Dear Friends, 

We are in the midst of a wonderful Lenten season.  Lent is the time that Christians all around the world walk toward the Cross and reflect on their lives of faith.  Sometimes, people deny themselves special treats in order to better remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.  Sometimes people take on a new challenge to draw them closer to God.  This season, I have been thinking a lot about the disciples that Jesus called to follow Him. 

The disciples were a motley bunch of guys, from all different walks of life.  All but Judas were from Galilee and yet many of them did not associate with each other before their ministry together.  They came together around Jesus and their lives were forever changed.  I also appreciate that Jesus did not choose the men who were spiritual or political leaders to walk with Him. He chose every day kind of men who were flawed and gifted, inconsistent and consistent, unfaithful and faithful.  He chose them because He could work through them for His good purposes. One last thing that our Lenten Wednesday night studies have been covering is how much we are like these disciples in so many areas of our lives.  For example, we see Peter, the fisherman who jumps in with both feet, who denies His Savior three times before the rooster crows, and on whom Jesus will build the church.  We remember James is an ambitious, unfulfilled leader who wants to secure his place.  We know Philip is a deliberate disciple who invites people to “Come and see” Jesus.  Because the disciples are ordinary people, we see ourselves in each of them.  

We are disciples today looking to the disciples before us to learn more this Lenten season.  God chooses the people of Lompoc to gather around Jesus in this wonderful church.  God chooses you, not on your best day, or when you have it all figured out - God chooses you now because He can work through you.  As we remember these disciples from so long ago, may we live lives of faith that will instruct the disciples that are yet to come.   

God is good.  May you feel His presence, His comfort and His peace this Lenten season.  My door is always open.  Take good care.

In His Grip, 

Pastor Julia