Partying with Jesus
On November 23rd (the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) the Church of Alhambra gathered together for a party (a Thanksgiving party). We came to unite to love Jesus, to give Him thanks and to rejoice in God's presence in Alhambra. In Ezra 3:11 - the people of God gave thanks to the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. We see that God has laid a foundation of His love, peace and joy in Alhambra. He is here. And we want to party because that is something to be really excited about. Not only do we see God here in Alhambra but we see that He is weaving the Church together. What does it look like when the people of Jesus come together and truly experience His joy and love? How can we celebrate together when we are so different? As the diverse churches: Assembly of God, Presbyterian, Missions, United Methodist, Catholic, Nazarene, etc. representing several languages and ethnicities came together, everyone's eyes were seeking Jesus. When our focus becomes Jesus, His joy becomes real. As that happens, the beautiful mosaic of God comes together. Christ brings meaning and understanding to our diversity. At times we can just look at what is wrong with our community, church, others, self. We look at what isn't there or what is there that shouldn't be there. But sometimes we need to stop along the way and look for the signs of hope and party with God for what He is doing. We have been given more than we know! Party on....
Friday, December 16, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Living into the John 17:23 call
John 17:23 “May they (the Church) be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me (Jesus) and have loved them (all people) even as you have loved Me (Jesus)”
What does it mean to come together for the well-being and blessing of the city? What is Jesus saying to us, the Church in John 17:23? John records the last prayers and words of Jesus to his disciples before His crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is imparting key truths of God’s Kingdom to the believers. Jesus is emphasizing the necessity of UNITY.
What is unity? The word unity that is used is actually the numeral one. Jesus is calling the church to walk in unity so through the oneness of the church, the world will know. The call and purpose of the Church is to walk in unity so that the world will know Jesus.
As we study the great revivals of history, we see that God moves powerfully in particular communities and brings His transformation where two common themes exist: prayer and unity in the Church seeking the face of God on behalf of their city. You would never find one without the other. Unity was not the means to their end of revival rather unity was the very core of their existence.
God demonstrates unity in His character as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three are separate individuals yet they live as one. The Church (the collective Church) is called to demonstrate this unity in our identity. Even though we are individual churches and may belong to specific denominations of churches – we are still collectively one as the Church in the city and world.
Jesus says that when the world sees us, the Church live and walk in unity, then the world will see the love of Jesus. This is not an easy call. How do we balance individualism and uniqueness in the context of unity and collective identity? How can we all get along when we believe our practices and ways alone are the right way? How can we walk in unity when we at times don’t even like other believers? Unity is only possible through the sacrifice of Jesus who restored what was broken and through Him we are united with the Father and with each other. His sacrifice restored what was broken. This unity is possible by the power of God through the Holy Spirit empowering believers to do things we cannot do by our own strength. The call to unity is a call to humility, sacrifice and surrender. This is God’s call for His Church.
God’s call for the Church to walk in unity is a life-long journey and process. We are beginning to live out this call of John 17:23 in the community of Alhambra. On 10/30/05 four churches came together to sponsor the Hallelujah Harvest Fair. Alhambra Bethany Church, Alhambra Friends Church, Alhambra True Light Presbyterian Church and Chinese Bible Missions Church LA partnered together to bless the community of Alhambra with God’s love. We are four distinctively unique churches and yet were able to partner together to be a witness to God’s love for Alhambra. We each brought gifts and strengths to the event and it was so amazing to watch God weave all of the aspects of who we are together as an outpouring and demonstration of His love for Alhambra. We had game booths, crafts, bouncy house, a skate park (a ministry of Bethany Church), food, the Police Department did a K9 demonstration, the Fire Department brought their truck to teach people what they do, bands played proclaiming God’s love through music. This was a completely free event for the community because we wanted people to be blessed by God’s love and presence. The coming together of these four churches was key to God’s love being seen. We can do many things as individuals; however, we can do so much more when we let God bring us together. This is God’s call and heart for us, His Church, His people.
John 17:23 “May they (the Church) be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me (Jesus) and have loved them (all people) even as you have loved Me (Jesus)”
What does it mean to come together for the well-being and blessing of the city? What is Jesus saying to us, the Church in John 17:23? John records the last prayers and words of Jesus to his disciples before His crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is imparting key truths of God’s Kingdom to the believers. Jesus is emphasizing the necessity of UNITY.
