Today’s prayer update from Kindred Community Church brings news that my beloved Pastor, Chuck Obremski has been hospitalized once again. Of particular concern at this time is his blood count. In visiting David Fisher’s blog Pilgrim Scribblings tonight I found a prayer uttered on behalf of Chuck. I too would like to lift up my voice in prayer for Chuck, Linda and the Obremski family.

Dear Father…we come to You tonight…and lift up our dear Pastor Chuck to You. We pray for Your hand to be upon him…may You strengthen him and fill him with Your peace. May Your healing hand touch his body…may You restore his blood cell and platelet counts. We ask You to take away the pain…remove the discomfort and allow him to have a peaceful rest. May he continually be aware of Your presence and Your deep, abiding and unfailing love for him.

We ask for You to surround Chuck, Linda and the Obremski family…may they be keenly aware of Your love and care for them each step along the way. May their faith grow deeper and stronger as they turn to You…knowing that You are their Jehovah-Jireh. Assured that You have and will continue to provide for them. We ask You to give them great wisdom and strength…and enable them .

God, we praise You…for who You are…and what You are doing in our lives. We are comforted to know that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. We thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ through whom You have saved us. And it’s in His name that we come to You. Father these prayers are offered in humility to Your great awesome and mighty power…and we humbly submit to Your will. Amen

Today was the first Sunday that my beloved Pastor, Chuck Obremski has not preached since we started our church 2 1/2 years ago. Think about that…how many regular, healthy pastors do you know that you can say have not missed one Sunday in 2 1/2 years? That in itself would be amazing…but with Chuck…it’s nothing short of a miracle from God.

We remain ever hopeful and prayerful that our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will see fit to heal Chuck. We continue to lift him up in prayer…and have stood back amazed to see God at work in his life. Sustaining him, strengthening him, filling him with His Holy Spirit, enabling him to powerfully preach His Word, week after week…in the face of a devastating illness. He has given him faith and trust when many would doubt and be filled with anger. He filled him with the desire to be obedient and continue to teach God’s Word…when most would go turn and go their own way.

In turn…God has been able to use this wretched disease for something beautiful. The powerful witness for the love of God…and his ability to help in your most desperate of circumstances. This message has reached out and touched so very many people. People who themselves are sick or in desperate circumstances…or family and friends who are effected by seeing their loved one in such a difficult place.

God has used this to grow us up and strengthen us as a congregation…and enable us to walk in love. Love for our God…love for each other and love for the lost.

Through this all God has provided. Today is no different. Dave Dunn, an Elder at Kindred, preached this mornings message. He is a godly man…who loves his Savior and God’s Word. I consider it a privilege to attend Dave’s Bible study during the week.

We continue to be desperate and dependent on our God…as he lovingly cares for his sheep. Praise God!

It was a bit different at Brighton Garden’s today. I arrived about 12:30…but the usual people dining at that time had already departed. Instead of Mary at my mom’s table there was a gentleman that had recently moved in.

The staff seemed a bit sparse or otherwise occupied. Gayle had not yet finished her lunch. In fact it looked like she had barely started to eat. But she was obviously not hungry. She had a mouth full of food which she did not swallow without some encouragement to chew and take a sip of juice. After a while I persuaded her to not worry about the sandwich she had been holding for 10 minutes and instead finish up her cake. She has a sweet tooth so that didn’t take too much persuasion.

Needed to set up a new remote control for her TV and DVD player. Weird things happen there…don’t ask me what. But I have three remotes from the past that mysteriously stopped working despite new batteries…and one that disappeared altogether.

Today Gayle wanted to see a serious movie…not a comedy…so we watched Apollo 13. What a great movie! It’s been a while since I’ve seen it…but now I remember why I like it so very much. Great casting, acting, and script…Ron Howard is one of our best movie makers. He does quality work…quality in every way. He manages to draw out authentic and intriguing performances from each of the actors. Apollo 13 is very compelling…kind of hard to go wrong with Tom Hanks in a movie.

