“Yet even now,” declares the Lord , “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
Joel 2:12 NASB
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
Thy word, have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you. How sweet, are the promises of God, that I might be cleansed, by his word’s of encouragement, for a sinner such as me. Thank you, Lord!
We can be deceived by our own sinful hearts. The Lord knows our hearts, and is not deceived, nor can we deceive him. Trust in him and seek his ways, and he will guide us.
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2 NASB
Thank you Jesus. Even though we fall short on our own, you have made us righteous, in the eyes of the Father, through your work on the cross, and resurrection. We believe in Faith, and it is counted as righteousness. No matter, what we have done, when we humble ourselves before you, it is as though our sins never happened.
” blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven , and whose sins have been covered .
Romans 4:7 NASB
Love God, and walk in his ways and find life, both present and eternal . The alternative, comes in the next couple of verses. Reject God, and his ways and you will find death, both in this present life and for all of eternity. Something to consider wisely.
in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.
Deuteronomy 30:16 NASB
Oh Lord, if we could just get this straight. Listen first, carefully choose our word’s, and not take personally what people say, which can bring us to anger. Also Lord, may we be reminded, to be obedient to this passage. This is not a suggestion, but a command by God! May your Holy Spirit give us the self control, to carry this out.
This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
James 1:19 NASB
Father, may our hearts be filled with thankfulness, as we surrender to you. May your peace overwhelm us as we go out and live our lives today.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NASB
Are you looking for REST? You will not find it, in the tireless effort of trying to fulfill the law. Only through the endless love and grace of God, through Jesus, will you find it. Jesus said, “come to me, all of you who weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalms 91:1 NASB
Lord, may our hearts be stirred up, knowing you have our backs, and you care deeply about us. We are your workmanship, created for good works, that we might give you glory.
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Galatians 6:9 NASB
Lord, may we live our lives, in a manner that recognizes this as truth. May we be amazed that the creator, wants to have a relationship with the created. Amen
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord , the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isaiah 40:28 NASB
Living Waters 