CCTO Pastor's Blog

Christmas Focus

We talk every year about how the Christmas season is busy, stressful and chaotic. We talk every year about how we are going to make sure that we don't lose the focus of what this season is all about. Oftentimes we talk in January about how we were too stressed, ate too much, spent too much and did too much during the month of December.

Well how about this year being the year that we do the things that we talk about? What if we intentionally take the time to adjust our Christmas focus? What if we really thought about the incredible story of Christ leaving the comforts of heaven to come to earth as a little baby to be one of us? That is the greatest news the world had ever heard. He became one of us. He is Immanuel, God with us.

When I am reminded of that the other stuff of Christmas gets straightened out and my focus is pulled from blurry and stressed out to sharp and clear. Jesus Christ is our gift. He is our help. He is the reason we celebrate. Let's put our focus on Him.

Merry Christmas!

Times of Refreshing

(This is an excerpt from the message preached on October 7, 2007)

I believe with all my heart that God is stirring among us here at CCTO with a desire for us to come to Him for times of refreshing. He is calling us to get on our faces before Him in prayer and seek His face. He wants us to see the new things that he has in store for us as individuals, as families, and as a church.

Isaiah wrote:

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Is. 43:18-19

So, how might we see the new thing that God is doing among us? The answer is through prayer.

Jesus� disciples came to him with a very simple request. They said, �Lord, teach us to pray.� When Jesus was asked, �Teach us to pray,� he didn�t respond with a long lecture. He just gave a simple example of how to pray. He said:

�This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.��

So during these next six weeks we are going to unpackage this most important of all prayers.And we�re not going to do it so that we can get smarter, we�re not going to do it so that I know what to preach for six weeks.We are going to do it because we need refreshing and we need to humbly come before the Lord and ask �Lord teach us how to pray.�

And I believe with all my heart that as we learn to pray and then pray, God will move in our individual lives, in our families, in our network of friends in our schools, at our jobs and in this church in ways that we can�t even imagine.

Blessings,

Joe

It's Homecoming!

Here we are again at the end of summer and at the threshold of a new school year. It is once again a time where the surfboards and suitcases go back in the garage and the textbooks and schedulers find their way into the backpacks. It is also a time when we as a church unofficially begin again. I always see the start of fall as the start of a new year in the life of CCTO. I know that not all of the students are thrilled that school is starting again, but I couldn�t be happier. You know why? It�s because fall is like homecoming here at CCTO. After a summer of vacations and extended weekends we all come back together.

As usual we have some exciting things planned for these fall months and I hope and pray that you will plan on being a vibrant part of everything. Below is a quick outline of some of the exciting things taking place so take note:

Kid�s Quest: This program beginning Wednesday night, September 12, is for children preschool through 2^nd grade to help them discover the Bible in four years. The weekly lessons are focused on the values in Bible stories. Children are placed in small groups where they have an interactive story time, art project, games, memory verses and worship and prayer.

Breakout: Also beginning Wednesday night, September 12, this is designed for children grade 3 though to guide them toward spiritual maturity. The children are assigned to a small group where they work through a book each year.

Sermons: During the month of September we will be focusing on some of the Old Testament heroes and how they overcame obstacles that were in their path. I want to challenge you to be here each week as we see how to overcome the obstacles of Fear, Lust, Pride and Guilt. In October and November we will spend six weeks studying the Lord�s Prayer.

Adult Small Groups: Everyone needs one. If you are still not participating in a small group you are missing out on the strength, encouragement and learning that comes in this environment. The fall months are an ideal time to resolve to get involved.

I believe we are at our best as a church when we come together and are united for a common purpose. Let�s come together. Let�s have a homecoming this fall and see what God will do!

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

May News

Just a little over a year ago we came together as a congregation united in purpose and vision to put forth the Acts 1:8 emphases. As a reminder

Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We have adopted that as a mission statement that outlines a strategy to take the message of Christ to everyone we can starting here in Thousand Oaks and extending to the ends of the earth. Because of this we endeavored to raise funds that could be used to update our facilities (Jerusalem) and to send money to help the children of Kenya (ends of the earth) who are suffering as a result of the AIDS pandemic.

As many of you are know our goal was to raise $1.2 million over a three year period with the first $200,000 raised to be sent to Kenya. I am happy to announce that just one year into this effort we have exceeded the halfway mark in our goal.

Over $600,000 has been raised as of this writing.

We have emphasized the $200,000 that was sent to Kenya in past articles so I'd like to take a moment to update everyone on how the balance of the money is being used here in Thousand Oaks to update our campus.

