New Life Church of the Nazarene, Salinas, CA

As people join together and pray this Thursday in observance of the 71st National Day of Prayer, you can join me and other Christian leaders with Pray.com for a... special live broadcast at 5 pm (PST). This year's theme for the prayer event is "Exalt the Lord Who Has Established Us" it comes from the New Testament's book of Colossians. I hope to see you there.

We have exciting news! Meet Loveology - a free resource providing expert answers to your relationship questions. We would love for you to check it out and let us know your thoughts. Visit https://loveology.org/ to see what it's all about.

Please join us in praying for Ukraine. We pray for an end to violence, for the preservation of all life and a lasting peace. Pray for the international commun...ity to respond with wisdom. Pray for the people of Ukraine, especially those who are most vulnerable. Pray for our Ukrainian churches and child development centers and for their safety. Our churches are currently assessing the need and will be responding with love and care. More updates later.

What a beautiful experience it was to spend a week with the Trevecca Nazarene University community for their Spiritual Deepening Week. Our theme was, "Give Us Y...our Heart." I loved exploring the holiness of God and what it means to be a holy people. This is our core doctrine as Nazarenes and I pray that this next generation of servant leaders will discover, claim, and embody a faithful life of holiness for themselves. If anyone is interested in watching the chapel services, here is a link to the recordings: Part 1: Holy, Holy, Holy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roNdT9Fd12o Part 2: Holy Ground - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu-TrmpCOwc Part 3: Holy Compassion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZCet2PVfX0 Part 4: Holy Peace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty60xalgS8o Part 5: Holy City - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acAmKB_tszA May the Lord help us to become holy as God is holy in all we are, say, and do. Special thanks to TNU Chaplain Erik Gernand and Director of Chapel Worship Ashley Boone Gernand for the outstanding work they did putting together this amazing week!

Coming this Saturday!

As I sit horrified looking upon these images, I realize that many will point fingers at me, a Christian, as guilty by correlation. My westernized self will deny... it, claiming innocence as a separate and unique individual. My Asian self will hang my head in shame, as I am a part of the Church - a collectivized expression of the Body of Christ. We, the Church, have failed to live counterculturally. We have failed to disciple our people to reject imperialism, nationalism, narcissism, racism and any other ism that is against Kingdom culture. Will the Church, yet again, bury their head in the sand? Feign ignorance? Stay silent? Be in denial? Lord, bring us into a disruptive awareness that will invigorate lament, repentance, and then advocacy for justice and righteousness. Let us be faithful to you and not to any human institution built on greed or power. God have mercy on us...

A pastor friend posted this well-known poem. (Set to music as a Christmas Carol) This is what my heart feels today. And in despair I bowed my head; "There is n...o peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

https://instituteforbiblereading.org/podcast/

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God is with you, to strengthen you, help you, and give you victory!

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Powerful story of courage and justice

Pastor Jim and Nancy formerly served as pastors in Salinas

TodayRight Now New Life Church 800 N. Main St. Salinas. Rummage Sale & Car Wash All money goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Happy Motivational Monday! Did you know pretzels can help you look ahead to Easter? Pretzels were a favorite for Lent during the early days of the church. Stri...ct fasting was a must during the forty days from Ash Wednesday leading up to Easter (not counting Sundays). This was vegan dieting before it was a thing, and simple flour, salt, and water pretzels were a safe food to eat. The shape is important, too. A popular prayer position at the time was to cross your arms over your chest to touch your shoulders. One tradition says a monk mimicked this posture by crossing his ropes of dough into the familiar pretzel shape, and thus a favorite snack was born. You may not practice Lent, but there are still simple ways to anticipate Easter and celebrate what Christ did for us through His death and resurrection. If you want to learn more about the pretzel traditions within the church, check out https://www.catholiceducation.org//ca/lenten-pretzels.html And if you want to bake some pretzels, find a modern version of the recipe here (this one's not vegan): https://tasty.co/recipe/homemade-soft-pretzels Have a great day!

#GivingTuesday is here, and we are ready to #DigDeep for clean water! We're asking you to partner with local churches around the world to provide WASH programs ...(WAter, Sanitation, Hygiene) that bring renewed health to their neighborhoods and communities. **DID YOU KNOW: 13 countries have active WASH projects benefiting communities, schools, churches, and clinics. Each project is implemented by engaged and mobilized local churches who have received training and support. YOU can be a part in expanding the reach of WASH programs! Through your gift of just $10 (or more!), we will unite in compassion to support upcoming projects and enable more people to experience the life-changing difference that is access to clean water. Please donate TODAY and help us partner with more local churches around the world, bringing clean water to those who need it most. Learn more about WASH projects through NCM: ncm.org/clean-water

Salinas New Life will be participating December 2018.

Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by... the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. Martin Luther King, Jr.