Rejoicing Faith

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

God calls us to rejoice always! Rejoicing in a peace and hope that only he can give. A rejoicing that is evident in our gentleness to others. A rejoicing that is evident in how we share our faith. To rejoice always is a difficult commandment to live out in the face of hardship. Yet, God gives us that ability through his peace. A peace that is accessed through thankful prayer and focusing our hearts on the works and character of God.

The Apostle Paul gives us an outline of how to focus our hearts by dwelling on what is good, right, pure, noble, and praiseworthy. When we truly dwell on what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, how could we not rejoice? The mark of a mature Christian is how they rejoice always regardless of their circumstance. A mature faith is a rejoicing faith.

Join us this Sunday as we take time to rejoice and dwell on what is good, right, pure, noble, and praiseworthy in the stories of what God has done in the youth ministry over this last summer.

Love and prayers,
Pastor Ben

Marriage Matters Blog, 007

Strong Marriages Are Built One Day at a Time

Every strong marriage isn't built in a single moment—it's built through thousands of ordinary moments. A kind word. A patient response. A shared prayer. A date night that stays on the calendar. A choice to forgive instead of keeping score.

No marriage is perfect because no two people are perfect. Every couple faces challenges, seasons of stress, and moments of disappointment. But healthy marriages aren't defined by the absence of problems—they're defined by the willingness to keep growing together through them.

God designed marriage to be more than a contract; it's a covenant that reflects His faithful love. As we learn to love with grace, serve with humility, and communicate with honesty, our relationships become stronger and our homes become places of peace and hope.

This week, choose one intentional step toward your spouse. Send an encouraging text, ask a meaningful question, pray together, or spend uninterrupted time connecting. Small investments made consistently often lead to the greatest growth.

Whether your marriage is thriving or feels like it needs a fresh start, remember that it's never too late to take the next faithful step. God delights in restoring, strengthening, and renewing relationships that are surrendered to Him.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." — 1 Peter 4:8

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Did you enjoy this blog? Send it to a friend today. Send an email to info@lakegregorychurch.com with your blog post and stay tuned to watch it be featured in an upcoming LGC Marriage Matters Blog.

The Greatest Role

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

As I read through the gospel accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus and His 12 closest followers, it's fascinating to see how belief, belonging, and behavior intersect. Questions arise as I read about Jesus letting the Disciples belong, way before they believed or behaved. Join this Sunday as Jesus uses a heated conflict between the Disciples to teach about the greatest role and how this greatest role impacts our believing, belonging, and behavior.

Love and prayers,
Brandon

The Greatest Commandments

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

We get easily confused and distracted from the things that are most important.  We need constant reminders to stay focused on what is central to life and relationships. Reminders and simple summaries are helpful.  Jesus gave us a simple summary of what is most important.  He wrapped up everything that was taught in the Law into two simple statements.  

Come out this Sunday for meaningful worship and an inspiring reminder of what is most important for every human being.  May the Lord who loves us and who restores our hearts to himself and to each other work in our lives as a result of this timely reminder.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

The Greatest Commission

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

We are in a crisis of purpose.  Humanity's recognition that we need one has led to the adoption of a lot of temporarily worthy causes.  On the other end of the spectrum, lots of efforts that have no sane foundation are being undertaken with passion in popular culture.  

Our timeless purpose, a mission worth living for, comes from outside of us.  It is revealed to us by the One who created us with purpose.  Come out and experience the satisfaction and deep seated joy that comes from knowing and fulfilling your eternal purpose.  May the Lord meet us in this time and infuse our lives with forever meaning and significance.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

Remember & Return!

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

We are forgetful, stubborn creatures.  How many of you remember the last non-negotiable directive of your boss?  Of your wife or husband?  Of a parent?  If you do remember, where are your heart and actions right now in regard to that issue?  Are you honoring that directive, desire, or request?  Why not?  God has given all of humanity a sense of who He is and what He has done.  He calls us to walk in light of that reality. 

