Tag Archives: Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar

Home Sweet Home

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife and I bought our first house in Arizona in 1975.  It was a brand new tract home on the west side of Tucson with about 1,200 square feet under the roof.  We were thrilled.

I had finished graduate school without any debt.  But, we also didn’t have any money.  My starting salary at our first church was $1,000 a month, so buying a house was a big step of faith.

When I asked one of the church leaders if he thought we should try to buy a house, he thought it was a good idea but added, “I worry about those monthly payments”.  The principle, interest, taxes and insurance were just under $300 a month!

Where would we get the money for a down payment?  I think we needed about $1,200 down to buy the house.  The realtor suggested that we look into my wife’s school retirement fund.  She had taught school for two years in Dallas, Texas, while I was in graduate school. We discovered that she had about $1,000 in her retirement account that we could use. Both of our parents and my grandmother gave us some money, and we were able to make the down payment and become home owners.

When you buy a new home, you discover that you lack just about everything you need to get started.  We didn’t own a rake or shovel or garden hose.  We did not own a washing machine or dryer.  But, we were excited to have a house.

The washing machine was a top priority since we had an 8-month old child in diapers. In those days, parents still used real cloth diapers. Since we didn’t have the money to buy a dryer, we discovered that a clothes line worked just fine in the dry Arizona climate.

The landscaping provided by the builder included five one-gallon plants, two five-gallon plants and gravel to cover the front yard.  It wasn’t much, but we were thrilled to have a house.

During the 13 years that we lived in Tucson, we added three more children to our family.  We also built two room additions to the house.  First, we added a large family room to the back of the house.  Later, we added a new master bedroom and bath to the side of the house.  As our family grew, our house grew, too.

During the whole home buying process, we saw God provide in some remarkable ways.  We had no idea how we could afford a house or how we would find the money to make the down payment.

We also saw God provide money for a back yard fence through a tax rebate program for first-time home buyers.  A used clothes dryer was provided by some friends who were replacing their old one.  Later, a dish washer was provided through someone who was remodeling their kitchen.

There is a wonderful verse in the Bible that says, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:19). We have seen this principle to be true many times in our married lives, and especially when we bought our first home!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Run Forrest Run

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

I don’t remember the words to a lot of songs.  The tunes may be familiar, but I don’t remember all of the lyrics.  But, I do tend to remember words and phrases from movies.  Many of these memorable phrases are often quoted in other movies in the entertainment world.

For example, in one of the Indiana Jones movies when someone asked Indy what he was going to do next, he replied, “I don’t know. I’m making it up as I go.”  And, when he was being questioned by some FBI agents about what the Ark of the Covenant was, Indy asked them, “Didn’t any of you ever go to Sunday School?”

In the movie, Apollo Thirteen, when the spacecraft is damaged by an explosion, one of the astronauts speaks the famous words, “Houston, we have a problem.”  In the movie, Forrest Gump, you hear the famous phrase repeated several times, “Run, Forrest, run!”

I know that millions of people watched the Super Bowl recently.  It was an exciting football game as each team made some mistakes and each team made some amazing plays.  But, in case you may be one of the few people in our country who did not watch the game, let me explain how it ended.

The Seattle Seahawks drove the football deep into the New England Patriot’s end of the field.  The Seahawks were trailing, but a touchdown would put them ahead and assure them of another Super Bowl title.

With the ball on the one-yard line and only 30 seconds on the clock, Seattle did the unthinkable.  Instead of running the football into the end zone, they surprised everyone by throwing a short pass.

If the pass was caught, Seattle would likely score and win the game.  But, the pass was intercepted by New England and Seattle lost the game.  Everyone was stunned.  Everyone thought Seattle would run the ball into the end zone and win the game. Instead, Seattle lost and New England won.  It was one of the most unexpected endings in Super Bowl history.

Later, as I reflected on the unexpected outcome, I remembered the famous phrase from the movie, Forrest Gump, “Run, Forrest, run!”

I don’t know if the Seattle coach watches many old movies, but he might want to watch Forrest Gump again.  If Seattle had only run the ball, they would probably be the Super Bowl champions. Instead, they elected to pass the ball, which was intercepted, and New England is the 2015 Super Bowl champion!

