This Weekend's Message: Change
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Really Changed!
Acts 9:1-31
Change – what do you
think of that word? Do you like
it or hate it? There are many great quotes about change that seem to hit
our
thoughts in the right place. For example, Winston Churchill said, “There is nothing wrong with
change if it is in the right direction.” “Change
is inevitable, except from a vending machine,” said Robert Gallagher.
“We
change whether we like it or not,” observed Ralph Waldo Emerson. And
Romans 12:2 urges, “Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the
renewing of your mind.”
This last one is the type of change we’ll be talking about on Sunday. Take a few minutes and read the passage to see a life that was changed – a life we can learn from. Hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Gary
Published on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 3:14 PM PDT
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Reflections: June 20, 2010
Attachment: Insert062010.doc (0.93MB)
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & WorshipHave you ever had an encounter with someone where you are certain God set it up? Can you look back and think of a time when you missed a prime opportunity to tell someone about your faith? I am certain that God sends us out with a purpose and to speak with people that need to hear from Him through us. But what our response to that call will be, He leaves up to us.
As I think about Phillip and the other believers who endured such real physical persecution, it stirs something up in my heart that brings me a sort of accountability to respond to God when He calls me, or gives me an opportunity to live out my faith. I feel that here in America, it is long overdue that we take advantage of the wonderful opportunities God has given us.
This week I'd love for us all to accept this challenge: Look for an opportunity to share your faith; demonstrate the love, compassion, or grace of God to a friend or stranger; or invite someone to church to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Then, come back to this "Reflection" either on the @LBF Blog or the LBF Facebook page, and tell us how it went!
Ready...GO!
Published on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 1:26 PM PDT
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This Weekend's Message: Divine Appointments
Have you ever wondered
whether God has a specific purpose for your life?
Are seemingly random conversations with people where you just seem to
have
the right words to say to bring comfort, encouragement, or
accountability
really just coincidence? This weekend we are going to look at the
powerful
ministry of a man named Phillip, and see so clearly that God had a
specific task
forhim, at a specific time, to a specific people, for a specific reason.
Read Acts chapter 8 this week and come ready to discover the power of divine appointments.
See ya Sunday,
Jeff
Published on Thursday, June 17, 2010 @ 9:21 AM PDT
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Reflections: June 13, 2010
Attachment: Insert061310.doc
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Being a Christian in a non-Christian
Culture
Acts 6:8 – 8:3
This passage reveals a turning point
in the development of the Christian church. Stephen, a man full of the Holy
Spirit, is martyred for speaking about his faith in Jesus. Jerusalem at that
time was a non-Christian nation on the road to becoming more Christian. As we
fast forward to today and look at America, we see a nation that was founded on
Judeo-Christian values on the road to becoming less and less interested in
these original values. But does it matter to our message?
Is it more important for us to
return to becoming a “Christian” nation (if we ever really were) or is it more
important for us as Christians to carry out our assignment of changing people's
lives with the message of Jesus? I choose the latter. History shows us that the
Christian church has flourished under persecution. Now I’m not looking for persecution,
but whatever our society is and is becoming, our assignment as Christians
remains the same – change people's lives with the message of Jesus. You can bet
though I’ll personally do what I can to uphold those Judeo-Christian values. I
will also encourage Christian involvement in places that can make a difference
for these values, including politics and social causes. But my hope is first
and foremost in Jesus, not in returning our country to the values of 200 years
ago. I’m so very thankful for this country, its founding, and its history. I
have lived in other countries and I think America with all its weaknesses is
still the place to live. But I want to be careful not to misplace my priorities. I
don’t want to lose the message of Jesus as I live in this 21st
century culture. What do you think?
Published on Monday, June 14, 2010 @ 6:39 AM PDT
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This Weekend's Message: Our Assignment
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Being a Christian in a Non-Christian Culture
Acts 6:8 – 8:3
At this stage in my life I have a few years to look back on and reflect about how different life is now than when I was younger. Things have definitely changed, and my guess is that they’ll continue to change. With the changes in culture has come a feeling that what people used to believe as a Christian society has become less and less Christian. This means that Christians today must interact with the culture differently than they used to.
Jesus has given every Christian an assignment. If we are going to carry out our assignment it is important for Christians to learn how to live in a non-Christian culture. This week we will learn about another first-time event with a man named Stephen, and from him learn some things about being a Christian in a Non-Christian culture.
Gary
Published on Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 9:34 AM PDT
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Reflections: June 6, 2010
Attachment: Insert060610.doc (0.93MB)
This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & WorshipSo...what’re you gonna do about it?
I believe God moves on the hearts of people with the desire that they will follow through with the passion that He has given them. There are so many in our church that have stepped up to serve and minister as God has put it on their heart. And I know that there are so many more who feel a desire to be involved or make a difference, but are unsure of where to start, so they don't. This weekend’s message showed us an example from the book of Acts of how every member can be a minister. It does not always require a seminary degree or special training. In many cases, dare I even say most cases, it simply requires a heart that is willing to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's
leading.
