About once a week I do a 12 mile bike ride. I start about 4 miles away from Fiesta Island, do the 4 mile loop around the island, and head back to my starting point. One of the things I look forward to is experiencing the wind at my back at different points along the ride. Last week I did my usual ride — and it was different. The wind was swirling a bit. On the way to Fiesta Island, the wind was against me. I knew instinctively that somewhere on the 4 mile loop, relief would come. But it didn’t. The wind was literally against me the entire time — including the 4 miles back to my starting point. My weekly ride isn’t just a casual joy ride. I push hard so that I can get a cardio workout. Man, did I get a workout! Although I was tired, the endorphins kicked in and I experienced a feeling of bliss. Have you ever felt like the winds of life are against you? You keep hoping for favorable winds, but the winds are working against you.

This past Sunday, we kicked off a brand-new sermon series called “When In Romans”—an in-depth journey through one of the most powerful and challenging books in the Bible. In Part 1, Pastor Steve unpacked Romans 1 and reminded us how ignoring God sets humanity on a downward spiral, and how desperately we need to hold on to the good news of the Gospel.

Have you ever known someone who had amazing potential to excel in life but they couldn’t see it? They couldn’t see what was so obvious to everyone else because they believed something about themselves that wasn’t true.
In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Moses is leading the children of Israel towards the promised land. Moses is doing everything he can to convince the Israelites they are no longer slaves and that they have value beyond being good brick makers. It’s a daunting task because if people can’t see themselves the way God sees them, their identity gets distorted. The Israelites were free, but they didn't act free. They lived in fear. They had a scarcity mentality.

Anger is something every one of us deals with. It affects our relationships, our health, and our hearts. In this final message of our Those Red Letters series, we look at what Jesus said about anger and how we can manage it in a way that honors God and brings peace into our lives. This isn’t just about avoiding outbursts — it’s about taking responsibility, repairing broken relationships, and learning how to live unoffendable.

Have you ever heard the expression, “Hope is not a strategy?” I looked up the word hope in the Bible and discovered it’s mentioned 129 times in the (NIV) translation and 167 times in the (KJV). I guess if you need more hope, the King James Version is the way to go. Everyone needs hope, but hope often lets people down. When I was in high school, I learned this the hard way during a track meet I’ll never forget. In that moment, what felt like my greatest feat quickly turned into one of my most humbling lessons about chasing the wrong kind of hope. It made me realize something we all need to ask ourselves: What is the object of our hope?

In this week’s message from our Those Red Letters series, we explored one of Jesus’ most surprising parables — the story of the workers in the vineyard. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s Kingdom runs on grace, not fairness. Whether you come early, late, or at the last moment, the reward is the same: forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life. We unpacked what it means to trust God’s generosity, resist the trap of comparison, and celebrate the blessing of serving in His Kingdom. This message invites us to reflect on our place in the vineyard and God’s invitation for all. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late or if you’re missing out, this one’s for you.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT) I’ll be honest — that’s not my first reaction when challenges show up. Lately, our church has faced a few of those, including the news that we’ll have to move out of our newly renovated auditorium for a couple of months this summer. It’s not exactly the plan we had in mind, but it’s another chance to grow our endurance and trust God in the middle of it. The good news is, better days are coming.

In this week’s message, we continued our Those Red Letters series — taking a deeper look at the words of Jesus recorded in the New Testament. In Part 6: Be Neighborly, we unpacked one of the most famous teachings of Christ: the story of the Good Samaritan.

I never gave college much thought. No one in my family had gone, and it just wasn’t part of the conversation growing up. That changed the day some college coaches started showing interest in me for track. I walked into my high school counselor’s office full of hope — and walked out carrying something entirely different. Ever had a moment when someone’s words made you question your worth? Yeah, me too.

In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that being born again isn’t about religion, but a spiritual rebirth. It’s a life-changing experience that gives us a new identity, a God-given purpose, and the promise of eternity. This message reminds us that knowing about God isn’t the same as knowing Him personally. Join us as we continue our Those Red Letters series and discover what it means to truly live.

