Last week was very emotional for me. I was sad that someone I respected, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated. However, the response to his murder hit me even harder. People celebrating his death and saying horrible things about him made me question our common humanity.

A friend of mine put into words what I wanted to say but was too emotionally exhausted to say. His words accurately reflect my thoughts and feelings. Please read the words of my friend, James R. Braddy.

Jesus prayed that His followers “may be one” (John 17:22-23), yet the church has struggled with division since the first century. In Romans 14–15, Paul calls believers to stop judging one another and to honor God even when convictions differ. Some ate only vegetables, others enjoyed all foods; some observed special days, others treated every day alike—each seeking to please the Lord. Pastor Steve reminded us that where Scripture is silent, we follow our own conscience but never use freedom to cause another believer to stumble. Modern debates—music, tattoos, alcohol, parenting, politics—mirror those ancient tensions. Unity, not uniformity, shows the world Christ’s love and invites us to build each other up in peace.

Back in the 1960s there was a show called The Time Tunnel, about a man who built a machine to travel back in time—though he never knew where he would end up. One day he might find himself in the middle of the French Revolution, the next at a 1920s party suddenly raided because of prohibition.

That show made me wonder: what if prayer could be a kind of time travel? Most of us move so quickly through life that we rarely pause to appreciate what God has already done.

Time tunnel prayers aren’t about wishing for the “good old days.” They’re about remembering how God has been present in every season of our lives, even when we didn’t realize it.

What might you discover if you took your own trip through the time tunnel?

In Romans 13, Paul challenges us with the principle of respecting governing authorities. All authority ultimately comes from God, and while we may not always agree with leaders, we are called to honor their role in maintaining order. Paul reminds us that the government’s role is to protect society, and even paying taxes is part of being a good citizen. Yet, when human laws conflict with God’s higher law, Scripture gives examples of faithful disobedience. Above all, we are urged to pray for our leaders so that we may live peaceful and godly lives. As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the world, engaging society with honor and faith.

Over the last few years, I’ve become painfully aware of inflation. Almost everything from groceries to real estate has gone up in price.

But one thing hasn’t: encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Many people carry heavy burdens, and your words of encouragement might be what helps them through a tough stretch of life.

In Part 11 of our When In Romans series, Pastor Steve shared how we are called to be the light in a world full of darkness. From Romans 12, Paul gives us practical ways to shine: offer our bodies as living sacrifices, renew our minds daily, and live securely in our God-given identity. He reminds us that the church is like a body—unified, diverse, and stronger when every part is working together. Paul also lays out what love looks like in action: sincere, generous, patient, and peace-seeking. When we live this way, we don’t just talk about light—we become it.

At 27 years old, I was working at a church in Northern California, and it wasn’t going well. When the church eventually let me go, I was almost relieved. My wife and I moved to Santa Cruz, where she quickly found work, and I started collecting unemployment. We lived near one of my favorite surf breaks, and soon I was surfing every day, sometimes twice a day. At first, it felt like living the dream—coffee, waves, naps, and long surf sessions. But after several months, my happiness began to fade. I discovered something unexpected about all play and no work…

This past Sunday, we welcomed Pastor Darrel Larson, founder of Give Clean Water. He reminded us through Mark 6 that God can do extraordinary things when we simply offer what we have—just as Jesus fed thousands with five loaves and two fish. Darrel also shared the story of how Give Clean Water began in Fiji and has now provided access to clean drinking water for over 29 million people worldwide. Through Pacific Life Church’s support, two villages in Fiji experienced life-changing results: improved health, reduced medical costs, and children back in school. The challenge for us is clear: use what we have, love our neighbors, and live as part of “Team Sheep” (Matthew 25). Join us this Sunday as we resume our series When In Romans.

Costa Rica has long been a favorite destination for our family. On one trip, after helping a pastor with a mission project, we returned from dinner to find our rental car broken into — and our surfboards stolen. The pastor told us we’d never see them again, but I chose to pray with my son Stevie, asking God to do what seemed impossible.

The next morning, as we were leaving town, Stevie suddenly spotted something on the road that made us turn the car around. What followed was an unforgettable series of events that left no doubt in our minds that God sees us, cares for us, and still works miracles today.

