Father, remind us daily, that much has been forgiven of us, so we can see clearly those, we should also be forgiven.
Author: Arw27
Hi,
My name is Alan and I have been in ministry, for many years. I started out at Grace Community Church in their sports ministries, in Softball, Basketball and Semi Pro Baseball team, where I coached, led devotions, and shared my testimony on the baseball team with other teams we played. After leaving Grace, My wife Kathy and I were at Simi Valley Community Church, where we were lay pastors, and also got involved in Parenting classes called Growing Kids God's Way. The church ended up splitting and were part of the original people that helped start Cornerstone Community Church with Francis Chan and Ron Wilson. During that time, we continued in parenting classes, couples bible studies, and small groups. I became a non staff Pastor/Elder some years back and did it till I stepped down on December 31st, 2019. Nothing bad, just felt that the Lord was calling me to do something else, after 25 years at Cornerstone. Presently, I joined a band with our Homeless Ministry (PADS) and we just started a group on Friday nights, that ministers to professing believers who are going through some type of recovery. My desire, is that there will be some type of home/small church that I will lead, based on what the Lord seems to be calling me to. It is a really big step of faith, at 65 years old.
A couple other things to note. I was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and left there when I was 20 years old. My passion was baseball, and my desire, was to play professionally. I gave my life to Jesus when I was a young teenager, but lack of a consistent fellowship and some family problems led me away. I also, started letting baseball be my God.
I moved to California when I was 20, and works for an offshore drilling company for about 2 and 1/2 years and then went back to school and Cal State University where I met my wonderful wife in Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU). We were married in 1980 and Lord willing, look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary in August. We have 3 daughters that all live close by, until my middle daughter just moved to Tennessee.
My Career, had been since I got out of college, with a degree in finance, a combination of IT, consulting, Executive Vice President, RE Broker and Loan Broker, and a short time as a VP Senior Financial Analyst with Bank of America.
Well, I hope that gives you a little glimpse into my life, and where I think the Lord is leading. Please feel free to write.
God Bless
Alan
Our homeless Ministry Worship Team was at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, Ca, before I moved to Tennessee doing an unplugged session.
My Nickname for our Session, “Ancient of Days Unplugged” Not evryone like the name, but that kind of goes with a nickname! 😊
The sketch was created from the original picture by AI
Another song my friend wrote, that if you’re are older, or have children who have older parents, it will touch your heart. ♥️
Lord, it’s not about us, it’s all about you. May what we do,not draw attention to us, but point them to Jesus. Our identity is not about what we do, but who JESUS is.
May Our Worship and Walk reflect the one We Worship…….
Taken from the Devotion: Formed by the Game, in the YouVersion Bible App.
Psalm 150 calls us to let “everything that has breath praise the Lord.” The energy, joy, and intentionality of cheering are not wasted—they are echoes of a greater reality. God designed us to cheer, to celebrate, and to lift our voices in unity. When directed toward Him, cheering becomes worship. Just as fans rally behind athletes, believers are called to cheer one another on in faith, encouraging perseverance, gratitude, and joy. Cheering at a game, clapping for effort, or shouting encouragement can be infused with spiritual meaning when we remember who ultimately deserves the praise.
Lord, may our praise and Worship, Lift you up, and lift up others as we walk through this life together. Jesus, gives us hope, may our lives reflect everyday, and when we fail, may we run to you in your forgiving arms.
Can I get an Amen!
For ALL people, emphasis added. Lord, help us to see clearly, through Jesus’s eyes.
“Lord, help me to hear Your voice above all others. Give me the wisdom and courage to follow Your guidance, trusting that You lead me in the way that brings life and glory to Your name. Amen.”
We are never too Old to Worship our King!
Victory through Failure and Defeat
Defeat is one of the hardest realities in sport. The scoreboard doesn’t lie. Athletes feel the sting of missed opportunities, coaches replay mistakes in their minds, parents ache for their children, and fans leave with a heavy heart. In those moments, the silence after the final whistle feels heavy. Loss exposes weaknesses, mistakes, and limits. It lingers in memory far longer than a win, often shaping the way we see ourselves and others.
But The Bible gives us a different lens for the pain of loss. Paul writes, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Defeat, while painful, can be a classroom where God teaches resilience, humility, and dependence on Him. Just as athletes review game film to learn from their mistakes, God uses our setbacks to refine our hearts. He teaches us to endure difficulty, to act with integrity even when things go wrong, and to anchor our hope not in the outcome of games but in His unshakable promises.
As a Jesus Christ follower, defeat is never wasted. It strips away perceptions of control and points us back to the only victory that truly lasts—Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. Loss humbles us, but it can also deepen our character and strengthen our faith. The scoreboard cannot measure perseverance, cannot record humility, and cannot quantify hope. Yet these are the qualities God values most.
Next time you face defeat—whether in a championship game, a missed opportunity, or a personal failure—treat it as a liturgical moment. Let it remind you that God is shaping something far greater than a record or trophy. Humility grows, perseverance strengthens, and hope rises in the soil of loss.
Prayer:
“Lord, help me embrace defeat with a humble and teachable heart. Turn my losses into lessons, strengthen my perseverance, and remind me that true hope is found in You, not in earthly victories. Amen.”