As we approach a new year I imagine many of us are thinking about how we can do better in 2026. Maybe we will start something or stop something in hopes of becoming a better person. There is nothing wrong with that. I set goals and sometimes make New Year's resolutions. Sometimes they stick and sometimes they don't. I read this article posted by a friend of mine the other day and I thought, this is a must read for every Christian as we approach the new year. 

In Restoration – Part 1: Experiencing God’s Grace, guest speaker Rich Nye opened our new series by reminding us that restoration begins with grace, not effort. Life can be painful and overwhelming, but God’s grace meets us in our brokenness and carries us when we reach the end of ourselves. Drawing from 1 Peter 5:10, we were reminded that God restores, strengthens, and places us on a firm foundation after seasons of suffering. Rich shared that grace is not earned or achieved—it is a gift freely given by God. Restoration starts when we stop relying on ourselves and trust the One who rescues and renews our lives.

In Christmas Stories – Part 4: Love Story, Pastor Steve reminded us that Christmas is ultimately the greatest love story ever told. Long before the manger, a costly decision was made for Jesus to step into a broken world out of love for humanity. This message explored agape love—a sacrificial, self-giving love that doesn’t wait for worthiness or perfection. Christmas points beyond sentiment and tradition to a Savior who chose suffering so we could experience life. At the heart of the story is a God who loved us first and invites us into a restored relationship with Him.

Christmas often draws us toward feel-good stories and familiar joy, but sometimes wisdom shows up in unexpected places. While reading Ecclesiastes, I came across a single word that reshaped how I think about life and its unpredictability. It challenged my need for control and reminded me how easily we miss simple, meaningful moments. That insight followed me into an ordinary day with my family and changed how I approach this season. Sometimes joy comes not from perfect circumstances, but from learning to receive life as it is.

In Christmas Stories – Part 3: Justice Story, Pastor Steve reminded us that Christmas is more than a celebration—it’s a declaration of God’s justice. From the beginning, Jesus entered a world marked by inequality, oppression, and broken systems. Through Mary’s story and Jesus’ own mission, we see God’s heart for the overlooked, the poor, and the marginalized. Pastor Steve shared that justice is not just something we feel deeply, but something we are called to live out through action and compassion. Christmas invites us to see people the world ignores and respond with the love and justice of Christ.

Christmas reminds us of the incarnation, which means God took on flesh and joined the human race. One of my favorite verses is John 1:14a in The Message Bible, where it says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”
Some people struggle with the idea of Jesus being human, and others struggle with his divinity. He was the perfect God-man. I’ve always found myself drawn to the human aspect of Jesus. The fourth chapter of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was tempted in all ways like we are, and yet he didn’t sin.

In Christmas Stories – Part 2: War Stories, Pastor Steve reminded us that Christmas is more than a peaceful nativity scene—it’s the beginning of a spiritual battle. From the moment Jesus entered the world, He stepped into a war between good and evil. Through Matthew 2, we saw how the search for Jesus, the response of King Herod, and the violence surrounding His birth reveal what was truly at stake. Pastor Steve explained that everyone is searching for something to worship, even if they don’t realize it. Christmas invites us to recognize the deeper battle around us and to find hope in the victory Jesus came to secure.

This year marks 50 years that I’ve been surfing. I did a little math for fun, and this is what it looks like if I’m counting.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve averaged about 100 surf sessions a year. Prior to that, I averaged about 150 sessions a year. This means I’ve gone surfing around 6,250 times over the last 50 years. On average, I catch about 10 waves a session. That translates to roughly 62,500 waves. Now let’s talk about surfing conditions. Of the 100 sessions a year that I surf, only a handful of those days would qualify as perfect surf conditions. This means that the majority of the time, I’m surfing in average conditions—and many times, in subpar conditions. Of course, those perfect days are what we surfers dream about.

In Christmas Stories – Part 1: Family Stories, Pastor Steve opened our new series by reminding us that every family has stories—beautiful ones, painful ones, and some we wish we could rewrite. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth shows that God doesn’t avoid messy family stories; He steps right into them. Joseph’s world was turned upside down when he learned Mary was pregnant, yet God invited him into a bigger plan than he could see. Through Joseph’s example, we learned how courage, obedience, and integrity help us navigate the difficult chapters in our own families. Most importantly, Jesus comes from a redeemed—not perfect—family, reminding us that no part of our story is beyond His ability to heal and restore.

Being Sicilian, you might wonder if I’ve ever been involved with a hit on someone. Actually, I have—in fact, several. My Sicilian grandfather, Mateo Bombaci, got me into the family business.

In truth, I never had any intentions of getting involved with something like this. I was a good kid—not perfect—but I kept my nose clean and went about my business. My grandfather didn’t force me into the family business, but he talked about it a lot. Whenever he did, there was a glistening in his eyes—something almost transcendent.

In Simon Says – Part 6: The Day of the Lord, Pastor Steve unpacked 2 Peter 3 and Peter’s urgent reminder to live with eternity in mind. We learned that what may feel like God’s delay is actually His mercy—He is patient because He wants more people to come to repentance. Scripture shows us that God has intervened dramatically before through creation and the flood, and He will act again at the perfect moment. Until then, believers are called to cultivate wholesome thinking, pursue holiness, and walk in compassion instead of cynicism. The Day of the Lord is both a promise of God’s justice and a source of hope for those anchored in Christ. This message invites us to live awake, ready, and committed to the cause of Jesus above everything else.

