After his son Matthew  die (taken his own life), Pastor Warren ask his congregation to pray for him and his family. Let join in this time for praying……

To my dear staff,

Over the past 33 years we’ve been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I’ve been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need your prayer for us.

No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today.

You who watched Matthew grow up knew he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and compassionate man. He had a brilliant intellect and a gift for sensing who was most in pain or most uncomfortable in a room. He’d then make a bee-line to that person to engage and encourage them.

But only those closest knew that he struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.

Kay and I often marveled at his courage to keep moving in spite of relentless pain. I’ll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give relief, Matthew said “ Dad, I know I’m going to heaven. Why can’t I just die and end this pain?” but he kept going for another decade.

Thank you for your love and prayers. We love you back.

Pastor Rick

1 Corinthians 15:14-17 : “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.  and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

Easter Sunday is the most triumphant day in the calendar of the Christian Church.

The resurrection quickly became the central theme of the apostles preaching. Within 50 days of the death of Christ and of the apparent collapse of His cause, the city of Jerusalem rang with the cries of those who with all boldness declared that God had raised Jesus from the dead and that they were His witnesses. Hundreds had seen Him after His resurrection! On the day of Pentecost cowering cowards were changed into courageous confessors. Fishermen from Galilee became heralds of the King. All who saw and heard them were compelled to acknowledge that something had happened which had utterly transformed their lives. When questioned by their critics, the apostles had no hesitancy in making reply. They accounted for their own boldness by attributing everything to the risen Christ.

On the day of Pentecost the resurrection was the keynote of Peter’s sermon, (See Acts 2:14-40) which inspired 3,000 people to confess Christ as Lord.

Acts 2:41: “Those who accepted His message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day”.

The resurrection was the dominant theme in all of Paul’s preaching. Everywhere he declared: “By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.”  1 Corinthians 6:14

Thousands of people will go to church on Easter Sunday to hear sermons about the resurrection. But how many actually believe that Christ is alive?

What a difference it would make if they did!

What a difference it would make in domestic and international affairs if people understood that Christ is risen!

What a transformation would take place in our families!

On the day of the resurrection the angel at the tomb delivered the most important message that has ever fallen on the ears of mankind: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:6 ( Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6)

The power of those words changed the course of history, brought hope to a hopeless world and gave men and women a purpose and a power which they had never before known.

We live in a day when science has harnessed the power of the universe. But such power has not made the world better. It has not solved the riddle of human evil; it has not helped us to cope with the problems that threaten the world’s peoples.

What relevance has the resurrection of Christ to our human dilemma?

Christ’s resurrection can have everything to do with answering our problems. Alive forevermore, the risen Christ can do today what He did for those who received and believed Him in days gone by.

1). THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION SAVES AND REDEEMS INDIVIDUALS

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25)

I have seen hundreds, thousands of men and women who are among the living dead. Life to them has become a hollow mockery and a sham; life has lost its purpose and meaning. These people are bored and fed up; they have no zest for living.

I have seen them come in simply, trusting faith to the living Christ. They have put their trembling hands into the strong hands of the crucified and risen Christ.

I have seen them in the glow of the living Christ step out of a casket of broken hopes and dreams to become happy, useful, integrated people, filled with purpose and power.

Jesus words have not changed. Time has not robbed them of their power.

When “the dead … hear the voice of the Son of God … they will live.” (John 5:25)

The Christ who lived on this planet still lives today, raising from their lifelessness all those who believe in Him, raising them from a wretched existence that is worse than death.

I have seen them in the glow of the living Christ step out of a casket of broken hopes and dreams to become happy, useful, integrated people, filled with purpose and power.

Jesus words have not changed. Time has not robbed them of their power.

When “the dead … hear the voice of the Son of God … they will live.” (John 5:25)

The Christ who lived on this planet still lives today, raising from their lifelessness all those who believe in Him, raising them from a wretched existence that is worse than death.

We read in the Bible:

a). “and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.”(Ephesians 1:19-20)

b). “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins”. Ephesians 2:1. “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-6)

Have you been raised to a new life in Christ – you who are discouraged and despondent? You who are bored with living? You who cope with psychological and mental problems? You who experience gnawing fear and insecurity? You who are dead in trespasses and in sins? I tell you on the authority of the Bible that the risen Christ can raise you out of your spiritual lifelessness and can transform you.
2). THE RESURRECTION EMPOWERS US TO LIVE VICTORIOUSLY IN THIS LIFE

The living Christ is able to bring all of our energies and powers into focus and to help us to be conquerors over the world, the flesh and the devil.

