Mount of Olives Church

Being a migraine sufferer, I have had a few MRI tests done in the last few years. The most recent was just a few weeks ago. The machine is loud, and they play loud classical music to try to distract you from the weird tones and knocking of the machine. I choose to close my eyes even before I go in and don’t open them again until the technician tells me I am “all clear”. As I practiced my coping skills of slow steady focused breathing and keeping my eyes closed, half way through, I decided to also call to mind Bible verses I had committed to memory over the years. To my dismay, I realized this only took about 4 minutes out of the 20 minute test! “I know, I thought to myself, I’ll think of poems I have learned!” “The thunder roared, the lightning flashed, the very earth was shaken! A little pig curled up his tail, and ran to save his bacon!” I chuckled to myself as I realized this was the only poem I have ever memorized! It gave me great comfort when I was a little girl. My Grandma wo...

While doing my devotions, I ran across one in “The Power of Being Thankful” by Joyce Meyer. It’s entitled “Reach Your Full Potential”. While even in adversity, there is potential to gain so much knowledge and wealth – not wealth as in monetary wealth, but as in growing in Christ. God can and will use adversity to strengthen you. Winston Churchill said, “Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” The Lord recently taught me a very important lesson. Without realizing what I was doing, I was placing someone before God. It was not intentional. I didn’t even realize it was happening. My heart was very vulnerable. God, in His infinite wisdom, revealed to me certain attributes – causing me to take a step back. And then I was able to realize what was going on. At first, yes, I was hurt. I was devastated, but then I used this adversity to reach my full potential in Christ. I surrendered the pain, understanding what God was showing me through this life lesson. We must watch our hearts, alwa...

When I received the bill from the Emergency Room at Bear Valley Community Hospital, I knew I should have listened. It was just a few months earlier when I was riding on the chair lift at Squaw Valley, enjoying the breath-taking views of Lake Tahoe, when he said to me, “Dude… Where’s your helmet?” This was years ago, before helmets were popular, and so my answer was, “It’s all good, Bro, I don’t need a helmet!” His last words were: “Helmets are cheaper than CAT scans…” Fast-forward a few weeks... While screaming down the icy hill at Bear Mountain, I caught an edge on my snowboard. According to the ER physician I saw in Big Bear that afternoon, had I been wearing a helmet, my risk of head injury would have been reduced by more than 60 percent. I should have listened. How often do we do this with God? Through our daily devotions, while listening to a sermon, through His still small voice, or even from the words of a complete stranger on a chair lift, God speaks to us. But, do we listen? P...

“Christian community is like the Christian’s sanctification. It is a gift from God which we cannot claim.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer I don’t know about you, but the biggest adjustment for me during the recent pandemic was the inability to physically interact with my church community, my Cursillo brothers and sisters, as well as my couples’ and men’s small groups. I missed the nourishment that each of these regularly provided. Practically speaking, the Journal of American Medical Association has reported there are even health benefits linked to fellowship versus isolation. As stated in the New York Times, “The incidence of infection among people who knew many different kinds of people was nearly half of that among those who were regularly isolated. The lack of diverse contacts was the strongest of the risk factors for colds that were examined, including smoking, low vitamin C intake, and stress.” The truth is that we are naturally designed by God to be in community. In other words, we are n...

As an avid hiker and backpacker, I have spent a lot of time on trails and in God’s beautiful nature. I was leading a group of 6 lady backpackers on an overnight adventure in the Sierra Mountains, just north of Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows. It was late June and beautiful. Our trail route was a loop around several lakes. On the second day, we climbed to our high point, near 10,000 feet, and reached snow line. At some point after reaching the snow line, I realized we were off trail. We had started to descend and no one was eager to retrace our steps back up. We examined our maps and topographic contour lines and decided to continue along a canyon. Two hours later, and we were still not back on a trail. As we climbed to a hilltop for a line of sight view, I prayed to God for direction and guidance. He helped to keep my mind clear and to focus on a solution to our problem. We were lost. After the hilltop view and orientation, we proceeded on a course which led us to a trail and back to the m...

Pastor Mark Daniels is Senior Pastor of Living Waters Lutheran Church in Springboro, Ohio, and told this story about Frederick the Great in one of his sermons: “He was a king of Prussia, the nation that formed the core of what later became Germany, back in the eighteenth century. The story, which may or may not be true, says that Frederick was inspecting a prison in Berlin. Most of the prisoners, as prisoners usually will do, told him they were innocent and begged to be released. One man, though, was silent. Frederick asked the man what crime he had been accused of and if he was guilty of it. “Yes, your majesty," the prisoner replied, "I deserve my punishment." Frederick called for the warden and ordered the immediate release of that man. "I will not have him kept in prison," he said, "where he will corrupt all of its innocent occupants." This is a part of what repentance looks like, when we are honest about our sin and broken condition. When we fa...

