April, 2003

Our Calvary Chapel stands atop a hill and has one of the best mountain vistas in California. Inside the simple green and tan sanctuary you will find the signature Calvary dove and a Bible verse painted with sprigs of pine needles:

"I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer." (Isaiah 56:7)

When one thinks of Calvary Chapel, visions of guys with long hair, electric guitars, and t-shirts come to mind. But Calvary cannot be easily stereotyped, and neither can its pastor.

Pastor Tom Balli has piercing brown eyes, short dark hair, and often wears a suit and tie. When he speaks he uses his hands and tells lively stories. He invited me to interview him in his comfortable home during a snowstorm. A fire blazed in the hearth under a large painting of Jesus. Sandi, his wife, brought me coffee, and we all sat in the living room while Tom shared his story.

"I grew up in a rough area of Cleveland, Ohio, in a middle-class Italian Catholic family. I had 2 older brothers and several uncles, aunts, and cousins," he began, relaxing in his armchair.

Trouble hit the Balli family when Tom was a senior in high school. His father became seriously ill, so they moved to Southern California. "California was a brand new world," Pastor Tom continued. "I didn't have any friends, so I met a couple of Christian guys in class who led me to accept Christ as my personal Savior. That was 1972. God immediately got ahold of me, and I knew from early on that I was supposed to be a pastor, though I said 'no' to full-time ministry for several years. I went into the grocery business instead and worked in the church part-time."

Soon after Tom graduated from high school, he got involved in a youth ministry at a Pasadena high school, then began attending Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa under Chuck Smith. He went to Azusa Pacific College and Master's College. He did evangelism outreaches with Raul Ries in West Covina and began working with Calvary Chapel, Palm Springs.

The pastor in Palm Springs was Chuck Wooley. He had a daughter named Sandi. Sandi, having grown up as a pastor's daughter, had decided that she would never marry a pastor. When she first met Tom Balli, he was the manager of a grocery store and working only part-time at her father's church. But not long after they were married, Tom became a full-time pastor.

"God showed me that my life growing up, seeing my parents do things right and wrong, was for the purpose of me becoming a pastor's wife," Sandi explained with a laugh.

Sandi is quite a teacher herself, although when she was first asked to teach 10 years ago, she flatly refused. When she was asked a second time, she figured God was trying to tell her something.

"I got up there, scared to death, but as soon as I started teaching, I knew that God had given me that ability, and I loved it."

Sandi teaches the Thursday night women's Bible study and special events such as Women's Retreats. She has even been a speaker in far-away places like Russia and Africa.

Tom was Assistant Pastor at Calvary Chapel, Palm Springs for 9 years. Then God called him and Sandi to San Diego.

"It was difficult going from the desert to a big city," Sandi admitted. "Then God called us to the mountains a year and a half ago."

Our Calvary Chapel had no pastor at that time. Pastor Tom Balli preached his first sermon on the mountain on September 1, 2001. He and Sandi and their 2 younger children (Breanna, age 14 and Chelsie, age 10) bought a mountain home. Their 2 older children, Dominic and Christina (now young adults) still live in San Diego.

"We came to a church that had gone through a lot of turmoil and struggles. God gave us a message of restoration and reconciliation that first year. We've seen a lot of people come to the Lord, a lot of recommitments, new people, growth, challenges . . . We've grown to love the mountain community and sense God's calling up here and the work He wants to do," Pastor Tom stated.

Sandi loves her new mountain community and the slow pace.

"It's nice to walk into the supermarket and expect to see somebody I know," Tom declares.

When asked to explain his personal belief, Tom says, "I need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If need to know that if I were to die tonight, I would go to heaven. I asked Christ to come into my life after reading John 3:16. God gave His Son so that I can have a relationship with Him. Now the Bible is not just a book; it's His living word. Now the Holy Spirit and God the Father are real to me. I have a friend and a father I can talk to, who loves me, who gave His son so that I may have life."

Besides teaching on Sunday mornings and for Thursday evening men's Bible study, Pastor Tom does counseling, weddings, church administration, and outreach.

"I see myself as a shepherd. The people know that Sandi and I really care about shepherding them instead of just teaching them on Sunday mornings."

Pastor Tom has a good staff supporting him. Gary Palmer, Assistant Pastor, has been here since the church first began at Calvary Chapel Conference Center in the 70s. Jim Arnold, a former missionary to Ireland, is the Youth Pastor. Jim Miller is the Administrator. Brian & Jeri Meyer are the Facility Directors. Natasha Norlander and Roni Bailey head the Children's Ministry. Erika Menge is the Church Secretary. Sandi Balli oversees the Women's Ministries. Edd Williams, Blaine VanderSchuit, and Clayton Connolly share positions as Music Leaders, conducting the lively worship music on Sunday mornings and for other events.

