College Life Class of 2021

by Elder Peter Lim

Hello church family!

Every year, we have the joy of highlighting our CL graduates. We’re so thankful and encouraged to have seen God working in their lives these past few years, and we trust that God will continue to be glorified through their lives. Please pray for them as they move forward with their future plans.

Angie Tang

  • What are your short/long term plans? Teaching Aide at Cambridge starting Fall 2021. Planning on pursuing a teaching credential eventually!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for the gospel and the word of God being faithfully preached every Friday. Also thankful for the staff/upperclassmen who constantly pointed me to Christ and encouraged me to consult God’s word for wisdom in all circumstances of life. These individuals lived their lives in such a way that Christ’s sacrificial love was demonstrated through their serving and care for the church body. So thankful for them, and also thankful for Peter and Patrick’s shepherding of us over the past years! (Not to mention all the fruitful weekly discussion groups, retreats, small group, EV opportunities, and fun fellowship activities :))

Ashley Yee

  • What are your short/long term plans? I plan to find a job as an elementary school teacher here in San Diego, and plan to stay in SD for the foreseeable future!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for a community of believers and church body who continually uplift and focus upon bringing glory our Lord Jesus Christ. Over my years in CL, there have been countless individuals caring and encouraging me to focus my eyes to the Lord rather than self; in which, I am very grateful for such accountability and Christ-like love.

Bennett Wells

  • What are your short/long term plans? My plan is to stay in San Diego for at least the next year
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am so thankful for the staff for leading us in group discussions and small groups, for the leadership of the church
    for shepherding us well, and for my fellow collegians for the encouragement, service, and fellowship we have enjoyed as the body of Christ.

Brandon Tsui

  • What are your short/long term plans? Staying in San Diego! Working around the area
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Thankful for the wonderful staff who were always quick to encourage me and point me to Christ, especially in the midst of hardship. I’m so grateful to have built so many relationships and will be sad to see the one leaving SD go.

Caitlin Odulio

  • What are your short/long term plans? I will be continuing my education at UCSD!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for the Lighthouse church body that has so selflessly served me and showed me God’s love. I am thankful for all the people who have helped guide me and point me to Christ. Thank you!

Clara Kang

  • What are your short/long term plans? To stay in SD and in CL next year, while working part-time & preparing to apply for Occupational Therapy school. I’m planning on pursuing OT back at home in Orange County after my gap year but still making visits to SD of course.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m so thankful for the church and the people that have encouraged me, challenged me, and pointed me to Christ during my experiences and struggles. In the beginning, I really questioned how being at Lighthouse was in His good plan because I couldn’t see it as good in my self-seeking heart, but now I’m overwhelmed with gratefulness with how I feel like I am constantly being challenged in my faith to cling to Christ always & how I truly feel provoked towards good deeds by my brothers and sisters. I’m thankful for poured Christ’s love into me. Overall, God drew me closer to Him through the CL ministry, so I couldn’t be more thankful.

David Huang

  • What are your short/long term plans? Moving back to Sac, finishing classes in the summer, job searching
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? The church family, the preaching, the different ministries, there are too many things to be thankful for throughout the past 4 years

Derek Shibata

  • What are your short/long term plans? Getting married to Shelby!!!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’ve been thankful for the CL staff and Lighthouse leadership for constantly pouring out into us and investing so much time in us. I’ve been thankful for the opportunity to use my college years to truly glorify God and grow in my love for Him.

Ezra Lee

  • What are your short/long term plans? I plan on going back to UCSD for a year to finish my master’s degree in structural engineering. In the summer and after master’s I plan on working for the company I’ve been interning at these past summers (Power Engineering). I’ll be down in San Diego and joining Salt & Light!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for the deep, Christ-centered friendships I made in CL. As I look back on my memories I praise God for how intentional my friends were with me in the conversations I had. I’m thankful for friends who would always point me back to Christ no matter the circumstances I was in. It was so evident that people really cared for me and my spiritual well-being above all else. I’m also thankful for how seriously people took God’s Word because it challenged me to also take it seriously. I’m thankful for all of the small group leaders I had who were so patient and kind as I grew. I’m thankful for Vallarta’s being open 24/7 so we could go there after Friday bible studies. And I’m thankful for so much more but I don’t think I can fit it all in this textbook.

Hannah Wangsa

  • What are your short/long term plans? I plan to stay in San Diego and in College Life for another year as I complete some prerequisite courses and apply for occupational therapy graduate programs. So even though I’m done with school at UCSD, I’m doing more school in order to try to go to even more school, Lord-willing. :)))
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Even though I’m not leaving CL yet, I am so, so thankful for the people and teaching that God has used to grow me in Christlikeness. I chose UCSD on a whim since out of state tuition for another school I was considering was too much, but God was truly directing my steps and worked together so much good through LBC. I am grateful for the many friendships I have been able to form, my small groups, my class, the dedicated staff, EVERYONE! I have been encouraged, exhorted, challenged, & served in countless ways throughout the past three years. CL is truly so, so special. All glory to God!!

Jonathan Oen

  • What are your short/long term plans? Currently, going to continue at UCSD in getting M.S. in Electrical Engineering and then hopefully get a job afterwards.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for the church as a whole. In particular I’m thankful for the faithful teaching week after week, the people who welcomed me, and personally the growth that came with it all in learning more about my sins and shortcomings and about how great our God is.

Jose Caballero Medrano

  • What are your short/long term plans? I will be staying in San Diego for an additional year to work and build up a resume that I can apply to grad school with.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for the love that everyone has shown to me and each other. Not growing up in a Christian household I was unsure of what relationships founded in Christ looked like, but so many of you poured into my life and genuinely cared about me and my walk. To continue I am also super grateful for the role that small groups had in my life. To have such intentional and close relationships with my brothers is an experience that I will keep with me forever. I learned so much through these relationships such as how to pray, how to read my bible, how to have a desperation for God and so much more.

Joseph Jeong

  • What are your short/long term plans? I got two more quarters of CL left, so probably stay
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Fellowship and discipline

Joseph Li

  • What are your short/long term plans? Stay in SD and work remotely!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Solid and relevant biblical teaching, culture of meet-ups and discipleship, and a warm and welcoming community

Katie Chen

  • What are your short/long term plans? I will be heading back home to the Bay Area to start my full time job in July!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am grateful to have been placed in a church that pushed me to grow in my faith and that God places so many brothers/sisters in Christ who point me back to the word/Christ in all situations.

