The Road To Exodus

THE ROAD TO EXODUS

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland " (Isaiah 43:18-19).





We preach a God of redemption and transformation who takes our broken, messed up lives and exchanges them for His new, abundant life. That's what I believed would happen and that IS what happened, but it didn't happen overnight. I believed when I accepted God's invitation to salvation that I would be on the road to God's wonderful plan for my life. What I faced instead was the crucible of crisis where God brought me face to face with the depth of my need for Him and over time by the power of the Holy Spirit did the work of healing in every area of my life. His goal - to deliver me from anything that kept me from loving Him completely. His process - transformation from the inside out.



How does transformation happen? Transformation happens when we exchange the lies we believe about ourselves with the truth that God says about us. Revelation 4 gives a picture of the worship of heaven. The four living creatures worship God for His attributes. He is the Holy Lord God Almighty. But the 24 elders worship God for His attributes and what He has done. He is worthy because He created all things. Now, why is that important with regards to transformation? Because only God is the Creator of all things - including you and I. That means He is the only One that can say who we were created to be. Our feelings, our conditioning, our culture, our parents - no one on earth has the right to tell us who we are. Only God has that right as the One who created us.



Next week
Roxie and I will be ministering at the Exodus International Freedom Conference. Roxie will be sharing her testimony with the delegates at the conference and I will be leading worship - as well as helping lead the ministry times. Exodus ministers to people who are struggling with unwanted same sex attraction. Every year we see people in the midst of transformation. We see them in the process of exchanging the lies they believe about themselves with the truth of who God created them to be. It's so amazing. Please pray for us as we minister.



I've asked some special guests to come and share on Wednesday and Sunday. On Wednesday Peter Cropsey, a fellow School of Ministry graduate and pastor of a new church called First Love, will come and share. He just finished a book entitled Dead Man Waking and he was a former member of a notorious biker gang and will be featured on New York Ink on The Learning Channel. Yes, he is tatted up from head to toe. On Sunday Tommy Cota from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa will be sharing. He heads up the Hands of Hope Ministry and also hosts the One Step To Freedom Conference that ministers to people with addictions. Tommy pulled the trailer for my wife when she taught released time education for CCCM. He is an amazing speaker. Shineyhead will be leading worship as well. Please make them feel welcomed and show them the generous grace that you've received in Christ.



We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.




Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings
P.HD
P.S. Pray for Worship Life as we begin looking for a facility that we can call our own and pray for Revival in South Orange County. We have absolutely nothing, but that has never stopped us before. Where God guides, He provides and God is doing great things!!!

Obama on Israel, Palestine: Borders Should Be Based on 1967 Lines

In a speech on the Middle East Thursday, President Obama gave what was to some an unexpected stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in stating that the United States believes the borders for the two countries should follow 1967 lines. The president began his remarks on the region by discussing the challenges plaguing both nations, but saying that the Palestinian people must have the right “to govern themselves and reach their full potential in a sovereign and contiguous state.”

President Obama concluded by saying that in order to reach a resolution that is just and fair, an agreement must respect the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. In the end, he said, the choice must be between “hate and hope; the shackles of the past, or the promise of the future.”

UPDATE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to President Obama’s speech, rejecting his call for the reinstatement of 1967 border lines. In a statement from the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said that the ’67 lines “are both indefensible and … would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines.”

On the contrary, Palestine’s leader, President Mahmoud Abbas, responded with a quite different sentiment. “President Abbas expresses his appreciation of the continuous efforts exerted by President Obama with the objective of resuming the permanent status talks in the hope of reaching a final status agreement,” said Palestinian official Saeb Erekat.

How Do You Measure Success?

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." (Revelation 3:8).





This week we looked at the Church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia was a city under constant change. It was highly transitory. People came and went because it was a major trade center between Europe and Asia. The land was unstable due to volcanic activity which led to earthquakes. The people of Philadelphia were constantly leaving the city because they preferred to live in the safety of the country. The name of the city was in constant change as it was named after the latest Roman emperor. However, despite all the instability and uncertainty that surrounded Philadelphia, the believers there were completely faithful to God. To this day, there has always been a worshipping Christian presence in Philadelphia. They were faithful.

We often look for external evidence of success. A big bank account. A nice home. Lots of friends. A well respected position in a company. I even had a preacher once tell me that my son was called to the ministry because he was good looking and made people laugh. This might define success from the world's perspective. But God sees success much differently. To God success equals faithfulness.

There is such a pull in our culture to be successful from the world's perspective. I was even told, why do we have all these little churches. We just need a few big churches. Unfortunately, statistics show that small churches provide a better environment for accountability and spiritual growth. This is just one example of where our view of success clashes with God's view of success. I want to encourage you to spend some time alone with God and ask yourself this question. What things do I focus on as measurements for success in my life? Am I focused on God's measure for success or am I focused on this world's measurement for success? Be honest and ask God to refocus you if you discover that you're measurement for success isn't the same as God's. Remember, God is only after one thing... faithfulness.