Gayle was not very verbal today. That’s not to say she was quiet…but instead was mostly humming. Not as in singing…but as in humming in place of words. She was kind of feisty…and it strikes me that even now she tries to pretend that she is normal or okay. Probably not with the same intent as it was before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s…but I think it’s kind of a habit.

I saw or met a number of new employees at Brighton Garden’s today. All in all they seem to like Gayle…and appreciate the fact that she is usually cheerful. Not that she’s always easy going…but even when difficult…she is in a good mood about it.

I wonder what she thinks about all this. I mean the real Gayle…the Gayle that is slowly disappearing each day. One day in heaven I hope to find out what she would say.

Notes from Dave Dunn’s sermon 7/17/05
Ephesians 2:1-10 & 19-22

Ephesians was written during a time of great testing and adversity in Paul’s life. A time of trouble…Paul was imprisoned in Rome.

We have 20/20 hindsight where we can see God was in control. God has a purpose and a plan with Paul’s imprisonment. God used this time in Paul’s life for him to write what would become books in the New Testament. Can you imagine the New Testament without Paul’s writings?

Past Life – Dead, Disobedient, & Doomed

You were dead in your transgressions and sins. Looking back at Genesis 3…prior to the fall Adam and Eve had fellowship with God. When Adam and Eve sinned they ran and hide from God.

Two types of death. Spiritual death…separation from God. Physical death…occurred 900 years later tempered by God’s mercy. We were born dead…spiritually dead…separated from God and had no desire to seek or know Him.

When Adam sinned he lost his right and ability to rule the world. Satan slithered in and took control…until the time when God will put an end to him.

What rules in today’s world?

• Humanism places man above God…above all and over all. This world system in which we live is of Satan, not God. From 1 John…we were children of the devil. Satan is the ruler of this world.
• Materialism…everyone is trying to get the most they can get.
• Spirit of Rebellion. Sexual perversion…illicit sex. Remember…water seeks its own level…as does sin.
  

Provision – Richness, Regeneration & Redemption

Eph 2:4 – BUT GOD! What is the driving force behind God’s love, mercy, grace and kindness? The driving force is God’s focus and attention on man. He chose to bless us with His grace.

We are made alive in Christ, by grace you have been saved, raised up and seated with Christ. 2 Cor 5:17…a new creation.

God in His great love…came down from heaven…seeking us out. Eph 2:6 – “Has” seated us with Christ…it’s already done. There is already a seat in heaven waiting for us.

Eph 2:8-9 – 8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.” God’s entire message and plan are incorporated in these verses. It’s simple…but we try to complicate it and figure out a way.

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

Even the faith to believe is a gift given to us by God. Salvation…redemption…is given to us by God. We don’t have to pay or try to pay for a gift.

The Church…God’s Plan, the Body & Ambassadors

God brings us together as a church…to be part of a family and ambassadors.

We are brought together to do God’s work that God prepared in advance for us to do. There is a mission and a purpose for each of us. Each of us is gifted to be part of the body of Christ. He intertwines each of us together. Need each other to be accountable as a congregation. How are we to be people of the Cross…and not just one who is cross?

God brings us together as a group of people through the cement of His love and His Son. We are to work on his plan…and for great good. God wants each one of us to be part of the body of Christ. We need to just stay out of the way…and not mess it up. Keep our focus on the big plan.

Being God’s people…we are all God’s ambassadors. Ambassadors of the cross. He has gifted us and called us to serve. God has chosen to do his work, reach the world, through His people.

We are a building of believers…joined together with Christ. Predetermined plan in our life. God has gifted each of us to serve in an area…one in which we are invaluable.

Paul battled all the way to the end of his life. He held back nothing; He took it to the end. Our lesson from heaven. Like a comet, streaking across the sky into the heavens.

Can this be said about you? Is Christ first place in your life?

We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. As we are built up individually, we are able to share with the world.

Hebrews 11: 1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.



