The Bible calls the Church to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” (KJV), or, as the NIV puts it, “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil”  Ephesians 5:16. What are our opportunities, do we recognize them, and make the most of them?  How will we prepare this year to make the most of our opportunities?  There are several projects we will be working on, among them, the “Fellowship Room”. ( To the left in the back as you enter the sanctuary).  This needs work because of a leak, and in preparation for future enlargement of the sanctuary.  We need lights around the parking lot, which needs to be drained and black-topped.  We probably can’t do it all at once, but  pray about the priorities, and as we do them a project at a time, we will have it all done almost before we realize it.  It requires several things for it al to happen-  first – PRAYER.  James (4:2) tells us “you do not have because you do not ask God.”  Let’s take God’s challenge and ask him for big things- that’s what honors God.  We want a safe and attractive property.  As pastor of    CALVARY CHAPEL I am thankful for all your gifts to me and my family, and for your faithfulness in serving God and our church.  I love every one of you, and look forward to many victories of God’s grace as we serve him together this year.

Dr. Richard L. Shaw Ph.D., Pastor

What is the church? We in Christian circles (or in “church” circles) hear the word a lot, but what exactly does it mean? As we enter a new year, it is important that the church people especially know what they are talking about when they use or hear the word “church.” The word is used as a general term for people in Christianity, for example, the “Church in America” or the “condition of the Church.” It is used for any particular congregation of Christians, such as “the church that Pastor George Hancock-Stefans pastors.” It is used to speak of a particular meeting of the congregation, as in “I am going to church this morning.” Another meaning of the word “church” is the building where the congregation meets. All of these are accepted meanings of the word “church.” But just what is the church, as a local regular gathering of Believers and seekers, to worship? Some hold the concept that the church exists to meet the personal needs of its members. This is a partial truth. But when we create the impression that the church exists primarily to meet the needs of its members, the church is soon looked upon as irrelevant and futile. Yes, the church is here to minister to its members’ needs, to help each one in his or her walk with God and with their personal needs or problems — but first, the church is here to fulfill God’s purpose in the world. That is, to call out a people for His name, to so communicate God’s love as to bring many more to experience it, and so have lives of meaning and purpose, bringing glory to God and fulfilling the purpose for which they were created.

Dr. Richard L. Shaw Ph.D., Pastor

When Jesus was born, the angels came and sang, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men!” Or so goes the tradition. We make a lot of that, looking for peace on earth, celebrating the possibilities of peace, calling for worldwide truce, even in war, for Christmas time. Honesty requires that we admit there is little sign of peace on earth, or even goodwill to men. We try, and we want peace, but…What went wrong? Was God just teasing, or taunting? Was he telling us about something that can’t ever really be? Or was he encouraging us toward something that might someday come? When we read the story in Luke 2, we find out that what the angels really sang was, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Ah! That’s the secret! Peace on earth, goodwill to men begins with us giving all the glory to God. When we recognize how desperate we are without God, when we admit that we cannot be at peace without God, when we are ready to live the way that God has provided for us to live, then we can’t help but rejoice, giving praise, thanks, all glory to God in the highest. And that is why Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace.

Rev. Linda Lee Karanja Sebastian / Board Secretary

NOW IS THE TIME TO
Be united in the mind of Christ, as Paul tells us through the church in Philippi, “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 1:27, 2:2.

WE WISH EVERYBODY A BLESSED CHRISTMAS
& A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

“…on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”  Luke 2:14.  On earth peace?  Earth doesn’t seem like a very peaceful place right now!  Yet this is one of the names the prophet Isaiah said Jesus would be called.  But if he is the Prince of Peace, where is the peace?  Maybe the promise of peace is not absolute but relative.  Relative to our trusting in him-  relative to our obedience to him- relative to our using the tools of peace.  If America turns back to God- if our churches become alive and on fire for God- if God’s people turn from their sins and indifference to God in prayer for his blessing- God’s peace can come upon      God’s people and upon earth.  There is also the matter of common sense military’s preparation and use where and when necessary.  Military forces should be a last resort, but it should be a resort when necessary.  It seems the greatest nation in the world has been very slack in responding with necessary force.  If we had been more vigilant in these areas, many more lives would have been saved, Bengazi being a good example.  As it is, the forces of terror gain ground every day; they not only are not defeated or “contained”, they are growing exponentially.  Violence is contrary to Jesus’ Gospel of love.  But sometimes the most cruel violence is holding back our military forces and letting a vicious enemy murder men, women, and children without any- or minimal- restraint on our part.  Coming to the aid, of whatever kind, of the weak and oppressed, is a vital and necessary aspect of the Gospel of love and peace.

