Few Thoughts 11-9-2018

LOS ANGELES DISTRICT

Good Evening, L.A. District Family:

It is with a very heavy heart that I greet you this morning one day following the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks. As you perhaps, read in my email yesterday, we lost a son and grandson of members in our Camarillo Church of the Nazarene. His name was Cody Coffman, 22. Cody would often come and worship alongside his parents and grandparents while in the Camarillo area. Please continue to pray for these families, as well as all families affected by this mass killing.

And now… fires are back. 75,000 homes have been evacuated in the same area where the mass shooting took place. Please be in prayer for the many who are affected by these fires and evacuations. Again, we are living in some very turbulent days. May the Holy Spirit of God help us become the church we are called to be.

ENCOURAGEMENT: And I do like that word, “Encouragement” because I believe that even in the most difficult of times, God’s Word brings encouragement to our souls, minds and spirits.

“The next day John was there again with two of His disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ Jesus replied, ‘Come and See!” (John 1:39)

We are all on a journey, a spiritual journey where we all have questions, wonders, and needs. It seems that the Apostle John took hold of this statement of Jesus and made it one of his central themes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ he has written. I find it fascinating that the first words that John records coming out of Jesus’ mouth are in the form of a question, “What do you want?” When the two disciples of John the Baptist reply, they ask another question, and Jesus answers them by saying, “Come and See!” First of all, I happen to believe that this first question of Jesus, is the very question Jesus asks us each and every day. “Greg, what do you want?”

And as He asks me this question, He continually is answering me with, “Greg, Come and See!”

Just a few verses later, when Nathaniel asks Philip if anything good can come out of Nazareth, Philip replies with,

“Come and See.” (John 1:46)

And then in John 4:29, immediately after the Woman at the Well hears Jesus explain the entire history of her life, she runs into town to tell everyone “Come and See” this man who has told me everything that’s true about me.

Also, in a time of grief and mourning, Mary and Martha lead Jesus to the tomb where the body of their brother lay. They were hurting, weeping, and in tremendous sorrow when Jesus asked them where the body was placed. Their answer was simple, “Come and See!”

Are you hurting? Are you confused? What are the specific needs you have today? Jesus wants to know. Sure… He already knows, but He still wants to hear from you. In your prayer time, tell Him. Talk with Him. And as you do, you will hear Jesus say to you, as He speaks to me, “Greg, Come and See”. There are so many things that are so TRUE, Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” He never leaves us and He is always with us. In the most difficult of times, He will carry you along.

Jesus is calling you to Come and See!

Church Ministries:

Pasadena Armenian:

Last Friday night Leslie and I enjoyed a wonderful 32 ^nd Anniversary Celebration for the Pasadena Armenian Church of the Nazarene with great food and awesome fellowship. Thank you, Pastor Paul and Takouhi Doctorian along with your great team of leaders for the ongoing work there in Pasadena. May the Lord bless you this coming year!

Pasadena Armenian Photos

Fillmore:

Last Sunday I had the honor of installing Rev. Karl and Mary Mason as the new pastor of our Fillmore Church of the Nazarene. We give a great and wonderful welcome to the Masons who come to us from the NorCal area and most recently from Central California District. Great days are in store for our church in Fillmore.

May Jesus bless this great church in the days to come!

Fillmore Photos

Oxnard Spanish Photos

Oxnard Spanish:

Immediately following our Worship Service in Fillmore I made my way over to Oxnard to worship and preach in our Oxnard Spanish Church of the Nazarene where Pastor Vicente & Veronica Maldonado are leading this church along with their team of leaders. May the Lord bless this church as they continue ministering on the name of Jesus!

Los Angeles Grace

Mission Korean:

Earlier this week I was privileged to meet with the church board of LA Grace Mission Korean Church where Pastor Peter and Ye Boon Chae, along with their leadership team are ministering in Los Angeles. The purpose of our meeting was to care for the Church and Pastor Review. I am happy to announce that all is well, and the Lord is using this church to bring glory and honor to His name. Of course, I enjoyed some great food that evening. May Jesus guide them together in this coming year!

LA Grace Mission Korean Photos

District Matters:

Pastor Doug Ernest Memorial : Last Saturday I was in Ridgecrest Church of the Nazarene for the Memorial Service for Rev. Doug Ernest. Pastor Doug and Sandy have been such a positive influence in the lives of so many people throughout the years as they have pastored in numerous churches and places. We will miss Pastor Doug as we pray for Sandy and the family this coming year. Thank you Pastor Gregg Griffin and Pastor Kim Goss for your leadership in the service conducted that day. We love you all!

Click for More Photos

May the Lord bless you this weekend! I do want you to know that I think of you often as I pray for all of our churches. The Lord is leading us as we battle so many things in life. These are tremendously great days for the church to rise up and be the church. Many needs are out there. And Jesus will guide us as we seek to know Him and His ways. I love you and I do hope to see you soon.

On My Knees,

Greg A. Garman

Los Angeles District Superintendent

Church of the Nazarene