For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
– EPHESIANS 2:10

I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw this picture. I grabbed it from the Reuters website under an article heading: “Selfie madness: too many dying to get the picture.”

Seriously?

The article continues:
“The selfie has also inspired a spate of risk taking and offensive public behavior, pushing the boundaries of safety and decorum, whether by dangling from a skyscraper or posing with live explosives. Several governments and regulatory bodies have now begun treating the selfie as a serious threat to public safety…” (emphasis mine).

Everyone loves the idea of positioning themselves in front of a spectacular background. We’re so vapid by ourselves — our faces aren’t enough. Shouldn’t there be something dangerous or foolish to make our photos “pop?” Shouldn’t there be something to make us, pop? Consider this tidbit from the Reuters article: “In Yellowstone National Park exasperated officials issued warnings after five separate selfie takers were gored this summer while standing too near bison.” How humiliating is that story for the teller? Imagine trying to explain to everyone who asks about the injury you got on vacation whilst photobombing herd animals?

Two things jump out at me. First, this is funny. I mean, it’s tragic. But… Who would ever put themselves in mortal danger to get a little extra attention? Wild animals are wild. They’re dangerous. Everyone knows that. Look at this guy! (Me, in Africa 2013).

Secondly, this might not simply tell a tale of vanity and self-entitlement. At the surface, it certainly feels like the epitome of self-aggrandizing behavior now expected from our world. But, this points to something else within our globally interconnected cyber-culture. All of this selfie-hysteria could indicate a deeper more serious belief about us: a pervasive belief that we’re just not enough on our own. People risking their lives for a picture has a subtext. It’s about them wondering if there were no background, no inherent danger, or wildness, would the picture matter at all?

I guess, it’s what we all wonder in our darkest and stillest moments. “If there were no impressive backdrop to my life, would I be enough?,” we all ask. The Bible says, unequivocally, “yes.” You and I, we are God’s “handiwork” his “masterpiece,” or more tellingly his “poema” (Greek for “creative work”). Jesus’ ministry had this notion firmly planted in the core of his message and his miracles. People are the work of a majestic God, born with the dignity of bearing his image. Jesus would move toward people mired in the fringes of society, longing for meaning and significance. His work was to restore what had been lost — to remind people that they are, indeed, the Father’s masterpiece.

So, while the selfie and its virtually unassailable selfie stick are unlikely to vanish from our world anytime soon, at least we can do our best to remember that we — without any additional adornment, achievement, or accolades — are enough… enough to be loved and cherished.

See you Sunday,
Jeff

He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. -PSALM 18:19

New shoes. Fresh haircuts. Unblemished backpacks. Nervous anticipation. New hopes. Fresh starts. School is back. The world once again starts talking about “normal” life. Run down pool toys, broken goggles, and busted beach chairs are being thrown away. Our “normal” rhythm is on the horizon. I’m sure we’re only a few weeks away from Christmas ads and Black Friday promos — as if that were normal. But, even amid all the familiarity of returning to “the way things usually are” there is, beneath it all, a sense of low-grade dread.

Somehow we sense that the last vestiges of space and relaxation are gone. We wonder, looking back now on the summer: Did I really get enough rest to recharge myself for what’s ahead? Soon, we’ll be looking to that semi-mythical idea of a “spacious place” to which God can bring us. In the eighteenth psalm, the psalmist writes about being “rescued” into such a place. It’s as if the idea of space can only become real through the divine intervention of God’s own hands.

One writer once said that “Space is freedom.” When we talk about space, we’re talking about being unencumbered and unconfined. It’s what we all long for, but only rarely seem to find. In one sense, the season of “space” is winding down. But, that doesn’t undermine the necessity of it — particularly at the soul-level. I’m often surprised by how hungry, tired, lonely, and trapped we all are. In truth, yet, God does intend to give to us a freedom into space, that “spacious place.”

