| It’ll never work… |
The woman dragged herself through the dirt toward the small gathering of people. Using her hands to move her forward, she would stop every few feet to rest on a small wooden stool strapped around her waist. She came to get help. She came for a wheelchair.
Bruce had seen God do some pretty amazing things on this trip to Africa. From orchestrating the details of a men’s breakfast to fixing a broken-down truck loaded with wheelchairs, it was evident God was working. But as Bruce lifted the elderly woman into the chair, all he could think was, “Oh no. This will never work.”
The woman’s body had been so ravaged by arthritis that she had lost the use of her legs completely. Once in the chair, her right leg stuck straight out, causing the chair to become imbalanced, wobbly. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized all that she hoped for – mobility, comfort, dignity – were quickly slipping out of her reach.
But wait. Bruce had an idea. He ran to the van, rummaged through his backpack, and pulled out two straps. The week before, in the wee hours of the morning of his flight to Africa, he just “happened” to throw them in his bag, thinking they might come in handy somewhere.
Bruce dashed back to the waiting woman, full of hope and excitement. He quickly grabbed her little stool and strapped it on to the base of the wheelchair, providing the perfect support for her leg. A smile grew across her face. And across Bruce’s too, as they both realized that the wheelchair would indeed work perfectly for her.
We say, “It’ll never work.” And to that, God says, “Oh yeah? Watch this.” |
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| Heroes Beyond the Flames |
| After weeks of fighting fires in the most treacherous of conditions, you would think Orange County firefighters would want a break. You'd be wrong.
Mariners' staff and volunteers went from fire station to fire station delivering gift bags and words of encouragement to OC's bravest who risked their lives to protect life and property in the recent firestorm disaster.
Word of the deliveries and greetings got around and a local fire captain heard about Mariners' kindness and outreach to his comrades. He wanted to give back. With sirens blaring and lights flashing, the captain and his crew drove their rig to the Harvest Carnival and displayed it for kids to climb all over and pretend they were the heroes for a moment. Firefighters played with kids, talked with parents, gave out hats and received many a thank you from the carnival attendees.
Let us remember the bravery and sacrifice - even after the smoke and flames are gone. |
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| Who’s Your Neighbor? |
It's one thing to read about the Good Samaritan, but quite another to actually be a Good Samaritan. Recently a small group of guys from Mariners put into action what they read in that familiar parable.
A men's small group spent an evening chewing on the Good Samaritan parable in Luke 10. The discussion was lively and compelling. "Who is our neighbor?" Of course I would offer help to a homeless child, but would I be as willing to help a transvestite prostitute? In the intense discussion, one guy decided he was fed up. Fed up that he could talk about this stuff but never actually do anything about it. So they decided to take action.
The following week, the group gathered some food, and walked down a street in the inner city, hoping to meet someone they might consider their neighbor. Mary, a 67-year-old homeless woman, crossed their path. Then Rob, then Joe, both homeless, spoke to the group about what they needed as winter approached. Rob and Joe said they have a community of sorts in the neighborhood, but they worried that Mary had a warm place to stay during winter.
Touched by the neighborly attitude of those with so little, this small group of guys is now trying to find a safe, warm place for Mary to stay and ways to provide for the needs of Rob and Joe, their new neighbors. |
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| From China with Love... |
A group from Mariners recently went overseas on the China Commerce Faith Adventure. God opened new doors for the team and they saw practical illustrations of his work first-hand. One example was how relationships, or "guanxi," go far beyond our Western view of relationships. Guanxi is a deeply respected, highly trusted and developed relationship for business, partnerships and as the team found out, ministry.
The China Commerce Team presented conferences in Beijing and Shanghai on the subject of corporate social responsibility. Roughly 130 business people attended, but more exciting was the breadth of companies and ministry efforts they represented: pharmaceutical companies, cosmetics firms, textile manufacturers, consultants, restaurant owners, and internet businesses. When asked what was their greatest need, time and time again attendees answered "Prayer." It was remarkable to learn how the leaders in China run their business based on biblical principles and even had daily prayer time and Bible studies in their facilities!
The Commerce Team also met with House Church Leaders, Government Church members, church "planters", and leaders of migrant worker outreach ministries. One divine appointment was with Pastor Wu. His church seats 1,000 with four services in Chinese and a growing English ministry to approximately 5,000 people. He will also be a chaplain for the Beijing Olympics 2008. The team built a strong relationship with him and we are looking forward to his visit to Mariners this year.
God is doing amazing things in China! Based on the dedication of those we met, we are confident God will continue to work mightily through them for His Kingdom. |
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| To Tell the Truth |
I'm not valuable. I'll be alone for the rest of my life.
People will like me if I look a certain way.
What are the lies that swim around in your head? How do these lies impact the way you live or the way you relate to those around you? How about the way you relate to God?
Pastor Justin Sogoian teaches that the lies that live inside our heads need to be exposed, to be brought into the light and the truth revealed. At Fuel, the 20s singles ministry, he began a 12-week series called "The Deceived: What Lies are You Believing?" Each week, with vulnerability and honesty, a leader told the group about a lie that deceived them all their life. Leaders shared the how the father of lies twisted the truth so that a seed was planted and the lie began to take root. Justin beautifully showed us, through God's Word, how these lies don't have to have a stronghold. The Truth of God's unfailing love exposes these thoughts for what they are.
When you think: I'm not valuable.
Listen to the Truth: You are God's masterpiece, created perfectly and beautifully by Him. You have value beyond measure.
When you think: I'll be alone for the rest of my life.
Hear the Truth: You are never alone. You are loved by God and loved by others. You have a community here who cares about you.
When you think: People will like me if I look a certain way.
Know the Truth: The person you are inside is worth far more than your outer shell. Your true friends love you for who you are, not what you look like.
Lies exposed. Truth revealed. |
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| We're having a baby! (Sort of) |
It's been about 13 years since my wife and I had a baby. When she was pregnant, we went to Lamaze classes to learn that way of breathing that would help ease the pain of childbirth. I was really in to it and when her labor arrived, I wanted to do all I could to help her. I breathed the way they taught us and kept telling her to do the same. My dear wife, finally getting tired of my help, said, "Will you stop doing that?! We're having a baby!"
When Mariners' new daughter,Pathways Church, had its first preview service, I woke up in the morning, really nervous and wanting everything to be
perfect and I think I went into hyper-breathing Lamaze mode. Then God sort of stopped me and said, "Stop doing that. I'm taking care of this. We're having a baby!"
The first service was great. A flock of volunteers helped set up chairs, arrange lights, and get the room ready. We estimate 100 adults and 50 kids turned up for the service. Our children's ministry brought all the kids to join us at the end of the service to worship God together. It was a wonderful morning.
On a Sunday later that month, we walked around our neighborhoods passing out fliers to introduce the church and invite friends and neighbors to a BBQ. I was struck by how many people weren't in church on a Sunday morning. We prayed that God would bring these families to him, and that they would experience a hope and love found only in Him. That was and is our prayer for North Irvine.
God continued to remind me that he is in this. The Pathways Church adventure is his baby. |
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| Bridges are built first and crossed many times |
A young college student left school and came home to stay. This was difficult and humbling time because she was pregnant. She decided to give the baby up for adoption. After the birth, she was confident she made the right decision, but struggled through the pain and wondered if God could make something good of this in her life.
Several years later, this woman came to a house for pregnant girls who were waiting to put their babies up for adoption. As she nervously walked into the house, she wondered if she had anything to offer in service to this house. A group of girls sat around a table working half-heartedly on a craft. The woman approached them, but the girls didn't make eye contact or say much more than one-word answers to her small talk.
While chatting, the woman found out that one of the girls had just a month to find a home for her baby. This had been exactly the case for the woman years before. As she began to share her story, the demeanor of the girls transformed. They could not believe that this woman had once been in their situation. The woman told them of her journey and that she shared their pain through her own experience. A bridge was built. By the end of the night, the woman and the girls laughed together and the bridge was crossed toward to new relationships.
The woman is going back to the house again to spend time with her new friends. God indeed causes all things to work together for good. |
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| God May Have Different Intentions |
| I brought my son and his friend on a trip to Mexico to help build a house for a family who lived in their van. The parents of this family were believers and were so thankful to God for a safe place to live. I was thankful too, but I also wondered, "God, who are we supposed to share the Gospel with?" That had always been one of the most exciting parts of the trip for me. We worked hard and finally arrived home late Sunday night, dirty and exhausted. The guys wanted to go out to dinner and I reluctantly agreed. During the meal, my son’s pal began to ask some amazing questions about God. My family and I were able to share our faith with him! It was so great that this weekend of serving others brought him to a place where he was ready to ask those questions and hear about God's grace and mercy. And I was able to see God’s intentions rather than my own. |
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| Little Boy, Big Heart |
| My grandson, who asked the Lord to be his forever friend last year, began planning last spring to attend VBS. He started by accepting "donations" from golfers for lemonade and cookies at Easter. After that success, he became a faithful collector of recyclables and used his proceeds for several philanthropic endeavors in our community, including VBS and the Military Support Ministry here at church. While the total collection has not amounted to a huge sum of money by some standards ($32), it is his tender heart for those in need that shines. I see great things in my grandson’s future as he continues to serve in our Lord's name. With loving pride I am the big-hearted boy’s grandmother. |
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| Casa de Escuchar |
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Get the Flash Player to see this player.
