Pastor's Perspective - Pop Quiz Hotshot!

Pop Quiz Hotshot! Those words represent what I believe the Lord was conveying to me early Saturday morning in a dark quiet parking lot in South San Francisco. Better elaborate, huh?

Friday night we drove our minivan filled with dear church friends down to Mountain View to watch our creative arts director Jeramy Sossaman (‘Special Soss’) play a solo set of his new music at a packed coffee house. Several from FCC had made the long drive down to support ‘J’ and enjoy some kid-free connection with other adults (what a concept!). After Jeramy’s great solo set, followed by another set with his band East of Western, we piled into our Honda Odyssey for the trip home. As I drove an indicator told me that a tire was rapidly going flat. We stopped several times to put air in it, but it was losing everything I pumped in. The tire was very hot to the touch. We were far from home. This couldn’t be happening. This would be a marathon night.

Several months ago when we purchased the van, Mr. Non-Mechanical (me) didn’t stop to ask the salesperson about the tires. There were four and that was cool with me! The ones that came with it were the special ‘run flat’ type that literally do not go flat like conventional tires. Instead, because they have a rigid structure within the tire, you can literally drive for miles (to a repair station) without having to pull over and change the tire the old skool way. Because of this technology, no spares are provided in the vehicle. By the way, did I mention that this “convenience” comes with a price tag – approximately $400 per tire! Back to the story.

I pulled over into a hotel parking lot, cautious to drive the van any longer. Thankfully, my wife and ladies with us maintained very sunny dispositions despite the ultra-late hour and unanticipated scenario in which they found themselves. There we were. Van full of ladies. Well over an hour from home and families. No spare. Late hour. Tire technology I’m totally unfamiliar with. No money for a replacement. Tired. Hungry. Borderline agitated. No helpful roadside assistance available. Trying to be the strong and calm alpha male, when inside I don’t know what to do next. Reality.

Imagine the joy of calling Jeramy and asking him to please turn around and make the long drive back to pick us up. It’s a true friend who would and did! In the meantime, I jacked up the van and removed the tire. Nothing to do now but wait. Maybe Jeramy’s spare tire would somehow fit. A long shot at best. In the meantime the girls walked over to a hotel to kill some time. I stayed behind with the van. In my solitude I began thinking. What if the spare didn’t fit? Will a conventional tire work in this special tire system? If not, what will I do? How will I pay for it? This will blow the Christmas budget completely. How will I get it to a dealership? Driving it any more will cause even more extensive damage. Cha-ching! Then, that ‘Pop Quiz Hotshot’ moment came.

Alone, as I looked down at the tire in the darkness, an impression of comments and questions flooded over me. “Steve, it’s a only a tire! I’ve led you through heartaches and even cancer; and you’re tempted to fret over a piece of rubber? I love you. I’m watching this. I’ve got this. I’ve given you a voice for my people. How can you lead my people, if you’re tempted to become angry over a tire? I’ve brought you 3,000 miles from what was familiar to what was unfamiliar, and I’ve met every need you have. Son, don’t worry about the money. It’s my money. I’ll take care of you. With what I’m about to do in the church I’ve led you to, you’ll be writing much bigger checks than this. And look at the friends I’ve given you, who love you and encourage you. As a matter of fact, one is driving to help you right now. You’ve been through tougher. I’m aware of this. I’m your wisdom. I’m your answer. Just trust me.”

Guys, I literally had a praise service for an audience of One at three in the morning in an unfamiliar parking lot in a totally unfamiliar town, facing an unfamiliar situation. I lifted my heart and hands and just began thanking Him for His immeasurable faithfulness and assurance. I’m glad it was the middle of the night, because people would have called security on me! Suddenly, everything changed. The situation was the same; no AAA angels swooped down with a new tire –but, something real had shifted in me. In my little trial, my Father reminded me how BIG and dependable He really is!

How did it all end up? Jeramy’s spare didn’t fit. He drove us all back home, and we laughed the whole way. He took me back to the van Saturday after a few hours of sleep, where I drove it the longest seven miles of my life to a dealership. The tire couldn’t be repaired and had to be replaced. I spent all day in a service department in the booming metropolis of Colma! Then, at the end of an endless day, to add insult to injury, got stuck in heavy San Francisco traffic. Readers, it was a great and glorious day! I wouldn’t change a thing. It began as an unanticipated late-night trial and ended-up being yet another testimony in my life’s testimony – a fragile little letter about His glory.

Pastor's Perspective - Even the President!

Last Tuesday, Election Day, was a day filled with ups and downs.

It started with an up as I did my civic duty and voted. Someone once said, “Wanna feel powerful? Vote!” I left my precinct polling center pleased and satisfied and yes, even powerful, that I had voted my values and had played my part.

Down came later when my pick for the presidency lost, as did one of the important propositions I hoped would pass.

An up came when an important proposition passed later in the evening.

A predictable down came as the candidate I liked conceded the election.

However, the day ended with an up. Let me tell you about it.

Throughout the day my wife Michelle, a homeschooling mom, had been teaching and exposing our four youngest children to the voting process in the United States. She took them to the polling center where they witnessed their mother vote. Next they came to our church building (a high-volume polling site) and helped provide coffee, cookies and free Bibles to those in the community. With others in their homeschooling ministry here at First Christian (LIFE), they conducted a mock election, in which John McCain won. The lone descending vote came from 2-year-old Tavian Cross who voted for “Badack Odama”! Later at home the children, armed with red and blue crayons, watched the national news and colored in states accordingly.

My highest ‘up’ of the day came watching my three beautiful biracial children watching the new president elect’s victory speech. Likewise, when the Obama children walked down the platform with their parents, my children’s faces lit up. Here was a man and his family who actually looked like them. They saw themselves in his face. They saw themselves in the hand-holding bounce of their contemporaries. Honestly, until Tuesday, none of the forty-three portraits of former presidents in their textbook shared similarities; but now, the highest office in the land had familiarity for them, and yes, even attainability.

As we watched on, Michelle and I tried feebly to understand the magnitude of what we were witnessing, manifested in the many tear-filled eyes of African Americans in attendance. Our intellect helped us relate, but only in part. Although we wanted to ascend to their heights of elation, we were mere party crashers. They alone understood the toil; they alone knew the triumph.

At the end of the day, my guy lost. As a person of faith, I’m praying for our great country and for Barack Obama and his family. His success is all of our success. Simply put, I’m sincerely grateful to live in a place where such immense power can be shifted so peacefully. Lastly, I’m thankful to live in a land where at the high and regrettable cost of a sad chapter in our national history, I can now say to my children without reservation, “If you work hard enough, you can be anything you want to be – even the president!”

Pastor's Perspective - Dying of Thirst?

Last week my family and I enjoyed a week-long jaunt into the Nevada high desert for some well-needed R&R. We went to Las Vegas, a place Michelle had never been (other than the airport), and a place I haven't visited since 1985 during my infamous 'airline days'. We explored, made precious memories, enjoyed dear friends, and relaxed. Aughh.

Like many of you, I believe half of the fun and enjoyment of any vacation is the journey, or the "getting there". That sense of adventure and experiencing new things with loved ones is a thrill I have enjoyed since childhood (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

During our 20 hour round trip excursion, the kids slept, sang and wrote songs, watched movies and engaged Chelle and I in very interesting dialogue. One memorable discussion happened as we were driving through the desert. Chelle, a homeschooling mom always-on-duty, shared with the children the difference between a mirage and an oasis. She shared those facts on a few different occasions during the week, sharing that "If you were lost in the desert and were dying of thirst, a mirage might fool you into believing there was water nearby." As we drove back from Vegas we actually saw a mirage on the sandy horizon. As we pointed it out to our kids everybody got excited and finally understood what Chelle had been describing. As the decibel level fell, our little Lily's voice broke the silence from the backseat - "Are we dying of thirst?"

The truth is, we're all dying of thirst. Our physical bodies were created by the Almighty to require constant hydration. Likewise, the spiritual (real) you requires constant spiritual hydration. Jesus told us that He alone holds the key to unlocking rivers of refreshing, life-giving, "living" water. That without His infusion in our lives, we are hopeless. We possess the appearance of life but are really dead - spiritual zombies.

Friends, a mirage gives the appearance of life, refreshment and rescue - but offers absolutely nothing. This world offers us a lot of mirages! However, an oasis is that priceless, unexpected, life-preserving and life-enhancing treasure that you never thought you'd ever find.

Are you dying of thirst?

Jesus is an oasis, and not a mirage.

I Love You!

In the Fight,

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - The Trio Challenge

At the very beginning of 2008 I challenged the FCC faithful to identify three important people in their lives this year - a Timothy, a Barnabas, and a Paul. Anybody remember that? I explained that all of us need this trio in order to grow and mature as modern-day Jesus followers. Let me explain.

A Timothy is a person that we pour our lives into. Usually a Timothy is a younger believer who needs guidance, coaching and encouragement. They are genuinely excited about their new lives in Christ; however, they lack that personal investment (mentorship) that only a seasoned believer can provide. We all need a Timothy in our lives.

A Barnabas is that person with the gift of encouragement - a commodity we all need to survive and thrive. These are those folks you can call on any time of the day or night for a cup-full of assurance and a heart-felt prayer. They are the amazing folks who sometimes see more in you than you see in you! We all need a Barnabas in our lives.

