Now you can be in a small group no matter where you live or what your schedule looks like. We’d like you to experience online small groups. Come and see if this is the right type of group for you. Try a group by clicking on the times shown under Dates & Times on
the right. If there isn’t a group meeting when you want, just fill out
the form to the right to suggest a time. We may put together a new
group for that time. If
you have further questions about online small groups, want to host a
group, or you’re having trouble registering for an online small group,
please email onlinegroups@saddleback.com.
Register for Online Groups!
Saturday
February
06
2010
12:00 AM
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The animal kingdom has been something that has fascinated me since I was a young boy. When I was very young, 3 maybe, I could tell you more about animals than anything else. I was obsessed to say the least. I knew more about animals than most adults and I soaked up all the information I could. Everything in my life revolved around animals. Everywhere I went I gathered knowledge about animals.
Recently I reflected on what I learned about animals as a child, most of the things I learned are gone now but not all them (I didn't work to maintain that knowledge). One thing I noticed during this period of reflection is that God placed a great deal of wisdom in his creation. For example many animals gather during the summer months to store up for the winter (bears, squirrels, ants). We could learn from the animal kingdom in this way. Like animals we need to learn to store up what is important for when it really matters.
However there is one major difference between what we should store up and what animals store up; we should store up things in our hearts and animals store physical things. In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist states "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." And in Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
Memorizing scripture has been a long held practice of the church; prior to the printing press in 1440 most people did not have their own bible so it required that they memorize scripture to keep it with them all the time. This is a practice we should continue to keep even if we have bibles on our phones. When we memorize scripture the Holy Spirit can recall it to our memory at any moment in any place.
If you would like helpful tips on how to memorize scripture go to Navigators Scripture Memorization Tips.
If you would like to grow deeper in your faith check out the Spiritual Growth Center.
Friday
February
05
2010
12:00 AM
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I was riding on the bus when somebody started to talk real loud, so that the whole bus could hear. The conversation was really bothering me. It seemed to sneak into my thoughts and my prayers. I could not focus. I was loosing my cool. And I didn't know what to do. Have you ever felt that way? I started humming an old song, than singing it softly just to myself. No, I had no iPod with me. But my outlook started changing nearly immediately as I realized how hungry the speaker was for attention and how he drew on the energies of everybody around.
So I started praying for them, for the whole bus, and I praised God that I do know a source of fresh strength when everything goes bleak. I worshiped him right there by singing: Heaven is a wonderful place, full of glory and grace, I want to see my Saviors face,`cause heaven is a wonderful place. And as I sung heaven started right there in my heart. Praising God for my circumstances was just what I needed to do. Blessed is the man, who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners,or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers (Ps 1: 1-3).
Try and learn one song this week that you will know so well it is stuck right in the heart of every bone, so that you have it ready when things aren't easy. Then hum it, sing it, teach it to somebody else. Let it leak and spill like fresh tap water on a hot day. Praise God!
Take YOUR WORSHIP to the next level by checking out the Spiritual Growth Center Online.
Audy
Online Community Member
Monday
February
01
2010
11:36 PM
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Slow Down! If you've ever been pulled over for speeding, these are the words you dread. You’ve been caught and you know it. You just hope he wasn’t paying attention to exactly HOW FAST you were going, or maybe he’ll be nice and let you off with this simple warning… Maybe.
In life there is seldom someone telling you to slow down until it's too late. You fill your life till it doesn’t have any space. You are constantly on the go. If you are like me you like the fact that you are constantly busy. You don’t know what to do when you have free time. It is weird to not have anything to do. So when I tell you what I am about to tell you I am also telling myself. Remember how I said we don’t have anyone to tell us to slow down. Guess what? Now you do. SLOW DOWN!!!
When we look at the life of Jesus we will notice he always moved at a deliberate pace that rarely involved rushing to something. He didn’t even rush to save Lazarus from death. I for one think he knew what he was doing. Do you? If Jesus is our example, maybe we should follow his lead.
We need to slow down.
This is a simple habit we can develop that will aid us greatly in the end.. If we put this habit into practice we will be less stressed out, we will have deeper relationship, we will have greater patience, we will see what really matters, and most importantly we will have a better relationship with God.
I know all the practical people out there are thinking “What does this look like or require of me?” It is simple really. Next time you are at the grocery store go to the longest line, not the shortest. Next time you schedule something give yourself more than 15 minutes to get there, i.e. don’t have back to back appointments. Next time you find yourself with an opening in your calendar, use it to relax, whatever that looks like for you (and if you don’t know what that looks like, figure it out). Next time you are sitting in traffic don’t change lanes, just sit there. Next time you are looking for something to do with a loved one go to the park watch the clouds. Next time you find yourself with a day off commit to spending some of that time with God reading your Bible or talking with him (i.e. praying).
Jon
Friday
January
29
2010
12:00 AM
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Saddleback Church offers live Chat during many of its weekend services.
It's simple, fun and spiritual. I'd like to Share these Simple Steps.
STEP 1. Five minutes before the start of the the Sunday 9 AM, 11:15 AM, 4:30 PM, & 6:30 PM services enter the chat.
STEP 2. Click on "Click Here To Enter Chat" and enter your name.
STEP 3. Watch the service and follow along with the online notes. Chat and enjoy a bunch of random people from all over the planet discuss the content of the message.
I loved attending Sunday's service. The chatters of
last nights online chat, during the 4:30 service, were watching the
service live and the chat box contained statements such as, "I love
this song", "What You live in NY too?", "This Scripture Really Hit Home
with Me", and "When I'm away I feel more connected to the Church when I
can talk with others about the message During the message."