Manfred Lau

  • What are your short/long term plans? Short term: try to relax 🙂 (Really short term: finish this last quarter strong) Long term: UCLA Law
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Small groups — for reinforcing/reminding me of personal disciplines and keeping me accountable for personal, daily spiritual growth, which has been admittedly slow but without small group would be just dead. The way that older students reached out to me when I was a freshmen and demonstrated brotherly/sisterly love in Christ and made a good first impression, sermons on time and money, dating and relationships, the local church, what it means to “commit your life to Jesus,” and the extent of God’s grace when I often fail to live up to my new identity, edifying worship music — I’d never heard e.g. Sovereign Grace before and I like how the music seems to highlight the lyrics, being able to live with Lighthouse guys, encouragement I’ve had just talking with people about my problems and theirs

Maxwell Chen

  • What are your short/long term plans? I am pursuing a graduate degree in neuroscience in the UK
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Friends I made and lessons I learnt

Noah Meeks

  • What are your short/long term plans? I will be pursuing my Masters in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at Cal State San Marcos.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for so many things, but one thing would be small groups. I’m so grateful for all my past small group leaders and members who have imparted their wisdom to me, kept me accountable, and encouraged me. Really appreciate the LBC College Life community.

Pin Daorueng

  • What are your short/long term plans? My short term plan is to move to Chico after I get married! I’d be taking one semester of additional classes to fulfill an application requirement for my certificate program. Then, I’d be participating in a one-year certificate program for Clinical Lab Science! As for long term, Joseph and I plan to pursue missions in
    Thailand! In the meantime, we’re depending on God through the church and our Christian org to equip us in making disciples.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am so thankful for my salvation because of the Word that was preached so faithfully at LBC. I’m grateful for the lovely families and friends who shared their lives with me and was a testimony of God’s power and grace. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated the training I’ve received in EV and discipleship; the people before me have really been intentional to instill that in me through fellowships, Bible studies, ministry events, and more. Patrick’s sermons are always so full, which really set the bar high for me when it comes to studying God. And, I can never get over how easy it is to do life with LBC friends so instantaneously…this is true living!

Rachel Seo

  • What are your short/long term plans? After Shelby’s wedding, I’ll be moving to Los Angeles for a full-time job! 🙂
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am so thankful for the leadership and staff within college life. They made me feel welcomed when I first arrived and I have been so encouraged by the care and attention they put into small groups and discussions on Friday nights. I am especially thankful for all of my small groups, for the accountability and opportunity to grow alongside other sisters.

Sarah Lau

  • What are your short/long term plans? Stay in SD!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m so thankful for the faithful staff and leaders who pour into us! I’m thankful for Josh, Patrick, and Roger who taught us these past four years and their faithfulness to the Word! I’m so thankful for this ministry and that God put me here these past 4 years!! I’m also thankful that I’ve been able to meet so many sisters and brothers who have committed their lives to Christ and continue to grow each day, it’s so encouraging to see people grow!!

Shelby Proulx

  • What are your short/long term plans? I am getting married at the end of June and will be staying in San Diego! I am currently looking for a full-time job related to math or statistics and hope to begin working after graduation and the wedding.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I am so thankful for the leadership and staff within college life. They made me feel welcomed when I first arrived and I have been so encouraged by the care and attention they put into small groups and discussions on Friday nights. I am especially thankful for all of my small groups, for the accountability and opportunity to grow alongside other sisters.

Tracy Zeng

  • What are your short/long term plans? Short-term – I’m working for non-profits in San Diego. I’m working with San Diego Youth Services, an organization that supports youth in crisis, whether it’s foster, runaway, or homeless youth. Long-term – I’m hoping to get involved in diaspora Bible translation projects here in San Diego while getting my Masters in Biblical Studies. Long long term I’m hoping to be involved in church planting and Bible translation overseas.
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? I’m grateful for the people I’ve gotten to love and the people who have loved me. I love seeing collegians grow in Christ, and specifically in love for evangelism. I’m grateful that I can feel known here, even in this brief time.

Vivian Song

  • What are your short/long term plans? SG- pass the NCLEX, become a RN, and work at a hospital! LG- go on a medical mission trip!
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? So so sooo thankful for God’s omniscience. I didn’t even want to transfer to SDSU because I wanted to stay at my home church. But God showed me that there were many areas that I needed to grow and learn that I couldn’t have if I just stayed where I was! It was truly a privilege serving CL <3

Yoshi Unno

  • What are your short/long term plans? San Diego for another year
  • Looking back at your CL experience, what are you thankful for? Fellowship with brothers and sisters as well as enrichment in the knowledge.

 

College Life Class of 2020

by Elder Peter Lim

Dear Lighthouse family,

Here are the graduates from College Life this year! These seniors have had to deal with the unusual pandemic situation so we were sorry for them to graduate without having a proper time to say goodbye to everyone. But God is sovereign and He will be glorified no matter what! Please pray for them as they move forward in life.

Alex Yu

  • What are your short / long term plans? I’m pursuing a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? My salvation.

Allison Furmidge

  • What are your short / long term plans? Stay in San Diego hopefully! I hope to find a job somewhere in California (SD, LA or Bay Area) and I don’t really have any long term plans, maybe get my Master’s at some point but I’m just waiting for any opportunities God has for me now.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? So much spiritual growth. Realizing the depth of my sinful depravity, defending my faith, and seeing the grace of God through all my experiences in college. And my friends! I already miss them so much.

Alyssa Tepe

  • What are your short / long term plans? I am hoping to either move back home (LA area) or move up to the bay area to live with my older brother. In either location I am hoping to get integrated into a church and find an engineering job. But, anything could change, and I am hoping to go where God leads me.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I am super thankful for all the messages. Josh and Patrick were faithful to bring us God’s word each week. Thank you for that. My favorite series was Patrick’s “If I could give advice to College Patrick.” Those were convicting. I’m also thankful for all the people in college life, how we were able to walk alongside one another and encourage each other. I was encouraged to see the different ways that people would serve one another. It demonstrated their love for Christ and for each other.

