Total gratitude

Although Baby Gap isn't here yet, she's being welcomed in by our community.



January 28th was a true show of how supported we are by God's family. We can't thank you enough. We were given so many amazing gifts and have been provided for heaps (to use a Markovich phrase). It was a true outpouring of peoples' generosity on us and our coming baby. We know how tight money can be and we feel so much gratitude for all that people gave and contributed not only for the gifts but for the food and decorations that made the party so cool. Wendy and I feel so encouraged. Thanks to the Fallon Guys house, Frankie and Jeff, the Wongs and Kelley Rhoads for all you did. We loved being with everybody and laughing so much. I was wiped out by the end of the day.

I love living life in God's family!


And amidst lots of cute dresses, breast milk gadgets, and pink fuzzy blankets, I am totally stoked about my new DAD toy: The baby video monitor! I know it will provide me hours of fun! Thanks to all who contributed to the great gifts. This was a true fulfillment of Philippians 4:19: God will provide all your needs according to the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

COMING UP THIS WEEK
SHANE AND SHANE CONCERT. SOLD OUT! IF YOU RSVP'D on the Evite see you there or PCC parking lot at 6:30pm to carpool.

BOCCE BALL AND LUNCH this Saturday ! 1:15-3pm. $20!
come have some fun.

Humby Holy part 2

Be holy therefore as I am holy.
1 Peter 1:16

This holiness discussion has brought about some really meaningful conversations this past week. I've had them online, over coffee, in bed (with my wife), and on the street. One specific comment sticks out in my mind. It was something like this: "If I am supposed to be like God and forgive people and not be bitter, than I am far from being holy."

An honest, authentic, broken, and totally true statement.

If we want to be holy as God is holy, we must deal with our unforgiveness and unreconciled relationships, we must confess and surrender our personal injustices and the litany of betrayals and pains that we have stored up in our hearts. These wounds need to be healed. If we don't find freedom and healing for any and every unfair, cruel, malicious, rude, ignorant, (small or grandiose) negative action or word put upon us, we will truly find ourselves suffering and not maturing in Christ-likeness or holiness. In some cases the present tension/anger/bitterness in our life can be fueled by unhealthy issues from our past or family of origin. The past can eat at us like a cancer darkening our already bruised identity in the present. And it will prevent us from being holy, yes.

Colossians 3:13

If you have these hurts from the past (like I did) being Holy doesn't mean ignoring them and acting as if you aren't hurt. Being holy is finding help, confessing the issues, as seeking peace at all costs with power of God's grace and the prayer and support of God's people. It's good and OK to be angry for the past. We need to grieve everything from the rapes to the lay offs and we must do it in God's design: Holy and Humbly.

There is no easy answer here, I know. There really is no 1,2,3 formula or time frame for Humble Holiness. All I know is that it's a requirement. No matter how long it takes or what is costs you to make amends with the people in your life. We need to forgive.

And all I know is that I must strive after it, too, because present issues often resemble past pains.

Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness and right after that to pray that we would forgive those who have sinned against us, too. Matthew 6. Maybe the issues we need to be concerned about is our salvation rather than our holiness. We will forever be in the process of being made holy according to Hebrews 10:14, and this has to do with maturity in Christ. Maybe what we ought to be concerning ourselves with is the issue of salvation regarding unforgiveness.

Because if we have truly received God's unbelievable gift of grace for our deep and dark sins, how can we then tightly hold onto someone else and refuse to forgive him/her.

He who has been forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7.

That's something to chew on.

For more reading: Mathew 18: 23-35


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Coming up:

THIS SUNDAY'S MESSAGE:
Do not use the Lord's name in Vain. What does that truly mean for us today?

After Sunday at 6: Game on! ESCAPE FROM NY PIZZA and GAMES. Catch phrase, cranium, Pop 5. All at our new hang out location!

February 1st-One week away is the Shane & Shane Concert. If you have already RSVPd, great we have already purchased your tickets. Bring your $12 and meet at PCC 6:30pm next Thursday. If you want to go but haven't bought your tickets you'll have to order them on your own. Let me know if you need more info.

