San Bernardino Community Church » Pastor’s Blog

WHAT I LEARNED WITHOUT A VOICE

charlotte — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:49:05 +0000

This week has been a combination frustration/self-education time for me. The frustration was that I had to undergo vocal cord surgery for the fifth time in the past 15 years. The surgery was a success and I am now just waiting out the next few days in total silence. The note writing is a challenge for all who have to tolerate my handwriting skills.

I have determined to do my part to stop this vocal cord destruction every few years. It is difficult when you are a preacher, singer, talker, sports fan and general transferer of information to the entire population. My style will now change. I will make every attempt to speak more clearly, pace my oratory a little slower, attempt to be effective without yelling, leave the umpires and referees to their own failures and write more than speak. Perhaps the most enlightening reality I have discovered during this silence is how often I would have spoken, corrected, interrupted, declared and waxed eloquent if only I could use my voice. I also realized how I would have dominated the conversation. I have noticed how much people were waundering in their own ignorance without my verbal contradictions. Mostly I noticed without my voice I could not make the final declaration on the subject before I walked out without listening to any other opinion.

Boy, have I missed my voice! To my family, staff, neighbors and the general population I want to apologize for how I have made you struggle through this time without my vocal strength and leadership gifts. That is the apology I would like to give but not the apology I should give. Let me just say a big thank you for your longsuffering patience in the past and thank you, Lord, for the silence that let me not hear myself for a change and with God’s help and my friends’ continued love, I hope to have learned this valuable lesson. Speak softer, speak less, listen more and never speak so much your voice just mixes with the other usual sound pollutants we all endure. Oh! One last thing I wanted to say…No! It can wait.

Family Reunion Time

charlotte — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:43:40 +0000

So often families choose summer vacation time to plan a reunion. Pat and I experienced this last week. We went back to the Chicago area and northern Indiana where we both were raised. The justification was to see our first great grandchild. Our children, grandchildren and baby Ashley made the journey from Florida while we flew from California. The primary purpose was to take a five-generation photo. The great great grandmother is 85, and Ashley three months. Wow! Just think, there have been 15 presidents of the United States between those two lives and one of those presidents served 14 years.

One of the delights of a reunion is to see how big the little ones have become. Another delight is to see those family members who have become as gray haired as you. Ageing loves company!

After all the gatherings, dinners, conversations and general memories, it takes a few days to process what the reunion produced. My son and I used the final Saturday morning to take a little tour of my past. We visited most of the homes, or places where they once stood, from my childhood. I pointed out where all the old business places used to be and told some old stories and some new ones he had not heard. We finally just sat for awhile and talked as we gazed out over the beach, the pier and Lake Michigan. I recalled that seven generations had walked that pier over the last 117 years. When we finally rejoined the rest of the family I thought to myself, “well maybe now my son will have enough information to preach my funeral 30 or 40 years from now.” Of all the places I revisited, there was one that will always be the most precious to me–2625 Wabash Street. It still looks like it did on that Thanksgiving night 56 years ago when I knelt at the front altar of that white block building and asked Christ to be my Savior. That day promised me the greatest family reunion ever known to man. Oh! By the way, that reunion will never end.

Happiness is Not Geographic

charlotte — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:24:00 +0000

My first knowledgeable introduction to a place called California was through the magic of television. How fascinating to hear the tune to “When you wish upon a star” as the “Wonderful World of Disney” would begin each Sunday evening. Soon after that tune we would hear our parents say those familiar words, “turn the T.V. off now, we have to get to church”. How I longed for just one good sick Sunday evening that would keep me home from Sunday night church. There was some solace in getting home from school in time to see “The Mickey Mouse Club” – I mean the one with Annette Funachello.

Everyone from my era remembers when Ricky and Lucy made their famous trip to California pulling that little house trailer. Then along came “The Beverly Hillbillies” and California was to us Midwesterners swimming pools and movies stars. I was a freshman in High School when my friend, Rick Zawake, took me to his basement and played his new 45 record of some guys singing real high like girls. They sang about surfing, hanging 10, Vans, baggies and California girls. I then understood that California was never ending summer, great tanned bodies, sun bleached hair and above all “laid back lifestyles”. So with that propaganda millions heeded Horace Greeley’s advice, “Head west young man, head west”. Not so much for the gold of 1849 but for the “laid back” and “easy living” of California.