We do not obey sometimes because we forget.  We do not obey other times because we don't want to.  We do not other times because we are so hardened by our ongoing resistance that our hearts are not even conscious of what we are doing wrong.  The message for all of us in this season of reflection on the gift of living in a free democratic republic with a heritage of trust in the Lord is this:  Remember the true God who stands over all nations and return to Him with all your heart.  

This is our best and most honorable way of expressing our gratitude.  May this Sunday help your heart truly celebrate God's gracious gift to us in Jesus Christ, and inspire you to want his light to shine through you to others.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

Three verbs that will change your life

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Have you ever experienced a high-end massage chair? A family friend has a zero-gravity massage chair with amazing features. The chair can heat up or cool down. It can compress your arms, legs, and feet, and has a variety of massage options. The long drive on the 91 freeway to get to gatherings at his house is well worth it– once I’m seated on that massage chair. The letter to the Ephesians has fascinating things to say about where Jesus invites you to sit.

So take a seat with us this weekend and learn about three verbs from Ephesians that will change your life.

Love and prayers,
Brandon

"The Parenting Journey" Part 6

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Most guys have a hard time with traffic.  Unconsciously, we want to "win" and get to our destination faster than others around us.  Someone cutting in front of us, driving stupid, or sitting at a green light in front of us while looking at a cell phone triggers something in us. Yet, we are also keeping our eye on the yellow truck on the freeway and feeling that if we can just get to the exit before it, we will feel better about the trip.  

God calls us to stop comparisons, to confess mistakes, and to stay focused on making progress in our own "Parenting Journey."  This Father's Day weekend, we will talk about easy "wins" at home and how to make real progress with our families.  

Your kids will be grateful that you take this message to heart.  Come out with the whole family and be a part of this final message in "The Parenting Journey" message series.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

"The Parenting Journey" Part 5

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

We are very prone to imitate those we view as our heroes or people we admire and want to be like.  Children do the same thing.  Think of the boy who dresses up as Spider-Man and is casting webs all over the house to rescue his toys from injustice.  Or imagine the girl who dresses as a princess and sings, "Let it Go," as she slams the door to her room and magically brings every stuffed animal to life!  

God created us to learn from examples and to discern life lessons through questions.  We innately tend to imitate what we are impressed by.  We want to know more and understand how our heroes think about life.  The ultimate example to follow is Jesus and those who are closely seeking to follow Him. 

Come out this Sunday for encouragement to be an example for the next generations and to seek to rightly answer their questions about why we follow Jesus Christ.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

"The Parenting Journey" Part 5

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

At a very basic level, most parents intuitively know that they are to teach their children.  But how do we do that effectively?  Clearly, not every parent has instructed their children well. God is the ultimate parent.  God instructs us not just to give us information but to illuminate and motivate us in a way to live.  

He patiently works with us to give us everything we need for a godly life and hope for a forever life in his kingdom.  Come out this Sunday for an inspiring, practical, and truly helpful message on how we "instruct" others, especially our children and grandchildren.  

May the LORD meet us in these moments and equip and encourage us to help the next generations of people learn His life-giving ways.  

Love and prayers,
Pastor Dan

"The Parenting Journey" Part 4

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

This message explores the biblical foundation of discipline, framing it not as a punishment to be avoided, but as essential training for a life of righteousness. Drawing heavily from Hebrews 12 and Proverbs, the message emphasizes that while discipline may feel painful or unpleasant in the moment, it is a sign of God’s love and a necessary tool for spiritual growth. By defining discipline through its Latin root disciplina (meaning "to instruct"), the thought is that God provides us with everything we need—through Scripture and the Holy Spirit—to move from chaos to confidence and to "train ourselves to be godly" just as an athlete prepares for a race.

