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
Wow, I am humbled to think that this was also directed at slaves. Even in their bondage, they were told to give it everything they had, because it was not for their earthly masters, but for a heavenly one. We are so quick in the US, to think we are deserving of everything. “Thank you Lord, to remind us of who we serve. You are the perfect Master, who rewards us perfectly.”
God removes all things in the believer’s life that would hinder fruit-bearing, i.e., He chastises to cut away sin and hindrances that would drain spiritual life just as the farmer removes anything on the branches that keep them from bearing maximum fruit ( Heb 12:3–11 ).
Let us be filled with your Holy Spirit Lord, each and every day. May we have Peace, as the next verse in verse 27 promises. Nothing can separate us from your Love!
Thank you Lord, that you have given us your word, that we are able to see clearly, the path you have set before us. The road may be uneven or Rocky, but you will help us, to find the way home.
It is one person, who’s message you can believe. Not Muhammad, not Buddha, not Ghandii, not confuscious! Jesus is the the only one who gives life. The other paths, lead to destruction! Not my words, but Jesus. He said, “. I am the Way, the Truth, and Life, no one one comes to the Father, except through me. WHAT PATH WILL YOU CHOOSE? I pray you will choose the right one, for your your sake, and the sake of your children, and forthe sake of your children’s, children.
EVERYONE, not just some people we like! I am guilty Lord, of not seeing that all people need to know you through your son, Jesus. It is not my place to choose. Forgive me. Father, fill us with you spirit, that we might represent you boldly, that many might come to know you.
www.bible.com/100/heb.12.14.nasb1995
Unbelievers will not be drawn to accept Christ if believers’ lives do not demonstrate the qualities God desires, including peace and holiness (cf. Jn 13:35 ; 1Ti 4:3 ; 1Pe 1:16 (MacArthur Study Bible)
“Father, we are we are not perfect, but are being perfected through you son, Jesus, and his Holy Spirit. Help us to walk in a manger worthy to represent you boldly, to help you advance your kingdom.”
www.bible.com/100/heb.12.14.nasb1995
Unbelievers will not be drawn to accept Christ if believers’ lives do not demonstrate the qualities God desires, including peace and holiness (cf. Jn 13:35 ; 1Ti 4:3 ; 1Pe 1:16 (MacArthur Study Bible)
www.bible.com/100/psa.91.2.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/col.3.23-24.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/jhn.15.2.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/jhn.14.26.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/psa.119.105.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/jhn.5.24.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/luk.6.38.nasb1995
www.bible.com/100/php.1.9-10.nasb1995