Popsicles from the Pulpit

Visited the Mariner Church in sunny California recently while visiting my daughter. It had been awhile since I had been to a church other than Johnson Ferry and I found myself somewhat guarded on the way there, not to mention late. Would this pastor be sincere and more importantly sound in his teaching or would he be Christian light or worse, Christian wrong? This is important. After all, my young grandson, Wyatt and his parents are attending there!

Well, it wasn't SBC. The recycled bulletins were no bigger than a tri-fold wallet and I'm pretty sure I saw someone come to church in a swimsuit cover-up. They give new meaning to casual dress! There was a huge outdoor space with a bounce house for the kiddos and the welcome team had big picket signs that said, "Hi" and "Welcome". I have to admit, it was very welcoming. There was a huge push from the pulpit to join, "Rooted" which is a newcomers Bible Study that they hope will transition people to a life group. There was a testimony video from a young woman trying to find meaning in yoga (didn't find it) when someone invited her to church and she prayed for the first time. Hint: I need to invite the woman in my exercise class to come to church with me.

Even though I was in the parents with babies section and not the main auditorium, I found the worship to be great and the message to be spirit filled and doctrinally sound.  Whew! We were invited to enjoy complimentary red/white/blue bullet Popsicles in the open green space, which I found refreshing. I even came home with an awesome verse to share with my kiddos- Proverbs 13:20. Check it out. I saw with my own eyes how this church is reaching their lost community. The church is creating a relaxed, inviting place for people to come and meet Jesus Christ. The church was packed on a Saturday night so it seems to be working. I pray they and we will continue to lift up Jesus Christ because He alone is worthy and the reason we are here.

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. John 3:14

Answered Prayer

Like most everyone in our class of boomers, Eric and I are dealing with parents who are aging and ailing. We are doing the best we can to care for them with the limitations of still having three school aged children in our house. Carpooling and doctor visits don't go together very well. Although Eric's mom is 80 yrs. old, it became clear that she needed surgery to address one of her health issues. Because of her age, surgery was a last resort. We prayed and had our children and class pray for her surgery. We were anticipating a difficult recovery, trying to come up with how we could help her post surgery. Eric was planning to go stay at their house if needed, etc. In short, we were dreading it.

Well, she not only came through the surgery, but she and my father-in-law who is 86 didn't even need Eric's help coming home from the hospital the day after surgery! She is strong enough to walk upstairs to her own bedroom and is doing very well. This is not what we expected! And why not? Why were we not expecting her to do well? Didn't we pray for a successful surgery and a quick recovery? Our faith is so small. It's embarrassing. We are thankful all the same, really thankful. So glad that God knows how small our faith is and our carpooling schedule and comes through anyway.

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117:2