@LBF Blog: Grab News & Go Deeper into the Word

This Weekend's Message: Expensive

2012-02-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

Expensive
Colossians 1:24-29

Miriam and I were talking about what is and isn’t expensive last night. We both realized that what might be expensive to one person may not be expensive for another person. For example, eating out at Flemings’ Steakhouse would be expensive for me, but probably not for Michael Jordan. But I’m fairly confident that Michael Jordan’s divorce settlement was expensive for him. He is number one in this category with his settlement costing him more than $150 million. I can’t even imagine what that amount looks like, but this I know: broken relationships can be very expensive.

This brings me to what we’ll be talking about this Sunday. I think everyone would agree that the sacrifice of Jesus’ physical body on the cross was very costly – it was expensive. And for the believer who has received this costly reconciliation for free, there are some natural responses that should be applied to our daily lives. Paul teaches us about that this week as we continue to learn about Jesus, our X Factor.

Pastor Gary

Ash Wednesday & Lent: More Than a Ritual

2012-02-22T13:54:00.003-08:00

By Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Worship

I remember as a kid seeing people walk around with a cross on their forehead, looking like it was painted on with the burnt end of a stick from the fireplace. When I eventually asked what it was all about, I was told (like I should have known), “It’s Ash Wednesday.” It would be years later that I discovered what Ash Wednesday was all about, and still years after that until I understood how Ash Wednesday and Lent could be part of the life of someone who goes to a contemporary, non-denominational, Bible-believing church, that has not observed many of the practices of more traditional churches. Let me explain what I have learned about Ash Wednesday and Lent.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter. “Ash Wednesday” derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of believers as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are traditionally gathered after the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned. Primarily Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Baptist denominations observe this practice.

In many cases ashes are placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross. This practice is the equivalent to the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over one's head to signify repentance before God, as found in many places throughout the Bible (Numbers 19:17, Job 42:3-6, Jeremiah 6:26, Daniel 9:3, Jonah 3:6). There are also numerous New Testament references that point to this use of ashes in the tradition of believers coming to God in repentance. Much the same way that Baptism is an outward symbol of an internal transformation, the ashes are a symbol of a heart that has sought forgiveness. Ash Wednesday also serves as the first day of Lent, a fasting period leading up to Easter where believers give up something of importance (certain foods or modern conveniences like TV, cell phones, or computers) for the purpose of prayer and surrender to God.

So does this tradition have any place in the life of believers today? When it comes to the forgiveness of sin and redemption of believers, that was the work of Christ on the cross (Heb. 9:13-14). But there are aspects to this tradition that are valuable for reminding us of the need for repentance in our heart and to live in surrender to the will of God.

As with anything, it can be easy to allow meaningful tradition to slip into mindless ritual. Ashes on the forehead and the refrain from certain indulgences or activities for a period of time without a heart attitude that desires intimacy with God is useless. However, when we approach these traditions with a willingness to allow God to move in our heart and life, these intentional acts of worship can be exactly that – worship!

As we move into this season of Lent, whether or not you choose to officially participate with the physical markings of Ash Wednesday, I want to challenge you with the heart of this tradition. What in your life needs to be taken to God with a heart of repentance? What is an area of your life that you have not surrendered to God, instead fulfilling your own desires? Is there anything that has become the Lord of your life that you need to surrender to Jesus, allowing Him to be the foundation of your life? And as a symbol of your commitment to God and your pursuit of Him, are you willing to give those things up until Easter?

If you are willing to take up this challenge, I am confident that God will reveal Himself to you in some surprising ways. I also believe that the Holy Spirit will reveal some things about ourselves that will make us more genuine in our pursuit of Christ as we let Him have the throne. Prayer and fasting is something we see in scripture as an intentional way to get us out of the way and put Christ front and center. In that process we can see the ways we have sought to serve ourselves, justified sin, and not given Christ His proper place in our day-to-day lives. Though I am confident it will not be easy, I am looking forward to the next six weeks as I pursue God through prayer and intentionally surrender significant things in my life that I may be giving too big a place in my heart.

I would encourage you to consider joining me as well.

Neighbor Clean Up Day - Love in Action

2012-02-16T14:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who came out to serve last Sunday as we practiced Love in Action. We had a fantastic turn out of at least 50 adults and 25 kids from LBF and residents of San Antonio Heights.

The lot looks a hundred times improved as we trimmed, chopped, cut, swept, etc. Thanks to all and specifically:

the team of guys that dedicated their time to compacting the waste inside the Burtecc waste container. I cant believe how much stuff we got into that container!
to the families that involved your kids
to those who ferried trimmings from one side of the parking lot to the other - via old Albertsons Shopping carts!
to the team of guys who fed us hot dogs and chips
to the people who ran to the store to get more hotdogs due to an amazing turn out of people!
to LBF's Kids Ministry who brought over 20+ kids to help trim and sweep!
to Rob Vance and Noel Norton - our go-to foreman guys.
Thanks to Safety-Dan, where-ever he may be.
to SAH community - for helping to spread the word within the community and for participating with us!

photos by Tira Young

This Weekend's Message: Middle Man

2012-02-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

Middle Man
Colossians 1:21-23

Couples typically go to see a marriage counselor only when they are convinced that they cannot work through their issues on their own. Their differences are so great that they need another person to come into their situation and try to bring peace. Going to see a counselor is humbling because it requires the couple to admit that they are powerless to fix the relationship on their own; they need intervention from someone else.

This week, the Apostle Paul will bring the humbling truth that we cannot fix our relationship with God on our own. The relationship is so broken that we need someone else to step in as a mediator. But once that mediator steps in, everything changes forever.

Pastor Dan

This Weekend's Message: Center Stage

2012-02-08T11:05:00.000-08:00

Center Stage
Colossians 1:15-20

Whenever the President walks into a room, everyone stands. When the President speaks at an event, he is not normally introducing the keynote speaker; he is the keynote speaker. When the President makes a statement, every newspaper in the country reports it. This is because he is not simply one man among many, and his voice is not simply one voice among many. He is the President and any time he is in a room, he takes center stage.

This Sunday we will look at a passage in which the Apostle Paul lays out Jesus’ credentials for being the focal point not only of our personal lives but also of the entire universe. Jesus does not take his place alongside other important people. He takes center stage all by himself.
Pastor Dan

This Weekend's Message: The Change-Agent

2012-02-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

The Change-Agent
Colossians 1:9-14

Many current television shows revolve around the idea of transformation. Shows like The Biggest Loser chronicle transformation through weight loss. Shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition chronicle transformation through home improvement. Shows like Intervention chronicle transformation through overcoming addiction. We love to watch transformation take place. One of the reasons for this is that it encourages us that the transformation we long for in our own lives is possible.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is that they would be transformed. He longs for them to experience the freedom and life that everyone is after. But how do we get from here to there?
Pastor Dan

This Weekend's Message: Universal

2012-01-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

Universal
Colossians 1:1-8

During her first pregnancy, my wife was very sick. She felt terribly nauseated through the first several months and nothing seemed to help. During this time, a number of people came up to me with complete confidence that they had the solution. They would say, “All she has to do is take this, and she won’t be sick anymore.” As confident as they were of their solutions, none of them worked. They had made a false assumption. They assumed that it would work for my wife, since it had worked for them. Apparently, during pregnancy, there is no universal cure-all for nausea.

There are many people who see Christianity the same way that I saw those people who claimed to know the cure for my wife’s nausea. It can sound arrogant when Christians claim that Jesus is the one cure for all mankind’s sicknesses. After all, how could it be possible for one person, or one religion, to address the needs of a group as diverse as the human race? Is it reasonable to believe that the impact of Jesus is really universal?
Pastor Dan

This Weekend's Message: I Give Up

2012-01-18T08:33:00.001-08:00

I Give Up
2 Corinthians 9:6-11

A couple of years ago, we took our kids to a pool party. At the time, both boys were a bit timid about playing in the water (that’s what you get for living in Oregon). It made me sad to watch them cling to the side of the kiddie pool, while other kids swam and played games in the water. Eventually I talked to my older son and told him, “You don’t need to be afraid. If you don’t get over your fear, you won’t have the freedom to enjoy all the fun that you can have in the water.” As soon as I said it, I realized that this is what fear does to us – it enslaves us. It keeps us from having the freedom to do things that will bring us pleasure.

Generosity will bring us pleasure. As Jeff shared a couple of weeks ago, studies show that generous people are happier than those who hoard. If we freely give to those who are in need, it will bring us greater joy. But often we’re not generous because we are trapped by fear. If we give to others, will we still be taken care of? Will we have enough to meet our own needs? Will we have to give up things to which we’ve grown accustomed? These questions get into our heads and they bring a paralyzing fear upon us. We become trapped by this fear and we are not free to be generous.

How can we be free of these (seemingly legitimate) fears, so that we can generously give to those in need? How do we get untrapped from the fears that enslave us?

Pastor Dan

This Weekend's Message: It Only Gets Worse

2012-01-11T16:53:00.001-08:00

It Only Gets Worse
Matthew 19:16-30

One of the characteristics of our culture today is that people seem to never get enough rest. It’s a rat race world that we live in, and every day that we live, we wake up to a world that is on the move. It seems that the more we work and the faster we go, the more we fall behind in the race and there is always more to do when the day is done than when we started out in the morning.

We walk out the door to chase the good life – a dream of reaching a place in life where we can just relax a little and enjoy life because the bills are paid and our family’s needs are met. But somehow, along the way those bills never seem to go away. No matter how hard we work or how much we try, it seems that we are caught in a maze and the harder we try to find our way out it only gets worse. We feel trapped.
This week we’ll look at a real life story of someone who was trapped this way. What can we learn from him that can make a difference in our lives? Come this Sunday and find out!

Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: How Did I Get Here?

2012-01-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever felt like you are going in never-ending circles with no way out? Have you ever been to the Ontario Mills Mall?? Being trapped is such a helpless feeling and while we may find mazes amusing for a while, they can quickly make us hopeless and discouraged.

This weekend we are starting a new series titled "Trapped," where we are going to look at some of the things that trap us – get us turned around and discouraged – when it comes to being generous givers. We have just come out of the Christmas season where giving is a major theme for most people. While many can plan for the expenses of Christmas, what about the rest of the year and the opportunities that God may put before you to be part of something he is doing? Are you able and willing to give when the Holy Spirit leads you, or are you trapped by insecurities and obligations that cause you to justify why you can't or shouldn't have to?

This is going to be a great series that will hopefully cause each of us to ask God to teach us to be better givers of ourselves and our resources.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Picture of the Week

2011-12-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all (young and older) who participated in our choir this year. What a blessing you were!

photo by Tira Young

This Weekend's Message: Advent: The Sequel

2011-12-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

Acts 1:9-11

Whether it is a bearded man holding a sign, a passionate preacher on TV, or a Mayan calendar, people are constantly predicting the end of the world. And those who buy into these predictions often face embarrassing or outright disastrous consequences. Many of us who are Christians want to distance ourselves from those who cry out, “apocalypse now,” preferring a calmer Christianity, one more focused on a personal connection to God and one another.

Still, as much as it might make us uncomfortable, the Bible clearly and boldly predicts that the same Jesus who was born in a manger will return to this earth one day. It is a teaching that can make us feel awkward and uncomfortable. It is a teaching that sounds both unlikely and unnecessary to many people in our culture. We can try to ignore it or explain it away, but it is impossible to deny the clear Biblical teaching on the subject.

What does the Bible say about the return of Christ? What will happen? When will it happen? And why does it need to happen? As so often proves to be the case with Jesus, the news of his return is better news than we might think.

-Pastor Dan Franklin

2011-12-19T08:51:00.000-08:00

Gifts from a Baby – A Love Story

There are just a few days left to find that perfect gift to be given out at Christmas. Giving the perfect gift – I’m pretty sure that’s probably what each of us works toward this time of year. We want to give a gift that the person really wants – a gift that would show them we really care – a gift that shows that we know them well enough to give them something that reflects our love for them.

This Sunday, Christmas morning, at 11 a.m., we will take a look at the fourth and final gift from a baby, the gift of love. Some believe that love is the greatest gift given to us by God. What does it mean that Jesus is the gift of love? Join us on Sunday as we take a deeper look at this gift from a baby.

