Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff Maguire

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MessageFrom-MV2

The apostle Paul is a troublesome case for the Jewish leaders under Roman rule. He’s a Roman citizen. He’s a former member of the Jewish ultra-righteous group called the Pharisees — he was a kind of militant punisher of people “distracted” by the heretic, Jesus. But, after an inexplicable encounter with the risen Jesus, he completely rearranges his life. Jesus gives him this commission (which Paul recalls for a king when on trial):

“I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.” — ACTS 26:17-18 [MSG]

Jesus sends Paul out not merely to explain the truths about Himself. But, instead He sends Paul out to “open the eyes of outsiders.” Clearly, a lot of the language here is more visceral than simply understanding a truth about God. How will people understand Jesus’ offer of “sins forgiven” if Paul is unable to live a life rich in grace and forgiveness? How will people fully embrace the notion of “a place in the family” if Paul refuses to live with genuine familial affection toward people unwelcome everywhere else? How will outsiders gain any picture of “real living” if Paul can’t seem to model it, frequently short-changing the rich, full life of walking with Jesus for a cheap counterfeit version?

I can’t help but read my own life into the text here. I wonder about the degree to which my own life really embodies this commission — Jesus’ offer of  “eyes opened… sins forgiven… a place in the family… real living.” I’m more apt than I like to admit to ignore people who deserve care and a place at the table. I’m quick to jettison life with Jesus if it can’t keep up with my need for speed and comfort. I do understand that life with Jesus is the life God intends for us. I’m finding that it is a much greater task to live as if I actually believe it to be true.

See you Sunday,

Jeff

P.S.: I’m looking forward to continuing our relationship conversation this weekend in the BEAUTIFUL MESS series. As a reminder, this weekend we’ll pick up where we left off, talking about sexuality. Please plan accordingly if you have young kids.

Irvine

A Note From Kyle Zimmerman

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MessageFrom-IR

What is God stirring in your life this week? For me, I was challenged by the message last weekend and felt God was inviting me to step into who He created me to be by having some serious fun! Growing up, my view of God was that He was incredibly serious and would therefore want me to be incredibly serious. He never laughed or smiled, let alone smirked or laughed with me about funny things in life. It’s beautiful to continue to be challenged and have my view of God expanded, learning and discovering more about who He is and who I am.

I’ve loved meeting your friends and family who have been joining you for this Beautiful Mess series. Invite them back and join us this weekend as Doug Fields will be here for the last of three weeks on how we raise and relate to kids. And don’t forget to sign up for our relationship Fight Night.

It’s an encouraging and challenging journey we’re on, and I’m so grateful we get to do this together.

Peace…

kyle

Ocean Hills

A Note From Jeff Pries

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MessageFrom-OH

As I look out the window of my office, it is fun to see a parking lot full of cars with two women’s groups meeting on the campus today – Christine DiGiacomo, who is leading Women of Passion in the Chapel, and also a MOPS program led by Angi Soderin and Melissa Potwora. Last weekend was special as we listened to Melissa share her heart for MOPS. I love that she was able to draw from the story of Gideon; as two weeks ago God gave her a name, Courageous Leader. It’s fun to see how she is stepping out heroically in her leadership with MOPS.

This past Sunday we learned once again what being heroic can look like, and how being heroic in the Bible can look vastly different than what the world defines as heroism. We learned that being heroic can mean being honest, open and vulnerable with others and with God, ie: the story of the powerful General named Naaman, who had leprosy.

This week we’ll be looking at a wonderful passage focusing on Elijah. We’ll also be taking communion. It’s the perfect time to come and learn what it means to live heroically. We’ll also be focusing on the most heroic moment of all time – Jesus dying on the cross for all mankind.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

Jeff

Ocean Hills

Annual Read Week 8

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dailymessage-compass

We hope you are enjoying the Books of Acts and Proverbs. As we have learned in our reading this week, the start of the early church was not without its moments and trials, even what felt like failures. In Acts 18, Paul is in Corinth preaching and teaching to the Jews of the city, but he finds himself in an endless and seemingly fruitless debate. He leaves exasperated and possibly feeling defeated. However, that very night, God speaks to Paul in a dream. He tells him to keep it up no matter what anyone says or does, to stay at it and know that “ I am with you.” Paul stays for another year and a half.

