Tag Archives: Mark Hopper

Fresh Oranges

By Mark Hopper

When we bought our house in Diamond Bar about 30 years ago, there was a scrawny (sp) little citrus tree in the back yard.mark-hopper-color-2x2The previous owner said that he had planted the tree but it had not produced much fruit.  He had given up on it and was thinking of pulling it out. But, I’m glad that he didn’t.  Thirty years later, we continue to enjoy large, juicy navel oranges from that tree. That little tree has grown and matured over the past three decades.  It produces large, juicy oranges year after year. January is harvest season.  This year we have a bumper crop. The branches are bent low with the weight of these delicious fruit.     I love to go out in our back yard early in the morning and pick a fresh orange for breakfast. I usually slice it into three or four large pieces.  They really are delicious. There is a verse in the Bible that says, “God has shown His kindness to us by giving us rain from heaven and crops in their seasons. He provides us with plenty of of food and fills our  hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17). I’m convinced  that oranges are one of God’s best creations.  And, I’m sure that He intended for us to enjoy them.We are fortunate that we can find plenty of food at our local grocery store.  But, there is something special to see fruit begin as tiny blossoms in the spring that become beautiful, tasty fruit at the end of the year. If you have a citrus or fruit tree in your back yard, I hope you are able to enjoy it.  And, I hope you will give thanks to God who created it for you to enjoy.

 

 

Regular Maintenance

By Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

I try to make sure that our cars get regular service and maintenance.  I used to change the oil myself but now I take our cars to the dealer or service center for regular oil changes and check ups. Recently, I took one of our cars to the dealer where we purchased it.  When we bought the car over 10 years ago, the dealer offered “life time” oil changes.  They promised to change the oil as long as we owned the car. I doubt that they expected that my wife and I would keep that car for over 10 years.  We keep going back every 5,000 miles and they keep changing the oil and filter.  Pretty nice!

Another reason that I like to take may car to the dealer is that they have nice a writing room and they have coffee and donuts. I often feel that the free donuts are almost as good as the free oil change! After I checked in and found my free donut in the waiting room, I asked another customer if I could share his table while we waited for our cars.  He was glad to make room for me. As I sat down, I noticed that he was reading something that looked familiar. I couldn’t help but ask what he was reading and he confirmed that he was reading his Bible.

In fact, he went on to explain that he read his Bible every day.  It was part of his daily routine.  On that day he was keeping up his routine while he was waiting for his car to be serviced. I was impressed that this stranger was quietly reading a Bible in a noisy waiting room.  Apparently it was a habit that he had started many years ago. I also found this interesting since I had actually preached on this very topic at our church the day before!  This stranger didn’t attend our church and had not heard my sermon, but he was doing exactly what I encouraged our people to do – read your Bible every day.

There are many different programs and apps to help you read through the Bible. I discovered that you can read through the whole Bible in three years if you only read one chapter a day.  It is pretty simple and anyone can do it. We will be starting a new three year cycle at our church next month.  You can find this simple plan our our website.  We will be starting in the Gospel of John on February 1st. Let me encourage you to start reading your Bible on a regular basis in 2017.  Don’t get discouraged if you miss a day from time to time.  Make it a habit in your daily routine.

Find a quiet place to read.  Set aside a few minutes each day.   Some people like to read early in the morning.  Others find it easier to read before bed time.  Find a time and a place that works for you. Maybe you have read the Bible in the past.  I think you will find it refreshing to do it again.  Maybe you have never read the Bible before.  Why not try it for a month or two?  I think you will be surprised and encouraged by what you learn. Just as your cars need regular maintenance and upkeep, so does your heart and mind. Reading the Bible can help maintain your personal and spiritual life, too!

 

Little Red Caboose

By Mark Hopper 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

Our grandchildren have learned a lot of songs from my wife.  She has a song for just about every occasion and the grand kids love them.