We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.

Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings

P.HD

P.S. Pray for Worship Life as we begin looking for a facility that we can call our own and pray for Revival in South Orange County. God is doing great things!!!

Living In God's Favor

LIVING IN GOD'S FAVOR

"For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12).





First of all, let me say to all the moms and the moms to be - Happy Mother's Day. We have something special for you this Sunday. On Sunday mornings we are going through the book of Ephesians in our series entitled "Grace Filled Relationships." What I am discovering is that most Christians don't expect God's blessing or favor in their lives. In fact, they really expect difficulty and hardship and when it comes they automatically assume it comes from God. The belief is that God needs to use hardship and difficulty in our lives to keep us dependent on Him because He doesn't trust us with His blessing and favor. If we are too blessed then we will drift away so He keeps us on a tight chain with adversity. What a crock of rotten stinky produce. In this season of my life, God has been challenging that belief in me. Do I really believe that God wants to bless me and pour out His favor on my life?

We had something happen this week that really brought home the reality that God is working to show favor and bless my life more than I realize. We have been praying and asking God what evangelism looks like at Worship Life. With all the musicians and artists at church, we've been asking God if perhaps music and arts is the way He wants us to impact our culture. We hosted a night of worship at The Green Earth Coffee Shop with great success and we've been asking God to open other doors of opportunity. It was particularly hot at our midweek study, so we left the door open to allow the breeze to come through. Without our knowledge, a lady who was walking her dog stopped outside our door and began to listen to the worship. Tears filled her eyes. One of the ladies from the study was coming in late and noticed her standing outside. She asked if she could help her and the lady commented on the worship coming from our Bible Study. She said that she was the marketing director for Chik-Fil-A in Laguna Niguel and wanted whatever was happening in our Bible Study at her store and asked us to contact her. I emailed her and she responded very positively and wants Worship Life to partner with them in some events. All this to show that we have no idea what God is doing and how He is setting things up to pour His blessing and favor in our lives.

Does that mean we never encounter adversity? Absolutely not. Jesus said in this world you will have tribulation. But He also said to be of good cheer because He overcame the world. My prayer for you is that you will believe more and more the truth that God wants to bless you abundantly. Even in the midst of adversity, there is favor and blessing coming your way if you are looking from God's perspective. Believe what God says about you and doubt everything else.

We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.




Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings
P.HD
P.S. Pray for Worship Life as we begin looking for a facility that we can call our own and pray for Revival in South Orange County. God is doing great things!!!

The Road To Easter

THE ROAD TO EASTER

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!” " (Matthew 21:9).





This week we celebrate one of the most documented events in human history - the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The historians of the first century never doubted that Jesus rose from the dead. It was a known fact that was testified by Jesus' disciples and witten of by non-Christian reporters. The resurrection was central to the gospel message. In fact Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).
Statistics tells us that most people are open to accepting an invitation to come to church at Easter. Over the next few days, Worship Life Calvary Chapel has provided several opportunities for you to invite your friends to come and hear the gospel. Wednesday Seder Dinner with Bob Probert, Good Friday Service with Cherri Keaggy and our Easter Together Services on Easter Sunday. I'm also putting on a Night of Worship at The Good Earth Coffee Shop in Lake Forest with Shineyhead, Brenda Harp, David Ostrea and the Worship Life Team. Date is April 15 and time is 7:30 - 10:00 pm. It is my prayer that you take advantage of these opportunities to be a life changing influence to your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers by simply inviting them to come to church. In preparation for the events of Easter, Worship Life will be joining with six other churches for a PRAYER WALK throughout San Clemente this Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm. We have designated 50 locations that will be divided amongst all the folks that turn up to pray. Nothing happens in the Kingdom of God without prayer. Come and join us. We will be meeting at Heritage Christian Fellowship at 8:45 am for instructions.
As we enter the Easter season where we are remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus, I pray that the power of God's forgiveness would be unleashed in your life as you realize that your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ.
IMPORTANT EASTER SERVICE INFORMATION: WE WILL NOT BE MEETING at Vista Del Mar School on Easter April 24, 2001. We will be joining the Body of Christ in San Clemente as part of the Easter Together Celebration. We will provide opportunities for you to bring your normal Sunday tithes and offerings for Worship Life at the Seder Dinner and at the Good Friday Service. You are also invited to send in your offering to the church office by mail or bring it the following week to services. CLICK HERE for a link to all our Easter Events.



We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.




Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings
P.HD
P.S. Starting Sunday, I've put together a daily devotion called - The Road To Easter. Each day you will be sent a scripture to meditate on and a prayer for the day. I pray this blesses you.

Easter @ Worship Life

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him will not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).