Someone may want to send a copy of the movie, Forrest Gump, to the Seattle coach and remind him that next time his team is on the goal line, they should, “Run, Forrest, run!”

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Water Damage

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

We have lived in our home in Diamond Bar for over 25 years.  About ten years ago, we had a slab leak under the floor of our kitchen.

We hired a company to find out where the water line was leaking.  Their technician had some pretty impressive equipment that was able to locate it quickly.  Instead of tearing up the floor, I was able to re-route a new water line from the hot water heater up through the attic and down inside a wall.

Recently, we had two neighbors who had slab leaks under their floor. The leaks occurred within a month of each other.  The houses were on the same street with the same floor plan and the leaks were in the exact same location in each house – in the family room near the kitchen.

I was not here when our homes were built in the early 1980s.  I know it was common at that time to run the water lines under the concrete slab.  The kitchen, bath rooms, and laundry water supplies were stubbed up through the floor in different parts of the house.

I don’t know what the quality of the copper was at that time.  Maybe the home builder used an inferior or cheaper copper pipe.  Maybe the copper water pipe just deteriorated over time.  But I think it is reasonable to expect vital materials, like the water lines, should last longer.

Another factor could be the frequent movement of our ground due to earthquakes.  We have had a couple of good ones over the past few years.  There was a very strong jolt last spring in Diamond Bar.  Could it be that the shifting of the soil put stress on the pipes causing a leak?

We all know that water is a vital resource.  We need water to live.  We need water to drink, wash and bathe.  We need water for our lawns and shrubs.  We need water to flush the toilets and wash our clothes.  Water is pretty important.

It is interesting that water can be both helpful and harmful.  Water can help us cook and clean, but it can also ruin the carpet or cause someone to drown.  When water is under control, it is useful.  When it is out of control it can be harmful and even fatal.

Let me encourage you to give thanks for the water we enjoy. Be wise in how you use it and careful not to waste it.   Be grateful for all the people who supply it to our homes and communities.  And, keep your eye out for a slab leak if you own a home in Diamond Bar!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

What Color Is Your Car?

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have heard people say that you can learn a lot about a person by the color of their car.

People with flashy red or bright yellow cars are probably seeking the attention of others.  This may be true.  I read somewhere that people who get the most traffic tickets are people who drive red cars and trucks.

I have also heard that people who desire less attention drive cars that blend in, like gray, silver or tan.  We have a gray car and a silver car.  So that must tell you something about my personality!

As I looked around our neighborhood, I noticed that one neighbor had only white vehicles parked in their driveway.  Every car and truck in their family was white.  Maybe this reflects the unity in their family?  However, I think I did notice a darker color recently.  Maybe more diversity is emerging at their house.

It is also surprising how many dark colored cars there are in our neighborhood.  One member of our family has a black Honda Accord.  Another neighbor has a black pickup truck.  Maybe the darker colors look more expensive and luxurious.

A few years ago, a hot topic in the news was the question, “What kind of car would Jesus drive?” This generated a lot of discussion and controversy.  My answer was that Jesus would probably drive a large passenger van so He could help bring people to church!

Maybe we can start a new discussion by asking, “What color car would Jesus drive?”  I’ll let you ponder this deep question.  I don’t know for sure, but I do know that the two passenger vans at our church are dark green.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart,” (I Samuel 16:7).  Maybe we should not give as much attention to the color of the cars our neighbors are driving.  Maybe we should focus on what is “under the hood”.

Let’s do the same with the people we meet each day.  Don’t focus on their hairstyle or the clothes they wear.  We should focus on their heart and realize that each person we meet is precious and valuable in God’s sight.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

The Annual Survey

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Every January, we do a simple survey at our church.  We have found this survey to be helpful as we evaluate how our church is doing and what we may need to change in the future.

Every year we ask the same three questions. First, we ask each family or individual, “How long have you been coming to our church?” The answers range from a few months to over 30 years!  One thing this helps us learn is how many new people have become regular attendees during the past year. In addition, it helps us see how many other people remain a part of our church year after year.

The second question we ask is, “How did you find our church”?  The answer to this question helps us understand what or who introduced new people to our church.  The answers are not surprising.  Some say they found our church by driving by.  Younger adults found our church on the Internet.  But the vast majority of people say that they found our church through the invitation of a friend or family member.

