New Life Christian Fellowship, Pacifica, California Blog Comments

Christine

Christine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:14:16 -0700

I listened to a sample of the music from the Cd and I liked the song entitled "I will trust you". Hang in there, God is with you every step of the way.

Drew

Drew — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:17:25 -0700

We're praying for both of you! Great thoughts

Maggie

Maggie — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:11:30 -0700

Praying that this fast would be a place and time where we meet God in deeper places, where our hunger for Him grows stronger and where the excesses of our own lives will come to light. Burn away the dross, Lord!

Christine

Christine — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:29:43 -0700

I can't wait to see how God grows and stretches us during this 21 day fast. King Stomach you are about to be dethroned!

David Gross

David Gross — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:38:58 -0700

We're with you! Thank you for your wisdom and honesty and willingness to share the burden.

David Gross

David Gross — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:04:53 -0700

Beautifully written and just right!

Ariel Blair

Ariel Blair — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:12:09 -0700

Thank you Jonathan for sharing your thoughts and struggles with us. It is encouraging to see during terrible times others who cling to our God. You are always a source of encouragement and blessing to us. Know that we are praying for during this rough time.

Louie

Louie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:10:59 -0700

Jonathan,

Glad to see you writing about this - and I'm so touched not just by the gravity of your situation, but by how strong your's and Maggie's faith is in this tough moment!

God bless - many are praying for both of you!

Andy

Andy — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:01:18 -0600

Bravo! Well done!

Valerie

Valerie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:39:24 -0600

At my age I find it a little difficult to invite people to church. I often run into non-believers who then accuse me of being "preachy". However I sent out all 10 of my invitations and only 1 showed up, but that 1 meant more to me than anything! I'm so excited to see our church grow! Being out of town this weekend I was bummed I'd be missing the sermon for today. Luckily I was able to watch it all online and was simply blown away. I knew we were streaming live, but to actually watch it was really cool. See you all next week :)

Christine

Christine — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:56:46 -0600

Did you ask him again? He said he would come if you invited him again. Did you? And did you make the date with the friend with the sunset? Did you invite him again?

If I could just be as bold with others in my inviting as I am with you, we would have a packed church!

Rob Blair

Rob Blair — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:36:53 -0600

An aspect of this topic and a struggle for me is how easy it is to forget that the Holy Spirit is Almighty, Soveriegn God who wills and works as He pleases. How easy it is to forget that it is the HOLY SPIRIT working in this very rebellous sinner for His Glory and not mine. If I am getting all the praise of how well something is going or has gone.(good work) I negligently ignore God and His power and dupp the hearer of my testimony by calling what "I" have accomplished the "Power of God."

Julie

Julie — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:06:33 -0600

Too busy not to pray...........great book, simple but still relevent. We actually did this as a group study keeping each other accountable. Highly recommend

Christine Vian

Christine Vian — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:54:45 -0600

As you mentioned the breathing and praying, I tried it too. It does take some discipline. But I want to keep trying it. Thanks. This could be good for people that need to focus when going through a difficult time and need to slow down. I enjoyed your blog.

Ariel Blair

Ariel Blair — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:42:32 -0600

Thanks for the challenge. What works well for me when I am distracted is to write out my prayers in a journal form.

Suzie

Suzie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:42:53 -0600

Baby Tucker just brought new meaning to the words, 'church family'! It sometimes takes a very joyous or sad event to drive the point home! So before I ramble on, let me just say that it's an absolute privilege to be a part of this church family!

Christine

Christine — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:37:00 -0700

1. Why am I uncomfortable praying in public? 2. Distractions

gail Manson

gail Manson — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:52:40 -0700

Biggest obstacles to prayer> unbelief distractions -

Laura

Laura — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:57:40 -0700

1. Difference of thought vs prayer; does God answer both? 2. Different forms of prayer?

Linda Ortiz

Linda Ortiz — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:37:06 -0700

Question # 1 response- Sometimes, I wonder if talking to God and praying are the same thing? For example if I come across a person at work and I ask God to keep an eye on that person ( in my mind, as I walk down the hall or something) does it count as I am praying for them? ( it feels right to me, because in my heart, I feel that God knows that I am really caring about the person). Question # 2 response- A significant obstacle would be that I forget who to pray for, and there are so many things that sometimes, I just ask God throughout the day or as soon as I remember the person or situation.

Richard Q

Richard Q — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:53:44 -0700

"Sin displaces Jesus"?- Jesus also displaces sin! Our will is the deciding vote. How bad do we want to be free in Christ in increasing measure?How much effort each day are we putting into seeking to be more like Him and less like sinful us?

Andy

Andy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:23:31 -0600

The problem with me on the tandem bike with Him is my usual tendency to yell, "NOT THAT WAY!" It's the same if we were to use the driving analogy - Jesus is driving the car, but we're backseat drivers telling Him where to go, akin to Jesus the cabbie... In either case, we have the choice to stay on the bike with Him (or in the car with Him), or we can choose to hop off and do things on our own. ...Which means we get left behind in His Great Adventure.

Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:04:02 -0600

I remember the image you shared at a prayer meeting of God being the one who is leading us on a field trip. We follow right behind Him, listen to all He is saying, notice the things He is pointing out to us, and even hold hands as children do following their teacher so they don't get lost. I guess the difference is that on the tandem we have to work too. We even have to kinda lean into the curves the way He does. More effort is required of us... which is more like most of our spiritual journey.

