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Jul 28th, 2010Who are you? : The Sarcastic Wrath of God, Man and Demons in the Word.

Mel Brooks once said, “If I stub my toe, its tragedy, but if you fall off a cliff and die, it’s comedy.” Pain and anger frequently cause us to laugh…especially when it involves someone else. In the movie “Anger Management,” Jack Nicholson plays an eccentric psychologist: an anger management therapist. As Dr. Buddy Rydell states to Adam Sandler (Dave Buznick):

“Dave, there are two kinds of angry people in this world: explosive and implosive. Explosive, which is the most common, is the type of individual you see screaming at a grocery store cashier for not taking his coupon. Implosive, the least common, is the cashier at the store who remains quiet at his job day after day until he then finally loses it and just shoots everyone in the store. You're the cashier.”

“No, no, no. I'm the guy in the frozen food section dialing 911. I swear.”

“Sarcasm is anger's ugly cousin... from now on, unacceptable.”

Sarcasm, which has been indulged to excess, almost always produces a violent reaction. We, as his witness to abuse, share Sandler’s frustration…anger…rage!

John Morreall has suggested in his useful volume “The Philosophy of Laughter and Humour” that philosophers have managed to come up with two kinds of explanation for how humor is produced. These are what Morreall calls the “Superiority Theory” and the “Incongruity Theory.”

Primary to the superiority theory is sarcasm. Jerry Seinfeld commented in his show “I can't go to a bad movie by myself. What, am I gonna make sarcastic remarks to strangers?" (Jerry in the episode The Chinese Restaurant ).

The pain of a bad movie is justified by the pleasure of mocking it! The bottom line is that humor has the ability to make people laugh, smile or chuckle, at least inwardly. Perhaps it does the same for God?

The idea that even God laughs is mentioned several times in Psalms. In Psalm (2:4), the Psalmist says: "He who sits in heaven will laugh, the Lord will mock them." In Psalm (37:13): "My Lord laughs at him for He sees that his day is coming." In Psalm (59:9): "But as for You, God, You laugh at them; You mock all nations."

These verses all indicate that one day the Lord will laugh at evildoers. Of course, the type of laughter described here is not a happy, fun-loving laugh, but a sarcastic, derisive one. The Psalmist is describing a contemptuous, sardonic laugh aimed at the wicked who do not realize the futility of their plots if God does not approve. God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. I prefer dark comedy and black humor in my movies. However, in real-world tragedies, there’s little to laugh at. But the poet Horace captured what I like in entertainment in one of my favorite quotes: “A jest often decides matters of importance more effectually and happily than seriousness.”

So it is in the word of God. For instance, in Mark 3:17, James and John (the Disciples of Christ) are called Boanerges, which is “sons of thunder.” This Hebrew nickname is given only by Mark and the reason for it is not clear. A clue lies in Mark 10:35-41: “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

"We can," they answered.

Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared." When the 10 heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.” One can only imagine that “thunder” in this context is sarcasm that Mark alone has chosen to recall to mock the audacity of these two ambitious, if not sacriligeous, pretenders to the throne. Imagine thinking that they are worthy to share Christ’s fate!

Another, personal favorite, involves the wrath of some malicious if not sarcastic demons. In Acts 19:13-19 (NIV) Luke exposes the folly of foolish non-believers. “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” It is as if the demons knew the theology of Christ’s station to be the Son of God and Messiah and own the power he has of dispossessing spirits, of which there were many instances in the days of his incarnation: and to be a servant of the Most High God, by whom miracles of this kind have been wrought. The sons of Sceva are not the disciples of Jesus, nor the servants of God, but the children of the devil, and have no power over the demons, but on the other hand are subject to them!

The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused. Will you be the cashier about to explode, or the guy in the frozen food section dialing 911? God’s example leads us to consider the absurdity of man’s predicament: therefore laugh!

