End of the year: Don't give up!

When I was young, I was an idealist. I like to think that I am so much wiser and more pragmatic now...but sometimes, I am not so sure. Maybe a return to idealism would do us some good?

We approach the end of the year.
We approach the beginning of a new year.
I think that the very first sermon I ever preached in a church was on New Years Eve a number of years ago...and I loved the timing of it. So much to talk about. So much to challenge people with. So much to challenge myself with.

A couple of years ago, I overheard a conversation in an office. A young lady said something like: "I don't make new years resolutions anymore. I've seen how most people don't keep them anyways, so I just don't make them anymore".

Hmmfff!

Sooooooooooooo...that is the conclusion that you came to?
In all your years of wisdom?
This young lady came to a conclusion that it would be better to never strive for a better life, than to strive in many areas , but fail in some parts? It seems to me that she neglected a rather huge point (or two). What about the people that do keep their resolutions? If you are correct that most people don't keep their resolutions, then some people do!
And perhaps more importantly, even the people that fail to keep their resolutions are better off than the one who has given up in life. If I try to get on an exercize program and give up after 2 months...at least the two months were better than they otherwise would have been!

More importanlty, it concerns me so much when people give up. People are cynicle now about so many things. The direction of the country? Awful? Sure. No doubt. Yet, Christ told us this is how it would be before He came back. His return is closer than it's ever been. Don't give up.
Don't sit on the sidelines and get lethargic. We need players to engage the culture. We need you. Christ will win with or without you. But, He gave each one of us the privilage of joining the winning team. I am so excited about the possibilities of this coming year. We have a great church that is making a difference. I think we are at 25 baptisms with more scheduled!

The end of the year?
It's time to dream.
It's time to dream big.
It's time to dream God kind of dreams!

Carol Bertone

------------------------Carol at a recent Mission Trip in Mexico

Our dear friend and sister in the Lord, Carol Bertone has gone on ahead of us to be with our Lord Jesus. Carol, we miss you and we love you! We thank God for the friendship that we shared with you and for the kindness that you showed us all each day. We look forward to the day when we will be reunited with you.

May God bless and comfort your family and especially your son Justin. We know how much you loved him and we trust that God will care for him in your absence.

You served faithfully in church ministries and on mission trips. You ministered to each of us more than you probably know and we will not forget you. You fought cancer courageously and you have been given the ultimate reward. We will see you in heaven...and we will again rejoice with you.

We will have a Memorial Service for Carol on Monday June 23rd at 1pm in the sanctuary at Shepherd of the Hills Porter Ranch.

Reading the Bible in a Year

Today is the day that we begin (as a congregation) reading the Bible through in a year. To access the scheduled readings for the day, just go to our web site: www.shepherd-av.com, click on Growing in Christ, then click on Bible Reading Plan from the drop down menu.

This will do so much to strengthen our church and our lives! It is going to be an exciting year!
Blessings,
Dave

Shepherd - AV's first baptism!

I just had to takea moment to celebrate the first baptism of our brand new church! Glenda Gonzalez - we are so happy for you! May God bless you abrundantly as you grow in Christ!
Dave

Happy Easter! Grand Opening

Jesus is Risen!

Shepherd of the Hills - Antelope Valley opened on March 23, Easter Sunday!

I am overwhelmed with God's goodness! Nothing is more important of course than celebrating the love of God in Jesus' death and resurrection. (As I mentioned in my message on Easter, I believe the greatest acts of love are the Father's willingness to send Jesus to die for us and Jesus' willingness to go to the cross)! The fact that Jesus rose from the dead? Well, I think that in all of God's power, raising someone from the dead is just a day in the life of God! He IS that powerful! That doesn't surprise me at all. What surprises me and overwhelms me is the fact that He would go to the cross for me! I have never gotten over His incredible love!

The fact that God has brought this extraordinary group of people together to open this new church is also something that overwhelms me! It just stuns me! People from different races, backgrounds etc...all coming together to work for the good of the church... For the good of the body of Christ... In obedience to what scripture commands us... With great attitudes... Without bickering... In love, just looking for ways for each one to serve and contribute...

I have lived in different cities and attended different churches, but I have never seen the body of Christ come together to love and to serve like this! To all of our precious servants of God, I can't tell you how much I love you and appreciate you! You are the best!

More pictures to be posted later! (Sorry...it was pretty busy that day and I didn't get a chance to take some of the pictures that I would have wanted...) Thank you so much to those that sent pictures to us - especially Ron Columbo!

Dr. Martin Luther King

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King gave what I think is the greatest speech of our time. I would like to encourage you to click on the link below and listen to the speech today in honor of Dr. King.

While you listen to his profound words, I would also ask that you read the words (transcribed on the web site page.

Please pay attention to the whole of the speech. In our fast food, drive through, microwave, rushed world, it is too easy to reduce his whole life to one speech and then to reduce that one speech to one sound bite. Pay particular attention to his words of wisdom about the destiny of people interlinked with others. (Hint: there will be more about that phrase in the near future!)
Praise God for what He is doing in our lives and our church! Thank you Dr. King for dedicating your life to others.

http://www.mlkonline.net/video-i-have-a-dream-speech.html

The loss of a truly great man of God

It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the passing of Joshua Weaver. Joshua had been our Worship Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills church in Porter Ranch for a number of years. In recent years, he had courageously fought battles with cancer as well as some other health issues.

Joshua had such a kind and gentle heart for people. You could not be around him for long without being completely impressed with his Christ-like heart and spirit. His incredible voice and giftedness as a worship leader was only part of what we will remember him for. There is so much more to tell you about him and the life he lived, but my words would never be adequate.

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Joshua...we love you and we miss you greatly.

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We know that because of his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, Joshua has gone onto heaven where he is in the eternal presence of God...and we rejoice in that. As we now miss him, I ask you to please pray for his family and friends in this time of sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Prayerfully,

David