thank you!

We want to thank the countless
volunteers and sponsors who made the
"I Love America" celebration possible.

We were blessed to be able to provide
several thousand people from our community
a place to celebrate the Fourth of July in a fun, clean
and family-friendly environment.

Those who came enjoyed great food,
uplifting music, entertainment for the kids and an amazing fireworks display.

On Sunday morning, many of those who attended the event on Saturday, came back to experience our church for the first time and many young people came to EPIC that night for the first time!

As a church, it is our heart to continuously reach out to the community. Thank you for continuing
to support our pursuit to show the love of Christ.

america's perfect hope week two

what's out in space?

this is the grand design whirlpool galaxy m51.
it is 23 million light years from the earth.
one light year = 6 trillion miles.
the grand design whirlpool galaxy has two arms wrapping around it.
this is the inside of this galaxy.

laminin is one of the body’s proteins.
laminins interact with our tissue and critically contribute to cell attachment, cell shape and movement, maintenance of tissue phenotype and promotion of tissue survival.
it’s the glue that holds every part of our body

from our membrane to our skin together.
without Laminins we would fall apart, go to pieces.
this is laminin in our body – actual photo.

will you answer?

Jesus we are so awed by your presence and by your message of hope to us.
you speak to us in times like this and you say to us “peace be still.”
just get still and know that you’re God. that’s what you say to us.
just take a deep breath when you read the headlines and you hear the news.
just take a deep breath and know that I’m in charge. just look at what’s going
on and know that i brought it to this place. know that I am God and there is
none besides me. there is none that can override the purpose and the plan
i have for you. know that i am in the midst of you. as you lift your hands and
raise your voices to praise me know that I abide in the midst of your praise,
that I am near. when your hearts are bowed before me and you hear my voice
you will know my peace. it’s your choice. you can listen to the voice of the world
or you can listen to the voice of my spirit. you can hear what I have to say. i have
good news for you: i am in charge, i am in control. i will move and work my will
and my way. i will bring about my purpose. i will exalt and i will bring down; i will
move in and I will move out; i will raise up and I will tear down. for it is the world
that I’ve created, it belongs to Me. you are mine. Put your hand in my hand, trust in
me, walk with me and you will know my peace. don’t look on the right side nor on the
left and don’t look behind but look up. look up for your redemption comes from on
high. i will lift you, raise you, speak to you, cover you, protect you. my provision is
yours, so receive it today. Walk in the light of the truth that i’ve given to you.
for I have planted My word inside of your spirit. you belong to me and i am
responsible for you. i will do great things in the midst of you, in the midst
of this moment. It is now a time for my people to rise and let the earth
see there is a God who lives, and cares and loves.
a God of provision who takes care of his own.
amen.

pastor tony
april 26, 2009

when life isn't fair

in the world it is called “The Morning After,” “The Day After”, and usually with a negative slant. 
in the church world it is called “The Week After” – after Easter, that is.
all the excitement, planning, preparation, engagement, involvement – then bang – it’s over.
i'm thankful to report our “week after” was phenomenal, out of this world. 
lots of new people, great worship, many lives changed by God’s presence. 

no let down – just a revving up. 

the new series – when life isn’t fair – proved to be very timely.  I peter 2:18-21 tells us how to handle life’s unfairness:
• endure the pain of injustice and you will receive God’s favor.
• patiently bear up under the pain of wrongs suffered and God will be pleased.
god is just, merciful and will avenge us of wrongs endured.  life is unfair but God is just. 

he will right the wrongs as we surrender to his Lordship.
many people were helped by this timely Word.  join us this week as the series continues. 
bring someone who has suffered from life’s unfairness. 
use twitter, text messaging, email – whatever – just get them here.

easter recap

it’s Saturday, April 11 at 2:45pm. Leaving my family at the restaurant,
i am hurrying to our Big 25,000 Easter Egg Drop via helicopter.
at 2:54pm I cross under the Airport Highway exit and traffic comes to a dead stop.
looks like it is backed up at least a mile. Five to Ten m.p.h. and I finally reach the exit for theChurch.
must be an accident – Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Deputies, directing traffic.
hundreds of cars. Phone rings – people parking cars at thechurch are overwhelmed.
expecting 800-1,000 people for the Egg Drop – 5,000+ show up. Worst of all my four granddaughters are behind me.
suddenly I am elated at such a great turn out and dejected that my kids won’t get there in time.
suddenly I hear a helicopter – in a flash it’s over.
by far our most amazing event ever. Our first of 4 Easter services (in 19 hours) began at 5pm.
our auditorium was jammed and children’s ministry was overflowing.
our Fremont campus had a record attendance, we had a record attendance at thechurch
as more than 7,500 people visited our campuses.
many people received Christ as Lord and Savior in each of our services
and my grandchildren enjoyed the helicopter egg drop – even if they had to drive to Fremont.