We use the phrase that “God uses people to bring other people to Himself”.  There is a passage in the New Testament in Second Corinthians 5:17-21 that says, “We are His Ambassadors”.  God’s plan is to use people to tell other people about Him.  Inviting a friend, neighbor, classmate or co-worker to church is one of the best ways to introduce them to God.

Newspaper advertisements and programs on the radio may attract some people, but the best advertising is word of mouth.   When people hear about a new restaurant or a new clothing store from a friend, they are more likely to try it for themselves.  We have learned that people are more likely to visit church when they are invited by a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.

The third question we ask in our annual survey is, “Share some things you like about our church”.  The answers to this question help us understand why people stay at our church.  Although we get a lot of different answers to this question like kids programs, worship services, good looking pastor, etc., the most frequent reply is that they found our church to be friendly and they made significant friendships with others here.

Relationships are the glue that keeps people coming back.  Adults, teens and children who make friends want to keep coming.  On the other hand, we have seen that those who do not make friends tend to not stay or get involved.

Pastor Larry Osborne at the North Coast Evangelical Free Church near San Diego wrote a book titled, “Sticky Church.”  He echoes this same idea.  People are looking for significant relationships.  They tend to stay where they connect with other people.

This principle has led us to give more emphasis to small groups with our teens and adults. We encourage people to find a small group of people in our church who are in a similar stage of life or have similar interests.

I’m sure there are more questions we could ask each year and more things we could learn.  But these three questions have helped us learn – and hopefully improve – some of the ministries and priorities of our church.

As you begin the New Year, let me encourage you to visit a church near you.  Ask a trusted friend or neighbor where they go to church.  Visit a few times and make an effort to get to know others in your stage of life.  Go online and learn about the church’s vision and values.

One word of warning:  You will never find a perfect church.  Every church is filled with imperfect people.  A church is a place to find hope, forgiveness and purpose for living.  Make sure that the church you find believes the Bible and teaches the Bible.  Build your faith on the Bible.

Grow in your faith with other people at a local church in this New Year.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

A Day At The Zoo

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

During our recent Christmas travel, we enjoyed spending a day at the city zoo with our grandkids.

 

This was quite an adventure, and the grandkids loved it.

 

We saw tall giraffes, powerful lions and lots of monkeys.  We saw two huge Rhinos and several formidable Hippos.  They were amazing.

 

There was an entertaining bird show with hawks, parrots and an ostrich.  The hawks dove right toward the audience and flew right over our heads.  We ducked for cover!

 

There was also a sea lion and dolphin show.  These beautiful animals performed some remarkable feats that the audience loved.  Four young children from the audience even had the opportunity to meet and touch the sea lions and dolphins.

 

An aerial tram provided a bird’s eye view of the entire zoo.  It was helpful to see the animal living areas from a different perspective.

 

As we left the zoo, my wife commented on how amazing it is to see the beauty and diversity of God’s creation.  The colors of the birds, the size of the animals and the gracefulness of the sea lions and dolphins were remarkable.

 

In the Old Testament, there is a book called Job.  In Chapters 38 and 39, God asks Job to consider all of the things that He has created.  God uses this as an object lesson to help Job understand that He is far greater and more powerful than we will ever comprehend.

 

God refers to lions and mountain goats, hawks and ostriches, horses and oxen.  All of these are examples of God’s majesty and creativity.

 

The next time you go to the zoo, I hope you will be reminded of the wonderful world that God created for all of us to enjoy!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Christmas In A Foreign Country

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently we traveled across the ocean to spend Christmas with all of our family. Since some of our adult kids live in foreign countries, we flew from Los Angeles to Europe so we could celebrate Christmas with them.

We don’t travel often, but when we take those long ten to 12-hour flights, we are reminded of just how far it is. We typically leave L.A. in the evening and fly through the night to arrive in Europe the next day. And then, there is usually a layover in a foreign airport before we get our connecting flight to our final destination. It often takes 18 to 20 hours.

It is hard for me to sleep sitting up in a narrow seat on a crowded airplane through the middle of the night. Thankfully, the movie selections were good this time, but the meals were some of the worst we have experienced on an international flight.