There’s an old gospel song that reminds us to “count your blessings, name them one by one.” As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the good things God has done. Each morning, I start my day with coffee and a prayer of gratitude, listing specific blessings instead of offering a quick, general thanks. Gratitude changes my perspective—it lifts my spirit and prepares me for whatever the day brings.

But giving thanks isn’t always easy. Sometimes life hits hard—unexpected bills, painful accidents, or frustrating seasons that test our faith. Even then, Scripture reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances, trusting that God is working behind the scenes for our good. It’s amazing how choosing gratitude, even in difficulty, can shift our hearts toward peace and hope.

Pastor Steve walked us through 2 Peter 2, where Peter warns believers about false teachers and deceptive messages that look spiritual but lead people away from truth. Pastor Steve shared how false teaching often appears attractive on the surface but is hollow underneath, like “smoke and mirrors.” Peter reminds us that deception grows when believers neglect Scripture or rely too heavily on charisma instead of truth. Through examples like Noah, Lot, and Balaam, we saw how God exposes corruption and protects those who stay faithful. This message challenges us to stay grounded in God’s Word, discern truth from falsehood, and live with conviction in a culture full of spiritual counterfeits.

"I'm too _____ to start"
When I invite people to Crossfit, often their eyes get a deer-caught-in-headlights look as they scramble to explain that they are too _____ for that. That blank is often filled with words like "out-of-shape", "old", "busy", "injured" or "weak". It is so similar to the experience of inviting someone to church. They demur that they are "too busy" or "They don't let people like me in there!", or "I need to clean my life up first".

Pastor Steve walked us through 2 Peter 1, where Peter gives a clear pathway for spiritual growth. We were reminded that God has already given us everything we need to live a godly life—His power, His promises, and His presence. Pastor Steve explained the seven qualities Peter says we must “add” to our faith, from goodness and knowledge to perseverance, godliness, and love. These qualities don’t appear overnight; they grow as we intentionally follow Jesus. A Christ-centered life is one built layer by layer, grounded in faith and strengthened through daily choices that honor God.

I like to sing. Sometimes I sing in the shower. When one of my favorite songs comes on the radio, I sing with it. If I’m watching a movie at home and a good song comes on, I sometimes find myself singing it. Even if you don’t consider yourself a good singer, I’m pretty sure you still want to sing. I think God put the desire to sing in all of us.

The Bible records many instances where people sang and wrote songs. Of course, the Psalms were actually written to be sung. Shortly after the birth of Jesus, the angels sang, and the local shepherds were treated to some of the finest singing they had ever heard. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn right before Jesus faced the crucifixion. He knew the disciples were in for a rough night, so He led them in a song. Just like laughing is good for the soul, so is singing. So why am I making a case for singing?

Pastor Steve taught from 1 Peter 3–4 about living differently from the world around us. Peter calls believers to humility, compassion, and peace, even when it feels unnatural. Pastor Steve reminded us that following Jesus means responding to insults with kindness, blessing those who hurt us, and choosing forgiveness over revenge. In marriage, in community, and in daily life, we’re called to honor one another and live in a way that reflects Christ. True joy and peace come not from getting even, but from loving deeply and trusting God with the results.

Last week, Pacific Life Church joined PB Presbyterian Church for a Trunk or Treat event that brought joy to both congregations. After the event, Todd Lehr and I walked to pick up our van, chatting about the evening. As we stood at the corner of Garnet and Jewell Street, we suddenly heard the sound of screeching tires and a violent crash. A car lost control, crossed the street, and came to rest after hitting something solid.

Todd rushed to help a young man out of his car while the woman he’d hit, though shaken, appeared unhurt. Within minutes, police and firefighters arrived on the scene. As the chaos settled, Todd pointed out something chilling—we had been just steps away from where the cars collided. I realized we could have been in the direct path of that crash, and the thought of how close we came to death stayed with me all night.

In Simon Says – Part 2: Living a Next Level Faith, guest speaker Logan Mabe taught from 1 Peter 2 about how faith grows stronger when we choose to grow up, be built up, and live up. Like Peter’s readers, we’re called to move from spiritual infancy to maturity by feeding on God’s Word daily. Logan reminded us that faith isn’t a solo sport—we grow together as a church family, encouraging, serving, and praying for one another. When we know who we are in Christ, we can live out our faith with confidence and purpose. True holiness isn’t about perfection—it’s about reflecting God’s goodness wherever we live, work, and play.

I’m convinced that our relationship with Jesus is only as good as our devotional life. In fact, I’ve never known anyone who was strong in their faith who didn’t have a disciplined devotional life. For me, it starts first thing in the morning. A cup of coffee is needed to get my frazzled brain cells working. I start with the YouVersion study. I’m currently doing a one-year study through the Old Testament with an online group of people, mostly from our church. Let me know if you are interested in joining us—there’s always room for one more. After I’m finished with the online study, I spend time in prayer. I have a prayer guide that I wrote for myself to keep me focused and to help me remember what and who to pray for. Sometimes I start with the Lord’s Prayer to kick things off, especially if I’m having trouble launching my prayers.