The Bible says: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

With the risen Christ as our Commander in Chief we can say with Paul: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

I have exciting news for all that are staggering under the burden of life’s load. After the resurrection Jesus promised: ” … and surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

God wants you to have His power today. He longs to give it to you, but you must be faith open your heart to Him. When you come to the cross of Christ for forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit will raise you from the mundane, the monotonous, the hopeless, to a new, thrilling, adventuresome life filled with dynamic power.

3). THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION GIVES HOPE

“Is there hope?” That is the constant question of humanity, and Easter is the answer to that question. The New Testament is the textbook of hope. The word hope occurs over and over in the New Testament after Christ’s resurrection. It was the resurrection of Jesus Christ that sets off a chain reaction of hope in the world.

Thomas Carlyle wrote: “Man is … based upon Hope; he has no other possession but Hope.”

On the purely human level there is little hope in the world. Immorality and lawlessness seem to be increasing. Wrong seems to be winning and right seems to be losing the battle for the minds and hearts of people. But the living Christ can bring glorious hope to individuals and to the world. 

Scripture says: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Many of us have put our faith in stocks, bonds, gadgets, pleasures and thrills.

Many of us have tried to bypass God. We are in trouble because we have left out God; we have left out the Ten Commandments; we have left out the Sermon on the Mount.

Now we are reaping the tragic results. But there is hope in the Easter message: in Christ there is hope for all.

All of us are facing death, and we can know that with Christ there is hope beyond the grave, because the same power that raised Christ from the dead will also raise those who confess Him. Death becomes only a veil, only a river to cross; on the other side is heaven, home and Christ.

One moment we say “Good night” here, and the next moment we say “Good morning” there.

I do not know how people outside Christ cope with the thought of death. They must experience utter hopelessness, for there is no hope outside Christ.

Easter, with its message of resurrection power, brings us face-to-face with the living Christ. 
Will you reject Him and be eternally lost? Or will you receive Christ and the eternal life that He alone can give?

An open letter to Victoria’s Secret regarding their choice to make an underwear line aimed at young teenagers. 

by Rev. Evan Dolive

“……….Recently I read an article that Victoria’s Secret is launching a line of underwear and bras aimed at middle school aged children. The line will be called “Bright Young Things” and will feature ” lace black cheeksters with the word “Wild” emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with “Feeling Lucky?” and a lace trim thong with the words, “Call me” on the front.”

As a dad, this makes me sick.

I believe that this sends the wrong message to not only my daughter but to all young girls.
I don’t want my daughter to ever think that her self-worth and acceptance by others is based on the choice of her undergarments. I don’t want my daughter to ever think that to be popular or even attractive she has to have emblazon words on her bottom……….”

http://evandolive.com/2013/03/22/a-letter-to-victorias-secret-from-a-father/

Having a difficult time getting guests to return?  Here’s twelve reasons why they may not be coming back.

You only greeted them at the front door.  Most churches have greeters at the front door.  But once you move past the front door…good luck…you’re on your own.

You made them wait in line.  People hate to wait in line.  

No one talked to them…I mean really talked to them.  This goes along with the first reason.  Just a “hello” at the front door is not talking to someone.  

Someone was rude to them.  An usher was short with them.  Or they were told they were “sitting in someone’s seat.”  Or people just looked past them as they walked down the hallway.  Or someone enforced a “hard and fast” rule in the children’s area without kindness.   

They didn’t see people they could identify with.  Perhaps they didn’t see many people their age, season of life, social economic background, or ethnicity.

They weren’t invited by a friend.  Since they didn’t know anyone else and no one reached out to them once they got there, they have no relational connection to bring them back.

You didn’t provide them with an easy, clear next step to get connected.   

You didn’t make them feel valued.  They had to park in the worst area of the parking lot.  There were no signs or directions about where to go.  The people they interacted with made them feel like they were a “bother.”

You were too friendly.  You smothered them.  You’ve experienced that in a store.  As soon as you walk in, you’re pounced on by an associate eager to make a sales commission.  It makes you want to run out the door. 

The service was boring and irrelevant to their life.  They couldn’t relate to the music.  The lesson was full of information without application.  20 minutes in, they realized it would have been more comfortable to stay home and take a nap on the couch instead of taking one in a church seat.

Their kids didn’t like it.  When they picked up their kids, the kids weren’t smiling.  The children’s service matched the adult service in dullness and irrelevance.  

You didn’t capitalize on the first 8 minutes.  Guests decide in the first 8 minutes if they are going to return.  Most of the above happens in the first 8 minutes.

Questions to ask your team…

• Do we help guests once they pass the front door?

• Do we walk guests to their classrooms?

• Do we have a separate check-in area for guests?

• How long do guests have to wait in line to check-in?

• Is someone engaging guests in meaningful conversation between the front door and the auditorium door?

• Do we have kind, friendly people as ushers, greeters, teachers, etc.?