One of those songs is about a little Red Caboose that is pulled along behind a train.

This Christmas the grand kids got to see this first hand.  My daughter encouraged me to get the box down from the garage that contained my old Lionel train so I could show it to the grandchildren.

I didn’t know if it would even work.  We actually found two trains in the box.  One was lighter and is made of plastic. The older one is much heavier and is made from metal.

The track was slightly corroded and  discolored when we laid it out on the floor.  I used a rag to try to clean it up a little.

The transformer control for the heavier train did not work.  The wires were brittle and old.   But the transformer for the lighter train worked and soon the little Red Caboose was being pulled behind the train!

I looked on the internet and found a model train store in Costa Mesa on Baker Street. When I brought the old heavy engine and transformer in for repair, I was delighted to learn that it could be fixed at little cost.

The store owner lubricated the engine and verified that it was in good condition.  I left the transformer at the train store and purchased a tool so I could properly clean the track at home.

A few days later, we picked up the transformer and put the train track around the Christmas Tree.  We were ready to send the locomotive down the track pulling a little Red Caboose!

The grandchildren were delighted and their grandpa was pretty proud that his childhood train was back in service.

I was given that Lionel train when I was very young.  I remember playing with that train with my father and grandfather.  Now, that same train was being enjoyed again by my grandchildren and their grateful grandfather!

I wonder if you have some treasures hidden in your garage? You may have some model airplanes or some wood working tools.  Maybe there is a stamp or coin collection?  Maybe there are some hobbies from your past that would interest others.

It may be a little late for Christmas, but let me encourage you to take the time to get those boxes down and share some memories with the younger members of your family.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

Christmas Traditions

By Mark Hoppermark-hopper

Thanksgiving and Christmas are special times in our family.  My wife and I enjoy the time we spend together with family and friends.

I love hearing people share about traditions that they celebrate with their family.   It seems that each family have some specific things that they do during the holiday season.

One Christmas tradition in our family is baking cinnamon rolls.  I remember baking them with my grandmother when I was young.

My wife and I have continued that tradition with our children and now they do it with their own kids.  They have changed the receipt over time but the memories remain.

Another tradition is putting up our Christmas Tree on the day after Thanksgiving.  We have boxes of ornaments and decorations that make our house ready for the holidays.

This includes putting up our nine foot artificial Christmas tree.  This year we actually purchased a new tree.  This one has the lights already attached.  Nice!

The tree looks great and is covered with ornaments that my wife and I have collected from our travels all over the world.  There is a story behind each one.

There are also ornaments that belonged to my wife’s parents and ornaments that we were given to us at our wedding 45 years ago!

Another tradition that is part of our family’s Christmas is reading the account of Jesus’ birth in the Bible.  My parents and grandparents did this on Christmas Eve when I was young.  We did this with our children and now they are doing it with their own children.

The passage is found in Luke chapter two in verses 1-20 (Luke 2:1-20).  The author, Luke, provides vivid details about the birth of Jesus.  He may have personally talked with Mary years later about the events that transpired that night.

This year Christmas falls on a Sunday.  I’m sure that many churches will be having special programs for Christmas.

We will have two church services on Christmas Eve at 4:30 & 6:00 PM.  We will also have two services on Christmas day at 9:30 & 11:00 AM.

Let me encourage you to renew your Christmas traditions again this year.  And, you may want to consider starting some new ones too.  I hope you will also make time to attend a church near you this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

 

An Unexpected Visitor

mark-hopperBy Mark Hopper

It is not uncommon to have unexpected visitors during the holiday season.  Out of town friends may plan a last minute trip to sunny southern California.  Neighbors may unexpectedly drop by to say hello.

Recently we had an unexpected visitor at our house.  Unfortunately, this one was a four legged one!

It all started when we began to notice an unpleasant odor in our garage.  At first we thought there must be something in the garbage.   But that wasn’t the case.