As for church doctrine, Calvary tries to create a balance between extreme Pentecostal and extreme Baptist beliefs. Calvary puts emphasis on the Word of God, going through the Scriptures verse by verse. They believe that God is still at work today with the Gifts of the Spirit. Most important of all is the love of Christ for everyone, from long-haired hippies with no shoes to the businessman in a $500 suit.

"We believe in Christ's death and resurrection. We believe that the Bible is God's word, infallible, the full counsel to men, women, and children, and that it changes lives through the Holy Spirit," Pastor Tom explains.

Outreaches are very important. Calvary Chapel constantly has guest speakers, bands, and concerts. The Valentine's Day Banquet brought 200 people to the local Resort, and the Couples Seminar was a huge success. One Wednesday a month the youth have special worship bands at the Conference Center. The church is starting a Skate Park for the youth. In the summer, Sandi is planning a Women's Summer Sunset series (4th Thursday of the month) with various speakers and themes such as "Cappuccino with Christ." The children will enjoy Vacation Bible School.

On the 2nd Saturday of each month at 7:30 a.m. is the free Men's Breakfast at the church. They offer good food with special music and speakers, open to the community. Every year there is a men's retreat and a women's retreat. In October, Calvary hosts a Harvest Celebration, a Halloween alternative with booths, games, food, and entertainment. Jim Adams (aka "James and the Professor"), a professional ventriloquist and puppeteer who used to work at Disneyland, does special events for the children. Operation Provider works year-long to meet the physical needs of mountain families. Hopekeepers is a support group for people with chronic pain. The Most Excellent Way is a support group for people facing addictions. The local Christian School, with meets on the church property and provides excellent academic and spiritual instruction for children. And the church supports several missionaries throughout the world.

When asked what is his biggest goal for the coming year, Pastor Tom replied, "We have a new theme--Regeneration and Redemption. We'd like to bring people into a mature relationship with Christ. So often you hear how Christians don't walk out the life. Jesus wants us to follow His example by helping others in the community--not just the church. We need to visit the sick, pray with the depressed, meet physical and spiritual needs. Jesus walked with the people; fed the disciples; stayed up all night and prayed; went out in the boat with them and calmed the storm; told them to take off their dirty shoes so that He could wash their feet--that is literally where the rubber hits the road, in walking out Christianity so that the world can know that we're not just saying things, but that this literally is truth."

Pastor Tom will be giving the Easter message for this year's Mountain Community Easter Sunrise Service. He thinks it's great that the churches are coming together for prayer, drama, God's word, and music in celebrating Christ's resurrection.

To promote mountain unity, the Calvary Chapel Conference Center offers a free breakfast for all local pastors, followed by prayer, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Pastor Tom and Sandi both admit that the biggest challenges and blessings in ministry are people. They get calls in the middle of the night from people in a crisis. But they also get to see people come to Christ as their savior. That makes up for the difficult times--seeing people suddenly changed. People about to commit suicide find new hope. Couples on the verge of divorce find new love.

Sandi had a brain tumor for 11 years, with a 50% chance of surviving an operation. She took medication and had an MRI every 6 months. Three years ago the MRI showed no tumor. Several yeas ago, Pastor Tom and his youngest daughter were hit by a car that was going 40 mph. "I was paralyzed from the neck down, and my 18-month daughter was hit also, but God rescued both of us. We've seen God's hand of protection and healing. And that's the Good News we want to share." For more information, visit Calvary's website.

Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church is not a large, rich parish, but they accomplish much with the dedicated work of volunteers. The parish has been in the mountains for 55 years. It offers several Bible Studies, Sunday religious education for adults and children, Confession, once a month movie night, and Renew Groups. The Youth Group, led by Mark Warhol, is dynamic. The Pastor, Father Amaro Saumell, offers a variety of adult education such as a recent Worship Workshop that explained the importance of The Mass, Communion, and Baptism.

"People see so much dysfunction in their own families and in the world around them," Father Amaro says. "That they are getting tired of it and are turning to God for a better way. The Gospel is all about healing. Rising above the dead."

Father Amaro believes in Christian unity. Most of the mountain churches get together often to show that they are not competing against each other but are reaching out to the community.

"We have interpretational differences of the Scripture, but we're all worshiping the same God, through Christ, and in the Spirit. We rejoice in a common faith and respect the differences," Father Amaro declares.