There are many great tools available to Christians today…numerous resources on the internet. One of these websites is Bible Gateway. On this site you can look up Bible verses, do a word search, or do topical searches. There are many versions of the Bible to check and compare. If you are having difficulty in understanding a passage it can be helpful to compare the different versions and how the same passage is worded. The passage shown above is from the New International Version. Below that same passage is listed out of the Amplified Version.

Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified)
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, [a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

NIV gives a more succinct rendering…and Amplified a fully bodied expanded interpretation. Be sure to check out Bible Gateway to use for your Bible study.

One of the best things about blogging is discovering other bloggers, their websites and writings. I just stumbled across another writer. David Fisher on Pilgrim Scribblings posts some wonderful works. Not only his material…but also the work of others.

Today on my visit to Pilgrim Scribblings…I found an article/poem by writer, Greg Asimakoupoulos. His poems are published on the Partial Observer’s website. Poems is not a complete or accurate description of Greg’s work…because it’s a mixture of commentary on current news stories in the form of poems. Not only are they heartfelt…but a lot of thought goes into them. He’s got an ability to succinctly put into words thoughts, ideas, keen observations and precious feelings.

I encourage you to click on the link and check out Greg’s work. I’m marking it as a favorite…and plan to visit it regularly. Hope you will too.

The “Quote of the Week” goes to Dutch-Moroccan national Mohammed Bouyeri. He is the man accused of killing Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh and in court this week confessed to the brutal murder. His words reveal the picture of a heart that is pure evil.

• “I can assure you that one day, should I be set free, I would do exactly the same, exactly the same.”
• “I take complete responsibility for my actions. I acted purely in the name of my religion.”
• “I have to admit I do not feel for you, I do not feel your pain, I cannot — I don’t know what it is like to lose a child.”
• “I cannot feel for you … because I believe you are an infidel.”
• “I acted out of conviction — not because I hated your son.”

This is what we are fighting in our battle on terror. This is why we must win…and loosing is not an option.

For over seven years now…I start out each morning with a walk. And I can truly say…it’s the best part of my day. Not that it goes downhill from there…but it’s a lovely time.

By time I leave…I’ve been up for a while and feel awake and refreshed from my morning shower. I think one of the things I like best is how quite it is. A peaceful time while the rest of the world is still sleeping…or just waking up.

I really enjoy the different weather. No matter if it’s sunshine…overcast…windy or even dark. Now rain on the other hand…is frowned up during my morning walk time. When we have those rainy spells here in So Cal…I easily slip into a stinky mood…if I miss my morning walk for more than a day or so.

In the winter and fall when I walk…it’s dark out. Sometimes it makes me a wee bit nervous…but now I have a cell phone…and forewarn the guys at work…that if I don’t come in and don’t call…to please worry and check it out. I figure the dirt bags and those who are criminally inclined are sleeping after a night out and doing what they ought not. Besides that…I’m a mean son of a gun…and have adopted Clint Eastwood’s line, “Go ahead, make my day”.

You kind of get to know the folks in the neighborhood. Both those you see regularly…and even those you don’t see. It almost feels like friends…and I enjoy chatting along with way or just saying, “hi”. I think my favorite thing though is seeing the different animals. The dogs that are being walked by their owners every morning…and the kitties resting up after a night on the prowl…love it when they come up and let me pet them. I love seeing the my favorite Blue Jay and Cranes from the nearby riverbed and even a Hawk on occasion.

It’s neat and even reassuring seeing changes to the houses during the different seasons…and over the years. Positively amazing to see how quickly the houses sell. I have my favorite yards…and you can really tell the folks that love gardening. Not only do you see them out there, working in their yards…but you also see the fruits of their labor…which is a gift for all passing by.

Each morning I listen to my IPod…usually consisting of the Dennis Prager show downloaded from the day before. (Been a subscriber for about a year and a half…and highly recommend it. No commercials…just the good stuff.) One day a week…it’s the radio show from Stand to Reason…also downloaded on my IPod.