Dr. Richard L. Shaw Ph.D., Pastor

Are you ready for Christmas?  Got your shopping all done?  Really?  Some people have had theirs done for weeks Christmas giving, Christmas eating, Christmas decorating-all well and good.  But let’s remember its real meaning.  We give gifts to commemorate God’s gift to us, our Lord and Savior Jesus  Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.  ” God so loved the world that he gave…”  “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift…”  And of course, the magi (wise men?)  with their gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh.  The whole Bible, especially the New Testament, is a book of giving.  The early church excelled in giving, and giving was one of its first qualities.  It was a giving, generous, church that did its best to see to it that none of its people would be destitute, but its  people gave so that none would suffer need.  So rejoice in a giving God, a generous God, a good God.  And by his enablement, we can be good, generous, gracious, givers to God’s work for God’s glory.  Not so much motivated by the needs of others, or of the church as by the passionate desire for God to be glorified as his work proceeds and, yes, our giving meets people’s needs and enables the church to pay its bills.  But our primary motive must be a passionate desire to see God glorified.

Rev. Richard L. Shaw, Ph.D

Sh’ma Yisraeil, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.! These words are proclaimed every Sabbath in synagogues through the world. Sh’ma simply means hear – The Sh’ma is Deuteronomy chap 6 verse 4 translated “Hear O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one “. The next verse, quoted by Jesus in all three synoptic Gospels states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength “. The Hebrew word for one used here is echod – a word that can be used for the singular one – yet can also be found used in the plural sense. Genesis 2:24 says, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become as one (echod) flesh “. What a beautiful gift we see in this relationship, mirroring the relationship between Christ and his church, as Ephesians chapter 5 expresses. This relationship, being illustrative of the Spiritual bond between Christ and His bride (the Church) therefore should be respected, as instituted by our creator and not defiled in any way. The plurality of oneness also coincides with the statement of Deuteronomy 6:5. People, being made in God’s image, having three aspects – Love God with your heart, your soul, and your strength, Yet, as God is one, we are one person. We see a reflection here of God as Trinity, as He originally expressed “Let us make man in our image “Wow – even our innate being represents a triune creator! Throughout Scripture, we see the Father as God, the Son as God, and the Holy Spirit as God. Just a few of these to look at and carry in our hearts are: Isaiah 48:12-16 Where God says “the Sovereign Lord and His Spirit have sent me “, Zechariah 12:10, written five hundred years prior to the birth of Jesus, ” They will look on me, the one they have pierced “…says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens (12:1). Luke’s recording of Jesus baptism in Luke 3:22 shows Jesus in the water, the Spirit descending in the form of a dove, and God the Father speaking from heaven. We read of the Father raising Jesus, Jesus claim He will raise himself, and the Spirit who raised Him. Acts 5 records Peter telling Ananias and Sapphira they lied to the Spirit, not to man but to God. As we contemplate this plurality of oneness reflected in our humanity, let us give glory to God for all His wonders and mysteries, and for the relationship, He offers to all. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all………………… (2 Corinthians 13:14)

 Reverend Larry Sassmann

Are you a good listener?  I’m afraid that most of us are not good listeners.  Good talkers, maybe, but not good listeners.  When we pray, do we do all the talking?  Or do we wait in silence for God to speak to us?  He speaks in many ways to the listening heart.  I will never forget when God spoke so clearly to me, “Read Mark 6”.  Just three words- but they changed my life.  They led to the first healing of my ministry, and helped me see that God indeed does heal today.  Some of the very first words of the Bible show that we have a speaking God.  Note the repetitious “And God said” in the first chapter of Genesis.  I guess he wants us to know that he is a speaking God!  And what about when you are conversing with others?  Do you listen as much as you talk?  And when you listen, do you really listen to the other?  Or is the silence simply the dead space between conversations?  Are you quiet so you think of what to say next?  Then you are not really listening.  Every Christian is to be a counselor, and the first law of counseling is “listen”.  If the silence is uncomfortable, better to have a few moments of uncomfortable silence than to fill every moment with talk.  When you really, really listen to another you are showing them love in one of the most significant ways.  You are saying, “you really count, you are a worthwhile person.”  And it is when you have listened to God that you are most able to listen to the other.  As Adam McHugh dramatically put it in “The Listening Life:  Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distractions” (Intervarsity Press) -God’s word comes most often in the still small voice that “creeps up on us like a heartbeat in the dark”.  So be a good listener.  If you have first listened to God-whether by an inward impression, an audible voice, or in the Bible-you can listen therapeutically to troubled souls, and help move them to the kingdom of God.

