Life is full of plans, but what happens when God's plans differ from ours? In the Bible, Abraham and Luke experienced life-changing shifts when they said yes to God's unexpected call. Similarly, my own carefully crafted life plans took unexpected turns when I chose to follow Jesus. Though the journey hasn't always been easy, God's plans have proven far better than anything I could have imagined.

It is our pleasure to welcome Spencer Elliott as our new Worship Leader to the PLC team. In a recent interview, he shared his professional journey, personal inspirations, and goals for the future.

How thankful are you, really? In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we’re reminded to be thankful in all circumstances, a practice that requires intentional effort—like building muscle memory. Gratitude not only aligns us with God’s will but also rewires our minds for joy, creativity, and contentment. By training our "thankfulness muscles" daily, we can embrace the blessings we have, resist envy, and live a more fulfilled life.

I’ve been a pastor for 35 years and in that time I’ve done my fair share of funerals and memorials. One of the highlights of such occasions is the eulogy. I’ve often thought to myself as the eulogy is being shared, “I wish the deceased were here to hear all these wonderful things that are being said about them.” Why wait until someone is gone to tell them how much they mean to you? I realized the importance of sharing those heartfelt words now, while our loved ones can hear them. A simple phone call to express gratitude and love can become a precious memory for both you and them. Don’t let the opportunity slip away—pick up the phone and share your “pre-death eulogy” today.

In Luke 10, we find a powerful story of two sisters, Martha and Mary, hosting Jesus in their home. While Martha busies herself with preparations, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet, soaking in His teaching. When Martha complains, Jesus gently reminds her—and us—that prioritizing His presence over distractions is the better choice. This timeless lesson challenges us to set aside life’s busyness and make room for intentional moments with Jesus, empowering us to navigate life with greater peace and purpose.

If you look at the back of our paper currency it says, “In God We Trust.” Of course a lot of people who live in our country not only do not trust God but many don’t believe in God. I think it’s great that our money says, "In God we Trust" but the bigger question for those of us who claim to have a relationship with Jesus is do we really trust God? In Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

I have a friend whose father was a very popular athletic coach at Point Loma High School, the same high school my kids attended. Although I met this coach a couple of times I never had the opportunity to really get to know him. I attended this coach's memorial service at the invitation of his daughter. I was moved by the wonderful things people said about him. One of the things said about him by one of his family members is that whenever someone hurt themselves whether on the athletic field or pretty much anywhere he would say, “walk it off.” There were lots of laughs shared about his walk it off advice but it got me thinking about the wisdom of those words.

The presidential election is next Tuesday. We are going to have a new president. As a church we do not enforce any candidates but if Jesus were running we would endorse him for sure! However our elections go, half the country will be excited about it and half the country will be upset, angry, ambivalent, crushed, or possibly relieved the whole thing is over. The bigger question is are you going to be okay?

There’s something special about the energy and enthusiasm of a college football game, and it reminds me how important it is to have cheerleaders in our lives. My wife, Karen, has always been my personal cheerleader, lifting me up when I’m feeling down. Even when we feel like we're losing, we all need someone to cheer us on, much like Barnabas did for the early church. Whether you're needing encouragement or able to give it, there's always an opportunity to be a cheerleader for someone else.

Tom Petty's song The Waiting perfectly captures the frustration of patience, something I’ve always struggled with. From childhood impatience in the backseat to adult irritation at stoplights, waiting has never been easy for me. Yet, in the kingdom of God, waiting holds deep significance—sometimes God's answer is simply "not now." Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will find renewed strength, a powerful truth that helps us endure life's delays with faith.

Fear is a natural human response, sometimes necessary to protect us, like when we encounter immediate danger. However, most of our daily fears stem from personal, relational, or global issues, often amplified by constant notifications from our smartphones. While it’s important to stay informed, too much negative input can overshadow even the best of days, elevating stress and anxiety. To combat fear, we need to embrace daily practices like prayer, scripture reading, and limiting distractions, which help us trust in God's love and live more peacefully. 