We arrived at our destination at about 10 p.m. European time and got to our destination an hour later. It was a long trip. The grandkids were already in bed so we tried to sleep and adjust to the eight hour time change. We quickly remembered that jet lag is real.

On most international airlines, you are allowed one check-in bag and one smaller carry-on per person. Since we were going for Christmas, our two large check-in bags were filled to capacity with Christmas presents, and we packed our limited amount of clothes in the two small carry-on bags. Clearly, the presents were the priority!

When we were greeted by our smiling grandkids the next day, we knew that all of the hours of travel and the expenses were worth it. They were thrilled with all of the gifts that we brought and we enjoyed all of the time we shared with them.
This was the first time in three years that we had all of our kids and grandkids together. And, we think it was the first time in a decade that we were all together on Christmas.

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. This was a Christmas that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

An Old Friend – Part II

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife and I have enjoyed the companionship of a loyal friend for many years. Her name was Molly.Our adult children found Molly at the local animal shelter at Christmas time, 15 years ago.  She was huddled and shaking in the corner of a cage with several other dogs.   They brought her home without asking for our permission.  We really didn’t need a dog.  Our kids had moved out and they were either working or in college.  But, they thought we would be lonely.  So they got us a dog.

Molly was about a year old when she entered our lives.  She won our hearts immediately. She continued to enrich our lives for the next 15 years.

We had a daily ritual of taking a 15 to 20 minute walk around our block every morning and every evening.  Rain or shine, summer or winter, we went for our walks.

When grandkids came to our house, Molly was kind and gentle.  She was so excited to see these little people come for a visit, and they were glad to see her, too.

But Molly’s health began to fail over the past 12 months.  She didn’t have the strength to go for walks around the block.  It was a lot of effort for her to just walk out to the mailbox. As her appetite declined, she lost weight and strength.  It was sad to see her struggle to get to her feet.  We knew her days were numbered.

Although she never said a word, she communicated so much through her wagging tail and barks of enthusiasm and excitement.  We knew what she was thinking by the look in her eyes and tilt of her head.

Words cannot describe how much we loved and enjoyed our faithful friend, Molly. She added so much to our lives.  She will be missed.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

An Old Friend – Part I

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

There is a remarkable woman in our church family who is now in her 90s.  Her name is Louise.I met her several years ago.  She is a close friend of a family at our church.  She has a vibrant personality and a twinkle in her eye.  She could play the piano with enthusiasm and always enjoyed the company of others.

In the last few years of her life, she has lived in an assisted living facility nearby.  Many people would find this discouraging, but Louise has a very different attitude. She has impacted the caregivers and staff in many ways.  Some would stop by to see her even before and after their shifts.  She loves people and is always finding ways to encourage others.

Louise also has a heart for prayer.  She faithfully prays for others and encourages others to pray, too.  Before moving to the care home, she always attended the small prayer group at our church early on Sunday mornings.

Even though her body is wearing out, her mind is sharp and her handwriting is steady.  Now that she has a breathing tube, Louise can no longer speak.  But she still communicates by writing notes and she can carry on a conversation in this way.

Louise has a big fan club.  A number of friends stop by to see her often.   Recently, when I stopped by to see her, her friend and former pastor, was there, too. I was surprised that she had a gift for me.  She gave me a book.  I asked her to sign it so I can remember who gave it to me.  With steady, clear handwriting she wrote her name in the book.

The purpose of my visit was to encourage Louise.  But the result of my visit was that I left encouraged as well.

Let me encourage you to take time to call or visit an older friend in your life.  They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you will be encouraged, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

 

Something Smells Good

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Experts say that we associate smells with specific events or memories in our lives.  For example, the scent of pine trees reminds me of summer camping trips in the mountains of Arizona. A salty ocean breeze reminds me of trips with my parents to the beaches of Southern California when I was a little guy. And the smell of waffle cones reminds me of walking down Main Street in Disneyland on vacation when my own children were young.

What comes to your mind when you pick up a familiar scent or smell?  It may be the smell of a rose in your backyard or the blossoms of a fruit tree at the house next door. One of my favorite scents at this time of year is the orange blossoms on the trees in our backyard. They are filled with blossoms right now and they smell so good!

