Pastor Randy

It’s Spring!

It is springtime on the Central Coast and it’s such a beautiful time of year. Have you looked at the new leaves lately on the trees? Have you taken the time to witness the flowers blooming? Or, have you noticed the green grass pasting our rolling hills? Oh, have you smelled the salt in the air coming from the onshore breeze from our picturesque ocean? Yes, spring is a great time and it is simply gorgeous around here. And, you know, if we really think about it, our celebration of springtime and the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection have some striking commonalities. Specifically, the emergence of life from death, the return of hope, warmth, joy, and color from a gloomy, worn, barren and dark day! Check it out: because of the Resurrection, we have hope, light, joy and yes, life – all because our personal, intimate Springtime, named Jesus, emerged from death, restored hope, breathed warmth, resuscitated joy and added vibrant color to an otherwise dreary existence! Wow, are we privileged or what? We have a personal Jesus who literally, bodily came to be born to die to rise to ascend and someday, come back for us! This is the greatest story ever told; a story that never gets old and a story that is to be visited not just in the spring, rather, visited and re-visited every day of our life! Have an amazing Spring family…today, tomorrow and throughout eternity!

A Time To Reflect

Today is Ash Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 - a day that marks46 daysbefore Resurrection Sunday, a day that millions will place ashes in the symbol of a cross on their forehead to display one’s repentance, and a day that will cause many a believer to simply reflect, evaluate and take a deep look into their lives. Although I’ve never placed ashes on my forehead as a sign of repentance, I can think of no better time to, at the very least, take stock of my inner life to ensure I’m aligned with Jesus. It’s a great time of year to ask:

• How is my prayer life?
• Is my Bible reading consistent?
• Does my life relect the love of Jesus?
• When people read me, do they read my Savior?

You know, this is known as the season of lent, a practice for centuries to consider one’s walk with the Lord. This lent season, may I encourage you to take a deep look within? Seriously, how are you doing? Is Jesus the reason you wake up? Is God’s love the passion of your life? How about this Resurrection Season making a commitment unto the Lord to follow Paul’s example in Philippians 3:10, “…that I might know Him!”

May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you this day!

Pastor Randy P

Oop’s…be careful not to judge!

I’ve been reading a novel that is turning my world upside down. Or, more aptly put, turning my world right side up. The purists told me it was full of theological errors, not Biblically sound and entirely unrealistic!Hence, therighteousencouraged the book to be thrown in the round file, if you know what I mean. Well, I’m ashamed to say I succumbed to their arrogance and jumped on the proverbial it’s a waste of time read. Until…until a friend & his wife confronted me with, “Randy, have you read it? Seriously, take the book & read it with non-judgmental eyes…” You see, I boldly with conviction slammed the book from the pulpit as unchristian and aiding to a pluralistic cultured church; I actually felt justified in using the book to compliment my argument. Well, much to my embarrassment, I took the book and set out to read it, take notes on all the fallacies and come back with my barrels loaded to what I thought was to prove my point, but in reality it was more to accentuate my stupid pride. I think the phrase goes, “Pride goes before a good read and a haughty spirit before a novel!” Guess what? I read the Shack (knowing full well its fictionality…if you will) and have been moved in ways that I never imagined. In one part, I actually got lost in the book and had tears welling up in my eyes — and, I was on an aerobic bike at the gym…yipes! Now, granted the author does take literary liberties and it surely isn’t the Word of God. And yes, there are theological issues (…the trinity, the gender of the Godhead, the punishment of sin, cuss words coming out of the Father, etc.)! HOWEVER, reading The Shack has opened my eyes to a more personal, intimate daily journey with my Creator. To view the passion of the Godhead (as articulated in Mack’s struggle)and His desire to be a part of my existence (Psalm 139:13-18 and Zephaniah 3:17), every part of my existence…is not only a reminder, but a breath of fresh air in a busy, noisy and hectic life. So, lesson learned: be careful before casting aspersions. Let me close with this: the Bible is the source of all truth, no question! The Shack, or any novel, any commentary, etc., can NEVER take the place of daily Bible reading & meditation (Joshua 1:8 & 2 Timothy 2:15); and, this blog isn’t to promote a fictitious book; rather, to simply expose my arrogance and piety. So, have a great day and thanks for listening!