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Jesus invites Andrew and his brother Peter to come and follow him. After Andrew and Peter accept Jesus’s invitation, Jesus walks a little further down the shoreline and invites James and his brother John to follow him. They all readily accept the invitation to follow Jesus and as they say, the rest is history. I wonder how many times those disciples reflected on that moment, the moment that changed everything. Just for a moment think about some of the things you were invited to that you will forever be grateful for.

Last Sunday, my son Stevie married his beautiful bride, Jessica, and I had the privilege of performing the ceremony. Despite my best efforts to stay composed, I made a humorous mistake by asking, "Who gives this man to be married to this woman?" instead of the usual question. Everyone burst into laughter, which helped ease my emotions, and the rest of the ceremony flowed beautifully. The celebration that followed was like a taste of heaven, surrounded by loved ones, delicious food, and joyful moments that reminded me of the eternal wedding feast described in the Bible.

Growing up in church, I often heard the word "sanctified" used in sermons and Sunday School, but it wasn't until later that I fully understood its meaning—being set apart for God's purpose. Jesus emphasizes this in John 17:16-19, where He prays for His followers to be sanctified by truth. Sanctification, however, is not an instant transformation; it's a progressive process that requires the help of the Holy Spirit as we strive to live differently from the world. Throughout my own journey, I’ve experienced the challenges of sanctification, but I’ve also found joy and freedom as I continue growing in Christ.

My oldest son Steve Junior, everyone calls him Stevie, is getting married on September 15th. I could not be more happy for him and our future daughter in law, Jessica. Stevie and I are like best friends. Our love language is surfing, the Padres, and NFL football. We were Charger fans until they moved to LA, now we are 49er fans. Stevie and I have done some traveling together. We have been to Costa Rica several times, Nicaragua, Mexico, three Hawaiian Islands, and more recently Bali. Most of our trips revolved around surfing but we did missions work in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

When a friend shared her story of sending her teenage daughter to a church youth group, the unexpected conversation about identity left her concerned. In today's culture, identity issues are creating confusion, even within the church. While it's important to celebrate our differences, our primary identity as followers of Christ should remain rooted in Him. As the culture wars intensify, we must remember that our allegiance to Jesus should guide our actions and interactions, especially in challenging times.

In "The Wizard of Oz," the Tin Man longs for a heart, feeling incomplete without it. At times, I can relate to him, struggling to connect emotionally even when I know I should. The Bible warns us about the deceitfulness of our hearts and the impact of life's hardships on them. However, through Jesus, we can find healing and restore our hearts to what they were meant to be. Opening up to others and trusting in God are key steps in overcoming this "Tin Man syndrome" and rediscovering a heart that feels deeply.

In today's YouVersion devotional, I was struck by a story from Luke chapter 5 where friends of a paralyzed man go to extreme lengths to get him to Jesus. Despite the crowded house, they made a hole in the roof to lower their friend down, demonstrating incredible determination and care. This story highlights the importance of having "hole in the roof friends"—people who will go to great lengths to help us in our time of need. Reflecting on my own life, I've been blessed with such friends, and it's inspired me to strive to be that kind of friend to others.

Elijah was a prophet who faced down hundreds of false prophets in a dramatic showdown, yet soon after, he found himself isolated, exhausted, and despairing for his life. How could such a powerful man of God fall so low so quickly? In this blog post, we explore "Elijah Syndrome," the dangers of spiritual isolation, and the importance of staying connected with a supportive faith community. Join us as we discuss how Life Groups can provide the encouragement and support we all need on our spiritual journey.

A lot of people want to know their future. In their quest to know their future some go to fortune tellers or perhaps check out their daily horoscope or go to psychic mediums to get more information about their future. Personally I think it’s a gift that we don’t know our future. For instance if someone had told me when I was 15 years old that I was going into full time vocational ministry I would have run for the hills. I wasn’t ready to hear that.