Then, we wondered if there was a small gas leak from the clothes dryer.  But, I checked for leaks and did not find any.

The smell continued to get worse over the next few days.  It was a mystery that we needed to solve.

My son and I searched our way around the garage moving boxes and tools looking for the source of the smell. Eventually we retraced the odor back to the clothes dryer.

We disconnnected the flexible vent hose to see if there was anything caught in it but we didn’t see anything. Then we pulled out the dryer and looked into the metal duct work under the dryer.  Still no luck.

Clearly the smell was in the dryer, but we could not see anything.  The next step was to dismantle the dryer so we could look inside.

My son and I are not trained in appliance repair so we looked on the internet.  You Tube had exactly what we needed.  Step by step we removed screws, unhooked the belt and pulled out the drum.

Pretty soon we had dryer parts spread out all over the garage floor.  I wondered if we would ever get it back together again. I suppose we could put up a clothes line in the back yard!

Finally, with the dryer disassembled, we reached the area where the exhaust vent met the lint filter.  That is where we found our four legged unexpected visitor – a dead mouse!  A fuzzy, smelly dead mouse.

I guess he was looking for a warm place to sleep on a cold winter night.   I am sorry that he selected our house and our clothes dryer.  He was an unexpected visitor.

As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of another unexpected visitor.  The Bible says that a baby was born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.  His earthly parents were looking for a warm place on a cold winter’s night.

The Bible says that this unexpected visitor was God himself who took on human form to live among us.  His name was Jesus who was born in a small, obscure Judean village and who would eventually die on a cruel Roman cross 33 years later.

Christmas is about more than gifts and gatherings of family and friends.  Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.

You can read more about Jesus’ birth in Luke chapter two and Matthew chapter one. You can learn even more by attending a church near you this Christmas season.

Jesus was one of the most unexpected visitors history has ever known.

Efree Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd (909) 594-7604 Christmas Eve services: 4:30 & 6:00 PM Christmas Sunday services: 9:30 & 11:00 AM

What Rain?

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I drove to Arizona to visit some of her family and connect with old some friends.  The skies were clear and the weather was not as hot as we expected.

The day after we arrived, the weather forecaster predicted a 10% chance of rain.  Apparently there was a small hurricane south of Cabo San Lucas that was spinning moisture north toward Arizona.

The weather man predicated heavy rain along the Colorado River with possible flooding near Las Vegas.  But it looked unlikely that we would see any rain in the Phoenix area.

However, as we got into our car to drive across town, we noticed some serious looking clouds in the west.  But, we did not worry since we were going south not west.

Suddenly, the storm reached us and a heavy rain came pouring down.  We actually waited in the parking lot until the heavy rain subsided.   It rained cats and dogs for fifteen minutes.  Crazy!

When the rain finally began to let up, we ventured out toward our destination.  Major intersections were flooded and the traffic on the freeway crept along at a snail’s pace due to the accumulation of water on the roads.

However, as we drove south toward Tempe and Chandler, we noticed that the rain began to let up and patches of blue sky peeked through the clouds.

By the time we got to our destination 20 minutes later,  there wasn’t a drop of water anywhere.  The roads were completely dry.

We had called our hosts to warn them that we expected to be late, but they did not have one drop of rain at their house.

Our hosts were glad to see us, but they asked us one question, “What rain”?  They didn’t see a drop on their side of town.

There is a story in the Bible about a man named Elijah in First Kings chapter 18.  There had been a severe drought in Israel and no rain for three years.  But, in this passage, Elijah warns the King that heavy rains are coming.

This prediction seemed impossible.  The skies were clear.  The drought had crippled their economy and exhausted the people.

I’m sure the King and his people thought to themselves, “What rain”?

The passage records that only hours later, there was a major rain storm that swept across the land of Israel.  The prophet’s prediction had come true.

