“Dear friend, God may send you some valuable gifts wrapped in unattractive paper.” — from Streams in the Desert

We moved on Monday. It’s yet to become home to us. We’ve spent every night there since Monday. So, I say “moved” only to indicate that all the stuff that was once at our house in Irvine has made its way to our new house in Mission Viejo. It’s all there. All of it. So much of it.

In surveying all the things that wound up in a pile in our garage — a pile reminiscent of a hamster habitat complete with wrong turns and hidden dangers — we started wondering why we we boxed, taped, and moved so many broken, unusable, and unsalvageable things to a new house. Tomorrow a new dumpster (our third one) will arrive… because we have MORE stuff that must be thrown away.

In one dusty box that I nearly tossed immediately into the dumpster (following the pattern of countless other boxes before it) I paused to look inside. In it was a relic of a bygone era: a $50 travelers’ check. Granted, I’m not sure many places would even know what to do with one. But, I have it. I almost threw it away despite its value.

Where no value was explicitly clear, there was something of value within a dusty and worn exterior. This is what mothers do. It is what God does. They see what others refuse to see. They see that there is something worthy to be loved — even if misunderstood by everyone else. To be loved for a value far greater than whatever worn out, endlessly polished, or exhausted shell in which we live, is what every heart desires. It’s what every heart needs.

So, to every mom who demonstrated to us a tiny slice of this kind of love, thank you. You see us as we are and love us all the more. This weekend we’ll honor moms, mother figures, and moms-yet-to-be. Join us as Doug Fields teaches and the patio is full of photo ops, chocolate fountains, and card-making stations. Bring your mom and any mom-type friends of yours. It’s going to be beautiful.

See you Mother’s Day,
Jeff

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14

Always.

We’re not allowed to use “always” in my house. Usually, always is part of an accusation about something someone did, based in reality, but wildly exaggerated. It is often accompanied by its twin, “never”.  We’re quick to apply the eternality of always and never when we accuse. It gives our allegations a hyperbolic power that our words need to drive our point home:

“You always take the best seat on the couch!”
“You always choose what we watch on TV!”
“You never share your stuff!”

At least, that’s what I yap at my kids from time to time. Perhaps, you are a bit more disciplined than me.

When words are used in extreme poles they can be dismissed. There are so few behaviors that are ALWAYS (or never) practiced. Our lives dictate that, practically speaking, there is never an always. So when we encounter always in the Bible, we’re quick to dismiss it. Even still, the biblical writers use it. They describe God with it — his love, his power, his presence. But, the most troubling way in which it is used is when it accompanies suffering and trial. To be clear, it’s not that suffering will always or never happen. It’s something different. There is a biblical mandate that faithful people follow in which they seem to be able to do something I have not ever been able to replicate.

The author of Psalm 71 writes these words: “…I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Always? I guess I have a hard time believing that. I’ve seen bleakness. I’ve seen despair. I’ve known some of it, too. We all have. Hope was there, but I don’t know that I could honestly apply the always-tag to it. The only time I believe in this kind of thing, is when I encounter someone whom I know who is: a) suffering and b) being honest about it. Then, I can hear them talk about hope in trial, joy in suffering, and utilizing the aforementioned everlasting words.

I know such a person. Her name is Bekah. You should read her stuff (everyone should). She’s a brilliant writer. She works on our staff. She, her husband, and their boys are in the midst of a story of trial that she has committed to share. When I talk to her, I find something that can’t be dismissed: a hope in real despair, an authentic crying out for God’s rescue. She understands something I’ve never known. I weep for them. I’m awed by her faith. I believe her when she uses words like always and never.

You can follow her journey here.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

Join Mariners Mission Viejo Men’s Ministry as we explore 6 passages in 6 weeks from the book of Mark. We’ll learn more about who Jesus is, how He interacts with His people and the love He has for us. For more info, click here.

Thursdays, Apr 30–Jun 4, 7-8a, Lobby
Thursdays, Apr 30–Jun 4, 7-8:30p, Children’s Theater

I want to talk to you about the biggest issue facing every church in Southern California…

Parking.

I know it’s a less-than-inspirational thought this week. But, it’s a critical piece of housekeeping that you need to be made aware of. Two of the three entrances to our parking lot are being resurfaced this weekend and cannot be used. So, our most popular entrance on Medical Center Dr. and the other, slightly further up on Crown Valley, at Los Altos, will be closed this Sunday. Please plan on a little extra patience as well as a few extra minutes to locate your favorite parking spot.

Here’s the scenario this Sunday:

From the 5, coming up Crown Valley:
Pass Medical Center Dr. and turn right into the parking lot after passing the bus stop. Follow the cones and signs into the parking structure.

From Ladera Ranch/Marguerite:
Come down Crown Valley and MAKE A U-TURN at Medical Center Dr. Then, turn right into the parking lot entrance immediately following the bus stop on the right. Look to the cones and signage to help you find your way into the parking structure.

This entrance doesn’t have a street name and is difficult to locate on a Google map. So, we’ve overlayed some directions on a map depicting this change below. Thanks for your patience this Sunday. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Help us by spreading the word. Make sure all the people you’re so good at inviting are made aware, too.  Sometimes, it only takes an unexpected frustration or inconvenience to keep someone from coming to church.

Thanks for your understanding.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

Extra patience required this Sunday as the entrances off of Los Altos and Medical Center Drive will be closed. Please allow a few extra minutes to get to church and plan to enter from Crown Valley Parkway. The good news is all parking lots as well as the structure will be open!

Thank you for your understanding.

Help Families Forward by partnering with a local grocery store to collect food donations outside of the store. If you or your life group are interested, contact Meghan & Eric Rodriguez at mclancyrodriguez@yahoo.com or 949-697-3836

Sat, Apr 25, 9a-3p, 2-4 people per 2 hour shift
Sun, Apr 26, 11a-3p
Walmart (near Alton/Technology in Irvine)

Join us at Big Air Trampoline Park in your wackiest pajamas! (Did someone say “onesies”??) Dodge ball, jousting, slam dunking, foam pit flipping – don’t miss it, and don’t let your friends miss it! More info online and register.

Friday April 24, 7-9p, $20
Big Air Trampoline Park
23251 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills

Come as you are to study the the Book of Mark with women in our community. Click here.

Tuesdays, April 14-June 2
6:30-8p, no cost, MCMV Upper Room

This past Sunday, I was reminded of the simple beauty of a life transformed by Jesus. Our lives are undeniably busy, crazy, complicated, and important. We struggle with identity: wanting to know if the person we are is the person we “ought” to be. We wonder about the love we experience and we wonder about the love we long for. We have pain. We are familiar with sadness and sorrow. We see and know momentary happiness, while not-so-secretly wondering if there’s a little more of it somewhere else. But, amid all of it, there’s Jesus. He is forever calling us, inviting us back to Himself to the place where the most potent of life’s anxieties are addressed in gentle, but powerful love. It is Jesus’ love which is most transformational. It’s His love poured out on the cross, victorious in resurrection, that meets us in our troubled now. That love — undeniable, unpredictable, unexpected — changes us. The world, at least for the time being, will still be the world as it is: rife with confusion and bewilderment. But, it is Jesus who has the capacity to change our confusion into awestruck wonder.

Foremost among the forms and symbols of that wonder is baptism. Vast and mysterious, yet personal and understandable, being immersed in water then raised again, the eminence of God meets the very human us. Baptism communicates what is often lost in the shortcomings of language. It is the definitive picture of a life reset.

This quote from our Facebook page sums it up well:

“A little over a year ago a few friends of ours invited us to Mariners MV. I was feeling overwhelmed with life and knew something needed to change. I didn’t know it at the time but the answer I was looking for was Jesus. This year I have been loving life while learning how to follow Jesus. Today I was baptized! It was an amazing day!”

I’m honored to be a part of the work God is doing at Mariners MV. Join us this week as Doug Fields will be teaching from God’s Word and Kanji Mbugua, from our partner church in Nairobi Kenya, will be leading us in worship. It will be a great weekend to include friends and neighbors longing for a fresh understanding of God’s great love for us.

See you Sunday,
Jeff