One of my favorite Beach Boys songs is “God Only Knows.” There is so much we don’t know—but God knows what we don’t know. That’s why we should pray with confidence, because in many cases God only knows what to do and how to answer our prayers.

That being said, why is it that prayer is often our last resort after we’ve tried everything else? Many Christians are not utilizing the power of prayer—to their own detriment and frustration. There is nothing in the Bible that says unless it’s urgent prayer isn’t necessary. Why wouldn’t we bring every problem and every need to God? After all, if God only knows, He’s the key to answering your prayers.

Could it be that you don’t think God will answer your prayers? Here’s what I’ve discovered…

In Crazy Families! (History Part 6), Pastor Steve explores the dramatic story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25–27. Their family was filled with favoritism, deception, manipulation, and bitterness—reminding us that even the most important biblical families were far from perfect. Through this story, we see how destructive patterns can damage relationships and create long-lasting conflict. Yet we also discover powerful lessons about identity, forgiveness, and the importance of taking responsibility for our actions. God’s desire is not broken families but healed relationships shaped by truth, humility, and grace.

Are you alarmed by the latest news of the United States attacking Iran in a coordinated effort with Israel—and more recently, other allies? In fact, by the time you read this, there will undoubtedly be more news of wars and rumors of wars.

We should not be surprised, nor should we live in fear. News of war should not cause us to retreat from living the way we would if there were no wars. The truth is, at any given time there are multiple wars going on around the world. If we shut our lives down because of wars, we would never get anything done. We might not get married, have children, pursue a career, go to college, or take a mission trip or vacation—because after all, there are wars going on.

In Blessed To Be A Blessing (History Part 5), guest speaker Rich Nye explored God’s call to Abraham in Genesis 12 and what it means for us today. At 75 years old, Abraham stepped into the unknown, trusting God’s promise without having all the details. This message reminds us that true faith obeys before clarity and rests in God’s “I will” rather than our “I can’t.” We are not blessed to store up God’s goodness but to become channels of it. Through our time, talents, treasures, and testimony, we are called to bless others and reflect Christ to the world.

In the surfing world, we have our own lingo. Here’s an expression you might find interesting: getting rag dolled. After a horrible wipeout, you might hear a surfer say, “Man, that wave was so powerful it rag dolled me until I was almost out of breath.” When a surfer wipes out on a powerful wave, sometimes crazy things happen underwater. I’ve been rag dolled more times than I can count.

Sometimes we get rag dolled by life. We get hit by a wave of circumstances that takes us under. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it often does. We find ourselves thinking, Why is this happening to me?

In The Tower of Babel (History – Part 4), Pastor Steve explored how humanity’s desire for independence from God led to division and confusion. Unified by one language, the people chose to build their own kingdom rather than trust God’s command to spread across the earth. This story reveals how pride, misplaced ambition, and technology used apart from God can lead us away from Him. Yet even in rebellion, God responded with mercy—slowing the spread of evil and redirecting humanity’s story. Babel reminds us that true unity is found not in self-exaltation, but in surrender to God.

Lent is often misunderstood, yet it has deep roots in the history and rhythm of the Church. For centuries, Christians have used this season as a time to slow down, refocus, and prepare their hearts for Easter. While Lent isn’t commanded in Scripture, its practices are firmly grounded in biblical themes of repentance, prayer, and renewal. This year, the season carries added meaning for our church as we prepare for something new. The last few years have been challenging in ways we never expected, but God has been quietly at work behind the scenes. As Easter approaches, there’s a sense that renewal is not just something we talk about—it’s something we’re stepping into together.

Pastor Steve explored one of the most challenging stories in the Bible and revealed the heart of God behind it. While the flood shows God’s justice in response to deep corruption and violence, it also introduces grace for the very first time in Scripture. Noah’s story reminds us that faith means trusting and obeying God even when we don’t fully understand the outcome. God’s judgment was never separated from His mercy, and His desire has always been to rescue and restore. This message invites us to see God not as distant or angry, but as a loving Creator committed to healing a broken world.

We are excited to introduce you to our new PLC worship leader, Stevie Bombaci. Stevie brings not only a deep love for music, but also a heart for worship and a passion for helping people encounter God through song. Many of you may already know Stevie, but we thought it would be fun to help you get to know him a little better. Recently, Stevie sat down with me for a casual interview to talk about his journey with music, faith, and what excites him about leading worship here at Pacific Life Church.

In What Went Wrong? (History – Part 2), Pastor Steve walked us through Genesis 2–3 to explain why the world no longer looks the way God originally designed it. What began as beauty and harmony quickly turned into fear, shame, and brokenness when sin entered the story. We saw how temptation still works today—distorting truth, minimizing consequences, and drawing us away from trust in God. Even in humanity’s failure, God immediately revealed His plan to rescue and restore. This message reminds us that while sin explains what went wrong, God’s grace points us toward what comes next.