On behalf of the elders and staff may you have a Christmas filled with the experience of God’s love for you.

Merry Christmas!

Gary Keith

Picture of the Week

2011-12-15T09:39:00.000-08:00

photographer: Tira Young

November 2011 Mexico Orphanage Outreach. Bill Applebay making a new friend at Casa Hogar El Faro, Tijuana Mexico. The LBF team installed a new playground structure and held a carnival with the orphanage kids.

This Weekend's Message: The Endless Pursuit

2011-12-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:8-12

When my sons were babies, one of my greatest goals in life was to get them to smile. I would play with them, tickle them, make faces at them, pretend to fall down and hurt myself..pretty much anything. I loved to see those smiles light up those little faces. Anytime that it would come, I just wanted it to stay around forever (evidenced by all the pictures that we take during the early childhood years).

The thing I wanted for my sons is the same thing we all want for ourselves – we all want joy. We want to smile (and to mean it!). We do whatever it takes to get that joy. And when that joy comes, we want it to stay. But it doesn’t. Joy is elusive and when we get it, it is usually only for a moment. We seem to be on an endless pursuit for joy. And we’re still wondering how we get it, and how we get it to stick around.

Dan Franklin

This Weekend's Message: Peace on Earth? Where?

2011-12-07T14:08:00.000-08:00

Jesus came to bring peace on earth, right? So where is it? Wars and conflicts have raged on since his appearance on earth 2,000 years ago. The earth is hardly a place of harmony. In the 20th century alone, 160 million people died in wars. And outside of the casualties of war on the large scale, we experience conflicts and hatred between political parties, neighbors, and even members of the same family. We seem to be a long way from experiencing the fulfillment of the angels’ announcement that this child born on Christmas day would bring “peace on earth.” So what happened? Did Jesus fail? Was the angel wrong? Where is this promised peace on earth?

Dan Franklin

Picture of the Week

2011-12-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Tears of joy and a heartfelt embrace after being baptized this past Sunday!

This Weekend's Message: Better Days

2011-12-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

Last week I went running (a big mistake) on the Bridle Path (a bigger mistake). I started my run from the top of Euclid, so when I turned around to head back up, the run got painfully difficult. All I wanted was to be finished and to experience some relief. The hill seemed endless though, and I wondered if I would ever get to the top. Then I saw a beautiful rectangular-green sight. It was the sign for 24th Street. That sign was hope. Hope for relief from pain and exhaustion. Hope for a cold glass of water and a sofa. Hope that better days were coming soon.

My embarrassing athleticism aside, we have all experienced seasons that are dark and draining. We just can’t wait for them to end. We feel tired and hurt and disillusioned, and we long for relief. We long for better days. But how do we know better days are coming? What makes that a realistic hope?

Dan Franklin

This Weekend's Message: Where are the Other 9?

2011-11-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

Where are the Other 9?
Luke 17:11-19

I saw a commercial the other day for new Citibank credit card that made me laugh. It involved two ladies in a grocery store. The one lady puts her hand on the stomach of the other and asks when the baby is due. The woman looks at her and says, “I’m not pregnant.” Not knowing what to say next, the woman just says, “Thank you.” With this simple reply, the offended woman forgets the insulting words that were just uttered and the two ladies embrace. Citibank then flashes their slogan across the screen that states, “It’s amazing what a simple thank you can do.”

I thought, how true! It is amazing what a simple thank you can do. How many of you have been encouraged by receiving a thank you note from someone you have helped along the way? When that happens to me it makes my day. It can change my attitude for the better in an instant. How about you?

Even though by Sunday, Thanksgiving Day will be over, it is not too late to talk about being thankful. We’re going to do that by looking at a story found in Luke. If you have the time, read it and then together we can answer the question Jesus asked, “What about the other 9?”
Gary Keith

Operation Christmas Child SUCCESS!

2011-11-22T15:44:00.000-08:00

OCC Shoe Boxes get shipped around the world to kids who would otherwise receive nothing! Each box contains toys, candies, clothes... but most importantly, A kid-appropriate devotional that shares the Gospel Message.

This year, we had 40 volunteers that served the LBF OCC Center and greeted our community with a smile when they were dropping off boxes.

In total, we collected and shipped 14,000 shoe boxes.

2011 Totals-

LBF Donated Total:                                      717
Upland Collection Center Total:                2,077
Relay Center Total:                                11,206
Grand Total for Collection Network:        14,000

Last Year *2010 Totals-

LBF Total:                            559
Upland Collection Center Total:               3,822
Relay Center Total:                               16,038
Grand Total for Collection Network:        20,419

LBF donated boxes was up this year by 158. That's a 28% increase!

Note that our numbers were 6,419 shoeboxes less than in 2010. There was a reorganization of Relay Centers and many of our local churches went to Relay Centers closer to them.i.e. Glendora.

As a side note, since 2006 when we first operated a Collection Center from the Overholt garage and up to and including this year, the LBF church property has facilitated the collection of 80,090 shoeboxes which is equivalent to 8 trailers full of packed cartons of shoeboxes.

WOW! I am grateful to be part of our church where we have the logistics, the space and many willing servants to help facilitate a worldwide missions project that fulfils God's command of Matthew 28.

Thanks from both Erik Jacobsen and I for allowing this project to proceed year after year.

Jeff and Robin Crawford

This Weekend's Message: Bragging Rights

2011-11-16T10:17:00.001-08:00

One of my college friends used to joke, “I may be small, but I’m also slow.” It would make us laugh because those are things that no one brags about. We brag about being strong and talented and rich and smart. We brag (whether aloud or just in our own heads) about things that will make us look impressive to other people and will make them pay attention to us.

In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul decides to brag, but his bragging feels much different than ours. He leads us down a surprising path, a path that leads to the ultimate bragging rights.

Dan Franklin

This Weekend's Message: Stinks to Be You!

2011-11-08T15:47:00.001-08:00

A stowaway on the Titanic. A groundskeeper at Woodstock. A dog wandering through Jurassic Park. What do all of these have in common? You wouldn’t want to be any of them. And let’s face it, there are certain people that you would rather not be. Maybe it is because of a financial difficulty, or a health problem, or a personality quirk. We all imagine that certain people would be better off if they were more like us. The question is, how does the gospel of Jesus drive our response to people who we would rather not be?

Dan Franklin

This Weekend's Message: Downward Mobility

2011-11-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

When I wake up, I think about one person: Me! I think about my tired body. I think ahead to the events of my day. I think about what I will eat for my breakfast. And if I do think about other people, it is usually only in relationship to how they might effect me. Then, throughout the day, my instinct is to make every decision, small or big, on the basis of whether or not it will benefit me. I tend to place myself securely on the throne of the little Kingdom of Dan Franklin.

Humility is a major threat to this little set-up of mine. It brings up all kinds of questions: Humility?! God wants me to think that I am not all that important or impressive, and to look out for the needs of other people? Why does God so treasure a quality that is such a threat to my way of life? And, most importantly, if I really am going to walk humbly, what needs to change about my perspective?

Dan Franklin

This Weekend's Message: Seeing With God Eyes

2011-10-26T14:46:00.001-07:00

Seeing with God Eyes
Mark 2:13-17

How should we see the people around us? If you’re like me, many times as I’m out and about and I see people around me, I make quick judgments. Maybe it’s their body piercings, maybe it’s the way they are dressed, or maybe it’s a wild hair style or exotic hair color. Whatever it is that I see, I’m quick to make a judgment about them and my judgment usually is known by only me. I would never share it with anyone (except maybe my wife)!

But then there’s that time when one of those people comes along my path and I actually have a chance to talk with them, hear their voice, get a sense in a different way about the kind of person they are, and quickly my first impression changes. I see them differently. How about you? How do you see people?

This week as we continue with our Love in Action series, we are learning about what it means to love mercy. And part of loving mercy is learning to see people the way God sees people. This Sunday we will look at an example from the life of Jesus as we learn to see people with "God eyes." It’s great timing as the next day we’ll be hosting our annual Harvest Party, inviting our community to come and get to know us as we get to know them.

By the way, if you haven’t volunteered yet, it’s not too late. Be sure to sign up on Sunday – you’ll have a blast and who knows, you may even have the chance to put love into action. I know I’m planning to look for ways to put love in action that night.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: LOVE Mercy

2011-10-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

I remember as a kid playing the game "mercy" – a game where you interlock your fingers with another person, palms pressed together. On "go" each person tries to bend the other person's fingers back until one cries "MERCY!" At that point it is up to the person in control to either grant mercy and release them from their power...or not.

In life, we are faced with this opportunity all the time. Sometimes it is easy to show mercy and not give someone what they deserve, but other times it proves difficult. This trait of being merciful is something that God demands as evidence of authentic faith.

This weekend as we continue our "Love In Action" series, we will take a look at what it means to LOVE mercy, how it applies to our life, and why it is so important.

See ya Sunday!

Jeff Taylor

This Weekend's Message: Family Resemblance

2011-10-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

Family Resemblance
Matthew 5:43-48

Who do you look like – your mother or your father? Who do people say you look like? And when they tell you who you look like, are you happy or are you wishing you just didn’t look like that person? I think we all have some sort of family resemblance. I mean we have to, right? Each of us carries certain characteristics from our parents, but those resemblances go beyond our looks. We also have a family resemblance when it comes to our personalities, our emotions, and our likes and dislikes.

This week as we continue to look at what it means to put love in action by doing justly, we are going to be asked to have a family resemblance with our Heavenly Father. Last week Dan Franklin talked about the internal standard set by Jesus in letting go of our self-protectiveness. This week we are going to an even more challenging level of living in the Kingdom of God – one that some say is impossible. Come this week and let’s learn together.

Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Doing Justly: Trading Eyes and Teeth

2011-10-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Trading Eyes and Teeth

It is amazing how quickly children learn the word, “Mine.” Most parents aren’t eager to pass that word along, but kids pick it up, nonetheless. And years later, as adults, most of us just as quickly shout “Mine!” if we need to protect what is ours. We cling to what is ours, whether it is our possessions, or our status, or our bank account. Rarely do we find ourselves as passionate as we become when someone threatens to take something that belongs to us. We become empowered to fight, argue, go to court, and cut off relationships.

In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus address this instinct to protect what belongs to us. And in the passage Jesus’ words are surprising in two ways. First of all, he surprises us because he doesn’t validate these seemingly natural desires to protect ourselves. Second of all, he surprises us because he doesn’t simply tell us to stuff our selfish desires so that we can be kind to others. His response is not only surprising, but it is liberating.

Dan Franklin

Teaching Pastor

Message Reflection - Gary Keith

2011-10-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

Doing Justly – what does that look like? On Sunday I covered a familiar story that Jesus told called the Parable of the Good Samaritan. As we are learning what it means to do justly we saw that Jesus taught this is not about earning our salvation it is about responding to the love he has given us by putting our love for him into action.

We also learned that doing justly is about the need not the person that it starts with a feeling in our gut, that we get personally involved and that it will cost us something. Think about your own life and the times you have act justly – what was that like? Did you have to apply these principles that Jesus taught? What was the result? I’d love to hear your stories of doing justly – let’s learn and experience life together!!

-Pastor Gary

This Weekend's Message: Doing Justly: No Distinctions Allowed

2011-09-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Doing Justly: No Distinctions Allowed
Luke 10:25-37
I love to watch people. It’s fun for me when I’m out with Miriam and we are walking Victoria Gardens to observe people. I like to see what people are wearing, who they are with and wonder what their life is about. What is their story? What are their values? What experiences have they had that makes them the people they are today. Of course all of this is pure speculation but the down side is that it can cause me to be judgmental. They never know it but in my mind I’ve made distinctions. And these distinctions are filtered through my own life and beliefs and experiences.

I think many of us, without even thinking, make distinctions when it comes to people. I guess the question we need to answer is whether this is a good thing for those who call themselves Christians. If in the process of making distinctions with people, will that cause us to act differently toward them? This week as we continue our series called “Love in Action” we will look at the words of Jesus and see what he says about what it means to love others by doing justly and how making distinctions can hinder what God calls us to do. I hope to see you Sunday.