I'd like to say upfront that making changes to buildings that are four decades old is a long and time consuming process. The current focus is on all of the buildings that house our preschool and children's ministries. These are the oldest buildings and the ones in greatest need of repair.We began last summer by tearing out all of the old concrete in the children's area and replacing it with new. But it was more complicated than that. A major motivation for tearing out the old stuff was so that we could run new water lines, electrical conduits and communications lines between all of the buildings. This will allow us to bring sinks into each of the classrooms, bringing us to current CA code. We were also able to raise the grade of the new concrete allowing access into all of our rooms for the disabled and strollers.

Right now we are working with a team of engineers and architects to solve a problem with the building that houses the red door and orange door classrooms. The back wall of the building has been compromised over the years because of soil expansion and slippage. That means that we will be building a new retaining wall along the driveway in the back to prevent this from happening further. Additionally, the back wall of the building will be replaced and a new foundation poured so that it can last another forty years. This is not very glamorous, but very necessary and very expensive! This one project will probably cost in the neighborhood of $125,000!!

Just last week we began to remodel the restrooms near the Fellowship Hall. The old ones were totally inadequate. The new ones will be much larger, updated and user friendly. This project will take about eight weeks to complete if everything goes as planned.

Our hope is to begin working on the exterior of all the old buildings sometime this summer. We will be putting a stone treatment along the bottom and new siding along the top. There will be new doors and windows, new carpet and paint and new lighting. All of this will make the old new without the expensive alternative of tearing down old buildings and starting over.

Perhaps this fall we will be able to tackle the kitchen with a complete makeover. Right now we use a four burner stove to cook for as many as 200 people for Feed My Sheep. Though it has served us well, it is time to modernize.

Lets always keep in mind, though, that none of this is about making the place look prettier, though it certainly will. It is about be able to effectively minister right her in our Jerusalem, Thousand Oaks, CA for another several generations.

Blessings,

Pastor Joe

A New Year and a New Commitment

In 2006 we launched an emphasis that has become central to what we are all about here at CCTO. It comes from Acts 1:8 and reads, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The emphasis started with a financial campaign to raise $1.2 million with the first $200,000 being deisignated to help those affected by HIV/AIDS living in Africa. So far over $500,000 has come in!! What an incredible blessing. The first $200,000 was sent away and in a couple of weeks our second team will be sent to Kenya to work alongside those who are bringing comfort to the poor and afflicted. The remaining funds are being used to freshen up our aging facilities so that they can be used for another generation to serve this commmunity of Thousand Oaks.

But back to Acts 1:8. I stated that the emphasis started with a financial campaign and indeed God has blessed that effort. But to stop with just raising some funds would be inadequate. I believe that God is calling us to a purpose beyond ourselves and it is found in this verse. It says, "But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you..." The best way that I know to be in touch with the Holy Spirit is through the discipline of prayer. As 2007 dawns I believe that we as a church need to recommit ourselves to prayer. I think we need to do it individually as well as corporately. Because of this, throughout this coming year there are going to be several opportunities to come together to pray. I hope that you will take the opportunity to join in. There is no greater power.

Secondly, for 2007 we are going to focus on being witnesses, as the verse says, first in our Jerusalem which is Thousand Oaks. This is the year that we will be actively looking for ways to be a blessing to this community. Be looking for service opportunities that will arise throughout 2007 where you can be involved. It is my prayer that every single person in this church, young and old, will find a way to serve this community in the coming year.

I really believe that through a year of prayer and service you will discover a closeness to God that you may have never experienced before. Join with me as we journey ahead to the exciting adventures that God has in store for us.

Blessings,

Pastor Joe

The Gift

Every once in a while I imagine what it would be like to be a kid again. To not have to worry about the daily stresses that come with being an adult such as the responsibilities of work, marriage, and owning a home, to mention a few. I imagine if I could go back, knowing what I know now, I would have so much fun. I wouldn't worry about the things I worried about back then (being afraid of the dark, wondering if anyone loved me, being afraid of getting hurt) and life would be so easy... right?

... but then I think about the luxuries of being older, wiser; having more responsibility but more freedom over my own life as well - and I shudder at the thought of being a child again, of being dependent on my parents. I would not be able to make my own decisions, to go where I want when I want, or have any way of supporting myself. When you're a child, you're fully dependent on your parents... fully.

And then I think of Jesus - lying in his own baby doodoo, crying for someone to clean him up. I think of Jesus crawling towards a knife in his house, as Joseph eyes him and comes running to pick curious little Jesus up and out of harms way. I think of Jesus, God - submitting himself to the power and protection of human parents - and what that must have been like...

