All kindergarten-5th grade kids are invited to be part of the Port Mariners Kids Christmas Choir and sing in church on Sunday, December 13, at both the 9a & 11a services. Kids must register and attend the two mandatory rehearsals on Wednesday December 2 & 9 from 6-7p in order to participate. Register online here. Questions? Email Christina at cswanson@marinerschurch.org

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.​​  Psalm 95:2 (NIV)

Tears. Joy or sadness, suffering and pain, exuberance and hilarity; a salty liquid response to the array of emotions we often experience sometimes even in a matter of moments.

I used to say I wasn’t a “crier.” I would still like to think that, however, my closest friends have recently begun to tease whenever I share stories about Mariners MV… “Oh, yeah. Don’t mind her. She cries when she talks about our church.”

Three years ago I moved to Orange County for a career position I had accepted. My best friend from college lived here, and her roommate invited us to check out Mariners MV when she heard I was looking for a church community to call home.

The first weekend I attended a service I was overwhelmed in the best way. I felt immediately welcomed and invited in, even before I stepped inside. A woman roughly my age was walking from the parking lot at about the same time. She hurried a bit to grab my attention—she just wanted to compliment me on the boots I was wearing, and we started to chat on the way in. From our small talk she discovered it was my first time at Mariners MV so she made sure to show me the coffee area and where to sit so I had the best view of the stage (remember, there was still a wall in the middle of the room).

I began to watch the seats fill in around me as people walked in. There were individuals of all ages and life stages, hugging and laughing and worshiping together.

As I watched this community in front of me, I started to cry.

It was hard to get the words out as I sang through the tears, “Thank you Lord,” I whispered.

Over the last three years since that day, I have been blessed to spend time as a volunteer on the youth ministry teams and recently transitioned to a staff position on the Mariners MV team. My story inside these walls has had the full range of tear evoking emotions, and I know so many of us could say the same for reasons similar or perhaps opposite.

During this time of year, we pause as a church family to share our stories – stories of gratitude and generosity, loneliness and trial, joy and restoration, thankfulness and hope. Next week we will gather on Thanksgiving Eve to reflect and worship together. I encourage you to invite a friend to experience the same thing we experience when we come—a church family. Come rest in thankfulness with us this week.

See you on the patio,

Kasaundra

“…the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
ROMANS 8:6

In the last year or so, my family reached a milestone: every member of the Maguire household can tie their own shoes. My youngest, not wanting to expend any unnecessary energy (as if there’s a shortage in his life) or waste any time, will often ask for help in this effort. However, he can do it. And, the more he does do it, the better he’ll get at it.

What is peculiar about this shoe-tying phenomenon, however, is that every member of my family does it differently. The result is roughly the same. But, the way each one of us gets to that end is different. That being said, if shoe-tying is evaluated on the ability of the laces to remain tied over time, each of us get different grades. The boys seem to suffer with the least success in knot-longevity.

In recognizing this reality, and feeling insecure about something that should have been mastered a long time ago, I attempted to learn a new way to tie my shoes. At 6 years old, learning a new way to tie shoes is simply just learning. At 39, however, this is a monumental effort to overcome countlessly repeated “rabbit around the tree and through the hole” moments over the past decades. This repetition has been cemented to become the way I do it. After about 5 attempts at a new method, I gave up. My way is my way. I’d rather re-tie my shoes than learn a new way. Too hard. I’m not interested.

This, I think, is how many of us have come to understand our own lives and the challenge that comes in any transformation journey. We can recognize that there may be a better way, a new way, a way that may make more sense, but there is a comfort in our way. No matter the cost, we have a natural gravity toward our present way of being. That gravity is hewn into a pathway within our minds, grooved into our subconscious until it becomes part of us. To even consider an alternative means, at least marginally, a re-wiring of who we are. So, we equally long for and fear transformation… even if we know we need it.

This Sunday as we continue in our TRANSFORmeD series, we’ll talk about transformation and where the early evidence of God’s supernatural work to change us is found — in our minds. Bring anyone who’s ever been stuck in “a way” and can’t seem to find a way out.

See you soon,

Jeff

P.S. For those of you longing for a solution to your poorly tied shoes, here’s a three-minute TED talk from a few years back.