Father Amaro is an educated man who believes that one should study what he believes. He was raised a Catholic but drifted away from the church, becoming a nightclub singer. He felt God's call on his life in his mid-thirties, and he went to Holy Apostle Seminary in Connecticut (his home state). He was ordained just before his 40th birthday and did graduate work at Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo, California.

"A Catholic priest needs a minimum of eight years of college," he explained. "I was ordained in 1992, and this is the 6th parish I've been in. I came to the mountains four years ago, starting as Administrator of the church. I was made Pastor last year."

He loves the mountains, recalling stories of how Moses and Jesus went up on a mountain during important points in their ministries.

"I don't see a lot of hypocrisy here. What you see is what you get. It's wonderful to recognize people around town. We have a treasure here in the mountains, and it's still affordable for the average person."

St. Francis Cabrini is very pro-life and offers programs like Gabriel's Angels which helps women struggling with a pregnancy to consider options like keeping their babies or choosing adoption. Gabriel's Angels offers live-in homes, medical care, and counseling. In front of the church is a statue of a pregnant Virgin Mary in a meditation garden dedicated to lost babies. The church also supports organizations like Community Services that feeds the poor.

"How can we tell someone that God feeds them spiritually if they never even understood the concept of being satisfied bodily? If we say God is a loving Father and a person had a human father who beat him all the time, he will not understand that term unless he sees God's love in us, in our actions."

Father Amaro believes that Christ can set us free from things that enslave us--like drug abuse or abusive relationships--if we will allow ourselves to die to former ways and jump into the fire of the Holy Spirit. We can decide to trust God, to forgive others, to pray. God answers our prayers. We depend on God's mercy for everything, including our salvation.

The Catholic church celebrates in a seasonal fashion, so that at Lent (the 40 days before Easter) the theme is to die to self, as Christ took on a human nature and died for our sins on Good Friday. For Easter, they celebrate the new life of Christ's resurrection and forgiveness. For Pentecost (40 days after Easter), they celebrate the power of God's Holy Spirit to help us live a new life now.

"God will continually and eternally be giving us new information. We will never get bored with Him," Father Amaro announces.

For more information, check out Father Amaro's website at www.fatheramaro.com.

Caroline Diamond Redmon and her husband William Redmon are both Episcopal priests. When she told me that, I thought, what a love story!

They met at church 30 years ago but have been married for only 4 years.

"We have a lot in common. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I both like him and love him," Rev. Caroline confides with a smile as she sits across from me in her office. She points to her favorite painting of Christ holding a lantern and knocking on a big wood door.

"Notice that there is no handle on the door," she says. "It must be opened from the inside. God gives us a choice."

Rev. Caroline works at Saint Richards Episcopal Church in Sky Forest, and Mark will be working in the high desert, so the couple will divide their time between the mountains and Palm Springs.

Rev. Caroline is from a Jewish background. She grew up in Maryland and studied music at Towson State University. Then she went to graduate school at Virginia Theological Seminary where she got a Master's of Divinity degree. While in graduate school she fell in love with choral music.

"Some of the best music is church music," she said. "I had to rehearse a Bach piece that dealt with Christ's incarnation. The words really spoke to me. I wanted a personal God and found Him in Christianity."

Rev. Caroline sang in a Baptist church, a Presbyterian church, and finally an Episcopal church.

"I loved it there--the balance of word and sacrament. I got baptized and became an Episcopalian."

She was ordained in 1987 and served at churches in Baltimore, San Diego, Massachusetts, and then here. She is glad to be a Californian.

"I love what I do. I like the pastoral care part--being with people through times of joy and difficulty. It's a real blessing when people share their spiritual journey with me. The Episcopal liturgy, ritual, and discipline are beautiful. The church is both intellectual and spiritual. We don't give black and white answers to things. The idea is to journey with God, to wrestle with God, like in the book of Genesis when Jacob wrestled with the angel all night and wouldn't let go until God gave him a blessing. God doesn't always take away the pain in our lives, but He gives us a relationship with Him. This is true in Judaism as well as Christianity."

The Episcopal church is based on Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience, like the four legs of a chair. It's an apostolic church with ties to the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The United States has its own Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold in New York. Under him are dioceses that answer to local bishops. St. Richard's is part of the Los Angeles diocese under Bishop John Bruno, an interesting, grass-roots man who was a football player and a policeman before becoming a Bishop.

Rev. Caroline has been to England several times. In fact, St. Richard's foyer displays part of a stone column from its sister church in Chichester, England. St. Richard's is a lovely round church with a high ceiling and windows opening to the forest. The floral altar with lilies, candles, and a cross create a sense of peace and God's presence.

