I am My Brothers Keeper by Frank Castle
“More than 5 years ago my brother’s name was written on my 1 for 1 card. I have been faithful to pray for him and invite him. That is what I am so excited about today. To see my brother Huck dedicate himself to God…it’s incredible!” uttered Justin Smith heartfully as he prepared to plunge his bearded brother Daniel “Huck” Smith into the baptismal.
“Many times in my life I came to God. Every time I was in trouble, I cried out to Him. But this time I am giving Him my life, a good life,” declared Huck. It is a good life. Huck is a respected man of God. A father, a hard worker, a good friend and a great brother.
In recent weeks he has committed to being a man of God. Brining his kids to church and being found there faithfully have gone a long way. He made the prayer mountain retreat a priority and now is a man on fire for God.
When families commit to praying for one another God demands a blessing. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” the Psalmist declares. How good it is when we are our brothers keeper and will pray them into the Kingdom!
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Great Things on the Way
Every Sunday at 2pm Celebrate Recovery
March7 UFC Poker Night
March 14 Darts Part II
April 12th Easter
April 17th Flagfootball Vs. VCA
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A New Record by E. Vee
Last Saturday the night of worship set a new record of over 90 souls at church. Combined with the two Sunday services there were over 330 in attendance! That is a new record. Second only to Easter ‘18. Incredible! With Celebrate Recovery and Men’s ministries set to make more disciples, we should brace for even more growth. Olivia Rodriguez and Vivian Stoneburg have been making countless phone calls to harvest prayer requests. More prayers than ever are being offered. Carol Bennett’s thoughtful letters and certificates continue to make an impact. There are so many working behind the scenes to see the Kingdom expand…it is so encouraging!
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Winter Retreat by J. Who
Tears streamed down every young face. Some of joy. Some of repentance. Some for the feeling of God’s love. Every youth was prayed for and spoken over by Rev. Bill Wolfson on the final night of Youth Winter Camp. It was literally the BEST! That was the theme: Best.
In the green, green forest of Idyllwild, Rev. Drew gave the memorable acronym; Better Eternity Starts Today with a message from Colossians 1 expounded on why Jesus is the best. As they soaked it in, the young souls played lots of volleyball, football, awesome ball, table games, and card games. The food was good and the friendships forged were even better.
There were many memorable quotes from the pulpit taken down in student’s notebooks; “Always strive to be the best.” “Different gifts but the same Giver.” “To be your best, you need a mentor.”” Don’t be sucked up in drama; it will make you worse; not your best.” “You are worth it, set goals.” Rev. Chaz and Rev. Bill from HCA, along with Rev. Drew and Nathan from RCA all delivered the Word with power.
Thank you for investing in our youth! Your generous support was enough to scholarship all those that could use it and were able to go. Thanks to the skilled mechanics for getting the Kraken (the bus) in good running order. And huge gratitude to our outstanding youth leadership team!
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Thieves Redemption by Rev. Drew
“Thieves don’t make it to Heaven;” sang Elder Chris Anderson and worship leader Mike Harris to a standing ovation. With a country twang and folksy story-telling twist, the melody was an instant hit! The song was the brainchild of Chris. It tells the story of a boy who stole, a youth who misbehaved and a young man who was eventually arrested. Not until he meets Christ behind bars, does he really change.
The duo rehearsed over the prior two weeks, but their performance was at another level. “Wow, Chris went for it and he hit those high notes!” praised one listener. “That was awesome!” exclaimed another. The courage to perform, the skill to write and the moving of the Holy Spirit all came together for a moving and memorable performance.
Kathleen Brown recited her poems like a prophetess. Ted Peterson has been writing songs and books for veterans for years. His friend Gina Boe, two-time “Dove Award” winner and heralded song writer is going to put on a song writing seminar for RCA over the summer. Our creative courage is growing, and everybody has something to offer.
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Godonomics: The Peacock and Charlie Darwin By C. S. Anderson
The other day I took a friend to the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. The wonders of God revealed on this 127-acre plot are too numerous to mention here. However, the Conservatory that administers the place advocates Darwin’s evolution of species.
The Arboretum is known for its wild peafowl. But Charlie Darwin had this to say about the peacock, “The sight of a feather in a peacock tail, whenever I gaze upon it, makes me sick!” Since his theory is based on natural selection, or “survival of the fittest,” he knew the cumbersome tail of the peacock would actually be a hinderance to survival rather than an asset.
However, the peacock’s tail was not the only thing to make Darwin nervous. The eye was also one of those things. That natural selection could produce such a thing, “seemed, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree,” he wrote.
If he knew then what we know today, poor Charlie would have fainted. Why? Because the DNA molecule is a sophisticated binary code that both determines the current operation of a living cell, as well as the species the DNA represents. DNA is information and information always has an intelligent source. Peacocks, eyes, and Charlie Darwin himself are all the work of a glorious Creator.
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