Mexico!!!

I just had an amazing week with our youth group in Rosarito, Mexico.  Our youth teamed up with Amor Missions to build a house for a family in need.  The family had a two year old girl who had been very sick.  The doctors were saying this girl was unable to stay in their current home because of the black mold that was all over their house. 

The whole group and the family!

Our small group from CLC was able to build a new house for the family in just 3 days.  It wasn’t much by U.S. standards, but it offered a bit of hope to this family.  It was a powerful experience that pushed each one of us, and I believe we all walked away with a deeper sense of ourselves.  We discovered what Christ was doing in the people there, and we began to see God in so many new ways.  I love these trips, not just for the service we do, but also for the change and grace we receive from the people we meet.

Today it is my hope and prayer that you could look for Christ when you face moments of difficulty.  In moments when you feel overwhelmed, or like you are facing the impossible, I pray you could discover Christ working in your life!

Peace and Blessings!

Pastor Brian

We put the frame up on the first day!

Finishing up the Stucco on day 3.  In the background you can
see the home the family was living in at the time.

Sing for Joy!

It has been twenty years since I first joined my high school cross country team, and running has been a big part of my life ever since.  Early on I loved the simplicity of this sport.  I could just throw on a pair of shoes and hit the road, but today things aren’t that easy.  I have to wake up by 5am to beat the heat, and even then it can still be 90 degrees out there.  Next, I have to get our child up, change his clothes, wrestle him in the running stroller, give him an acceptable snack, fill his water bottle, and find him a book that he wants to take along.  Sometimes I feel like half the workout is just getting out the door!

However, I still love running, and I love sharing each of these mornings with my son.  He loves to point out all the rabbits, quail, and ducks along the trail.  He also loves to sing as he rolls along.  For the past few months, his favorite songs have been the ABC’s and Jesus Loves Me, and he doesn’t just softly mumble the words.  He shouts as loud as he can, “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW…!”  Then he proclaims, “I love this song daddy…”  It’s pretty fun to be a part of!  It also makes me realize that I should spend more time sharing the joy that is on my heart.  What a wonder way to live!

I think every human being needs to believe they are loved.  I also think we need to take time every day to appreciate the love we experience.  It is my hope and prayer that each one of you may open your eyes to the love that is in your life, and may you feel free to share the joy that is on your heart!

Blessings!

Brian

Summer Fun

I’ve always loved summer.  As a kid, I thought this season was all about getting away from school, and that certainly was a big part of it!  However, I learned a lot over those vacations.  I had amazing parents and other people in my life who helped me gain a bigger picture of the world.  I went on trips, experienced Bible camps, and I explored new parts of the world around me.  The summer was a time of exploration and adventure, and I will always cherish those moments!

Today, summer is slightly different.  For one, I live in Las Vegas, and it is a lot harder to get outside and enjoy the world when it is 115 degrees out there!  I also have responsibilities at home and at work that simply cannot go away.  However, I still feel summer offers a new perspective.  There is Vacation Bible School at the church, my family and I went on a trip to see relatives in Minnesota, and I am looking forward to some amazing mission trips coming up.  Our lives may change, but I believe there are always opportunities to see the world anew…

In our scripture passage today Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  I think it is easy to get caught in a world that is so busy we can’t take a break to see all the wonder around us.  Today, I think Jesus is calling us to let go of the anxiety and embrace a childlike enthusiasm for life.  It is my hope and prayer that we would be able to do just that!

Blessings!

Brian