On a practical level, the message applies these spiritual principles to the different stages of parenting and personal development. It outlines four distinct phases of a parent-child dynamic: the Commander (setting early boundaries), the Coach (teaching and skills), the Counselor (guiding through independence), and the Consultant (offering wisdom to adults). The ultimate goal of this progression is to shift from high control and dependence toward true interdependence and spiritual maturity. The message concludes with a call to persevere through the hardships of training, promising that those who embrace correction will eventually reap a "harvest of righteousness and peace."

See you Sunday!

Steve

"The Parenting Journey" Part 3

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Ever feel lost and alone on the parenting journey?  It is easy to get isolated and overwhelmed with the dynamics that happen with our kids.  We can feel troubled in those same ways with extended family, friends, co-workers and others around our life even if we are not presently raising children.  

Jesus promises the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to help us with every aspect of life.  This certainly includes the incredible opportunity to invest in the lives of next generation young people.  God cares about your family and other relationships.  

Come out this Sunday and tap into the power that God has made available to help you. May all of your relationships become better as you walk with God in them.  

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

"The Parenting Journey" Part 2

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

We are in week two of “The Parenting Journey” series, and this week we focus on a powerful word, KINDNESS. Healthy relationships have a better chance of thriving when they are laced with kindness. This is especially the case when raising children.

Biblical kindness is a “Fruit of the Spirit;” and like a muscle, it can be exercised and strengthened to improve our relationships with others. God is the perfect example of kindness. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 3:4-5).

However, it’s important to know that kindness is not the same as being “nice.” Nor does it mean the absence of correction. This Sunday, we will unpack the definition of kindness and provide simple ways to grow in loving our children and guiding them into their God-given destinies.

Love and prayers,

Pastor Bruce

"The Parenting Journey" Part 1

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Think about a time that you had to take an involved or long trip--one that demanded that you prioritize what you needed to take.  Remember how there were a lot of good options for what to bring, but only room for what was most important?  God prepares us for the parenting journey first and foremost by identifying the parenting essentials. 

While these essential elements apply to all of our relationships, they are especially critical to having a loving and life-changing parenting journey.  Join us this Sunday for the beginning of a new series meant to inspire and equip you for a purposeful and enjoyable journey with your kids and with others around your life.  

May God use this Mothers' Day to Fathers' Day season to equip you with the essentials.

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

"Questions" Part 4, Jesus and Politics 

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

How has political division in our nation affected you and your family?  Have you ever wondered how God views peoples' polarization over politics?  About the impact of those disagreements on our relationships in the family of God?   About our relationships with others in the world around us?  Jesus' authority and kingdom transcend earthly politics.

All of humanity is accountable to God for our thoughts, words and actions.  A time is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  In the meantime, Jesus' command to his followers remains:  "'Love each other as I have loved you.'"  

Come out this Sunday and hear truth that sets us free to love and pursue peace in our relationships as much as it depends on us.  May you be inspired and equipped to follow Jesus as a citizen of both heaven and a nation of this world.    

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

Why is there Evil and Suffering?  Questions Part 3, (2 Peter 3:9, Romans 8:18, 28, Hebrews 4:14-16, Matthew 22:36-40) 

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Evil and suffering exist but they were not part of God's original design. They exist because mankind used the very autonomy and free will of being made in God's image to deviate from His design. Deviating from God's design is what we call sin and as a result of sin, people suffer and participate in evil. This is the simple answer, but it brings little comfort or satisfaction to the question: Then why does God allow suffering and evil to continue? This is the wrong question. Because it has two faulty assumptions. 1) That we deserve or are owed good things. God doesn't owe us anything. 2) That if God purged all the evil and suffering in the world, that we wouldn't be included. Yet once again this simple logic doesn't provide much comfort or hope in the pain of evil and suffering. Because we were never intended to put our faith in a system or logic, but in a personal God. The God who came down as Jesus Christ and freely stepped into evil, stepped into pain, and took all the sin of the world upon Himself through His death and in His resurrection made a way to freedom from evil and suffering with Him for eternity. Not only has He made a way to be at peace with God, but He commissioned His church to actively be on the front lines of fighting evil through advancing the gospel. The logic of God makes the most sense of anything else in the world, but only do we find our hope and strength to go on in this world through relationship with Him.