Can you think of a time when you have experienced God saying, “good job, keep it up,” even though you felt like quitting?
Perhaps, you can think of a time when you wanted Him to say it and He did not.

Spend some time in prayer this week asking God how He would like to use you to share the good news of His Kingdom.

As we continue reading through Acts, gaining wisdom from the Proverbs, it’s wonderful to know and see how God uses people that don’t always have it together. It is also great to see just how reliant the early church leaders were on the Holy Spirit and what God was able to do in and through that community.

Grace and Peace,

Cole Beshore

Ocean Hills

A Note From Jeff Pries

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MessageFrom-OH

As we continue in the series Heroes, last week was great as we talked about the idea of seeing ourselves like God sees us, and not how we are seen by others, or how we see ourselves. I felt like last week was a powerful moment for us as a church. It was inspiring to see people heroically stand up and share the new name that God had given them. Many people either did not have the opportunity to share, or did not feel like God had given them a name at that very moment. So, if that’s you – we want to give you the opportunity to share your name. Please feel free to reply to this email and share the name that God has given you, and why you feel God has called you to that name. Or, you can email it to us.

We’ll continue to learn this week about what it means for us to live a heroic lifestyle. We look forward to seeing you.

Take care,
Jeff

Huntington Beach

A Note From Caleb Anderson

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MessageFrom-HB

The USA medal count in Sochi is modest, but YOU can still be a hero. Pick up a gift for your loved one for Valentine’s Day. It’s Friday. You’re welcome.

Also, sign yourself up for FIGHT NIGHT. It will be an awesome date night filled with humor and insight about how to fight fair and develop great communication. Details are below.

And then I’ll see you on Sunday for an important message. I’m titling it “How to Get a Divorce.”

Invite somebody. It could be a game-changer for present or future relationships. (If you want to read ahead, look at 1 Corinthians 13.)

See you soon…

caleb

Listen and pass along recent messages here.
Give to Mariners HB here.

Mariners Church, Mission Viejo

A Note From Jeff Maguire

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MessageFrom-MV2

It is one of my great hopes — passions really — that we would be a church of people who are committed to reading the Bible. So many people have their image of God shaped by everything except the Bible. Yes, the Bible is occasionally confusing. Yes, God appears to do things that don’t make sense. And, yes, without context some of it can be a bit tedious. But, the broadly sweeping story of God is one in which He longs to rescue people out of captivity (whatever that might be) leading them into wholeness, becoming the people He intended them to become. We miss that story when we only read the Bible in excerpted form.

We may hear about God’s goodness from something quoted to us. We may hear about Jesus’ life during a Sunday sermon. We may get wise insight on how to live from a devotional website. But, generally, we aren’t forced to wrestle with the difficult stuff of the Bible when we encounter it in tiny chunks. Our faith grows when it is stretched. We need to ask big questions and wrestle with weighty doubts. I want us to be a church where people can own their faith — not with arrogance but with humble confidence — with a persistent heart for people who don’t yet know the full story of God’s great love. Let’s read together. Pick up a Daily Message at the bookstore or download the mobile app.

Last week, I mentioned something in my note about the “mobile-app” version of the Daily Message (Mariners’ daily Bible reading plan). A number of people either stopped me and asked about it on Sunday or called the church to ask about the mobile app. So, let me walk you through the process of downloading the mobile plan for reading your Bible on an Apple device. I know many of you do not have an Apple (iOS) device. But, the process should be virtually the same for those of you with Android and Windows smartphones as well.

  1. Visit the app store and search: “YOUVERSION.” Then, add the app to your phone.
  2. Open the app and search: “PLANS”
  3. In plans, search: “DISCIPLESHIP JOURNAL’S BOOK AT A TIME”
  4. Start your reading. 

MV-readings

See you Sunday,

Jeff