April 2012: Be a Palm Tree!

Did you know that the palm tree is not a native to California? They were imported during the time of the Spanish missions and most of the local palms were planted in preparation for the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. The plants which are indigenous to Southern California are cactus and sagebrush. Southern California is actually a desert. Cactus and sagebrush are used to living in areas with very little water. Palms, on the other hand, require a continuous source of water to survive. It is only by continuous irrigation that its beauty can survive.

Spiritually, this world is like a desert. It thirsts for purpose. It thirsts for love. It thirsts for spiritual peace. It thirsts for God. The sad part is that the people of this world are blind to God. So like spiritual cactus, they have adapted themselves to living without God. But they still thirst.

Christ calls himself the source of living water. "If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:37b-38). He is the source of all that would quench our spiritual thirst. I can think of no greater joy that knowing that the one who created me loves me. Christ has come to let you know that God loves you and he has plans for good for all who love him.

As Christians, we are like spiritual palm trees. We are not native to this spiritual desert. As children of God we are strangers in this world. Like the palm trees, we require a continuous supply of "living" water to survive. Jesus is the source of that living water. Only through a living relationship with Jesus will we continue to thrive. We maintain that relationship through continual Bible study, worship and attendance of the Lord's Supper.

Unlike the desert flora that diligently guard their meager shares of water, palms share their gifts. They act as shade. Many provide fruit for others to eat. Because it is fed by a constant source of water, the palm is capable of sharing its fruit with others. Likewise, we do not have to diligently guard our spiritual wealth because we are fed by a constant source of living water.

God has called us to share the living water which is within us. Be a palm tree. There is a world out there thirsting to hear that someone loves them. Water them with living water. Let them know the awesome news that "God loves them." Amen.

April 2011: He is Risen!

He is risen!

So said the angel at the empty tomb. It is the reason for the Easter season. It is the core of Christianity. Through all the holidays of the year be taken over by the secular world, the celebration of the Resurrection will always be ours.

He is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

For centuries Christians have greeted each other with these words. With these words we will begin our Easter Sunday worship services.

He is risen!

So much is packed in those simple words. They are proof that Jesus overcame death, that we have the promise of eternal life and we are children of God.

Jesus calls us to go out and spread that Gospel message to the world.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18)

 To learn more about what is packed in the words and to equip us to share it with others we have just started another New Members' Class. In our class, we cover the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, the Lord's Supper and the Office of the Keys. Not only that, but we discuss topics such as:

1. God's love for us
2. Our basic sinfulness and need for a Savior
3. How Christ's death on the cross affects not only their eternal life but also their life now
4. What it means to walk as a Christian through the power of the Holy Spirit

 Everyone is invited. We meet at 10:30am Sunday mornings in the youth room. Any questions, contact the church office at 626-919-1530.

Wishing you a blessed Easter season!