Calvary Church Los Gatos Calvary Church Los Gatos

This morning we were blessed to come together, engage with our Heavenly Father, and hear from Pastor Dale as he began our summer series in the book of Philippians. We looked closely at grace and peace, examining what it would look like to live our lives speaking grace and peace to others. This week Pastor Dale challenged us, what would it look like to take a posture of learning this week? As we interact with others, as we engage with others who are hurting or experiencing injustice, what if we began a conversation and asked them “What does grace and peace look like to you? What would that mean in your life? What does it look like?” And then, as we listen to their response, would we be willing to take action?

What a blessing to hear from Pastor Dale this morning as he taught on following Jesus and loving our neighbors. He shared that following Jesus means not withdrawing but going further into the lives and circumstances of the world around us. To follow Jesus is to live as a servant of God’s love to others no matter who they are, where they are, what they believe, how they live. We were asked to reflect on how we can calibrate our hearts each morning so that we see people differently and love them differently?

What a blessing to hear from Pastor Tom this morning as he shared powerfully on the story we find ourselves in. It is a story, often one we would not write for ourselves, but through it and in God’s hands, He takes what is lost and restores, renews, and redeems for His glory and His kingdom.

Today Pastor Dale concluded our series in Psalm 23 as we looked at the final phrase, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” We were asked to reflect on what it is we dwell on, what it is adding up to, and who we are becoming as a result.

Today Pastor Dale continued our series in Psalm 23 and we were asked the question, “What does the hospitality of Jesus look like?”In His role as host:* Jesus prepares the table* Jesus protects us at the table* Jesus makes us participants in His identity at the table* Jesus provides more than we need at the table

Today Pastor Dale continued our series in Psalm 23 and we saw, right in the middle of this “comfort Psalm”, the Psalm of rest, assurance and refreshment, that we will face tough times. We will struggle, maybe even suffer, even when we are following him. Though we may resist these ideas, we’ve probably all come to realize that discipline and redirection has benefits for all of us. The Lord’s Shepherding plan is this: He wants us to learn all we need to learn He wants to form something deep, beautiful and powerful within us. That still leaves the questions, why pain? It is in the darkest valley where we learn to know ourselves, to really understand what is in us and shaping us. Valleys reveal our fears, our lack of faith, hidden denials. The truth is, many of us would prefer a life of easy victories: growth without crisis, healing without pain, the resurrection without the cross. But what if God is actually found in our hard times? It’s often in the valley and in the struggle, when we move from talking about God to talking to God. When we look back and pause, we have the opportunity to discern God’s presence in those events that have made us or unmade us. In that, it is possible to see God’s amazing presence being with us through the toughest of times and to honestly say “Even in the darkest valleys, you are with me”. Pastor Dale encouraged us with a few thoughts.* To get out of it, you have to go through it, but don’t do it alone. Share with someone: “I have this weight I am carrying, can you, or someone you know help me with this?”. This always starts with prayer together.   * This process is also for our kids. Our children have to go through it. It’s vital to let them feel the weight of a struggle. Be there with them so they have a tangible example of what God’s presence is like. * Be the presence of Jesus with others as they go through it. Ask “Is there anything I can do for you?” Listen to what God is bringing to mind as you talk with them Remember that God is doing his best work in these tough times