"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

11-4-07

See the latest fire response video from Maranatha Chapel by clicking here.

10-30-07

Last week, at one point, the horizon behind Maranatha Christian School was lit up by a ring of fire, moving quickly down the hill, burning homes and scorching the hillsides. When I saw the picture, I wondered how our school was saved, and then I received this note from a local firefighter, and know that God protected us through brave firefighters like him:

“To Pastor Ray:
Early Monday morning I was assigned to the Witch fire and assumed control of all fire resources west of I-15 from Lake Hodges to Mira Mesa.  I don't believe for a minute that it was just an accident that I was sent to manage the firefighters in this area; it was my turn to make sure that Maranatha was protected.  I know in my heart that it was God who kept the flames away, but with all of the devastation, God must have more plans for Maranatha. Maranatha has provided my wife and I with so many blessings over the years and I'm so grateful to have been able to surround the area with crews.”

You can see dramatic video of just how close the fires came to Maranatha HERE and of the initial fire relief efforts of our church along with the fire story of Pastor Troy Dewey  HERE.

I would also like to encourage you to read the very inspiring story from an 18-year-old young man in our church, trainee firefighter Wyatt Childers.  Wyatt faced fire in a way most of will never have to, and his response is both inspiring and thought provoking.  You can read Wyatt’s story HERE.

In the larger context of Isaiah 43:2, the verses surrounding that promise are words from the Lord like, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine…you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you …Do not be afraid, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 43: 1, 4-5).

When God loves, He loves intensely.  He does nothing superficially.  When He saves, He saves to the uttermost, and when He gives life He does so abundantly!  We are precious to Him in a way we cannot begin to fathom.

Look at the picture of fire encroaching upon our school, and realize that that this is a picture of our lives.  Fires threatening to consume us, as Satan continually tries to defeat and discourage us.  But God is always there, a shield, a fortress, faithful to use the adversities of our lives for good.

When fire does hit us, God uses it to cleanse our lives. In a forest, fire reduces the build-up of dead and decaying leaves, logs, and needles that accumulate on the forest floor. Fire reduces or eliminates the overhead forest canopy, increasing the sunlight, which stimulates new growth from seeds and roots.

Plants and animals are often forced to adapt to fire. Both the lodge pole pine and jack pine have resin-sealed cones that stay on trees for many years. The heat of fire melts the resin and the cones pop open. Thousands of seeds then scatter to the ground and grow into new trees. Woodpeckers feast on bark beetles and other insects that colonize in newly burned trees.

In the aftermath of a fire in our lives, literal or figurative, we will see new growth, and we will be like those seeds, scattered to bring life and nourishment to a world in need of God’s love.

I am so thankful for men and women in our lives like the firefighter who helped save our school and church, and young Wyatt, who faced fire with courage and presence of mind that many other people could not possess.  I am thankful for the people of Maranatha who have stepped up to volunteer and minister to the needs of our community.  No matter who we are, or how we’ve been affected, Isaiah 43:2 rings true.  God will see us through, and even if our physical homes have burned, we will not be burned, for we are precious in His sight.

May God be with us all,
Pastor Ray

Please feel free to forward this note to your friends and family around the country.  And if you aren't already signed up for our e-network, you can click HERE to get connected! As always, we welcome your comments and feedback at: media@maranathachapel.org.

Thank you!
10-26-07
Thank you to everyone who came out this morning to build sifting boxes for the fire victims to use in going through the rubble of their homes.  Over one hundred boxes were built and delivered throughout Rancho Bernardo and Poway.  They were VERY appreciated and will help make the job of sifting through ashes much easier for returning residents.  Again, thank you to all who volunteered Friday morning.  We had a great turnout to help in this relief effort. Watch this website for new opportunities to help local fire victims.


Fire Relief Update 10-25-2007
Immediate needs: Help with weekend services and CANDY!

Dear Friends,
As the fires subside, the needs of those hit by this disaster are rising.  I want to bring you up-to-date on Maranatha Chapel’s response. 