The Tide of Complaints

Riding the wave of complaints is a most difficult task indeed, especially when one’s career and livelihood is in the public arena. I’ve often felt that one who complains is like a diaper - they smother, they’re full of stuff and if left unattended, they become toxic. In reality, complainers tear down, arrogantly place themselves above and potentially can destroy a worthy endeavor. All to say, for those of us serving others, whether it is a public office, a non profit group, a Pastor, a Priest or even a proverbial do-gooder, hang in there, stay focused on the why’s of your motive and like a marathon runner, pace yourself for the journey! Hang in there, your cause is worth it!

The Spider

Okay, I was up at 4:00am watching the financial reports, reading a book a buddy named Ron gave me called Half Time and pouring my first cup of addiction from San Luis Obispo’s fine coffee company. As I was pouring my coffee, I noticed a small spider hanging out in the sink, next to my coffee pot. After watching this little critter try & get out of his predicament, I turned the water on and drained him down, if you will. Oh, about 20 minutes later, I proceeded to the kitchen to grab my second cup and low-in-behold, there that spider was, resolved to not only get out of the sink, but to live. As you might imagine, I washed him down again. Well, this went on three, four times - over the span of a few hours. On my last cup of coffee, my fourth, I poured him down again and left the house to walk along the beach, to spend some time praying for my wife, kids, the ministry, etc. When I came home to rinse out my last cup of coffee, you guessed it, the spider was back out of the drain staring me in the face with a resolve, “…I’m going to beat you!” Well, since I’m not a real fan of spiders, I put him out of his misery and mine (you see, I would have dreams tonight that the little spider that I didn’t take out was going to make it to our bedroom and get the last laugh with a bite on my nose - you know what I mean…)!

As I thought about this crafty critter, I began to see the parallel of how sin continues to rear its ugly head to not only control us, but to also destroy us. In all reality, my spider this morning wasn’t poisonous; however, you never know what he had in mind. Now, Satan is referred to, among many things, as a roaring lion seeking to and fro for whom he may devour. If you’ll allow me a different metaphor for a moment (thanks…): sin is like a spider (forgive me if you like spiders…) - poisonous, with a propensity, destroy the believer every time unless it is put to death. Paul wrote to the church at Rome that as believers we are to put to death sin and put on Jesus (paraphrased). You see, if we don’t put to death sin, it will come back, just like my little spider this morning, and rear its ugly head with one goal in mind: your death!

So, what does all this mean? Go and take out as many spiders as you can…no, not really! Rather, as believers, may we have David’s heart for the Lord to search our heart to determine if any wicked way (…spider…) is present, have Him remove that and give us the propensity to depend upon that Holy Spirit of promise within us that He might create that special people, His holy nation…to proclaim His amazing wonders!

Pastor Randy

A River of Impossibility

Some of my fondest memories in Youth Ministry was taking my kids White Water River Rafting down the American South Fork in Central California. On numerous occasions, we would load the youth in vans and drive the eight hours necessary to enjoy our retreats. On one of our trips, the river was bulging to a level 4 and we warned the kids to be careful. You see, a level 4 could bring serious harm if we weren’t sensitive to the water’s power and strength. Well, as you might suspect, a young man named Chris, our perpetual goof-ball, began to mess around at the exact wrong time. As we were heading down a large water fall and entering what they called Devil’s Turnpike - into the water Chris went. I’ll never forget the look on his white spooked face- a look of fear & I’ll never goof off again if you just save me! The story ended well, my friend & youth counselor Gary, hoisted Chris back into the raft & gave him a good ol’ Australian lecture.