engage 2009

As each New Year approaches, I find myself asking a simple but important question: “If I could have this New Year like I want it, how would it be?” As we head into 2009, I’d like to challenge you to ask yourself that same question – how would YOU like your LIFE to be THIS YEAR?History teaches us that every recession, every downturn in the economy, affords enormous opportunity for increase. I am certain that God has strategically positioned his people and his church to experience the greatest period of growth ever. Make a decision now to turn your back on the past and to live in the present and in the future. Your future lies in your future, not in your past.On Saturday, January 3, and Sunday, January 4, we will launch a powerful ministry initiative called “Engage 2009.”The word ”engage” means to be totally occupied with, involved in, and committed to the fulfillment of God’s vision for theChurch. “Engage 2009” seeks to enhance and accelerate every objective of theChurch ministry by engaging our people like never before.Each week, our focus for our weekend services and life groups will be the teachings of Jesus on life related issues with subjects such as: “Jesus on Marriage,”, “Jesus on Parenting,” “Jesus on Financial Security,” “Jesus on Religion,” and “Jesus on Sex.”. “Engage 2009” will produce great spiritual growth in each of our lives. To prepare for this growth, we will be joining together for 30 Days of Prayer and Fasting beginning January 2. Please choose a time to fast and pray and choose the type of fast you are willing to engage in. Get ready, prepare yourself, and let 2009 be the year you ENGAGE like never before!Engage 2009, Pastor Tony & ShirleyAnn

november 4th, whats next?

While the elections for President, Vice-President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives are now a thing of the past, one can only wonder what the future holds for America. For now it appears that a more liberal approach to social issues will certainly mark the next four years or longer. Liberal politicians tend to ignore traditional Christian values such as pro-life and traditional marriage (a man and a woman), - homosexual agendas tend to find support from the as well.
We may see additional losses of our Christian freedoms as activist judges are appointed to federal jurisdictions.
Hopefully, as Christians in America, we will humble ourselves before God’s throne and seek His face (not His hand) and turn from our half-hearted, when convenient worship to whole-heartedly serve Him.
When Israel strayed from Him and became lazy and fat in their prosperity, God allowed others to rule over them.
My heartfelt conviction is that it is morning in the kingdom. A new day is dawning as people all over America realize what is at stake. Christians are uniting and praying for God to intervene in our affairs. I believe this will intensify as we see the need to come together to stem the tide of immorality and sexual perversion. Perhaps we need to hear God’s word to Joshua:
Joshua 1:7-8 – 7Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

It's Morning in the Kingdom pt. 1

Daily the voices and messages of the world around us are seemingly filled with fears and anxieties. Concerns about the future as well as the present are written on the countenance of millions of people. There is little evidence of hope in the lives of men and women who wander aimlessly through life.

That is life on the one hand in America. On the other hand “It’s Morning in the Kingdom.” God is still on the throne in heaven and earth is his footstool. He is still directing the affairs of mankind. “It’s Morning in His Kingdom” here on earth. In Him we live and move and have our being. With this “Morning” comes a fresh breath of hope, energy, excitement, and opportunity. Let your life today be filled with “The Morning in His Kingdom.”

who is to blame?

One trillion dollars lost in one day!
The stock market meltdown triggered an avalanche of bad news from around the world.
We first had a bail-out which then became a buy-out which resulted in a $100,000,000,000 (that’s 100 billion) sell-out of Mr. & Mrs. Taxpayer – that’s you and me.
How did we get here?
Why did this happen?
Who is to blame?
What is the solution?
Democrats and Republicans joined together and brought their own votes by allotting pork barrel (unnecessary spending, wasteful pet projects) funding of more than $100 billion dollars.
Somebody is not watching out for those of us who pay taxes.
Banks for years have loaned money to people who were not credit worthy and have exceeded customer’s ability to pay back the loans.
Now we have trillions of dollars tied up in loans to people who overextended their credit and cannot pay it back.
We have abandoned old fashioned logic which says – If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it; don’t spend beyond your means.
Somebody wasn’t watching out for us. Somebody got lulled to sleep.
The same thing is happening in the Kingdom of God. Too much compromise, too much tolerance with sin has wreaked havoc with our homes, our marriages, our families, our schools and our culture.
Matthew 26:41 – Jesus warns us, “Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation.”
“To watch” means “to keep awake” and denotes giving careful attention and mindfulness in the face of danger; to be alert; to denounce all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.
God told Adam in Genesis to “keep” the garden. He was to protect, pay careful attention to the obligations of His covenant with God.
“Watching” is an active appraisal of what is happening around us in both the spiritual and physical realms.
Today, you and I are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation. (I Corinthians. 3:9)
“Watching” prevents satan from taking advantage of us.
“Watching” causes us to hear what God is saying and to know what He is doing.

