FPC Hanford Blog

I have come to grips with the reality that I am a bit technology challenged. I don’t think this is because of inability, but rather passive aggressive hostility. It seems to me we have bought into the perception that technology saves us time, thus making life easier. Yet, is this the case? Obviously there are advantages. My cell-phone is a “necessity” when I make my monthy sojourn to the Costco and Trader Joes in Fresno. Frequent calls to Sheri while I am shopping assure that I don’t purchase the wrong item.

My question is: “Have we become so dependent on our cell-phones, I-phones and computers that they are more of a liability than asset?” We seem to never be able to free ourselves from their grip on our lives; not even on vacation. I remember the days when vacations were truly an escape from the routine of daily life. Not so anymore. It seems to me we can never escape from email, texting, twittering and facebook, even when away. I intentionally don’t have an I-phone for this reason. Even so, I find myself mildly dreading a return to reality from vacation because I know a huge amount of time will be spent sifting through and answering email upon my return to the office.

My point in all of this is that it seems to me we have become so attached to technology (and the drone and buzz it generates in our minds) that we have forgotten how to rest, be still, clear our thoughts and seek God. This is a necessary discipline if we are to hear God’s voice (especially through Scripture) and we are to grow spiritually. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” I fully understand that technology is hear to stay. But, I want to encourage all of us to not let it hijack our attention at the expense of seeking God.

Keep the faith,

Pastor Tony

Several weeks ago, we were in the San Diego area enjoying time away as a family.  It was a remarkable week in many ways; perhaps the best vacation we have ever experienced together.  We planned and budgeted well.  For the most part, our kids got along.  Yet, there was one moment in particular that stood above the rest.

On the Friday of the week, we were enjoying an evening at Seaworld.  If you know me, you know that I would choose Seaworld over any other theme or amusement park; including Disneyland.  I love Seaworld and have fond memories of previous visits. I love being near the coast.  The weather was perfect.  I was with my favorite people in the world at one of my favorite locations.  It truly was one of those moments in life when the stars where in alignment.

The evening was capped off when we attended the Shamu show.  Admittedly, I am a sentimental pushover, and the Shamu show pushed this emotional button within me.  I was touched by the apparent affection displayed by trainer to whale, as well as the message of stewardship and conservation of our world.  A spectacular fireworks display ensued.  If you can picture in your mind’s eye, I was holding our six-year-old on my lap.  Our four-year-old was on Sheri’s lap, and our ten-year-old was nestled in between us.  All three kids were displaying expressions of childlike wonderment.  Sheri and I reached for each other’s hand, passing a knowing, smiling glance that needed no words or explanation.  We both knew in that moment that all was right with the world.  We both were thoroughly drinking it in.  Tears filled my eyes.

Obviously, I am not a pantheistic, mother-earth, Gaia loving advocate.  In retrospect, what I believe we experienced was a glimpse into the way things are supposed to be, as opposed to the way things currently are. Prior to the Fall of humanity, the world was perfect.  Sin and evil were only possibilities.  We are now in a transition period, and have been since Adam and Eve’s disobedience.  Sin and evil are unmistakably real.  However, with Jesus’ first advent, the process of restoring the world to the way it is supposed to be was inaugurated.  With his future second advent, the restoration process will be complete.  Isaiah 11:6-9 speaks of this future, perfect Messianic age:  “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.  The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.  The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.  They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

To sum up, angst concerning the way things are is real.  But, equally real is our intuitive sense that the current state of affairs is not the way things are supposed to be, nor will be forever.  Trainer and Shamu are reflections of this reality, while Jesus guarantees its future consummation.

Keep the Faith,

Pastor Tony

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a never ending cycle? Sometimes life feels like it’s on repeat and you go from one tragedy to the next… one major event or success to the next challenge. Somewhere in that cycle there is stability, hope, and dare I say it… life! I’m looking to God to make sense of these hills and valleys. Here’s a powerful verse from Corninthians.

2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, “In Christ we are a new creation! The old has gone, the new has come.”

Even in the midst of the major “repeats” of life I want to be reminded that I am a new creation in Him. There is hope. There is a clean break in routine. There is life in His son. It’s not a perfect picture or smooth road, but a promise that we are not forgotten and that our “newness” was purchased at a price, and for a mission. Share this new life with others today.

In Him,
Mike

As I have watched the Gulf Oil Crisis unfold, I have found myself deeply disturbed and troubled.  In fact, one night several weeks ago, I laid awake in bed ruminating over it.  Since then, I have attempted to sort through my emotions in order to ascertain why it has affected me so deeply.

This may be painfully obvious to you, but here is my epiphany:  The Gulf Oil Spill is a metaphor concerning our government’s (indeed, humanity’s) inability to cope with an ever increasing array of difficult and complicated crises.  Perhaps in another time or season, the spill would not have so deeply impacted my thinking.  However, when this troubling situation is combined with what else is percolating on the world front, the future seems tenuous at best – the economy (stateside and global); political polarization on the home front; Iran; North Korea; Iraq; Afghanistan; the Gaza Strip.  From a strictly human perspective, our world appears to be spiraling out of control.  Our president must feel like the Dutch boy who attempts to plug an ever increasing number of leaks in the dam with his fingers.  Once one is plugged, another pops up. Eventually, the Gulf Oil Spill will be resolved, but at a heavy cost.  Even so, other problems will replace it.

You might be thinking, “Gee, Tony, this is a cheery message that you have passed along to us.  Thanks a bunch!”  I do believe there is good news.  We worship a God who ultimately is in control of all things.  Nothing takes him by surprise.  Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 are two passages that assure us of this.  So, take heart.  As we do our part in making this world a better place by sharing the love of Christ with others and standing for truth, we can rest assured that all things work for the good of those who love God and have been called according to his purpose.  We can rest assured that the Lord has plans to prosper us, and not harm us; plans to give us hope and a future.

Keep the Faith,
Pastor Tony

The older I become the more I realize how unrealistic my expectations about life were when I was younger.  As a college graduate heading toward seminary, I believed that the future held endless possibilities.  I was too young to understand or anticipate the difficulties that inevitably accompany life.  Dreams had not yet been shattered and nothing of significance had been taken away, such as the loss of an immediate loved one.  Alas, as I have lived life, all this has obviously changed – from the death of my best friend from high school in my mid-twenties to the passing of my mom and father-in-law in recent months.

The collision of unexpected, uninvited circumstances that life has served up brings a sobering dose of reality for all of us.  It is at crossroads like these that we can either choose to cower in fear of the future or boldly trust that God knows what he is doing (Romans 8:28).  As I in greater measure choose boldness, I have come to realize it is an exercise in futility to ask, “Why this Lord?”   Like Job, we more than likely will not receive answers.  Instead, I am learning to ask, “For what purpose Lord?”  Though we may never have answers as to Why, Scripture promises that God will escort us through life’s difficulties…if we trust in him.  He further promises that hardships will not be wasted upon a canvas of meaningless existentialism.  Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6, “…Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

One final thought:  I have also discovered that being grateful for what I have is insurance against becoming mired in a peat-bog of regret, disappointment and self-pity.  “Lord, thank you for Sheri, Bryce, Braden and Brooke.  They are a priceless, undeserved treasure directly from your hand.”

Keep the Faith,

Pastor Tony