Last spring, California experienced a record rainfall leading to a “superbloom” in the desert. One Sunday afternoon in March, our family hopped in the van for a scenic drive through Joshua Tree National Park. We wanted to see what all the hype was about. After a long drive, we parked at a nature trail near the south entrance and took a stroll.

Suddenly, we were immersed in a sea of purple and yellow. It felt like we were walking through a well manicured botanical garden, yet this garden was made by God himself, as spring rains had awakened thousands of wildflowers.

The setting sun cast even more shades of orange, purple, and pink all over the mountains and sky. Birds sang their approval. It was a little taste of paradise, but it couldn’t last forever. As the days grew longer and hotter, the desert traded its coat of many colors for a more modest, brown wardrobe. “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the fields…The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6, 8).

Two weeks earlier, we had witnessed another kind of “blossom” nearing the end of her life. Natalie’s Grandma Smith had just learned she was in the advanced stages of cancer. Stephen already had a ministry trip planned to Fresno, but knowing Grandma was sick, the whole family decided to go.

The kids were able to give hugs and play songs on the piano that they had been practicing for their upcoming recital. Natalie had a nice, long conversation with Grandma, sharing memories, showing pictures, and praying together. Since we were planning a summer trip to Washington D.C., Natalie asked if Grandma was prepared for her own upcoming journey, and if we would see her in heaven someday. Grandma confessed her faith in Jesus Christ, and we left Fresno with greater peace that she seemed to understand the gospel.

Natalie continued to call Grandma each week until she passed away on April 7. These last conversations were among the sweetest they had shared, for they were centered on Jesus and heaven.

In July, our family did travel to Washington D.C., and what a wonderful trip it was. Some dear friends hosted us in their home, providing a comfortable place to sleep and a launchpad to explore the D.C. area. We visited George Washington’s home at his Mount Vernon estate, watched amazing fireworks while tailgating at the Pentagon, explored the Museum of the Bible with missionary friends, toured the White House, pretended to be spies in the International Spy Museum, and met Bei Bei the giant panda.

One highlight was touring Fort McHenry in Baltimore where the national anthem was written, then seeing the original flag on display in the Smithsonian. We crammed a lot into our eight day trip to the nation’s capital, yet felt like we barely scratched the surface.

Natalie continues to homeschool the kids and show hospitality to many guests. She has been active with our church ladies, hosting a Fireside Fellowship each month, teaching a spring workshop on friendship, leading a weekly Life Group through Luke, and taking a few women through a more intensive discipleship program.

Meanwhile, Stephen shepherds our dear flock at Crossview by teaching, preaching, counseling, leadership development, and many meetings. He is also active in the SBC and teaches a couple classes at CBU.

This year has been a time of transition for our church as we saw families scatter as far as Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. There were many sad goodbyes, but we rejoice the Lord also brought new families. We faced some heavy and emotionally draining challenges this fall, but by God’s grace, we ended the year welcoming new members, meeting our budget, affirming a great team of deacons, and adding a lay elder to assist Stephen in shepherding. We pray this coming year will be a time of continued   unity and growth, God’s provision, and growing witness.

One special gift we received this Christmas was a photo album from Stephen’s parents. They did a photo shoot this summer while the kids were visiting in Colorado and put all the pictures into an album. Flipping through its pages reminds us how quickly the kids are growing up and to savor every moment. We do a lot of laughing and learning together, and many conversations go back to topics in Scripture and the importance of loving our neighbor.

Lord willing, Dylan will be testing soon for black belt in taekwondo, and Heidi will be dancing “en pointe” in ballet next summer. Abby is becoming quite the artist. All three are making steady progress in school and sports, and had the opportunity to play piano at church this month. It’s fun to watch them grow, learn about God’s great world, discover their unique gifts, and serve the Lord at church.

Thank you all for the Christmas cards and letters. We enjoy seeing your pictures after another year gone by, and will be praying for you in the year ahead. May God bless you richly as you enter this new decade, full of new challenges, but more importantly, full of God’s abundant kindness and mercy.

-Love, Stephen and Natalie, Dylan, Heidi, and Abigail

“Man does not know his time” (Ecclesiastes 9:12).

My wife and I were reminded of this again last month when we drove to Los Angeles for a funeral. One of Natalie’s mentors for over fifteen years, Louise Essex passed away in June from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Some of you ladies may remember Louise from a color-draping seminar she gave at church several years ago.

The funeral was a swirl of emotions. We were delighted to run into old friends and celebrate Louise’ 72 years of life and ministry. At the same time, we were saddened by her horrible disease and untimely death, and the fact we will never see her again this side of heaven. The greatest salve to a grieving heart is to know a person is finally enjoying rest with Jesus.

Every time I brush against the stinger of death, I am reminded of Jesus, who wept over the death of his friend Lazarus, and spoke words of hope to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Friend, if you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, I urge you to repent of your sins and put complete trust in Him today. Only then can you claim Jesus’ promise of eternal life, and resurrection from the dead.