The smell of orange blossoms takes me back to where I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona.  There were orange groves next to the elementary school I attended, and there were orange groves near the Little League baseball fields where we spent so many hours. My wife grew up in a home that had over 20 citrus trees right on their property.  The scent this time of year is almost overwhelming; I have a lot of fond memories.

What are your favorite scents and smells?  What memories do they bring to your mind?

I am convinced that God created all the color, texture, sounds and smells for us to enjoy. I hope you will stop and smell the roses or the orange blossoms you encounter today.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

A Proper Greeting

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

With the flu season in high gear, everyone seems to be getting sick. Coworkers are sick. Neighbors are sick. School kids and teachers are sick. Everyone is sick!

I have heard that one of the most common ways to catch the flu is through contact with someone who has the virus. And, the most common contact is with your hands. Door knobs, cell phones, key boards and other things we touch with our hands can spread the flu virus. Even shaking hands with a sick person can spread the virus to others.

I watched a demonstration on the news where one person dipped his hand in a germ infested dish. He then shook hands with a volunteer who in turn shook hands with another volunteer. The conclusion of the study showed that one infected person could spread the virus to five additional people as the germs passed from one person to another. Wow!

I have heard that one of the best ways to avoid getting and spreading the flu virus is to wash your hands frequently. One medical professional said that washing your hands is the single best protection against catching and spreading the flu. If that is true, then how do you properly greet a friend, family member or co-worker?

At our church, we have recommended that people not shake hands during the flu season, but try doing “fist bumps” that minimize hand contact. A Chinese friend had a better suggestion, “Why don’t we just bow to one another and avoid any physical contact?” Sounds like a great idea.

I don’t know how long the flu season will last. And, I don’t know how long I can keep greeting people without a hug or hand shake. But, I do know that all of us need to do all we can to prevent the spread of the flu this year.

So, wash your hands often. Try a “fist bump” or “bow” instead of a handshake. And, if you start to feel like you are catching the flu, drink plenty of fluids, take two aspirin and call me in the morning!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

 

 

Honoring An Old Friend

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

My brother and I have both served as church pastors for almost 40 years.  Two men greatly influenced our lives during our high school and college years that led both of us to go into full-time ministry.

One of those men was Dr. Jim Borror.  Jim was the first pastor of Scottsdale Bible Church in Scottsdale, Arizona in the 1960s.  He was a remarkable Bible teacher with his doctorate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Jim was a young pastor, husband and father with lots of energy.  He spent a lot of time with the teens and young twenty-year olds in our church.  He led us on hikes into the Grand Canyon.  He played football and softball with us.  He took us camping in the beautiful pine-covered mountains of Arizona. We loved to be around him.

Dr. Borror was also an excellent Bible teacher and theologian.  He modeled a love for the Bible and taught us lessons from the Word that still stick in the back of our minds today.

Jim was also a good shepherd and cared for people in our church.  His wife, Norma, became close friends with our mother; and Jim’s thoughtful and insightful Bible teachings touched the heart and mind of our father.

Recently, my brother and I were invited to speak at Jim’s retirement dinner here in Southern California.  We enjoyed sharing stories and pictures about Jim and his wife Norma from those days 40 years ago at Scottsdale Bible Church.

It was a privilege to get to honor this remarkable man.  We will never be able to fully express how thankful we are for the encouragement and influence Dr. Borror had in both of our lives and our own families.

In first Timothy 5:17, the Apostle Paul said, “Let the leaders who serve well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”  I’m thankful that we were able to honor our dear friend and former pastor, Jim Borror.

I wonder if there is someone who greatly influenced your life and career.  Maybe a teacher, a coach, a counselor, or pastor encouraged you in your formative years.  Have you taken time to honor them and express your thanks?

Let me encourage you to take time this week to send a card or note to one of the people that impacted your life in the past.  Use this opportunity to express your thanks and appreciation for how they touched your life.  Don’t wait.  Do it this week.  You will be glad you did, and they will be, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Conspiracy Or Complacency?

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

I know a lot of people are convinced that there are secret government conspiracies under every rock and behind every bush.  I haven’t gone quite that far, but I did stumble upon something that made me stop and wonder a little.

