A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Last night Cheryl, Kelsey and I went to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for their "An Evening With Jesus" that they have every so often. The theme this time was "A Country Christmas." It was Dennis Agajanian and friends along with pastor Chuck helping with the worship. It was a glorious time in the Lord and put us all in the just the right "Spirit" for the Christmas season.

HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING

The Pilgrims set sail for America on September 6, 1620, and for two months braved the harsh elements of a storm-tossed sea. Upon disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they held a prayer service and then hastily began building shelters; however, unprepared for such a harsh New England winter, nearly half of them died before spring. Emerging from that grueling winter, the Pilgrims were surprised when an Indian named Samoset approached them and greeted them in their own language, explaining to them that he had learned English from fishermen and traders. A week later, Samoset returned with a friend named Squanto, who lived with the Pilgrims and accepted their Christian faith. Squanto taught the Pilgrims much about how to live in the New World, and he and Samoset helped forge a long-lasting peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Pilgrim Governor William Bradford described Squanto as “a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . and never left [us] till he died.”

That summer, the Pilgrims, still persevering in prayer and assisted by helpful Indians, reaped a bountiful harvest. As Pilgrim Edward Winslow (later to become the Governor) affirmed, “God be praised, we had a good increase of corn”; “by the goodness of God, we are far from want.” The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends – America’s first Thanksgiving Festival. Ninety Wampanoag Indians joined the fifty Pilgrims for three days of feasting (which included shellfish, lobsters, turkey, corn bread, berries, deer, and other foods), of play (the young Pilgrim and Wampanoag men engaged in races, wrestling matches, and athletic events), and of prayer. This celebration and its accompanying activities were the origin of the holiday that Americans now celebrate each November.

(From wallbuilders.com)

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

Last night we had a fantastic Thanksgiving Eve Service. We began by gaving thanks through song. We then followed up by giving testimony outloud of God's goodness as people felt led. Then we gave thanks through prayer. Jose Mendoza taught a great Bible study and said people in the Bible who don't give thanks to the Lord and take credit for themselves will be eaten by worms! (Acts 12:22-23; Mark 9:43-44). Then it was communion time. How great it was to be at the foot of the cross. Like Paul said..."Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor 9:15).

Listen to Jose Mendoza give a good point about giving credit to God and not man!

THANKSGIVING VERSES TO READ ON THANKSGIVING

Here's a list of thanksgiving verses to read on Thanksgiving to remind us of the blessings of God and the greatest gift of all...Jesus!:

(Psa 100) Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! {2} Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. {3} Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.


(Psa 103:1-5) Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! {2} Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: {3} Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, {4} Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, {5} Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.


(Luke 17:12-19) Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. {13} And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" {14} So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. {15} And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, {16} and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. {17} So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? {18} "Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" {19} And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

(2 Cor 9:15) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

(1 Th 5:18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Phil 4:6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

(Rev 11:15-17) Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" {16} And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, {17} saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

DEITY OF CHRIST

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

DEITY OF CHRIST

Below is a list of scriptures declaring the deity of Christ. There is a group in our area that is passing out flyers blatantly stating Jesus is not God. They are leaving them on the doors of houses and we even had one left on our church office door. Well, God can use it for good because it just makes us get into the Word of God and review what we believe as Christians. Let's arm ourselves with the truth and be ready to use that sword of the Lord when we need to!
Here is a list of scriptures that declare Jesus is God!:

(Matthew 1:23) “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

(John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(John 8:58) Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (compare Exo 3:14)

(John 20:28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

(Philippians 2:6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

(Colossians 2:9) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

(Titus 2:13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

(Revelation 1:8) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Why is the deity of Christ so important? Because if Jesus is not God He wouldn't be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We would be lost forever! The Jews had to present a lamb that was without blemish. (Exo 12:5) This foreshadowed Jesus the Lamb of God! (John 1:29) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! The cults want to make Jesus a man because they don't believe in salvation by the work of Christ on the cross alone. (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. They say faith is not enough. You have to work for your salvation. That's why they vehemently attack the doctrine of the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Hold your ground and confidently declare the truth that Jesus is God!

And remember...when you share...keep this in mind: (2 Tim 2:24-26) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Louie

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LIARS WONT' GO TO HEAVEN

Last night at Bible study the theme was lying or telling the truth. I said a very important couple of verses will be shared from Revelation so get ready. Then as I went on I skipped over them in my notes! A few came up after and asked for them. For the rest I want to post them so you can have them:

· Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

· Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

*Comment: Isnt' that something that loving or practicing a lie will keep a person out of heaven? Notice how lying is in the same list as other grievious sins.

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Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things the Lord hates,Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue...

"Lord help me to always be truthful because you are the Truth!"

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MEN'S RETREAT 2009

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(2 Tim 2: 1) YOU THEREFORE, MY SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

We had a great Men's Reteat at Julian Oaks in Julian, CA (near San Diego). We studied the book of 2 Timothy. So much in there for men!

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Friday night worship.

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Hanging out and getting to know each other in the Lord.

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Mike Harrison teaches 2 Timothy 1.

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Here's Jeremy teaching 2 Timothy 2.
Jeremy and Sarah Britton serve at Julian Oaks. It's a camp ministry to the children in the San Diego foster care system. The Brittons used to serve the Youth at Calvary Chapel Norco and then stepped out in faith this past year. They are one of our missionaries we support through our church outreach. Thanks Jeremy for inviting us up. It was great to be together and for us men to see what God is doing through this ministry. We'll be praying for you!

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Gangstas for the Lord. Watch out devil! We have some men on fire for the Lord! Satan's going to lose some territory!!

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Youth on "fire" for the Lord!

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Plenty of worship times. The Lord is worthy to be praised!

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Men at work!

