A Note From Jeff Maguire

MessageFrom-MV2

I can’t pretend – at least not at the moment. As I’m working my way through Leviticus in the Daily Message, I’m not necessarily awash with inspiration. I know, I’m supposed to find every single instance of God’s Word to be brimming with personal meaning. But, if I’m honest, I’m merely working through it. I don’t remember all the specific provisions for how to properly make a grain offering for the priests. No, I can’t say I recall exactly what the priests are supposed to do with someone who suffers from an oozing skin lesion.

But, in the middle of all the regulation and unending lists of which animals with “cloven hooves” the Israelites are allowed to eat, there was this:

31“Do what I tell you; live what I tell you. I am God.
32-33“Don’t desecrate my holy name. I insist on being treated with holy reverence among the People of Israel. I am God who makes you holy and brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am God.” – Leviticus 22:31-33

In this passage he sums up all of what he intends for his people: “…live what I tell you. I am God.” In other words, “I’m the one who rescues you. I’m the one who establishes the ways in which I am to be remembered and celebrated. I’m the one who establishes how you’ll live. I’m the one who calls you to live uniquely in the world. I’m God – you’re not”.

God is so confusing. He says things I don’t like. He acts in anger one moment. He moves in compassion and mercy the next. God may hold the universe together, but He also permits a number of things to be present in the world that I wish He’d deal with in a more timely manner. But, while I might choose to challenge God in this idea – I’m not him. I don’t get to be God (though, I might try to act like it every now and again).

In everything, I’m challenged to love and serve people that God loves – even people I might not like. I’m called to live a life of obedience, even when it marks me as a bizarre outsider to the rest of the world. I’m supposed to stop play-acting God’s role in my world – even though the world is His to begin with.

This week, we continue in our relationship series called, BEAUTIFUL MESS. We’ll be challenged and encouraged. Next Sunday, March 9th, we’ll hold a healing service as we join God in restoring broken and messy relationships back to the beauty He intends.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

A Note From Jeff Pries

MessageFrom-OH

Well we are now six weeks into our series Heroes, with two more weeks remaining. We have been talking about what it looks like to live life heroically. Hopefully over the past six weeks God has put something on your heart that you want to go after, or something in your life that you want to give up, or even something in your life through God’s strength that you want to do or become. This week we are going to look at the obstacles that get in the way of our desire to live life heroically, through the life of Nehemiah. It’s a great story, you are not going to want to miss it.

Also, did you know we have built a baptism on campus? We are going to do our first baptism as Mariners Ocean Hills Church on March 30th. If you, or someone you know would like to be baptized, please let them know. I am going to do a message on Baptism on March 23rd, attending this service will be a “prerequisite” to being baptized.  Instead of having a baptism class, the whole church is going to learn what baptism is all about, so please put that down as well.

See you on Sunday, rain or shine…

Jeff

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

MessageFrom-IR

Haven’t you enjoyed the Beautiful Mess series? Wrestling with our core identity…inviting God to heal and remind us of who we are as His “dearly loved children”…becoming the loving spouses, friends, and parents God created us to be. So many of you have told me about the impact of this series on your thinking and how you are choosing to live differently as a result of what God has prompted. This weekend we’ll be concluding the series with the foundational qualities that will keep all of us aimed in the direction God has called us, and Kenton will be giving people the opportunity to say “I Believe”, declaring their intent to trust and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Don’t let a little rain distract you – invite your friends and neighbors to join us for a powerful weekend.

Tomorrow night is Fight Night! There’s still time to register and join us, or just show up and learn how to be more healthy and effective in your relational communication. More info and registration is available below.

Also, next week we begin our journey to Easter with Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of Lent, where we take time to prepare and remember the sacrifice of Jesus for each of us. For the first time, we will be hosting Ash Wednesday services in the chapel at noon and 7p. We’d love for you to join us as we journey through the Lenten season to Easter together.

Peace…

kyle

Annual Read Week 9

dailymessage-compass

We have been reading through the book of Leviticus, which at times can feel tedious, but don’t loose heart. Leviticus is written during the time when God is leading Israel through the wilderness to the promise land. It is the story of God dealing with his people, taking the initiative to be in relationship with humankind. Leviticus spells out the way in which God seeks to orient the people of Israel around the worship of God, breaking them of false gods from surrounding cultures and from their time as slaves in Egypt.

As you read, notice Gods heart for his people and what it means for them to be wholly devoted to the God that delivered them from slavery and wants to use them to bless the whole world.

Keep up the reading; we are almost onto the book of Hebrews. Remember if you fall too far behind feel free to just skip ahead to the current day.

Grace and Peace,

Cole Beshore

Fight Night w/ Drs Les & Leslie Parrott

Fight-Night_COMPASS

What Is Fight Night?
A fun event for couples of any age or stage. Filled with humor, fresh insight, and new strategies for turning conflict into a means to more intimacy, Fight Night is for everyone wanting to make a good relationship great! Couples will laugh while they learn.

Watch the video to find out more

Purchase tickets online or you can pay at the door!

Friday, February 28, 7-9:30p
Irvine Campus, now in the Community Center