Ashley Yee

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be attending grad school at SDSU in the fall (hopefully)!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for such a caring community of collegians (& the church body) over the years, as this was something I didn’t have the chance to have growing up at my home church.

Audrey Louie

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be staying in San Diego for the time being. I recently started a temp position as a research associate at a biotech company called Cellibre which is just down the street from church.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for all the CL staffers who committed their time and energy to build a relationship with us, to shepherd us with the truth, and to hold us accountable for our spiritual disciplines. I’m also thankful that God has blessed me with friends who love the Lord and point me to Christ.

Barry Lawlor

  • What are your short/long term plans? I’ll be moving up to Pasadena to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Caltech! That will be a 4-6 year program, so I don’t know what might come after that. Most likely I’ll go into industry afterwards, and seek to stay in CA. I’d love to return to SD at that point, but I certainly can’t be sure of where God will take me!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for so many things in my time in CL! To name a few: the many people who invested time and care in me, whether in formal discipleship, friendship, or living together; the chance to be involved in the church body as a whole (not just CL)–learning to love sacrificially, becoming a member, serving, and taking part in the joy of unity in the body of Christ; and honestly just the fun times together, whether at Retreat, Luau, Mission bowl, MNV, etc. or more informal things like $3 pizookie runs, trips to Tacos el Gordo or Irvine, apartment hangouts, all-day study sessions, etc. Ultimately the sweet and lasting relationships built in all of these things, and the ways that God has used those to deepen my walk with Him and love for others are what I’m most thankful for.

Beth Kushner

  • What are your short / long term plans? I’m taking a gap year at home in LA to work and to apply for graduate school for a teaching credential/masters program. Once I complete graduate school, I would like to be a high school history teacher.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m so thankful for the faithful friends I’ve made in College Life. I am constantly amazed by the amount of people who have invested in me by speaking truth to me and loving me throughout the past four years. It was truly a blessing to be a part of this steadfast ministry.

Camila Franco

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be staying in San Diego at my current internship, but I am also looking for a full-time job at a pharmaceutical company doing research or quality control. In the long term I would like to go to graduate school and obtain a master’s in chemistry.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Looking back, I am most thankful for the opportunities that the Lord has given me, which he has used to grow me. It has been his providence and sovereignty that has shine in all the things that I have gone through in college. I am thankful for coming to San Diego and experiencing the best weather and the best food. I am thankful l to have met amazing people that have shown me what it means to live like Christ. I am thankful for faithful leaders that love to invest in collegians and strive to make disciples. College Life has truly been such a blessing and one that has impacted me for the rest of my life.

Coleton Wilson

  • What are your short / long term plans? Finding a job here in San Diego and start the process of applying to graduate school.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I am grateful for the community, encouragement, and guidance of Lighthouse and the CL ministry. I found lighthouse during a time where I was discouraged in my walk, unsure about my faith, and wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a part of a church when I moved to San Diego. By God’s grace, I came to Lighthouse which immediately became a source of support and guidance. The teachings were as convicting as they were encouraging, the leadership was dedicated and loving, and the students and congregation were living examples of the joy of salvation in the gospel. My time in CL has helped grow my faith and strengthen my walk like never before. I will always be thankful for the teaching, relationships, and commitment to a high standard of christian living that CL and lighthouse has provided.

Courtney Chung

  • What are your short / long term plans? I’ll be staying in SD to continue working at the UCSD Cognitive Science Department doing HR / Student Affairs.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for all the friendships and fun memories that I’ve made throughout the past 4 years. I’m so grateful to have friends who love, encourage, and point me towards Christ-likeness. In light of this pandemic, I’ve realized how lucky I am to have these friendships and a church family to miss. I’m also incredibly thankful for the leaders and staff of CL who have a genuine care and desire to shepherd our hearts. The time and dedication spent to prepare various activities, messages, and follow up with us even outside of CL is appreciated so much!

Dorothea Cheung

  • What are your short / long term plans? Due to COVID, my work start date with Deloitte was delayed from August 2020 to January 2021! With these unexpected changes to work scheduling, I’ve decided to pursue a CPA license and will be taking classes to sit for the exam in, hopefully, fall of this year! Outside of studying, I plan on treasuring time with my family & friends, and building a new church community at Pillar Baptist Church up in the Bay Area!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Looking back at least last 4 years, I’m thankful for the faithful preaching of God’s word and how LBC members are quick to apply truth to their everyday lives! Everyone says that Lighthouse is a very special place, and I couldn’t agree more! This church body has blessed me immensely–encouraged me through joys and hardship, cared for me sacrificially, and challenged me to grow in a deeper love for God. I made some of my closest friends at Lighthouse, and I am so thankful for those who have loved me creatively, allowed me to be vulnerable in sharing my sins, and challenged my thinking! These acts of care can only be attributed to God’s amazing work in your guys’ lives! Thank you to all of our church leadership, CL staff, and members, for being committed to loving God and His people!

Emma Cary

  • What are your short / long term plans? Planning to take the MCAT and apply to medical school!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for so many great friendships I’ve made at lighthouse and in college life!

Eunice Ko

  • What are your short / long term plans? Moving back home to Norcal to work at Facebook.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? College Life has been such a blessing to me during my time in college. I have met so many people who have encouraged me and walked alongside me and learned from leaders that truly care for their flock and teach the word faithfully!

Evelyn Ma

  • What are your short / long term plans? Undecided.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m so thankful for the solid teaching and guidance of lighthouse’s leadership as well as the wonderful opportunities to grow with College Life, especially on servant team! Thank you Peter, Josh, and Pastor Patrick for your faithfulness in shepherding us!

Ivey Do

  • What are your short / long term plans? The plan is to move back home with my parents in the Bay Area for the time being and find a job in HR there.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m thankful for the consistent solid teaching, despite who the speaker is. At the church I grew up in, solid teaching was very dependent on who spoke. I’m also thankful for the opportunity to meet so many people who really love the Lord and are so servant-hearted. It was such a blessing to have this community throughout my four years of college.

Jane Lee

  • What are your short / long term plans? My plan is to move back home (OC area) and hopefully find a nurse residency program at a hospital nearby.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? While attending CL I am thankful for the faithful servant team staff and church leaders who were so welcoming and willing to get to know each and every one of us.

