I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up. My mother was a single mom working full-time, but her parents lived about a mile from our elementary school. So my sister and I would walk over to their house after school each day. There were some things I loved about that arrangement. The …
The Front Porch November 19, 2020
You can imagine my surprise when I turned the corner and saw this car parked in front of the church on Monday. That car is older than I am! It’s been through a few things…and is definitely showing its age. It’s a 1949 Ford. That’s right…1949. The Front Porch November 19, Issue 36
The Front Porch November 12, 2020
Can you think of a time when someone made a sacrifice that benefitted you? That was one of the questions in this week’s small group. It was interesting to hear how many responded by telling a story about their mother (including me). Mothers seem uniquely wired to demonstrate sacrificial love for their children. The Front …
The Front Porch November 5, 2020
I’m not always very good at waiting. I drove to Trader Joe’s the other night thinking it was late enough to avoid a long line. I was wrong. The line to enter the store wrapped around the building. So rather than wait, I kept on driving…to Vons. No lines, no wait. Waiting too long just …
The Front Porch – October 29, 2020
The pandemic has posed many challenges these last eight months, but the one I have struggled with most is how best to honor those from our church family who have died during this time. The limitations on gathering indoors means coming together in the church that they loved, with the people that they loved, to …
The Front Porch – October 22, 2020
I lifted up Captain America in prayer during last Sunday’s worship service. At least that’s how he has been known to those in the outside community the last several years. Yes, Captain America was homeless and spent most of his time in the Mission Beach area. He was also a regular attendee at the meals …
The Front Porch – October 15, 2020
When I hired Jeff McDowell to serve as our custodian some 20+ years ago, neither one of us had a clue what kind of amazing journey God was about to take us on. I still remember Jeff’s words to me when he showed up three hours early for his first day of work. “This is …
The Front Porch – October 8, 2020
Mark gives a rather colorful description of the demoniac: “He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength …