Parents' 60th Anniversary and Indiana Vacation

Where do people who live in sunny, southern California go on vacation? I mean, we have the beach, the mountains, the city, and a foreign country all within a 45 minute drive in any direction. In addition we have LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Universal Studio Citywalk and Disneyland. We go to Wisconsin and the Amish country of Indiana!

Actually, the main reason we went was to celebrate my parents' 60th wedding anniversary but since we were flying all the way out there we figured we should make a vacation of it and visit my best friend and his wife. The farm country of of Indiana was so peaceful and quiet. No homeless people wandering the streets, there wasn't the incessant police sirens, and we didn't have to worry about walking down the street and getting hit up for money. Also, we didn't see a lot of tagging and gang activity. What a change from El Cajon where our church got tagged on Easter morning!

Here are a few pictures of our trip.

This is a fun shot of Grace. She wears headphones and watches movies on my iPod when we fly. A few Disney movies sure make for a more pleasant four hour plane ride!


These are some fun pictures we took the last week in April while we were getting ready to travel to Wisconsin for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary. They love each other so much and enjoy each other so much. I hope they stay like this when they are teenagers!


These are a few pictures of my parents with the kids. My parents were married on May 1, 1948 and just celebrated 60 years of marriage together. It was a great time to see family and spend time together. I'm the youngest of eight kids and together my parents have 17 grandkids and 9 great-grandchildren!


One of the days we were up in Wisconsin the clouds clear away and we were able to go to the park. This is the same park that my parents took me when I was a kid so it was fun to watch the kids play and have fun.


Alexander is such a big boy! It is crazy how much he has grown in just nine months. He was a premie but he has blown by all the growth charts and is actually on the big side for his age. It's crazy how quickly they grow up.


On our way down to Indiana we stopped to visit a great friend of ours, Alex Mrakovich. Alex was in my youth group when I was in Lombard and I had the chance to watch him grow up. He is a junior in college now and has a dynamic walk with the Lord. He is the young man that our son is named after.


Jenn, the family and I spend a week in the middle of Amish country visiting Jon and Julie Dingeldein and their families. Jon and Julie are godparents to Grace and is one of my best friends. What was cool is that our son is named Alexander Jonathan after Alex above and Jon shown in these pictures. Alexander had a chance to spend time with both of them on the same day last Sunday.


These are just a few of the cool shots that we took on vacation. It's funny that this is one of the few pictures I have of the whole family together. On most trips I'm stuck behind the camera.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and always feel free to comment. If you want any of the pictures, click on them which will take you to the full size photo, then right click on your mouse and hit "save photo as" and you should be able to download them to your desktop or a file.

Girl Dies when Parents Pick Prayer over Physicians

I just read an article about a young Wisconsin girl who died because her parents chose prayer over calling for an ambulance or taking her to the doctor. Click here to read the full article.

I initially saw the report yesterday on the news while I was finishing my workout at the gym. A retired teacher sitting next to me in the locker room commented how sad it was to see something like that report on TV. He said it was the “fundamentalist Christians” who are so dogmatic that allow things like this to happen. He went on to relay a story about a student at his old high school who was suffering from a disease and the school’s hands were tied from trying to help her. The student eventually died from a completely treatable illness.

I didn’t tell him I was a pastor but I did say that I was a Christian and I have a different view of this whole sad situation. I told him that I do believe in divine healing but it is not an “either/or” between prayer and calling the doctor. I will pray as I am calling the doctor and doing everything humanly possible to try to help the person. From the Christian perspective, all healing is divine healing. God created this wonderful body with the ability to repair itself. This was not the result of blind mechanical chance but was put there by a loving God. So all healing comes from God. Some healing is through the normal process that God designed and some is directly from God.

Also, I reminded the teacher, Stu, God does not promise to always heal in this life. In fact, one of the authors of the New Testament was a physician and his profession is never called into question or disparaged. Furthermore, even among the Apostles and early disciples God did not always immediately and directly intervene to bring supernatural healing.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23) Now, there were very practical reasons for Paul to prescribe this. The water was often less than sanitary and likely to have parasites and other little critters that could cause problems. Wine, with its mild alcohol content, would not have the number and types of parasites and would also act medicinally to help Timothy’s stomach and frequent other sicknesses. Obviously Paul was a believer in God’s ability to answer prayer. He was not speaking against prayer but was also reminding Timothy that there are other practical things you can do to care for yourself.