Johanan Lee

  • What are your short / long term plans? Find a job and work for a couple years, and consider pursing a master’s degree.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Faithful teaching of the Bible and making sure everything preached comes directly from it. The commitment of the staff and people to invest in, challenge, and encourage me.

Josalyn Cao

  • What are your short / long term plans? I’m planning to take a gap year before applying for Physician Assistant programs!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Ah SO MUCH. I have so much to be thankful for here at LBCSD. It has truly been an encouragement to walk alongside people who have continuously and lovingly pointed me back to our perfect, unchanging Creator. Not only do I get to hear God’s word being preached here at LBCSD, but I also get to see it being lived out through so many people. Being able to witness others serve and love out of a heart that loves God has really been one of the sweetest things to see. I am so thankful for the church for consistently challenging me to grow in my faith, to confront the hard questions, and to truly reflect on my thoughts and actions. Spending the past 4 years here has been such a blessing, and I am thankful for it all.

 
Joycelyn Ma

  • What are your short / long term plans? Currently, I will be in San Diego throughout most of the summer and after, in the fall, I will be back home to work on graduate school applications, while also looking for part-time jobs during the time I wait to hear back from schools. In terms of where I’ll go for graduate school, while IDEALLY, I would like to at least stay in California, ultimately, wherever I get in and to even be able go to graduate school is only possible by His grace and His perfect & sovereign will.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Looking back at my CL experience, I am thankful for the opportunities I had to fellowship and walk alongside other believers and collegians while building relationships centered on the common ground we have in Christ.

Justin Chang

  • What are your short / long term plans? Short term: stay in the US and look for a job. Long term: go back home to Taiwan.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? The teaching, community, and unadulterated gospel. I feel extraordinarily blessed to be able to be in CL getting to know so many loving individuals with genuine pursuits for Christ.

Madi Ro

  • What are your short / long term plans? I am going back to LA to be with my parents for the summer, and then will be off to teach English in Korea for a year!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I’m so thankful for the older sisters that have so faithfully poured into me and so selflessly guided me. I am also grateful for all of the friendships that I have made as well, and the opportunity to grow alongside one another.

Megan Gee

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be moving back home to NorCal to work for a few years and plan on going tot PA school or a nursing program.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I think I’m most thankful for how everyone at Lighthouse was so invested and loving towards me. They were there to help keep me accountable and encourage me.

Melissa Chow

  • What are your short / long term plans? I’ll be staying in San Diego for the foreseeable future! I’ll be working at Mitchell as an Information Security Analyst and joining the S&L Ministry this upcoming year.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for the staff who have shepherded me throughout the last five years of my undergrad–who have pointed me to Christ and reminded me of God’s sovereignty and grace to me! I am thankful for my peers whom I’ve had the privilege to grow alongside, who have admonished, encouraged and prayed for me when I need it!

Monica Hall

  • What are your short / long term plans? I plan to stay in San Diego and hopefully find a job down here so that I can stay here long term!
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Even though my time here in CL was really short, I am really thankful for the friends that I have made in the past year and a couple months. Thankful that through CL, these friends are some of my closest friends and are people I can trust to point me to Christ when I need it most.

Sarah Jung

  • What are your short / long term plans? Planning to move home after spring quarter ends.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? Thankful for the biblical teaching and the faithful ways the leadership seeks to serve the ministry.

Shelby Proulx

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be taking classes online in the fall through Colorado State University to obtain my Masters in Applied Statistics and will hopefully graduate and start working in 2021 with the rest of my class.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for the staff and leadership in CL. I felt like I didn’t belong as a USD student my freshman year, but the staff always encouraged me and made me feel like I had a place. I am very thankful for the small group leaders I have had and how they have continued to push me in my faith and relationships while humbly using their own lives as examples.

Tabitha Chua

  • What are your short / long term plans? I will be moving back to the Bay Area to stay with family as I continue searching for a job in nursing.
  • Looking back at your College Life experience, what are you thankful for? I am so thankful for faithful teaching of the Word that has caused growth in understanding and reverence of the Lord. I am thankful for the church family that holds each other accountable and loves one another!

Moving Forward with COVID-19

Dear LBCSD church family,

As we’re sure you’ve all heard, church services have now been deemed “essential” and thus have been allowed to be re-opened in a limited capacity, and with certain restrictions.  The elders at LBCSD have been praying through and discussing how we can best re-open the church, while still doing our best to protect people from being exposed/infected with COVID-19 (caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus).  Forthcoming in the near future will be details about the protective practices we will be putting in place (in accordance with the orders from the State of California), as well as our own guidance on who should consider staying home under various circumstances.  These guidelines have been in the works for a while, and have been carefully crafted with the help of multiple members of our church family who are front-line healthcare professionals.

At the same time, we understand that some are hesitant to return to church, and feel convicted that staying home is what is best for them and their families.  The elders want to affirm that this is a very reasonable and God-honoring choice.  We appreciate your collective prayers for wisdom on how to re-open, and also how to continuously monitor how things are going; nothing is set in stone, including the governmental guidelines we seek to adhere to.  So this is a fluid situation that we will do our best to monitor (legally, medically, and spiritually).

Some have asked how to make decisions in situations like this.  That is a great question!  We wanted to take the opportunity (since so many have asked) to walk through some biblical principles on how to make godly, and wise decisions.

As we’re sure many of you know (and affirm), whenever making a decision for any reason, we want to make that decision in a God-honoring way (1 Cor 10:31).  The Scriptures are clear that our starting point is what the Word of God says (John 14:15).  We are to love God and people (Matt 22:37-40), and trust Him in all things while not leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:3-5).  Those are tall tasks in and of themselves, but secondly we should also submit to the government (Rom 13:1-2) so long as the government is not telling us to sin against God (Acts 5:29).  If we have fulfilled those two criteria (first glorify God, then second submit to the government) then we are free to make the best / wisest decisions we can make (prayerfully, and led by the Holy Spirit [James 1:5]).  This is true of all biblical decisions, not just this situation.