The other morning, I was reading in the book of Joshua, chapter three. The Priests were instructed by Joshua to step into a bulging river; the Jordan River. At this time of the season, this Jordan River became a River of Impossibility. Specifically, the river was at the very least a level 4 and without Divine intervention, the Children of Israel could in no way enter the Promised Land. You see, Joshua, the Priests and some 2 million Israelites had to trust the Lord, relinquish human reason & understanding and simply rest in the promise that God had already given them the land. Their role: believe! And, guess what? God delivered, just like He did for them the previous forty years in the wilderness and now they were able to enter from an Impossibility to a Land of Possibility, if you will, a land of Great Promise.

Likewise, today you may be faced with an impossibility. That river called life is not only a level 4, it is crashing in on you like never before! And, you need Divine Intervention and help or else, you’ll succumb to drowning. Listen closely: just like the Israelites were confronted with an impossibility and exampled faith for us, you too must rest in His promise, relinquish your human reason and understanding & watch the Lord part your personal river in a most intimate way. Be comforted that God is the Philippines 4:19 Deliverer and as you trust Him to take your River of Impossibility into His hands, He will be to you that Ephesians 3:20 Savior He loves to be!

May the Lord bless you today as you seek to bring Him Glory with your life!

Pastor Randy

Glory In This!

I’m at my home on Monday morning, listening on line to the Memorial Service for Christopher Laurie who was taken home to heaven on July 24th, 2008 (It’s amazing…check it out: www.harvest.org). My heart is so blessed, so full of emotion, flooded with sorrow & joy for the Laurie’s…it is really hard to articulate in words! As I’m listening to the music, the tributes, and the blessings we have in our Lord, I’m reminded of the thus saith the Lord in Jeremiah 9:24 which says, “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I Am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight!” What strikes me about this is very simple: Christopher Laurie understood and knew Him & because of that, the Laurie family will be reunited with their precious son & brother someday, Brittnay will be reunited with her husband and Stella will be able to hug her daddy again…all because Christopher understood and knew Him. Now - understood, the reunion will be totally different and beyond our understanding, however, it will happen and it will happen in a totally amazing & blessed way!

The application for us removed, at least physically, from the Laurie’s is also simplistic in nature, yet profound in reality: may we remember our lives are a shadow, a blade of grass that is here and gone & may we as a people who love God solely glory in this: that we understand and know Him! You see, death is an eye opener, no question about it! And in this eye opener, may we hit our knees and praise and glorify our most precious God, through our Savior Jesus Christ as we are moved by the Holy Spirit of Promise. And further, may we take this truth we’ve been given and share this Love Story everywhere we go! Lord bless your day…

Pastor Randy

The Art of Whittling

Have you ever tried to write down your thoughts on a piece of paper with a dull pencil? Or, enter a purchase amount in your check register with a pencil that needs to be sharpened? I have - seriously, and it really irritates me…especially when I’m in a hurry. This morning, I was up early checking out the Dow Jones Futures, having my morning coffee with my Bible reading the Book of Nahum (the TV was off as I read my Word - I know what you’re thinking!). As I sat on our couch here in Morro Bay, it dawned on me that formality, ritual and the quest to get a head start on my day has dulled, rounded and blunted my morning & probably my entire day…just like a dull pencil. Ouch!

A dear friend of mine named Brad Hirst gave me an article from J. Vernon McGee entitled, “Whittling Your Life.” Brad knows my propensity to accomplish, my Triple A personality that barrels through life with a reckless abandonment and a desire to check off my daily to-do list that defines my existence. Nevertheless, the article has a quote that really nailed me. It says, “In this day, whittle down your life, as you would whittle down a pencil, until you can write with it. Our lives are very complicated, so just keep whittling.”

As I’ve thought through this, it dawned on me that the Lord is telling me to slow down, be still and know He’s God and to whittle my life down to what is important. My two favorite men in the Bible seemingly mastered this art. And by the way, by God’s strength and Spirit, they accomplished much Kingdom Fruit during their time on this earth.