The host was great. The whole Experience was Stimulating.
If your interested in moderating a chat email Jayk@saddleback.com
James
Online
Community Member
Wednesday
January
27
2010
12:00 AM
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Have you ever tried to climb a mountain? A big, no a huge snow clad mountain? Where icy winds
will meet your cheeks and harsh cliffs will hinder your march, thin air will make you breathe hard
and cold will make you shiver. And yet you will go on. Because you want to reach the top of the
mountain. It is exhilarating to do so. It is a big satisfaction. And it leaves you longing for more.
Now meeting God has pretty much similarity to this. Things my get a little rough around the going.
Some icy wind may come from unexpected corners meeting unexpecting parts of your body. And
you shiver. The cold can be deadly. Very easy to just get to sleep in the snow and never wake up
again. Not even wanting to wake up. Just let go.
Trying to approach God is like climbing a mountain that reaches so high into the sky you cannot see
the top. Nobody can see God and live. Elija coverd his face, so did Moses. They saw the shadow of
God passing by. Nobody can stand God's presence. And to approach him is dangerous. Jesus said
that those who stumble over this stone will be broken. God's presence will break you as sure as
constant cold will break you until you are a bundle of shivering nerves wanting to sleep forever.
That's when you start to be useful for God. When your self is completely broken.
When you need to trust somebody to help. When you have to trust that God will send the right
person to be there. You'd never ever think about climbing a very high mountain alone. Not if it is
worth a song. Or a tale. Or God's favour.
It may prove deadly to approach God. Yet it is the most fascinating and exhilarating thing to do.
Nothing compares to God's presence. Nothing. You may pass through the valley of death as the
psalmist says, and you probably will before reaching a spot being worth to be reached. Yet once
tasted this, as Jesus said, once drinking from the well, you'll be wanting nothing else.
But don't do it alone. Don't loose the contact, don't do it alone. For your sake, for the sake of those
around you, for the sake of God's kingdom. If you are commited to doing what seems to be folly in
the eyes of the world, to meet ridicule and persecution and slanderous words, stay connected. You
may not need anybody to climb a small mountain, you may not even need anybody to approach the
great mountain, but to reach the top, no, you won't make it alone. Stay tuned.
Audy
Online Community Member
Tuesday
January
26
2010
12:58 AM
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Sunday
January
24
2010
12:00 AM
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Thursday
January
21
2010
10:08 PM
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Listening to this weeks message about being an ambassador for Christ was just the reminder I needed. See the world and life has a funny way sometimes of making you feel down and out. Job that is unfulfilling can make you feel weighted down. Responsibilities to family can make you feel even more weighted down. Before you know it, you are so weighed down with the cares of the world you forget that God put you here for a reason.
This weeks reminder of being ambassadors, for Christ serves as a reminder of just how important you are to God, being his representatives here on earth. Charged with spreading the good news – what more important task can one have? How much love does God have for all of us to entrust us to something so incredibly important?
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5: 14-16
Alinda
Online Community Member
Wednesday
January
20
2010
12:00 AM
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After listening to the sermon of Pastor Rick Warren on being an ambassador the old saying comes up. "What would Jesus do“ in a new coat. What would an ambassador do? And how do you represent an eternal and unfailing God? Many ambassadors make it one of their priorities to live in a nice house, wear nice clothes and do a smooth talk. They are watched 24/7 and they want to look good for their countries sake. But what does it mean to look good for a God who claimed it perfection to give his only beloved son into a manger where it could have been a palace, wrapped in cloths instead of a beautiful gown. His parents were so poor, they could only offer the required minimum at the temple, a pair of turtle doves.
The church, in her attempt to appear blameless, has often taken for granted the standard of the world. If you are a good christian, you live in a decent house, you put on your best Sunday clothes as you go to church, being all smiles and full of joy it says. This is of course to honor God, but I still wonder what a God, who gave his son to the cross would think of it. We seem to need so much money to be a good christian. Often the maturity of a believer has been measured this way. They seem to be blessed just as Abraham, who was a rich man, was blessed by God. Even Job clearly lacked God's favor when Satan was allowed to take it all away from him.
How do I worship a God who allows Haiti to happen, who allows wars and poverty to happen, child abuse and cancer and HIV? C. S. Lewis wrote, that pain is the only thing that can make man change.That Job was more in favor, more blessed when he had lost all. Which he acknowledged in the end. We are so hardened, that only utter pain will bring us onto the road to salvation. We need to be shattered in all our assumptions to come close to God's assumptions about us. I don`t have all the answers, but I know they are different from my expectations. And not always easy or pleasing. As the cross was no laughing matter. Our way of being needs the pain.
How am I an ambassador for such a God? If I want to represent my country I have to live up to my countries standards. And even when Paul says I became all to all so that I can win some, he never compromised. I fear even the church has for a to long time taken for granted that money is a sure measure of spiritual maturity. But look at Jesus. He praises the poor woman, who gives all she has. Will she have food at home? Will her children be angry and hungry? She doesn`t seem to care and so does Jesus.
So here is, what is of the first importance for an ambassador: Get your priorities right. Step in line with God's priorities. Be prepared for assaults as you leave the standards of the world behind. A true ambassador must wear his kings colors. And our king is different from the worlds standard. So be holy. Get out of it. Get separated and do it now: They will start watching you 24/7. And as God's power grows in you, God will get the glory. And make sure to pay in the currency of your true country. With love and trust and obedience, with trembling and wisdom and fear. Our God is a holy God.
Audy
Online Community Member
Monday
January
18
2010
2:09 PM
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