What is unity? The word unity that is used is actually the numeral one. Jesus is calling the church to walk in unity so through the oneness of the church, the world will know. The call and purpose of the Church is to walk in unity so that the world will know Jesus.
As we study the great revivals of history, we see that God moves powerfully in particular communities and brings His transformation where two common themes exist: prayer and unity in the Church seeking the face of God on behalf of their city. You would never find one without the other. Unity was not the means to their end of revival rather unity was the very core of their existence.
God demonstrates unity in His character as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three are separate individuals yet they live as one. The Church (the collective Church) is called to demonstrate this unity in our identity. Even though we are individual churches and may belong to specific denominations of churches – we are still collectively one as the Church in the city and world.
Jesus says that when the world sees us, the Church live and walk in unity, then the world will see the love of Jesus. This is not an easy call. How do we balance individualism and uniqueness in the context of unity and collective identity? How can we all get along when we believe our practices and ways alone are the right way? How can we walk in unity when we at times don’t even like other believers? Unity is only possible through the sacrifice of Jesus who restored what was broken and through Him we are united with the Father and with each other. His sacrifice restored what was broken. This unity is possible by the power of God through the Holy Spirit empowering believers to do things we cannot do by our own strength. The call to unity is a call to humility, sacrifice and surrender. This is God’s call for His Church.
God’s call for the Church to walk in unity is a life-long journey and process. We are beginning to live out this call of John 17:23 in the community of Alhambra. On 10/30/05 four churches came together to sponsor the Hallelujah Harvest Fair. Alhambra Bethany Church, Alhambra Friends Church, Alhambra True Light Presbyterian Church and Chinese Bible Missions Church LA partnered together to bless the community of Alhambra with God’s love. We are four distinctively unique churches and yet were able to partner together to be a witness to God’s love for Alhambra. We each brought gifts and strengths to the event and it was so amazing to watch God weave all of the aspects of who we are together as an outpouring and demonstration of His love for Alhambra. We had game booths, crafts, bouncy house, a skate park (a ministry of Bethany Church), food, the Police Department did a K9 demonstration, the Fire Department brought their truck to teach people what they do, bands played proclaiming God’s love through music. This was a completely free event for the community because we wanted people to be blessed by God’s love and presence. The coming together of these four churches was key to God’s love being seen. We can do many things as individuals; however, we can do so much more when we let God bring us together. This is God’s call and heart for us, His Church, His people.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Relationship and Community Building in Alhambra
Relationship and Community Building in Alhambra
God is a relational God and He has called us into relationship with Him, each other and the world. And one of the ways we see the Lord is in our lives and in the way we love each other. God has called us to build relationships and community.
Relationship and Community Building with the Church
We have several intercessors who faithfully meet every Saturday morning from 8-9am to pray for Alhambra. They are excited to see God move in this city and answer prayers. Their hearts’ cry is for God’s Kingdom to come to Alhambra as it is in Heaven. They are not only seeking God’s presence and relationship with Him but also they are seeking relationship with each other. They are praying for God’s people to come together in prayer and life so that the world will see the love of God as we walk in unity (John 17:23). God has called us to be connected to each other as God’s people, His Church and His Bride.
Relationship and Community Building with God’s creation: people
Just recently a few pastors and myself were in a local Alhambra restaurant. We had become friends with the restaurant owner and he knew that we were pastors. He watched us for a few weeks as we came in and then finally asked us if we would have time to teach him about the Bible. “Of course”, we all replied. We began a Bible study with him through the book of Mark. It has been exciting to explore God’s Word together and see God guide our times together. The world is so hungry for Jesus. We are made in God’s image and our very being hungers to know Him. We didn’t have to ask this restaurant owner anything, he asked us. It is exciting that he came to us to ask but it reminds me that we should be taking the initiate to model God’s love in our lives and be quick to share it, not just in response to a question but before we are asked.
Relationship and Community Building with the city for YOUTH
On August 16th the West San Gabriel Valley Partners for Youth will hold its first youth summit. This is a team consisting of school administrators and teachers, the YMCA, churches and other non-profit organizations. We are seeking ways to address the needs of junior and high school students after school. This is a great way for us to partner together for the YOUTH of our area. We want to discover the needs, understand what is being provided and work together to meet the unmet needs. This collaborative represents how the people of God can work with their community for God’s Kingdom Causes – so that His Kingdom will come to Alhambra and the Greater LA area as it is in Heaven. God’s heart and love is for the City. God’s call for us is to connect with the city and demonstrate His love and peace.
