Thoughts From Our Pastors
A Devotional from Pastor BryantSkateboarding is not comfortable. It is many things: exhilarating, fun, painful, cool, nerve racking, joyful, heartbreaking, but not comfortable. I have been thinking a lot about how comfortable the Church and so many Christians I know get. Being a Christian should be many things: restorative, fun, painful, beautiful, nerve racking, joyful, heartbreaking but not comfortable.
I have also been spending a lot of my time in the word lately with the Book of John. No where in the life of Jesus does he seem comfortable, and neither do his disciples. They seem a lot of things: amazed, joyful, struggling, hopeful, in pain, excited, heartbroken by the effects of sin in the world, but not comfortable As I am being transformed by this I have been amazed at the price that was paid to overcome sin. Joyful at the victory over sin, pained by the hardheartedness of the supposed people of God and heartbroken by the effects of sin in the world.
It has struck me that having a broken heart is not comfortable. But when that broken heart causes you to move it is exhilarating, fun, painful, cool, nerve racking, joyful, and way more life bringing than having a safe heart of stone. The problem with Christians, the Church as a whole and skateboarding is that it hurts, takes perseverance, and hard work to live with a breaking heart to face of the pain caused by sin, and allow God to bring healing to this world. May we move ever closer into the image of a God who allowed himself to be broken for us to find healing in him.
Below this text is a song, and this song is a cry over the brokenness of this world and accompanies a skate video with some hard hits and big victories. I think this helps illustrate what I have been writing about.
Pastor Bryant
Blue Soul by Grave Yard.
Wednesday Food Sign up:
So let's talk about food and Bible Study, we would love for you to join us on Wednesday for dinner and Bible study. If you enjoy our time together please also consider inviting your friends. The more we have the merrier it will be. To make sure we have everything we need, here is the link for this week: Wednesday, September 5th. If you would like to sign up for next week here is the sign up sheet for that: Wednesday September 12th.
Wednesday Night Fellowship + Kids Program:
We are a few weeks in, but it is not too late to come and join us for an evening of learning! The children will be experiencing pirate themed lessons on treasures in heaven. Chelsea will be doing a study on, “What is a church member?” Bryant will be working through Judges. Please utilize our invitations to invite people you think would benefit from attending! We want all of you to join us.
Special Sunday:
Come this Sunday for something special. PLNU will be leading us in worship and our District Superintendent Tom Taylor is preaching. This should be a great time of fun and fellowship, it is also a good time to invite your friends to church.
Men’s Retreat:
September 14-16, $150 at Palomar Christian Conference Center. The men of the SoCal District will be gathering to be encouraged and inspired by former General Superintendent, Dr. Jerry Porter. This will be a great time to get to know other men in the church and grow in your relationship with God. Talk to Bryant with any questions.
Fall Festival:
Saturday, October 27 from 2-6pm. Save the date for this fun outreach event that our church will be doing. We’ll let you know about the ways you can get involved (besides inviting everyone you know!!!) :)
Offering:
To all those who give during out service or online, THANK YOU!!! The money you give goes to helping our community and the global church. If you missed giving this week, just visit our giving page here and give online.
We also are set up to receive Faith Promise through our online giving here just make sure that you select Faith Promise instead of general offering.
Tithing is a discipline that will strengthen your faith and the church cannot function properly without your support. If you consider Mount Carmel your church home, please pray about being obedient to the Lord in this way.
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Our mailing address is:
Mount Carmel Church of the Nazarene
10060 Carmel Mountain Road
San Diego, California 92129, United States
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