This Sunday, we’ll give people the opportunity to step into the great expanse of God’s love and freedom in a very specific way. We’ll give people the chance to say “I believe,” discovering and declaring that “God [in Jesus] is indeed a ‘spacious place.’” The wall, now down (The scaffolding will still remain for a few more weeks while the work is finalized), epitomizes the work God intends for us: to break down the things that divide and confine, the things that isolate and dehumanize. This Sunday will be one of great courage and great hope. Pray about who you’ll Invite: people who are longing for the wide, sweeping freedom only Jesus can give.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

A meeting for any mom with children of any age (preschool through career) who wants to pray with other moms for their children and their schools. Aunts and grandmas welcome! For more info, contact Karen Smith, smithclan5@sbcglobal.net

Moms In Prayer “Prayformational” Dessert Meeting
Thu, Sep 10, 7-8:30p, MCMV

“Comfort is not given to us when we are lighthearted and cheerful. We must travel the depths of emotion in order to experience comfort— one of God’s most precious gifts.”
– STREAMS IN THE DESERT

I was reminded this week of one of my favorite all-time YouTube clips. The clip features a Norwegian explorer named Aleksander. He’s essentially a professional adventurer. He’s summited Everest (He literally holds the record for the being the recipient of the world’s highest altitude tattooing. I guess a photo of the climb wasn’t a good enough momento). He hang glides, jumps out of airplanes, eats all his meals from street vendors, and reads James Joyce novels as something light to take in before bed. (I’m not sure about that one, but it’s probably true.)

In the clip, Aleksander is making his way across the frozen desert of Antarctica to the south pole… Alone. The clip opens with the words “dag 86” (Day 86) in the lower left third. He’s lost almost 55 pounds. He’s endured this journey without anyone else. Along the way, he’s jettisoned both unnecessary things that encumber his journey and things he might need or want at a later time. So, on the outbound journey, he would leave an assortment of stuff, then mark it on a GPS so that he could recover it on his return trip. By day 86, he’s undoubtedly forgotten which things he’s placed at which return-trip caches. With a camera in one hand and the other rifling through plastic bags and storage containers he searches through the things he’s left behind. Cold, tired, and alone he finds the greatest of comforts in the most surprising of things — a bag of cheese doodles. Cheese puffs. Cheetos.

He screams with glee: “Ja! Jaaaaaaaaa!” He pauses as if to see if there happened to be anyone else there to celebrate with him. Recognizing that he is in the most inhospitable place on earth, and then, as if he’s whisked back to reality, finding no one else around, he screams again. Joy. Soon after that, in a flurry
of Norwegian words that are punctuated by more “ja’s,” he finds a chocolate bar and some Mentos. He laughs with glee. He shouts. He falls over with joy.

In his life, he has undoubtedly encountered these rather unglamorous snacks before. How many times has he walked out of a grocery store cooly unaffected by a pack of Mentos stacked neatly and adjacent to the tabloids. But, in a moment of desperation and loneliness, where there is only a snow-white wasteland around him, those unsophisticated truck stop snacks brought an unbridled joy.

“Comfort is not given to us when we are lighthearted and cheerful…”

It is impossible to comfort someone who is not wounded, discouraged, alone, or fearful. Comfort is often a response to the simplest of things — things often overlooked as insignificant, imperfect, or unneeded. Yet, at the right time, in the right circumstances, there can be no greater gift: a small kindness, a word of encouragement, a silent co-sojourner in seasons of grief, a thoughtfulness, a smile — all of them can birth a spring of joy where there was only a desert.

Take a look at the clip here. I dare you to not smile while you watch it.

See you Sunday,
Jeff

Help students in need in our Mission Viejo Community start the year off right! Pick up a supply list from the patio this weekend (or visit our website). Turn in your donation at the collection bins on the patio at Mariners Church Mission Viejo during the weekend services: Aug 2, 9, 16 & 23.

Coming up…
Sorting Party
Join us for a sorting party with pizza, music and organizing supplies!
Sun, August 23, after the 11a service
For more info contact Maher, msalhani@marinerschurch.org

Wow! God has been moving in HUGE ways in our High School Ministry over the last year, and so much of that work was felt in the last couple of weeks.

We were able to take nearly 100 students to summer camp from our campus this year, which is almost THREE times as many as we took last year. That means THREE times as many students were able to experience Jesus, the beauty of His church, and His transformative power in their lives! THAT is something worth celebrating.

This huge growth was largely because of the generosity that our church community poured out, making it possible for us to offer camp for only $99 for every student. It is also because God has been exponentially growing the hearts of our students, our leaders, and our families to care about the thousands of high schoolers who aren’t yet connected to Jesus or a church community. It has been SO cool to see our community reach out and invite friends to camp and to church like never before!

