First Day Back

The first day of school was so refreshingly without incident that I almost missed it. Really it was a great time, starting back, seeing friends that were missed, and getting back into a rhythm. I was aware of this new status as I looked around Ean's playground that first morning. Ean was running around with his friends, wondering where some were. I saw so many new faces and they all had the same look on them. Was their son or daughter going to be OK?

I was so proud of Ean. When he got home, he let us know that he had made a new friend. His friend is Jay who, I found out later, was from Korea. Jay is about a foot taller than all the other kids and knows very little English. We refer to Ean's class as the class for everything other than Chinese, since the other 2^nd grade class is for Chinese speaking students. When I talked with Jay's mom the next day, she was so happy that Jay made a friend in Ean. She was so thankful that Ean had gone out of his way to make her son's first day so fun. I was, of course very proud.

The first day of school is much like moving to a city or trying a church for the first time. You move or arrive and wonder, "Will you fit in? Will you make a friend?" It is amazing the difference that one friendly face will make. Jay is now happily established in his new school because one person pulled themselves away from his regular friends to make a new friend. We have the same opportunity every Sunday. I know we come to church to see our good friends, but have you also noticed the others standing around, who you do not know. They are with us to make a friend and that friend could be you.

I am excited for this fall. I know that we will have many visitors coming through. I am praying that many of them choose to make GGCC their home. Please continue to pray for our church as we continue to grow into the community that God wants it to be.

 

Peace

 

Edwin

Going Full Circle

This past weekend we went back to Los Angeles to celebrate Michael and Tina Mata's 25^th wedding anniversary. The Matas were a significant couple in our lives. When Julie graduated from PLNU, she ended up living with the Matas when she moved to LA. Julie and I were dating at the time and like many dating couples, we looked to the married folks around us as examples of what we did and did not want for our future. The Matas were and are a great example of what a couple who are serving God and His kingdom can do. Michael is at World Vision now working on US Urban initiatives, Tina is involved in the youth ministry of their church as well as being a mother and grandmother to the three children that they adopted through the foster care system. They are an amazing couple and still are in love with each other after 25 years of marriage and service to God. The line of the night was when Michael looked at Tina and was expressing his love for her and said: "Everyday is an adventure because I never know what you are going to do."

I am thankful for my wife and kids and I am thankful to be a part of a journey where every day is an adventure. Sunday morning we were asked to speak to 40 PLNU students who were preparing for a year of ministry back on campus. We met on the roof of Union Rescue Mission, the students had spent the night sleeping on the roof. They were spending some time in LA as a way to prepare. It took me back 15 years to when Julie and I moved to the city and were excited and ready to do whatever God had for us. It reminded us of being a part of a great church, Central City Community Church. Our time with the students was a great reminder of the importance of what we have done in the past and what we are doing here in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Community Church is a church with a mission: To seek Justice, Love and Serve others and Walk Humbly with God. I believe that we are in store for a great year of growth and movement forward. I believe that God wants us to be a community that has a positive impact on the Richmond District, San Francisco, California and the World. I also believe that we are called to be prepared for the unexpected, to go with the movement of God and what God is doing. I would ask that you would continue to join us on our journey together. I would ask that you would begin by praying for Julie, the kids (Jake, Grace and Ean) and me; then continue to pray for the leaders and staff of GGCC. Finally, I ask that you would pray that we, as a church community, would see this time as an adventure. That we would wake up each day not knowing what God is going to do and embrace this with joy and celebration.

 

Peace

Edwin

God is the Master Painter

We have been reading Psalms as a family this summer and it has been an awesome time, despite the boys’ protests about getting up so early. One amazing part of the songs in Psalms is the reference to the natural world:

deer by the water,

pastures

still waters

raging seas

storms

clouds

streams

trees

The list goes on and on. Then, if you will thumb through the teachings of Jesus found in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus references the natural world on a regular basis using mustard seeds, pigs, rivers, clouds, vines, sheep and goats as tools to teach.

I think that there is something foundationally important to getting dirty breathing in clean air, hearing nothing mechanical, where we are not able to manipulate but are at the mercy of the elements around us. We went on a hike up on Mt. Tamalpais a few weeks ago. During the two hour hike we were in meadows, creek beds, conifer forests, and open fields. The short time there out of the fog was amazingly therapeutic. The great benefit of San Francisco is that you do not need a car to find these wondrous spots.

Land’s End, the Presidio, and Golden Gate Park are all large enough to get away from the hustle and bustle and find quiet. Like Elijah waiting in the cave, or David in the green pasture, we can sense God’s presence in a different way in a natural setting. I encourage you to take time on a regular basis to experience God’s creation. Go for a hike, take a walk and listen, read Psalm 23 first or Genesis 1 for that matter. Look and see what the Lord has done; it is good.

This Saturday we will meet at the Arboretum in Golden Gate Park for a time of prayer and listening designed by Neal Bishop. Neal spends his days making beautiful things out of natural materials. He has designed a walk inspired by the Stations of the Cross traditionally practiced during Holy Week. We will walk in the Arboretum, pray and listen for God’s General Revelation to teach us and point us towards Him.

If you can’t join us I will post the directions after Saturday’s walk. They have been modified slightly since Neal offered them in Easter 2008. Thanks Neal for allowing us to share in your creative vision.

Peace

Edwin