Sunday Night Highlights

Here are some of my highlights from today…
I know that I say this all the time, but I love this church! I love the people. I love the leaders. I love what God is doing. I even love Ridge Burns red shoes. (Just checking to see if Ridge is reading this). I cannot wait to [...]

Winning Teams

College basketball hoops is going crazy. Basketball fans get really fired up at this time of year. I caught part of the Lakers game last night too. Superstar Kobe Bryant went for 53 points and the Lakers LOSE!!! To a LOUSY team! The bottom line is that… Great talent + no teamwork = lose game!
Sanctuary [...]

Books I am Reading

The past few weeks I have been reading some new books, and here they are:
(1) “The Passion of Jesus Christ” (John Piper). Classic Piper shows 50 reasons why Christ came and died. He shows the PURPOSES of God sending His Son to die for sinners.
(2) “For Men Only” (Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn). “A straightforward guide [...]

Top Things On My Mind

Our family is having a great time at the beach. Today we hit Corona Del Mar beach and did the tide pools, dug a huge hole in the sand, and built an elaborate sand fortification to withstand the oncoming waves. (The waves won).
I like to take reflective walks on the beach, and have taken many [...]

Family Vacation at the Beach

Easter was a great day at Sanctuary! It was a ton of work, but very rewarding to see all the people. The drama hit close to home for many people… including me. Even the second time I watched it, I was moved. Last year we had one fully attended Easter service, and this year we [...]

The Power of Example 3/18/08

Yesterday I talked with an 80+ year old World War II veteran. He has worn his WWII baseball cap for years. I think he sleeps in that cap. The cap has a small badge from a soldier who attacked and nearly killed him. His attacker was “plugged” after he almost killed the young soldier. He [...]

Sanctuary: As A Biblical Community 3/16/08

Community is central to the life of Sanctuary. We feel passionate about this and that God called us to experience genuine community life. Here are some more specific thoughts that shape our community life at Santuary Church.
1. We are a RELATIONAL COMMUNITY of flawed, imperfect people who seek to live out our Christian faith by [...]

I Saw President Bush Today 3/11/08

This morning the Redlands Christian School tour group was going through security at the Whitehouse. While approaching the security area, I heard the Presidental heliocopter wisking overhead. We were processed quickly through security, and hurried to a fenced off area next to the Whitehouse lawn. Moments later, President Bush emerged from the Whitehouse! He waved, [...]

Greeting From Washington D.C. 3/9/08

Today while the Sanctuary service was happening I was praying for the church from the Arlington National Cemetary.  I would glance at my watch every five minutes or so while walking the grounds… and was lifting up Sanctuary to the Lord.  I really missed not being in church and was going through some withdrawals.
This morning I went into the [...]

Gone to Washington D.C. 3/7/08

Tomorrow morning my oldest son Forrest and I will be leaving for Washington, D.C. for a week and return next Friday. We are going on a 7 day tour with Redlands Christian School. The tour packs a zillion things into the week. Its a fast paced, do it all, cram it in, don’t miss anything [...]