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21 Day Experience

For the past 21 days (3 weeks or 504 hours or 30,240 minutes...okay...it was a loooong time), my wife and I have been fasting.  We were challenged by a recent online message we saw at Life Church by Pastor Craig Groeschel.  Pastor Craig spoke about fasting and provided different examples of how it could be done.  So for my wife and I, it was not food that we gave up.  It was something that indeed would be difficult for us (especially me).  We gave up watching no TV.  No sports highlights, news, weather or traffic updates.  No DVD movies or online TV shows.  No Netflix online or anything else.  When others had the TV on, we could not watch it.   So my "fasting" was different than most others and I would like to share a few things I learned from this 21 day experience.

1. I discovered YouVersion.  During the message and the online chat, it was recommended to sign up for the 21 day reading plan.  The idea was there would be 21 bible verses and also some encouragement in your fast.  I had heard of YouVersion, but have never used it.  But it helped me tremendously, because instead of turning on the TV very EARLY in the morning I would use the mobile application and read my lesson for the day!  What a great way to get up and read God's Word first!
2. I struggled.  I watch alot of TV, no doubt!  I enjoy certain programs and watching sports.  It has become my relaxation time.  Those first few days were difficult.  TV had become an early morning and late night habit.  In fact, I moved the remote control from the side of bed to a dresser where the TV was so I could not easily grab it.  I am sure some of you struggled with whatever you gave up.
3. I messed up.  I know, we all mess up.  But I was doing really well for 14 days and then BAM it hit me.  Subtle as it was, I was watching a late night TV program that someone else was watching.  I didn't thinking anything about it at the time and it was only for a few minutes, but once I left the TV I realized I had done wrong and messed up.  I definitely felt bad and convicted.  But isn't that how we should approach those things that are wrong against God.  Bad and convicted?
4. I could do it!  Despite the temptations and wanting to watch the last two playoff games before Superbowl, my wife and I did it!  We learned that we can put God first.  We learned that there are other things we can do together instead of TV (shopping or even a puzzle).

So I shared what I learned and I pray that you too will challenge yourself to participate in a 21 day fast.  If you participated in this fast, what did you learn? I would love to hear about your experience.

2010 is gone and 2011 is here!

I can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I updated my blog.  I would like to share what 2010 has been for me and what is waiting for me in 2011.

If I had to describe what 2010 was for me, I would say it was a "Valley"!  No doubt!  That is what it was!

Ministry/Church wise it was difficult year of changes.  We changed 3 paid (although not that much) positions to unpaid positions and reduced the salary of another position.  That was painful, but our finances could no longer support the staff.  It was hard to suggest and hard to recommend and painful to recommend because this effected the livelyhood of people I have known and have relationships with.

This also meant changes to our ministries.  Some people began to assist in ministry and things seemed to be progressing well.  But the loss of members was devastating when Jesus took the home.  I must admit, I am selfish with people.  I don't want to see them go, but God had His plan for them.  I truly miss Carol Olson who was always a great source of knowledge, creativity, and love.  She was always willing to do whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus.  Her husband, John, loved her so much that even in the last days of her life, he stood right by her bedside and looked at her with love!

We also lost our last surving charter member, Olive Dobbins.  She had been in and out of our church for awhile during her last year.  She struggled hearing the music or messages.  But yet she would remain faithful to attending Sunday School and Worship Service.  Her years of dedication and laying the foundation of what would become CornerStone Baptist Church, shows her love for Jesus.

During this past year, our attendance has shrunk tremendously.  No real explanation for it other than life events in people have caused them to make changes as to where they live.  I hate to see people leave the church.  It is painful as a Pastor to see people leave, but God has other plans.

Lastly, in my own personal life things have been chaotic and challenging.  Seasons of changes has just come and caused alot of pain and personal self-reflection.  Am I doing what God wants me to do?  Is it time to quite being a Pastor?  Am I being a good husband, father, grandfather?  Am I passionate about my own personal commitment to Jesus?  Why are things happening?  What am I supposed to do?

Today, I realize that 2010 is gone.  That year was a "valley" year!  But now 2011 is here and God gave me three things he wants me to do this year which I am sharing on January 9th.  They are things that I have never attempted before and it is where God wants me to lead as a Pastor our church.  So I ask for your prayer.