Let me encourage you to keep you eyes open when you are traveling through Arizona.  As you drive across the desert, rain seems pretty unlikely.  Maybe only 10%.  But, don’t get caught by surprise.  Desert thunderstorms can come quickly and unexpectedly.

I hope we’ll soon see some of that wet stuff in California, too!

 

Let’s Go Shopping

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently, my wife heard that a clothing store was having a clearance sale.  Everything was on sale because the store was closing.

The friend that shared the news said that she had found some good bargains.  It sounded like a shopping opportunity.

I asked my wife if she wanted to go, but I was surprised that she said “no”.  She said that she really didn’t need anything.  But I encouraged her to go.  After all, everything was on sale!

It seemed a little ironic.  Usually my wife is the one who wants to go shopping and I am the one who wants to stay home and save money.

But, here I was encouraging her to go even though she said she didn’t want to!  I finally persuaded her and I offered to go with her.

The store was not as crowded as I expected and there was still a lot of merchandise on the racks.  My wife headed to the women’s section and I went looking for some new socks in the men’s department.

I found some socks pretty quickly and had time to look at some of the golf shirts on sale.  It took my wife a little longer to try on a number of items and decide which ones she could not live without.

One of the nice things that many clothing stores provide is a place for men to sit while the women are trying on clothes.  The marketing department knows that the longer the men sit, the more the women will buy!

When we finally got to the check-out counter, we had managed to buy more items than we had planned on.  I guess that is what happens when everything in the store is on sale!

Not only did my wife purchase several items, but I ended up with socks and a new golf shirt too.   How did that happen?

When we got home, I think we both agreed that we were glad we went shopping together.  The next time your husband says, “Let’s go shopping”, make sure you say “yes”.  You’ll be glad you did and he will too!

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

A Dinner To Remember

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife and I will be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary on June 4th.  It is hard to believe that we were married 45 years ago.

We actually met at the beginning of our freshman year at Scottsdale High School in 1964.  I was elected as the freshman class president and she was elected the class secretary.

We became good friends as we worked on Homecoming floats and various class projects.  We enjoyed being with a group of friends as we cheered our hearts out at the school football games and enjoyed high school life in the 1960’s.

However, we didn’t actually start dating until our senior year.  She said that I was too busy dating girls with long blond hair and I didn’t seem to notice this cute red head that would be my future wife!

We continued to date as we went to college at Arizona State University.  As our friendship deepened, it seemed inevitable that one day we would get married.

On my wife’s birthday 45 years ago, we went out for a special dinner at the Camelback Inn overlooking the lights of Phoenix.  It was a perfect setting to give her an engagement ring and ask her to marry me.

Recently, we went back to the Camelback Inn to celebrate our 45th anniversary.  The setting was beautiful and the food was great.  We took time to reflect on our journey together.

We have been very blessed to have four wonderful adult kids and seven grandchildren with another one on the way.   It has been an honor to serve together for over 40 years in two wonderful churches – 13 years in Arizona and 28 years here in Diamond Bar.

When we told the server at the restaurant that we were celebrating our 45th anniversary, he presented us with a special dessert at the end of our meal.  The chef had written “45th Anniversary” on the dessert plate.  We took a picture to capture the moment.  It really was a dinner to remember!

Let me encourage you to make time to express your love an appreciation to your husband or wife.  Make a date and plan a dinner to remember!  You will be glad you did and they will too!

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

Teacher Appreciation Dinner

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

I have shared before about a special dinner that we do at our church each year. We call it our “Teacher Appreciation Dinner”.

When our children were young, my wife and I would invite their school teachers to come to our home for dinner.  This was one way we could get to know each teacher better and to express our thanks to them for helping our children learn.

After we moved to California, we got the idea to expand our effort by encouraging all of the children in our church to invite their teachers to come for dinner.  We have been doing this annually for over 20 years.

Each child is encouraged to invite their teacher to come to the dinner.  Parents are also invited to come.  This way the teacher, the student, and the parents are able to enjoy a nice dinner together.  Public school, private school and home school teachers are all welcome. We also extend an invitation to school principals and local superintendents.

