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.

When I was younger, I struggled with letting go of anger, often feeling that justice wasn’t enough—I wanted revenge. A fishing trip with my wife to my childhood secret spot led to unexpected trouble, landing me in court for trespassing. Though the charges were initially dropped, my anger got the best of me, and a rash phone call put me right back before a judge. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: revenge only makes things worse, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is just let it go.

Several years ago, I found myself speeding through the streets of Managua, Nicaragua, with my missionary friend Troy Doudy, who was running red lights without hesitation. When I asked him why, he simply said, “If we stop, someone will hijack our car at gunpoint.” That moment stuck with me, not just because of the danger, but because I realized how much our minds work the same way. When we stop at the wrong mental intersections, our thoughts get hijacked, taking us places we never intended to go.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to a member of our congregation who as far as I'm concerned is a VIP and MVP. Maki Hagan is the administrator of Pacific Life Church, but she is so much more than that. I hope you will take the time to read this interview because you need to know this amazing woman! Ladies and gentlemen, with no further ado, may I present to you, Maki Hagan! 

Recently I was in a zoom meeting with several pastors. Mike Chong Perkinson, our superintendent, invited us to the meeting. Mike wanted to check in with us and see how everyone was doing. At some point in the meeting Mike said he had some words for us that he felt the Lord impressed upon his heart to share with us. Before I tell you what he shared with us you need to know that Mike is overseeing a lot of discouraged pastors. The post covid world has not been kind to most churches.

Friendship is a precious gift, as timeless as the love for the sitcom Friends, which inspired my daughter-in-law Jessica’s wedding theme. Just like the characters on the show, real-life friendships come with ups and downs but enrich our lives immeasurably. As Proverbs reminds us, true friends stick by us through all kinds of weather, making life’s journey sweeter and more meaningful. This new year, take a moment to reflect on your friendships—rekindle, repair, and cherish the bonds that make life brighter.

Click bait is a daily reality for those of us who go online. Everyone is vying for our attention. The algorithms quickly figure us out and give us what we want. Before we know it we are stuck in our own echo chambers viewing the world through a reality that we created. The reason I bring it up is because whether we want to admit it or not we are being influenced by the click bait we respond to. As followers of Jesus we should be on a mission to see the world the way Jesus saw it and still sees it. Jesus was not influenced by the world but rather was on a mission to save the world.

Every December, I take time to pray and ask God for a word to guide me through the upcoming year—a tradition inspired by a friend who shared her experiences with this practice. Over the years, I’ve come to see how these words—like “Believe” in 2020 or “Trust” in 2024—perfectly align with the challenges and blessings I encounter. Writing them down has helped me reflect on God’s faithfulness and wisdom, even when the meaning of the word wasn’t clear at first. And my word of the year for 2025 is, drum roll please…