Please pray for the Palalays

Some friends of ours just suffered a tragic loss and I am posting about it because they need your prayers.  We had gotten to know the Palalay family over the past few months.  They had moved up from San Diego about a year ago and started attending Bay Summit.  Manny was a surfer, LOVED it.  While he was surfing last weekend he tragically lost his life (see article).  The loss is overwhelming, but there is more to the story.  Chris was diagnosed with breast cancer the week prior.  She starts her treatment on Tuesday.  I have never personally know anyone who has had to walk through a loss of a spouse and cancer treatment.  Fortunately, Manny and Chris have Christ as their foundation.  I know while there is no explanation for any of these circumstances, God’s love for us never changes.  He hurts when we hurt.  Manny is with Jesus now.

The Bible give us a promise in Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

As people shared yesterday, the thought of leaving a legacy really hit me.  Manny had made a profound impact on his family, friends, coworkers etc.  He left a Godly legacy.  Many people referred to him as their best friend, their brother.  His life really made an impact.  You can see some of the comments in the link below.  It was a privilege knowing Manny, even though it was only a few months.

http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=2529865917023&cid=full

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SON!

SON, it’s a southern term used as a way to exclaim astonishment, excitement, wow etc.  Well, Pastor Scott gave Brianna the honor of delivering our announcements tonight.  Let’s just say, she did a fantastic job, I am so proud of her.  She is really a gifted communicator and I truly believe that God will use her in that gifting to speak life into the multitudes.  SON!  Got to love her!  Nice job babe.

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Up to Speed

Ok.  Bloggin is a bit tough for me these days.  Here’s what’s going on.  Got a job at EMC, working on a short term contract, PRAISE GOD!  Josephine turned 3 on Wednesday and had a water party, PRAISE GOD!  I just switched my insurance to GEICO and saved a bundle….  Not really, but I did just switch my phone service to Vonage and am stoked about it.

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Bay Summit Milestone

Well, we had our first baptism on Sunday after church.  The Johannessen’s were nice enough to host us at their home.  Six people (4 kids and 2 adults) decided to be baptized.  It was such a cool experience, evidence of a life changed forever.  Furthermore, a public declaration of their faith in Jesus.  It was a first for us at Bay Summit Church, only 3 months old.  Each person who participated will be a part of our church history.  Pretty cool milestone.

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I’m back

I realize it has been over a month since I last updated.  What can I say, life has been crazy.  Here are some highlights.  Bay Summit Starting Point class, our first one, was a huge success.  Our second class Turning Point will take place at the end of June.  I have been working just about every job you can thing of to earn some $.  We brought another couple, Katie and Giuseppe on staff at Bay Summit.  We had our 13th wedding anniversary.  Jocelyn finished pre-shcool and has a ballet recital today.  Our first baptism service is this Sunday and we have a bunch of people signed up.

 

Life Group Snap Shot

God is good, all the time.  Bri and I are honored to be leading such an amazing couples life group.  Last night was humbling to see God move so strongly in the group.  There was total transparency, edifying and encouraging each other, brokenness, tears and a bonding process that I believe galvanized our hearts together.  God’s presence was so strong that we took communion as a group.  Totally unscripted, we turned the whole evening over to the Holy Spirit and let go of the process.  I really felt that’s what the early church of Acts must have felt like.  We closed out the night in prayer and lifted requests and thanked God for each other and for His amazing power and grace.  It was an amazing night.  I believe God is preparing us couples to accomplish great things in our marriages and in the Kingdom.  Y’all are awesome!  Thank you Jesus.

 

Inclusive

Sundays after church, we normally go out to dinner with the Chatelain’s.  We are kind of like family.  Last Sunday, the students invited us to join them at Burger Road.  What an honor!  It made us feel great, hip, younger (We were the oldest couple there by a long shot).

Sometimes, the Church can act very exclusively making it hard for “outsiders” to be a part.  The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the WORLD…”  The church may act all exclusive, but that is not God’s heart.  He wants to include the whole world.

I am glad we have students who think inclusively.  Meant a lot to me.

 

Creation

I have had an opportunity to ride in the hills frequently this spring.  A couple thoughts pop into my heart during these excursions.  First, God’s majesty and beauty, I live in a very beautiful area, it is stunning and overwhelming.  Second, our culture tends to worship created things, even creation, but not the Creator.  I am burdened by this reality.  The Bible says in Romans 1 says that man will be with out excuse because God has revealed himself in his creation.  This reality exists around the world.  If I am being honest, it’s easy to loose my perspective.  I am so thankful for the awareness that comes when I spend a little time in the hills.

 

The skinney from Billy

I have posted some thoughts and links to Billy Hornsby’s blog simply because everytime I read it, it challenges me to be a better person, pastor, husband etc.  Billy is one of the founders of the ARC church planting organization that planted Bay Summit Church.  I checked his blog out today and found several great thoughts he had about “Experiencing God on Sundays (April 11)” and “Is your Church Life Giving? (April 4).  If you want to understand what kind of church Pastor Scott is trying to build at Bay Summit, I highly recommend checking out Billy’s blog.  He lays it out so clearly.  Great leaders like Billy  are helping churches successfully reach their communities and change the world.  Thanks Billy for your leadership.  Thanks Scott for following God’s call and moving to Cali.  Glad to be doing life with you.

 

G-Money

Bay Summit has been blessed with some great musicians and we have a great worship leader leading them.  His name is Giuseppe, and we call him G-money.  He has been doing an awesome job leading us in worship, pulling in a variety of musicians and laying it down on Sundays.  We are very blessed to have such a great team with such great hearts for God.

When he is not leading worship, he is managing “the coolest Christian store on the planet”, C28, in the Sun Valley Mall.  I went in and did some damage the other day, trying to support a good cause.  We also helped them move from Pittsburgh to Concord so they would be closer to the church and to work.  We love you and your precious family bro.