We realize that this is an extracurricular activity for all of these educators and some are unable to attend.  But, we have found that parents, teachers, and students always love this event.

At the dinner, students give their teacher a small gift.  In addition, we usually have a game for students, parents, and teachers to play together.  Speed Scrabble and Paper Bag Charades have been popular in the past.  I don’t know what is planned for this year.

We believe that teachers and parents are partners in the education of our children.  Together they help children to learn and discover the wonders of our universe, the order of mathematics, and the depths of literature.

In the Old Testament, parents are commanded to teach their children well.  In Deuteronomy 6:7, it reads, “…teach your children when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

In addition, children are instructed to listen to their teachers and learn from their wisdom and knowledge.  Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

As the school year comes to a close, I hope you will make a special effort to express your thanks to your children’s school teachers.  Teachers deserve our support and appreciation!

If you would like to know more about our annual Teacher Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, May 17th at 5 p.m., please feel welcome to contact our church office at (909) 594-7604.

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

An Early Harvest

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support for our little garden.  Every time the grandkids come to visit, they run to the back yard to see what has been happening.

Their enthusiasm is contagious.  They are so excited to see tomatoes growing and strawberries multiplying.  They are amazed at how big some of the plants are getting.

Recently, they pulled a few carrots out of the ground.  Wow!  They looked like real carrots. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but for these young children, it is amazing!

In the past, my feeble efforts have produced a few squash and some tomatoes, but I have not had a lot of luck growing carrots.  I don’t know if my soil is too hard or if I did not water often enough.

But this year, there are real carrots – just like the ones you see in the store.  And, we grew them and harvested them ourselves!

My eight-year-old granddaughter seemed to understand how amazing it is that those little tiny seeds that we planted a few months ago have grown into these big plants and tasty carrots!

We have planted some more carrot seeds and some onion seeds, too.  We also planted some snow pea seeds in the garden.  We are already seeing some new little seedlings emerging from the soil.

However, there is a dark side to this story.  Someone or something is eating our strawberries.  On more than one occasion, I have seen a large ripe strawberry happy and healthy in the evening, but gone the next morning.  Someone is eating our berries!

In addition, I know that we will face more challenges in the weeks to come as the tomato worms and other adversaries discover our little garden.  I know that the birds and the bugs need food too, but why do they have to dine at my house?

The writers of the Bible often used examples from farming and gardening to help their readers learn.  In one passage the author says, “One plants and another waters, but God makes things grow” (I Corinthians 3:6-8).

My grandkids and I are planting the seeds and watering the soil, and we are amazed at how much God has made things grow!

How Is Your Garden Growing?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

A few weeks ago, I shared that my grandchildren had helped plant seeds in a corner of our back yard.  We planted seeds for lettuce, radishes, carrots and tomatoes.  Every time the kids come to visit our house, they run to the back yard to see how the seeds are doing.  It is fun to see their excitement and enthusiasm.
At first, there was nothing but dirt.  For several weeks, we watered, waited and watched.  Then, at last, there were tiny little seedlings that emerged from the rich, dark soil.  These little sprouts were so small that you might not have noticed them.   A week later, there were many young plants that were emerging all over the garden.  I suppose it has been six to eight weeks since we planted the original seeds.  I wish we had recorded the date.
Now, when the grandchildren come to visit, they have a lot to see.  Small vegetable plants are growing taller and stronger.  The kids love to help water these little plants.  The lettuce looks promising.  I’m not as sure how the carrots and radishes are doing underground.  We can’t wait to see.  I think every child should experience the wonder of planting seeds.  It is amazing that a living plant emerges from a dead seed in a pile of dirt.  It is amazing that fruits and vegetables are the result of one little seed!
I know that many people believe that this is simply a result of millions of years of evolution.
But, I think it is actually evidence for the existence of God and the perfect balance of conditions that enable tiny seeds to grow into healthy, edible plants.  The conditions have to be perfect – water, sunlight, soil and nutrients all have to be there in the proper amounts.
In the Creation account in Genesis Chapter One we read, ” Then God said, let the earth sprout with vegetation, plants yielding seed after their own kind, and trees bearing fruit with seeds in them after their kind, and God saw that it was good”. (Genesis 1:11)
In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul says, “God did not leave Himself without evidence, but He has shown His kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17)
I’m thankful that my grandchildren are able to see these tiny seeds growing into healthy plants.  I hope that they will get to taste some of the fruits of their labor in the months ahead.  And, I hope they will realize that this remarkable process is the result of God’s amazing creation.
The next time you go to the grocery store or a local farmer’s market, take a moment to remember that a hard working farmer planted the seeds that grew into the fruit and vegetables that you see.  And, take a moment to give thanks to God who designed all of this so that we might have food on our table every day.