So not only are my senses stimulated by the sights and feel of the weather…but my mind is challenged as well. If I haven’t already thought of it by time I leave for my walk…I will remember the event of September 11th…especially when I see a jet flying overhead. As painful as it is…I am grateful to remember…it changed me for the better.

I love my morning walks…they are a true gift from God. On the National Day of Prayer…I like to do a prayer walk. Instead of listening to my IPod…I will pray for our nation and it’s leaders among other things. My morning walk is a time to see God’s handy work in the world He’s created.

I am very thankful to God…for these walks. My good health that permits me to walk each day, the safe neighborhood, the beauty I get to experience each day…and the mental stimulation. It’s lovely time. Hope you can do something similar.

(Suicide Bomb Bus in Front of Wall – By Dennis Prager on Trip to Israel in 2004)

Some disturbing results from a new survey by Frank Luntz regarding students views towards Israel. Here’s a brief overview…but please click on the above link to view the full article by Gary Rosenblatt at New York Jewish Week.

• New survey by Frank Luntz about attitudes toward Israel among graduate students at top U.S. universities offers a disturbing if not frightening picture of increasing sympathy for the Palestinian cause and blame on the Jewish state for the lack of peace.
• “Tomorrow’s leaders… are hostile to the Jewish state,” a growing trend that could jeopardize American foreign policy toward Israel in the near future.
• Many of the students come from homes sympathetic to Israel.
• Through exposure to university professors and mainstream media have grown “impatient” with Israel and emotionally connected to the Palestinian cause.
• To the point of rationalizing Palestinian suicide bombings and coming to see Israel as a “burden” to the United States rather than “an ally.”
• Students “view any U.S. support of Israel as generated by wealthy Jewish special interests rather than as a reflection of the national interest.”
• Many of the students said they changed their attitudes toward the Mideast conflict during their college and post-college years as they “learned more,” in their words, about the situation from professors, Palestinians they met on campus and the media. The New York Times is their top source of news information, and the BBC is widely watched as well.
• The students believe the American media is biased toward Israel, according to the report, and that Palestinians are making a greater effort toward peace than Israel.
• According to Luntz’s findings, the graduate students “know nothing about the history of the Middle East,” including the fact that the United Nations was involved in Israel’s founding or that Israel is a democracy.

Also check out the Israel Project a site devoted to winning hearts and minds for Israel.

Today was a rather uneventful day with Gayle. She was in a good mood but on bit on the non-verbal side. She did a lot of the humming today. Was eating really slow again…and needed reminders to chew and swallow. Slept through most of our movie “The Neverending Story”.

I showed her some pictures I had taken earlier in the day at the Fullerton Arboretum. The picture with the big bright sunflowers is one that she liked best. Gayle’s favorite color has always been yellow…so it’s appropriate.

News that Emma one of the residents died last week. She was a sweet and quite person…and frequently cried easily.

Confidence in my God,
Knowing He is able.

Prayers uttered in faith,
For wholeness and healing.

Yet with humility and surrender,
Not mine, but Thy will be done.

Susan Bunts
7/10/05

Notes from Chuck Obremski’s sermon 7/10/05

Today’s sermon was appropriately named. Not so much in the content that was spoken…but it was a living example, a lesson in how to live and die…for Christ.

Below is the outline from Chuck’s sermon…but today’s sermon was not on point, but instead it was from the heart. While cancer has robbed my beloved Pastor of so much…it has not and can not rob him of his deep abiding love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ nor take his faith and trust in God.

1. Jesus died with the right attitude. (Matt 26:38 & 42)
2. Jesus died at the right time. (John 13:3-4)
3. Jesus died in the right way. (John 21:18-19)
4. Jesus died for the right purpose. (John 17:11 and 19:30)
5. Jesus died with the right commitment. (Luke 23:46)

Are you living each day with no regrets? With nothing remaining unfinished at the end of each day? Nothing left undone?