"This is a wonderful, healthy, loving parish with good people," Rev. Caroline declares. "We are a family-sized congregation, a mission church. It's a gift to be here."

St. Richard's has services at 8:00 a.m. (without music) and 10:00 a.m. (a family service with music and a children's sermon). Every Sunday celebrates Holy Communion. Once a month Rev. Caroline lays hands on people for healing. Her preaching style is that she doesn't use notes, does make eye contact, and even walks up and down the aisles to connect with people.
Dr. James Bonn is the music director, and his wife Linda is the worship director. The church has a talented choir, men's and women's Bible studies, occasional auctions, and a big Labor Day yard sale. They are planning a class to study "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis, and they do pot-luck lunches once a month.

Rev. Caroline's hobbies are computers (she loves emailing people), exercise, theater, and, of course, music.

The church motto is "The Light Is Always On." You don't have to be Episcopalian to come to St. Richard's and enjoy God's peaceful presence.

Dr. Duane Gish, 83, has lectured around the world, written numerous books and articles, and is still going strong. A humble, soft-spoken man who can present lively lectures, Gish recently appeared to a full house at our local Calvary Chapel for a free seminar entitled "Scientific Evidence for Creation."

Lolly Gish likes to travel with her husband to his various speaking engagements. Married only 2 1/2 years, the couple is still enjoying a prolonged Honeymoon.

"I find his talks quite interesting," Mrs. Gish commented.

Indeed, Duane Gish has impressive credentials. He got his Ph.D. in biochemistry from California State University at Berkeley. He is the Senior Vice President of the Institute for Creation Research in the San Diego Area and a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists.

"I first got interested in science when I took a high school chemistry class in my hometown of Dodge City, Kansas," Gish explained. "I was a Christian at that time. My mother was a Christian, but my father was not. My mother made sure we went to church, and she helped me find a personal relationship with Christ."

After high school, Gish entered the Army with the Kansas National Guard for five years. Then he settled in Los Angeles where he got a Bachelor's degree in chemistry from UCLA. After getting his Ph.D. at Berkeley, he went to the Cornell University Medical College for three years and did research. He came back to Berkeley to serve on the research staff for the Virus Laboratory.

Someone handed him a little book called "Evolution: Science Falsely So Called," and he was very impressed. He began to study all the facts he could find concerning theories of the origin of life. Soon he was speaking on the subject. He got so many invitations to speak that he traveled around the United States, meeting other creation scientists (many of whom started out as atheistic evolutionists).

He spent 11 years working for a pharmaceutical company, and in 1971 he and Dr. Henry Morse (Ph.D. in geology) founded the Institute for Creation Research (ICR).

"We had both been involved with the Creation Research Society--which was founded by ten scientists in 1963 and grew to 600 members--so we kept in touch with each other. When Morse left his job at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, I felt called to join him," Gish declared.

At ICR, there are 11 full-time scientists on staff, nine of whom have doctorates from major universities. The other two staff members have Master's degrees. There are voting members all over the world, each of whom has an advanced degree in science (anyone can be a supporting member). The ICR complex has a creation museum open for tours by students and adults of all ages. A well-stocked store sells creation-oriented books, audiotapes, teaching materials, and DVDs. ICR also mails out monthly newsletters with scheduled lectures and other creation science information.

"We at ICR are trained as scientists, not theologians," Gish pointed out. "But we are a Christian organization, and we are convinced by our study of the scientific evidence that things did not come about by evolution--that God created the universe and each basic type of plant and animal."

When ICR scientists lecture or debate at secular universities, they do not refer to the Bible. They describe the scientific evidence that points to a Creator.

"We believe that the universe could not have created itself naturally and that the fossil records show incompatible evidence for the theory of evolution but does support the creation theory. In many other fields of science, the evidence for design and purpose--even in bacterium--points to a creator. There had to be an outside agent to create the universe. In fact, the entire weight of science points to a creator."

Gish explained some flaws in The Big Bang theory, which states that the universe began with an explosion that made hydrogen and helium gas which later formed everything we see around us--from viruses to zebras.

"The Second Law of Thermodynamics says that could never happen," Gish exclaimed, "because such an isolated system will never become more complex or highly ordered. Instead, it will inevitably run down, becoming less organized and less complex."

Gish's favorite Bible verses are 1 Corinthians 1:18-20:

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the wise?"

