In 1 Timothy 6:17 the Apostle Paul tells us that “God gives us what we need for our enjoyment.” In Genesis chapter 1 when God creates man He states that we will be masters of and have dominion over all the other animals.
Amy and I are firm believers that God has given us dogs for our enjoyment. I know that some of you would argue that cats are given for enjoyment as well, but I would tend to disagree with you. Cats don’t do anything for me. Now dogs, I like dogs. It has been our pleasure to have a wonderful Golden Retriever named Novacek as our family pet for the last 12 years. The boys grew up with him. He was Amy’s 34th birthday present. Amy would say that he was the “best birthday present ever!”
Sadly, on Monday we had to put him down. He had numerous ailments that were mounting up on him and it was time. It was time, but that did not make it any easier. We really miss him. When we stopped to think about it we realized that there were only a few months that we lived in this house without him. Every time that I walk into the house or into the yard I expect to see him. I catch myself turning to speak to him and he is not there.
I know that on some levels it seems kind of trivial, but we loved that dog. He was a part of our family. Pray for us. It hurts. Pray for Amy. Apparently, apart from me he was Amy’s best friend. Almost every day of his 12 years they walked together in the morning. Novacek doing what dogs do and Amy praying. Amy lost a friend and a prayer partner.
So, we say goodbye to our friend Novacek. God was good to us. He was our gift given by God for our enjoyment. We really enjoyed our time with him.
Upcoming Events:
November 14th – EPIC Youth Ministry All Nighter
November 15th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity
December 6th – Women’s Ministry Mad Hatter Tea Party
December 14th – Guest Speaker: Rev. Bob Henson
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service
This Friday we have a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our community through our Trunk and Treat event. The idea is to create a safe trick or treat environment with a few extra bells and whistles. Our Rockstars leadership team has done a good job of planning and promoting the event. Invitations are being passed out at two local elementary schools. There is still plenty of opportunities to serve. If you would like to bring a car or if you can help in any other way please contact Amy at amersh55@yahoo.com. And please come by and bring your kids and bring a neighbor family along too.
And finally…most of you know that Mr. Trubey passed away last Monday. He will be remembered at a Memorial Service here at Venice Church on Sunday November 16th at 2:30 PM. Please plan to join us to remember this wonderful man.
I got an interesting call in the church office yesterday. The gal on the other line politely introduced herself and indentified herself as an employee of a California winery. I thought that it was odd to get a call from a winery, but it was your typical sales call with this twist.
She said that my name and number came to her by referral. I said, “That is interesting considering that I don’t drink wine and in fact I have only tasted it a couple of times in my life and didn’t care for it.” She said, “Really? You never drink wine.” I said, “Really I don’t.” She said, “Well, why in the world would somebody give me your name if you are not a wine enthusiast?” I said, “I have no idea unless they either one, do not know me very well, or two, they thought it would be a nice gag. Maybe they thought it would be funny.”
She apologized quite profusely and I said, “No problem. I am sure that one of my friends thought they were being funny. Anyway…have a nice day.” She wished me the same.
I found the entire episode to be quite strange, but extremely humorous.
So, my question today is…which one of you put the winery up to calling your teetotaler pastor? It’s okay. You can admit it and come clean. I won’t be mad. I forgive you. Your sins have already been forgiven…even this one! Your slate is wiped clean. And…we can enjoy a good laugh together.
Upcoming Events:
October 25th – Ladies Community Service Project
October 31st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry
November 8th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)
November 15th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity
December 14th – Guest Speaker: Rev. Bob Henson
It seems that I am reminded each day that apart from God (pardon my poor English) we got nothing. If God is not Almighty, all-knowing, ever present, and filled with immense love for us…we got nothing.
