News & Views January 13 2022

January 13, 2022
 
JANUARY MEMORY VERSE
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
 

JANUARY 16th WORSHIP
Life Lesson Classes
Adult "Welcome" Class: The Book of James - Leroy Bumbaca & Laurie Isaac teaching
8:45 A.M. - Rooms 114-115
 
NEW Adult Class: Psalm 119 video series - Ron & Judy Brown leading
8:30 A.M. - Room 111

Connecting Point
9:30 A.M. - Dining Room
 
Worship
10:00 A.M. -  Family Center Gym/Online
Rev. Ed Ezaki preaching (Pastor Mark is sick)
 
NLC Kids
10:00 A.M. - Rooms 101,103

Guest preacher Ed Ezaki, wife Gretchen, Amy, John, and Ben

What's your weakness? That was a question one leadership training program advised should never be asked. If you focus on your weaknesses you'll just end up going in circles and never grow as a leader. The training advised instead to focus on your strengths. Grow where you're strongest and the weaknesses will come along, too.

While I think there's merit to such "asset-based" leadership training, it doesn't quite capture what the Apostle Paul advised in his letter to the Corinthians. Paul had a thorn in his flesh--a weakness of some sort-- that plagued him. Rather than ignore it, he looked at it through the lens of the Lord's grace.

(The Lord told him) “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I'm not a very patient patient. I don't enjoy being sick. I feel like a caged tiger, laying down out of boredom as much as to get needed rest, eating toast, staying close to the bathroom. Not fun! I'm grateful to be in good health, generally. I can't imagine how my friends with serious and ongoing health issues make it day in and day out, night after restless night. They're amazing to me. And they've also helped me to understand the truth of this Scripture.

It is in our weakness that God's strength shines through. In our strength we often go it alone, easily forgetting that all we are and all we have is from God--including each and every breath. Those who have been forced to live with their weakness always before them have front row seats to the power of Christ working through them, in them, and for them. Years ago a friend who had been on his back for 8 months in bed told me it was the single most significant time of spiritual growth in his life. Every time I talk with Glen Z I end up blessed because of how he has grown in his walk with Jesus through multiple myeloma. And I'm supposed to be blessing him!

Thank God for weakness. It is our pathway to his power if we only accept it.

Received Last Week (1/9): …... $11,160
Received this year to date:....$172,336
Budget to Date: …………...…...$161,868
Budget Goal: …………..…........$443,008
Needed Weekly: ……….…..…..…$8,519

Per CA Department of Health mandate, "masks are to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccination status" through February 15, 2022. Thank you.