Pastor Gary

This Weekend's Message:

2011-09-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

What Does God Really Want?
Micah 6:6-8

This week starts a new nine-week series called “Love in Action.” Usually when we hear the word love thoughts of romance or thoughts of a good friend and companion who is always there come to mind. Or maybe it’s a movie that you think of when you think of love. I still remember that famous line in a movie called “Love Story.” Ryan O’Neal said to the love of his life, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” I remember hearing people in the theatre say, “Aw, that is so right” when that line hit the movie screen. But I think today we all know that love means just the opposite.

With all the ideas about love out there what is love really? God has much to say about love and you might be surprised to know that it involves action. What does it mean to put love into action? Come this week as we begin to find out.

Pastor Gary

This Weekend's Message Sept 11th

2011-09-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

Where were you when you heard the news of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001? Depending on your age you may have been a teenager or a young adult but most likely you will not forget the circumstances surrounding that day in your life. As we think about that Tuesday morning 10 years ago we are reminded not only of the tragedy but also of the actions of hundreds of our countrymen. I will never forget the New York Firefighters who rushed into those burning buildings – the heroes who in the course of their duty to save life lost their own.

Now ten years later the rubble has been cleared away, the ashes washed clean by rain; but as a people we have been changed forever. How have we changed and what do we need to remember 10 years later. This Sunday we will explore three things that we must never forget in light of 9/11.

We hope you will join us this weekend for a special service remembering September 11th.

This Weekend's Message Sept 4th 2011

2011-09-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

As the sun rises, temperatures on the volcanic rock can reach a scorching 135 degrees. From the moment the contestants exit the water after their 2.4 mile open water swim they will be battling some of the most extreme conditions and pushing their bodies to the limit as they cycle 112 miles and then finish their day off with a marathon run.

Why do they do this? For some it is the thrill of competition. For others it is simply to see if they can. But for the most elite it is to be crowned Ironman Champion.

For most of us running around the block, or maybe a local 5k is what we consider really pushing ourselves. But life, as most know, is an endurance race where there will be trials and injury, joys and triumphs. How are you training for it? Are you striving to be an Ironman, or hoping that you will never be tested?

This weekend we are going to look at what it takes to be a Spiritual Ironman, and why it is so important to start training now!!

See Ya Sunday,
Jeff

2011-08-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Heart Condition
Proverbs 4:20-27
If I asked you to take your finger and point to yourself, where would you point? Most of us, I think, would not point to our heads. That’s interesting isn’t it? In spite of the great importance of good thinking, we instinctively know that what is most essential about us is not our brain. I’ve never heard anyone say to the person they love: “I give you all of my brain.” But I’ve also never heard someone say, “I dedicate my full bladder to you for the rest of my life’ or “I pledge to you my lungs.” In fact there is only one body part that we refer to when we talk of love or dedication or devotion; and that body part is the heart. When we talk about that aspect of ourselves that is most central to whom we are and what we want to bring to life, we speak of the heart.

In saying this, of course, we don’t mean our myocardial muscle. No, in the Bible the heart is the center of the person, the control center of life. And the condition of that heart directs and dictates the kind of life we will live. What is the condition of your “heart?” This week we are going to look at some essentials to keep the condition of our hearts (not the muscle) healthy.

I hope to see you Sunday!
Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Weekend's Message Reflection - Matt Sasso, Pastor of Student Ministries

2011-08-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

This weekend we hope that you were encouraged and challenged as we looked at what it means to consider our lives for God's mission. I believe a commitment to God’s mission starts in our hearts, and is seen in the way that we live our lives in response to His mission.

As we look at scripture it is clear that people matter to God. He sent Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty we never could pay. We’re saved by grace, through faith. We are adopted into his family and God becomes the perfect Father who loves us completely and unconditionally. In addition we get to do great things for God’s kingdom. Not only are we saved from the despair of the world; we are saved to make a difference at our schools, in our families, and with our friends.

Here are some things to think about.

Tips for telling your story:

Commit to praying and serving before you share your story with people.
When talking to someone be a good listener.
Share what it is that you love about being a Christian. Talk about the hope you have in Jesus.
When you finish sharing, give your that person a chance to respond to what you shared.
Keep it simple, keep it real, and be clear!

Questions to that you might be asked:

What does it mean to be a Christian?
How do you know if someone is a Christian?
How do you know what you believe is true?
How can you say that Christianity is right and all the other religions are wrong?
How do you know that God really exists?

I hope that this helps and that God gives you amazing opportunities to change someone’s life forever!

God Bless,

Matt Sasso

This Weekend's Message: Chasing Your Tail?

2011-08-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Chasing Your Tail?
Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

Have you ever seen a dog chasing its tail around and around? I heard about a guy whose dog chased its tail constantly. One day the neighbor came over and asked, "Where's that dog of yours that always chases its tail?" The man replied, "Well, he finally caught it, then fell over the embankment, and got hit by a car." Tragic, huh? The only thing sadder than a dog chasing its tail is a person chasing their tail.

Question: What are you chasing? Do you feel like your life is just going around and around? Have you ever caught the thing you were chasing, only to be disappointed, even hurt by it? Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes life under the sun in terms of people chasing their tails. This weekend we are going to cut to the chase and learn how to avoid chasing our tails in "The Game of Life."

Spoiler alert: We are going to look deep inside Solomon's word picture of "life under the sun" in order to discover four mirages that people tend to chase.

Looking Forward,
Pastor Jim Botts

Membership Matters

2011-08-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

I was looking over the records for the first six months of 2011 and noticed something very encouraging – we added 20 new members to our church. While we have several thousand people who attend our church, these 20 people took the step to understand our church mission and vision and in essence say, “I want to commit myself to that. I want to be part of that work of God.” I can still remember the time Miriam and I made the decision to become members of this church.

We consider membership at LBF both a wonderful commitment and a great privilege. As we prepare to return to life without vacations and with kids back in school, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of the value and importance of membership.

Membership at LBF starts with being a Christian. Every member of LBF has made a clear profession of faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Beyond that, people who are members are encouraged to live out that membership in six different areas:

1. Members build unity in the church by encouraging others, avoiding gossip and resolving conflict in a biblical way. This is so important because as representatives of Jesus in this community, people are looking at us and asking what a church is all about and how is it modeling the life of Jesus.
(Ephesians 4:3, Matthew 18:15-17)

2. Members financially support the ministry of the church. Our teaching on giving comes right out of 2 Corinthians 8, where each of the members first gave themselves to the Lord and then did what the Lord asked of them. Giving is an essential part of our worship to the Lord. If you haven’t gone before the Lord recently and asked what you should give to this church, let me encourage you to do so and then just do what God says.

3. Members participate in Sunday services. The gathering of the church family at our worship services is an essential component for spiritual growth. And while we don’t take attendance to see who is coming, let me encourage all of us to come often and join with the church family in experiencing all that God has for you. (Hebrews 10:25)

4. Members participate in small groups. With a church our size, the weekend services provide one type of spiritual growth opportunity, but they in no way provide a total plan for growing spiritually. We believe that gathering together in weekly small groups is essential for spiritual growth. If you’re not in one, I encourage you to find one soon and be faithful to it. (See a complete listing of Home Groups at lbfchurch.com/homegroups) (Acts 2:46-47)

5. Members serve according to their gifts and talents. One of the most memorable statements of Jesus is found in Matthew 20:28. In this passage Jesus says that He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. As followers of Jesus we are to follow His example. God has gifted you; use that gift to serve as Jesus served.

6. Members reach out to others by sharing Christ and helping in practical ways. God has chosen to use people to get His message of Jesus and the salvation He offers out to others. Reaching out to others is not just about being a member of this church, it is also about being a Christian. God loves people and they matter to Him. We have the eternal message that will make an eternal difference – let’s share it!

Okay, so that’s what being a member of LBF is all about. I know we all enjoy the casual atmosphere and fun activities here at LBF, and those things are an important part of being a member, but as we start this new school year let me ask you to live out your membership by raising the bar of participation. And if you’re not a member, come to the next Meet LBF (see lbfchurch.com/meetlbf for details) and find out what you’ve been missing.

You’ll be glad you did!

Reflections: July 24, 2011

2011-07-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

This weekend's "Reflection" by Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

Live Like You Were Dyin’

Solomon’s message to us in response to the inevitability of a physical death is to embrace life. His message, though seemingly depressing, is a hopeful one for a number of reasons. We know God has us in His loving hands. We know that we have hope in Him. We have the ability – knowing that our death is one day coming – to live vicariously for Jesus. We can celebrate the good gifts our Creator has given to us. He mentions gifts of food, drink, friendships, celebrations, marital relationships, and an honest day’s work. It’s as if Solomon is saying, “Redeem the routines, make the ordinary extraordinary, seize the day, live like you were dyin’!” And do this because life is so short – just a blip on the screen, really – and its end can come at any moment.

Thankfully, we have a hope in Jesus and in the life He gives us today and in all eternity. But until then, may we live life to the fullest and allow that to be our worship to God.

This Weekend's Message: Live Like You Were Dyin'

2011-07-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

Live Like You Were Dyin'
Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Is it me or does it seem like the older you get the faster time goes? When I was a kid, the summer lasted forever. It was like an entire age in itself. Today, summer comes and goes and I barely have a chance to notice. The reality is our lives are short and death is inevitable. I know…super encouraging, huh? You’re thinking, 'Well, I’m not coming this Sunday to hear what that’s all about…'

Let me encourage you, even though Solomon is challenging us to consider the inevitable end of our life, he has a hopeful message. It’s a “carpe diem” message, which is Latin for “seize the day.” It’s the type of message that makes you want to give in to your kid’s wishes and read one more book at bedtime. It’s a message that will encourage you to gather with friends and family and say nice things about each other. It points to the reality that while we’re living, we have a responsibility to redeem the routines of our lives and through that worship God.

I hope to see you Sunday!

Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration

This Weekend's Message: Living Under Authority

2011-07-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

Living Under Authority
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

I can still remember just like it was yesterday one of my first encounters with an authority other than my parents. I was in junior high and it was during a P.E. class. I can’t remember what I did to deserve it, but I was told to bend over, grab my ankles, and get ready for a swat. When that swat came it hurt worse than anything I had ever felt before. I think it nearly knocked me over, but it was exactly what I needed to learn an important lesson about living under authority. I'm pretty sure they don't swat students anymore, but as I look back on that experience it was a good one that helped me learn to live under authority.

How are you with living under authority? Does it come easy, no problem? Or do you have a hard time submitting to those in authority over you? This week Solomon has some things for us to consider when it comes to living under authority, as well as dealing with the injustices in “The Game of Life.” Hope to see you this week.

By the way, don’t forget to go out to Chick-fil-A at The Colonies tonight and support our Kenya Team as you enjoy a dinner out!

Pastor Gary

This Weekend's Message: Walking the Line

2011-07-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever walked on a balance beam? Whether you have or not, I can tell you that it is one of the more stressful things in life. Even though the fall would not be great, there is still this anxiety that overwhelms you as you take steps across that skinny beam, fighting to keep your balance.

Many people, some even call themselves Christians, choose to live their lives on that beam in between truly following Christ and doing whatever they (and the world) feel like doing. Not only is this something that God has some pretty strong words about, it will also hold us back from the promise of life that those who commit themselves to Christ can experience. Instead of peace, there is the constant tension of keeping that balance. Instead of hope, there is anxiety knowing that living on the edge this way is not pleasing to God and not fulfilling for us. Yet so many people choose this kind of life.

Sometime before this weekend, read chapter 7 in Ecclesiastes and come ready to be challenged to get off the line and commit!

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

This Weekend's Message: Choosing the Way We Live

2011-06-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Choosing the Way We Live
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
It is impossible to determine for sure, but most agree that we literally make thousands of choices everyday. These choices can range from the simple everyday things, like which can of tomato soup do I buy, to how I respond to that temptation that is right in front of me. Some choices are not life-changing, while others can affect our lives forever, but in either case it is true that the choices we make everyday, big or small, have a lasting impact on our lives. That makes it so very important to know how to make choices that bring us health and wholeness and happiness.
How do you go about making the thousands of choices you face everyday? Do you have some guidelines for success? Do you just “shoot from the hip?” How does your knowledge of the Bible come into play here? Do you ever ask other people for advice?
This week in our study of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gives us some answers to the question he left us with at the end of chapter 6: How can we live well during our few and passing days on this earth? This week we’ll learn six important choices we can make that will help us find success in life.
I can’t wait! Hope to see you Sunday!
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Enjoy-Engage-Entrust

2011-06-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

A recent article was just published revealing the five best toys (play things) of all time.