Well we are here now. All 35 million of us. To dream upon a star we have to go miles and miles out into the desert because the massive lighted communities fade them out. To get the golden tans we have to have regular skin cancer screenings. Swimming pools have become way too expensive not counting the maintenance cost. The movie stars have to be censored from our children’s eyes and ears and Oh Yes! About that “laid back and easy life style”, well you have to drive one or more of the 23 freeways to get to your job. Those freeways have anywhere from 8 to 20 lanes of traffic and are as busy at 2:00 am as 2:00 pm. That light in the sky most evenings is not a star but a police helicopter and baggies are now some gang-banger with his genes under his posterior. Please don’t misunderstand, I love California. It still has more variety of beauty than any other state in the U.S. I love the weather and I even love excitement found in its bustle. But it is anything but “Laid Back”. I guess the point of all these words is simply the reminder that our happiness is in our family, friends and personal relationship with God. I am happy in California. Just as happy as one might be in a Vermont autumn, a Georgia pine forest, a Montana mountain stream, an Alaskan glacier or a Hawaiian beach. I am loved, I love others, God loves me and I love God. That works anywhere our GPS takes us.

ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN

Pastor Sam — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:33:55 +0000

It was the Apostle Paul who gave us this idea. He knew how to talk with kings and walk with poor people. Today some people have called that kind of versatility hypocrisy. Sometimes God just has to give us a visual object lesson to understand His ways.

I received a wonderful lesson this week while traveling from place to place to conduct meetings. The lesson is California. I have come to the conclusion that if you want to see every state in the U.S, just travel California. It has it all. The deserts of Arizona, the farm land of Illinois, the hills of the Dakotas, the palms and beaches of Florida and Hawaii, the snow capped mountains of Colorado, the rolling hills of Tennessee and more.

Versatility and flexibility are evident in every creative work of God’s hands. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. This is not some liberally minded promotion of a tolerance doctrine that accepts every behavior as acceptable to God. What I am seeing in both God’s nature and Paul’s admonition to become all things to all men, is a sensitivity to see others that are different and still find a way to show the love of Christ in a way they can comprehend.

Now, back to California. The old song, “California Here I Come” ends with the lyric, “Open your Golden Gate, I’m coming home to you”. Perhaps God would have us be so approachable and compatible with those different from us that we could say, “Here, we open our golden arms, you can feel at home here, you can feel love here and you will find God here.” Whether they are king or pauper, Christ will help us be what they need where they are.

Pastor Sam Pawlak

Reflection on Weekend for God

Pastor Sam — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:29:57 +0000

What a wonderful Weekend for God we celebrated this year. It was the 5^th year that we have taken the first weekend after the New Year to dedicate ourselves to the Lord for the rest of the year. Our guests this year were Darryl and Sherri Beebe from the state of Washington. The combination of their powerful personal story and sound teaching on forgiveness opened our hearts to a level of trust and faith in God that we so need in this present day. Many have shared that they were able to build bridges of forgiveness and received both emotional and in many cases, physical healing. If there was any one truth that we brought from those four services and two breakfast meetings it was that “God often withholds his hand of immediate relief so that he can fulfill a greater purpose that we won’t see at the time.” The statement that hit us the most was “ God had to withhold his hand of rescue while His own Son was suffering on the cross so that he could TIP THE SCALES in our favor and provide eternal salvation for all who would receive Him. I trust we can remember this year when suffering comes our way and it appears God does not jump to our rescue immediately, that He may be withholding our instant relief so he can tip the scales in favor of a purpose greater than ourselves. My dad used to say, “He does not always come in a hurry but He always comes in time.” We all, like the apostle Paul, want to know him in His glory but we also must be willing to enter the fellowship of His suffering especially when He has a purpose beyond us. Be encouraged this year. Rejoice with every victory and when necessary suffer like a good soldier and know beyond any shadow of doubt God will see us through and we still win with Him.

Christmas…When the season for others becomes a lifestyle

Pastor Sam — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:17:21 +0000

This is the time of the year when we gather from our family those Christmas lists. I would like to give you my Christmas list for this year but with a little different approach.

Instead of what I would like for myself I want to list a few things I would like for you to have this year.

The true knowledge that no matter what you are going through, God has your situation in His hand even if you can only see the back side of the quilt He is creating for you and your family.

That you would be able to see, from your heart more than your eyes, that you are so loved by so many.

That a shelter over your head, a bed to sleep in and a table to eat from places you in a more wealthy state than half of the world’s population.

That you have been given ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to receive every message God is sending you through His word and your friends.

That your family be more a comfort than an aggravation in your life.

That your church be more a blessing than an obligation you feel.

That your pastor be more a shepherd than a general.

Above all, that Christ will be there with you for that first morning coffee. I ask that each day of the new year you will find time to meet up with him at lunch, that He will be the unseen guest each evening for dinner and that you feel His warm blanket cover you and His gentle kiss on your forehead as you retire each night knowing He loves you like you were His only child.

My you know and display the greatest truth of this season:

JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!

WHEN I’VE MADE MY LAST MOVE

Pastor Sam — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:57:20 +0000

I lived in the same house for the first 10 years of my life. I have now lived in 43 different dwellings in the last 51 years. Sometimes the ministry is not so different than a career in the military. My wife and I have just moved into our latest place of residency. Moving is never easy on backs, schedule or relationships. I would say here that my wife and I have made this move in the most wonderful love and harmony ever. Maybe the next 43 will be even easier. With that said, if I were a divorce lawyer I would just follow U-Haul trucks around on Saturday. Plenty of potential clientele when couples are moving. If you want a good argument, just move something together.