It has been said, “I never have found peace of mind by giving folks a piece of mine.” Sometimes it is so very difficult to refrain from giving someone a “piece of our mind”; whether it be to yell at the guy talking on the television or someone in real life. It might feel good at the moment, but it rarely makes things better. Instead, when this happens with real people, it only damages relationships. In addition, when we do this, we have an inner attitude which says we are really smarter, have greater understanding and need to straighten them out. But in truth, it is more often our pride and arrogance at work. These are truly challenging days where we are under a great deal of strain and stress. However, we need to be people who consider the long-term aspects of all we are facing. We need to realize others are under the same pressures, in fact, maybe even more. This can be a period where we can grow spiritually and give people the benefit of the doubt, and we can put this into practice ...

“What is hope but a feeling of optimism, a thought that says things will improve, it won’t always be bleak, there’s a way to rise above the present circumstances. Hope is an internal awareness that you do not have to suffer forever, and that somehow, somewhere there is a remedy for despair that you will come upon if you can only maintain this expectancy in your heart.”– Wayne W. Dyer During this long period of setbacks and struggles with the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is essential for us to never stop having hope. In 1917/18, a similar pandemic happened in the United States, and yet, things eventually got better. Most of us had never heard of the Pandemic of 1917, and this is precisely because things got better and stayed that way for a very long time. The same is true now. Things will get better. One of the reasons we know this is because God is faithful. Our hope can be sure because of Him. Proverbs 30:5 ESV Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Pr...

One of the greatest ways we can improve the relationships in our lives is by the way we speak or don’t speak to others. It is vital for us to consider how we speak to others. It might even be helpful for us to ask a safe person in our lives about how we speak to others. In an iconic scene from The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy finds herself in the strange and mysterious Land of Oz. On her journey, she encounters a talking scarecrow and they enjoy this telling exchange: Scarecrow: I haven't got a brain... only straw. Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain? Scarecrow: I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking... don't they? Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right. It becomes vital to think before we speak. By thinking before we speak, we can determine if what we are about to say will be uplifting or a put down. Will it be encouraging or negative? This one step of thinking before we speak can make an important difference in every relati...

Dear Dad, $chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you. Love, Your $on The Reply: Dear Son, I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh. Dad Good for you, Dad (and Mom – I am sure you had something to do with this, too). You resisted your son's NOt-so-subtle hint that throwing a little money his way would make you the greatest parents ever. What he really needs is your time, your attention, your wisdom, and your guidance. He needs your spiritual leadership. Don't be afraid to say "No". Resist the temptation to replace parenting with finances. Giving children boundaries is one of the greatest gifts you can give to them. Proverbs 4:1-5 "Listen,...

In his book, “Leadership Pain: God’s Classroom for Growth”, Sam Chand writes, “Pain isn’t the enemy. The inability or unwillingness to face pain is a far greater danger.” No one likes pain but pain can be a great teacher. Certainly, when our bodies experience pain, our body is telling us something is wrong. The same can be true in other areas in our lives. But if we ignore pain and remain in denial, nothing ever gets better. Proverbs 28:26 ESV Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Throughout my ministry, I have found the people who refuse to deal with the issues of their lives, simply continue to have problems and they only get worse. However, I have also found people who face them head on find solutions and better days. As we begin this new year, it is a good time to face the pains of life and seek the Lord’s solutions. If you need help in doing this, our pastoral staff is here and ready to help. Just reach out and let us know. Pray wi...

It has been said, “An optimist stays up until midnight to welcome the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” Perhaps this New Year’s Eve, all of us will be a little bit of an optimist and little bit of a pessimist. I think we find ourselves in the position that we will not miss the year 2020 and are hopeful (perhaps desperate) for 2021 to be a much better year. And yet, as difficult as 2020 has been, it has also been a year in which we have learned many things. We have learned we are not as strong as we think we are. We have learned there are certain things way out of our control. We have had to face more of our mortality, and this has been humbling. Becoming more honest about these matters has helped us grow. We have had to consider what is most important in life. Hopefully, we have learned what we have needed most in all of this is a relationship with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. This has been a growth year, and perhaps one of the reasons 2020 had...

“Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s more like a cha-cha." — Robert Brault, Author Many people struggle with being flexible. They resist having a teachable spirit. In their stubbornness, they push back when as Robert Brault is saying, they are only being asked to dance a little. Proverbs 29:1 ESV He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. Perhaps you should consider whether your rigidity is the root cause of many of the struggles you face. If so, find ways to have a teachable spirit and learn new ways to live. Consult God’s Word, which always gives the best advice and teaching. Pray with me: Heavenly Father, in our broken condition, we fail to be adaptable. There are times when You are trying to teach us something new, but we are not always open to learning. Give us a new spirit to learn from You better ways to live. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Yours because of Him, Pa...

