Staff Blog

“The Story” Is For Kids Too

By Sarah Cristiano | September 13, 2016

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” for all ages, throughout all time, filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, redemption, battles, poems, and more is of course…..you know it…..God’s Story.  The Bible is the true word of God and we Share this with our kids every Sunday. The difference this Sunday has from previous Sundays is that…

The DAILY Battle Against Temptation

By Seth Gatchell | September 13, 2016

  September, 2016 Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn (broken) for they will be comforted Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,…

Vacation Bible School is a Win, Win, Win.

By Sarah Cristiano | August 11, 2016

Vacation Bible School is a Win-Win-Win! and here is why: We just completed the weeklong Vacation Bible School here at Pacific Church of Irvine in June and looking back there are so many wins about it. I will start with three: Win #1 – Here parents drop off their kids for three hours of safe…

Difficult People

By Seth Gatchell | August 3, 2016

I chatted with a dear friend of mine who lost his wife of many years, and is in the middle of awful grief. As if that is not hard enough, a few extended family members are criticizing him for how he handled his wife’s end of life days. They are bitter. They don’t remember the…

Shame Defeated

By Seth Gatchell | July 12, 2016

Psalms 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. After scanning through Genesis again, I am amazed at the messes we humans make. These messes come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few you can find in Genesis. Looking out for #1, Resentment and bitterness, Blame-shift,…

What in the world?!?

By Mark | July 12, 2016

There is a lot going on in our world today. It seems like we are seeing more and more sadness, more and more pain, and more suffering than ever before. It’s enough for your heart to break. Growing up, I always thought I was clever when someone asked me if I memorized any Bible verses…

A Kids Journey Into WorldViews

By Sarah Cristiano | July 12, 2016

Kids are born for the purpose of loving God and loving people, just like us (adults).   Kids have a purity and clear heart that Jesus sees and He even recommends that our hearts must become like a child to enter into the kingdom of God.   It is us the adults, our culture and media that…

Practicing the Presence

By Lance Brown | June 29, 2016

Many of you have probably at least heard of “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence.  Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk who lived in the early 1600’s.  He spent 30 years as a kitchen helper and cook for his order, but became widely known, even by his local cardinal, for the…

Things I Want

By Seth Gatchell | June 7, 2016

June 7, 2016 What I’ve been reminded of, lately: I want to be more bothered by my selfishness than my unhappiness. I want to be more joyous over another’s good fortune than my own. I want my occasional bouts with emptiness to drive a greater hunger for what only God can fill. I want to…