Temptation

Was it Eve's fault? Was it Adam's fault for not resisting the forbidden fruit? Was it really an apple that ruined it for all mankind?

In reality, none of those questions matter. The Bible doesn't tell us if it was an apple that lured in both Eve and Adam to sin. It could have been a kiwi for all we know. And it's silly to blame either one of them primarily. It was both their fault and you and I would've most likely done the same thing had we been there.

What we do need to focus on is the fact that God offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ for when we are lured into temptation that results in sin.

How do you deal with temptation?

Mayor Sanders flip-flops

Sanders changes mind on gay marriage
Mayor supports effort to overturn state ban

By Jennifer Vigil
STAFF WRITER
A tearful Mayor Jerry Sanders made a dramatic shift yesterday, explaining that he can no longer oppose same-sex marriages because he does not want to deny justice to people like his daughter, who is a lesbian. Joined at a late afternoon news conference by his wife, Rana Sampson, the San Diego mayor announced he will back a City Council decision to support same-sex marriage before the state Supreme Court, where California's ban on it awaits review. (To read the rest of the story, click here.)

I can't say I'm surprised at this latest happening in the political/gay world. I guess we should give Mayor Sanders some credit for speaking his heart on this issue. However, do we elect these officials to speak (and vote) their hearts or the hearts of the people/constituents they represent? I'm pretty sure that the majority of the people in San Diego and California still are not in favor of gay marriage. If I know my political process properly, there will still need to be a vote of the people to make this pass in California as well as San Diego.

So, the question is, "Is this really that big of a deal? If a gay couple marry does that really affect the heterosexual couples out there? That's what I hear a lot of people saying, basically just "Leave 'em alone and let them do what they want, how can we deny them their love?" (Which in a matter of words is what Mayor Sanders said.)

Whatever respect I had for Mayor Sanders just got knocked down a few notches. He is not making this decision based on moral grounds, that is Biblical moral grounds, he is making a very public decision based on emotion. If we don't have a solid ground (the Bible) from which to make decisions from, then we let our emotions sway our choices.

I believe it comes down to a basic understanding of scripture. If you believe (as I do) that homosexuality is wrong in God's eyes, then homosexual marriage is wrong in God's eyes. It is important to remove this issue from the emotional, "But I know someone who is gay and really love them" type argument into what God has to say about it. Otherwise it's just one person's view against another's.

What do you all think? What implications does Mayor Sanders decision have for us here in San Diego?






Here is a little bit of humor in the midst of these heated and often emotional debates of the gay marriage issue. The gay population has managed to kidnap both the word "gay" and the rainbow and use them for their own personal agenda. I'm kinda bummed about that. Especially when you consider what the rainbow really stands for, a reminder that God will not longer flood the earth because of man's sinfulness.....hmm...

Woe is me

When trials come into our lives, we often look like this and say something like, "I can't believe this is happening! God, what are you thinking?"

That certainly is a natural human response, yet James tells us in chapter one of his book in the New Testament to "consider it pure joy whenever we face trails of various kinds." It almost seems backwards, doesn't it? Here's what we've got to keep in mind though, if we want to grow deep in our faith and be more mature and complete then one of the best ways that’s going to happen is through trials. Perseverance has a work to do, and this can be accomplished only by persistence in trials. If perseverance is to "finish its work," our faith must not falter or give up.

I'd love to hear from any of you as to the trials God may have taken you through (or are currently going through) and what God has taught you through the process. How has God deepened your character as you have learned to embrace this trial?

Leaving the rest up to God

Our church has been meeting at PB Middle School for 11 years now. The school has been good to us and I hope we have shed the light of Jesus to the school and community in the years we've been there.

Once again this year we were able to supply backpacks stocked full of school supplies for needy students at the school. This year we were able to donate 16 backpacks. I included in each one a hand written note that said, "Have a great year at school! God bless, your friends at Coastlands Church." Now we just need to pray that each person who receives a backpack will be blessed and look to God for guidance in their lives. Of course it would be an extra bonus if they ended up visiting our church from this, but that was never really the goal. The goal was to bless someone and let God take it from there.


Now God is giving us a new opportunity to be involved at another school. Almost two years ago we had the chance to move to Bayview Terrace Elementary (pictured right). This school is also in Pacific Beach, about a mile east of where we meet now. It's closer to the 5 freeway, has a better and safter play area for the kids after church, has a classroom for the kids and much to my delight, a smaller room for our worship service. It's been a challenge meeting in a room that seats 540 with the chairs bolted to the floor.

Two years ago we had discussed this move as leaders and were ready to go. For a few different reasons, the Principal at the time vetoed the idea. I was pretty bummed, but had to figure it was going to be God's timing if and when it was going to happen. Now it seems like God is opening the door again.

I met with the principal and custodian yesterday and they have given us the green light to start meeting there. I will begin discussions with our leaders over the next few days to reintroduce the idea of meeting there. I'm excited about this move for many reasons. Please pray with me/us as a church as we consider this exciting move for our church. This could be a whole new chapter for Coastlands Church!

What a trip

Nothing like escaping reality. We had a great trip to Washington late August. We got to stay at a place called Camp McCullough. It's on Pipe Lake in the Kent/Covington area in between Tacoma and Seattle. As you can see from the pictures, it is a great place to relax and swim. Relax, that is if the lake wasn't so stinkin' cold! On the one day all 35 of us were there, the weather was not warm, it rained a little and the lake was barely tolerable. Good old Washington summers!

In reality though it didn't matter. All the kids/cousins/grand kids played together any ways and even swam without complaining, unlike the adults. By Monday and Tuesday the weather was great and we got to spend some fun time in the lake while not shivering so much.

This is a picture of my parents house, a true gem in Tacoma. It's located at the end of a street with the address of 1 Rosemount Way. Over all a great time away from the SD grind. It's always good to escape reality for a few days. Yet, it's good to come back to reality also.

It's no yoke!

Typically when we read the passage in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be yoked with together with unbelievers" we think of marriage. As we learned on Sunday (you can read my sermon notes here) that was not primarily what Paul was talking about. It certainly does apply to those we marry, but really the broader sense is to be careful who our close associates are.

I'd like to hear your perspective on this issue. I know some of you have close non-Christian friends or maybe even a spouse. How do you balance your faith and commitment to God yet stay in close relationship with someone who does not share your deep commitment to God? Does this mean that single people should not even date non-Christians? Do we only have Christian business associates? As with all scripture, there is a balance to be struck. Let's dialog about the balance of being "salt and light" in this world, yet not being swayed or pulled way from our faith by an unbeliever.

Finally, I want you all to know that I'll be on vacation until August 30th, so I won't be posting much, if anything to my blog site. Thanks so much to all of you who take the time to read over this site. I do love staying connected to you all and love hearing from you when you can respond.

Birthday fun

Today was my birthday and what fun I had. We started out the day by having a low-key garage sale and made just enough money to give the boys a few bucks and get some ice cream!

I spend the bulk of the day at the beach with my four boys (plus Thomas, our neighbor who could easily pass as a Lauer boy). What a great day at the beach. Sunny and warm, 74 degree water, oh...it was nice! After dinner we packed up the crew and headed over to B & R where we took this photo. Nothing like a double sundae with fudge and nuts to cool off from a hot day.

I am incredibly blessed to be 46, happily married to my beautiful Kelley and double blessed to have these 5 great kids. I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday than with the family God has so richly blessed me with. I've got no problem turning 46 when I am surrounded by so much love!