Now after 11 trips to the Goodwill store, parting with the past and 7 trips to the toxic waste drop-off, because you can’t just throw that stuff in the garbage anymore, the truck has been loaded and emptied and we’re moved.

One day I will make my last move. All the little prizes I’ve gathered will be left (you will never see a hearse pulling a u-haul trailer); the toxins and dangerous elements (that is called sin) will be properly disposed. The moving truck will actually be the enveloping arms of my Redeemer, the moving crew will be the Heavenly Hosts and my house will actually be the place I have been searching for all my life. John 14 says “In my fathers house are many mansions…I have prepared a place for you…I will come back for you and where I am you will be also. Someday—My last move.

WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT THE GREAT COMMISSION?

Pastor Sam — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:25:48 +0000

These are the words of Christ, some of his last on earth. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV.

It is a great CLAIM – “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

It is a great ORDER – “Make disciples of all nations:”

It is a great FORMULA – “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

It is a great CURRICULUM – “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.”

It is great COMPANY - “I am with you always.”

There is absolutely nothing that is greater to the heart of our Savior than reaching every person on planet earth with the knowledge that He is the one who died for their sins, He is ready to receive them as His own child and guarantee His peace for them in this life and eternal life with Him.

If that is the most important passion to our redeemer then it must become the most important cause of His church. What does that mean? It means that when October comes to SBCC and we conduct our annual Missions Convention it must be the most passionate event for every member of this church and every department. Every one who calls this fellowship of people their church will be fully involved in the missions convention October 24^th and 25^th. I urge you, in Christ’s love, and because it is His passion, circle these dates. Please don’t let any other family, work, or social event take precedent over this weekend. See all the details in the missions column on the back of this newsletter. It is what Christ asked us to do!

THE GREAT COMMISSION WAS NOT JUST A NICE SUGGESTION!

Let it Go!

Pastor Sam — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:22:38 +0000

I recently was sent a sermon by T.V. Pastor T.D. Jakes. The subject was how to handle your emotions when people walk away from you or your vision. The latter part of the message expanded to things we need to release in our life. I just wanted to share a few of the suggestions. Hope it helps.

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to something that doesn’t belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to…LET IT GO!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains…LET IT GO!

If someone can’t treat you right, love you back, and
see your worth…LET IT GO!

If someone has angered you,
LET IT GO!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge…LET IT GO!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction…LET IT GO!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents…
LET IT GO!

If you have a bad attitude…LET IT GO!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better…LET IT GO!

If you’re stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him…LET IT GO!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship…LET IT GO!

If you keep trying to help someone who won’t even try to help themself…LET IT GO!

If you’re feeling depressed and stressed …LET IT GO!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying “take your hands off of it,” then you need to…LET IT GO!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2009!!!

Summer, work time or play time?

Pastor Sam — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:35:50 +0000

It is the month of June. Summer is finally here. I remember the last day of school. We skipped all the way home singing the old rhyme, “Schools out, schools out, teacher let the monkeys out”. No more homework, no more school bells, no more exams, no more reports, no more school. Well it is different today with year round classes, on tract and off tract sessions and summer school.

Summer always is associated with pleasure times, long days to enjoy fun and some release of monotonous responsibilities. Vacations are planned most often in the summer. Who cannot feel the freedom of Nat King Cole’s old classic hit, “Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, those days of soda and pretzels and beer” oops! I’m sure he meant Pepsi. There has never been a more laid-back summer feel than the Broadway smash hit of Porgy and Bess when they sing, “Summer time and the livin is easy, fish are jumpin and the cotton is high”. For me the height of summer love is that beautiful San Bernardino summer evening at the baseball park, “buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and I don’t care if I ever get back”.

I trust you have a memory-making summer. Enjoy the cookouts and long evenings. Chase some firefly after sundown, enjoy the beach and pool, get a good tan and take time for a great vacation. But being the watchman of your soul I also must warn you to be on guard for some summer dangers.

Proverb 6:8 says, “Go to the ant you sluggard, consider her ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in the summer and gathers its food at harvest.” The idea is people will be too busy enjoying the fun of summer to be concerned about the health of the church and their own spiritual progress in the summer.

My prayer is that in the summer of 2009 we will change all the words: let it now be sung,

Summer time and the livin is holy The spirit’s movin’ and church attendance is high.

Roll out those praising, healing, shouting days of summer

Those days of worship and loving and cheer

Give me some worship and lots of praise.

This is the best way to spend summer days.

Let this summer be made even more wonderful by your faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to you.