One of Gish's most memorable debates was at Liberty University in Virginia. Several thousand people were in the audience, and the media was covering the event. He debated a professor from The University of California at San Diego. After the debate, the professor said, "How am I going home to face my wife?' and the front page of "The Washington Post" carried that headline the next day. Another time, an atheistic anthropology professor debated Gish. She left the debate believing in God her creator, and later she became a Christian.

Romans Chapter One says "For since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made."

"That's what we creation scientists do," Gish enthused. "We describe things that God has made."

You can reach Dr. Duane Gish at the Institute for Creation Research at (619) 448-0900 or www.icr.org.

On Saturday evening, December 27, the Mountain Chai Jewish Society celebrated Hanukkah together at the mountain's lake club. A dedicated group braved the cold and icy night to gather in a warm room and say traditional Hebrew prayers, light Menorahs, sing, dance, exchange presents, and eat delicious food prepared by Liza and Brian Cohen.

My family and I were made welcome and greeted at the door with Hanukkah handouts, crossword puzzles, and tips for celebrating the winter holiday.

"Hanukkah" is the Hebrew word for "dedication." In 164 B.C., the Syrian army invaded Israel, desecrated the Temple, and threatened the Jewish way of life. Some brave Jewish warriors called Maccabees (Hebrew for "Hammers") won a victory over the invaders and rededicated the Temple.

The Maccabees wanted to light the Temple Menorah (candelabrum), but they found enough pure oil for only one day. A miracle made the oil burn for eight days until new oil could be prepared. That is why Jews around the world celebrate The Festival of Lights.

The entire family gathers for this event, with the Menorah in a central location. The Menorah should have 8 candles on the same level and the "shamash" (helper candle) on a higher level. On the first night of Hanukkah, one light is kindled on the right side of the Menorah. Each night another candle is lit until all 8 are burning bright.

Here is a traditional prayer that all may recite before lighting the candles:

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah light."

In Hebrew, the prayer sounds like this: "Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-tav Vee-tzi-va-nu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah."

After the candle lighting, the entire family celebrates together. Children are given small gifts like coins or candies. Games are played, like one that uses the "dreidel," a four-sided top. Each side is marked with a Hebrew letter. Children take turns spinning the dreidel to win coins and candy.

Dreidels and Menorahs adorned the Burnt Mill Beach Club, and each table was decorated with chocolates wrapped like gold coins. Brian Cohen led in prayers and songs, and he and Liza lit the Menorahs together. Then everyone lined up for the buffet-style meal which was highlighted by "latkes," the Yiddish word for potato pancakes. Hot coffee and wine abounded, with juice for the children. Silent auction items, such as a stained glass Star of David and a photo of Jerusalem, were laid out on tables for people to bid on throughout the evening. Young Jessica and Steven Silvers announced lucky raffle ticket winners and awarded prizes.

After dinner, Brian led the children (and brave adults) in Hebrew dancing. Toward the end of the evening, I interviewed people about what Hanukkah really means.

"Hanukkah is an important holiday in Jewish history because it shows how we fought for our freedom," Brian Cohen declared.

"Hanukkah means memories of when I was a child in a New York city apartment," Roberta Rindenow mused. "My mother was always afraid of starting a fire, so we had an electric Menorah. We would screw in the little gold light bulbs to make them go on."

"What I really love about Hanukkah is the fact that it is so family- oriented," said Jody Fainberg. "And there is a sense of community when we all get together like this. It teaches the kids a level of devotion that I find very heartwarming."

Leslie Becker stated, "Hanukkah means celebration, family, fun, songs, and music."

"Hanukkah means life and giving to others," Stuart Korsen revealed.

The children had some good things to say, too.

Madison Solgan, a cute boy of 7, announced, "Hanukkah means about family, friends, cousins, uncles, and aunts. And kids too. We light Menorahs and open presents. We eat latkes and say prayers."

Then Madison proceeded to say the Hanukkah prayer in Hebrew.

"I've never been in a newspaper before," he added excitedly.

"Happy Hanukkah!" exclaimed 12-year-old Sarah Fainberg. "And have a perfect New Year!" She paused for a moment and added, "Hanukkah means, to me, a time for family to get together and have a fun time."

The evening ended with warm farewells as people ventured out into the cold. The Menorah candles had burned out but were held in joyful hearts. And I got "Grandma Yetta's Recipe for Potato Pancakes."

Mountain Chai Jewish Society was founded 3 years ago to bring Jewish observances and education to the community. This includes religious services and teaching--as well as social gatherings.