I went to the local grocery store the other day to pick up some milk and orange juice.  These are part of breakfast at our house and we need to resupply from time to time. We usually buy these in larger quantities at an unnamed “big box” store, but this time I made a quick stop at our local super market.  The milk was in its usual half-gallon plastic carton.   But, when I picked up the carton of orange juice I happened to notice that it was not actually a half-gallon.  It was only 59 ounces, not the full half-gallon 64 ounces.

Now you may think that this is not a big deal. What is the difference between 59 ounces and the half-gallon 64 ounces?  The carton looked the same.  The orange juice tasted the same.  What are a few ounces between friends?

Apparently this “down-sizing” is happening more than we realize in the grocery business. Several years ago, the ice cream makers reduced the size of a carton of ice cream from a half-gallon to “1.5 quarts”.  A half-gallon is two quarts.  They reduced the contents by 25%, but kept the price the same.

I like ice cream, so I have kept buying it at the grocery store.  But, I don’t like the way that the manufacturers are charging the same price (or higher) for a smaller amount of product.

This may be happening on other shelves in the grocery store.  Have candy bars gotten smaller?  Have bags of flour been reduced in size?  Have shampoo bottles shrunk?

Apparently the food and grocery industry thinks it is smarter to reduce the size and volume of their products rather than increase their prices.  They must believe that consumers won’t notice the down-sizing and stop buying their products.

I may be the only one who has noticed this “sleight of hand” at the grocery store.  Maybe it isn’t a big deal.  But I think it would be more accurate and more honest if the stores and their suppliers would keep sizes and prices consistent so that shoppers and consumers can know what we are really paying for their products.

Maybe it is time to launch a boycott of orange juice and ice cream to let the manufactures know that we don’t like this sleight of hand.  Or, maybe it is time to write a letter to the stores that are stocking their shelves with smaller quantities and higher prices.

Maybe we should write to our local Congressman and ask for a Congressional investigation!  Or maybe we should just enjoy our ice cream and orange juice and realize things just aren’t what they used to be.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

 

Weddings And Marriage

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

In my last article, I mentioned that my wife and I had attended four weddings in four weeks from late August and to the end of September.  All of the weddings were at outdoor locations from Temecula to Malibu, from Oak Glen to downtown L.A.

It used to be that June was the month for weddings, but one wedding planner told me that now September has become the new popular choice for weddings.

There is a passage in the Bible that says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, cleave to his wife and the two will become one flesh,” (Genesis 2:24).  This short verse contains three important words.

When a couple gets married, they need to leave their father and mother.  They need to end their dependence on their parents and establish their own family.  Many young adults have already done this by finishing school and starting a career.  But, sometimes they have remained financially and emotionally dependent on their parents.

In addition, the married couple needs to cleave to one another.  The word in the original Hebrew language has the idea of an unbreakable bond.  We might use the word “super glue” to convey the idea that a married couple needs to “stick together” and not let anything or anyone break this sacred commitment.

Finally, the Bible verse also says that the married man and woman “become one flesh”.  This expresses the physical intimacy that God intended for a married couple to share.  It is one of the most remarkable and unique relationships known to mankind.

These days, sadly, physical intimacy is not taken seriously.  Movies, TV sitcoms, books and magazines often give the impression that intimacy does not need to be protected and that people should pursue any relationships they want.

Maybe it sounds old fashioned to encourage students and young adults to not live recklessly and thoughtlessly in this area of their lives.  Maybe it seems unrealistic to expect married couples to remain faithful to their wedding vows and to one another.

Maybe we need to remind ourselves and our kids that marriage is something very special.

Weddings are special moments in the lives of the couple getting married and for families who celebrate this wonderful occasion.

Regardless of what month you select for your wedding, I hope you will remember these three important words – leave, cleave and become one!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Getting Married

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Someone told me recently that September has become the new big month for weddings. Traditionally we think of June weddings, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.

From late August to the end of September, my wife and I attended four different weddings.

There was a wedding every week!

We enjoy attending weddings and sometimes I am asked to officiate.  Certainly each wedding is a special moment in the life of the families and couple involved.

One interesting pattern with all four of the weddings was that each one was held outdoors. Some were in lush garden settings, while others were in more remote, secluded settings.

I’m not sure what has happened to the traditional church wedding, but I have noticed that it is a growing trend to have weddings outdoors or in less traditional settings.