In regards to this situation, we have to continue to remember God’s commands, while sifting through governmental orders (that keep changing, and in some cases have been inconsistently applied) and data on a worldwide pandemic (that honestly also keeps changing, i.e. see new WHO guidelines on masking). Ignoring any of those three components (God’s commands, governing authorities, new health data) is going to lead to an unwise decision.  On the other hand, a heart that honestly considers all three of those components will make the best judgement for his / her family, and the elders respect and appreciate all the prayerfulness that went into that decision.  We don’t want to make anybody feel like they have to go against their conscience (when that conscience has come to a decision in line with biblical criteria).

Having said that, we did want to address the changing landscape of medical information that is put out on a daily (even hourly) basis.  There are many articles readily available online showing the rates of new infections, percentage of positive tests, deaths and recoveries in almost every nation affected by this pandemic.  While the data from these other regions of the world (or even of the country) are helpful, it’s important to remember that the virus is not affecting every region identically.  Furthermore, not every region of the world (or even of the country) are implementing the same physical distancing measures, masking requirements, lockdown protocols, or case-tracking technologies.  So rates of infection outside of our immediate region are difficult to interpret in light of our local situation.   Stated more succinctly, what works (or doesn’t work) in one locale doesn’t always translate to the one you live in.  

For example, Florida hasn’t seen the spike everyone thought they would (of course they acknowledge it could still happen, but that’s part of the problem since nobody can really be that definitive about anything related to the virus), and the models that predicted the initial number of deaths in the US to be in the millions is now saying that Florida is on a downward trend (see the predicted death numbers).  You can look at the California numbers too, and there’s an overall decrease in the projections (granted, this particular model uses a “mobility” parameter to predict how much the virus could spread, so it hasn’t yet taken into account the increased mobility of some people due to the new re-opening orders).  Another model specifically for San Diego uses a different algorithm, and shows a potential modest increase in daily death rates by Sept 1, 2020 while assuming a June 1 gradual re-opening date (about 4-5 deaths/day above our current May 30, 2020 “7 day moving average” – we should all be familiar with what this means because of Peter Lim’s finance reports!).

So what about San Diego?  San Diego’s new positive case rate has been fairly steady (the number of new cases is holding around 100-150-ish / day since mid-April).  So that curve has “flattened” thus far, which was the original goal of the social distancing measures.  We’re sure you also know by now that as testing increases we should obviously expect that the number of positive cases will also necessarily increase, but it’s interesting that the percentage of positive tests have gone down steadily since late April (another sign we’re flattening the curve).  You’ll recall the goal of flattening the curve was never to see zero new cases everyday, it was to limit the surge so that the burden on the healthcare system would not be overwhelming.  Obviously we’d love to see zero people getting sick, but even waiting for that to happen won’t be possible until we start to approach herd immunity (~60-80% of the population having recovered from the infection, or who have developed immunity via vaccination).  Interestingly, reaching herd immunity is actually hindered by a continuing lockdown or quarantining, in the absence of an effective vaccine.

(Please don’t misinterpret what we’re saying – we’re not saying to open everything up right now so that the population can get infected, or that we need to sacrifice the weaker among the population who may die from being exposed to the virus.  We understand that there is a shared responsibility for us to protect those who are most likely to succumb to the virus.  But it is a valid question to ask yourself: “At what point would you be ok with going to church, or leaving your house, or hanging out with friends?”  Is it when there’s 0% chance of being infected? (Then it could be another 12-18 months, or longer, until the first FDA-approved vaccine is available)  Or is it closer to 20%, or 50% or…?  These are all questions that are valid and worthy of discussion between you and your family and friends.

Regarding “expert” opinions about opening up too soon, there’s always another side to the story and we are to evaluate both sides when trying to make a wise decision (Prov 18:17).  Many “experts” have highlighted the human cost of having people not go to see their doctors for regular / required checkups, not to mention the economic costs. Furthermore, there are also “experts” saying that lockdowns (as a means of controlling infectious diseases) are less helpful than universal masking, meaning masking would allow you to open up sooner.  For example this “expert” from Brigham and Women’s hospital (and a professor at Harvard) said we can “shut down the virus” if at least 60% of the people just mask up. They don’t mean the infection rate goes to zero, what they mean is that it becomes much less prevalent and intrusive on daily life if we all were to mask properly (and may allow us to open society earlier if we all adopt masking and hand washing practices). Here’s a modeling study saying wearing masks is the best strategy for governments to adopt as they make plans on how to exit societal lockdowns.  The paper quotes, “Combined with other NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions) including social distancing and mass contact tracing, a ‘mouth-and-nose-lockdown’ is far more sustainable than a ‘full body lockdown,’ from economic, social and mental health standpoints.”  In an interview with the principle investigator of this study, he cites the differences between the US response and Japan’s when he says, “This comes despite Japan having no lockdown, still-active subways, and many businesses that have remained open—reportedly including karaoke bars, although Japanese citizens and industries are practicing social distancing where they can. Nor have the Japanese broadly embraced contact tracing, a practice by which health authorities identify someone who has been infected and then attempt to identify everyone that person might have interacted with—and potentially infected”.  Now this modeling study could be wrong too, but so were the original prediction models for how many people would die (they are, after-all, just models).  All this to say, nobody knows what the “right” answer is.  And, on a related note, we have to be careful what we read (and what we believe as “truth” or “hard medical data”) because it could lead us to being over-confident, or to being overly fearful (Is 41:10, 2 Tim 1:7)

So biblically, how does one make a decision when we don’t have all the information we need (or the information is incomplete, flawed, or biased)? It’s the same way we make any other decision – doing what we think is wisest based on what we believe most glorifies God. This factors in the “risk averse” nature of some, and the “risk taking” nature of others. There is no “one size fits all” answer when it comes to these types of wisdom / “Christian liberty” decisions. We have to try not to be dogmatic / legalistic about these, one way or the other. We may be convinced in our own mind that our decision is the right one for ourselves or our family (Rom 14:5) and with the exact same (imperfect) data someone else may come to the opposite conclusion, and that’s ok. So long as we both honestly believe we are doing our best to glorify God, to obey His word, and to submit to the government, then we get to make that kind of decision with wisdom and prayer in a Spirit-led manner. We do need to be careful though too, because we may be convinced that our way is the better way for us, until somebody shows us (and gently walks us through) a better way. It could be that our original reasoning was flawed: perhaps it was based on faulty assumptions, an incorrect interpretation of Scripture, and / or a misunderstanding of government law, updated medical data, etc. In that case, we need to be willing to confront those flaws and think through the issues biblically, whether it ultimately changes our final decision or not. This is how we sharpen one another (Prov 27:17).

