Zach

We lost another young man this last week to the drug heroin.  It was a relapse.  Most people who come off of heroin do not realize that if they relapse and take the same amount that they took prior to their abstinence that it is too much for their bodies. Prior to recovery an addict is taking a little bit more each time and when they come off of the heroin their body is healing. The amount they were taking before is too much and they overdose. It is in accident. They don'e mean to. They just don't know.

This disease is insidious. It destroys our children, our families our communities.

This young man has a young child and a wife he has left behind. He was (I believe) only 24. He leaves behind a large family, a large loving family that will miss him terribly.

To some he is one more statistic, but to us, he is a precious boy that was taken much too soon. He leaves us with memories that are etched onto our hearts. We will remember his voice and his heart, his laughter and his warmth.

This is a fight that is too much for the few who are fighting. Will you lift up your hearts in prayer for the protection of our families against this disease of addiction??  Your prayers are not unfruitful. God does listen. Let's raise an army of prayers to help combat this fight.

There is that story of the little boy throwing the starfish back into the ocean.. a man tells him he will never save them all, but the boy says, well, I have saved "that" one.

If we look at the problem as too overwhelming, we will never try. If we can look at the problem as "One person at a time" then there is hope.

Will you help us throw the one starfish back into the water? Help us help even one? Pray.. please pray.

2010 OC alone...

Here is troubling news, last year 58 kids between 12 and 17 lost their lives to accidental overdose in OC, CA.

Behind the Orange Curtain

http://performersacademy.blogspot.com/2011/06/documentary-behind-orange-curtain.html?spref=fb

Behind the Orange Curtain is a documentary film that will focus on the current prescription drug abuse problem with teenagers in South Orange County. This film will raise the awareness of the problem that is causing the deaths of numerous young boys and girls. The problem is now at a epidemic level. Where are these drugs coming from and why are they so readily available in Orange County High Schools?

Please get the word out...

Detaching With Love

Addiction, Co-Dependency

Often people get stuck in patterns when it comes to these cycles, and this can cause problems with those around them. You don’t need to suffer, if you have tried everything and they just don’t want to stop their addictions or you are in a bad relationship there are things you can do.

When you make the decision to detach you need to follow through. This does not mean that you don’t love them, it just means you cant take their problems anymore or have the constant struggles that go with it. Detaching with love means that you can live a healthy life and your loved one might see that they need to change and might seek help.

Co-dependency is a problem that a lot of people in these situations face. The loved one does not operate unless you are there doing everything for them, and this can be tiring and destructive to you. Enabler means that you allow something to go on or in certain terms you can even get the object of the addiction for the person using them, and this can be a problem because you are actually helping them cause the problem.

There are several ways you can detach from someone with these problems if you want to. Some of the ways are:

1. Identifying the problem and what causes it.
2. Think about what in the relationship you don’t want to let go and why you cannot detach.
3. Admit that there is a problem and the person who is harming you or others has a real problem and refuses to seek help.
4. Stop thinking that they will change, if you are enabling them then it definitely won’t change.
5. Let go of the emotional hooks that are keeping you there.
6. Affirm yourself that you are a person to and you are not getting what you need out of this relationship. You have needs also and they should not be ignored either.
7. Start to heal yourself from the relationship.
Detaching from situations like this does not mean that you don’t love the person or that you don’t care, it just means that you are not qualified to help the person in whatever means they need. This is not a problem that you need to combat and in all honesty you shouldn’t. You are a person to and you can get help for the loved one that is stuck in this problem.

Please Pray & Let's Believe in Miracles

I usually help out at my little one's school on Fridays. I love it. I help the teacher with odd jobs (much needed). I have gained so much respect for our teachers today. I can not believe how much work, love, guidance, and more this teacher shares with our children. It's kindergarten, but they are learning every minute of the day...they are never "not" busy!

I've met some wonderful moms too! One who is now a very good friend. She told me that she was praying to find more Christian friends. We have a lot to share.. She is a wonderful sweet soul and I am so happy that God put our paths together. I am meeting others too, who I care for..who I pray for..who I admire. I love how God works in our lives and shows us life through others.. we are always learning....as long as we keep Him foremost on our hearts and minds.

One of the moms shared with me today that it was her first day of chemo. She looked wonderful, I was amazed. She said she was really tired, and heard that the start of chemo isn't too bad. She is a tremendously bubbly woman with 2 boys that are all boy. My heart broke for her, knowing what she is going to be experiencing in her life in the near future. I don't know how bad the cancer is, but I do have friends who have been through chemo. She is a mom..mom's don't have time for chemo..they only have time for those in front of them and barely enough time for themselves.

I ask you all today, if you can find it in your hearts, and on your busy plates to pray for Amanda. Please pray for Amanda, and her husband and her boys. I don't know what Our Lord has planned for this family, but I pray that she would be surrounded by loving family, friends, helpers..That the Lord would bless her with no pain, a lot of energy when most needed. That her spirits would be up, that fear would be down..that she would seek her Heavenly Father with her whole heart and soul.

Please pray for Amanda..please keep our moms, our families, our marriages, our health, our teachers and our relationship with Our Lord ever strong.

Thank you Lord for being the One Who carries us in times of trouble. Who sends His Holy Spirit to us for comfort. Who loves us with an unconditional and never ending love. Thank you Lord...and I praise you for all you will do in the lives of this family and all of those we will carry up in prayer to you daily.

May God bless your evening...hold family and friends tight and near and remember to say your evening prayers :o).... He is listening...He will always be listening. Let's believe in miracles...They happen every day!!!