 Written by,

Dr. Richard L. Shaw Ph.D., Pastor

#God#Christian#Ministry#Healing#Counselor#Listen

One of the most comforting words spoken to me, was when I confided in a brother that I was very depressed. His response was, “Yes, there’s a lot to be depressed about”. Not your typical Christian pat answer, not one your average “Christian Counselor” is likely to say, is it? However, it ministered to me tremendously because he didn’t attempt to merely comfort me by slapping on a glossy coat of verbal lacquer, but rather he entered into my pain with me, by seeing and agreeing with my current perspective of the difficulty that walking in a fallen world provides. I’m so glad he had the depth of insight not to sprinkle me with platitudes such as, “Things could be worse”, “Remember Romans 8:28” or “Oh well, think of the starving kids in Africa” etc. Not that those responses aren’t valid or do not have a time & place, but they do not place the comforter in the seat of affliction with the troubled soul. The Comforter formerly known as Saul O’Tarsus, understood and wanted The Saints at Corinth and by extension, The Saints at Leonardo, to understand the pain with purpose principal! That being, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” So, in our Abba’s economy nothing goes to waste; Even our trials and tribulations whereby we receive comfort are in turn used for us to bring comfort to one another. Let the dead separate the plastic and glass, this is the kind of recycling I want to do! What a beautiful plan He has for us. What a beautiful picture He provides for us. As Jesus paid the greatest price and was crucified to provide redemption to a fallen world, we His beloved can provide His comfort to the troubled soul if we have paid the lesser price of enduring tribulation. As we routinely meet to celebrate the ultimate comforter who not only placed Himself in the seat of affliction with us, but took the seat in our stead, may we be so filled with His compassion, that we routinely meet and comfort one another in each our personal afflictions.

Eyes & Ears, Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Larry Gould

#God#Jesus#Abba#Saints#Christian#Comfort#Compassion#Depression#Tribulation

        While my dear friend Grams was dying of cancer, her friends and family would help her, sometimes offering to take her out shopping. She always told them, “No, thank you,” and one day she told me why: “They rush me through the store, but you always wait and let me see what I want.”

         Then there’s my parents’ little white dog, Rascal, who runs to the door whenever he hears me in the driveway or letting myself into the house. Rascal is ‘daddy’s doggie’ — unless Linda’s around! But I tell my dad there’s no worry: Rascal just loves me because when I take him for walks, I wait for him to sniff every little thing he wants to investigate.

            And, especially, when a grieving son stutters and stammers and swallows his words, trying to get out expressions of love for his mother and his sense of loss at her passing over to heaven, the truest form of sympathy is just waiting, letting him find the words in his heart.

            What is it, you wonder, that connects these stories? Through these and other experiences, I have learned that a large part of helping others is simply waiting. Note that I am not saying here that I have learned to wait, nor am I saying that this makes it ok for me to keep other people waiting. What I have learned is that waiting is an important part of helping.

            Even God tells us to wait. Psalms 62:5, of God’s inspired Word says, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” (NLT) When we wait on the Lord, he refreshes us, so we can better continue our service to him (Isaiah 40:31).

            I planted a group of flowers for my mom, checking each label for the name of that color. The last one was white, so, thinking, ‘well, it’s white!’ I was about to skip the label reading. But just as I turned the flower out of its pot, I saw it: “Espero White.” Espero is Spanish for the first person singular “I wait.” The word also has another meaning: “hope.”

Linda Lee Karanja Sebastian

Board Secretary

What does it mean to be a disciple?  Teachers of ancient times had followers who were called their disciples.  The disciples asked to be a disciple of their chosen teacher or master, but Jesus called his disciples.  “Come, follow me”, he invited, and grown, burly men dropped their fishing nets and became his disciples.  The Greek word used means “learner”.  It has more implications than one who simply reads or hears the words of his master, however.  A disciple followed his master, taking in every word he spoke.  Jesus, our Master and Lord, calls all persons to be his disciples.  Those who answer that call follow him down the path of their lives.  He must be first and always in our lives if we are to be his true disciples.  “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me”, Jesus invites.  Follow him in his self-giving life of dedication and commitment.  Those who are his true disciples reflect his character and actions.  He gave his all for us and it took him to a cross.  As we follow him, we too are crucified with Christ.  We too give our all.  Generosity was one of the leading marks of the early Church.  It’s people gave so that no one among them had any real need.  Our generous giving is done in obedience and faith.  We give, trusting God to then meet our need.  As we give in faith, our faith becomes stronger and more vibrant as we see Jesus meeting our needs.

Written by,

Dr. Richard L. Shaw Ph.D., Pastor

#Jesus#Disciple#Teacher#Follow#Path#Chosen#Cross#Master#Obedience#Faith#Trust