When Paul himself had a physical problem (caused or magnified by demonic activity) he prayed three times for it to be removed and for himself to be healed but God said no. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) There was a greater purpose in Paul’s suffering. Though this experience Paul learned to rely on God more fully than he had up to that point. Something that immediate relief would not have taught him. Another friend of Paul, Epaphroditus, was sick to the point of death but he survived and Paul greatly rejoiced over his recovery. Through prayer the process of healing took place. Prayer and caring for yourself through medical means are not antithetical. We should always rely upon God but we should also take advantage of all that God has made available to us through medicine.

As I learn more about this story there are a couple other observations that I have. First, this family was in isolation from other Christians and the corrective and guiding influence of a church family. We are all prone to wander in our understanding if we don’t have the corrective influence of others. One of the mottos of the Reformation was that we are “reformed and always reforming.” The point being that we conform ourselves to the Bible but we don’t think we are above error so we are constantly rechecking ourselves in light of that truth. God has given us pastors and teacher to share their insights with us and help us reevaluate our assumptions. Not that any teacher is above error as well but collectively we are more likely to catch our errors early and not allow them to have such a devastating effect.

For the believer we need to understand that God’s promise for true healing is intended for the resurrected life following our death and the Lord’s return. That is when the Bible says we will receive our resurrected and glorified bodies like Jesus’ glorified body. (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) There are times that God is pleased to bestow some of those blessings on us early here and now. As an expression of His grace and because of Jesus’ work on the cross we are able to receive God’s goodness in advance as it were and be healed. But we need to understand that this isn’t the norm for this life and it isn’t something that we can demand from God right now. When God does intervene in a direct and miraculous way that healing is outside of His normal operating procedure.

The mistake some make, and this poor family made, was to see something that is promised for the next life and occasionally is given early as an expression of God’s grace and try to make it something that is a given in this life and something that we can demand or expect from God here and now. This is one of the grave errors of the “health and wealth” movement. They make blessings that are for us in the future and try to make them normative now. If God had promised us complete health and healing in this life no Christian would ever get sick, old or die. People would look perpetually in the 20’s or 30’s, injuries would heal themselves and amputees would re-grow limbs.

Healing is but one example of a greater truth. That is the Christian life is only the beginning of God’s blessings to us who believe. The Bible tells us that we have only received a down payment or the first fruits of our salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:23) In our knowledge of God we “see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know as fully just as I also have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) As C.S. Lewis commented that for the believer this life is the beginning of heaven. But we need to understand that we won’t receive all the blessings of our salvation until the time when Christ returns and all things are made new.

As more comes out with this story it will be interesting to find out if they were intentionally opposed to medical treatment or just naively foolish to not get treatment for their daughter by some misguided understanding of what having faith is. I do think they might find themselves accountable for their actions if their negligence in any way directly caused their daughter’s death.

I have mixed feelings about this case. Generally speaking I don’t like government intrusion into private family affairs or into personal religious beliefs. However, it seems wrong to sit by and do nothing while a family exercises their beliefs which cause the harm or death of another person. This is one of those tough cases where one is left to wonder when it is right and appropriate for the authorities to step in and intervene. Personally, if I had been there and known about the situation I don’t think I could have sat by and done nothing. I would have felt compelled to act.

As a Christian this is a reminder to me to be careful that I don’t allow a private conviction or a personal belief slip into my thinking that does not allow for the correcting of God’s word through the ministry of others. We should never be so dogmatic about our convictions that we are not willing to examine them anew in the light of Scripture and plain reason.

Sermons Online are Here!

My sermons are now online! Click here!

Once on the web page click on the podcast link and it will open your iTunes and begin the download. New sermons will be downloaded when they are posted and you open your iTunes program.

You can also listen to the latest sermon on the web page. Just to let you know I began preaching through Romans in June and will post them two a week beginning with chapter 1.

Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

Thanks!

Dave

A Few New Pics

This is a picture of Alexander with the young man that he was named after. Alexander Mrakovich was a young kid in the church In Lombard, IL. where I served as youth pastor. He impressed me with his love for the Lord, his passion for truth and his joy of life. I've had the privilege of watching him grow up to be a man of God who leads worship at his college and has a desire for ministry. There are very few young men I respect as much as Alex. Jenn and I both liked the name and thought it would be meaningful to name him after Alex as he remains a dear friend to us to this day.