So the leaders of the church obviously cannot make the decision to go to church, or not, for each individual person or family unit.  That’s a personal / family decision, based on your interpretation of God’s word, the government’s orders, and the medical data (as imperfect and incomplete as it is).  Nobody should fault you for feeling like the best decision is to stay home, and nobody should feel spiritually superior for thinking they should go back to church.

As for church re-opening, we will do our best to submit to the Word of God, as well as to governing authorities.  We believe that if the church is allowed to gather (based on the governing authorities), then we should re-open (based on the Word of God, Heb 10:25).  However, if individually somebody feels it’s not safe to return yet, we also trust our members that this decision was made through much prayer, and for biblical reasons (for an interesting view of a valid biblical reason to stay away from church, see Roger’s sermon from 15APR2020, where he explains that Paul didn’t visit the church in Thessalonica in order to protect them from persecution, watch from 1:05:00 – 1:14:00).

We love you all, and please know we are doing our best to trust in the Lord, and to acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives.  We are also called to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2), and while online church services serve a purpose for the time being, we look forward to being in fellowship (and ministering to one another) with you all soon.

In Christ,

The LBCSD elders

Czech Missions Returns

by Hanka Rodgers

From the very beginning of LBC’s existence, the church leaders were intentional and serious about missions. Despite being a very young church, LBC started sending teams to the Czech Republic in the summer of 2000 to organize English Camps and share the gospel while teaching English. I don’t think anybody had imagined the kind of relationship that the LBC church (and later churches) would develop with the Mellwig family and other church members in the Czech Republic. Friendships were made, lives were changed, and most importantly, the gospel was preached.

When I look at my own journey with God, I am in awe of His sovereignty, wisdom, and power. In the summer of 2000, I was invited to the first English Camp that LBC had organized with the church in Ostrava, my hometown. I turned down the invitation and was genuinely shocked that the friends who had invited me would have ever thought that I would go to a camp run by Christians. There were very few people I thought less of than Christians. The following year – after many “coincidences” and still as a skeptical unbeliever – I attended the second English Camp that LBC provided a team for. Fast forward a few years, and now I am married to a theology nerd, working at a Christian school, and loving my ministries at LBCSD. One of the students in my class is the oldest child of a couple who were part of the missions team in 2001 when I first heard the gospel and started thinking about God more seriously. They weren’t even dating then. If I had told them they would get married one day, they probably wouldn’t have believed me (there was a rumor that one of them wasn’t a big fan of the other one). But if I had told them that I would teach their son one day, they wouldn’t have believed me for sure. Thankfully, it’s God who directs our paths, not us.

Czech missions was a big part of the life of the church for many years, but in God’s sovereignty, circumstances have changed and LBCSD isn’t sending a team to the Czech Republic to organize English Camps anymore. However, it is difficult to get completely disconnected from a ministry that was supported by the church for such a long time. I still remember hearing about the way the missions trip was organized and asking, “What do you mean you have a group of people back at your church who do everything from keeping track of your finances to packing your ridiculously huge snacks? And what do you mean that you are able to raise several thousand dollars for each person to come here because the church members just give you money and trust that you will use them well? Are you really writing hundreds of postcards because there are so many people who support you financially and in prayer?” Czech missions has never been a missions team effort. It was always a church effort.

Even though the church is not sending a Czech team this year, we do have an opportunity to continue the relationship between LBC and the Czech Republic. When it comes to Christianity, not much has changed since 2000. There are still many people who are lost and in need of the gospel. In addition, there are many Christians who have heard and believed the gospel but lack the resources and the support of the church body to grow. Many Czech churches are very small, and it is not uncommon that there is only one or a couple of people in a particular affinity group – something our LBCSD huge Salt and Light, College, and Gracelife groups might have a difficult time understanding. There have been several people (and especially girls) who showed interest in following God but didn’t persevere because commuting to church was too complicated, the church was too far, or it was much easier to get plugged in somewhere else than in a church with barely any people of their age. I know God is sovereign and always in control, but I still pray for wisdom to help those who are seeking God in more challenging circumstances.

One of the ways in which people can grow and learn about God’s character, whether within the context of a local church or even when lacking church support, is reading books. Thankfully, there have been several efforts in the Czech Republic to write and translate solid Christian books that would help Christians grow in their walk with God as well as share the gospel with others. LBCSD is going to partner with Didasko, an organization that translates, publishes, distributes, and sells good Christian books. I myself purchase books from them quite regularly to give out as gifts to my friends. I believe that Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes will be a great addition to the solid book collection as I am not aware of too many Czech books specifically for women. Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes has already been translated and has been quite popular, so we are praying that the version for women will bear fruit as well.

I don’t know what God’s future plans are and if I have learned anything from His plans for my life so far, it is that I should never assume that my ideas are the best. However, I am praying that if it’s God’s will, He continues to use LBCSD to serve the Czech people. I know that God can use this book as I give it to my friends as gifts, but I am praying for more. I am praying that God uses this book to renew some of the relationships that were built at English Camps. I am praying that maybe some LBCSD ladies are able to reconnect with some Czech girls and read the book together. I am praying that maybe an LBCSD lady who has never been to the Czech Republic is connected with a Czech lady who is not able to attend church regularly and needs encouragement. Most of all, I am praying that God is glorified as His children serve and encourage one another.

If you would like to support this effort, please pray. Pray for wisdom and perseverance for the Didasko staff; for wisdom for the translator who will be translating the book; for God’s timing of the translation and printing of the book (it would be wonderful if it was available this summer); and for the people who will be reading it – that they are encouraged to grow in their love for God and His Word. It is such a privilege to serve a God who hears our prayers and has the power to change hearts.

If you would like to support the translation financially, please Venmo LBCSD or make checks payable to LBCSD and write “Czech Translation Project” on the memo line. If you would like to receive prayer requests or have any questions, please email Hanka Rodgers. If you would like to learn more about missions at LBC, see the links below.