Thank you to the MANY who have called to offer their services.  It is truly a blessing to see so many people ready to serve.  We are rapidly putting together a plan to give you the opportunity to help; we will be coordinating efforts with Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse, the Billy Graham Association, and Horizon Christian Fellowship.  By this weekend there will a volunteer application online on our website and at our church for you to fill out.  It’s a simple application that will help us efficiently place volunteers.  Please fill this out as soon as it is available and we will contact you right away.  Personally, I am very happy to be working with such fine organizations, who have much experience in dealing with natural disasters and with meeting people’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Next, we do have an immediate need: Because so many of our regular volunteers have been affected by the fires, we will need help with our weekend services for several weeks.  If you are able to step in and help out in the children’s ministry, or serve as an usher, greeter, part of the clean up crew, or other areas, please contact Doug Dorsey at doug.dorsey@maranathachapel.org.  Please include your email or phone number and you will be immediately contacted.  Thank you for your willingness to serve!

Our annual Country Fair is happening! Many places have had to cancel their fall events, and since we are able to go ahead with our Fair, we want to get the word out to the community – all are welcome.  We want to bless our surrounding community with a night of fun, as we watch kids run around in crazy costumes and eat candy and enjoy life!  There’s nothing more fun than watching kids (and grown up kids) have fun…so get the word out that the Country Fair is on and all are welcome!  And one more request – we need CANDY! Bring a bag to church this Sunday and help us get ready for hundreds of kids!

Today, I am thankful that the fires are subsiding, and the winds have died down.  I grieve for those who lost homes, and pray that we, as a church committed to sharing the love of Jesus, can reach out and bless our church family and community with help and encouragement.  I believe that God is waking up His people, reminding us of how much we need to heed His voice and call upon Him in times of trouble. 

I see the Church like the ark in Noah’s time—a place of safety, a haven from the storms.  A place where God’s people care for each other and find refuge from the world.  Every time disaster strikes, people tend to listen a little more to the Lord, and turn to His Church for help.  Let us all be sensitive to the needs of those we meet during this time.

We’ve been hit hard by winds and fire—both often considered symbols of God’s Spirit.  Now I pray that we will feel a fresh, new wind, as the Spirit of the living God breathes upon us, giving us new perspective and appreciation for life.  I pray that the holy fire from above, that doesn’t hurt us or threaten us, but brings the power of God into our lives, will warm our hearts and give us light in the midst of a dark and difficult time.

Thank you for your continued prayers and for your willingness to serve!  The response to had been overwhelming!

Blessings to you,
Pastor Ray

Your comments and feedback: media@maranathachapel.org


Update 10-24
First, I just found out moments ago that the fire and police department will open most of the roads to Maranatha Chapel tonight!* We will be holding a service at 7:00 pm, joining together as a church family for a time of prayer, worship and encouragement. The doors will be open if you are able to come, and the pastoral staff will be on hand to greet you. Praise the Lord!

This morning the pastors all met to pray for you and our community. We also discussed how we can best meet the needs of our church family, as well as others in need, in the wake of the fires. Samaritan’s Purse, the organization headed up by Franklin and Billy Graham, and Horizon Christian Fellowship have contacted us, and as a result, we’ve made Maranatha Chapel available as a staging center for relief efforts. We will be using the five acres behind the church to set up accommodations for volunteers from across the nation. Please check our website often for updates on how you can let us know of your needs, as well as offer your services if you would like to be part of the relief effort.

I would personally like to encourage you to join us for the weekend service, and bring your junior high and high schoolers to the main service with you. I’d like to address the whole church body, and spend some time together as families worshipping and seeking the Lord.

Thank you for your faithful prayers. I am looking forward to all of us working together to serve one another and to show God’s love to our community.

Hope to see you tonight!

Many blessings,

Pastor Ray

10-23-07
As our county is devastated by fires in just about every quarter, I want to encourage you to remember that the Lord is with us.  His presence is always here, and He desires to comfort and protect us.  Together we can pray for the Lord to change the winds, for His divine protection, that there will be no more loss of life, and that the fires will be put out soon.  Please pray for the firefighters and all the brave men and women working hard to protect and take care of people's needs.

To bring you up to date:  Thankfully, both our church and school survived the fires; we are thankful to the Lord for His miraculous protection and mercy.

We have cancelled most events for the week, including Wednesday night's concert and Saturday's women's conference.  If possible, if we get permission from the local authorities to use the roads leading to the church, we will hold a Wednesday nignt service for prayer, worship, and an encouraging Bible study.  We will also begin to assess the needs of our Maranatha Chapel family in the wake of the fires, as well as the needs of our community and greater San Diego.  Lord willing, we will hold our regular services on Saturday evening and Sunday.

We'll keep you up to date on all events; please watch for regular updates.

Thank you for your prayers for our church family and community, and thank the Lord for His mercies and blessings.

May God bless you at this time,
Pastor Ray