January 30, 2014

Jersey Day is coming this Sunday!  This is a really fun day for us as a church when we wear the jersey of our favorite team (whichever sport you like).  Of course we will have service, but with an added twist of Super Bowl fun.  Hey, if you can't have fun at church then something must be wrong.

I want everyone to know that I am doing as well as expected through my treatments.  I miss being with all of you very much, and hear such good reports from many.  I so appreciate our Bayside family of leaders who are helping us through this time.  I’m looking forward to being back very soon.   This coming week we will have Pastor Jim Holst back with us, and I know he is bringing with him great tools for your faith. 

I wanted to encourage you today with this passage found in Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 

I know that each day has its own challenges.  You will most likely have already encountered difficulty today.  But, as the writer of Hebrews challenges us, "throw off everything that hinders..."  Do not give up, rather give in to Christ.  Give in to "perseverance...fix your eyes on Jesus..."  He will direct you, encourage you and cause you to finish this incredible race we are all in.  Be encouraged today no matter your circumstances because Jesus has already been down this trail and He will not abandon you on it.  I am praying we all discover God's powerful presence each and every day. 

We love you and look forward to seeing you very soon. 

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog     

January 15, 2014

Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!"

No matter what trials come to my life, I have found that if I seek God in these situations He is always found.  He is good and He brings me joy.  It’s my prayer today for you that you will seek Him and find that same joy.  Go ahead, "taste and see that the Lord is good."

Thank you, Pastor Bob Balian, for your message this last Sunday.  What an appropriate message about joy in all situations.  I so appreciate having great friends in the Bayside family willing to help us in our time of need.  I am in the middle of my second week of preventative treatments and things are going well. 

This coming weekend Dr. John Jackson, president of William Jessup University, will be our speaker.  Dr. Jackson is a good friend and I know his message will be timely and impactful.  I hope you will be joining us on Sunday as we listen to his wisdom and insights.  Also, the weekend of January 26 we will have Pastor Ray Johnston from Bayside Granite Bay.  Both of these speakers are exceptional communicators and provide a great opportunity for you to invite family and friends who do not normally attend church.

Thank you for your prayers.  They are lifting me each day.  I could not do this without your support. 

We love you and hope to see you very soon. 

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog

January 10, 2014

"To Begin With . . ." is our new series.  I enjoyed kicking off week one and hope you have found inspiration from it to live differently in this new year.  The truth is—commitment precedes accomplishment.  What are you committed to?  When did you spend time with God this week?  Where have you spent time with God?  How did you spend time with God?  How about Generosity with your time, talents and resources?  What about the commitment to belong to His church?  Did you follow through on the commitment to serve someone each day?  These are commitments that accomplish a great many things . . . when we keep them.  Let's begin the new year with fresh commitments.

 

Three services!  The question came up again this last week about why we added a third service.  The reason is simple—we had run out of parking.  The city will not allow us to park on the grass, but as we expected was going to happen, our church continues to grow.  The answer was either turn people away or make a little more room . . . we thought the room idea was the best of the two.   It’s a good thing we did because Sunday we experienced our largest weekend attendance ever (1,070) outside of Easter.  Thank you to all who made it happen!  This is God's mission moving forward and we are privileged to be part of it.  I am so excited that our God continues to direct sincere people our way.   

 

As many of you know I made the announcement last Sunday that I have lined up four special guest speakers over the next four weeks.  I want to reiterate that I will be stepping back into my speaking role the second week of February.  Until then, I will be looking forward to enjoying our speakers right alongside of you each Sunday morning.

 

We love you and look forward to seeing you this coming weekend.  Be on the lookout for who you might invite to come with you.

 

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog 

 

P.S.  Please find at least three people at church this coming weekend who are serving in some capacity and thank them for making your experience so enjoyable.