-pastor tony

Call unto Me and I will answer you

Martin Luther King once said:
To be a Christian and not pray is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.
Prayer is truly the oxygen of spiritual life. Prayer energizes us in our spirit, soul & body.
Our nation will not get back on its feet until we begin to pray and seek God’s face.
When we pray, God is moved to work in our lives and dispatch angels to assist us in our endeavors for His Kingdom.
Fervent, heartfelt prayer releases us from stress, tension, and anxiety and frees us up to boldly do God’s bidding.
Prayer’s purpose is not to get God to agree with us but to bring us into agreement with His will for our lives.
As we pray, our resources, opportunities are joined to His resources in Heaven.
God has bound Himself by covenant to hear and answer our prayers:
Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto Me and I will answer you.”
Isaiah 58:9 – “You shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He will say, Here am I.”
Our prayers actually become immortal:
Revelation 8:3-5 – “And another angel came and stood over the altar. He had a golden censer and he was given very much incense (fragrant spices and gums which exhale perfume when burned), that he might mingle it will all the prayers of all the people of God (the saints), upon the golden altar before the one. And the smoke of the incense (the perfume) arose in the presence of God, with the prayers of the people of God (the saints) from the hand of the angel. So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and cast it upon the earth.”
Pray much, knowing your prayers are stored up around God’s throne until the day when He answers.

-pastor tony

great resources of power in the world

Of all the great resources of power in the world – nuclear, atomic, electrical, dynamite – none compares to the power of prayer.

Luke 18:1 says prayer should be a constant in our lives.

Webster defines prayer as speaking and making known one’s desires to God.

In the Bible, “prayer” means “wishing towards God.”

David describes “prayer” as the “turning of the soul to God.” Psalm 25:1 – “Unto you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”

As we lift up our souls unto God in prayer, it gives God an opportunity to do what He will in us, with us, and through us. Literally, it is putting ourselves at God’s disposal.

The most important lesson and our most important activity is prayer.

Prayer puts God in full force in us and in our world. His Kingdom work begins with and continues with prayer. When we pray, we increase and God’s Kingdom is advanced. The world then is shaped by prayer.

The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be and the mightier the forces against evil everywhere. Satan is hindered, interfered with, limited and stopped to the degree that prayer abounds.

God values prayer so much that He bestows no blessings without it. Any intervention by God on the earth is in response to someone praying. Often we think of prayer as an outlet for expressing what we need – a cry to God for help. But prayer is the asking of God to fulfill His needs.

God’s original idea of prayer is accomplishing His purpose through the prayers of believers. Even in our own personal needs, prayer helps us tap into His way of helping us.

Literally, prayer is putting God to work through us in order to accomplish His purpose.

Isaiah 64:4 – “For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who (earnestly) waits for Him.”

To fail to pray excludes God from working in and through us and leaves us as the mere victim of circumstance when prayer could make us the master of circumstance.

all we have to do is pray.

Stock Market dives 777.68 points!
Stock Market rises 491.19 points!
Help! Please! Somebody make sense of this.
When the world makes no sense, there is always God. To say we live in turbulent times is an understatement. Weird, crazy, scary would be more like it. How do we cope with this insanity of Democrats and Republicans acting like spoiled brats? Is it just me or does it seem like we are on a toboggan ride heading to God knows where?
Suddenly Jesus comes crashing into our mad, mad world in Luke 18:1 and says, “Men ought always to pray and not faint.”
The word “faint” literally means “out of bad.” “Fainting” has to do with what our mouths speak when we go thru difficult, severe, challenging times.
Jesus says it is best not to speak anything bad during down times.
The other New Testament word for “faint” means “loose behavior” –
Galatians 6:9 – “Be not weary in well-doing. For in due season, you will reap if you faint not.”
He (Paul) says, don’t resort to “bad behavior” just because things are not going so well. Don’t “loose” your commitment to Jesus.
Always pray – commune with God – instead of complaining, moaning, griping about the way things are.
God will make sense out of all this non-sense if we just keep on praying.

-pastor tony

america today

Ten trillion dollars - $10,000,000,000,000
That is our current national debt.
Every single American – man, woman, boy, girl, including the babies just born owes $31,000.
This 10 trillion increases at the rate of $11,000 per second, $360 billion per year.
How much is a billion?
A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
A billion minutes ago Jesus was on earth.
A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the stone age.
A billion days ago man was not yet created.
A billion dollars for our government was 8 hours and 20 minutes ago.
Our world, our economy is at a desperate moment. The next two generations will be paying off this debt. That is the bad news.
The good news is the best is yet to come! I truly believe that.
II Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
The word “heal” means “to invigorate or to mend.” The drought will end, the famine will cease, the rain will come bringing the increase.
Prayer – communion – with God will change America because of His promise. We must seek His face – not His hand. We must turn away from our sins. Repentance, confession will bring the favor of His face toward us.
James 5:16 – “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in it’s working).”

-pastor tony