I love what the Psalmist says in the 46th psalm. It is like he is describing life in Southern California. The beauty of this place we call home is found so much in where the mountains meet the sea and when the place is not rocking and rolling or on fire we revel in the fact that we live in paradise. Okay, it’s not Kauai, but for the mainland it is pretty nice. Despite the fact that we live in paradise and in spite of the fact that we breathe smog and smoke apart from God we got nothing. It doesn’t matter if you live in Santa Monica, Kauai, or Arkansas if you ain't got God you ain’t got nothing.
Look at what God is all about. He is a refuge. He is our strength. He is our help in times of trouble. If we ain’t got God we ain’t go nothing.
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Please pray for Mr. & Mrs. Trubey. Mr. Trubey is not doing well. It appears as though God will call him home very soon. Mr. & Mrs. Trubey have been married over 60 years. Mrs. Trubey is doing pretty well all things considered. If you get a chance, give her a call or write her a note to let her know that they are in your prayers.
Upcoming Events:
October 19th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
October 25th – Ladies Community Service
October 31st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry
November 8th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)
Beginning one week from Sunday on October 19th we will begin a new series called 40 Days of Community. Here is brief synopsis of the campaign from Rick Warren author of The Purpose Driven Life.
We were never meant to live out God’s purposes in solitude.
40 Days of Community will help move your congregation toward spiritual maturity and a meaningful life on earth, revealing how God uses other people for your good and growth.
From the beginning, God’s plan has been that you will fulfill his purposes in community with other people – people in your church family, in your small group, and in the world around you. The bible says we were formed for fellowship, and it’s only in community that we learn life’s most important lesson – how to love.
Take the next step in growing a life of purpose and meaning and join together for this 40-day spiritual journey. Lives will be touched, people will begin a relationship with Christ, practical needs will be met, the church will become known more for the love it shows, and we will see a spiritual awakening that is desperately needed in our culture.
Rick Warren
A spiritual growth campaign experience is always maximized by participation in a small group. If you are not in a small group, would you consider giving one a try during this campaign? I believe that you will find our small groups to be very enjoyable and extremely encouraging. Here is a list of the small group opportunities and when they meet.
Tom Nichols – Berean Senior Small Group, Sunday Morning at the church.
Contact them at nichols10@verizon.net
Wayne Copes – Monday Night in the Coffe Bar at church.
Contact him at f0neman@yahoo.com
Amy Henson & Thea White – Monday Night (women only) in the church office.
Contact them at amersh55@yahoo.com OR exercisegal1@yahoo.com
Ruben Morales - Monday nights @ 8:00 p.m. at the Church.
This group is for young adults.
Contact Ruben at 310-903-1502 or rsmtwtfsm@msn.com
Denise Jensen – Tuesday Morning (women only)
We meet at the home of Denise Jensen from 8:30am - 10:30am.
Contact her at bjensen623@verizon.net
Brad & Denise Jensen – Tuesday Night at various homes.
Contact them at Bjensen623@verizon.net
Craig Henson - Wednesday evenings (Men’s Group) @ 7:00 PM in the church office.
Contact Craig Henson at pastorcraig@venicechurch.com
Randy Kirk – Thursday Night at the church.
Contact him at Quixote77@sbcglobal.com
If I can help you find a group that fits you well, please contact me.
Upcoming Events:
October 19th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
October 25th – Ladies Community Service
October 31st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry
November 8th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)
It is October 1st and that means a couple of things. The holidays are just around the corner and the general election is about 30 days away. Personally, I can’t wait for the campaigning to be over. Let me encourage you to pray and seek God and then vote. It is a wonderful, God-given privilege to live in America and participate in our process.
And…in spite of all the financial doom and gloom and the best efforts of our Congress and economic gurus I still find rest and comfort in Almighty God who never changes and never wavers. He owns it all. We are simply given management of it for a short time. God doesn’t need our stuff. We can call on him in difficult times.
Psalm 50:7-15
7 "O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."
And now…here’s Amy.