Author and inspirational speaker, Anne Hjelle, shares her survival story of a mountain lion attack. Register online or at the door. Contact Wendi with questions, wkato@marinerschurch.org

Sun, Nov 8, 7p, $10, Mariners Mission Viejo Lobby

I got a great picture of the Church this past week. It’s a perfect example of being “in the community for the community.” I was inspired:

Two nights ago, I heard a knock during dinner. It was John. He lives a few doors down. His son and mine have become fast friends. As I opened the door, John peered through the window to our dinner table. He saw we had guests over. It was obvious he felt the imposition he may have been making. Nevertheless, he motioned for me to come outside as he asked for some “pastorly” advice.

“Ok. Sure, John. What is it?” I say.

After closing the door and making our way outside, away from curious ears, John explained to me about his neighbor. She’s elderly. Her husband died about a year ago. And, for the past few years, as her husband’s health was on the decline, John has helped around the house. To this day, he helps carry in groceries. He does a bit of handy-man work when needed. He takes her trash out to the curb every week. Apparently, she gave him the moniker “Good Neighbor John.” John explained that she’s recently received some tragic health news. It’s serious. Hospice care has been called.

I nod.

“What am I supposed to say?” he asks. His furrowed brow and deeply concerned eyes say a lot.

He’s like so many of us (myself included) — afraid he’s not going to be able to say the right things to a hurting person. He told me he’d written some things down that he might say to her. But, he’s frozen with the fear of not knowing how to piece together the correct words. It’s almost as if he believes what he says will make or break his relationship with this family he’s loved dearly.

“John, you don’t have to say anything specifically. You have loved her and her family for a very long time. People always wonder what they’re supposed to say in a situation like this one. You don’t have to have perfectly crafted words. Your best words have already been spoken in the compassionate love you’ve demonstrated. Let the family know you’re heartbroken at the news that things have taken a turn and that every time they hear the rattle of the trash can lids being dragged out to the curb, you’re praying for them.”

“That’s it?” He asked again.

“Yeah. John, you’re more a pastor to them than anyone has ever been. You’ve been given a great gift of compassion and love. You’re being the Church. You’re showing them Jesus. You’ll know what to do, and even what to say, if there’s something more required of you.”

Very rarely are there perfect words. But, there is always an opportunity for compassion. Given the choice between words of precision and great compassion… I hope I choose the way of “Good Neighbor John.”

See you soon,

Jeff

Come for a night of FUN.
Play some GAMES.
Win some Prizes.
Eat some Sugar.
Be there. Bring some friends.

Contact Christi for more info, cdasher@marinerschurch.org.

JHM SUGARFEST
Fri, Oct 30, 7–9p, $5 admission
Mariners Church Mission Viejo

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
– Romans 7:15

I don’t really like instructive letters. No matter what the instruction is, I resent it. I’m not sure what cataclysmic forces I might have unleashed on the world for failing to uphold my end of the numerous chain letter contracts to which I was bound in my childhood: “If you don’t send this letter to seven people, everything bad that ever happens in the future will be your fault.” (I think that was the gist of it.) I don’t even like when a writer breaks the unspoken “wall” between the pages of a book and me, the reader, telling me to do something other than continuing to read. I want to be inspired to action, not instructed to it. No matter what the instruction is, I always feel at least some sense of patronizing condescension from the author who must take a secret delight in making me do something I wouldn’t have otherwise done.

So, it is with great humility that I walk directly into my own hypocrisy and ask you to do something beyond merely reading the rest of this note. I realize many of you will continue to read without pausing to do what I’m about to ask of you. Just remember, if you don’t complete the forthcoming task, you will be responsible for every bad thing that ever happens in the future everywhere.

Ready?

Now, take ten seconds and consider at least three things everyone should do. What are the things, experiences, or practices that all human beings ought to do?

That list is likely to be wide and varied. Some of you started with basic hygiene: bathe, change your sheets, brush your teeth, etc… Others of you thought of exotic travel destinations (i.e.: Lake Mission Viejo), or lemon meringue pie, or first kisses, or roller coasters, or putting the seat up, or putting the seat down, or using the correct fork, or trying a hula hoop. Maybe, some of us veered slightly more relational in our answers: call your mother, or pick up the phone when your mother calls, or stop lying, or spend more time with loved ones, or forgive, or cry sometimes, or laugh more often, or laugh less frequently at someone else’s expense. The list could go on forever.

