Solvang

Spent the weekend with my family in Solvang.   It's always nice to visit since it is such a cute town.   I just regret having to miss the Bluegrass concert at my church.  However, on Sunday, we did visit TRC - The Ranch Church in Los Olivos.  It is one of the Calvary Chapels, the closest to Solvang.  The music was pretty good - the worship leader and band led well; though, it seemed like the key they sang in made it a little difficult to sing along with.  The message had good depth.  It was on "King David at his Best".  The key points were:

• What was God looking for?  A man after His own heart (1 Sam 13:14); and at David's anointing, we are reminded that the LORD looks at the heart and the Spirit came upon him in power (1 Sam 16:7 & 13).  So, God looks for those who seek Him with all their being.  Just as we cannot give ourselves a heart transplant, so too it is God who changes our hearts spiritually.   Every person no matter the culture has a "discontent" that is a constant reminder that this is not our home
• What did Samuel find?  A man who knew how to trust God (e.g. 1 Sam 17:37 against Goliath).  David knew God would never fail him and was a man who knew how to conquer his fears
• What did Goliath encounter?  A man who knew how to fight.  God equips us for spiritual battle.
• How did David respond?  He believed that God forgave and called him, and he was willing to pay any price to have both.

Over the weekend, we also had a chance to visit Old Mission Santa Barbara.  I was most impressed with the statues in the church depicting Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the post-resurrection encounter.  There were also some nice paintings.  The gardens were also nice to walk around.

On the way and back, Camarillo is a nice halfway point to stop for a rest break.   There's a mall with Target and other stores; as well as the Factory outlets.  We also stopped for dinner at Wing's in Santa Barbara.  While the flavor was okay; but, for the crispy noodles, they use Chung King, which was definitely not what was expected.  Food in Santa Barbara and Solvang is quite a bit more expensive also.  I did want to note that I had a nice fortune in my fortune cookie:  "AN ADMIRER IS CONCEALING THEIR AFFECTION FOR YOU."   If that is the case, I hope he works up the courage to reveal soon....

25-Nov:  Because I was away, I missed my Pastor's sermon on Sunday; but, I just watched it online.  Interestingly, it is very much related to what I have learned about joyful living.   Pastor was talking about thankfulness, and he preached from Philippians, the book of JOY.  This is just further confirmation that a grateful spirit is very much related to the awareness of God's presence in our lives which leads to JOY.  Even in the painful times, so we can give thanks in all things because God is greater than our deepest pain.