It is a true joy to serve our Lord alongside other LBCSD members and to see their hearts for missions. May God be glorified in all our efforts to make His name known here in America as well as abroad.

For Further Reading:

God With Us

By Pastor Patrick Cho

Matthew 1:18-25 is the account of the angel declaring to Joseph that Mary would give birth to a Son, that He should be called Jesus, and that He would save the people from their sins. It is in this passage that Jesus is referred to as the “Immanuel” of Isaiah 7:14 – He is God with us. As prophesied in the Old Testament, Jesus was born of a virgin and came to be the Savior of the world. “God with us” is a beautiful title for Jesus. By grace, the second Person of the Trinity, the God of all creation, humbled Himself and came into this world taking on human flesh. While Matthew directly speaks of this wonderful truth as the fulfillment of what had been revealed to Isaiah 700 years before Christ, the first chapter of John’s Gospel also describes what it means that God is with us.

John 1:1-3 begins by establishing the deity of Christ. He is everlasting having been with God in the beginning. As the Scriptures testify, “…from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Ps. 90:2). There is none like God who was even before all of creation. There is only one God (Deut. 6:4), but He exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son, who John refers to as the Word, enjoyed perfect fellowship with the Father in the beginning. He was with God, but John clarifies that He Himself was God. Jesus, the pre-existing One, was from the beginning before He ever came to this earth.

John continues by stating that all of creation came to be because it was created by Jesus. This also is a declaration of the deity of Christ. There is only one Creator. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). God is the Creator and He is distinguished from everything else He has made. There will forever be a Creator / creature distinction. Whether in this life or in the life to come, He is our Creator God and we are His creatures. John writes that Jesus is not one of God’s creatures, even though He became like us. He is Creator God and nothing else exists that hasn’t been made by Him.

Having concretely established Jesus’ deity, John then explains that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He is Immanuel, God with us. Eternal, infinite, almighty God took on human flesh and “tabernacled” (Gr. skenoō, “to have one’s tent”) among us. Just as God met with His people in the days of Moses at the Tabernacle, so Jesus took on human flesh to dwell among us. This was to show us the glory of God. Moses had asked to see God’s glory (Exod. 33:18), but God did not allow it. John writes that no one has ever seen God (John 1:18), but we are able to gaze upon the glory of God in the face of Jesus (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6). Jesus took on human flesh to show us the Father (John 14:8-9) and to explain Him to us (John 1:18).

Another reason Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us was because we live in darkness, and He came to shine as the light of the world. At creation, God said, “Let there be light. And there was light” (Gen. 1:3). The light was separate from the darkness. So in John 1:4, the light of Christ shines in the darkness of this world, and the darkness does not grasp or overcome it. Without the light of Christ, we would be left in the dark. God is the one who illumines our hearts to see the truth of Christ (John 1:9). His light overcomes the darkness.

This Christmas season, we will be reminded that Immanuel came when Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary on that first noel. Because the language of Isaiah’s prophecy has become so familiar, perhaps it is easy to lose its significance. Jesus was not like us but He became like us. He is the Creator of all that is, almighty God, and yet He condescended and humbled Himself and took on human flesh. He did this to show us the Father that we might know Him, and to shine the light of the truth in our sin-darkened hearts. This is why John writes that all who would believe in Him could become the children of God (John 1:12).

It is truly remarkable that in God’s love He would be willing to provide salvation in this way to those who rebelled against Him in sinful defiance. We who are deserving of His righteous indignation and eternal judgment find grace and forgiveness in His Son. While we celebrate His coming this Christmas season, let us not forget that He was born that He might die. He took on human flesh that He might be our representative on the cross. He is our Immanuel in that He reconciles us to the Father through His death and resurrection. Christmas is not just a celebration of the birth of Jesus. It truly is a celebration that God made salvation possible because He loves us and came to be with us.

Weekly Links (10/25/2019)

“The Christian really has a double task. He has to practice both God’s holiness and God’s love. The Christian is to exhibit that God exists as the infinite-personal God; and then he is to exhibit simultaneously God’s character of holiness and love. Not his holiness without his love: that is only harshness. Not his love without his holiness: that is only compromise.” (Francis A. Schaeffer, The Mark of the Christian)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Very diverse set of links this week, so I hope there is something for everyone to enjoy!

  • A great, short video by Stephen Meyer shows two doubts concerning the neo-Darwinian evolutionary account of life’s origins. Great visuals, and the link provides a study guide for further reading! Looks like a great resource to pass along! Note: Meyer is an old-earth creationist, so be aware of the dates he provides, specifically with respect to the Cambrian explosion.
  • Biola University professor Fred Sanders is interviewed this week on The Crossway Podcast on the doctrine of the Trinity, how it is related to the gospel, and answering common objections to the Trinity. This is a must-listen.
  • Here’s a neat little tool you can incorporate on your blog: the ESV Audio Player. It allows you to post audio clips of passages of Scripture without needing to downloading it onto your computer and hosting it there. You can just enter the passage you want to incorporate, and then use the HTML code to embed wherever you would like. Have at it!
  • Crossway has partnered with various ministries to get the Word of God out to people in countries that do not have easy access to it like we do. One such ministry is Faith Comes by Hearing, which provides Scripture recordings in 1,315 languages spoken by 6.1 billion people. Check out this interview with president and cofounder Jerry Jackson for more.
  • CCEF On the Go podcast focuses on the issue of spiritual leadership in the home. CCEF Director School of Biblical Counseling Alasdair Groves interviews CCEF New England counselor Robyn Huck on this very important topic.
  • CCEF counselor Ed Welch answers, in his conversational style, a very common question, “Is Scripture sufficient for counseling?”
  • John Lennox gave a talk on how to talk to people about Christianity, of which was highlighted on Triablogue.
  • Are Christians commanded to engage in apologetics? Stand to Reason speaker Tim Barnett argues, yes! (Note: At 1:06 in the video, the passage cited is actually from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, not 1 Corinthians 10:4-5.)
  • Kevin DeYoung highlights some thoughts and reflections from a pastor of 30 years at his church who is retiring. Wise words are always good to think and reflect on.
  • Joe Carter is back with nine things you should know about modern Satanism.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for all who are going to their first flock tonight, as well as the flock leaders and hosts. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Weekly Links (10/11/2019)

“Gracious gratitude should spring up as a flowing fountain as we are ever mindful of God’s character. Gratitude of this kind for the attributes of God shows that the Holy Spirit is truly at work in our hearts. It is a defining characteristic of a Christian, since while unbelievers may thank God for his gifts, only Christians thank God for his holiness.” (Mary K. Mohler, Growing in Gratitude: Rediscovering the Joy of a Thankful Heart)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It’s been awhile, but the links just keep on coming! Hope it fills you up!