The Mountain Jewish Community (MJC) began in 1985 as a nonprofit group of full and part-time residents who wanted to share their Jewish heritage, have fun together, and support the community. Many of the members are involved in their own synagogues down in the valleys, so when they come up for weekends, they want to socialize and raise money for worthy causes--in a fun way. They meet monthly in members' homes and other locations. They also celebrate the major Jewish holidays, and fun turns to reverence for such events as their recent Passover seder.

About 60 people gathered in a member's home, from grandchildren to grandparents. Tables were spread out with the traditional seder plates, wine cups, and candles--in a beautiful upstairs room that overlooked our mountain lake. Victor Cohn led the seder (a meal meant to be celebrated in the home), reading from a Haggadah book that was distributed to each guest.

The Haggadah tells the story of God sending Moses to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt nearly 3000 years ago. Each traditional item on the seder plate represents a part of that Passover story, from the bitter herbs of slavery to the lamb shank of the sacrificial lamb whose blood was spread on the door posts to keep the Angel of Death from striking the first-born child (the angel would see the blood and pass over). Victor explained a new addition to the seder plate--an orange slice that symbolizes the importance of women in the Passover story and in Judaism through the ages.

Throughout the meal four special cups of wine were drunk, with one silver goblet set aside for the prophet Elijah. The children asked the Four Questions (such as "Why is this night different from all other nights?"), and Victor Cohn read a humorous section from the Haggadah that discussed four types of children--the wise, the wicked, the innocent, and the child unable to inquire. Hebrew prayers were said, the melodious words filling the room like the aroma of sweet wine.

A full dinner was enjoyed by the people in between the ceremonial aspects of the seder.

"This was a group effort," Sunshine Chairwoman Gloria Elroy explained during dessert (for which she made chocolate-covered strawberries). "We all help to prepare the meal, set the tables, and clean up. I remember growing up in Los Angeles. The seder was always a family affair, with my parents, brothers, sisters, and cousins. Anybody who didn't have a place to go for Passover came to my house." She paused and smiled, "My job in MJC is the Sunshine Chairwoman. I send get-well cards and greet people who come to our functions." Gloria is a local Avon lady who generously shares samples, recipes, and health advice, so she is perfect for the volunteer position.

Susan Cohn, an accomplished artist, told about her recent experiences in Israel (the slide show she and her husband made about the trip was featured at a recent MJC meeting).

"I was in Jerusalem last fall, during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. It was amazing to see 6000 Jews march peacefully through the city, and there was no trouble--not even near the crowded mosque. I saw Jews and Muslims working together, living peacefully next to each other--something that the media does not usually report."

After the meal, some of the MJC board members discussed their support of community causes like Mountains Community Hospital, the library, Operation Provider, the Soroptimists, Meals on Wheels, and Rebuilding Hearts and Lives (for the Old Fire survivors).

"Ninety-five percent of the dues we collect from members goes back to the community," Bob Fluhr, former President, explained. "With the other five percent going toward postage or events like this. We are a very congenial, informal group. None of us gets paid to be on the board (we have six voting board members and one honorary position). We are an older group, so our activities are geared to 'empty nesters.' We use the democratic method to see what type of events our members want to get involved in--everything from a joke contest night, to a wine tasting night, to a Gershwin Music Night, to a boating excursion, to a Dinner Dance at the Country Club. We raise money for charity at all our events. We also like to just gather at a member's house for coffee and conversation."

"And if someone wants to be a member and cannot pay, we waive the costs," Mike Friedenberg, currently President of MJC, added. "We are not a large group. We value each other's friendship and enjoy helping the community. I am also very involved in Temple beth David in Temple City." Mike has been coming up to his mountain home nearly every weekend since the 1980s.

This spring MJC is offering a scholarship to any graduating Rim High student who writes a community service essay (see the school for more details). The next MJC event is a Bagel and Lox brunch and White Elephant Auction where they will present a check to the scholarship winner.

The other Jewish group on the mountain is called Mountain Chai and serves a younger, more family-oriented group. Mountain Chai focuses on teaching and often invites up a rabbi to lead religious holidays for the largely full-time families that make up its membership.

"We are two different groups that have different philosophies and serve different functions," Fluhr explained. "But we both believe in the same God, morals, and traditions."

"There are three basic groups of Jews," Friedenberg added. "The Orthodox, the Conservative, and the Reformed. We would consider ourselves Reformed. A lot of us feel that, as our families came out of the insanity that was the Second World War, that we basically want to be left alone to live our lives and to participate as citizens in our community. We celebrate life. God tells us in the Torah to be 'a voice among the nations.' Our members have a love for the mountains and want to give back."