Saturday February 3rd: PLEASE RSVP for Bocce ball on the Evite! It's gonna be great because we are hanging out with the 50plus ministry, too! Another point of connecting and being intentional to be inter-generational. 12-3pm in Los Gatos. $20.

Humbly Holy part 1

(reflections from the Deep January 13)

I often think of Holiness in a number of ways. Sometimes I view holiness correctly and I crave to know the unique, special, powerful, and wholly "otherness" of God and I also want nothing more than to live a holy life to honor him. Other times I hear the whispers of the world and I fear the label that sometimes causes the misunderstanding of others regarding holiness. I fear being perceived as exclusive, stuck up, better than others, and untouchable. How can I be culturally relevant, able to connect with my friends and neighbors around me who don't know God, and still live out my calling be radically different? Holiness includes so many character traits and behaviors that seem impossible and utterly overwhelming to truly live out in a realistic way. I am supposed to avoid sexual impurity, coarse joking and slander, not even have a hint of sexual immorality in my life, and not complain or argue about anything to name a few of the challenging elements that one pursuing holiness must embody. But how does one live in the year 2007 with out reverting to the Little House on the Prairie lifestyle or completely avoiding the world and closing all influences out? The true reality is IT IS POSSIBLE. It was possible for Jesus and we are called to be like Jesus so it must be possible for us.

I think sometimes I confuse the concepts of God with that of the world. In the Bible God said, "Therefore, Be Holy as I am Holy." I somehow add something to that commandment which makes me want to avoid being perceived as "holier than thou" but God didn't say be holy and prideful, stuck up, and unable to relate to others. Isn't that they way sometimes we Christians are perceived? But in the word he also calls us to be humble (another seemingly impossible task)and not put ourselves above other in any way. In fact, we are called to live such good lives that people wouldn't be able to say anything bad about us. This revelation has been refreshing for me. This week I have been compounding HOLINESS AND HUMILITY. Just think of these two concepts as being together. We are called to be HUMBLY HOLY. We are called to be radically different, pure, Christ-like, blameless and free from sinful lifestyles while AT THE SAME TIME being kind, compassionate, serving of others, and able to relate and love people, too, without coming across as self-righteous. Now that sounds pretty impossible. And it is if we simply rely on ourselves to accomplish this behemoth calling. On our own efforts we will not really be authentic unless we choose by the grace and empowerment of God to let his love make humbly holiness possible.



Thoughts to reflect on:
Holiness: in the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24).

1-Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2-Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
3-Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
4-Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
5-Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
6-Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.

Titus 2:11-15
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.


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Up Coming events
Hope you all enjoy your January and time to relax and adjust to the New Year.

Acting group this Sunday 12:30-3 Choir room
This Sunday night we return to ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK PIZZA January 21st
Thursday February 1st Shane and Shane Concert
Saturday February 3rd Bocce Ball and Lunch 12pm
Saturday February 17th The Deep at our home 8pm

Hearing from God--going deeper

Do you remember when God spoke to Moses through the burning bush? Read Exodus 3! God required that Moses take off his shoes (sandals actually) because it was holy ground. This symbolism of taking one's shoes off is beautiful. Think of how amazing it is for our bare feet to touch the ground. It was simplicity and holiness all in one as Moses' feet and the ground made contact AND God came into contact with Moses in that way and heard the very voice of God.

God still desires for us to come to him and hear his voice. He wants us to hear him and not be distracted by the trappings of the world. Sometimes those distractions can actually be are own footwear and most times are much more and deeper. We must be willing to shed our fears, hindrances, and wrong perceptions of God so that we can truly hear him. What is hindering you right now from hearing him? Your busyness, pain, lack of boundaries, vocational/educational pursuits, material possessions, or sinful choices?

That's why we have set apart some time to worship and hear from God at the Deep. This sacred space happens this Saturday January 13th at 8pm in the Gapastione home.
If you want to come, please email for the address at tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com.
Hope to see you!

PS-

And funny enough..this Saturday if you are coming to the Deep at the Gapastione home, we ask you to take off your shoes just so we keep our carpets clean! --and hopefully, you too will hear from God like Moses.