Relationship and Community Building – its God’s heart and it’s our call!
Relationship and Community Building in Alhambra
God is a relational God and He has called us into relationship with Him, each other and the world. And one of the ways we see the Lord is in our lives and in the way we love each other. God has called us to build relationships and community.
Relationship and Community Building with the Church
We have several intercessors who faithfully meet every Saturday morning from 8-9am to pray for Alhambra. They are excited to see God move in this city and answer prayers. Their hearts’ cry is for God’s Kingdom to come to Alhambra as it is in Heaven. They are not only seeking God’s presence and relationship with Him but also they are seeking relationship with each other. They are praying for God’s people to come together in prayer and life so that the world will see the love of God as we walk in unity (John 17:23). God has called us to be connected to each other as God’s people, His Church and His Bride.
Relationship and Community Building with God’s creation: people
Just recently a few pastors and myself were in a local Alhambra restaurant. We had become friends with the restaurant owner and he knew that we were pastors. He watched us for a few weeks as we came in and then finally asked us if we would have time to teach him about the Bible. “Of course”, we all replied. We began a Bible study with him through the book of Mark. It has been exciting to explore God’s Word together and see God guide our times together. The world is so hungry for Jesus. We are made in God’s image and our very being hungers to know Him. We didn’t have to ask this restaurant owner anything, he asked us. It is exciting that he came to us to ask but it reminds me that we should be taking the initiate to model God’s love in our lives and be quick to share it, not just in response to a question but before we are asked.
Relationship and Community Building with the city for YOUTH
On August 16th the West San Gabriel Valley Partners for Youth will hold its first youth summit. This is a team consisting of school administrators and teachers, the YMCA, churches and other non-profit organizations. We are seeking ways to address the needs of junior and high school students after school. This is a great way for us to partner together for the YOUTH of our area. We want to discover the needs, understand what is being provided and work together to meet the unmet needs. This collaborative represents how the people of God can work with their community for God’s Kingdom Causes – so that His Kingdom will come to Alhambra and the Greater LA area as it is in Heaven. God’s heart and love is for the City. God’s call for us is to connect with the city and demonstrate His love and peace.
Relationship and Community Building – its God’s heart and it’s our call!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Welcome to the Alhambra blog. Please join me as we dialogue and partner together with God in His work in Alhambra. I am excited for all that God has ahead for us and Alhambra.
Alhambra is located eight miles east of Los Angeles and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley" - an entry point to the cities of the San Gabriel Valley.
Alhambra means red city palace in Spanish. Alhambra, Spain was known as a city kingdom. It was built by the light of the torches, which gave it its red hue.
Alhambra was also known as a place of refreshment and growth because at one time it had the largest vineyards and orchards in the country during the 1800s. Water flowed abundantly into Alhambra. Alhambra was known as a place of refuge and refreshment.
Three symbols: gateway, city palace and place of refreshment.
Erwin McManus writes in his book The Unstoppable Force, “If you can discover and unwrap a culture’s metaphors (symbols), you can begin to understand the essence of that culture…”
Let us pray for God’s redemption of those symbols. We pray for the Kingdom of God to flow through Alhambra, the gateway city, for Alhambra, a city palace, to be a place that reflects the values and reality of God’s Kingdom and that Alhambra will be a place where all find refuge in Jesus.
Alhambra is located eight miles east of Los Angeles and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley" - an entry point to the cities of the San Gabriel Valley.
Alhambra means red city palace in Spanish. Alhambra, Spain was known as a city kingdom. It was built by the light of the torches, which gave it its red hue.
Alhambra was also known as a place of refreshment and growth because at one time it had the largest vineyards and orchards in the country during the 1800s. Water flowed abundantly into Alhambra. Alhambra was known as a place of refuge and refreshment.
Three symbols: gateway, city palace and place of refreshment.
Erwin McManus writes in his book The Unstoppable Force, “If you can discover and unwrap a culture’s metaphors (symbols), you can begin to understand the essence of that culture…”
Let us pray for God’s redemption of those symbols. We pray for the Kingdom of God to flow through Alhambra, the gateway city, for Alhambra, a city palace, to be a place that reflects the values and reality of God’s Kingdom and that Alhambra will be a place where all find refuge in Jesus.
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