click video to play
[shown in weekend services 6/10&11/2007] |
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| Through the Eyes of a Child |
I’ve served in Children's Ministries each summer on my breaks from
university life. Having just finished grad school, there's a lot of
worldly stuff up in the air: student loans, cars and a lot of stuff
that may seem important. The greatest reminder of what is really
important came last week from the little children at Port Mariners.
While serving, a little girl brought her friend to me. She was ready
to accept Christ as her Savior. I sat and talked with them and this
young girl was ready to take the step. We prayed, she cried, it was
so sweet and a true reminder about what is really important. Life is
so much more than loans, cars, and finding a job. Being there for the
moment a child gives herself to Jesus was a magnificent gift. It was
a great day to be a part of Children's Ministries.
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| A Chat in Love |
| Last weekend I attended "Conversation", the Latter-day Saints/Evangelical Christian dialogue event at Mariners. Over 1,500 people were in attendance! This event was the vision of a 19-year-old in our congregation who heard God's voice and felt compelled to start a dialogue -- in love -- between the two faiths. Toward the middle of the program, we broke up into small group discussions around tables that included people from both LDS and evangelical churches. Following the event, I heard one couple from Mariners who hosted a table discussion have already received an email from a LDS couple they met. They formed a friendship that will allow them to break down walls of misunderstanding and have further discussions. At another table someone set up a time to meet their new friend for coffee this week to continue their discussion. The bridges of discussion have begun, allowing a new type of conversation to occur between our two faiths. |
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| Love and Action |
| During the wild fires on Catalina Island, Mariners Church received a call from an attendee who was wondering what we were doing to help. Our pastor who oversees the REACH value had already contacted the pastor of the evangelical church on the island. Their church leaders are basically missionaries and said we were the only church that called to see how they were doing. Although the fires were safely put out, we discovered in the process that they have need for electrical repairs and new paint on their church building. A couple from our church who have been praying about how God would have them respond feels that God wants them to lead a team this summer to do repairs and other projects to serve that church, our neighbors and family in Christ. |
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| From Africa to Irvine |
| I recently met a family at the Children's Ministries Volunteer Appreciation event who had been in the mission field in Africa for many years. When they moved back, they shared that they had tried different churches, but felt that Mariners was just too big of a place for them to connect. However, because they have a little daughter who has special needs, they started attending our "Special Friends" special needs ministry at Port Mariners. After seeing how much she loves the ministry, they decided to stay. Now she is completely plugged in and absolutely loves it. In addition, the whole family now serves at Port Mariners. Even though they've been attending here for less than a year, Mariners is now like home to them. |
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| Play Dates |
| Do you know what a play date is? As the single dad of an 8-year-old child, I certainly do. I'm the guy who coordinates play dates with all the Moms. While scheduling a follow-up play date, my daughter said to her friend, "No, I can't play on Saturday, because we're going to church." To which her friend responded, "I want to go to church." A week later both girls were at Port Mariners together enjoying the activities.
Another week passed and my daughter's friend said to her mom "I want to go to church again." Her mom came too and as we sat together we heard a very powerful message on breaking through the quitting points in life. It seemed to be an emotional time for my "Guest-Mom" and after the service she told me that she had just filed for divorce. I believe God brought her to Mariners just to hear his message of hope. And it all started from a play date between two 2nd graders. |
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| Baby on the way... |
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The most joyous news often comes by e-mail. Months ago at our healing service I was up front praying with those in need. As the procession of prayer seekers grew longer I saw a familiar young couple in my line. As a pastor, I had married them three years ago. I am often anxious for new marriages but found this couple had been trying to get pregnant for the last 2 1/2 years. We prayed to God for healing and to bless them with a child.