We’re all familiar with what we SHOULD do. Quite honestly, we’re often far more familiar with what everyone else’s list of “shoulds” looks like. Our issue is not that we are unable to determine what we’re supposed to be doing. Everyone knows broccoli is good for you, and that we SHOULD eat more of it. But, it’s gross. Ice cream is not gross. We don’t choose ice cream because we are unaware that it is a lesser health choice. We choose it in spite of what we know.

Most people — when you ask them about Jesus’ ministry — believe that he was dedicated to an agenda of better clarifying what we SHOULD all be doing. It’s not uncommon for people to reach the conclusion that Jesus’ followers are merely intent on being better at completing the long list of “shoulds” in the Bible. What is it that God is after in the Bible? Is it merely obedient robots living under the fearful threat of of punishment? Or, is God seeking something more for us that cannot ever be reached by climbing a moral ladder of shoulds or should-nots?

Just maybe the “shoulds” aren’t enough to ultimately accomplish what God wants for us in our lives.

This week, we’ll challenge this notion of should-allegiance that so many people have about the Bible. Invite friends who may have been burned out by a tradition, belief, or a practice of merely being told that they’re not doing enough right things. God wants so much more than that for us… and for them. Let’s explore it together as we continue in our series: TRANSFORMED.

See you soon,

Jeff

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  – Psalm 37:23-24

I’m always impressed with people who “delight in [God].” We’re all familiar with obedience. I have an obedient dog. Well, he’s mostly obedient. We know people who follow the rules. We know people (and dogs) who don’t. Yet, delight is a far cry from simply doing right things and avoiding wrong things. It’s more than that… and less. Delight isn’t the absence of effort. I’m sure people who delight in recreational rock climbing can tell you about effort. But, the effort comes from a deep place — a well of energetic joy sourced from something artesian and mysterious. It’s that thing that makes a person keep coming back to it — no matter the effort required.

When the Psalmist (David, in this case) writes about delighting in the Lord, he starts with the outcome of such a God-orientation — firm steps. The implication within the text is that the one who delights is guided, securely. Regardless of what a person faces, evidently God “upholds them” — so long as they delight in him. In other words, the person who draws from that well (that place where God empowers, challenges, and convicts us through the Holy Spirit ) — where our character is cultivated and delight is born, will find an inexplicable firmness in their steps. Faith (and delight for that matter) is tested when the steps ahead are not abundantly clear nor understood by all parties. In short, we’re always tested in the midst of change.

One thing I have always appreciated about working at Mariners is that I get to work with people who delight in God, no matter what challenges they seem to face. In that sense, I get to work daily with people I admire. So, I am continually reminded of this idea: God is not simply to be obeyed, but delighted in. Especially, when there are transitions and changes in our midst.

With that in mind, our much-beloved high school pastor — one who so clearly delights in God, Jordan Maslyn — will transition off our Mariners MV team. He wrote recently to the parents of our high school students:
God has made it clear to Sara and me that our current chapter in Southern California has come to a close. God has closed some doors here, and opened some doors in Richmond, Virginia (close to Sara’s family!) for us to begin our next chapter as a family. This means that we will be saying “See you later!” to so many people that we love in Orange County, and that we will not get to be physically present for the incredible work God has been doing and will continue to do in HSM.

He continues…
This ministry has thrived and grown because of the Holy Spirit, the friendships that have been built through the ministry, and the safe but challenging environment created by the small group leaders. It will be these things that continue to draw your students closer to Jesus even after we move.

Jordan and Sara have helped us to start a great ministry to high school students. I agree with Jordan that the work God began a year and a half ago will continue in the hands of capable volunteer leaders as we find the next great member of our Mariners MV staff team to lead the High School Ministry.

So, to Jordan and Sara both we bless you, in affirmation of the Psalmist:  “May the Lord make firm your steps as you delight (to an even greater degree) in him.” We love you. We will miss you greatly. I’m grateful for your heartfelt dedication to the lost, the lonely, and the forgotten. You have the heart of Jesus.

See you soon,

Jeff

P.S.: This Sunday, we’ll take a break from our TRANSFORmeD series as Doug Fields will teach in his usual, brilliant, insightful, and approachable way. That said, if you have a friend who is unsure about God, inviting them to join you as Doug teaches may be a moment that forever alters their impression about Jesus and his church.