Hey Guys,
We really need to get cranking on Trunk or Treat. We have eight confirmed cars for the event. We still need 12 more. If you are willing to decorate your trunk and help pass out candy please respond to this email. There will be a grand prize for the best decorated trunk. We need everybody to help by donating candy. If you could just pick up a bag of candy every time that you go in the grocery store and then bring them and drop them off in the coffee bar it will be a big help. Please help us make our first go of Trunk or Treat a big success in our community. Invitations will be available in the next week or so. Thanks for all of your help.
Upcoming Events:
October 4th – CLASS 101: Discovering Membership
October 12th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Sunday following the service)
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
October 25th – Ladies Community Service
October 31st – Trunk & Treat presented by Rockstars Childrens Ministry
November 8th – Men’s Ministry Meeting (Saturday Morning)
November 15th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity
The brief report on the Men’s Road Trip is that once again it was…fantastic! The speaker, Ken Goodban, was great. Our focus this season is prayer and Ken kicked it off for us very well. The activities were great. Lake Mohave could not have been more beautiful and serene…until Daryl fired up his boat. We had a great time at K-1 Speed driving go karts. And…apparently…I crash better than I drive. Congratulations to Ernesto Diaz who took home first place in the first ever Venice Church Grand Prix!
Thanks so much to Brad Jensen and his team for planning a great event for the men of Venice.
And now…here’s Amy.
Hey Guys,
We really need to get cranking on Trunk or Treat. We have eight confirmed cars for the event. We still need 12 more. If you are willing to decorate your trunk and help pass out candy please respond to this email. There will be a grand prize for the best decorated trunk. We need everybody to help by donating candy. If you could just pick up a bag of candy every time that you go in the grocery store and then bring them and drop them off in the coffee bar it will be a big help. Please help us make our first go of Trunk or Treat a big success in our community. Invitations will be available in the next week or so. Thanks for all of your help.
The news is not good. The economy is, apparently, in bad shape. People are losing equity in their homes and/or losing their homes. Jobs are becoming scarce.
Things don’t always go our way. Economies don’t just keep going up and to the right forever. The Dallas Cowboys are 2-0, but they are not going to go 19-0 especially if they play defense like they did on Monday night. I get that. Things don’t always go our way.
This is what I don’t get. I don’t get how we forget so easily what God has done for us. It is easy for us to get caught up in the “doom and gloom” talk. It is easy for us to look at the bottom line and think that things are just terrible.
While reading in the book of Amos this morning I read this:
Amos 2:9
(God says), “Yet think of all I did for my people.”
Amos is bringing a lot of doom and gloom. He is talking about how people have sinned against God and how they will be judged. And still he says, ”Think about all that God has done for us.” We must think about all that God has done for us. Too many times, as I talk with people here at Venice, they forget all that God has done for them. A problem, maybe even a crisis arises in their lives and they turn on God. They turn on the church. They blame God. They distance themselves from the church. Turning on God and turning away from the church is the worst thing that you can do.
Times may be tough. They may get tougher.
Think of all that God has done for you. Think of all that God has done for us. I am not talking about being positive for the sake of being positive. I am talking about really focusing on all that God has done for us and then praising Him and trusting Him and going on with Him for His glory. We can start with the fact that by His grace He has forgiven us when we were unforgivable. What a great God! He has done so much for us and if He never did anything else for us He has done enough.
Today I want to focus on all that God has done for me. I pray that you will too.
In His Love,
Craig
Upcoming Events:
September 21st – 23rd – Men’s Ministry Road Trip
October 4th – CLASS 101: Discovering Membership
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
Sunday is the big day. My friend and mentor Jerry Thorpe will be here to speak to us in the morning service (10:00 AM). Invite somebody to come with you. Come a little bit early and enjoy a beverage in the coffee bar and receive a free Venice Church mug with the price of your drink.