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

What Color Is Your Car?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

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 Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visithttp://www.efreedb.org

Keep On Knocking

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

by Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I was working on a home improvement project when I ran out of material.  I had put down some new floor tile and was trying to complete the grout, but I didn’t have enough grout to finish.  Bummer!
I knew that there was a Home Depot nearby and thought they were open until 10:00 PM.  So I jumped into the car and hurried over, thinking I had plenty of time to spare.  However, when I arrived at the store, I noticed that the parking lot was pretty empty and there were not many people around.  As I walked up to the front door, I discovered that the store closed at 9:00 PM, not 10:00 PM.  The ten o’clock closing time was correct in the summer, but in the winter they had an earlier closing time.  Now what should I do?  It was only a few minutes after nine when I arrived and I could still see a number of employees inside the store.  They were cleaning up and closing up for the day.
I knocked on the glass door and one employee saw me holding my empty container.  The employee was kind enough to come to the door and listen to my distressing situation. To my surprise, he opened the door and asked me what color of grout I needed. He explained that he could not let me inside the store, but he offered to go look for what I needed. I handed him the empty container and off he went. A few minutes later, the helpful employee returned with two other employees following him. Maybe this was a security measure to make sure I wasn’t planning to rob the store.
He found a new container of grout matching the color and texture of the empty container I had given him.  When I pulled out my wallet to pay for the material, he said that he could not accept any money and that the price had been reduced. He gave it to me for free!  The small bucket of grout cost less than $10, but I never expected a huge home improvement store to give me something for free- I was amazed, and I was very thankful to have enough material to finish my late night project.  I was especially thankful for an employee who was kind enough to help me in my time of need.
There is a verse in the Bible where Jesus taught His followers about prayer.  In Matthew 7:7 Jesus said, “Keep on asking and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened.”  I’m sure that I said a little prayer that night when I knocked on the door at Home Depot, hoping that someone would hear and help.  How much more does God love to respond to our daily needs when we come to Him in prayer asking for His help?  All we need to do is bring our needs and requests to Him.  He always hears and He is ready to help!
Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org

A Free Lunch?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

We have all heard the phrase “There is no such thing as a free lunch”.  I’m not sure when or where this saying got started, but I have discovered that it is not true.

Two recent incidents made it clear to me that there really is such a thing as a “free lunch”!  One example was a delicious lunch that was provided for our church staff by an anonymous member.

Many churches celebrate “Pastor Appreciation Month” in October.

Different churches honor their pastors and staff members in different ways.  Someone at our church offered to pay for lunch for all of our church staff.  We went to a Korean BBQ restaurant and really enjoyed it.  It really was a “free lunch”.

More recently, I stopped at a local fast food restaurant for a quick lunch.  While I waited in line to order my food, the owner greeted me and asked how I was doing.  He does not attend our church but recently came to an event on our campus.