On Wednesday night, we had a night of worship and baptisms at the beach, where we got to baptize 20 students, take communion together, sing songs of worship, and enjoy each other’s friendship. It was SO cool to see the number of friends and family members who came out to love and support those getting baptized. It was truly a beautiful picture of God’s love in action.

If you’d like to catch a glimpse of the life-change happening in our High School Ministry, please check out our Facebook page and you can also see a recap video from our summer camp here.

Also, don’t forget to keep praying for our Junior High Ministry, which is taking over 100 students to their summer camp this Monday through Friday. We know that God is going to keep doing unbelievable things in their lives over this next week and beyond, and we want to join Him through prayer! We can also pray for all of the leaders – that their beds would be extra comfy, their coffee would be extra caffeinated, and that they would all have a supernatural, Spirit-given sense of peace and energy to carry them through the week.

Much love and God’s blessings to all of you! It is so fun to get to do life together.

Jordan Maslyn, High School Pastor

Join us as we walk and pray for Saddleback College students/faculty/staff and the next generation! Meet at MCMV parking structure by 1st floor elevators at 8:30a and walk to campus. For more info and to sign up, click here.

Saturday, August 15, 8:30-10a

Summer Park Play Days are an opportunity to gather as a community, grow friendships among our children and fellow moms, and enjoy the summer together. Invite a friend or neighbor and join us from 10a-noon at the following locations. For more info, contact Erin, erincstone@hotmail.com

Thursday, August 20, Central Park (30842 La Mirada, Rancho Santa Margarita)

“Never pray for an easier life— pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power— pray for power equal to your tasks. Then doing your work will be no miracle— you will be the miracle.”  – STREAMS IN THE DESERT

I recently joined a gym. As far as gyms go, it’s about as warm and welcoming as any could ever be. People high-5 each other. Everyone gets greeted warmly. New people (me) are enfolded quickly into the group. The coaches are patient and encouraging.

Nevertheless, it’s still intimidating. People who look like they ate the Incredible Hulk for breakfast bench press Volkswagens and bend rebar beams into neat little v’s. Me? I’m content to hang out by the water cooler and stretch… a lot. Hydration and flexibility —  that’s what I’m all about. But, that’s not really true. I just don’t want to be seen failing at lifting the things that are decidedly not-heavy for everyone else.

It’s in that space, somewhere between what I want to accomplish and what I can do at present where my own character gets revealed.

I want the end of the journey. I want to stand atop the mountain, plant a flag in the soil, and claim it as my own. You can keep the trial, the heartache, and the frustration that accompanies the rest of the journey.  I want an easier way. Then, usually in the seconds before I start my workout I discover there isn’t one. There’s only one way. The hard way.

Long ago, the tasks that those superhuman-Marvel-action-figures who belong to my gym can now do with relative ease were at one time impossible. The only way they got strong was by attempting things that were on the outer limits of their abilities. They pushed. They struggled. They felt insecure. They failed. Eventually, however, they triumphed. And… on the other side of every one of their triumphs lay another challenge, greater than its predecessor.

I know the workout/faith analogy has a few shortcomings. But, it’s not without merit. The August 3rd reading from STREAMS IN THE DESERT reads: “Never pray for an easier life— pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power— pray for power equal to your tasks…” No one ever really got stronger by praying that gym weights would weigh less than they do, thus requiring less effort (I know this from experience:  I’ve been fervent in this fruitless prayer every time I attempt a workout). The faithful pray for power to overcome. In overcoming new strength rises and a new person is formed.

The response from our current teaching series (OH! THE PLACES WE’LL GO) has been amazing. I’ve talked with a number of people who are facing big challenges. I chatted with others who are just coming through them. I received emails from people detailing their own story of being invited by someone to come to Mariners MV. Continue to be the great, warm welcoming inviters that you are. Let’s go on the courageous journey of faith together always looking to include those unconnected, weary and lonely, tackling the trials head-on, praying for strength, overcoming, and being transformed in triumph.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

New to Mariners? Not yet a part of Rooted or a Life Group? These gatherings will help you take your next step beyond the weekend service. Join us for a time of music and discussion led groups that look back on the previous Sunday’s message. This is a great way to meet new friends and get more connected at church. For more info, click here or contact Mike, mkenyon@marinerschurch.org

Thursdays, July 23-August 6, 7-8:30p, Upper Room