So...what’re you gonna do about it? There are needs in our church. There are needs in our community, and there may not be a church-sponsored program to meet those needs. May I encourage you not to sit around and wait for someone else to go first. If you have a heart for something, or are aware of a need that you feel needs to be met, step out and do something with that desire! We at the church will do all we can to support you and encourage you, but it will mean deciding that you are going to get moving on the thing that God has laid on your heart.
I was so encouraged Sunday after church when I talked with a man as we walked out to our cars in the parking lot and he told me that he and a couple other people were headed down to a senior center where they go every Sunday to have a Bible study. This man did not wait for the church to
initiate a ministry to senior homes, he simply knew of a need and got to work on meeting it. So rather than believers sitting in a church or at their house thinking how there "should be" a ministry, there is actually ministry that is happening and people are being blessed!
Remember, the message of Christ did not spread because a bunch of professional, seminary-trained, church employees created programs. It spread because believers whose hearts were open to the move of the Holy Spirit stepped out and took action on the things that God put on there hearts. So...what are you gonna do about it?
Published on Monday, June 7, 2010 @ 3:14 PM PDT
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This Weekend's Message: Breaking the Rules
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Have you ever broken the rules? Come on, you can tell us, we won't call your parents. :) Well, this week we are going to once again see the Apostles breaking the rules. They continue spreading the news of Jesus and this time there is a price to pay.
We will also look at a concept of ministry in Acts chapter 6 that we at LBF hold very tightly to. There are 5 statements associated with LBF's vision for our church and what God has called us to be. Check out our vision statement and see if you can see which one matches what we see in Acts 6:1-7.
See ya Sunday!
Jeff
Published on Thursday, June 3, 2010 @ 7:53 AM PDT
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Reflections: May 30, 2010
Attachment: Insert053010.doc (0.92MB)
This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Got Generosity?
Acts 4:32-5:11
For years now milk producers have
used the slogan, “Got Milk?” to encourage people to buy milk. On Sunday I used
that slogan to encourage people to consider the value and importance of being
generous. As we go through the book of Acts verse by verse, learning to be the
church, the topics that come our way are directed by the text. I find it
interesting that very early on in the history of the Christian church Luke
records for us contrasting examples of generosity. My guess is that becoming
and staying generous is hard even for us Christians. I’m also surprised
that Luke records the events of Ananias and Sapphira. It’s not the kind of
story that would encourage belief in Jesus – I mean really – one lie and you
die? Or does it?
Why do you think Luke recorded this
story? Do you have trouble with a merciful and loving God doing this? Why or
Why not? Let’s talk!
Published on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 @ 6:57 AM PDT
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Thank You for Making Pacific Lifeline Mothers Feel Special
Thank you for all who participated
in LBF’s Outward Bound project for Pacific Lifeline on Saturday, May 8 – the
Mini-Makeovers (and more!) for Moms. What a blessing you all were to the
families – they were all so thrilled.
Here is an email I got from one of the families who attended. I am sure she speaks for everyone!
Yesterday was amazing. Please tell whoever sponsored the event that they really made us feel great. It was like a little family reunion also. I love those girls and I am so blessed to have made lifetime friends from the time that I lived at Pacific Lifeline and also through grad group. God bless you and Happy Mothers Day!
Also, from one of Pacific Lifeline’s staff members:
Saturday was a huge success! Everybody really enjoyed themselves!
As a member of LBF and a staff member of Pacific Lifeline, let me just say that it warmed my heart to see all of you working together, using your God-given gifts to serve…and it also warmed my heart to see moms, who have gone through so much, get pampered and have such beautiful smiles on their faces! What a wonderful Mother’s Day give you gave!
God bless you abundantly for the time, energy, and love you gave to Pacific Lifeline families.
Blessings,
Kirsten Grubb
Published on Thursday, May 27, 2010 @ 10:15 AM PDT
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This Weekend's Message: Got Generosity?
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This week as we continue our study in Acts, we look at two examples of generosity. Let me ask you, who do you know that is generous? What, in your mind, makes them a generous person? What does it take to be a generous person? Does it take a lot of money? Does it take possessing a lot of stuff that you can share or give away? Can you be in great need or even in poverty and still be generous? And finally, what is the result of being generous?
This week as we discover how to be the church, we will learn the answers to all of those questions and more. You won’t want to miss this exciting story. Something happens this week that has never been repeated in all of history. And I think you’ll be happy about that. Hope to see you Sunday!
Oh, and this would be a great week to invite a friend to come to church with you – they’ll learn all about what it means to be generous and rest assured that no offering will be taken – I promise!
Pastor Gary
Published on Thursday, May 27, 2010 @ 8:58 AM PDT
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