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for our member’s meeting, as we will be discussing important matters for the life of the church. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Weekly Links (9/20/2019)

“Lament can be defined as a loud cry, a howl, or a passionate expression of grief. However, in the Bible lament is more than sorrow or talking about sadness. It is more than walking through the stages of grief. Lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust.” (Mark Vroegop, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope you have been given many opportunities to thank God for all that He provides, whatever that looks like in your life, primarily the provision of His saving grace! Here are this week’s links!

  • This week on The Crossway Podcast, Dane Ortlund is interviewed on the life and legacy of Jonathan Edwards. That should be enough to have your attention.
  • No matter how long you have been in the faith, do you examine your life to see if it is bearing fruit? Meaning, does your life show a life of repentance and growing in godliness? Author Lindsey Carlson gives some clear markers from Scripture to know where to examine growth in your life. May it be a regular practice for those who love Christ to show our love by examining ourselves.
  • Pastor Michael Riccardi considers the often-neglected question: “Can I adapt the gospel message to make evangelism easier?” This is a very good post.
  • When you hear Romans 8:28 quoted, you may wonder if it applies to you. You may agree with what it says, but wonder if it specifically applies to you. How can you know whether God is for you? Sinclair Ferguson provides some context to the verse that is very hope-giving. Give it a read.
  • Have you ever wondered whether it is required to believe in Christ exclusively to be saved? Have you ever been asked to show where in Scripture does it say that Jesus is the only Savior? Theologian Bruce Ware provides much by way of biblical support for the exclusive view of Christ as sole Savior and a conscious faith in Him to receive forgiveness of sins and salvation from judgment. If you are not sure of Scripture’s position on these twin issues, this is an excellent place to start. This may be the most important link I’ve shared in a long time. Read and meditate on this!
  • The Grace to You blog has been featuring snippets from John MacArthur’s book Final Word, which focuses on the necessity, trustworthiness, and sufficiency of Scripture. This week, he covers the unequally yoked relationship between our desire for Scripture and our desire for sin. It cannot be mixed, and the apostle Peter points out why. This is solid food.
  • There are certain Christian cliches that tend to go around among believers, yet may be hard-pressed to find them in Scripture. Practicing discernment is key to knowing what sounds good from what actually is good. Pastor Derek Brown covers the common cliche, “Bloom where you’re planted.”  If you think you know where this falls under, read on.
  • Another Christian cliche is “God says it…that settles it!” Thankfully, more can be said about that!
  • ACBC counselor Julie Ganschow writes of how to give hope to a suffering believer through the book of 1 Peter. This might apply more to you than you originally thought.
  • Ever wonder what a biblical response to mental health looks like? Well, you will definitely be glad to know that a recent conference was held that covered that exact topic! CCEF counselor Ed Welch and ACBC Executive Director Dale Johnson spoke on the issue in eight sessions! From the sufficiency of Scripture to address such issues, to a biblical view of anxiety, to depression, and more, this definitely looks to be worth your time.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight for Bible study, and for Salt n Light as they enjoy a day at the park tomorrow. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Weekly Links (9/13/2019)

“Worship is any essential expression of service rendered unto God by a soul who loves and extols Him for who He is. Real worship therefore should be the full-time, nonstop activity of every believer, and the aim of the exercise ought to be to please God, not merely entertain the worshiper.” (John MacArthur, Worship: The Ultimate Priority)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It’s been awhile, so I hope this will give you much to chew on. Here are this week’s links!

  • IBCD (Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship) had their summer institute conference on the issue ‘Identity Crisis’ a few months ago, and have announced the posting of all the general sessions and workshops on their website. 38 audios that are sure to inform, equip, and encourage. Don’t miss out on this rich resource!
  • The Crossway blog has been busy with some great posts. Early in the week, John Piper was interviewed on the Crossway Podcast on the sovereignty of God, pastoral burnout, and racism. Another blog recounts, in brief, the history of Crossway’s tract ministry.
  • The Gospel Coalition podcast highlighted one of their conference talks earlier this year on biblical principles for resolving conflict from Danielle Sallade. It’s never enough to hear the Bible’s view on dealing with conflict God’s way. If you’re in a conflict right now, this may be of help to you.
  • Leslie Schmucker, mom of three, grandmother of six, and former public school teacher, gives some ideas for how to use reason and logic to point your kids to Christ.
  • Denny Burk writes about the case of Barronelle Stutzman, the florist who declined to participate in a same-sex wedding. She had already won her case in the Supreme Court, but Washington state refuses to heed the decision made by the Supreme Court justices. For that reason, she is making an appeal to the Supreme Court. The video alone lays out what happened and what led to Stutzman appearing in court. This is still worth paying attention to.
  • Remembering the tragedy of 9/11 can bring a flood of emotion to those immediately affected by the loss of loved ones, as well as Americans who were alive and can vividly recall where they were when that took place. Denny Burk mentions his story, as well as the sermons that were preached across America the Sunday after, 9/16. He highlights sermons from Pastors John Piper and Tom Nelson.
  • Greg Koukl and Amy Hall of Stand to Reason were recently interviewed on DTS The Table Podcast about how to have spiritual conversations with people who disagree with us about Christianity. If you want a simple introduction to their ambassador approach, this is a great place to start!
  • The case against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt for “wire-tapping” conversations with key leaders of Planned Parenthood have started this week in San Francisco. Pastor Jesse Johnson points out five incredible revelations from this ongoing case in court. This is another case that needs more exposure.
  • It turns out the peppered moth and Darwin’s finches seem to start pointing towards intelligent design and away from evolution, given a couple new studies about their complexity early on in the discovery of their fossils and current state. So much for these ‘icons of evolution.’

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight for Bible study. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria