Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.  Acts 13:1-3

Every day millions of households send people off to do something. Kids are sent off to school with a pat on the head, a hug and a kiss, and perhaps an encouraging word. Spouses are sent off to work with a cup of coffee in a travel mug and an “I love you.” Roommates, often unsure how much goodbye their counterparts require, offer each other a fist-bump or a knowing nod of the head. With a splash of fresh water and a full bowl of kibble family dogs are sent… wherever dogs go during their day.

In the Bible, when the church was preparing to send people to accomplish a new task ahead of them, they were “commissioned.”  It wasn’t an elaborate ceremony. There wasn’t much fanfare. It wasn’t televised. But, it mattered. There was something in the sending that made sense. It was, in many ways, an acknowledgment of work already accomplished and it was a way of affirming that the tasks ahead were indeed work set apart by God for those being sent. “Commissioning” differs from merely “missioning” people. That extra syllable “co” points to something distinctively corporate in nature. Somehow, whoever is being sent does not do so as one cast out on their own. Rather, the sending group is “in it” with the ones who are sent.

This Sunday, we’ll commission people in two ways. First, we’ll commission parents who are dedicating both themselves and their children to walk with Jesus in something we call “child dedication.” We’ll prayerfully prepare parents for the sacred work of raising kids. Then, we’ll commission one of our own pastors, Mike Kenyon as he steps out into his next step. Mike, beginning in October, will officially become the lead pastor at Voyagers Church in Irvine, California. As I talked with their elders, it was apparent from very early on, that Mike was far-and-away their front runner — and with good reason.

If you’ve been through the Rooted experience, gotten connected in a life group, sought marriage mentors, received prayer support, or found your way to Men’s or Women’s Ministry, then Mike had a hand in it. Mike is a tremendous developer of ministry volunteers. He’s a brilliant leader with a sincere heart to pursue God’s Word in a fresh way. His mind is keenly and compassionately focused on a world in need of restoration and hope. This Sunday, we’ll commission Mike and his wife, Allison, for their next adventure in ministry. We get to send them with glad and sincere hearts believing that the best is yet to come for them and for us.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

A group for moms with college or career-age sons or daughters. Experience the joy of replacing anxiety with peace and hope when you pray with other moms. Karen Smith, smithclan5@sbcglobal.net

Thursdays, Sep 17 – Thu, Dec 10, 7-8p, Mariners Mission Viejo

You’re invited to join one of our teams and help make Mariners Church Mission Viejo a welcoming and wonderful experience for everyone. We have two specific areas for you to get involved!

• Bookstore
• Offering

Contact Wendi, wkato@marinerschurch.org for more info.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  HAGGAI 2:6-7

This past week, my youngest son celebrated his birthday. He’s seven. He’ll make sure you know it, too. And in the build up to the day, he let us know that it was coming. He was not subtle. He did not drop hints about things he wanted. He constantly hammered us with his requests for birthday parties and birthday gifts. He explained to Amanda and me that he had decided he’d like to start his birthday by hang gliding, followed roller skating, while concluding our evening by dining on fish tacos.

The build up to his birthday was so obvious. It was so clear. No one could miss it. He made sure of it. But, people do forget things — even obvious things. God’s people aren’t any different. In the Bible, God is not only telling his people to remember the great things that have happened in the past, he’s telling them to anticipate something great that he has not yet done.

So, he says to his lonely people, abandoned in the wake of exile, ‘‘In a little while…’ I’m going to do something spectacular and earth-shattering: the heavens will shake and the earth will move. Get ready for it. Prepare to be amazed.”

I’m excited to be back teaching this weekend at Mariners. There is so much to get excited about. God appears to be issuing that same promise to us — that he is up to something in our midst. This fall is going to be amazing. There’s so many ways to get involved, invite new people, and take that next step in our journey of faith and community.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

Join us and bring a friend for breakfast as we discuss ways in can grow in our walk with Jesus in the coming year. We are all about building authentic friendships in a fun and relaxed environment. More info and register. Contact Eric Rodriguez, erodriguez32@gmail.com

Sat, Sep 19, 8-10a, $10, lobby
childcare available, $7/child

Holy Yoga is the intentional practice of connecting our entire being; body, mind and spirit with God. Come experience this incredible time of worship and fellowship. 100% Jesus. 100% Yoga. All levels welcome! Bring your own yoga mat. More info here.

Tuesdays, Sep 15-Oct 27, 7p, Children’s Theater, $5 suggested donation

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