1. A stick
2. Box
3. String
4. Cardboard Tube
5. Dirt

Remember when any one of these were all you needed to really enjoy yourself? When did life get so much more complicated? When did we lose the ability to be satisfied with anything less than the best, most modern, high tech stuff out there? Now don't get me wrong, I love all my iStuff just as much as anyone, but am I able to be content and enjoy anything less if that is what God has for me?

This weekend we are going to look at what Solomon calls a "sickening tragedy" in relation to a person's inability to enjoy the blessings of God.

So go read Ecclesiastes 6. You might even try reading it through a cardboard tube while sitting on a box in the dirt using a stick to help you keep your place and putting a string in your Bible to mark your spot until Sunday. :)

See ya Sunday!
Jeff

Reflections: June 19, 2011

2011-06-20T08:59:00.001-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Satisfaction Sold Separately
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Sometimes it seems the way Christians talk about the Bible and money, you can feel like it is wrong to have lots of money. There can be this attitude that being wealthy and being a Christian is an oxymoron – that the two do not go together. This week as I looked at verse 19 of chapter five, Solomon seems to make it clear that being wealthy can be a good thing. In fact, he says people should enjoy their wealth. That caught me off guard a bit.
The problem with money comes when we make it our God, when we start pursuing it above anything else, or when we start devoting our entire life to getting more of it. Apart from that, being wealthy is a good thing. For the wealthy person who has the right perspective and uses that wealth to honor God, money can be a good thing. I guess what Solomon is saying is that it is not so much how much you have, but the focus of your life – is it God or money? What do you think? Can being wealthy be a good thing in the eyes of God?

This Weekend's Message: Satisfaction Sold Separately

2011-06-15T11:35:00.003-07:00

Satisfaction Sold Separately

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

The Game of Life – A big player for all of us in the game of life is money. We need it to live. We pursue it so that we can accumulate as much of it as possible. We think it brings security to our life. We think it will give us what we need to have a happy life. We never quite have enough of it. We take some of it and try to use it to get more of it. We spend it on the necessities of life. We spend it on things we really don’t need but want. We give some of it away. We fight over how to spend it with our spouses. We hurt others in the pursuit of it. We use it to accomplish good.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea that money is a BIG part of our lives. Solomon knew that as well and has some important cautions for us to consider as we think about money – because when it comes to money “Satisfaction is Sold Separately!”

Gary Keith

Reflections: June 12, 2011

2011-06-13T10:30:00.001-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

It is so easy to make promises, yet often so hard to follow through. It can be so tempting to believe that we can make all sorts of outlandish promises to God, believing that somehow He does not know the true intent of our heart. Religiosity and rituals can often look like enough to convince God and others that our relationship with God is authentic, but the honesty of our heart reveals it is just a show. Our intentions may be good in the moment - especially moments of desperation - but I am challenged to consider what my rash promises reveal about my faith in God. If I feel I need to do something extreme so that God will do what I want Him to, what does that say about my trust that God is a good God and will do whatever is needed to bring about life and wholeness in a situation? My prayer for my life, and for yours, is that we would be slow to speak, quick to listen, and always open to inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives and situations, allowing Him to do the work necessary for us to find contentment in what we have, and see that He has an eternal plan that we get to have a part in.

This week, take some time to get quiet before God. Silence is difficult for most people, but God has proven over and over again to be faithful to reveal Himself top those who will wait on Him. He is the source of our strength. He is our eternal hope. He is the author of peace that goes beyond our understanding. He is the beginning and the end, and has invited us into a relationship with Him. Let’s do less talking, and more listening for His voice and guidance in our lives.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend PandaMania VBS This Summer

2011-06-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

By Dale Palmer, Director of His Kids Children’s Ministries
(List compiled by our Facebook fans)

10. It answers the “I’m bored” problem.

9. Something to look forward to for five evenings.

8. Great music!

7. Hands-on, wild Bible adventures.

6. Make new friends/see old friends.

5. A new missions project to be involved in.

4. You too can be a star in our Spotlight Drama.

3. Enjoy the crazy and zaney adventures of Chadder.

2. Bamboo Blast Games.

1. You get to spend time learning about our Amazing God!

Don’t forget, parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join us each evening at 8:30 p.m. when we have the Rowdy Wrap-Up – a daily celebration of God’s love!

Mark these dates on your calendar: Monday, June 27-Friday, July 1. The fun begins each evening at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. There is no charge for VBS. Registration forms are available by calling the church office @ 981-4848, ext. 242 or you can register directly online at lbfchurch.com/vbs. Preregistration ends Friday, June 15. Registration will be taken each night of VBS as well to accommodate new friends.

This Weekend's Message: Talk is Cheap

2011-06-09T08:52:00.001-07:00

"God, if you will just _________, I promise I will ____________!" Ever made a statement like this? Have you ever promised God something with the hope of getting Him to work something for your favor? Can God be manipulated this way? And what if you can't/don't follow through with our promise? Does God just let it go?

This weekend we jump into chapter 5 of Ecclesiastes where we will look at the caution of Solomon about empty promises and meaningless vows to God. Take a few minutes and read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, and begin considering what God wants to speak to us this weekend.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: June 5, 2011

2011-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Which One is Better?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
In this passage after observing life “under the sun,” Solomon asked four “which one is better” questions. He looked at life and compared one issue with another and came to his conclusions about how to live. Probably the most familiar part of this chapter deals with the idea that two are better than one.
In case you’ve never heard this before, humans were not created to be alone. We are wired to be part of a community. What Solomon wanted to remind everyone was is that we are not made to live or work alone. This flies in the face of something we American’s are known for – individualism – but this is not how God wants us to live. So let me ask you, are you in community with other people? Do you have people in your life that can protect you and help you in your times of need? Do you have people in your life that can help you when you fall?
If not, what are your plans to solve this problem? What are you going to do to start being part of a community of people? Remember as we live our life two is better than one, and three is better yet!

All-Church Picnic Proves to Be a Great Time for LBF Family

2011-06-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

This Weekend's Message: Which One is Better?

2011-06-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Which One is Better?
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
Comparisons. Everybody I know makes comparisons. We are continually asking ourselves, “Which one is better?” Was it the movie or the book? Is it Michael Jordon or Lebron James? Is it a Ford or Chevy? Is it chicken or steak? Is it an iPhone or is it an Android phone? Which one is better?
This week in our series called “The Game of Life,” we see that Solomon makes comparisons as well. In four different areas he asks, “Which one is better?” Not only does Solomon ask the question, but based on his observations of life, he shares with us his opinion about which is better. This week we will look at these four observations of life “under the sun” and find out which one is better. Hope to see you this Sunday!
Gary Keith

Primary Teaching Pastor Update

2011-06-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

It has been about two months since the elders announced that we would be searching to hire a primary teaching pastor to add to our teaching team and handle a majority of the messages for the weekend services, as well as create curriculum for other teaching opportunities within the church. This decision was made in cooperation with Pastors Jeff and Gary to allow them to focus on the other crucial areas of ministry in the church – overseeing worship and lead pastor duties respectively. Jeff and Gary will still be part of the teaching team and will teach periodically throughout the year, though with reduced frequency. Although change can be difficult for some, we are confident that this is where the Lord is leading LBF at this time, and the elders are excited about what God is going to do. We hope you are excited with us as we anticipate how God will move in this area.

Many of you have asked about the status of our search for a new Primary Teaching Pastor, so I thought it would be good to bring you up to speed on where we are in this process currently and what the next steps will be.

After posting the job on multiple pastoral job search websites, so far we have received more than 120 resumes from applicants literally from around the world. Pastors from India, the Philippines, Africa, and Canada have submitted their resumes, as well as people from all over the U.S. The first stage of the process has been to evaluate each resume, as well as audio and video teaching samples of each candidate. We’re seeking a person who is qualified educationally, experienced vocationally, connected culturally, and pastorally minded. It has been very interesting seeing the broad range of styles and teaching techniques used in churches across our country and around the world, and evaluating how it would or would not fit in the context and culture of LBF. At this point, we will be narrowing the field from over 120 to between seven and ten.

The next step will be to submit those 7-10 resumes and teaching samples to a subcommittee of church members that will evaluate them and bring a recommendation to members of the Elder Board. The subcommittee will narrow the field to two or three, who will then be presented to the entire church on selected Sundays so that the whole body will have an opportunity to be part of this process. Some of you have expressed interest in being part of the member subcommittee via K.I.T. cards as we have asked, and once we have narrowed the field we will contact you in regards to participation and meetings. If you would like to be considered for this committee, please let us know by writing “Search Committee” on a K.I.T. card on Sunday. Please understand that not everyone will be selected to be on the committee as we will need to keep it to no more than 10.

Thank you for all of the encouraging words and emails as we move through this process. It is exciting to see people excited about new things that God has for us as a church. As we have said before, we are not in any hurry as we want to be sure that the man we hire is the one that the Lord has for us. Please be praying for the elders and eventually the member subcommittee, that we will have wisdom and discernment as the Lord leads us through this process. If you have any questions, you can email them to elders@lbfchurch.com, or pick up the information letter that we made available to the church originally and can now be found online at lbfchurch.com/resources#articles.

This Weekend's Message: Game Time

2011-05-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

If you have ever played "The Game of Life," you know there are all kinds of events that sneak up on you that you never saw coming. That spin of the wheel can bring prosperity or disaster. We may be okay with the outcome, or it may cause us to want to quit the game. But is the real game of life really determined by the random spinning of a universal wheel? How do we walk out our faith through seasons of pain, struggle, or even prosperity?

We are all familiar with the concept of "right place, right time" or "wrong place, wrong time," but as we look at Ecclesiastes chapter 3, we will see Solomon's perspective on the timing of all things under Heaven.

This week, read Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 and come ready to allow God to reveal His sense of timing to your heart. (You'll also find out why I hate crossword puzzles!)

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Mommy, Teddy & Me Tea Was a Delight!

2011-05-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

By Dale Palmer, Director of His Kids Children’s Ministries

On Saturday, May 7, the quite fashionable moms, the children, and their friendly stuffed friends came ready to have a wonderful tea. Gracious servers kept the tables stocked full of delicious sandwiches – cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, and PB & J! There were yummy scones and strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and crème, as well as Grandpa’s Cinnamon Bears and Oatmeal & Raisin Cookies. Of course, no tea is complete without assorted hot teas for Mom and lemonade and apple juice for the children.

We had a short program with Debbie Smith playing the guitar and leading us in some fun songs. Then the children told us the best thing about Mom.

We gave away five Build-A-Bear gift certificates for The Most Loved, Best Dressed, Funniest, Sweetest, and Cutest stuffed friends.
We finished our time together with a craft made especially for the Tea by Sherry Schuster. It seemed that every minute was full of activity and fellowship.

The Mommy, Teddy & Me Tea would not have been a success without the wonderful help of Lydia Phares, Tammi Strasen, Alice Weissmann, Sherry Schuster, Donald Goodwin, Annie Williams, Lyric Ellis, Whitney Zeimis, Bob Palmer, and Debbie Smith. Thank you!

Reflections: May 22, 2011

2011-05-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Working Things Out
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

In the “Game of Life,” work takes up about a third of our time. It’s probably the single largest time block of any thing we do in “The Game of Life.” With that in mind, how do you like the way you are spending 33% of your life? Are you one of those people who say, “Take this job and shove it?”
In our passage Solomon has just finished talking about how wisdom and work do not give meaning to life, and then suddenly changes his attitude in verses 24 and 25 when he said, “I realized that these pleasures (food, drink, and work) are from the hand of God." Solomon makes it very clear that when God is in the mix, it changes everything.
Here we are on a Monday morning and most of us are back at our jobs. So how does including God in the mix of our job experience make it different? Is this a new thought for you? Or have you figured out ways to “take this job and LOVE it” as you include God in the mix? What are some of the ways that including God in the mix helps give meaning to our work?