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Dennis Cline teaches 2 Timothy 3.

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Jose Mendoza taught 2 Timothy 4 on Sunday morning so I didn't get a chance to get a pic of him. But you can hear him and others on audio MP3 CD's that were made and that will be available this Sunday on the back table.

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Here's a video of the praise we enjoyed at the Men's Retreat.

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ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
(October 3, 1863)

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

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(1 Thess 5:18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Our family will have 2 empty seats around the table this year as Cheryl's mom and my dad both went home to be with Jesus this year. But we're going to be thankful for their lives and that we get to see them again in heaven. How about you? Has it been a year of loss or difficulty for you? Then let's rejoice together that God is good...that He is in control...and He knows what He is doing. It might not make sense but like Romans 8:28 says..."All things work together for good..." Let's count our blessings and look forward to many blessings ahead from the Lord!

Happy Thanksgiving in Jesus!

Louie

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

PERFECT PEACE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PERFECT PEACE

(Isa 26:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Peace has been the cry of mankind throughout the ages. As a teenager I wore the peace symbol and held my two fingers up high for peace. I listened to John Lennon sing “Give Peace A Chance.” There were the demonstrations. There were the ongoing social struggles and scuffles. There was the search for peace through drugs and the subculture. Surely we live in a different day but there is still the desperate cry in our hearts for peace. And not only for our nation but also for our families and for our own hearts and lives. Is it possible to have perfect peace?

Isaiah prophesied that One would come into our world as the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). The work of Jesus on the cross provided the reconciliation needed for man to be rightly related to God. As a result there would be peace with God! (Rom 5:1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. No more would man have to be at war with his Maker. (Col 1:20 22) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. {21} And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled {22} in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Now when a person has peace with God it provides the basis to be at peace with one another. (Eph 2:14-16) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, {15} having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, {16} and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. How can we expect people to get along if the peace of God is not in their hearts? The cry for world peace is satisfied at the foot of the cross when people come together under the Prince of peace.

Now what about in the personal arena? Is it possible to have perfect peace in one's heart? They say peace is the absence of war but what about when the world is raging all around you? (Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is...peace... Having peace is a result of the Holy Spirit within us...not only resident...but president! (Phil 4:6-7) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Don’t mull it over...turn it over! Turn your cares into prayers (1 Pet 5:7).

But can we maintain that personal peace? (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... In fact the Bible calls it "perfect peace." The Hebrew words are "shalom shalom." It means "peace peace" and represents ongoing peace. There might be chaos around me but I am promised perfect peace. But that peace seems to come and go according to my anxieties and troubles. How can I lock that peace in? Like Isaiah said I must keep my mind on the Lord and trust in Him for everything! Then I must think those positive thoughts that will keep me in that ring of peace. (Phil 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. May the perfect peace of Christ be yours today!

Louie

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TESTIMONY FROM MY DAD'S LIFE

Here's a testimony from Jon Newland who my dad led to the Lord:

I had the amazing experience to encounter Bill & Mavis at LAX in 1982. I was standing on the curb, May 23, waiting for the bus to get my car in parking lot C. After a brief conversation about why we were there Bill asked me if I was a Christian. My surprising response was "I'm not sure what that means." Not surprising, Bill was willing to explain it to me. After sharing the Gospel, he asked me if I wanted to pray to receive Christ. I said yes and he led me to pray; in the midst of busses and cars driving by, planes landing, jack-hammering (LAX was being remodeled for the LA Olympics in 1984). Looking back, it seemed like I was on a deserted island, total peace. I prayed, they gave me a Bible, wrote some verses (including Romans 8:9-10) along with their name, I got on the bus and didn't give it a lot of thought.

I was changing jobs, moving from San Luis Obispo to San Diego and didn't really understand the significance, but God in His faithfulness gave me a desire to find a church in San Diego. We knew no one there and it seemed like a good way to get to know people. We had attended church in San Luis Obispo when our 2 daughters were young, but I don't believe I had ever heard the Gospel. A lady where my wife worked in San Diego invited us to her Church, New Hope. It wasn't until 20 years later that we discovered the Pastor who started New Hope, Joe Rhodes, was in Bill's Sunday School class when he was in grade school. We had just completed a 30+ week series on God's passion for His glory and I could see His sovereignty at work in my life. I was able to reconnect with Bill and Mavis after all the years and thank them for their faithfulness and availablitiy to serve Jesus Christ. I am grateful to the Lord for sending His faithful servant to ask me the question. I value their friendship and am honored to share eternal life with those who have gone before. I am looking forward to once again embracing my Brother and fellow heir one day soon. In the meantime, Bill, you will be greatly missed.

(Other tributes to my dad are found on by clicking here)

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MY DAD'S OBITUARY

BILL MONTEITH

Went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 28th, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born February 21, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mavis, three sons: Jeff, Steve, and Louie, nine grandchildren: Jill, Emily, Jonathan; Amy, Robert, St. Clair, Marin; Lindsay, Kelsey; two great grandchildren: Bella and Becca, and three daughters-in-law, Cindy, Robin, and Cheryl.

Bill is a graduate of North Hollywood High School and the University of Southern California. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He received a Purple Heart for his wounds when his aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. St. Lo was sunk in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific outside the Philippines in 1944. Bill was active in Christian ministry for many years, including the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International and his local church. His favorite Bible verse was Romans 10:9-10.
(U.S.S. St. Lo)

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A memorial service will be held in his honor at Riverside National Cemetery on Wednesday, November 4th at 11:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to GO! Ministries of Calvary Chapel, Norco, CA at http://go.ccnorco.org/.


Arrangements by New Options Funeral Services, Inc. Condolences may be sent online by clicking here.

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A kamikaze strikes St. Lo, causing an enormous fireball

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