Love and prayers,
Pastor Ben

"Questions" Part 1, How Can We Know God Exists? and How Can I Know Him?  

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

How can you know that someone actually exists?  If you were assigned the task of investigating someone's life you might visit their last known address of residence and look through any personal items left behind. You could interview people that may have had a personal connection with them.  You could also check their communications and social media posts.  If they exist, you should be able to find them or have some confirmation that they are alive.
 
If we apply these same kinds of investigative techniques to God, what would we discover? God is alive, not artificial.  He is personal, not impersonal.  And He has a purpose that includes restoring a relationship with you.  Jesus is the ultimate confirmation that the One True God exists and can be known. 
 
May this Sunday's message equip us to have curious conversations with others around our lives.  Bring a searching friend and help them be inspired to consider the evidence for God and be encouraged to place their trust in Him.  

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

Facing Reality, 24 Hours with Jesus

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Throughout life most of us have a few vivid moments of a shocking and sobering reality.  Most of the time our mind goes to some unexpected loss.  It could have been the passing of a close relative, classmate or friend, or some other traumatic experience with family, employment, financial or other crisis event.  It could also have been something wonderful--the blessing of a great job offer, an acceptance of engagement, or a child's birth.

When Jesus was crucified and resurrected, the disciples went through both emotions of extreme loss and the resurrection of hope!  Jesus' resurrection was the reality his followers faced that forever changed their lives. They held onto that reality permanently, even when threatened with their own deaths because of it.

This weekend, be inspired with a forever hope through the reality of Jesus' resurrection.  May you be forever changed and free to live for and love God because of his overcoming death for us.

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

Being One, 24 Hours with Jesus (John 17)

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

When you are facing your last 24 hours on earth, what do you think will be on your mind and in your heart?  What will you want for those in your family, your circle of closest friends, and your church family?  What would you pray for them if you were fully aware that you were about to pass and they were gathered around you?  

The gospel of John preserves an account of just that for Jesus.  Jesus prayed for his first followers and for us that we would be one with him and each other. By this the world would know that we are Jesus' disciples and might come to know him through our message.  

Be inspired to take to heart the implications of Jesus' prayer for us this Sunday.  May you be encouraged to become more unified around Jesus with those who also love and obey him.  

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

Grief Turned to Joy, 24 Hours with Jesus, Pt 4 (John 16)

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Jesus continues a heavy and confusing discussion with the disciples in their last meal together prior to his death. He encourages them to remain in his love. He encourages them in their purpose to bear fruit for the kingdom of God. That he is the vine and they are the branches. He builds them up and preps their expectations to receive hatred from the world. Finally he lays it out that he's going away and the Holy Spirit is coming. He does not withhold the hard truth. But in Jesus there is no hard truth, hard circumstance, hard season of life in which the hope of salvation cannot outweigh. That in and of itself is a hard truth to believe. Jesus told the disciples they would grieve his going away and lose confidence. Yet once God's plan of salvation came to fruition through Christ's death and resurrection, every single disciple passed through grief and experienced joy. Not one of them mourned the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended into heaven. And from there on, not a single season of suffering stole away their permanent joy found in the Lord. We too as followers can experience grief turned to joy when we live in the great hope of Jesus Christ.


Love and prayers,
Pastor Ben

Staying Connected, 24 Hours with Jesus pt3 (John 15)

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

Most women are pretty intuitive about the quality of their relationships.  Most men tend to run on auto-pilot and then jump to action when there is a problem.  But best practice is to stay "current" and "attentive" to the nuances of relationship.  The dynamic along the way is part of the relationship building process.