Saturday, November 14, 2020 “Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.” - Lin Yutang At some point, we cannot allow ourselves to be stuck. We need to take the next step. Sometimes in life, we become so tired and overwhelmed that we are almost paralyzed. However, one of the times where hope is born and grows is when we step out in faith and take new steps. Here is God’s promise to you as you step out in faith: Proverbs 23:18 ESV Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. A new road needs to be created. It is the road of hope. Step out and trust God with your future. Ask Him to guide you and lead you into the exciting plan He has for you, and hope will be renewed. Pray with me: Heavenly Father, Your promises make it possible for us to take new steps. Help us to shake off the paralysis we are in and step onto the new road You are creating. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Yours because of Him, Pasto...

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called House of Dying, where sick children are cared for in their last days; and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people; feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers faced daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." Source: Beyond Hunger, Beals. As we have been going through the tough times of this pandemic and other challenges, we need to keep in mind the need for faithfulness. Faithfulness is essential, because it doesn’t allow circumstances to determine the outcome. The truth is, faithfulness will actually lead to success. So, when you want to “throw in the towel”, don’t....

One young person commenting on The Pandemic made the following statement, “My mom always told me I wouldn’t accomplish anything by lying in bed all day. But look at me now, Ma! I’m saving the world!”Having a purpose in life is very important, however I am not sure this qualifies. We were designed by God to be people of purpose and not just to sit around on the couch all day. Proverbs 19:21 ESV Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. The challenge of having a purpose is it needs to be God’s purpose for our lives in order for it to be fulfilling. The Psalmist says we can have many ideas of our own as to what our purpose should be, but it is the ones which come from God “that will stand”. By this, the Psalmist is saying it is the purpose of God being fulfilled in our lives which will last and resist the passage of time. It is the purpose of God being fulfilled through us which will have lasting value. Overall, the scriptures are speaki...

  Horace Greely once said, “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures, character.” Character really does matter. People can be impressed with all sorts of things about you, but at the end of the day, character is what matters. Some of the character traits people look for are the following: high respect for God, hard work, honesty, telling the truth every time, keeping your promises, respect for others, compassion and empathy, being a Christ-centered servant to others, forgiving. There are many more, but this is a good start. This period of Coronavirus can be a time of self-examination. It can be a period where we work on our character and decide to make some positive changes to help develop our character. Here is what the Book of Proverbs says about it: Proverbs 10:9 ESV Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Pray with me: Heavenly Father, from time to time we have thought we could tak...

Through the years, I have heard people say things like, “I say what I think” – which really means they don’t think before they speak. They just say whatever comes to mind. And while this sounds bold and courageous, it is most often very destructive because it usually hurts other people and pushes them away.  Solomon Ibn Gabirol was a Hebrew poet and philosopher, born in Malaga, Spain, about the year 1021 AD. Here is how he explained it: "As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave." It is better to have a filter and to process what we say before we say it. We need to stop and ask, “Will what I am about to say hurt someone’s feelings….will it damage our relationship…is it appropriate at this time?” We need to take a moment and consider the context in which we are speaking. Proverbs 21:23 ESV "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Pray with me: Heavenly Father, words matter and You hav...

Being able to laugh is very important to our well-being. God Himself gave us this ability. I am always on the lookout for a good joke. A lot of people groan at someone’s joke if it isn’t a “knee slapper” as the saying goes. That is unfortunate. I think if a joke is clever, then it is funny and will put a smile on my face. Here is one I found recently: This morning, I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house, told my dog–we laughed a lot. Proverbs 15:15 ESV All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. Get your laugh back. Look for the humor in the air. Find something to smile about. Tell a joke to someone, even if it isn’t a “knee slapper”, and it will be a continual feast for your soul. Pray with me: Lord Jesus Christ, one of the great portraits of You is one in which You are laughing. You are the author of laughter and it makes perfect sense. Teach us how to laugh so we may h...

Our society has a strong focus on education. It has been difficult during this pandemic for students, at all levels, to do remote learning. Normally, students entering college would be very excited, but now it is very different. However, the goal of education remains the same. We want our students to develop academically and intellectually. We know as a nation we need a well-educated society. More and more, the international marketplace is demanding people to have the kind of knowledge which can compete in a global economy. As important as education is, we rarely hear anyone talking about wisdom. Knowing history or equations is what we think is greatly needed. Very few ever lift up something even more important – wisdom. Wisdom will help us know how to use our education. Wisdom helps us to make good judgements which affect those around us. We can’t find a class on wisdom, and yet, it is greatly needed. So, where do we find wisdom? Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of...