• Do we teach our people to live for others?  Do they have a heart for new people who walk in the door?  Have we helped them see “it’s not about us?”

• What is the demographic of our church?   Who are we reaching?  Who are we not reaching? Are we diverse?

• Are we making relational connections with guests?

• Do we have clear, next steps that guests can take to get connected?  Are they simple and easy to communicate?

• Do we give guests the best parking spots?

• Is there clear, easy-to-understand signage?

• Are we “smothering” new guests?  Does it sound like we are giving a sales pitch?

• Is our music and message relevant to their life?

• Are we creating a fun, engaging environment for kids?  Are kids dragging their parents to or away from our church?

• Are we maximizing the first 8 minutes?  What are guests experiencing in the first 8 minutes?

What are some other reasons guests don’t come back?
Share your thoughts, ideas, and insight with us in the comment section below.

http://www.relevantchildrensministry.com/

At the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, CEO Howard Schultz sent a clear message to anyone who supports traditional marriage over gay marriage: we don’t want your business. After saying Starbucks wants to “embrace diversity of all kinds,” he told a shareholder who supports traditional marriage that he should sell his shares and invest in some other company.

According to a report by Forbes, Schultz seemed a bit intolerant of any Starbucks shareholders who opposed gay marriage for moral or religious reasons. During the meeting, shareholder Tom Strobhar (who founded the Corporate Morality Action Center) pointed out that after the company voiced its support for a referendum backing gay marriage in Washington state, a boycott by traditional marriage supporters caused a drop in sales revenue. Schultz told him “You can sell your shares in Starbucks and buy shares in another company” if he did not agree with the company’s pro-gay marriage stand.

Read more: http://joemiller.us/2013/03/starbucks-ceo-no-tolerance-for-traditional-marriage-supporters/#ixzz2OTe55daE

Daniel, You are at the Gate…….Today!

A gate that separates your young years with the rest of your life! And as you grow in age, you shall realize the importance of these years.

Are you still young enough to throw a party or old enough to invite your friends for coffee at night?

Are you young enough to tell to some girls you just like them or old enough to take them out on a date?

Are you young enough to be consider another Sunday-school teen or old enough to pastor them?

Your success in life is always in your hands. I wish you faith, strength and focus to succeed in life.

Many say that youth is wasted on the young but you have the ability to prove that wrong! On your 18th birthday, make me a promise that you will not waste what you’re got, live to the fullest and make the very best of everything. A talent alone is never enough, you need to have a thirst to master it.

I look at you and wonder what mountains you will climb, what joys you will have…..I know there will be tears and struggle as well, but my prayer is that YOU WILL GROW into the man YOU ARE MEANT TO BE!!!!!

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

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Articol scris de Simona Bartes Lucescu

Intr-o zi, un sofer de autobuz a mers ca de obicei la serviciu, si-a pornit autobuzulsi a plecat pe traseu. Nimic deosebit la primele cateva statii: cativa oameni care au urcat, cativa care au coborat, si totul a fost ok.

La urmatoarea statie, insa, un tip enorm a urcat in autobuz, cam 1,90 m, cu constitutie de luptator categoria grea … s-a uitat spre sofer zicand: “Big John nu plateste !” si s-a asezat pe un scaun. V-am spus ca soferul avea cam 1,60m, era slabanog si genul de om bland ? Asa ca nu s-a certat cu Big John, dar nu i-a convenit chestia asta deloc.

Urmatoarea zi se intampla acelasi lucru – Big John a urcat iar in bus, a spus tare ca el nu plateste si s-a asezat. Urmatoarea zi iarasi…. si-n zilele urmatoare la fel…
Pana cand soferul n-a mai rezistat, deja avea insomnii din cauza lui Big John care-si batea joc de el. Asa ca-ntr-un final, s-a inscris la niste cursuri de body-building, karate, judo si alte arte martiale. Dupa cateva luni, deja era foarte puternic, mai mult, devenise very confident.

Asa ca, in momentul in care Big John urca in bus si spuse “Big John nu plateste”, soferul s-a ridicat, i-a aruncat o privire crunta si-a zbierat la el: “Si de ce nu?”
Big John l-a privit foarte uimit si i-a replicat: “Big John are abonament”.

Morala:  ASIGURA-TE CA EXISTA O PROBLEMA INAINTE DE-A FACE EFORTURI URIASE S-O REZOLVI !

ALTA MORALA LA CARE MERITA SA REFLECTATI : NU FACE PRESUPUNERI INUTILE !!!

TE VA COSTA MAI PUTIN STRESS, BANI, TIMP PIERDUT… SI DORMI SI FOARTE BINEEE !

In viata de toate zilele:
Nenorocirea nu e ca facem presupuneri, ci ca ajungem sa credem ca ele sunt adevarate !