This Weekend's Message: Working Things Out

2011-05-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Working Things Out
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26
The financial and employment chaos of the last few years has caused scores of people to question what they really want out of life and work. What about you? What gives you value? Where are you looking to find fulfillment and meaning? What defines you? Is it about climbing the work ladder? Is it having the perfect job? Would you consider yourself a workaholic? If so, why is that? We have a need to work things out.
Solomon has been searching for life’s meaning, but believes everything is pointless. So far in our study he has looked for life’s meaning apart from God in wisdom and in pleasure, but he still thinks it is all meaningless. This Sunday we will see Solomon’s search continue as he looks for life’s meaning in work.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Jackpot!

2011-05-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever uttered the words, "If I had a million dollars..."? Have you ever seen something and thought, "If I had one of those, then..."? Rock stars, movie stars, business moguls, and lottery winners seem to have everything one would need to have happiness, contentment, and purpose in their life, yet how many times have we seen the opposite play out on Access Hollywood with reports of alcoholism, drug abuse, and marital issues?

Maybe it's just that no one has really tried to see if money, possessions, and all things under the sun can bring happiness. Well, this week we are going to take a look at a man who literally gave it his best shot and denied himself nothing. Read Ecclesiastes chapter 2 verses 1-11 and join us on Sunday to see the extent to which Solomon went to buy happiness, and how his motives may sound a bit similar to ours at times.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Stand Above This Summer

2011-05-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

By Dale Palmer, Director of His Kids Children’s Ministries
Summer’s coming! Won’t it be great to finally have warm sunshine and blue skies every day? Just think of all the fun that summer brings. Here at Life Bible Fellowship Church, summer will bring fun for His Kids as well as a chance to learn more about Jesus. It’s an enjoyable time to be with the kids.
This summer the His Kids Children’s Ministries theme is: Standing Above the Rest – We Can Be Different! Imagine being able to make a difference in kids’ lives by teaching them the Word of God! God calls us to be ambassadors for Him and to be different. In fact, you will rise above the crowd by being a Children’s Minister this summer.
Every year we give our ministers who serve during the school year (39 Sundays of continuous service) the summer off for a well-deserved rest. Will you please prayerfully consider helping this summer? We need people who will serve His Kids during each of the service times on Sunday at 8, 9:30, or 11:11 a.m.

The summer session begins Sunday, June 5, and the last session will be Sunday, August 28, which is only a 13-Sunday commitment. If you have vacation planned or have to be absent during this time period, we will work around your schedule by having one of our Super Subs take your group. The Service Directors and I strive to provide assistance with lessons and help in any problem that might happen during the summer session. We are here to bless you in your service to the Lord.
We also will need people willing to serve as substitutes when a regular minister leaves for vacation. Maybe you have a gift for organizing and playing games or organizing and doing crafts. If you are that person, we would love to have you as part of our team to make ministry to His Kids fun and exciting as everyone learns more about our gracious God and “standing above the rest.” It would be wonderful to have someone in charge of crafts and/or games each service.
Opportunities to sign up and to have your questions answered will be available on the patio as you enter the Worship Center starting May 1 in between services. Come to the His Kids Children’s Ministries table – we’d love to see you and share with you how the program will work this summer!

Reflections: May 8, 2011

2011-05-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Empty-Handed Adventure
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
This week Solomon talked about his pursuit of wisdom. It was pretty interesting to see Solomon’s thoughts about wisdom especially in light of the time he chose to ask God for wisdom and God granted it to him. I think the most startling thing for me to consider this week was verse 18 when he says that the greater our wisdom the greater our grief and sorrow. That just didn’t add up to me. I would naturally think that the greater my wisdom the better handle I would have on all things concerning life, and that would make me happy or at least satisfied.
But Solomon has said just the opposite. He says the more we know the more sadness it brings to our lives. What do you think about that? What has been your experience? Is it true that the more we know the more sorrow we experience? Why is that?
Tell me how that has worked out for you – I’d love to get some more wisdom on this idea!

The Game of Life

2011-05-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor
One of the favorite board games I used to play with my kids when they were growing up was “The Game of Life.” Maybe you’ve played it as well. This game has been around for decades and the makers of “Life” continue to update the game to reflect the changes to our culture. Some of the things that never change though are the very basics of the game – like getting an education, deciding on a vocation, obtaining an annual salary, getting married, having kids, and trying to win by being the first to reach your mansion with the most money. It kind of sounds like real life, doesn’t it?

I remember the time in my life when I began asking how I should be pursuing these kinds of things as a Christian. How should I play the game of life? What kind of vocation should I go after? How many kids should we have? How much money do I need to live on? Where will I live and what kind of house will I have? I’m sure I’m not alone in asking these kinds of questions and I can’t help but believe that as a Christian, I would answer them differently than if I weren’t a Christian.
How should “The Game of Life” be played? That’s a good and important question. Starting May 1, we are going to look at the writings of a man who looked back on his life and reflected about what was meaningful and what was meaningless.
We are going to study the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and most people believe this book was written by Solomon, the son of David, King over Jerusalem. You will notice in verse one it says, “These are the words of the Teacher…” The Hebrew word there for Teacher is qoheleth. It’s the word for a man who addresses an assembly. The corresponding word in Greek is the word ekklesiatic, and that’s where the book of Ecclesiastes gets its name.
Some people think that Ecclesiastes is about the meaninglessness of human life, but this perspective is not quite right. Ecclesiastes is really about the meaninglessness of life without God. And because the writer never gives up his belief in God, his ultimate purpose is to show us how meaningful life can be when we see things from God’s perspective. His message is not that nothing matters, but that everything matters, and the more we study Ecclesiastes, the better we will understand why.
So as we start this journey through the book of Ecclesiastes, we will learn from the wisest and richest man who ever lived. I look forward to learning with you about God’s perspective on “The Game of Life.”

This Weekend's Message: Empty-Handed Adventure

2011-05-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Empty-Handed Adventure
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
This week we start learning about the details of Solomon’s journey of discovering the truth that apart from God, everything is meaningless. His first pursuit is wisdom. Solomon didn’t have to go to college to become wise and I would think that most of us believe that the pursuit of wisdom is a good thing. We would think pursuing wisdom brings success, just like going to college in the game of life can make you a winner of the game. But the teacher has some startling things to say about his pursuit of wisdom and it’s effects in our lives that will shake us up a bit. Week two of our journey in Ecclesiastes will help us to see what wisdom apart from God really looks like.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Instructions for The Game of Life

2011-04-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

"What does The Game of Life hold for you?" This is the question posed by the popular board game that gives you the opportunity to earn degrees, make money, lose money, get married, luck into things, and suffer losses. But in real life, what is the meaning of it all?

This week we are going to kick off a new series called "The Game of Life" where we will go verse by verse through the book of Ecclesiastes, which offers us an interesting perspective of real meaning, purpose, and the choice to either be self-centered or God-centered.

Read chapter 1 verses 1-11 and come ready to jump into "The Game of Life!"

Jeff

Reflections: Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

2011-04-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise
Luke 23:43
Easter Sunday is arguably the holiest day in the Christian year. On Easter the Christian celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We have been living in the post-resurrection era for several thousand years now. I couldn’t help but wonder what the world would be like if the resurrection had not happened yet. Would this world be better off or worse off? What do you think?
I think since the resurrection God has been able to expand His work of renewing and redeeming the world. Every person who puts their faith in Jesus and is filled with the Holy Spirit becomes part of the team God can use. Christians are not people who are just waiting around for heaven to come; they are people who can make a difference in this world for the cause of God now. As you reflect on this Easter and the resurrection of Jesus, know that it is was much more than securing eternity. The resurrection says God cares about this world as it is now.

This Weekend's Message: Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise

2011-04-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise
Luke 23:43
What is your picture of paradise? I know we have all thoughts about what we think paradise is and I bet we’d be surprised to hear how different people think of paradise differently. My picture of paradise is most easily seen in the image of a lush, green Hawaiian island with a white, sandy beach and a constant 82 degree temperature. I wouldn’t be alone because I would need some people to bring me food and beverages and take care of whatever other needs I have. Ah! That would be paradise for me!
But when Jesus tells the criminal that today he would be with Him in paradise, Jesus had a totally different thought in mind. This week as we celebrate Easter we will look at what Jesus had in mind along with learning what the resurrection means to us and why it matters.
Be sure to invite someone to come with you this year – many people come to church on Easter and this would be a great time and a safe time to reach out to someone. You never know that invitation could make an eternal difference in their life. I’m looking forward to Easter and will be praying for God to some amazing things in our lives this Sunday.
By the way don’t forget to come tonight to our Maundy Thursday service. This is a reverent time of worship and celebrating communion together. Hope you can make it – it will make a difference in your week, I guarantee it!
Gary Keith

A Christian College Education Can Be Worth It

2011-04-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

By Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life

In 1992, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I would dress as warmly as possible. I would wear two jackets, two pairs of socks, thick leather gloves, an over-sized scarf, and my well-worn, full-face, motorcycle helmet. I would strap my backpack on the rear of my Honda 150, warm up the engine, and quickly enter the dense fog. My departure time was always 5:30 a.m., it was always below 40 degrees outside, and the 30-mile drive on Oakdale Road through the Central California countryside was always dark and quiet; the same way I saw my life. I was 17 years old at the time and making my way towards Merced Community College. I may not have made that drive if I knew that only roughly 20% of students who go to community college are able to graduate from a four-year university.

As soon as your child receives their high school diploma, the odds are immediately stacked against them. It was the same for me. I graduated from high school with a 2.8 GPA. I did not know what I wanted to do with my life and my parents wouldn’t let me leave home anyway. Community college seemed to be the best option; I thought that I had no other options. My experience at Merced College was as you might expect: disconnected instructors, no friends, thousands of students fighting for classes, thousands of students attending because they also had no other options. I found myself directionless and desperate to leave town in search of a fresh start. Behind my parents back, I applied to two different colleges that had sent me generic materials: Point Loma University in San Diego, and Whitworth College in Spokane, WA. I filled out my own financial aid forms and made my own contact with counselors at the prospective schools. To my surprise, I was accepted by both schools. Finally, I found the courage to present my acceptance letters to my parents. As I presented the letters, I kindly asked them, “Will you please let me leave?” They finally understood and conceded to help me sort out the details. I chose the school in Spokane simply and only because it was the furthest away from Turlock.

The decision I made to leave to go to Spokane was the single most important and life-changing decision I have ever made. I had no clue that my likelihood of graduating college went from 20% to 77%. I had no clue that I would receive an education of the mind and the heart, an education that would fuse my Christian faith with what I would learn in the class room. I had no clue that I would learn how to critically think, problem-solve, resolve conflict, create a budget, and program a large-scale event due to my experiences outside the classroom, not inside. Finally, I had no clue that I would create relationships so dynamic and so meaningful that we would stand at each other’s weddings, more then 18 years later.

If your son or daughter has expressed interest in going to a private Christian college, that desire is likely a blessing in disguise. It certainly was for my parents. Typically, the negatives for a decision such as this rise to the surface quickly: 1) “We can’t afford it,” 2) “I won’t let you take out loans and start your career in debt,” 3) “There’s no reason to leave home,” and 4) “I’m not paying $30,000 a year to send you to a Christian camp.” These are valid reasons. These are also reasons that are firmly linked to finances.

However, if you believe our God is bigger than your pocketbook, if you believe that our God loves your child more than you do, and if you believe that our God does indeed place our greatest desires into our hearts for a purpose, then you must believe that a Christian college education could be worth it. Let me explain…
I wrote earlier that the graduation rate for students who begin at a community college is roughly 20%. This is for a variety of reasons: 1) It is difficult to get classes, 2) Class sizes are often very large, 3) Instructors rarely take an interest in student’s lives, 4) Counselors often do not take a personal interest in your life and move you through as quickly as possible, 5) Involvement with the college is limited to only time spent in class, 6) It is difficult to make friends with students who you only see in class, 7) It is difficult to find friends who love Jesus as you do, and 8) Living at home separates you from the college experience.