This is Alex's first bites of solid food. He has since graduated to green vegetables. It is hard to beleive that he is six months old this week!


Alex savors a mouthful of something other than milk. Now the possibilities are endless!


Some close friends of ours have blessed us with season passes to the San Diego Zoo. This picture was taken a few days before the tiger attack up north. I think we'd think twice next time we visit. Someone had a dog with him which set the lions off to pacing. Scary!


Yes, I am out of my gourd. (Yes, I also write my own jokes.)


Huh? What's over there? I can't see. Drat, I can't even crawl yet.


Princess Grace. Talk about a girly girl. She loves to dress up in princess dresses, complete with high heals, earrings, and a tiara.


This is Alex and Grace at Christmas. She loves her little brother. She wants to hold him all the time. I hope it stays that way.


This is Alex with Grandpa Monreal up in Wisconsin over Christmas. He is so wonderful with kids. Alex and Grace really love him.


Grace waits patiently as Grandma Monreal opens her gift. If she doesn't do it quickly Grace is sure to help.


Grace has absolutely no idea what Daddy is doing out side. What is all that white stuff falling down? Obviously we weren't in San Diego when this was taken.


Grace was ready to go outside and join me in the snow. Why is snow so much fun when you are a kid and such a pain as an adult?


Two diehard Green Bay Packer fans. There will always be next year (Favre, please come back).


A few fun-filled moments with Grandma and Grandpa. They love their new grandson.


Alex is perpetually amazed at every new object. Here he is fascinated with a few of his Christmas gifts.


Alex is one happy baby. In fact, both Grace and Alex were joyful, laughing children. What a blessing.


This final shot was taken in Lombard at a restaurant called Ed Debevic's. They specialize in insulting the people who patronize their place. Only in Chicago!

Well friends, that is a few recent pictures of family and friends and gives you a little insight into our life. I want to thank all of you who continue to check up on us and read our blog page. Some of the stuff consists of my ranbling streams of consciousness.

By the way, the church recently put up a webpage. (You can now download my sermons at www.cccelcajon.com) Check it out sometime. We'll be posting two to three sermons a week until we are caught up.

Predictions for 2008

I am a student of history and culture but I usually keep my opinions to myself. But in a break from my usual timid, non-opinionated nature I am going to share with you ten predictions for 2008. I know that I am going out on a limb and I want to make it clear that I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet but I will share them with you today.

10. We will endure a seemingly endless cycle of presidential ads that will mysteriously and mercifully end on November 4, 2008. (Hopefully)

9. A major catastrophe is going to occur somewhere in the world momentarily united us behind a cause and causing famous, pretty people to raise money that will be misspent by nonprofit organizations.

8. We will continue to be frustrated with the decisions in Washington and Sacramento (feel free to substitute your state capitol here) but will feel powerless to change things.

7. “New” discoveries will occur causing people to question the accuracy of the Bible only to be disproved minutes later to absolutely no fanfare.

6. Most people’s New Year’s resolutions will be but a faint memory by January 13, 2008.

5. Celebrity scandals in Hollywood will make news and once again fascinate us as we buy our groceries.

4. Hollywood will put out movies that will offend and shock people and push a violent, immoral agenda and yet people will continue wonder why we are becoming and increasingly violent, immoral culture.

3. New technology will be unveiled that will make the old stuff you bought in 2007 seem archaic and obsolete.

2. Cost of living will continue to increase causing you to be frustrated and reminisce about the good old days when gas and bread were cheap.

1. You will follow through with your commitment to read your Bible and pray daily resulting in deep spiritual growth and a revival in the church.

Of course much of what I have written was done so with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Almost everything that I wrote will happen without exception and there is not much we can do about it. The one exception is your own commitment to your spiritual growth. What is amazing is that God has given us the means necessary to grow and draw close to Him if we will avail ourselves to them. In this New Year I encourage you to commit to draw near to God in an fresh and deeper way than you may have ever done in your life.

There is much in this world that we will never be able to affect change. Baring divine intervention or the return of Christ the world will continue to move on its present trajectory. However, God has put it within our reach to change the fundamental direction of our hearts and lives by His grace through constant commitment to reading your bible, praying, being in fellowship, worship, serving others and giving. Will you join me today in making a renewed commitment in this New Year that will last beyond a few weeks and will result in a changed life?