Victoria Mudge

Victoria Mudge — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:59:29 -0600

Sounds like my cup of tea. I'll get the book!

paula

paula — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:25:45 -0600

I said at fellowship to you, and I still say it was a good sermon! And I guess the "good" means to me that I am wrestling with the question of what am I holding on to that maybe I shouldn't be, something that if God asked me to give it up I would struggle with and be sad about. A good sermon for me gives me something to wrestle with and chew on and talk to God about during the rest of the week and often longer. thanks for a good sermon.

Suzie

Suzie — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:11:56 -0600

To a reasonable degree of course, I enjoy being disturbed, convicted and motivated. That's all part of the spice of Life! I would have to say though that a really great sermon would be somewhat wasted on me if I weren't ready or willing to hear it. I suspect thats happened on more than one occasion!

Andy

Andy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:10:56 -0600

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - I can only imagine what he would have blogged about during WWII while imprisoned.

Daniel McMillan

Daniel McMillan — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:33:39 -0600

Amen Pastor! Our Jobs, our Marriages, our Web sites, our automobiles, the meals we prepare, the comments we leave, the vacations we may be enabled to take, even the pain we suffer. God bless you and the body of Christ family I miss so dearly in Pacifica.

Christine

Christine — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:34:47 -0600

There have been times at work when I came in on Monday morning excited about Sunday's message and couldn't wait to share it with someone. Or encounter someone that is going through a tough time or is depressed and God would bring a message to mind that I felt comfortable sharing. Then I am in a situation where I feel uncomfortable talking about my Lord because of the way a person responds to situations. Then there has been times when someone asked me about my beliefs and I either down played it or was proud to talk about it. For some reason I don't feel bold enough to share and other times excited. Why do you think that is?

Valerie

Valerie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:21:05 -0600

I'm going to a church here in Fernley (I forgot the name) this morning and my dad is coming with me. My dad hasn't been to church in probably 18+ years so this is amazing! He started asking me about my church and my classes at Biola. This trip to Nevada is turning out to be WONDERFUL. God is SO good!!

Suzie

Suzie — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:34:32 -0600

I dream that our church stays exactly the way it is...but maybe just triples in size,outreach or however it is that we are always striving to be different, passionate, audacious, and "irresistable"! I love that no matter how dark or foggy it is outside, there is always an unspoken Joy inside those four walls.

Linda

Linda — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:55:10 -0600

My dream is for NLCF and every aspect of its ministries to be "irresistible." In fulfilling the Great Commission, we must be IRRESISTIBLE to pre-believers. In order to disciple effectively, we must be IRRESISTIBLE to believers. Ever since I heard the One Prayer message, Make Us Irresistible, that one word has been going over and over in my spirit. I am beginning to filter all of the children's ministries through that one word. Wherever I go, I want Jesus in me to be IRRESISTIBLE to others.

Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:13:11 -0600

I dream that we become a people who can both laugh before the Lord,and cry out to Him in need. That we more and more live our lives with our arms and eyes wide open to what He has for us. And that as He works in us and among us our community will find us "irresistable" because of Christ in us.And through these irresistable Christ Followers...Pacifica and our world will be changed

Andy

Andy — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:48:14 -0600

Here's hoping others jump in with their comments - you know what MY dreams are for NLCF, but are they God's? Looking forward to hearing what others think!

Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:20:09 -0600

I think that is a great Idea Chris we will have to find out if/how we might establish ongoing contact. In principle I definitley agree that our participation in missions should be a lot more that6 $

Valerie

Valerie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:44:05 -0600

God is SO good!! I am so excited for the work God is doing in my life and the lives of the members of our church!

Chris

Chris — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:42:07 -0600

Wow, all praise and glory be to God for the size of that offering. Would it be possible for us to hear some about the process of planting a church that these organizations are doing in one of these countries? I'd hate for "missions" to be something that we just throw money at and then pat ourselves on the back for the 1.5 churches we just planted, but instead that this process could be brought to life before us and encourage and inspire us likewise.

paul

paul — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:47:33 -0600

After reading this I have a real sense of pride in our little church, I too think God is going to do great things here! I have my fork & several I hope to share with others.

Andy

Andy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:39:49 -0600

That's a great question - and it has everything to do with small groups, whether located at the building, at homes or elsewhere. As we are learning at NLCF...even with our smaller size...the deeper connections can only be made in smaller communities within the church family, whether the congregation has 100 attendees or 9,000...

Andy

Andy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:42:08 -0600

Convicting stuff! Too often we forget to make time for Him and ask Him what His Will is for us that day. Enjoy the holiday and see you when you get back!

Valerie

Valerie — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:46:33 -0600

I think it's great that you are blogging! Welcome! It will be a nice way for me to keep in touch with you once I leave. I can't believe it's less than 2 months away. I remember asking for prayers back in January when I was anxiously awaiting my acceptance letter and here I am getting things in order. God is so good! Have fun on vacation!

Louie Marsh

Louie Marsh — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:31:18 -0600

Welcome to blogging! I just subscribed to your feed, so I can keep up with you! I've been doing this for almost 3 1/2 years, it's interesting, challenging and can be very rewarding. I look forward to learning from you! God bless! - Louie

the mag

the mag — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:39:32 -0600

wonderful thoughts, perfectly edited!

Linda D

Linda D — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:51:50 -0600

I am SO GLAD to see you beginning this journey. I believe it is a God thing!