Currently, the graduation rate for students who attend Chaffey College is 21%, 28% for Mt. SAC, 26% for Citrus College, and even worse for some of our local four-year universities. Believe it or not, the graduation rate at Cal State San Bernardino is 12%, Cal State Fullerton is 16%, and Cal Poly Pomona is 15%. Conversely, the graduation rates at some of our local private Christian schools are higher: Biola University is 51%, Azusa Pacific is 55%, and Westmont College is an amazing 73%.

The reason for the difference between these graduation rates parallel the center of my experience at Whitworth College: 1) My class sizes were small, my professors knew my name, they often came to my residence hall or invited me to their home to help me with my homework, and many of my former professors contact me to this day, just to see how I’m doing. 2) Everything I learned in the classroom was simultaneously measured against my faith in Jesus – faith and academic learning always walked hand-in-hand. 3) My counselors knew my name, spent time with me, and helped me find the major(s) that were right for me. 4) Because I lived on campus, I was involved in every facet of student life, from intramural sports to theatre, from student government to fishing trips. Living on campus put me squarely in the center of an entire community of students that was living, learning, and growing in our faith together. I had to learn how to get along with a roommate, I had to learn how to wake myself up in the morning, and I had to learn to make friends. With no family support from home, we were eager to create friendships, study together, cook dinner together, and lean on one another in difficult times. We became more than friends, we became brothers and sisters that still support one another well into our 30s. 5) Chapel (three days a week). And 6) my grades went up because I understood that this experience cost money and had to be valued. My grades also went up because my new friendships meant so much to me, that I couldn’t bear to be kicked out due to poor grades.

If your son or daughter is currently out of high school and struggling with school, their faith, or their relationship with you, it is likely that they are missing many of the things I wrote about above. In summation, my Christian college experience gave me purpose, value, and direction, most of which were achieved outside of the classroom. I also learned to appreciate my parents in a profound way. Nothing makes you value your parents like being away from them for six months, especially mom’s cooking!

At this point, you may still be wondering how your child will afford this experience. It’s a valid question. My tuition at Whitworth College was $18,000 my first year, and increased 10-15% each additional year. Each year, my parents were able to contribute about $4,000. I received about $4,000 in scholarship funds my first year, which increased each year as my grades and involvement in campus increased. And I received about $4,000 in work-study funds (work on campus in exchange for tuition). I left Spokane with close to $20,000 in student loans, but my undergraduate experience prepared me for graduate school so much so that I went on to receive a master’s degree on full scholarship. Upon receiving my master’s, I was able to land a professional job and pay off all of my loans in 13 months. Looking back, I was scared to take out those loans. I was foolish to not realize that a God who loves me probably thought, “$20,000? No problem.” After all, if I knew that the average college graduate earned $750,000 more over their lifetime then a non-grad, I would not have worried.

Was I smarter than your son or daughter when I was 19 years old? No way. Actually, I don’t consider myself to be smart at all. My brain actually moves very slow. The difference is that my heart got involved. If a person’s heart is involved, it’s difficult to slow them down. My Christian college experience got my heart involved and taught me how to keep it involved.

If your child is bringing up the idea of going to a Christian college, help them at least explore the possibility. If they are not, be sure to send them to Mosaic College Group in the Lower Garage at 7 p.m. on Thursday nights. I will do my best to give them the same kind of attention and affection my professors at Whitworth gave me.

Reflections: Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011

2011-04-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Father Forgive Them
Luke 23:34
Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that a violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” I think we would all agree Mark Twain has a special way with words. In this case, he has captured much of the essence of the forgiveness Jesus has offered to us and the kind of forgiveness we are to offer others. When a person has been crushed, forgiveness is the way to set two people free. The person who has wronged another person is set free from what they deserve. And the person who has been wronged is set free from allowing bitterness to take over their life.
I have personally seen both of those sweet fragrances in my journey of learning how to forgive and be forgiven. We call ourselves Christians saying that we are followers of Jesus. Jesus modeled the way of forgiveness for us to follow. The question is, will we follow the example of Jesus? Will we forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us? Will we seek forgiveness from others when we have wronged them?
When we do, the power of forgiveness can be seen. Forgiveness brings healing and wholeness to individuals and to relationships like nothing else can. Will you join me in learning to become a master of forgiveness?

What is Maundy Thursday About?

2011-04-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

By Amanda Keys, Worship Assistant
We all know the routine: wake up, cook meals, run errands, go to work, sit in traffic, attend class, do homework, go to rehearsals or practices, race home, do some laundry, wash dishes, and hopefully find some time to relax, carry on a conversation, or even open up the Bible before heading to bed – just to start it all over the next morning.
This lifestyle could very easily be paralleled to the years of Jesus’ ministry – we see several times in the gospels where Jesus intentionally removed Himself from the crowds and activities to pray, reflect, and prepare. It is no wonder then that Jesus chose to take His last hours on earth retreated from the busyness of the world, in a private room with only His twelve disciples. This was where He chose to express the heart of the Father and His desire to do whatever was necessary for us to have eternal life.
Maundy Thursday has grown to reflect and represent this final meal of Jesus, just hours before He was crucified. The Maundy Thursday service, which derives its name from the Latin word ‘mandatum,’ meaning ‘commandment,’ begins this solemn remembrance of the four events of this day: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Lord’s supper, Jesus’ agony in the garden, and the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. It is an opportunity to slow down, prepare our hearts, and reflect on what Jesus’ final days were like and the new commandment He left for us – to love one another.
We hope to see you Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Worship Center for an evening of remembering the sacrifice of Christ through music, silence, and acts of humility. Due to the reflective nature of this service, childcare will be provided for children five years and under.

This Weekend's Message: Father, Forgive Them

2011-04-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Father, Forgive Them
Luke 23:34
The last words of a person are many times never forgotten. A person’s closing comments often reveal their pain and agony. Some enter eternity without saying anything, while others utter words that reveal their values and innermost thoughts. For example, contrast the last words of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who said, “The best of all is God is with us,” with P. T. Barnum, the circus guy who said, “How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?” Both statements are very revealing aren’t they?
The Gospel writers have captured for us the last words of Jesus. While on the cross Jesus spoke seven times. And what He said is very revealing and they are words that we can learn from. This week we’ll look at His first words, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
As we begin Holy Week and celebrate Palm Sunday, we’ll look at how the final week of Jesus’ life unfolded to the place of Him saying, “Father, forgive them.” We’ll also have a special time during worship as the children come and sing with us. Hope to see you this week!
Gary Keith

Identify With the Attitude of Jesus

2011-04-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

By Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Thursday, May 5 has once again been identified as the National Day of Prayer. The idea of an annual National Day of Prayer was introduced by the Rev. Billy Graham, who suggested it in the midst of a several-weeks crusade in the nation’s capitol. Members of the House and Senate introduced a joint resolution for an annual National Day of Prayer, “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals."
In a 1983 declaration about the National Day of Prayer, Ronald Reagan said, “From General Washington’s struggle at Valley Forge to the present, this Nation has fervently sought and received divine guidance as it pursued the course of history. This occasion provides our nation with an opportunity to further recognize the source of our blessings, and to seek His help for the challenges we face today and in the future."
This year LBF is planning to provide a time of prayer on Thursday, May 5 in the Worship Center. This event will be organized by our Thursday night Intercessory Prayer Team. After meeting with two of the team members recently, I was challenged to look at this prayer time a little differently than in the past.
Traditionally we gather and pray for our politicians and other civic leaders. While that is a good thing, this year we desire to pray for them as one of the intercessory team members said, “with a love that is willing to humble self and enter into their condition.” We want to pray by connecting with them through a common point of identification. As we pray, we will consider their needs as we identify with the roles they have.
For example, as we pray for our governmental leaders, we realize that each of us is a leader in some capacity. And in that capacity we know the pressure and the responsibilities of being a leader. We know from our personal experience that leaders are attacked by others and that leaders receive their authority from God and are accountable to God. We also know that all of us have failed and require forgiveness and mercy from God to be a leader. So as we pray we will take some time to identify with these people and ask for the same things we would ask for ourselves.
My desire is that we don’t just have another event to go to, but a night of meaningful prayer that changes and empowers us, as well as makes a spiritual impact on our nation. I hope you plan to join us on Thursday, May 5 @ 7 p.m. in the Worship Center as we humble ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4) and pray for the needs of this nation.

How LBF connected with one of our missionary families

2011-04-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

By Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator
I want you to meet a very special family that’s serving the Lord in the Holy Land. That’s right, LBF is supporting a ministry that’s in Israel. Daniel and his family are from Romania and they immigrated to northern Israel several years ago. Their story of how they got connected with LBF is one that only God could have arranged.

Back in 2001, a family in our church was contacted about hosting a Romanian family who were here in the area and needed housing. Their youngest daughter, Oana who was 6 at the time, was in need of a serious surgical procedure. A hospital in Southern California offered to perform the surgery, but this family would have to provide for their own housing. So for about three and a half months, this precious family attended LBF while their daughter received surgery and excellent follow-up treatment. Once Oana had recovered, the family moved back to their home in Romania, where Daniel was a pastor.
As a result of their time with us, LBF began giving some financial support to their ministry as a way of reaching out globally to Eastern Europe. Then several years ago their family immigrated to northern Israel where they have a wonderful ministry reaching out to other Romanian immigrants who do not know Christ. It’s exciting to get Daniel’s regular updates and hear how he openly shares the light of Christ in his community and sees hearts being changed as they truly hear and embrace the Gospel message. Daniel also helps in a Russian church while their pastor is away, coordinating evangelistic and youth meetings. The light of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) is definitely shining through Daniel and his family.
Here’s a fun story about Daniel: He is taking a class in Jerusalem three days a week. He has to take the bus in order to take these courses, and it’s a bit of a journey for him to make. One of his classmates is a friend of mine who I met in ’93 when I was there on a short-term mission trip to Israel. It’s a great reminder of how God brings people together to encourage others.
Please pray for Daniel and his family as the Lord brings them to mind. His wife is Iuliana and his daughters are Adelina (18) and Oana (16). This whole family has immigrated from Romania, so there have been major adjustments for them to make in order to feel at home in Israel, including learning a new language. They appreciate your prayers.
Thank you for your part in this global ministry.
Prayer Request: Please be praying for some from LBF who will be going on short-term mission trips this summer. There are three college students as well as a team of men and women who are making plans now for ministry opportunities in Kenya, Asia, and the Dominican Republic. Your prayers for them as they raise support and make plans are vital.

This Weekend's Message: DTR Renewed

2011-04-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

As we wrap up this series through the first 5 chapters of Romans, I am struck by the awareness that the Holy Spirit has brought to my life in regards to the relationship that God is offering, and the choices we have to make regarding how we will Define The Relationship.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 it says, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life."

This is what it is to Define The Relationship (DTR). Paul has emphasized that our relationship is not dependant on the Law or good deeds, but by faith alone in Jesus Christ that we can be saved. Will we DTR by choosing to accept the free gift of grace from our creator who wants desperately to have relationship with us?

Sin entered the picture early on in the human existence, and we have all been affected ever since. This week we are going to take a look at the original choice that would separate us from God and introduced sin into the bloodline of humanity. And we will see and rejoice in the action taken by God to do what was necessary to renew that relationship.

Read Romans 5 sometime between now and Sunday.

Jeff

Reflections: April 3, 2011

2011-04-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

Peaceful
Romans 5:1-11
As believers we live in a new land called grace. Just like immigrants who have to learn a new culture and adapt to new customs, Christians must learn how to live in this land of grace. Paul says in this land of grace we can rejoice or live in joyful confidence in our problems and trials. My first reaction to reading this was, "Really? Really Paul, I’m supposed to live in joyful confidence in my problems and trials?" Maybe all of this seems not only difficult, but downright impossible.
What do you think? How has being a believer in Christ helped you with the problems and trials of life? How has God’s training program described in Romans 5:3-5 help you live in this new land of grace? I’d love to hear your thoughts in how this works in real life. Remember that in defining our relationship with God, the word this week is peaceful – we are no longer at war with God. No, as believers in Christ we are at peace with God. Oh what a relief that is!