FOR SUNDAY

Do you want to learn more about serving the homeless in our area? Then
come to Street Church FREE LUNCH meeting.
12:30-2 in the Fireside room.


after Sunday at 6 for the next season we will head out to dinner at
the new ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK PIZZA (right next to Century 20
theaters). And this week since some people Monday off for the late
great Martin Luther King, you have the option to catch a movie, too.
Here are some options.

Dreamgirls 8:35
Pursuit of Happyness 9:05
Night at the Museum 9:30
Blood Diamond 9:30
Children of Men 9:40

Young Adults' Winter Retreat 07

This past weekend we had another great retreat up in Twain Harte. Thanks to all who came,served, played, and enjoyed community in the snow! Huge thanks again to Frankie for your cabin coordination and leadership. Thanks also to Frankie, Ben, and David for leading us musically in worship.



This is a juicy video!

Events for 2007

GROW PRAY SERVE CELEBRATE

and this is how we will do it:


This weekend is our PCC young adults Winter retreat! We plan to do some praying, and celebrating with each other that's for sure which I hope will result in lots of celebration. We travel up to Twaine Hart for Snowboarding and bonding. Please pray for the safety of people driving up to the cabins and cruising down the mountains. Pray for us to experience God while loving him and each other.

1/13 Saturday night The Deep at the Gapastione Home 8pm. A time to grow and pray in intimate worship through prayer, Bible Teaching, music, communion, and community.

1/14 Sunday Street Church lunch for servers and leaders: 12:30pm-2pm on Sunday Jan 14th. Come hear more about this ministry and get involved in serving the poor and needy in our community.

2/1 Thursday night Shane & Shane Concert! meet at PCC at 6:30pm $12-to RSVP your spot please email kirstend@peninsulacovenant.com. Hear there music at
www.myspace.com/shaneandshane
They have been called modern day hymn writers and their songs are amazing. You will be encouraged in your prayer life and be encouraged to undestand God's love more.

2/3 Saturday Lunch & Bocce Ball (space is limited) $20 Los Gatos www.campodibocce.com -To reserve your spot on this Saturday afternoon event that is fun for all with great Italian food: email tonyg@peninsulacovenant.com

2/17 The Deep Saturday 8pm at the Gapastione Home

DON'T FORGET:
Every Sunday night hang out for Dinner after Sunday at 6 (Starting Jan 14th New York Pizza next to Century 20 downtown RWC).

Every Tuesday and Thursday night Street Church meets in Menlo Park 9pm.
Are you serving anywhere? We need people with compassion and service gifts.

AND NEW:
Actor's Group at PCC. Third Sundays January-March 12:30-3pm 1/21, 2/18, 3/18
Room TBA

Starting the New Year

Our first day of 2007 was spent cleaning and organizing. We have a new person moving in with us and our stuff is getting in the way. We have to make room for Baby Gap. What was once our office is now becoming our nursery. It's an awesome and overwhelming experience that is also causing us to be a little frustrated with ourselves, too. We have too much stuff(or really I should say Junk). Why is it in our nature to accumulate? We try to horde things with some underlying belief that we need those things to live, but we don't. Ah, but we did have some laughter at what we uncovered. We found very old photos, memorabilia, letters and art from junior high school days, and useless items that make us question what we were thinking when we chose to cherish it as a keepsake in the first place. The fun continues as prepare for our little one and the growth continues as God does his own house-cleaning in our hearts. I hope you,too, can do some house/heart cleaning as you start out your new year.

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This Psalm encouraged me to start my year with the knowledge that I belong to God. It is this truth that will effect how I live my life. Make some time to talk with God about what it means to belong to him. He has some thoughts on living life as one that belongs to God. It's life changing. We are not meant to belong to the world. We were not created to live on this earth and with it's "things" forever. We are only here for a limited engagement. I like that. We need to live like that.

Coming up for Young Adults at PCC

January
5-7 Friday-Sunday: Winter Retreat, Snowboarding
13 Saturday: The Deep at the Gapastione Home
14 Sunday: Street Church Lunch and Young Adults Visioning and Prayer

February
1 Thursday: Shana & Shane Concert in Berkeley
17 Saturday: The Deep