Roy

SANDALS CHURCH BLOGGER

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Jul 23rd, 2010Foster Family Picnic

Volunteer Opportunities

We'd like to invite everyone who has a heart for foster children to volunteer to assist at a picnic to celebrate and honor foster and adoptive families in our community. We need volunteers to assist with the following:

Barbers/Hairstylists to provide free haircuts for foster children

Nurse/EMT to work First Aid tent

Massage Therapists to provide free massage to parents

Shadows to hang out with 2 foster children during this event

There will be 150 foster children and 50 families in attendance at the picnic. This event will give our community the opportunity to support these families as they seek to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. In order to make this picnic a truly successful event, we need your help. For information, or to sign-up, please contact Jenni Fritch by email at jenfritch@yahoo.com.

The picnic will be held on Sat., Aug., 21. The event is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., but volunteers should arrive at 3 p.m. for a short volunteer orientation and will not want to miss the volunteer appreciation time after the picnic! The event will be hosted at Immanuel Lutheran Church 5545 Alessandro Boulevard Riverside, CA.

Also, we are in need of batting to complete quilts to be handed out to foster children at the picnic. For more information about donations or making quilts, please contact Elise Beck at e_beck@hotmail.com.

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Jul 21st, 2010Ryan's Artism Presents: Autism Awareness Fundraiser

Did You Know?

1. 1 in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

2. 1 in every 7 of those are boys.

3. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism.

Who is the Gomez Family?

The Gomez family is one of the oldest families who have attended Sandals church. Their daughter was the second child to attend Sandals. Their son, Ryan, was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old.

Autism is a neurological disorder with different “speeds.” Some children are very advanced while others have a harder time showing emotion, dealing with social situations and may have learning disabilities. Ryan is more advanced but he does suffer from social challenges.

Amanda Gomez stated that Ryan’s attendance at church has been a “learning process.” The family had to learn what would “set him off,” such as babies crying. Eventually Ryan received a Shadow. This Shadow was Dawn Spencer. She would follow Ryan and help him by anticipating problems and helping him to avoid disruptive behavior.

Ryan is now at Pipeline with his peers and a new Shadow named Carina Gilbert. He still struggles with loud music but the family is happy that he has a place he can go to learn about God and worhsip.

Ryan is also an artist. You can learn more about him and autism by visiting the website:http://www.ryansartism.com/.

What About a Fundraiser?

On Thursday July 22, Ryan’s Artism is presenting a Fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A in order to raise awareness for autism. The Chick-Fil-A is located in 3555 Grand Oaks Corona and 20 percent of the proceeds will go to http://www.autismspeaks.org/,which is a national group who is dedicated to raising awareness for Austim as well as finding a cure.

One of the Gomez families’ goals through this fundraiser is to reach out to other families with autistic children through their testimony, as parents and as a family. They want to let people know that Sandals Church will not discriminate because their child has autism. Instead, they want to raise awareness that Sandals has resources that will help them. At this moment there are at least four children at Sandals Church who have autism.

Ricardo Gomez stated, “One of the hardest things for us was was understanding why? Why God brought a kid with autism into our lives. I want people who are just learning about autism to feel like they have resources and want these people to feel welcome at service.”

There are many people out there with autistic children. The Gomez’s believe that there are people out there who don’t bring their children to church because they have autism. But Sandals is a place that welcomes these children and provides them a place to worship and learn about God.

So?

So come out Thursday to help support this cause. It is a great way to build community, raise awareness, raise money and get something good to eat.

Also check out Ryan’s Artism website.

Special Thanks to Ricardo and Amanda Gomez for their dedication and passion to this cause.

Open publication - Free publishing - More sandals church

[Click the link for a PDF of the flyer.]

Jenna Dodson

SANDALS CHURCH BLOGGER

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Jul 20th, 2010Who? Lee de Leon, Men's Outreach Ministry

How long have you been attending Sandals?