In Romans 9–11, Paul walks us through Israel’s past, present, and future, showing that even when people are unfaithful, God remains faithful. He reminds us that salvation doesn’t come by heritage or works but through faith in Christ alone. While many in Israel stumbled over Jesus as the Messiah, God extended His promise to the Gentiles as well. Paul assures us that God has not abandoned Israel—His promises are unshakable, and His call can never be withdrawn. These chapters remind us to trust God’s faithfulness, share the Good News, and continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning and the surf was up. My son Stevie and I had plans to go surfing, and we went through our usual pre-surf routine — wetsuits on, sunscreen applied. I reached for my wax, ready to prep my board, when I realized… I had forgotten the most important thing — my surfboard! Stevie couldn’t believe it.

For surfers, the board is essential — without it, you’re not surfing. The mix-up made me think about what’s essential in the Christian life. It may not be just one thing, but it’s definitely not a long list either…

In Romans 8:15-39, Paul reminds us of the incredible blessings we have in Christ — freedom from fear, adoption into God’s family, and an eternal inheritance. The “Romans Road to Salvation” lays out the simple, powerful truth of the gospel and why following Jesus is life-changing. Even when we face suffering, we can endure with hope, knowing that our present trials are nothing compared to the glory ahead. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us when we don’t know what to pray. And nothing — not hardship, death, or even the powers of hell — can separate us from God’s love.

Have you ever prayed with all your heart, only to feel like your words disappeared into the sky? We’ve all had moments when it seemed like heaven was silent. But what if God was doing something behind the scenes that you couldn’t see?

The Bible tells us there’s a “holy conspiracy” happening every time we pray — one that involves more power and love than we realize. And sometimes, the answers don’t come the way we expect… yet they turn out to be more miraculous than we imagined.

In Romans 8, Paul delivers one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture: “There is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” After acknowledging his personal struggle with sin in chapter 7, he shows us the hope and freedom found in Christ. We are no longer bound by guilt or shame—Jesus has already done the heavy lifting. With the Spirit living in us, we’re free to live with peace, purpose, and power. Pastor Steve encouraged us to be mindful of what we allow into our hearts and minds, inviting the Holy Spirit into every part of our lives.

Have you ever burned a relational bridge only to realize you might need it later? The story of Jephthah in Judges 11 is a powerful reminder of that. After being rejected by his half-brothers because of his mother’s past, Jephthah fled and built a new life, even gaining a reputation as a strong warrior. But when Israel was under attack, those same brothers came back asking him for help. Swallowing their pride wasn’t easy—but it was necessary. At first, Jephthah was hesitant, but after setting new boundaries, he agreed and led them to victory. Sometimes, the very bridges we’ve burned are the ones we’ll need to cross again.

In Part 7 of our When In Romans series, Paul gets honest about his inner battle with sin—something we can all relate to. Even he admits, “I want to do what is right, but I don’t.” This message, The Struggle Is Real, reminds us that while the law reveals our sin, only Jesus can free us from its power. The fight between flesh and spirit is real, but we are not condemned. Join us this Sunday as we continue with Romans 8, a chapter full of hope and freedom.

I did a Google search and discovered that the phrases “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” are recorded 70 times in the Bible. Fear can be a healthy emotion if it keeps us safe from danger. However, all too often fear inhibits us from living the courageous lives God has called us to live. In fact, if we give in to fear, it can make our world very small and ultimately put a lid on reaching our potential.

A pastor friend of mine—some of you know him—Carter Moss, gave out a bunch of what is called, "Pocket Jesus" to his congregation. My wife Karen put one in her van. The way she drives, I’m not sure if even Pocket Jesus would be safe! My admin, Maki Hagan, got a hold of a few of them and decided to strategically place them in different spaces in our church offices. I never know where Pocket Jesus is going to show up. Sometimes I get surprise attacks!

I think the big idea behind Pocket Jesus is to remind us that Jesus is always with us.

This week in When In Romans: Part 5, we finally arrived at something we’ve all been craving—relief. After weeks of hard truths about sin, the law, and human nature, Romans 5 reminds us that we are made right with God by faith, not works. Even in our suffering, there is purpose. Christ rescued us when we were utterly helpless—and now we live in the land of grace. What a beautiful relief to know that God is not our enemy… He’s our friend.

Looking back on my life, there have been many times when God met a significant need for me, our family, or our church. Sometimes God meets the need — and sometimes God shows off. It shouldn’t surprise us when God goes above and beyond in addressing our needs. Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Sometimes we don’t think big enough because we underestimate the power of God and the generosity of God.