Even when a Christian dies at the hands of a disease or evil man…a seemingly untimely death…it is under the plan and the hand of God. God who knows the number of hairs on our head is the same God who sees the sparrow that falls. He has every one of our days in his loving hands.

Each one of us is unique…like a snowflake. God knows every detail of our life…and has it planned out. How awesome is our God!

In the midst of a difficult times, long though they may be, at the end of the day…it’s doesn’t matter. God is in control!

Have you trusted in Christ as your Savior? Trusted in Jesus Christ, his life, his death on the cross for your sins, his resurrection? That all that matters.

God is our only hope…not what we experience.

The cross of Jesus:
A symbol of humility
Died in the right way…according to scripture.
Every one of God’s purposes and plans will be fulfilled.
Death is the grand entrance that let’s God’s children into heaven.
God’s plan is right on target.

Get busy doing what God wants us to do…or do nothing. We have to do what God wants us to do, what he has planned for us to do.

What have you got planned today…that has to do with what God has planned and is for his purposes? What do you do with your time? We have a selfish attitude that gets in the way of what we should be doing for God. Pray…“God, is this what you want me to be doing today?”

Jesus whole life, his whole heart…everything that he did had an end result in mind. Everything he did, had a purpose.

Do you have some things in your life that are unfinished? People in your life with whom you have unfinished business? Life is too short…to leave it that way.

I’d better have the same sense of urgency that Jesus had. Get up, get moving and be a pig for Jesus. Be doers of the Word, get busy…and do things.

If you think you are gifted in one area, but you are the only one that thinks it, perhaps you are not gifted in that area.

How do you demonstrate your passion for service to God and his people? Is God not worth your best?

Our future existence is not in the hands of a doctor, or a disease or a murderer. It’s in the hand of our God.

What does it really mean to worship God? Satan hates it when our God receives worship. There are many ways to worship God…and each one is right. What does the word of God say about worship? It addresses our attitude, peace and harmony between the brethren.

Today service was one that broke everyone’s heart. We continue to see our beloved Pastor Chuck Obremski be devastated by an unrelenting disease. Yet at each stage, he and his wife Linda have been an example to us all. Trusting God and knowing that He has a purpose and plan in allowing this cancer in Chuck’s life. Because of this living example…we as a congregation have been able to trust God, praise God and worship Him at every step. In the midst of tears…we are able to say “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”. We are able to thank Him for his unending grace and mercy sufficient for all circumstances that He allows in our lives.

Confidence in my God,
Knowing He is able.

Prayers uttered in faith,
For wholeness and healing.

Yet with humility and surrender,
Not mine, but Thy will be done.

Susan Bunts
7/10/05

Early reports and rumor has it that Grandpa Pete is already firmly wrapped around Baby Danica’s little finger.

He may try to deny it…but he’s always been a sucker for a pretty face. I have a feeling that Grandma Denise isn’t far behind.

Now Grandpa Pete may look a little bit ragged in this picture…but keep in mind that Danica chose to make her grand entrance in the wee hours of the morning.

On the eve of his 60th birthday…David Fisher at Pilgrim Scribblings posted the following. David…I wish you a very Happy Birthday…and pray that God will continue to use you mightily.

The other day I unearthed an old “gem” I had written a couple of years ago. It had been saved in some obscure location on my computer. I trust it will remind you of the great cost of our salvation.

Forgiven by Thomas Blackshear

I Held the Hammer

I held the hammer
He ransomed me;
I caused Him so much pain
He set me free.
I mocked His holy name,
He still loved me;
My sin had nailed Him there
On Calv’ry’s tree.

Then one day by faith,
I saw Him there;
Bearing my sin and shame
My load of care.
His kind and loving glance
Had caught my eye;
It should have been me
Condemned to die.

He spoke so tenderly,
It pierced my soul;
Why did He care so much
To make me whole?
With tender, loving arms
He embraced me,
Gently He whispered soft…
“Son, come to me.”