Why would God want to be one of us, much less a child? Perhaps it was the only way he would get our attention... who listens to the wind anyway? Or the thunder that claps above us? Or the snow that falls on the mountains and creates stunning white washed scenes of splendor? Who has time to stop and listen to the silence, where God speaks? And who would listen to a child... born to peasants who couldn't afford to stay in an Inn, who were critized for having a baby before they were married, who ran for their lives and lived in a foreign city to protect a child who would grow up and change the world...

God knew what would get our attention.

A gift wrapped in skin. A message given by one of us... a human... or was he, God? He grew up - just like we do. He learned, just like us. He struggled, just like us. He understands us... and in the midst of the dust of the road he walked, he taught us. And then he saved us...

... but it all started in a cave (manger) with the animals. God - becoming helpless, becoming a child - to save us.

-Jim Krill

*Taken from mydriftwood.org - the Jr. High website.

Holding Onto God

Have you ever tried to ride a bicycle without using your hands? It is actually quite exciting, but it might not be very smart. In an effort to get in shape and to just feel better my wife, Lynne, and I have taken up the sport of cycling. We try to ride about four times a week for about an hour each time and it has become something that we look forward to doing together at the end of each day. Lynne always leads and sometimes when I am trailing behind her I let go of the handlebars and ride without using my hands. This works OK when the road is smooth but inevitably there is a bump that comes along which jars me quickly back to the handlebars.

I was thinking how often we approach life, and particularly our relationship with God, in the same way. It seems like sometimes we let go of God and ride without using our hands. Maybe we are most susceptible to this when life seems to be running smoothly. You know those times when everyone is healthy, the bills are paid, you�re getting along with the in-laws, and you�re boss hasn�t yelled at you in a few weeks. Those are the times when it seems like the road couldn�t get smoother. We let go of God and stop relying on Him and start relying on ourselves. But then the bump comes along and the wheels jitter and you start to lose control, as if you ever had it in the first place, and you are jarred quickly back to the handlebars.

We have been created to be in an intimate relationship with God all of the time. This means when times are smooth and when times aren�t smooth.

Jesus said, �I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.� John 15:5

We need to hang on. When you hold on to the handlebars on a bike all of the time, even during the smooth times, you get to know the nuances of the road and the subtleties of the bike. When a pothole or divot comes your way, you are prepared to handle a difficult situation. As we hang on to Christ all of the time, even during the smooth times, we get to understand His character, His nature and the subtleties of life. When difficulties come, He brings us through with confidence.

Pastor Joe

Rock the Babies : Trip 1 Update

Loving babies in the name of Jesus describes the activity of the first �Rock the Babies� mission trip team from Christian Church of Thousand Oaks. As the Acts 1:8 focus becomes active ministry, a team of 8 women traveled to Nairobi to serve alongside the staff at New Life Homes Trust, supporting the ongoing work under the direction of Lee and AnneMarie Pruitt.

The CCTO team held, loved, rocked and sang to babies who reside at one of five NLHT rescue centers for infants aged 0-24months. Every baby who comes to the center is given a hope and a future through Christian love and quality care. These babies may have been abandoned on a street corner, left at a hospital, orphaned because of HIV/AIDS or given to authorities by poverty-stricken parents.

Many of the babies suffer from the effects of neglect, malnourishment, or disease; the home provides medical care and physical nourishment. Volunteers from the community and churches like CCTO magnify the staff�s efforts to give each and every baby individual attention and affirmation. Jesus said �Let the little children come to me�.�; in His name, the Rock the Babies team brought His children to Him.

Serving because of Jesus,
Karen Hartmann

ACTS 1:8 is Happening!

Since the time that we made commitments back in April for the ACTS 1:8 campaign, things are happening! Our commitments for the ACTS 1:8 fund over the next three years totaled nearly $1.3 million, exceeding our goal of $1.2 million. The first $200,000 has already be sent off to begin a number of works in Kenya to help those affected by HIV/AIDS and our first team to go and rock the babies returns on August 19th from Nairobi. How exciting it is to be a part of a church that seeks to bless the world with the blessings we have recieved!

We have also begun work on the preschool part of our campus with the funds that have come in beyond the $200,000. All of the concrete has been removed around the buildings to allow for new plumbing to all of the buildings in back that previously had noneand to bring the sidewalks level with the buildings to make everything handicapped accessible. This part of the project should be completed by the first week of August and will allow us to continue to the next phase of remodeling the restrooms, replacing all windows and doors and freshening up the exteriors with new siding.