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.

In Simon Says – Part 1: A Call to Holy Living, Pastor Steve introduced our new series through the letters of 1 and 2 Peter. We learned that Peter wasn’t a perfect religious hero — he was a flawed, emotional fisherman that Jesus transformed into a bold leader of the early church. Peter wrote to Christians who were suffering and reminded them that their hope, identity, and future are secure in Christ. Pastor Steve shared that trials don’t mean God has abandoned us; they’re often how God grows and strengthens our faith. We’re called to live holy lives — set apart, anchored in Jesus, and marked by sincere, deep love for others.

I had lunch today with a man who has incurable brain cancer. He looks like a blonde-haired Jesus. In fact, he looks like a picture of health. He was beaming with joy. His name is Matt Henry. Matt was living his best life at 36 years old when brain cancer struck. They gave him three years to live. That was nine years ago. I won’t go into all the details because he’s coming to our church to share his story in January.

As I listened to Matt’s story over some good Mexican food, I was struck by his love for life. Matt takes it day by day, knowing any day could be his last day. I think that’s a great way to live—but most of us don’t, including me. I mean, I try, but all too often I get bogged down by the pressures of life.

What happens when life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped and we find ourselves frustrated with God? Jonah was angry that God showed mercy to people he thought didn’t deserve it, reminding us that His grace often offends our sense of fairness. Pastor Steve shared that real faith begins when we let God be God and invite Him into our disappointment instead of running from Him. God can handle our honesty, confusion, and even anger—He just wants to meet us in it. Jonah’s story challenges us to see others through God’s eyes and to extend the same mercy we’ve freely received.

I think I can safely say most people care a lot about their image. Some people—usually high-profile people—have an image consultant. Most of us are our own image consultants. Of course, if you’re married or have a significant other, you might get some help managing your image.

Did you know that God has an image? Jesus modeled His Father’s image throughout His life. Jesus said in John 14:9 (NLT), “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” If the goal is to align our image with Jesus—and if you are a Christian, that should be the goal—what does that mean concerning how we manage our image?

In Jonah – Part 3: Second Chance, Pastor Steve shared how God’s grace gives us opportunities to begin again, even after disobedience. Jonah finally obeyed God’s call, and his second chance led to revival in one of the most corrupt cities in history. Pastor Steve reminded us that God’s discipline isn’t punishment—it’s His way of steering us back on course. When we stop being stubborn and start obeying without delay, God brings blessing and purpose into our lives. No one is beyond His reach, and His kindness is always meant to lead us toward repentance and renewal.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I would love to be able to make myself invisible. I’d like to think that I would use my superpower for good—but knowing myself, I’m sure that occasionally I might have some fun with it.

You know what’s not fun? Being invisible when you want to be visible. You want to be seen, but people look past you as if you don’t exist. What if we had the superpower to make invisible people visible? Actually, we don’t need a superpower to make that happen. There are invisible people all around us. If we open our eyes, we might actually see them.

In Jonah – Part 2: God Doesn’t Run Away from Runaways, Pastor Steve reminded us that even when we run from God, He never runs from us. From inside the fish, Jonah discovered that no place is too dark or too far for God to hear our prayers. Pastor Steve shared that prayer doesn’t require fancy words or perfect settings — it just needs honesty and humility. When we stop blaming others and submit to God’s rescue plan, He brings forgiveness and new beginnings. God’s grace is deeper than our rebellion and always ready to pull us back to shore.

I’ve always loved fruit, especially the kind that comes with summer. Back when Karen and I lived in Northern California, we were surrounded by fresh fruit stands, and the flavor was unforgettable. The Bible also uses fruit as a metaphor in powerful ways, describing qualities that reflect Christ’s character. When I think about those qualities, I sometimes imagine them shifting and changing, almost like something you might track or measure. Some seem strong one day but weaker the next, while others quietly grow in the background. It makes me wonder what it looks like to keep an eye on those changes in daily life.

We launched our new Jonah series with Pastor Steve teaching from chapter 1—a powerful reminder that running from God always costs more than we expect. Jonah fled in the opposite direction of God’s call, only to face a violent storm and three days inside a great fish. Pastor Steve explained that when we drift, we silence God’s voice, strain relationships, and pay a higher price than planned. Yet God relentlessly pursues us with mercy, sending storms and people who speak truth to bring us back. If you sense a storm in your life, consider where God might be calling you to return.

My wife Karen and I just celebrated 45 years of marriage. I still remember the day I met her like it was yesterday. She was wearing a sundress. She had a great tan and her hair was long and beautiful. The first time I saw her was on my college graduation day. I was making my way to the auditorium where the ceremony was taking place. From a distance I saw a couple of friends talking to this creature of beauty. I made a beeline toward them to get a closer look.

Guest pastor Logan Mabe closed our When in Romans series with a powerful reminder from Romans 15: it’s all about Jesus. He highlighted four key truths: Jesus is our example to follow, He is for all people, He unifies the church, and He alone gives real hope, joy, and peace. Logan urged us to keep the essentials central, hold differences with grace, and treat preferences lightly. True unity comes from Christ, not culture or style. As you reflect this week, ask where you need to lean into His example and His peace.