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.

It was exactly 23 steps from my truck to my house—steps I never thought twice about until one frustrating evening changed everything. What should have been a small inconvenience turned into a moment of embarrassment, a lesson in humility, and a realization about entitlement. I had to ask myself, Why did this bother me so much? The answer hit me hard—maybe it’ll challenge you too.

Temptation is something every believer faces. But how do we resist it and remain strong in our faith? In this message, we explore key biblical principles to help us overcome temptation and grow spiritually.

What if you’re just one step away from a breakthrough? In the Bible, the number 40 represents trials, but day 41 is when everything changes—when the rain stops, the giants fall, and the promised land is reached. Maybe you’re in a season of struggle, feeling like giving up. Hold on—41 is coming.

Jesus calls us to Go—not just to gather as the church but to take the Gospel into the world. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 reminds us that every believer is called to share their faith, not just pastors or evangelists. While fear or feelings of inadequacy can hold us back, we don’t need perfect words—just a personal encounter with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Evangelism is about building relationships, finding common ground, and being open to opportunities. As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to represent Him well, with love and wisdom, trusting that God is working in people’s hearts. Who in your life needs to hear the Good News? Pray for courage and take the next step—because Jesus doesn’t just call us to stay; He calls us to Go.

A few days ago I was scrolling through Facebook. I saw a post by my good friend Lee Fruh. Lee and I go way back. I first met him in the early 80’s. He was a youth pastor like myself. We did some youth ministry together. Lee is a great writer. These days he lives in Alabama with his family. Recently he was in San Diego. We went out to a great Mexican restaurant and caught up with each other. He told me they do not have good Mexican food in Alabama in case you are going there anytime soon. I want to share Lee’s post because it encouraged me and I know it will bless you.

Life is full of paradoxes, and one of the greatest is this: "In giving, we gain. In grasping, we lose." It seems counterintuitive, but both Scripture and real-life experience show that generosity leads to blessings, while selfishness leads to loss. In this post, we’ll explore three key paradoxes of generosity—how giving reflects God’s own generosity, why serving others actually serves ourselves, and how blessing those in need is a way of blessing Jesus. Discover how an open heart and open hands can transform your life! 🔥 #Generosity #FaithInAction

What is it that trips you up in your faith journey with Jesus? In the old testament book of Psalms, there was a guy named Asaph who was the worship leader for David and Solomon. He loved to worship and wrote some of the great psalms. One Psalm in particular reaches deep into my soul and resonates with me in a special way. In Psalm 73 Asaph gets vulnerable. He talks about a time when he almost slipped. He’s actually making reference to his faith journey. We're not sure of the particular circumstances, but he began to take notice of people who were ungodly and yet seemingly happy and successful. He said, ”for I envied the proud when I saw them prosper.”

Growth is an essential part of life. Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual, we are all meant to develop and mature. As a church, growth happens both collectively—through our shared faith and mission—and individually, as each believer strengthens their walk with God.

There’s an old saying: “Many hands make light work.” At Pacific Life Church, we’ve seen this truth in action—whether setting up for Sunday services or building meaningful connections through serving. When you volunteer, you’re not just going to church—you’re being the church! Join us in making a difference—just one Sunday a month can have a lasting impact.

The Church In Here, The Church Out There - Part 2 (03.02.2025)

The church is not a building—it’s the people. As believers, we are called to be the church both inside and outside the walls of our gathering place. In Acts 2, we see a powerful example of what the early church looked like, and it gives us a model for how we can build an irresistible church today.

Influence is all around us—whether we realize it or not, we are being shaped by others, and we are shaping those around us. Sometimes, it’s through small moments, like a kind word or a simple act of generosity. Other times, it’s the people we choose to spend time with that steer us in directions we never expected. A childhood friendship once taught me a powerful lesson about influence—one I’ll never forget.