The philanthropic aspect of MJC comes from their Jewish heritage. As children, Jews are encouraged to share with the poor and even have a special blue box for putting their loose change in.

"It's like Passover. We have a heritage that dates back to Moses and the hardship that the Jews went through as slaves," Fluhr stated. "So we want to share with those who are suffering, Jewish or not."

Upcoming events are:
Sunday, May 30--Annual General Meeting and Brunch
June--Chocolate Bingo

On Wednesday, January 14 a group of people from Operation Provider held a party for Brent Larsen, one of their faithful volunteers, at Brent's home in Pinon Hills. The group brought sandwiches, veggies, cake, music, and joy.

Holland Lowe, Director of Operation Provider, decided to organize this party because for the past year Brent has cheerfully and selflessly helped others while waging his own quiet war with terminal cancer.

"I believe that we should celebrate life," Holland declared. "Brent has given us all so very much. He's always smiling and positive. We are letting him know how much we appreciate him. We want to give that to someone who is facing the inevitable. That's what the Lord would want us to do. To celebrate a life, you party. He gets to celebrate with us."

"It's a wonderful thing to celebrate his life," declared Blaine VanderSchuit, lead guitarist for the Operation Provider band (which leads worship there once or twice a week). "His faith and hope in the midst of cancer have been amazing. I made sure to get here today. Nothing could stop me!"

Robert Moss, acoustic guitarist for the band with which Brent so much enjoys to worship, added, "Brent is a wonderful, godly man--a man of prayer. I admire him and his cheerful attitude. Brent always enjoyed playing drums with us, singing along, and helping us set up. I appreciate that."

Tami Merry, owner of Silver Platter Catering and a volunteer at Operation Provider, admitted, "I've known Brent for just a couple of months, and I wish I had met him earlier. I thank the Lord for putting him in my life. I didn't even know he was sick until someone said he was going away to get some treatment."

Her three-year-old daughter Aine was at the party, too, and cuddled up with Brent when she got a chance.

Wenona Ritter, Holland's Assistant, stated, "There's a reason Brent touched our lives. His disposition is amazing, he has a huge heart, and he's intelligent and funny. I hope he gets a lot of support from us."

The band led everyone in the song:

"Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love.
My refuge, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength,
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down, and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands;
forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You."

Brent sat on his favorite spot on his sofa, lifted his hands, and enthusiastically joined in. One could not tell by looking at him that he wore a morphine patch for the pain of colon cancer he discovered two years ago, that has spread to his lungs. Pure joy shone from Brent's fair face as his blue eyes seemed to be glimpsing Heaven. Beside him, his wife Franki joined in as the party members gathered around the sofa to sing.
Brent grew up in coastal Oregon with his parents and 5 brothers and sisters. He joined the Air Force after high school and ended up at Edwards Air Force Base in the California desert. He got to travel all over the world and retired after 24 years in telecommunications. An avid chess player, Brent bought a Carrera Marble chess set while in Italy. He also spent time in England, Spain, and Bosnia. His most memorable assignment was in northern Saudi Arabia, on the border of Iraq during Desert Shield in 1991.

"I called my son up at 3 in the morning the day the war broke out and said, 'this doesn't mean anything to you right now, but tomorrow morning you will think about this.'"

He spent 6 months in the war zone, supporting the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, whose F-15 planes took off from the airstrip and were immediately in Iraqi airspace.

"We lived in tents in the desert. I would watch the air drops on scope. We worked with computer communication technology. I still like computers, especially powerpoint presentations and graphic arts.
Brent met Franki, his wife of 8 years, at Edwards Air Force base. They both had children from previous marriages.

"My daughter Regina is 23, and my son David is 24," he said. "Regina has a degree in aeronautical engineering and works in the Control Center at Edwards Air Force Base. She monitors test pilots while they are flying. David is a computer engineer at the University of Redlands and does medical software development."

Franki grew up as a Georgia farmer's daughter with 5 brothers and sisters. Her mother was a Sunday School teacher. When Franki was 12, she played the piano for her local church and has been involved with worship ever since. She married an Air Force enlistee and had 2 boys, Andrew (23) and Kyle (21), computer whizes who still live at home. While stationed in the Philippines, Franki adopted a baby girl. The little girl, Amanda, had asthma and would likely not have lived long in her native country, where she could not easily get health care. Franki and her first husband got to explore remote places like The Hundred Islands, staying in grass huts with the villagers.