A number of different weddings are recorded in the Bible.  One of the most famous is the wedding that Jesus attended with His disciples in Cana of Galilee, found in the book of John, Chapter 2.

Another wedding is recorded in Genesis, Chapter 29.  In this passage, Jacob is tricked by his father-in-law and ends up with the wrong wife.  Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, but the father-in-law gave Jacob the veiled sister, Leah, instead!

Marriage is a special, God-given relationship.  In Genesis, Chapter 2, we read, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”.

We’ll talk more about the “leaving and cleaving” in my next article.  But let me express my congratulations to the families and couples that got married during the past month.  It looks like you are in good company since September has become the new month to get married.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Weather Conditions

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

When people ask me about the weather in California, I usually try to explain it like this. It is a contest between the desert and the ocean.  The hot dry winds push in from the north and east, and the cool ocean breezes push back from the south and west.

We are caught in a tug-of-war between these two imposing forces. Fortunately, the ocean usually dominates our weather and as a result we get morning fog and cool afternoon breezes.

But when the hot, dry Santa Ana winds prevail and the heat builds up, the air conditioning bills skyrocket. We all felt the effects of the heat during the past few weeks.  And, we will see the increased electric bills in another few weeks.

My wife and I grew up in Arizona.  The past few days felt like we were back in Arizona.  The days were really hot and the evenings provided little relief.  Everyone you talked to would comment about the heat. In the Phoenix area it is not uncommon to have over 100 days a year that are over 100 degrees. The low temperature at night often does not get below 90 degrees. It stays hot all summer.

There are a lot of things that I do miss about Arizona, but one thing I do not miss is the long, hot summer.

I heard the story of a pastor who was asked to help start a new church in Arizona.  After thinking about the invitation for a while, he replied, “There are three reasons that I think that God does not want me to move to Arizona…June, July and August!”

Someone said that God uses adversity and discomfort to get our attention.  The hot, dry weather we have experienced certainly got our attention.  It reminds us of how we expect comfort and convenience.  It reminds us of how fortunate we are to have air-conditioned homes and cars, offices and classrooms.

I hope that the weather is a little cooler by the time you are reading this article.  Let me encourage you to be thankful for the comforts you enjoy and don’t complain when the weather warms up for a few days. Just remember, you could be living in Arizona!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Lost in Love

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

 

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

We are continuing our one year journey through the Bible at our church on Sunday mornings.

I have enjoyed studying and teaching about each book along with the other pastors at our church.

There are five poetical books in the Old Testament: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon.

You are probably familiar with some of these books.  Many people turn to the Psalms to find help and hope in times of difficulties.  Psalm 23 is one of the best known writings in the world, as David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

The book of Job records the suffering and tragedy experienced by a remarkable man named Job.  Proverbs is filled with helpful lessons and insights for daily living.  And, Ecclesiastes records King Solomon’s interesting perspective on work, family, life and death.

The one poetical book that people are probably most unfamiliar with is the Song of Songs, or also known as the Song of Solomon. This is the story of King Solomon’s love for a beautiful young woman.  It contains some remarkable descriptions of their courtship and marriage.  The author uses vivid word pictures to describe their romantic relationship.  They were lost in love.

But the book also includes some of the problems and difficulties that the King and his new bride experienced.  There were seasons where indifference and selfishness began to take root in their relationship.  There were times when they did not communicate effectively.

These same problems can weaken married couples today.  Couples that are engaged or newly wed are lost in love.  But, they can not foresee that there will be challenges and difficulties in the future.

Marriage is more than love and romance.  Marriage also involves a commitment between a husband and wife to stick together through the good times and the bad.

If you have not read the Song of Solomon before, let me encourage you to dust off your Bible, use the table of contents and find this short book in the middle of the Old Testament.  You may not understand all of the imagery and figures of speech, but I think you will be surprised at how the Bible tastefully addresses romance and marriage.  You, too, may find yourself “Lost in Love.”

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Not Again

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Many years ago, my wife suggested that we add a small mint plant to our vegetable garden.  We had a beautiful bed of strawberries and never thought the mint would be a problem. But over the next few years, the mint completely took over the garden.  We discovered that mint is like a weed.  It grows quickly and spreads rapidly.