This Weekend's Message: Peaceful

2011-03-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

Peaceful
Romans 5:1-11
I think we would all agree that war is a terrible thing in the history of humanity. I was in the military during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was a horrific event in the history of our world and it came very close to my life at the age of 20. While I never personally went to Vietnam, I was only 800 miles away and was able to see first-hand the effects of that war on the lives of so many young men. It was not a pretty sight – war will never be a pretty sight.
Peace on the other hand is a wonderful thing to experience. Being at peace with another person fills our being with feelings of calmness and serenity. It feels like all is right with the world. When we are at peace with people we actually experience some of what God has intended for this world. Peace is a good thing.
As we continue our study in Romans this week, the overarching theme is that because we have been made right through faith we now have peace with God. If you think about this in terms of being at war versus being at peace, you will have captured the idea here. But what is the result of this peace? Is it just calmness and serenity? Or is there more to it than that? We’ll explore what it means to be at peace with God and how that can affect our lives. Hope to see you Sunday!
Gary Keith

Reflections: March 27, 2011

2011-03-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
Faith like Abraham
Abe was not a perfect guy. In fact, he could be a real bonehead at times, but his ability to trust God through the impossible is something that we can be inspired by. This desire to inspire was what Paul had in mind as he recounted Abraham's story in Romans 4.

I know that as I studied this passage and reflected on loss and death in my own life, I am encouraged to see that someone who had to walk through such heartache and trial was able to glorify God in the process and receive the blessing that God had for him.

This week, join me in praying for those who have experienced loss (maybe it's you) - that God would reveal Himself and give hope to walk through the trial, believing that God will be faithful to either restore what was lost or create new life out of nothing.

This Weekend's Message: Hopeful

2011-03-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hopeful: Romans 4:16-25
Rudy... Remember the Titans... Braveheart... Just a few of the movies that get your heart soaring with hope, encouragement, and inspiration. But what does this kind of inspiration do for our spirit? How does this kind of inspiration impact our faith in God?

This week as we wrap up Romans 4, we are going to receive an inspirational message of hope. Not from me, but from the very Word of God as we read of His unfailing commitment and love for His people, demonstrated through real-life, and often difficult circumstances. Read through Romans 4 this week and ask God to open your heart to the hope that is much greater than an inspirational speech, or happy Disney ending. This hope is eternal.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: March 20, 2011

2011-03-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Dependent
Romans 4:1-15
In the last two weeks while studying Romans 3 and 4, I have noticed that Paul has repeated himself nearly a dozen times with the statement, “We are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” It seems that he is intentionally repeating himself to make a point. This is probably because in our everyday world, we make our way by working and earning our place with people. And then we come to our relationship with God and we think it is the same. But with God it is just the opposite. With God we receive a free gift through faith – there is no earning involved.
I know that most Christians know this, but what about living it? Without frequent reminders we can easily fall back into thinking our relationship with God is about earning our rightness. How do you keep yourself mindful that with God it is about grace? How do you guard yourself from thinking that all the good things you do somehow earn your rightness with God?

This Weekend's Message: Dependent

2011-03-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Dependent
Romans 4:1-15
There was a time in my life when I thought being self-sufficient was the goal. I was taught to work hard, earn my way, and don’t be a burden to society. Now when it comes to my place in society, some of this may be good, but what about my spiritual life? What about my relationship with God? Is self-sufficiency the goal? Am I to earn my way with God? Am I to work hard to make God accept me?
This week as we continue our series called "Define the Relationship," Paul speaks to these questions. This idea of being dependent on God is something that is difficult to grasp. We Americans especially have a tough time understanding this idea because being self-sufficient is a big part of our culture. Come this Sunday and see how Paul describes what it means to be dependent in our relationship with God.
Gary

This Weekend's Message: Trusting

2011-03-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Would you ever be willing to pay the consequences for someone else's actions? Would you ever allow someone you love to suffer the consequences for someone else's actions?

It should be pretty clear by now that we all fall way short of living lives that are anywhere near what they would need to be in order to earn our salvation. Nonetheless, Paul will remind us one more time as we wrap up chapter 3 of Romans. But this week we will also discover how God has made a way for us to be saved based on relationship rather that ritual. As we continue to define the relationship we are at a point where God is asking if we will trust Him with our lives.
See ya Sunday!
Jeff

Reflections: March 6, 2011

2011-03-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Guilty
Romans 3:9-20
In this passage Paul presents the accusation that the entire human race is under the power of sin. We’re not talking about the sinning we do on a daily basis; Paul is talking about the human sin condition that we are all born with. What Paul is talking about can be traced back all the way to the first humans – Adam and Eve. When they chose to disobey God, a cosmic change was set into motion, and this change has been experienced by every human being since. This is what Paul is referring to in verse 9 when he says the entire human race is under the power of sin.
In addition to what Paul writes in Romans 3:9, check out chapter 5, verses 12-21 to read more about this idea of original sin. I’m a little curious – is this a new thought for you? Were you aware of this doctrine? How does this help you make sense of our world today? What is your opinion of how this doctrine is affected by those who have committed their lives to Christ? How does this condition change for Christians? Let’s talk.

This Weekend's Message: Guilty

2011-03-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

Guilty
Romans 3:9-20
If we are going to really define our relationship with God we’ve got to hear it all. Chuck Swindoll says, “There are preachers today who don’t want to focus on the negative side of Christian truth – the terminal disease of sin. They prefer to remain focused only on the positive.”
I agree with Chuck when he talks about going to a doctor. I know that when I go to the doctor I don’t want to hear only the good news, I want to hear it all – I want the truth – the plain, ugly, undistorted truth about my body. If my doctor finds something wrong I want to know about it right now!
That’s what Paul is doing again this week as he wraps up this “bad news” section of Romans. The good news is that our condition is treatable. But for us to really be grateful for the good news, we must first wrestle with and understand completely the bad news.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: DTR - Uncommitted

2011-02-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

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(This should be read in your best "2 a.m. infomercial" voice.)
Have you ever thought that Christianity is just too hard?
Have you ever wondered if it was worth all the hassle of being good?
Have you ever justified that doing the wrong thing was actually the right thing?

Well, then have I got a story for you! Sometime between now and Sunday, read Romans 3 and see if there is any part if the lesson they are learning that you can identify with. (I already did, so if I had to you do too!)

See ya Sunday!
Jeff

Reflections: February 20, 2011

2011-02-22T16:29:00.000-08:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Flawed
Romans 2:17-29
This week we learned from Paul that religious activity leads to a flawed relationship with God. That instead of focusing on rituals, God is concerned with matters of our heart. One of the key problems with focusing on religious ritual was the found in verse 24 – “No wonder the Scriptures say, 'The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.'” That was then – what about today?
During the message I quoted some portions of the book “UnChristian” written by David Kinnaman. In this book Kinnaman makes the case that many non-Christians want nothing to do with Christianity because of the behavior of Christians. He says that Christians are best known for what they are against – “they are perceived as judgmental, anti-homosexual, too political, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, hypocritical – saying one thing and doing another.” I see a strong connection with the words of Paul in Romans and what this book has revealed as reality today.
What do you think? Is that too harsh an observation? Is it right on? How do you think Christian’s got this reputation? What can be done to change this reputation? Let’s talk!

This Weekend's Message: Flawed

2011-02-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Flawed
Romans 2:17-29
Depending on how you look at it, religion can be either good or bad. I think most of us look on religious people in a good way, even if we don’t agree with their religion. I remember once listening to a TV interview with the Dali Lama and thinking that many of the things he professed are good, even though he was missing the Jesus part – the most important and really life-changing part. And then there is Billy Graham. Many all over the world know almost nothing about Christianity, but revere Billy Graham as a true man of God. This is the good side of religion as observed by society.
But religion has a dark side as well. Looking back on history we can see that religion has caused dissention and wars and inspired much violence against the human race. Religion is the subject of our passage this week. Paul talks directly to the Jews and their religious activity and offers a better way. As we learn how to “Define the Relationship” with God, this idea of religion versus relationship is at the very center of our passage. I look forward to seeing you this week as we explore this teaching from Paul.
Gary

Reflections: February 13, 2011

2011-02-15T15:45:00.000-08:00

This week’s “Reflection” by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship
Romans 2:16 And this is the message I proclaim that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone¹s secret life.

What feelings does that stir up inside when you read that? Fear? Apprehension? Hope (that it will never happen)? We all have the things in our life that have been tucked neatly (or maybe not so neatly) away so that we can look good to others. We tuck it away so we can come to church. We tuck it away so people won't be grossed out by it. We tuck it away because if we ignore it, it may just go away. At least, that's what we want to believe.

The reality is that as good as we look on the outside, and as together we may pretend to have it, each of us are broken. And when Satan convinces us that our brokenness should be kept secret, we begin a journey through darkness that he convinces us we need to face alone. But Jesus came to set us free. We are promised that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit and that light and darkness cannot co-exist. So we have a choice to make. Expose the secrets to the light and receive healing as promised in the book of James, or continue to walk in darkness, justifying that somehow our sin is different, or that God will just ignore it and let it pass.

I want to encourage you, as I did at the end of the service on Sunday, to find someone to confess your sin to. That you may be set free from your addiction, habit, mindset, etc...that keeps you walking in darkness. Resist the devil and he will flee, and some of you need to resist by refusing to keep your secret sin a secret any longer.

If you would like to talk with a pastor please feel free to call the church office. Or find a believing friend or person in a Bible study that you trust and allow them to accept and love you through the healing.

This Weekend's Message: Secret

2011-02-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

It is so easy to look around and condemn the sin in other people's lives. It is easy to view the sinful actions of others, shake our head, and think how displeased God must be with their actions. The sins of others are ALWAYS worse or a bigger deal than the sin in our own lives...right?

This week as we venture into Defining the Relationship with God in Romans chapter 2:1-16, Paul doesn't pull any punches as he addresses the mindset of believers who are quick to call out the sins of others, but are unwilling to see the secret sin in their own life.

Read through Romans 1:1-2:16 as we prepare to hear God's word for the secret sin in each of our lives, and the destruction that comes from trying to hide the sin that God sees anyway.

See ya Sunday,

Jeff

Reflections: February 6, 2011

2011-02-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Broken
Romans 1:18-32

“How’s that workin’ for you?” is a common way Dr. Phil responds to guests on his show after they have just explained the mess they are in and how they are handling it. I couldn’t help but think about that as I reflected on the sermon for this week. Paul paints a very clear picture of why we are a broken people and the results of our brokenness in our relationship with God and with people.

Probably the most remembered and controversial part of Paul’s words in this passage is God’s view of homosexual behavior. I know this is a controversial subject to talk about and I also know that the church in America hasn’t done a very good job at representing God on this issue. I say that because God does not rate one sexual sin any different than any other – whether it be sex before marriage, sex outside of marriage, or homosexual behavior – all sexual sin is seen the same way by God, and yet the church seems to put more emphasis on homosexual behavior than adulterous behavior. I think this is inaccurate.

Why is it that people who sin by having sex before marriage or are involved in adultery feel more accepted in church than gay people? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.

Also if you are gay and believe your were born that way and then read in the Bible that homosexual behavior is a sin, how does that cause you to think about God? I wonder about that as well.

This subject of brokenness affects all of us in some way – if you’re willing use this blog to reply to these questions or share something else that is on your mind.

Next week: Romans 2:1-16

This Weekend's Message: Broken

2011-02-02T01:51:00.000-08:00

This week we start a new series called “Define the Relationship.” It’s a study of the first five chapters of the New Testament book of Romans. For many, going to church is simply a religious activity. These people would more than likely define God as a distant being who makes rules for everyone to follow. If you follow these rules religiously, then all will be well; if you don’t, well that’s a whole other story.
It wasn’t until I went through a personal crisis in my early twenties that I began to really seek something more than religious activity. And in my seeking I found that God wanted not religious activity, but a personal relationship with His people – including me. In this series we will explore the different dimensions of our relationship with God. What is God like? How has He revealed Himself to us? What does He want from us? What does it mean to have a relationship with Him? What can I expect if I put my trust in Him? What about my sin and His holiness? How does that work?
As we start our series this week we will look at the broken condition of our relationship with God. May I suggest that you read Romans chapter one. We’ll focus on verses 18-32.
Also be praying for the 18 million Christian Egyptians as their country experiences much uncertainty during this revolution.
Gary

Reflections: January 30, 2011

2011-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

Religious routine, though often noble and well-intentioned, can so easily become mindless. It is these mindless routines that rob us of the lessons that scripture has for us and the new and exciting things that God wants to work in and through our lives.

