns at CCMV God had other plans and has opened a door for us to go again (fifth time) to Egypt. Our costs are about half and some key people have funded large portions of the mission.

Here is the current ministry plans: Jan 19-Feb 3rd 2009

Leave LAX Jan 19th

Arrive Cairo Jan 20th

Jan 20th-Jan 23rd

Ministry to Sudanese, Eritrean, and Ethiopian refugees in Cairo

Daily Leadership Training Sessions (30-40 Leaders from various churches)

Including a two night outreach / conference for 150-200 people

Jan 23rd -Jan 28th

4 Hour Train to Mina

Ministry to Soul Salvation Society Church

Leadership and Evangelism Training Sessions

Jan 28th - Jan 30th

3 Hour Train to Luxor (Assut)

Ministry to Soul Salvation Society Church and village church members Leadership and Evangelism Training Sessions

Church Services In Luxor / Assut

Feb 3rd

Flight Back To USA / LAX

So....Please pray!

So far those going are Myself, Lester Avendano, Dan Nelson (CC Ojai), Amir, Manal, and Abigail.

Much appreciation to those who have made this possible and to you who are praying for us!

Thank you.....