• David - Psalm 5:3 = In the morning, David, with a flute, sought the heart of God
• Paul - Philippians 3:10 = At the end of Paul’s life, he had a passion to know Him

Wow, what legacies these saints left for us to bask in! You see, if I am understanding this correctly, both David and Paul went to that secret place to be sharpened spiritually so that they might leave a mark for the Glory of God in their respective lives. And you know, it is no different for us today, some 2,700 years removed from King David and some 1,950 years removed from the Apostle Paul: God is still in the business of sharpening His people to write history with their lives for His Glory and Purpose.

Here’s the application. Grab a pencil…come on, just grab one. I have a #2 from RoseArt! Okay, do you have your pencil? Great…go to your sharpener and make it razor-sharp. Do you see the principle? If you’re in a hurry, you’ll miss it! James 4:8 says, “Draw near unto Me and I will draw near unto you!” Oh, do you see - the sharpener does the work, you simply show up! Likewise, just like David and Paul, they came to that place to be sharpened, that place called intimacy with their Maker and He did the work…they were simply willing. Jon Coursen has a quote, “Without Him, I can’t. Without me, He won’t!” In other words, He desires us to show up and He’ll do the whittling.

May we show up to worship our God and be willing to have Him whittle our life down, just like a pencil that needs to be sharpened, such that our lives are sharpened by the Spirit’s power and Almighty God can write Eternal History with our very lives! Have a great day with Jesus and thanks for listening to me share my heart! And, thanks Brad for the gentle reminder!

Pastor Randy

Oh, To Draw From That Well

It’s one of those mornings; you know, we’ve all had them! I was sitting outside my house in Morro Bay, in my PJ’s reading from Isaiah, that great prophet to 8th Century Israel. The air was cool, the fog broadcasting her presence and there, once again, God’s Word jumped out at me in a way that was not only revealing, but also timely. I’ve read Isaiah 12:3 numerous times; however, this time…well - you’ve been there: it really spoke to me. Check it out, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation!” It was as if the Lord said, “Randy, approach Me with joy, you’re My kid. And, listen My son — draw that Water that only comes from Me! Water that is refreshing, vitalizing, cooling and yes, thirst quenching…a Water that is Me!” Wow…not only is He the Water, He’s the Well of Salvation that is never tapped out. In a day that continually pulls at us, demands so much of our attention and time, may we as family draw Living Water from the Well of Salvation; namely, Jesus. Be refreshed today, be re-vitalized in Him, allow Jesus to cool you down and drink of Him such that your thirst for life is eternally met! Have a great day at the Well!

John 7:38,

Randy P.

Time of Change

One thing I have learned in ministry is that the only thing constant is change. And, you know - change brings anxiety, stress, questions and much doubt; in fact, most of us are opposed to change, for one reason or another. At our new church, Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship in Morro Bay, all of these emotions are prevalent and escalating at a rapid pace. When I sit back and assess the situation, I can fully understand and have expected these feelings to arrive. Think about it: within the last year, RH’s much respected Pastor heeded a call of God to plant a church in Santa Maria; within the last month, an amazing tenured Secretary retires, a most talented Worship Director steps down and a much loved Youth Pastor resigns. Not to mention the drama & challenges of the many months of searching for a new Shepherd; and, once that Shepherd had been identified and reported for duty, the personality, style and way of doing ministry takes an additional extended time of adjustment.

Well Rock Harbor - this is where we are. The question we must ask ourselves is simple: what will we do with this Time of Change? We can be like most - grumble, complain, cast aspersions, be negative; or, we can be like Jesus - pray, fast, speak blessing and trust the Lord. Why all these changes came at once is a quandary to me; contrary to popular opinion, I didn’t orchestrate these changes and fully believe they are part of God’s plan for Rock Harbor, as well as the previous staff members (yes, God has an amazing future for our dear friends; a future that wouldn’t have materialized if they stayed and a future, because of their obedience in faith, Hebrews 11:6, will be rewarded greatly!).

So, my encouragement is simple: let’s choose the later and allow the Spirit of God to make us like Jesus so that we can be positioned to be a Proverbs 3:5-6 type of people fully knowing that unless the Lord builds this house called Rock Harbor, we will labor in vain! May the Lord bless you as we together trust Him during this time of great transition!

Praying for the flock,

Pastor Randy

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