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.

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.