Well, I was invited by my mom and sister in 2005. I went and it was way different than what I was used to. I attended for awhile but I was still under the influence so my visit was short. I went to prison at the end of 2005 and paroled in September 2006 and have been here since.

What brought you to Sandals?
Before I paroled, my sister made contact with the guys of 777. God used them to be the community of support I needed to stay on the straight and narrow. But what really brought me here were the prayers of my mom and sister and so many others that I have the privilege of serving alongside who have said they were praying for me.

Family?
Wow! Well I am a pastor’s kid. I grew up in church, about 90 percent of my dad’s side of the family is involved in church in one way or another. I have nine kids, two are by marriage, so I have a total of eight girls and one boy. I know five of my girls are saved, I wish they were more devoted, but they will be. I’m praying for the others. My wife, Sena, is my support. She’s the reason why I can continue to serve in the capacity that I can.

What is your life like right now?
My life right now is in the world’s opinion-not going well, but I have been promised that I will have troubles. In James, it says that in times of trouble it produces endurance. My family and I are in excellent health and we have a roof over our head and food in the fridge. “Praise God cause He is good all the time.”

What is your position at Sandals and what lead you there?
Well my official positions are Small Group Minister and Outreach Minister for Men’s Ministries. As far as what has lead me here is as it says in the Bible, “Study to show yourself approved.” Well of course I didn’t just go into minister duty, I started as a co-leader in one of the 777 small groups. I stayed there until God said it was time to lead and so on. My dream one day is full-time ministry or if not full-time, at least where the joy of serving is overflowing. Not that it’s not, but when you get a taste, you just want more.

Are you involved in any ministries? Which ones?
Yes of course the obvious one is Men’s Ministries-within this one, I’m in charge of creating and developing outreach ministries for our men. I also had the privilege of creating and developing Outreach Ministries for our men. I also had the privilege of being on the developing the ministry at MFI which is getting ready to blossom into way more than any of us ever expected. My sister, Rachel Heiser, is now overseeing it, and she is doing a top-notch, quality, blessed job.

Are you involved in a small group?
I am involved in the groups I oversee which is currently four. Also, personally, I am participating in the Men’s Crown Financial Studies Group which will be coming to a conclusion at the end of August.

What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why?
My favorite book is Isaiah. Man, he rocks! My favorite chapter is 58, the second half is all about outreach and meeting the needs of this broken world. In so many of his chapters, he just says is the way it has to be said, “straight out and to the point.”

What would you like Sandals to know about you?
Well just like any of you, I fall short. I’m not just broken, I’m shattered. Jesus is my glue that keeps me together. I am a man with a past that only the devil can be proud of, but my present and my future is what my Jesus is proud of. He promises us in Philippians 4:13, “We can do everything through Him who gives us strength.” I underline everything because that means I have no limit to what he can use me wherever, whenever, however I am. Who I am only because He has allowed it. Always remember, “Let go and let God.”

As a husband, what advice can you offer to other men?
Always say you’re sorry even when it’s not your fault. Always seek good counsel about everything from people who tell you what you don’t want to hear. (Seek honesty). And always putting God first never fails.

Tawny Burgess
SANDALS CHURCH BLOGGER

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Viewing 10 Most Recent Blogs

Jul 28th, 2010Who are you? : The Sarcastic Wrath of God, Man and Demons in the Word.
Jul 23rd, 2010Foster Family Picnic
Jul 21st, 2010Ryan's Artism Presents: Autism Awareness Fundraiser
Jul 20th, 2010Who? Lee de Leon, Men's Outreach Ministry
Jul 19th, 2010Transmission 75
Jul 16th, 2010Belgium Team Returns Home, Prayer Walks Project
Jul 14th, 2010What does the cross mean to you?
Jul 12th, 2010'Captivating' the Woman's Heart; Review on 'Captivating' by John and Stasi
Jul 12th, 2010FAVOR of GOD Events
Jul 8th, 2010Review: 'Wild at Heart' by John Eldredge

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