Landon Cole Matthys

Please help us to Welcome
Landon Cole Matthys
~ parents - Clayton and Allison Matthys.

Two tiny feet
That wave in the air
Two tiny hands
That tug at your hair
Cute bottom for patting
Adorable face
A bundle of joy
To love and embrace

Praise God In All Things

God delights in the praise of His creation! Psalm 149:3-4 says, "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the LORD takes delight in his people…"
When we praise, we are being obedient to God. Psalm 150:2 says, "Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness."

Praise helps us see and understand God in a deeper way! We take our eyes off of our circumstances and put them on the Creator of all things! Psalm 150:1-2 says, "Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness."

Praise puts the credit where it belongs. When we fail to praise, we often take the credit instead of giving that credit back to the true Source of all blessings. Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Worship brings peace. Fear can not survive in praise and worship! We remember that we are God's child and He is in ultimate control of our lives! 2 Corinthians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort…"

I pray that you can echo Psalm 71:14, which says, "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

2 Timothy 1:9

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Rest in Peace Henry

The passing of my dear friend Henry Kalisiak...
posted by:   mxdad100

It is with much sadness that I inform you that a dear friend passed away this weekend. Some may remember Henry as the Father of Tyler Kalisiak, and others will remember Henry as being a fellow racer and friend. There will be services in Southern California at the Life Church near Hwy 5 and Irvine this coming Saturday the 12th at 11:00am. Please say a prayer for Julie, and their children, Kelli and Tyler. Henry and Tyler were regulars in the NorCal Motocross scene until Henry and Julie moved the Family down South about 10 years ago. Always quick with a wisecrack, and a smile...he will be sorrily missed. Henry raced with the OTHG, and Tyler qualified for many a Lites Class main while riding for KTM. Henry was always the guy that wanted to GO BIGGER at Club Moto...
God Bless...


Memorial Service will be Saturday March 12th at 11:00.

SOAK

This Friday, March 11th at 7:00 pm until 9 pm.  Praise and Worship..Prayer...Fellowship and Food.. A wonderful night to relax and Soak in the Lord. All are welcome!

Please Share

Do you have anything to share with us? A story, an a ha, a verse? Please do..

A New Day!

I am grateful for a new day of breathe, of life, of the gifts that I find all around me. I am so truly blessed. I have been re~awakened by the life of a friend who has passed and do not want to take one minute for granted! I will give more hugs, eye contact is a must, and smile at all I come in contact with. They might think I'm crazy..but that's ok... I'll just keep smiling!

What are you grateful for today???

Patience and Hope

Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
Monday: Psalm 37:7-9

Tuesday: Isaiah 40:31

Wednesday: Proverbs 15:18

Thursday: Romans 8:24-25

Friday: Romans 12:12

Saturday: James 5:7-8

Sunday: Psalm 40:1

Prayer


Teach me patience Lord. Patience to endure hard times and loss. Patience to see that difficulties draw me nearer to You. Bring me to a higher level of relationship with You through the tough times in life. Amen. ~ Julie Clinton

Giving Thanks!

For those of you who do not live in Orange County, CA. all that I can say is I am so sorry! The day could not have been more beautiful!

We had a memorial service last night for Matthew Pack. I am not prepared to comment on it, because I'm feeling a little weepy right now. I've been holding back the tears and they are just there..at the edge...I'll have my time, alone, to cry..but not yet. I am still in denial, that he will not be here with us, just so thankful that he was here with us, even for a little while. More later...

This morning our praise and worship was beyond real...so angelic..Thank you Lord..it just took me away..and so many others too. We were there at your feet and feeling your presence so strongly today. Your Spirit is strong and covered us all...and I still feel you with me so strongly. You envelope us with your love and warmth and how can we ever feel less than grateful and blessed?

Thank you my husband, Pastor Dave for your message. I love how God takes all of the moments of your week and prepares you to make a relevant and moving message for us all. Today..Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz transported is visually to show us how we all have a journey..a walk to walk.. here on earth. We all need to do this to grow..to find God and who God wants us to be...if we do not move, we do not meet the people along the way that God intends for us to meet..He places them on our path to make a difference in our lives.. we are never the same. I love how God uses you Dave! 

Please..if you did not make it to church today....watch for Dave's message on our website..coming very soon!

And, now..I leave you with this.. also from church today.

So live your life that fear of death can never enter your heart.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.

Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the light,

for your life, for your strength.

Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks,

the fault lies only in yourself.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those

whose hearts are filled with the fear of death,

so that when their time comes they weep and pray

for a little more time to live their lives over again

in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Shawnee History ~ The Teaching of Tecumseh

God Bless you!!!

Matthew Pack - We miss you!

Memorial Service at theeffect, Saturday, March 5th at 4:30pm. Come and share and celebrate Matt's life. So many memories, laughs and just wonderful moments! Love you Matt!! 

theeffect
Capistrano Business Center
27122A Paseo Espada #904
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
http://www.theeffect.org/
949-218-2228

Climbing...always climbing



Matt and family, sooooo close!!!



Nature lover to the max!

Solitude

Family Pack

Just had to have this!! Mexico Adventures!



Matt in his element!



School life - Concordia

A giver always! Matt in Mexico working with the children

The smile that will live on in our hearts forever!

These are just a few pics..there are so many more. Matt lived his life so fully. He didn't miss a moment. He always had a smile and a hug and is dearly loved by all. A void is left behind...we're right behind you Matt! Can't wait to see you again!!