It Takes A Church...

Perspective and Hope in Remembering a Tragic Day

My friend and Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Steve Yamaguchi offers this challenging and hope-giving perspective on December 7.  This is the first time that I have ever thought of the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor always falling during Advent.  As a pastor under Steve's care, I am very often the beneficiary of his pastoral voice and prophet insight.  Today I'd like to share that with you.

I hate this day in history. I hate what the military leaders of Japan did to murderously ambush so many at Pearl Harbor. I grieve for how it triggered so much hate and fear among Americans that some Americans would take others of their fellow citizens and, just because of their Japanese ancestry, put them in wretched prison camps for four years. Those internees included both my parents and all their siblings (plus all my grandparents who were not citizens). I recall friends in Japan who tell of their years of deprivation and terror and starvation. I grieve for the terror and warfare that afflicted the whole world. And I remember with sadness the post-WWII years of “jap-hating” during which I grew up as a young boy. I recall how I as an American born citizen was regularly condemned as “Made in Japan” – which was not a compliment in those days. So I hate Dec. 7 in history.

And yet, I am filled with thanks for the grace of God we receive in Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the love by which I am saved, and for the joy in which we can live. I give thanks to God for the Presbyterian Church in which I came to know Jesus. And I give thanks to God for you every time I think of you, for you are Christ’s very body for me and his instrument through which I so palpably enjoy the delicious fruit of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” In a world filled with hate and fear and the evil that raised its ugly head on December 7, 1941, we who serve Christ have a Good News of love and hope for this world. While I hate the memory of December 7, I cherish the memory we celebrate on December 25. This I remember with joy and thanks and hope.

Mission in the Midst

While Rev. Greg Hughes and Malibu Presbyterian start to work their way through the rubble and pull their community of faith together in life and witness, another pastor friend, Rev. Neal Nybo reports that 57 members of Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian church lost homes in the recent fires.

While our church evacuation site has been able to close up shop and begin the process of moving the ample amounts of donated goods onto partners and other organizations who continue to work with evacuees, today a team from our church will travel to Tijuana to build homes and offer support to a church partner with Baja Christian ministries.

When we recognize how vulnerable every one of us is to unexpected tragedy, it only inspires to live lives of compassion for all.

The Rebuilding Begins

The skies remain full of ashes,the schools were canceled and none of us are back to normal by a long shot. While the fires are no longer on national news, some still burn. But last night at the end of our prayer service, we received word that the families evacuated from Camp Pendleton were allowed to go home.  So those who had fled in the middle of one night were home the next and we give thanks to God for that grace.

Others are still homeless, some will be for a long time.  But one way or another rebuilding is beginning. Here Pastor Greg Hughes looks over the damage of what was once a beautiful, welcoming sanctuary.

If you'd like to help the good folks at Malibu Presbyterian, click here.

Fires and Friendship

500,000 people have been evacuated from Southern California homes because of the ongoing firestorm.

Early, early this morning 21 people showed up in our church parking lot after fleeing their homes in Fallbrook.  When we were able to get them into some comfortable rooms in our church, they told us that they were members of Fallbrook Presbyterian Church.   They didn't know where to go, so they headed to a Presbyterian church that is outside of the burning area, knowing they would be safe to stay there.  We are so glad they did.

Today, the members of our church are being lined up to take in families who are being evacuated from San Diego neighborhoods. One of our elders is organizing the effort and our church will become the "base camp" for those who need a place to go.

Please pray for the many, many families in LA, Orange County and San Diego County, the firefighters who are stretched to the breaking point and the many small acts of friendship that can make all the difference.

Update Wednesday Morning: The number of displaced now exceeds 1 Million people according to reports. Families from Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton are being evacuated and our church is privileged to welcome them.

Tragedy, Perspective and Witness

Doris Stephens, the wife of our church's unofficial "pastor emeritus" came into the prayer room before the second service yesterday to tell me that Malibu Presbyterian Church had burned to the ground in the recent California fires.  Doris' daughter-in-law, Valerie is the sister of Malibu Presbyterian's Pastor, Greg Hughes.  Greg is a friend and colleague going back 15 years. I met his wife, Kay 20 years ago at Forest Home.  And about 12 years ago I was the speaker for Malibu Pres' family camp. When Malibu was looking for a new Senior Pastor some years back, I had the privilege of being a reference for Greg.

Yesterday in two of our three services we announced the loss of the church and prayed for them.  After the service, I sent an email to Greg with my prayers and support.  Greg's leadership in this tragedy is unmistakable.  As he told the LA Times, “We didn’t lose any members. We only lost a building. We’re going to regroup. We believe God will make something beautiful out of ashes.”

Indeed God will.  What some may not know is that  Malibu Presbyterian Church has often been in years past the center of relief efforts when fires and floods have hit Malibu.  This church is known for being a true Christian community that cares for it's larger community and no doubt they will do far more than simply look after themselves.  The Mayor of Los Angeles has already commended Greg and Kay and the church for being the center of support for others.

I commend you also to the blog by the Children's director at Malibu Presbyterian (where I got the picture above), another honest and faithful voice of witness in the middle of tragedy.

Greg, Kay and all of the Malibu Presbyterian Congregation, may the peace of Christ that passes all understanding be with you.

UPDATE:  Greg Hughes on Fox News last night when asked what his church is going to do: Well, you know, we're an Easter Faith people, so you know on Friday, it looked like things were bleak for Jesus, but we saw that Jesus rose again. And our church is a resurrection church. We'll gather again. We're going to regroup again...and we believe we'll be stronger as a result of this.

2nd Update.  Here is a video link to Greg speaking on CNN, including some pictures of what the church looked like before the fire.

Best in the West

Remembering an Unforgettable 9/11

The Best Statement By a Presidential Candidate Thus Far

"I do love fishing, and I have a simple philosophy that everyone ought to go fishing once a week and go to church once a week. If you did those two things, life would be better for all of us."
-GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE

Weekend Perusing: O Wilber, where art thou?

I will return on Monday with a new series but in the meantime, some blog posts worth spending some time on:

• Rob Moll of Christianity Today writes about the current-day slave trade
• Mark D. Roberts continues his series on that most troublesome (and oft-neglected) of Jesus' commands: Love your enemies.
• And this clip by Bono reminds me of why he is the most admired Christian among young people today.

A Christian Hero Too Many Do Not Know

It would a wonderful thing if the church got behind both this film...

And this cause...