The Pacific Southwest Conference is offering a discount for couples who register for "Weekend to Remember." Please use the discount code PSWC when registering and receive $100 off. The marriage retreat will be in Phoenix June 16-18....
Of all the emotions that a human can feel, fear is possibly the most impactful. Fear can seamlessly compel a person to act in ways that are not beneficial to their well-being. Fear is of the enemy......
It‘s true we often suffer some great disappointments, some expectations or plans we might have not always materialized. We may even feel like God’s left us hanging and that an illness or injury has taken him away from us. But remember, He is faithful. And the real upside of this is if we remain faithful we will live eternally with Him someday. ...
Love isn’t just for Valentines Day -- it’s what gets me up everyday. Love isn’t just for that one special someone -- it’s for everyone. The chance to care for and encourage those around me is an honor. Measure all things in your life by the “Rule of Love”. What would God have you do? What does love require? What breaks your heart, and what one thing can you do to help?...
Truth be told, I am not an elite athlete. When I was in kindergarten, I flunked “skip” (not sure how my self-esteem survived that report card, but that is another story). While early on, I was too uncoordinated to skip, I did play baseball, soccer, real football, and basketball when I was growing up. However, I was never endowed with the physical gifts to become what I call an elite athlete. What I do know though, is that God equipped me with the gifts to enjoy those sports and become the best athlete I could ever be....
There are many differences between God, as the Bible describes Him, and the Force of Star Wars but there’s a line from Han Solo in the new movie that sums it up. One of the new characters talks about how he’s going to do something that seems impossible and Han asks him how. The young man says, “I’ll use the Force,” and runs off. Han yells after him, “That’s not how the Force works, kid!” That’s not how a personal, caring God works either....
The plans of man will always fail, but the plan of God has already won its battle. If Christians are to actually make an impact in the world then they must collectively turn to the truths found in scripture alone. They must become engulfed in the transformative power of God through His word provided in the bible......
I hunger for simplicity. I want to approach God in childlike faith, wonder, and awe. I long for more than just spiritual life but spiritual health ...
In recent years there has been an unsettling disengagement of young adults with the American Church. For some reason, when students graduate high school and gain the freedom of college, they are simply choosing to not go to church anymore. In the four years that I’ve worked with youth I have received this question the most: “How do we keep students engaged after they g...
Keep ReadingThis article written by Carey Nieuwhof of Connexus Church gives 5 helpful perspectives to remember as we begin to engage in a topic that has potential to become a fruitful dialogue....
Keep ReadingAt my house we love to play games together so I’m always looking for ones that the boys can have fun and learn from. I came across this game the other day and thought you might be able to use it to teach children of any age a great lesson in giving....
Keep ReadingAll churches are driven by something. Some are driven by tradition (“We’ve always done it that way!”). Others are driven by finances (“What’s it going to cost us?”). Others are driven by strong personalities (“What does Mr. So-and-so think about this?”). At Hope, our desire is to be a “purpose-driven” church. In other words, we want the purposes of God ...
Keep ReadingAs most of you know from my letter a few week ago, I am resigning from Hope Covenant Church on July 5. I have accepted a Lead Pastor position at Escalon Covenant Church in Northern California and will begin there in early August. This means that Kelly, the girls, and I have just under a month left at Hope. And, as I wrap up my time with you, I want share several reflection...
Keep ReadingOften, our actions speak louder than words and this article by Jon Acuff is a great reminder that "A strong foundation of honesty is built brick by brick"....
Keep ReadingHappy Summer Hope family! I hope everyone is ready for VBS! Please pray for God to do great things with this event. I would love to meet the children of people you know that don't know what they are missing not having a relationship with Christ and a church family to love them. No pre-sign up needed. Just bring the kids a bit before 6:30pm so we can get them signed in. Ou...
Keep ReadingI grew up in a small church as many of you did. Even though about 70% of all churches are under 100, and 95% of all churches are under 500 (our size), the smaller churches are often seen as the “weak kid in the block.” In this article by Karl Vaters from The Leadership Journal (Spring 2015), the author celebrates small churches. May we do the same....
Keep ReadingWhen faced with some of life's toughest questions and in an age of information, where do we turn? "Do we believe God can tell us something Google can't?"...
Keep ReadingThis month I would like to share a video from the Children’s Pastor Conference I attended this past February. Beth Guckenberger of Back2Back Ministries was one of our speakers. I find her very inspiring and hope you will, too. In this video she talks about those very close to God moments that change our lives....
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