Every day is a gift from God, and none of us know how many more we have on this earth. Let’s make each one count by believing in and abiding in Christ. For the believer, the best is yet to come!

I’m torn by images of the fire in Paris. Notre Dame was a magnificent piece of history and architecture.

But it represents a religious system of ritual and ceremony that has led millions of people away from “salvation by grace alone” to rely on some level of human merit.

The Jews once took pride in their temple, “how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings,” but Jesus used it as a teachable moment to speak of the End Times and warn against false teachers and Antichrist. “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down…See that you are not led astray” (Luke 21:5-8).

May we not miss the bigger lesson here – to be ready always for the return of the King.

Posted to Facebook on April 17, 2019.

Normally, we like to have our Christmas card and newsletter out by this time, but life has been hectic, and we lost most of our contacts in one disastrous moment when I tried syncing my iPhone to Outlook. Over the past few months, I have slowly been rebuilding our family database, but sadly, didn’t make it in time.

My mom spent ten days with us earlier this month, then Natalie’s parents visited over the weekend for Natalie’s birthday on the 28th. In between, our family enjoyed a delightful evening touring Candy Cane Lane and a nice Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the church.

Some of our spiritual highlights this year were Dylan’s baptism in June and Natalie teaching a ladies Sunday School class on the attributes of God. Heidi continues to excel in ballet and aspires to use this talent professionally to honor her Savior. Abby has a quick wit and a contagious smile (full of braces). She prays with such sincerity. We hope this reflects a heart growing in faith. For me personally, I have found comfort while memorizing part of Psalm 118 and am learning about holy living and heavenly reward through my weekly study and preaching of Romans.

As I write, I hear Heidi practicing piano in the family room and can see Abby assembling a pipe cleaner craft at the kitchen counter. Meanwhile, Dylan sits at our dining room table, screwdriver in hand, assembling a simple woodworking kit. God has been kind to us, and we have many reasons to thank him — not only for family and friends, but especially for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Our friends are scattered literally around the world. How we would love to see many of them in the coming year! With Paul, our hearts long “that by God’s will we may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” Only the Lord knows if that will happen, but in the meantime, “May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 15:32-33).

If you don’t already get our church e-newsletter, you can click here to subscribe, see photos and learn about our summer VBS and several baptisms.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

No doubt, most of you have heard that The Master’s University and Seminary have been placed on Academic Probation by the accrediting agency WASC.

As a graduate of both schools, I know them well. I spent eight years there, plus you can add five more years if you count my wife’s bachelors and teaching credential. These schools have been a major shaping influence in my life and family, led to lifelong friendships, and were the source of much spiritual growth. I have a vested interest in both TMU and TMS as an alumnus. And with my son turning 13 this fall, I wonder if this will be a place I can someday send my child.

I’ve read through portions of the WASC report and have also been involved in several discussions with alumni. Problems that have surfaced include a lack of diversity among administration and board members, favoritism toward donors and personal friends, a few questionable advanced degrees, and a culture of fear and intimidation. Another issue that has exploded on social media over the last week is the treatment of minorities and cases of racial prejudice. The grievances are serious. Yet it would be premature to say they are insurmountable.

What I think the school can do is be candid and straightforward. They need to do a full investigation both internally and externally, embrace outside accountability, and be honest where problems surface. I will assume they are already taking steps in this direction. They need to admit where wrongdoing has occurred, and even repent where necessary. This is not a time for cover up, clever spin, or downplaying the seriousness of these claims. The reputation not only of the school, but of the gospel itself, is at stake, and we do not want the word of God to be reviled.

At the same time, what we can do as students, alumni, donors, and friends is to pray for these institutions and these leaders. Our posture should be one of gravity and hope. I sense that some critics are closing in for the kill, like ravenous wolves on an injured sheep. But the Bible says we are to respect our leaders (Rom. 13:1-4), give honor to whom honor is owed (Rom. 13:7), speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), be angry without sin (Eph. 4:26), and be cautious of accusations made against godly men (1 Tim. 5:19-20). Remember how David respected Saul, even after the heinous crimes Saul committed against him personally? Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here.

“How the mighty have fallen!” David lamented in 2 Samuel 1:19, and that’s how I feel now. My heart is heavy. I still respect Dr. MacArthur and have benefited in countless ways from his expository ministry and his influence at the college and the seminary. I am forever indebted to his leadership and teaching, and in turn I have sought to pass on to others the many valuable lessons I learned. But that does not make him, or any other member of leadership, immune from sin or blind spots.

So many institutions and leaders have been exposed for moral failure, doctrinal error, or abuse of power in the past few months. I just keep thinking of 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” It is a sobering warning to us all.

Lord have mercy, and shine your face once again upon The Master’s University and Seminary.