And if you serve in a ministry or if you are interested in serving in a ministry here at Venice please make plans to be here for our Leadership Gathering on September 14th @ 5:00 PM. Dessert will be served and Jerry will be challenging us and encouraging us and inspiring us in our service to God and His church. (Child care will be provided.)
Upcoming Events:
September 14th – Guest Speaker: Dr. Jerry Thorpe
September 14th @ 5:00 PM – Leadership Seminar with Jerry Thorpe
September 21st – 23rd – Men’s Ministry Road Trip – Sign up and pay at the Info Center
October 4th – CLASS 101: Discovering Membership
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
Please continue to make plans to be here on Sunday September 14th. My friend and mentor Jerry Thorpe will be here to speak to us in the morning service. Invite somebody to come with you. Come a little bit early and enjoy a beverage in the coffee bar and receive a free Venice Church mug with the price of your drink.
And finally…if you serve in a ministry or if you are interested in serving in a ministry here at Venice please make plans to be here for our Leadership Gathering on September 14th @ 5:00 PM. Dessert will be served and Jerry will be challenging us and encouraging us and inspiring us in our service to God and His church. (Child care will be provided.)
This Sunday we wrap up our study in James as we talk about Praying About Your Problems. I look forward to seeing you then.
And...oh yeah....pro football starts tomorrow.
Growing With You,
Craig
Upcoming Events:
September 6th – Venice Church Beach Party
September 14th – Guest Speaker: Dr. Jerry Thorpe
September 14th @ 5:00 PM – Leadership Seminar with Jerry Thorpe
September 21st – 23rd – Men’s Ministry Road Trip – Sign up and pay at the Info Center
October 4th – CLASS 101: Discovering Membership
October 19th – 40 Days of Community
October 31st - Trunk or Treat (details are coming)
I must begin the Touching Base today by commending you for your faithfulness. Your love for Venice Church is displayed in an awesome way by your attendance and giving. Our attendance has been very good this summer and God has provided for us in wonderful ways and He has used you to accomplish it. Your faithfulness to give has allowed us to pay down principal on our building loan and make some improvements to our property like the new sign that will be installed in the coming weeks and some much needed renovation to our offices that will begin very soon.
In addition, we have had many first time visitors this summer and the ones that I have spoken to have all commented on how friendly you are and how “it feels like family” here at Venice. It would be easy to say that is how it should be, but I know that not all churches are as warm and friendly as ours. Thank you for loving and caring for each other. Thank you for welcoming our guests with such hospitality.
There is a long list of upcoming events below, but let me remind you of a couple that are coming up fast.
Sunday September 14th Jerry Thorpe will be here to speak to us. Jerry is a vibrant communicator and I know that you will enjoy hearing him. It will be a great day to bring a friend. Let me encourage you to come a little bit early and enjoy a drink in our coffee bar. Every drink that day will be served in a complimentary Venice Church mug that will be yours to keep. Come of the fellowship and take home a free mug.
That evening at 5:00 PM Jerry will be speaking all of the leaders and ministers of Venice at a Leadership Seminar. Dessert will be served and I know that Jerry will inspire you and encourage you in your service to God and Venice Church. Child care will be provided.
And…men…the road trip is coming up. Get signed up and paid up at the information center this week. Guys, it will be a blast. You don’t want to miss this great trip.
Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be taking some time off. So, I am going to give the Touching Base a two week break. It will return on Wednesday August 20th.
Amy and I will be out of town on Sunday August 10th. It will be great to have our veteran missionary Mark DeNeui with us. Mark and Lisa have done a wonderful work and I know that you will be excited to hear about the next chapter in their life and work.
I will be back on Sunday August 17th, but I will not be speaking. My friend Mark Pointer, a missionary going to Peru, will be here. I am excited for you to meet Mark and hear about what God has called his family to in Peru.
Sunday August 24th we will get back to the book of James and we will finish up the series on September 7th.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. We will be in James chapter 4 talking about Facing the Future. It will be a great time together.