When I was thirteen I had a powerful encounter with the risen Christ. It was authentic, genuine and real. I've never doubted my faith because I didn't base my faith on a system of beliefs or someone's theology. I based my faith on the reality of a person who loved me and made Himself known to me. We live in an age where people talk about Jesus like you would the friend of a friend that you've never actually met. They talk about the idea of Jesus. They talk about their philosophy of Jesus and the kind of Jesus they would or wouldn't believe in. They talk about what books say about Jesus. In fact, there is a growing generation of post modern religious people who talk about the ideal Jesus and write books based on their idea of Jesus. Jesus is love and therefore Jesus would never want to condemn anyone to hell because that Jesus wouldn't be very nice. That is their "ideal" Jesus. The problem is that Jesus isn't an ideal, He's a person. Jesus the person would never condemn anyone to hell. People condemn themselves by rejecting Jesus. That's why Jesus came and died... so that we could live forever with Him. There is a school of thought that believes that after death we'll have a second shot at Jesus because it's not consistent with the "nice" Jesus to condemn people for eternity. Here's the truth. If you don't want anything to do with Jesus on earth... why would Jesus make you spend forever with Him? That would be really be "mean" and not "ideal." Again, Jesus died to make a way for everyone that accepted His free gift of salvation.
The real passion of Jesus is that He so passionately loved us that when we hated Him, He put His love on the line for us and made a way for us to be rescued, saved, delivered from destruction. We are entering a season where the reality of what Jesus has done for us will be proclaimed throughout the world. I want to challenge you to begin praying for the family, the friend, the co-worker, the cashier at the store, the person that you want to introduce to Jesus. Most people are open to an invitation to church and I pray that you will invite them to come with you to church over the Easter season. Maybe you will be the catalyst for their lives to be forever changed. At Worship Life we have a full week of services. Palm Sunday, Wednesday Seder Dinner with Bob Probert, Good Friday Service with Cherri Keaggy and our Easter Together Services on Easter Sunday. I'm also putting on a Night of Worship at The Good Earth Coffee Shop in Lake Forest with Shineyhead, Brenda Harp, David Ostrea and the Worship Life Team. Date is April 15 and time is 7:30 - 10:00 pm. Make sure to mark your calendars
CONCERT FOR JAPAN: Come join us for an evening of fun music by the Surfaris with Bob Berryhill, original author and performer of the 1963 hit song "Wipe Out." There will be a special opportunity to give financially to support relief efforts in Japan. Proceeds will go to a mission organization supporting Japanese relief efforts including Asian Access and Send International. This event is sponsored by Calvary South County. Date is Sunday, April 10. Time is 6:00 pm. Location is the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.




We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.




Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings
P.HD
P.S. SPECIAL NOTE FOR EASTER: We will not be meeting at Vista Del Mar School on Easter April 24, 2001. We will be joining the Body of Christ in San Clemente as part of the Easter Together Celebration. We will provide opportunities for you to bring your normal Sunday offering for Worship Life at the Seder Dinner and at the Good Friday Service. You are also invited to send in your offering to the church office by mail or bring it the following week to services. The offering received at Easter Together will go towards relief work in Haiti.

There Is Power In The Blood

THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph 1:7).





When I was a young boy, I thought I wanted to become a doctor. I read Issac Asimov's book on the Human Body and Grey's Anatomy. I watched the TV show Medical Center every week and used to play games where we would rush people into surgery and save their lives. That was until the day when I encountered real blood. I was playing football around the trailer I grew up in. I was tackled and slid into a metal frame the held up an oil barrel that was used to provide fuel for the trailer. My knee was completely gashed open. It was a mess. I nearly fainted. I also decided that maybe I wasn't cut out for the medial field because I really couldn't take the sight of blood.

Most people are like that. We don't like to talk about unpleasant things like blood. In fact, the blood of Jesus is something that is missing from the message that many churches preach in America today. It's not politically correct. It's not seeker friendly to talk about the blood. But without the blood of Jesus Christ there is no forgiveness of sins. There is no sacrifice without bloodshed. In the tabernacle we see an amazing picture of the power of the blood. The High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies once year to sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat sat on top of the Ark of the Covenant where the 10 Commandments were housed. If you could imagine, the mercy seat would be sprinkled with blood. The blood dripping down would cover what? The law. The law told us that the wages of sin is death, but the blood of Jesus dripping from the Mercy Seat covered our sins and released us from our debt of sin. It was the picture of total forgiveness.

As we enter the Easter season where we are remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus, I pray that the power of God's forgiveness would be unleashed in your life as you realize that your sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ.

PRAY FOR JAPAN: We have all been shocked by the recent tragedy in Japan. I have friends and relatives in Japan. Thankfully they are safe. I believe this is an incredible opportunity for the Body of Christ to demonstrate the love and power of the Christian God to the people of Japan. There will be a special prayer meeting at The Shoreline Sunday, March 27 at 7:00 pm.




We have started webcasting our services. You can view them at USTREAM. You can also catch up on studies that you've missed or perhaps your following us from a distance at VIMEO.




Roxie and I are praying for you...
Blessings
P.HD