Have you ever heard the expression, “Seeing is believing?” In some cases, that’s true. For example, maybe you have a friend who says to you, “I can juggle seven tennis balls for a minute.” If you’re like me, you say, “Prove it.” If they manage to juggle seven tennis balls for a minute, then you have to admit, “Yep, it’s true—I saw it with my own eyes.” In that case, seeing is believing.

However, in the spiritual realm, things work a little differently. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says, “For we live by faith and not by sight.” Why would the Apostle Paul write that? What’s the logic behind such a statement?

In Enjoy God’s Creation (History – Part 1), Pastor Steve invited us to slow down and rediscover the wonder of Genesis 1. Before debating timelines or theories, we were reminded to focus on what Scripture makes clear: God is the Creator, and creation reflects His glory. From chaos to beauty, Genesis shows a God who speaks life, order, and purpose into existence. Humanity is created intentionally in God’s image and entrusted with caring for what He made. This message encourages us to enjoy God’s creation with gratitude, humility, and awe.

In the insurance world, if a tree crashes into your home or a forest fire burns it down, it’s called an act of God. I’m not sure how God feels about getting blamed for catastrophes and disasters, but that’s the way it is. Snow is beautiful—unless you get too much of it.

As I write this, my daughter Rachel and her family have no power in their home. In fact, the small New Mexico town they live in has no power at all. My son-in-law Micah is out cutting wood in the freezing weather so the family can have enough heat to make it through the night.

In Developing a Generous Heart in a Grasping World (Restoration – Part 4), Pastor Steve challenged us to examine our relationship with money, possessions, and trust. In a culture that constantly pushes us to accumulate more, Scripture calls us to live with open hands instead of clenched fists. We were reminded that everything we have is ultimately entrusted to us by God, and generosity begins with recognizing that we are stewards, not owners. Jesus warned that life is not measured by how much we possess, but by the condition of our hearts. True restoration happens when fear loosens its grip and generosity becomes a way of life.

In last week’s blog, I shared the word God gave me for this year: GROW. Last year, my word was GO. When God gave me that word, I knew immediately it was time to get things moving in our church. Looking back, 2025 truly became a year of laying foundations. It was a productive year—one that prepared us for growth.

In Make Spiritual Fitness a Priority (Restoration – Part 3), Pastor Steve challenged us to take intentional steps toward spiritual growth. Just as physical fitness requires discipline and consistency, spiritual strength develops through daily practices that draw us closer to God. We were reminded that growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and “fan into flame” what God has already placed within us. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture, worship, and service help form Christlike character over time. This message invites us to move from passive faith to purposeful training as we pursue a stronger, healthier walk with Jesus.

Every year, I ask God for a single word to guide me through the months ahead, and He has never failed to meet me in that prayer. Sometimes the word comes quickly, but more often it requires weeks of listening, waiting, and leaning in. Looking back, those words have often arrived right when I needed them most—especially during seasons of uncertainty and challenge. They’ve shaped how I lead, how I grow, and how I respond when things feel unclear. This year was no different, though the way the word came surprised me. Before I share it, there’s something important about listening to God that we all need to understand.

In Embracing Biblical Truth (Restoration – Part 2), Pastor Steve reminded us that true restoration begins with God’s Word. In a culture that constantly questions truth, Scripture anchors our thinking and shapes how we live. Pastor Steve shared that truth is not something we create or customize—it is something we receive from God. When Scripture is replaced by cultural opinions or personal preferences, our faith becomes unstable. Embracing biblical truth means allowing God’s Word to renew our minds, form our convictions, and guide our daily decisions.

As the year comes to a close, many of us think about what we can write off—especially when it comes to finances. But there’s another kind of write-off that may matter far more and cost us much more to hold onto. During the holidays, I became painfully aware of how deeply unforgiveness runs through families and relationships. Scripture is clear about forgiveness, yet living it out often feels unfair and deeply personal. Some wounds cut so deeply that letting go seems impossible. Still, holding onto them carries consequences we rarely consider. What if the most freeing thing you could do in the new year is not write someone off—but write off the offense instead?

In Man Born Blind, guest speaker Pastor Matt Henry walked us through John 9 and reminded us that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence. When the disciples asked who was to blame for the man’s blindness, Jesus redirected the question to what God wanted to reveal through it. This message challenged us to stop asking “Why did this happen?” and instead ask, “God, what are You doing?” Pastor Matt shared that God is always at work—even when healing feels delayed or unclear. Jesus meets us in our pain and brings light into places that feel dark and confusing.