Pictures of Alexander and Grace

Wait, wait, I'm not ready yet!


Okay, now I'm ready. Make sure you get my good side mom.


This was taken on November 30, 2007. It is Alex's first attempt to eat rice cereal. He has been growing by leaps and bounds. He was at the 5th percentile on the preemie chart two months ago now he is at the 25th percentile on the non-adjusted chart! Simply amazing. He was 5 lbs. 12.9 oz. at birth and at four months is at 13 lbs. 10 oz. He is definitely an eater. He is only 10 lbs. behind Grace!


Don't let him fool you, he's only posing for the camera. He is so cute when he is sleeping.


This is a picture of Alex with his uncle Charley at thanksgiving. We even caught Charlie with a smile on his face!


This is Alex's great-grandmother. How she loves her great-grandchildren.


Grace found her Nana's reading glasses and put them on. She is a ham in front of a camera. Definitely not shy.


I love this shot of Jenn and Grace. Grace is so loving right now. She loves to walk up to us and give us spontaneous hugs then run off again a second later. This was one of the times I had my camera in my hand.


Grace has to hug and kiss Alex twenty times a day. We'll enjoy it now because there will be days we'll have to remind them how much they love each other.


This was Grace's first solo flight on a ride. I was afraid she wouldn't want to go on by herself. I should of been afraid that she'd never want to get off. she ended up riding three times in a row.


I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls


Just getting ready for our trip to Wisconsin over Christmas. Go Green Bay!!!


Reminiscing about my childhood!


Alex is plum tuckered out. Sleep, eat and go to the bathroom. That's a baby's main job. Oh yeah, looking cute too.


All the cousins of the Martikan clan.

20 Reasons to give thanks

As our country was first being formed our forefathers saw fit to make a day of thanksgiving to express to God their gratitude for His providential goodness to them. God had delievered them and shown Himself faithfulness in the midst of difficulty. Thanksgiving is a type of praise that focuses on the goodness of God and expresses our appreciation for that goodness.

But how about us today? Why should we give thanks? Sometimes we find ourselves discouraged by our circumstances or think that there is nothing that is going right. What should motivate us to give thanks to God in the midst of difficulties? Why should we give thanks to God both now and all our days? Let me briefly share with you twenty biblical reasons why we as Christians should give thanks always.

1. We give thanks to make God known.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:8; cf. Psalm 9:1; Psalm 105:1)

2. We give thanks to Praise God.

“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, And I will sing praises to Your name.” (2 Chronicles 22:50)

3. We give thanks because God is good.

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name, And glory in Your praise." (1 Chronicles 16:34-35; cf. Psalm 106:1)

4. We thank God because it is too late to do it on earth when you are dead.

"For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks?” (Psalm 6:5)

5. We thank God because it is practice for eternity.

“That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” (Psalm 30:12)

6. We thank God corporately because it shows our solidarity and strength.

“I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.” (Psalm 35:38)

7. We express our gratitude because it glorifies God.

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12)

8. We thank God because it is a good thing to do.

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;” (Psalm 92:1)

9. We offer thanksgiving because God gives us the ability to express our praise.

“With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.” (Psalm 109:30)

10. We thank God because His is God 24/7/365.

“At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances.” (Psalm 119:62, cf. Psalm 121:4)

11. We thank God because He created us.

“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)

12. When we thank God it reveals we are righteous.

“Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; The upright will dwell in Your presence.” (Psalm 140:13)

13. We thank God because His anger is turned away from us.

“Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:1-2)

14. We thank God because Jesus did.

“and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” (Matthew 15:36; cf. Luke 22:17-19)

15. We thank God because it is a sign that we are true believers.

“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

16. We thank God because He has given us victory in Christ.

“…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57 cf. 2 Corinthians 2:14)

17. We thank God for the blessings of our inheritance.

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Colossians 1:12)

18. We thank God in the midst of suffering for Christ as a sacrifice of praise.

“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

19. When we thank God we reveal the pattern demonstrated in heaven.

“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,” (Revelation 4:9)

20. We thank God because as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords He will establish His kingdom.

“We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17)

So this Thanksgiving and every day offer your praise and thanksgiving to God because He is great and greatly to be praised.