This week an e-mail arrived with news that the couple is six months pregnant! They traced this joyous blessing back to our prayers at the healing service. God gifted a miracle that day. |
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| Love thy Neighbor… Really |
| I went to Peru on a mission trip and I was in a house giving away one of hundreds of wheelchairs to a man that had been paralyzed for 20 years. Children were running in and out of the house and I assumed the woman in the house was his wife. Our team asked about his story and he explained that he had no family. We were all confused. If he had no family who was this woman taking care of him and who were all these kids? He told us that 20 years ago he was in an accident and could no longer care for himself. His family had kicked him out because he was too difficult to care for. The woman was his neighbor and she had taken him into her home and cared for him every day since. We were amazed. We asked the woman why she would do this for a man that was not part of her family? She said, “You know- you are a Christian, too. Jesus told us to care for our neighbors and that is all I am doing.” Our whole team was moved to tears by the huge daily sacrifice this woman makes for a neighbor in need. |
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| DVD Evangelism |
| I invited my family to come for Palm Sunday and no one came. I invited them to come for Easter and no one came. I drove up to Palm Springs on Easter afternoon to see some of my family and decided to take the dvd of Palm Sunday services for them to see. I thought they would get a kick out of seeing the kids on stage. I was really nervous when I popped the dvd in the player and hit play. To my surprise it opened up a conversation with my uncle that I definitely would have always believed to be impossible. He asked me about Jesus- specifics about Jesus for at least an hour! I have been praying for years and years and years that the truth would be revealed and talked about in my family and it happened… the impossible happened. |
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| Just GO |
| On Easter I was out on the patio and God taught me a valuable lesson. He taught me that sometimes I need to “just go” and somehow He will give me what I need for what He has for me to do instead of trying to find someone better for the task at hand. There was a man attending one of the services who was dying and his daughter asked me to pray with him. I walked over and introduced myself. I asked him why he was at church and he told me that he wanted to ask Jesus into his life. I shared a couple scriptures and then asked him to pray along with me. After the prayer I looked at him and asked him where Jesus was in his life now? He told me that Jesus was in his heart. A couple days later his daughter sent me an email. She told me that her dad asked her to reread the scriptures that I had read him at church. Then he turned to his daughter and told him it was the best day of his life because he knew that when he died he was going to be in heaven with the Lord. How awesome. And really, I had nothing to do with this because I was just out on the patio; almost bored actually. But instead of trying to find someone else who I felt might be able to present the Gospel or pray better than I, God told me to “just go” and I did. God gave me what was needed for what he had for me to do and God changed that mans eternity forever. |
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| The Power of a Link |
| My daughter attends an art school where the three topics discussed everyday by her peers are why they “hate Bush, hate Jesus, and love pot.” Recently a friend came over to spend the night at our house. I try not to be a chatty mom but for some reason I kept asking this girl tons of questions and learned that her family life was a mess. Our hearts totally went out to her and we started bringing her to church. She loved it and felt so much love from the staff and volunteers. I found out that her dad was not a big fan of her attending and was telling her all sorts of lies about the youth program. He even told her that the church was trying to brainwash her. There was a youth retreat coming up and I knew he wouldn’t let her go, but I had to give it a try. I emailed her dad and sent him the link to the website, hoping he would take some time to check it out. A short time passed and her dad emailed me. He had visited the website! Although his first reaction was to not let her go, he changed his mind and was even working on getting the items his daughter needed for the week away. He even bought her a Bible! |
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| The Contagious Ambassador |
| He woke up and he was tired. He spent fourteen hours in the emergency room the day before with his son. Thankfully his son was fine but his emotions were still raw from the uncertainty of the day before. And now he had a meeting. How could he share about Gods faithfulness to his son with a room full of coat and tie “financial types” and with so little processing of the event himself? God reminded him of the power of a story and the importance of brevity among people whose minds are filled with numbers and items on an agenda. At the meeting he shared about the day before. He explained how thankful he was to have two nurses in particular encourage him with comments like “God is in control” or “God is faithful.” That afternoon one of the men from the meeting emailed him and thanked him for sharing his experience. He now realized he had the potential to be an ambassador for Christ in his profession by taking bits of his life and sharing it with others in the same way! |
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| I Believe! |
| I was assigned to mentor a young man who was displaced to California by Hurricane Katrina. I was a little nervous before I met with him but decided that I just had to be myself. I thought it would be cool to start our relationship off on the right foot and the “right foot” to me means honesty. I told him that I was 100% committed to being completely honest in our friendship and hoped he would do the same. I also told him that I am a Christian and invited him to church. Surprisingly, he agreed and we came to one of the services the next weekend. While we were sitting in the service my mentee starting getting fidgety and I thought for sure that he wanted to leave early. When I finally asked him what was wrong he told me that he wanted to go down front and say I Believe! Wow- what a great time! I think our friendship is definitely headed in the right direction. I am so glad that God guided me to be a mentor, to be honest, and to be the real “me.” |
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updated 4/25/07 |
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WEEKENDS