One final thought that I would like to share.  If you are a follower of Christ, remember these two things.  Love God and love people!  It is as simple as that.  It is the core of where we should be in our relationship with Jesus.  I pray for all of you right now, that you experience Jesus' love in all areas of your life.

Happy 2011!

In His Amazing Love and Grace,

Pastor Waldo Barela

Avoiding Social Networking

For a while, I have avoided social networking.  It hasn't been purposeful, but more out of necessity.  Social networking has dominated my time and I have to learn to limit myself especially when more important matters should take priority.  But while I am not avoiding it entirely, I would like to offer my thoughts on social networking:

• Be careful what you post! - Employers are now searching Facebook, Twitter, and blogs when hiring.  So be careful what you post, even though it may be in jest!
• Too much info. - There is so much information available on your profile pages.  You must be careful what information is for public view and what information is private.
• Don't post when you are angry. - There are have been several times I wanted to blog on something that I was angered about.  Or there have been times where I have viewed other people vent too much information because of what they were involved in.  You can express your frustration, but do so constructively and without names (implied or otherwise).
• Your tweet, blog post, Facebook comment is a reflection on you! - I have admittedly gotten "called on" a comment I posted.  I did not think anything of it at the time, but it was clear that my comments angered and offended someone.  Instead of admitting I was wrong, I tried to justify and explain why.  I am analytical and I try to reason, at times, my actions.  The relationship was broken and it probably did not need to be, but I believe I was at fault.

What are your thought on social networking?  Has it dominated your life?  What mistakes have you made?  

Seven Things The Church Can Learn From Disneyland

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1. WELCOME PEOPLE:  The staff at Disneyland was always helpful and inviting.  They made you feel comfortable from the time you boarded the parking lot tram on your way to the park.  What would a church look like if it welcomed people from the moment they entered the facility?  What if they were greeted with a smile, provided information about the church, and was escorted to a seat?  They would never sit alone and they would definitely want to stay.
2. CLEAN FACILITIES:  During one of the parades, some Mickey Mouse confetti shot out and got into Main Street.  As soon as the parade was over, there were about 5 vacuum machines, a number of manual street sweepers, and it was definitely a neat street again.  Churches need to be well maintained and cared for.  This goes from the pews (or chairs) to the restrooms to the nursery.  If you clean, it shows you care and we definitely should care for God’s church! 
3. BE READY:  I have been to Disneyland many times, but others were new or haven’t recently attended.  The staff there was ready for any situation, was accommodating, and made sure that the guest’s enjoyment is a priority.  Shouldn’t the church make visitors a priority?  Be prepared for their questions instead of judging them, be prepared to direct them to restrooms, and be prepared to meet the need no matter how small it is.  After all, Jesus always met the need!
4. ORGANIZED:  With the exception of California Adventure, Disneyland is one of the most organized and well planned parks.  In church, I have long debated if the church is an organism or an organization.  It is BOTH!  Not only are we a living, breathing growing church, we also have structure.  Lack of organization leads to chaos and a chaotic church is not what God wants.  Doesn’t He want some order when we come together
5. CHANGE:  I was disappointed when the Star Tours ride was not available.  I was informed that they were doing some remodeling of the ride.  Remodeling means change, but in my mind it was perfect.  “Change” is the word we don’t want to hear in our churches.  Nobody likes to change, because they don’t see the value of it.  Change in churches means, we have to do things differently to keep connected to people and so our regulars don’t fall into a rut.  If we didn’t change, why would we have websites, emails, or COMPUTERS?  Churches need to lead people into change.  After all, don’t we change our mind when we have JESUS? 
6.   .  ABOVE EXPECTATIONS:  I have seen the Disneyland fireworks over and over again.  It is a true highlight of the evening.  I thought I would see the same big, bright fireworks I had seen before.  To my surprise it was a well coordinated, audio, visual and live entertainment event.  It went above my expectations.  When people come to church, we should go beyond their expectations.  We should deliver the best customer service for JESUS!!!  After all, our God is a big God!
   7.  COME BACK:  When people were exiting the park they had two choices.  They can leave the park and not return or they can leave the park and have their hand stamped so they would be able to return that day.  We have to create an environment where people would want to return.  Don’t get me wrong our church is not for everyone, but we should have quality worship, bible teaching and connecting with people so that they want to return.  Why?  Because Jesus is in those things and He will draw them near when the church is doing what God has shown them to do.

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