When we experience traumatic, hurtful events in our lives, it takes a while to shake it off and get our lives back on track. We are all wired differently, and so naturally, some people find it easier to move forward with their lives than others. Most traumatic experiences are caused by people. People are the greatest source of joy — and unfortunately, the greatest source of pain — in our lives.

This past Sunday at Pacific Life Church, guest speaker Pastor Matt Perry shared a heartfelt message titled “For God So Loved You.” Focusing on John 3:16, he reminded us that God’s love isn’t just for the world — it’s for you personally. Pastor Matt encouraged us to move beyond knowing about God’s love and start truly receiving it. He spoke about how God’s love is a decision, a sacrifice, and an open invitation to eternal life. If you’ve ever doubted whether you matter to God, this message is for you. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Steve continues our series “Those Red Letters.”

I was listening to John Maxwell, a Christian leadership guru, a while back and he said something that strongly resonated with me. He said “Do you bring value to the people around you? Do you bring value to a room when you walk into it? Do you bring value to the daily situations you encounter?” Not only did I find those questions thought-provoking, I felt some degree of Holy Spirit conviction.

If I’m being honest, sometimes I care more about how people perceive me than I do about bringing value to them. I don’t think I’m the only one who struggles with this. It’s hard not to catch the selfie virus. We put pictures of ourselves on social media that make us look our very best.

We follow Jesus as He crosses cultural and social barriers to meet a woman carrying deep soul-thirst. At a simple well in Samaria, He offers her what no one else could — living water that satisfies forever. This story reminds us that no matter our past or reputation, Jesus meets us where we are with compassion and truth. Only He can fill the emptiness we so often try to satisfy with temporary things. Discover how one encounter with Jesus changed an entire village, and how it can change us too.

Got any pet peeves? I know I do. I was reading through the Sermon on the Mount recently where Jesus says, “Do not judge others and you will not be judged.” One of the major indictments against the Church—or Christians in general—is that they are judgmental. In other words, at least from the perspective of those who stand outside of faith, we are not safe people to be around. I get it. Because even though I am a Christian and I represent the Church, I have been severely judged at times. It’s an awful feeling to be judged.

Easter is all about the greatest comeback in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At Pacific Life Church, we celebrated how Jesus not only defeated death but also made a way for each of us to come back from sin, shame, and regret. His resurrection wasn’t a myth or metaphor, but a well-witnessed, world-changing event. Through it, we find hope, forgiveness, and the power to live a better life. No matter your story, it’s never too late for a comeback.

Some of the most life-shaping moments in my life began with a simple invitation. Whether it was to a youth convention, a spot on the track team, or a missionary internship, each one opened a door that changed my direction in ways I never expected. Invitations have power—not just to events, but to purpose, to growth, and even to faith. As Easter approaches, we have a unique opportunity to offer that same kind of invitation to someone else. Right now, people are more open than ever to spiritual conversations and church community. Your invitation could be the start of something life-changing for someone. Want to know why this matters so much?

Palm Sunday marks more than Jesus riding into Jerusalem—it reveals the heart of our Savior and the expectations of the crowd. In Matthew 21:1–11, we see prophecy fulfilled, humility displayed, and a kingdom revealed that’s unlike anything people anticipated. While many shouted “Hosanna,” they didn’t understand the kind of salvation Jesus came to bring. This reflection invites us to look beyond the palm branches and ask: Where do we stand in the crowd today?

The Bible isn’t just a book—it’s a life-changing, soul-stirring guide that speaks to every season of life. From raw honesty about humanity to deep spiritual truths, it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Even in a world full of philosophies and opinions, I’ve found the Bible to be my anchor. Want to know why it means so much to me?

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began with a series of surprising blessings known as the Beatitudes. These statements challenge our culture’s definition of happiness and invite us into a deeper, Kingdom-centered joy. True happiness, Jesus teaches, isn’t about comfort or success—it’s about having the right attitude before God. In this message, we explore what it means to live with the “Be Happy Attitude” and how the Beatitudes shape our spiritual growth.