Being randomly generous is always something that we need to be ready for, but what about being intentionally generous, or as we seek God, being open to be directionally generous to the things and people that God leads us to?

This series has been good for me as it has made me more aware of the need in my life to seek God for opportunities to be generous, rather than just leaving it up to my own awareness. Being open to God to direct my generosity may mean that at some point I will be called to give beyond my comfort zone. It may mean that I am called to give in areas that my heart may be a bit calloused and I don't "feel" like being generous. But as I am called to first give myself to God as a living sacrifice, it means that ultimately I am committing all of who I am and what I have for His good will. That is the place I want to be more than anything else.

Will you join me in continuing to pray for open hearts, a generous spirit, and a mighty move of God that would be defined by generosity through His people?

This Weekend's Message: A Percentage Problem

2011-01-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

Growing up in church, I am pretty fluent in the "language of the church." I can use words like atonement, justification, and salvation in a sentence, and even define them for you. But over the years I have also learned some "practices of the church" that I didn't necessarily know the origin or purpose of. I simply did them because the amazing Christian men and women around me were passionately engaged in these practices.

This weekend we are going to wrap up our "Defined by Generosity" series by taking a look at a practice begun by God's chosen people in the Old Testament, and see what place it has in our offering to God today.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: January 23, 2011

2011-01-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

LOL Giving2 Corinthians 9:1-15

In our third week of talking about being “Defined by Generosity,” the topic of becoming a hilarious giver was discussed. There is no doubt that many people have bad experiences when it comes to the church teaching about giving. Much of this teaching focuses on giving in order to get from God, or making giving a duty based upon the tithe (which, if you really study the Old Testament, results in giving in the 30% range).

Is it possible for followers of Jesus to become hilarious givers despite the many messages of giving as a duty or being guilted into it? I think so, but it will take a willingness to forgive and forget the past experiences and focus on what the Bible teaches about giving.

In our desire to become LOL (Laughing Out Loud) givers there are other obstacles. For example, one obstacle focuses on whether we really believe the truth expressed in 2 Corinthians 9:8. There is a promise in that verse, but do we really believe that promise? Can we trust God with our money? Can we trust Him with this promise? God desires that we become hilarious givers who believe in His generosity with us. What do you think? Is it possible to become an LOL giver today? What are your challenges in giving? How have you seen God respond to the promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8? Let’s talk because this idea of giving is a big one with God, even though it is a sensitive issue in the church today.

This Weekend's Message: LOL Giving

2011-01-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

LOL Giving
2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Laughing is good for what ails us. We all need a good laugh once in a while. In fact laughing is good for our health. I think about those times that something really strikes me as funny and I just start laughing. And then this laughing becomes uncontrollable and my stomach starts hurting and my eyes start watering and it just feels so very good. And when the laughing episode is over I feel better. Can you relate?

As we continue our series on being “Defined by Generosity,” this week we will look at our giving. Now I realize this can be a touchy subject for many, but the Bible says some pretty interesting things about how we should give. Many of you are probably familiar with the verse that says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Our passage this week covers that verse and it got me thinking: When I give do I give with the same emotions and feelings I have as I do when I’m laughing uncontrollably? Do I feel as good after I’ve given as I do when I stop laughing? Is it possible to be a “cheerful” giver when I really want to hold onto my stuff?

These are some of the questions we’ll look at this week as learn about being a LOL Giver. See you Sunday!
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Consumed With Contentment

2011-01-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

If I could think of one word to describe what destroys any contentment that I strive for in my life, it would be this: Ebay. As soon as I feel that I am content with what I have, Ebay is there to tell me of all the better or different stuff that I have yet to accumulate!

Contentment should be our constant pursuit, a pursuit that leads through a relationship with Christ. But all too often the pursuit is one of accumulation; a pursuit of happiness through getting all we can. But what affect does discontent have on our ability to give? What kind of link is there between contentment and generosity? This weekend we are going to explore that link, and see what Jesus has to say about contentment and
giving living.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: January 9, 2011

2011-01-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Whose Stuff Is It?
Psalm 24:1
This weekend as we started our new series titled “Defined by Generosity,” I asked the question, whose stuff is it? The answer is found in Psalm 24. It’s God’s stuff; He is the owner and we are the managers of His stuff. The Biblical truth is that we don’t really own anything – God owns it all.
Now this sounds all well and good and it is based on the Bible, but what does this really mean? After all, I do have the pink slip for my car telling everybody that I own my car. The pink slip doesn’t have God’s name on it, so what does it mean to say that God is the owner of everything?
I think the short answer is found in how we look at our stuff – how we use it, whether it controls us or we control it, whether we use our stuff to advance the kingdom of God, and whether we share our stuff with others or hoard it for ourselves. I think that maintaining a mindset that we are simply the managers and not the owner (which is Biblical) will help guide us in the use and care of all that we think we own.
What do you think? I’d love to hear from you.

This Weekend's Message: Whose Stuff Is It?

2011-01-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

Whose stuff is it?

The lines were long and the tickets were going fast on Tuesday night as people came to buy that all-important “winning” lottery ticket. You have to admit winning $355 million sounds pretty good, right? I sure could do a lot of good with $355 million. If I had that kind of money I could definitely be a generous person. Yes I could...but would I?

This week we start a four-week series about becoming generous people. The current economic climate has caused everyone to become more aware of their resources (or lack of them). And the tendency is to hold on to all you can. But even in this climate as followers of Jesus we are called to be generous with all that God has blessed us with (even if we never win the lottery). Someone once told me, “I can write the story of your spiritual life by looking at your checkbook.” There is no doubt that one of the measures of our spiritual maturity is the way we handle money and our stuff.

So the obvious question becomes, how should followers of Jesus handle their money and their stuff? That is what we want to talk about for the next four weeks. This week we’re going to start by asking, “Whose stuff is it?” I look forward to seeing you on Sunday! God Bless.
Gary Keith

This Weekend's Message: Great Expectations

2010-12-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever eagerly anticipated something? A time when your expectations were so high you thought you would explode? As I think of those times in my life, very few of them had to do with God or expectations of Him moving in my life. There have been times of coming to church where I had expectations, but it had more to do with what I expected from the sermon or the music than with God moving.

I want that to change. I want that to change in my life, in your life, and in the life of Life Bible Fellowship Church. Some of you have done church for far too long, and it is time to begin expecting, and looking for how God wants to move in you and through you.

This weekend we are going to look at the things in scripture that should increase our expectations of God and all that He has for us. Come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and maybe get your toes stepped on a little bit as we venture out into a world of Great Expectations in our faith.

See ya Sunday,
Jeff

Reflections: December 26, 2010

2010-12-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
The Day after…Now What?
Christmas 2010 is over – all the build-up, the preparation, the planning, and the day itself, is over. The tree looks sad without all the presents under the it, the turkey has been eaten, the toys have been played with, and visiting family is returning home. Many people have a let down when a big event is over. This is normal after a big event. How about you?
Whether you have a “let down” or not, now is a good time to take a step back and remind ourselves about God. Using Zechariah’s prophecy found in Luke 1, we pause and reflect some about what God has provided for us, what He has promised us, and where He is taking us.
If you were in church on Sunday, take your insert and put it on the refrigerator and use it to help remind you of God. (And if you weren't at church, download the insert, which is found at the top of this post and go listen to the message here.)
See you next year!

This Weekend's Message: The Day After...What Now?

2010-12-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Day After…Now What?
Luke 1:68-79
By the time we gather for worship on Sunday morning, Christmas 2010 will be history. It will be over. All the presents will have been unwrapped. The tree will be looking dry and bare with no presents underneath. The leftovers will have been placed in the refrigerator. The toys will have been played with. Our family and friends will have all gone home. Now what?
For some people the day after Christmas can bring an after-holiday “let-down.” It’s hard when a big event, which we have looked forward to and prepared for, is over. It is normal to have a “let-down” feeling. On the day after Christmas, what do we do now? Let’s take a step back and remember some important things about God. This Sunday will be a day of encouragement as we look at God through the eyes of Zechariah.
On behalf of the staff and elders of LBF, we wish you a very merry and Christ-filled Christmas. See you on Sunday!
God Bless,
Gary Keith

Reflections: December 19, 2010

2010-12-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Deliberate or Distracted?
Being distracted at Christmas time is nothing new. It is not as much about our fast-paced society as it is about our awareness (remember the bear video?) of the distractions we all face. But I also think that being distracted is easier than being deliberate. As you start out a new week that leads us straight to Christmas Day, what will you do to not let the distractions rob you of adoring the reason we have Christmas in the first place? Will it be slowing down your schedule – maybe saying no to some things? Will it be a conscious decision to allow Jesus to be the King of your life – to let Him have control? Will it be to remind yourself of your need for a Savior and remove the indifference that can creep into our everyday life?
Remember, you’re not alone in this struggle – ever since that first Christmas, many, many people have had the same battles. Take some extra time this week and spend it with Jesus, building that relationship with the God of creation. Be deliberate in celebrating and adoring Jesus this Christmas. I think you’ll be glad you did!

This Weekend's Message: Deliberate or Distracted?

2010-12-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Deliberate or Distracted?
Deck the Halls, Week Three
Last year while at the mall with his mom and grandpa, a little four-year-old boy watched as children lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, the little guy asked his mom, “Where’s the line for Jesus?"
It’s pretty easy to get distracted and miss Christmas. Oh, we won’t miss the day of Christmas literally, but we might miss the meaning of Christmas. Distractions are all around and it is so easy to lose our focus. But if you think this is a new problem, you’re wrong. This week we will look at three particular people who on the very first Christmas became so distracted that they missed it. And as we see the reasons, we’ll learn some important ways we can be deliberate so that we don’t miss it.
If you want to get a head start, read both Matthew chapter 2 and Luke chapter 2.
Finally here we are at the last Sunday before Christmas (I hope to see you!); let’s not get distracted from the real meaning this year.
God Bless,
Gary

Reflections: December 12, 2010

2010-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

This week’s “Reflection” by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor
Godly or Gaudy?
Luke 1:26-56
In week two of our series I asked how we should adorn our life at Christmas – will we be godly or gaudy? I must tell you that even though I’m very familiar with the birth story of Jesus, I learned some important new things this week. For the first time I clearly saw the theme of humility in both Mary and Elizabeth. Humility is one of those familiar words that are difficult to live out. How do we know when we are being humble? Mary showed us three things about humility and I hope this week you will consider those as we prepare for Christmas.
During the message I quoted Thomas Merton. He was a 20^th century Catholic writer who said, “Give me humility, in which alone is rest and deliver me from pride which is the heaviest of burdens.” What do you think of this quote? Have you ever experienced rest in humility? If so, what kind of experience was that? How was rest achieved by being humble? How about pride, do you see it as a heavy burden? How has pride been a burden in your life?
By the way it was brought to my attention that during the sermon I said that John the Baptist wrote the Gospel of John. I quoted John 3:30 when John the Baptist said, "He (Jesus) must increase and I (John the Baptist) must decrease." It is true that John the Baptist said that, but it was John the apostle (the son of Zebedee), not John the Baptist who wrote the Gospel of John. Thank you so much to the person who caught this misstatement.

This Weekend's Message: Godly or Gaudy?

2010-12-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

Godly or Gaudy?
(Not associated with the Gaudy family in our church!!)
Luke 1:26-56
Whoa! Only 16 more days and Christmas will be upon us. This Christmas in our “Deck the Halls” series we are looking at how to adorn our life with what matters. How do you prepare yourself for Christmas? Will you be godly or gaudy? What is the difference? Is there someone we can look at to see the difference?
This week we will look at the life of a key figure in the Christmas story and see how they reveal the true spirit of Christmas. During our worship time we will have the privilege of enjoying a combined choir of adults and children. Hope to see you this Sunday to learn how to be godly and not gaudy.