A Paul is a seasoned veteran of the faith-walk trenches. They are tenacious students of the Word of God, have fruitful prayer-lives, are deeply embedded in the life and service of the church, and are always in-season with the fruits of the Spirit. Likewise, they have a desire to reach out to younger believers and help them along the path of righteousness. We all need a Paul in our lives.

As I mention regularly from the platform, I always preach to myself first. My Paul and 'Father in the Faith'(Paul Neal) lives 3,000 miles away and has been declining in health in recent years. I realized that I was deficient in the area of local 'Pauls'. After prayer and patience the Lord graciously brought into my life and ministry Roger Gibson (veteran pastor with Stadia) and Rick Craig (pastor with FCC-Napa)- two amazing older brothers who have walked where I walk, who love me, reach out to me, pray for me and continuously challenge me to higher levels of faith and discipline. So, I'm excited to say, I've got my 'trio'.

How about you?

Do you have someone to help along in their younger or weaker faith? Do you have someone who elevates your soul and continuously reminds you that you can make it? Lastly, do you have a person with some miles on their spiritual odometer helping you become the person God created you to become?

My challenge stands!

I Love You!

In the Fight,

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - INFUSED!

I looked up "Infusion" in the dictionary and found that it means to "pour into". Yesterday, the FCC family of believers poured into our community as an invasion force of Christ's goodness.

Months ago we as leaders decided that instead of celebrating our 30th anniversary the old skool way (ie. making our tenure all about us), that we would mark ourselves in Suisun City through humble acts of service, thus pouring all the glory and attention on the only One worthy - Jesus Christ. I can tell you with great joy today - job well done FCC!

We met early for a family breakfast, took communion together, identified teams and went out to show those living and working around us that Christ-focused hearts are others-focused hearts. Numerous teams reached out to the elderly and widows, did much-needed lawn care, picked up trash in local parks and roadways, washed vehicles (including a fire engine and the vehicles of firefighters), cleaned the building, and offered countless acts of service to many. We later rendezvoused at the building for an amazing lunch and a high-octane time of praise & worship. Though smudged and dirty, tired and spent, we all left exhilarated by all God had done and excited about all He would continue to do through us in the future. I invite you to check out our church website and watch the fun!

I want to thank Nicky Peterson for her stellar organizational skills, every team captain, all who volunteered and maintained such Christ-like sacrificial attitudes, those who provided such loving childcare and ministry back at the building, and those in the community who allowed us to wear a towel and serve them. I'm greatly encouraged that this is a new and exciting day for our family faith.

Our greatest gratitude goes to the One who refuses to fail us.

Happy 30th Birthday FCC!

I Love You,

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - Let's Hear Em!

Enough!

Enough starched-shirt, 'things that make you go hmmm' Pastor Steve stuff. It's time to lighten up. This week there's only one thing I wanna know -

What's your favorite movie quote?

Mine?

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli." (Clemenza)

Stop being so religious 'real people', and let's hear em!

Pastor's Perspective - What's Up Doc?

I’m writing this to let you know that I FINALLY went to the doctor yesterday. Release the doves and cue the trumpets and dancers! For those of you saying “Huh?” right now, let me elaborate.

Recently while preaching on the subject of procrastination, I felt a leading to confess my sin of feet-dragging. Since turning ffffffffforty, I haven’t subjected myself to the more…THOROUGH physical examination that comes with age. As a busy pastor and family man, I have been conveniently treating that event with the hospitality of a Heisman Trophy stiff-arm. However, I have noticed some symptoms at ffffffffforty-five that unlike my younger days, didn’t just go away. Admittedly I’ve been losing hearing in my left ear; I have never had my cholesterol level checked; I’ve been more fatigued; and other stuff I used to laugh at my Dad about. Age is a great equalizer!

So as I peck this, I’m thrilled to report that other than carrying a few extra pounds, and officially being diagnosed as ‘Stage 4 Ugly’, your pastor looks like he’s got a few thousand more miles on his tread. My hearing was even taken care of yesterday in the office in an encounter that was more Roto-Rooter than anything else! I actually bolted out of bed in the middle of the night because I heard a dog yelping… in Benecia! My hearing is so good now, I’ll actually be able to see AND HEAR you snoring as I preach.

This morning I had my lab work done, so I’m about a quart low. To quote Bruce Almighty, “I’m IB Positive’. I BE POSITIVE that I don’t like needles” – and I don’t. And, about that more “thorough” part, well that taunting-Goliath will happen next month at my follow-up visit. Isn’t it wonderful to have exciting things to look forward to?!

Mega-thanks to all of you who through very creative, tenacious and humorous ways pushed me to finally see a doctor. Sorry to break it to you - I'm healthy and you’re stuck with me.

I Love You!

In the Fight,

Steve