I actually wrote an article about this problem and asked for advice on how to get rid of the mint in my garden.  One person sent me an email with a simple solution: Never plant mint in your garden in the first place!

The only way I was able to get rid of the mint was to dig up every square foot of my garden and sift every shovel of dirt through a screen.  It took many weeks and many hours to completely remove every small twig and root of mint.

That was several years ago.  Since then I have planted a variety of vegetables in my garden. This year we have enjoyed fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and zucchini squash. But, a few days ago I saw something that I never expected to see again.  Several small twigs of mint appeared in my garden.  I had not seen any mint for years. How could this be?

It reminded me that there may be old habits and sins in our lives that we think we have conquered and defeated, but they reappear when we least expect it.  I wonder if there are things from your past that might resurface and invade your peaceful life unexpectedly.

All of us are vulnerable to temptation and sin.  All of us have our weaknesses.  All of us can fall back into some old habits if we are not careful and prayerful.

If you see a small “twig” of mint resurfacing in your life, don’t ignore it.  Ask God for help and strength to face the temptation.  Ask a friend to help keep you accountable and have the freedom to speak into your life.  Don’t try to handle it alone.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Fast Food

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

 

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Most people have their favorite “Fast Food” restaurants.  The list is endless.  Some of my favorites include In-N-Out Burger and Chick-Fil-A.

The idea behind the fast food business is that you can get your food quickly without a long wait. The service is good, the food is good and you are able to be on your way.  There are usually plenty of places to park, and most include a drive-thru lane.

Recently, my son and I stopped at a fast food place on Labor Day.  We actually wondered if it would be open.  We knew that banks and post offices were closed.  We learned that other businesses had reduced hours. We were surprised to see that our restaurant was not only open, but packed with hungry customers.

While we were waiting in a rather long line to place our order, a man suddenly dashed into the restaurant almost knocking people down as he hurried into the restroom.  It happened so suddenly that I did not get a good look at the intruder.

Moments later, at least five police cars pulled up and surrounded the restaurant.  There were well-armed police everywhere.  Several entered the restaurant and someone pointed them to the men’s restroom.

As more police cars arrived on the scene, one officer entered the rest room and emerged with the fugitive.   There were so many policemen and police cars that it looked like a law enforcement convention.

Thankfully, the police quickly had the situation under control and no one was hurt.  The suspect did not resist arrest and everyone remained calm.

As my son and I ate our fast food, we reflected on what had just happened.  We realized that if the fugitive had possessed a weapon, it could have been a very dangerous situation with a very different outcome.

We were amazed that the employees did not stop working.  They kept taking orders and serving food. We were surprised that the customers did not panic or try to leave.  It all happened so quickly that no one really had time to react.

We were also thankful for the quick action of the law enforcement officers.  They arrived quickly, acted decisively and treated the suspect carefully.

As we left, my son and I were thankful that we were safe and that the restaurant got our order right.  The food was fast and the experience was one we will remember for a long time.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

WOW

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

 

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

The word “wow” means a variety of things to different people.  It is an expression we use when we are delighted by an expected surprise.  It is a word we use when we try to describe a beautiful sunset or a majestic mountain peak. I’m sure that you could add to this list with additional ways you use, “wow”.

At our church the word “WOW” is the name of our Women’s Ministry Bible Study program.  The letters stand for, “Women of Worth”.

Every Wednesday morning over 100 women of all ages gather to study the Bible.  In addition, classes are available in the evening for women who cannot attend in the day time. There are classes that study specific books of the Bible and there are classes on subjects that are specifically geared for women.  Some of the studies being offered this fall include: Becoming the Woman of His Dreams; Choose Joy – Because Happiness Isn’t Enough; and A Study of the Book of Genesis.

Women of all ages participate in the WOW program.  Some are new mothers.  Others are empty-nesters. Some have a lot of background studying the Bible, and others are new to Bible study. Many of the women who attend WOW actually attend other churches in the community on Sundays.

This weekly program is available to women who want to deepen their knowledge of the Bible and strengthen their friendships with other women. WOW classes begin on Wed., Sept. 10, at 9 a.m. Child care is available for nursery and preschool children.

For more information, please visit our website at www.efreedb.org, or contact our Women’s Ministry Director, Nancy Salvato, at our church office, at (909) 594-7604.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.