Rainy Days in Lompoc

I welcome the rain - How about you? For me as a California native, I have always enjoyed the rain. Rainy day schedule at school was always a blast, puddles to jump in, games to play indoors, thumbs-up 7-UP and more. Rain always calls for improvising, changing, driving differently ( I hope) and shifting a bit.
Some observations from my second story window:

• Rain allows for a time of cleansing. It makes things cleaner. Even my dirty car is now cleaner and I did not have to wash it. The ground is cleaner and the air is fresh.
  



• Rain allows the dry ground to soak up much needed moisture. It brings to the ground something that it needs.
  



• Rain discloses the condition of our roofs and gutter systems, roadways and more. Rain does not discriminate - it falls wherever it wants. Tarp sells are up and roofers are staying busy.
  



• Rain reminds us of the seasons and the changes in life.
  Things change and often what is sad on Monday can turn into happy on Wednesday or visa versa. Okay, you could add many more to the thoughts of rain. But here are some rainy day questions:
  

Using the analogy of rain, what is needed in your life? Do you need to have your parched heart soak up the water from Heaven? Do you need to repair some leaks in your heart and life? Are there areas in which you need to make some corrections and adjustments?
Even as the rain falls - let us ask God for the rain of His Sprit and life to come to us.

This week, even in the rain, there has been much progress on our sanctuary expansion. Tile is now in our foyer, doors and other trim should be going in the rest of the week, and tomorrow we meet with the carpet company to discuss the carpeting going in next week. February, should be a great month for building completion. Once our carpet is in, our new chairs can be brought over from storage, our sound system can be completed and finally fully dialed in. Once the weather dries up, we will have our parking coated and re-stripped with new handicap sections and additional spaces in the rear of the building.

Yesterday, even in the rain, I had the honor of attending an awards luncheon at Vandenberg. It was for the 381st Training group, of which I am the honorary commander. What an honor to sit at the head table with Col. Bob Gibson, the training group commander and a vital part of the life of Lompoc Foursquare Church. As the awards were given, what impressed me more than the dedication of these fine servicemen and woman, was the heart for people. Col. Gibson emphasized that "people matter," and that "families matter." I was impressed to hear that under Col. Gibson's leadership they had graduated over 1,100 students in 2007. All of which will serve our country making certain we are safe from enemy attack. The 381st has a motto consisting of, 3 P's: Professionalism, Passion and Proficiency. The heart of "people matter," ( I sure love that and have heard that somewhere) and the 3 P's listed above are all points that can be carried over into what we are to do in 2008 as a church.
Professional : in our dealings with people, business, budget and ministry.
Passion: Passionate in our worship, faith, desire to see lost people come to know God and to see people use their gifts and talents for God.
Proficiency: To make sure all we do is in line with what God is asking of us and directing us to do. We need to keep making room for others and finding new and fresh ways to bring and include others.
I know we did not hit Martin Luther King Jr. day on Sunday. I blew that one! With the mentioning of Sanctity of Life Sunday and the desire to raise funds for our pregnancy support center - I missed it.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. I thought I’d post a quote I found from him.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”
I think this is true for all leaders who want to see change!

Can I ask you to consider joining us on for Who's Your Valentine? It will be a great day, only if you come out and serve and make an eternal difference with us.
On Febraury 9th from 11:30 am - 1:00 PM on our multi-use / parking corner lot we are inviting the kids of LFC to join with as many kids from Lompoc to come and hear about the Heart of God and have their hearts touched by God's love. We invite you to come and serve with us and to invite children to the day.
I love being your pastor,
Pastor Bernie
If you missed this last weeks message or the week before you can check for it through this connection.
LFC MESSAGES
Serving is the Heart behind Living and Loving Out Loud.