"Every time you see Brent, he is smiling," Franki confided. "He is a sweetheart. We go to Calvary Chapel in Phelan, which supports a lot of missionaries around the world." Franki has been an Accountant at Edwards Air Force Base for 18 years. Franki loves to read Science Fiction and Fantasy and write short stories. Her favorite Bible verse is "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10).

"When I was at Operation Provider, I was able to serve as a Chaplain," Brent confided between songs. "If someone came in with a prayer request or wanted to talk or get counseling, I would bring my Bible and listen. I love to pray with people. My favorite Bible section is Psalm 27, 'the Lord is my light and my salvation; the Lord is the strength of my life.' It goes on to say, 'this one thing I know . . .' One thing matters in life, and that is knowing God. I was raised in a Christian home, but I got close to the Lord while I was in Desert Storm. I got close to brothers, and we became accountable to each other. I never had friends like that before. We would pray for each other, read the Bible together, and go to Chapel in a tent."

This time, the party came to Brent, and everyone went away wondering who really received the blessing.

In a letter to the First-Century Greek church of Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote about differing gifts that God bestows on people so that they can help one another. Paul ends with the statement: "Earnestly desire the best gifts. But now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). Then comes one of the best-loved parts of the Bible, The Love Chapter. After listing the attributes of love, 1 Corinthians 13 ends with this famous verse: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Those key verses make the foundation for The Most Excellent Way, a Christian Dependency Support Group that began in Southern California 20 years ago and now is a worldwide ministry with more than 100 churches, rescue missions, rehab facilities, and jails conducting meetings in the United States and abroad.

The mountain chapter meets locally every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., in a building that becomes a safe haven for people to gather together, share their deepest struggles, and experience love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

I was invited to attend last week, and I must say how impressed I was by the nonjudgmental love of these people. About 15 to 20 men and women of all ages and backgrounds relax together over free coffee, water, and snacks until a leader calls the meeting to order with a prayer. Then someone reads the Opening Statement:

***The Most Excellent Way is a personal relationship with Jesus.

***"We utilize Scriptural principles to overcome the guilt, frustration, hopelessness, fear, and shame associated with addictive behavior.

***We believe a person can be totally set free from addiction and compulsive behavior only by the power of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ.

***We strive to gain a better understanding of the destructive nature of addiction and compulsive behavior.

***We treat one another with respect and Christian love.

After the Opening Statement, members take turns volunteering to read other short inspirational statements. Some are poetic:

"Once my friend, it became my enemy.
Alcohol gave me wings to fly . . .
Then took away my sky."

And some are humorous:

"A friend of mine said that alcohol is a great stain remover for clothes. That is true. If used in sufficient quantities, it will also remove clothes from a man, his wife, and his children. It will remove furniture from a home, rugs from the floor, food from the table, lining from the stomach, vision from the eyes, and judgment from the mind. It will remove family, friends, happiness, sanity, and even life itself. As a remover of things, alcohol has no equal."

The group then discusses the importance of Attitude. They take Ten Steps from the "Beatitudes" section of Matthew Chapter 5 (also known as The Sermon on the Mount). Each verse illustrates such important attitudes as humility, repentance, submission, honesty, mercy, obedience, reconciliation, faith, perseverance, and loving service.

After the readings comes a time for personal sharing, and people take turns discussing their week, what struggles they are facing, and prayer requests (one may "pass" if not in the mood to talk). As each person states his name, a chorus of "welcomes" are given by the other members. Sometimes a Guest Speaker will share his or her own personal experience or ideas for dealing with dependency. After the testimonials, the group stands and holds hands for the closing prayer, when anyone who feels like praying can do so. There is a relaxed time of fellowship and more refreshments for those who wish to stay longer.

There is no official membership required for The Most Excellent Way, and one is not expected to attend every meeting (unless one wants to). Whatever is shared with the group stays in the confines of the room, for the participants respect and honor one another's private information. If one wishes to be held accountable or reach out for personal help, other people are just a phone call away during the week. The group also meets for special occasions and to perform community service.

Obvious addictions are to alcohol or drugs. But one can be dependent on just about anything, from food to caffeine to nicotine to rage. You don't have to be personally struggling with a past or present addiction; you might be the child, spouse, friend, or parent of someone dealing with this issue. Addiction affects not only the dependent person, but also his or her family, coworkers, and friends.

And aren't we all obsessed with something? It seems that new support groups are springing up every day, dealing with such issues as gambling, excessive shopping, or even too much computer use (I'm in trouble there!).

So if you are looking for help from a group of people who won't give up on you and who are ready to share God's life-changing love, come to The Most Excellent Way on a Thursday night at 7:00.
For more information visit The Most Excellent Way Website.