Pastor's Corner

Shouldn't I Be Further Along?

Today I’m wrestling with the feeling of unworthiness or perhaps just unfulfilled expectations of myself. Why does it seem like other people set their sights on greatness and achieve it? While at times from a short-sighted view it looks like I’m just muddling about busy with little things. There just seems to be a cloud that sometimes hangs over me saying, “You really should be further along in this journey. You would have more influence with more notable accomplishments.” I know I’m not alone in wanting to live a great legacy but wondering if I have what it takes.

What Should the Process Look Like?

I do take some assurance from the fact that Moses spent 40 years in the desert muddling about with sheep and raising a family. He was being processed in obscurity for quite a while before God returned him to Egypt for a great task. I don’t know his thought process but I am aware of his immediate response to God. “But I can’t speak, I get tongue-tied.” I also find courage in the story of Abraham Lincoln who had several failed terms as a politician before succeeding as a lawyer. He later returned to politics because of his convictions. After winning the Republican primaries as the second favorite, he won the presidency.

One reason for being this vulnerable here is because, for one, it seems like not many people are. The other reason I’ll bring up later. We read books and blogs of people who struggled, past tense, but in the present, right now, they only report on the wisdom gained and the present victories. We know too well from how many celebrated Christian authors, pastors, evangelists, and conference speakers have recently been exposed for covering up major character deficiencies or plain evil. Evil hides in plain sight all along.

You could detect a disaster-bound leader by observing a lack of self-control, frequent fits of anger and rage, lack of accountability, blaming others, and being unteachable but gifted. I have heard your gifts will make room for you. It’s true and it’s not wrong. Gifts make a lane for you, but good character finishes the race. The world doesn’t need more gifted people right now as much as it needs more. . .

An outdoor evening of food, games, and real community — for families with kids of all ages.

If you were at last month's Family Night, you already know. If you missed it — the kids built lightsabers, the battles were fierce, and everyone made it home in one piece. We're calling that a success.

Family Night is back on Monday, June 2 at 6:00 PM — and this time we're taking it outside.

We're grilling tacos for everyone, setting up games including the Cheeto Face Challenge (if you don't know, come find out — just don't wear anything you love), and spending an evening together as a church family. It's a great night for families with kids, for anyone looking for community, and for anyone you've been meaning to invite.

Bring a camp chair and something to share if you'd like — a drink, a side dish, whatever you've got. We've got the main food covered.

This is one of those evenings that reminds you why we do this together.

Monday, June 2 · 6:00 PM · Lighthouse Church Details and calendar link at lighthousenv.com/events

Thank You! And we're not done yet!

The lightbox  arrive sooner than expected and is already installed. If you drive by at night you'll really notice. We still have some more funds to raise and some work do to to complete the project. We'll be refurbishing the supports and making the bottom half look as fresh as the top. If you were thinking about contributing this is the time to do it. 

The total cost to purchase and install the new sign is $4,000. We already have people stepping up to help make it happen, and we are grateful. If you'd like to give toward it, designate your gift to Kingdom Builders at lighthousenv.com/give or in the offering envelope.

Thank you for investing in what Lighthouse is becoming — not just for the people already inside, but for everyone still driving by.

If you've been following Jesus and wondering whether baptism is your next step — this is the moment.

Something has been happening at Lighthouse lately. People are taking steps. Real ones.

When Shannell Hsueh stood up and shared what God has been doing through her and David's work in missions, two people in our church quietly made a decision: it's time. They chose to be baptized. That kind of thing doesn't happen by accident — it happens when people are walking with Jesus and finally feel ready to say it out loud.

If that's where you are, we want you to know: Baptism Class is Sunday, June 7 at 9:00 AM — 45 minutes, right before the morning service.

Baptism isn't about having everything figured out. It's not a graduation ceremony for perfect Christians. It's one of the most personal, public things a follower of Jesus can do — a declaration, made with your whole body, that says. . .

• Mission Focus & Missions Offering — Sunday, May 31
• Family Night — Monday, June 1 · 6:00–7:30 PM
• Prayer — Thursday, June 4 · 10:30–11:00 AM
• Men's Workday — Saturday, June 6 · 9:00–11:00 AM
• Baptism Class — Sunday, June 7 · 9:00 AM
• Communion Sunday — Sunday, June 7 · 10:30 AM
• Men's Breakfast — Saturday, June 13 · 9:00 AM