Jesus charged his followers to continue in an ongoing relationship with him.  If we continue to be connected in a relationship with Jesus, like a branch connected to a living vine, Jesus' life can flow into and through us, producing good outcomes that give life to others.

Be inspired this Sunday to stay connected to Jesus Christ, the living vine.  Be encouraged with what he can do in and through you as you remain in him.

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan

Marriage Matters Blog, 006

Vows & A Daily Ring Exchange

Early on in our marriage, we started the daily habit of renewing our vows.

Before one of us would leave the house in the morning, we would hand the other person our wedding ring.

A promise would be spoken over the other person as they slid the wedding ring onto the ring finger.

The promise was always new, meaningful, and it's a daily habit of recommitting to the covenant we made on our wedding day.

Try doing it once a week this month and see if it's a good rhythm for your marriage!

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Did you enjoy this blog? Send it to a friend today. Send an email to info@lakegregorychurch.com with your blog post and stay tuned to watch it be featured in LGC's Marriage Matters Blog.

Marriage Matters Blog, 005

Expectations

Expectations are not inherently bad- they are the standard we hold for our lives. Challenges arise in marriage when expectations are unspoken. Unspoken expectations are a recipe for resentment.

Unmet expectations lead to frustration. Unrealistic expectations lead to feelings of inadequacy.

Let's talk about the way forward for your marriage today:

Stay away from the 'mind reader' trap. This trap leads people to think, "If they truly loved me, I wouldn't have to ask for..." Yes, it would be great if they could read your mind all the time, but they can't. They aren't a mind reader or robot; they're a spouse who loves you. They grew up in a home that handled love, roles, expectations, and conflict much differently than you.

Avoid the 'high-pressure' trap. This trap leads to expecting your spouse to be your sole source of happiness and fulfillment in life. That's way too much pressure.

Lastly, be clear about what is foundational and what is preference in your marriage.

• Foundational- love, respect, kindness, forgiveness.
• Preference- "I would prefer if you loaded the dishwasher this way." (Yes, anything dishwasher related is a preference!)

Aim to experience and meet foundational expectations daily. Choose gratitude rather than expectation any time your spouse meets a preference.

Did you enjoy this blog? Send it to a friend today. Send an email to info@lakegregorychurch.com with your blog post and stay tuned to watch it be featured in LGC's Marriage Matters Blog.

Table Talk, 24 Hours with Jesus, pt 2

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

The evening meal finished, and all the plates and wine glasses have been cleared from the table. There is tension and excitement in the air, as the disciples know there is something different about this Passover Seder. The 12 are down one, as Judas has already grabbed his loaf of bread and headed out into the night. It was a dark night indeed. Betraying the Author of Life with a kiss was just a few hours away.

Back in the upper room, Jesus leans forward at the table. As He leaned in, the tone and volume of His voice changed. The 11 follow suit and lean in as the table talk gets serious. There are a few more truths Jesus wants to convey before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane. These are encouraging truths you don’t want to miss.

There is a seat for you at the table this weekend.

Let's lean in together,

Brandon

Love Serves, 24 Hours with Jesus pt 1

Dear Church Family and Friends,  

A true, unselfish love is evidenced best when it is not easy.  Watch what a husband does when his wife is battling an illness.  See what a young adult does when a classmate betrays their friendship.  See how a leader responds when a crisis threatens him as well as those under his or her oversight.

When Jesus faced the most critical and final hours of his earthly life, he loved those who were his.  It would have been easy, even justified, in our eyes if he had turned more inward as he wrestled with betrayal, denial, and an ultimate sacrifice.  He demonstrated unselfish love through the very end.  

Be inspired this Sunday to truly love those around you and in your circle of care, even when it requires everything self-serving in you to die.  Experience the wonderful joy and freedom of the kind of love that serves.

Love and prayers,

Pastor Dan