As I placed my order and pulled out my wallet to pay, he insisted on making my lunch complimentary. I was caught by surprise. I did not expect to receive a “free lunch”.  I felt awkward but I did appreciate his kindness and I did enjoy my lunch, too!

We have all heard stories of people paying for the food or coffee for the car behind them in the drive through lane at Starbucks or a fast food restaurant. We have heard of examples of people anonymously paying for some one’s lay away items in a local department store.

The Bible teaches us to be generous and share with others. In First Timothy 5:17-18, it says, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world…to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share”.

You may not think you are rich, but you probably have more money and more possessions than most people in the world.  You may not be able to help people in another country or on a different continent, but you may be able to help someone nearby.

I hope you will watch for an opportunity to help a neighbor, co-worker or classmate this season.  A thoughtful gift card or small amount of cash in an envelope could be just the encouragement that someone needs to lift their spirits at Christmas time.

Maybe you can provide a “free lunch” for the car behind you in the drive thru lane or give a gift to someone in need.  You will be glad you did and they will, 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.

Tools Of The Trade

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have a great respect for people in the construction trades.  Plumbers, carpenters, electricians and many others help build our homes, schools, churches and industries.

One of the things that they have in common is the “tools of their trade.”  Each craftsman has to have specific tools in order to do their work.  That is why many of them drive pickup trucks filled with saws, hammers, wire cutters and pipe wrenches.

Pastors and teachers have their own “tools of the trade.”  One of their tools is books.  Teachers use books to help their students read and learn, and for preparing their lessons.  Students use books to learn on their own.

Pastors use books to study and prepare sermons, and for Bible lessons.  We use them to broaden our understanding of theology and gain insight into passages in the Bible.

Today, many pastors and teachers are using books and other resources that are available on the Internet.   The number of these resources is almost unlimited.

I have gathered my “tools of the trade” over the past 45 years.  I have books that I purchased decades ago that are still very helpful in my studies.  Some of the books in my library were given to me as gifts from friends, family and church members.

In addition, I have dozens of notebooks filled with over 40 years of sermons, study notes and illustrations.  I am grateful that I have preserved years of material that I can refer to as I prepare new studies and sermons.

I have often told the people at our church that if there is ever a fire on our property, don’t worry about the music equipment or office computers – save my books!  These are priceless resources that cannot be replaced.

When the Apostle Paul was near the end of his earthly ministry, he wrote a letter to his young apprentice, Timothy.  In that letter he instructed Timothy, “When you come, bring the books and the parchments that I left with Carpus,” (2 Timothy 4:13).

These resources were some of the “tools of Paul’s trade.”  They were portions of the Bible and other resources that he used in his ministry.  Even in his older years, he had an insatiable desire to keep on learning.

What are the tools of your trade?  For many people today, it is their smart phone and computer.  For others, it may be some specialized piece of equipment or a motorized wheelchair.

Whatever your “tools” are, treat them with care and use them to help others.  You will be glad you did, and they will, 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.

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.

Diamond Bar: Face Your Fears

BY MARK HOPPER

As we continue to study the Old Testament book of Ezra at our church on Sunday mornings, I have noticed a theme that runs through the early chapters of the book.  That theme is fear.

The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem, but they encountered legal obstacles and stiff opposition from their enemies.  They were intimidated and fearful.  God sent two prophets to encourage the Jews to complete the project.  Haggai challenged the people to examine their priorities.  Zechariah encouraged them to not be afraid.

Several times in those early chapters, Zechariah told them to face their fears.  Their problems were real. The opposition was relentless.  Their rebuilding efforts had stalled.  They had become paralyzed by fear.

What things are you afraid of?  What things are holding you back in your life?  Maybe you are afraid to pursue a new career.  Maybe you are hesitant to start a remodeling project at home.  Maybe you are reluctant to meet new people or visit new places.  Maybe you are putting off an important medical exam or treatment.

You need the encouragement of friends and a stronger faith in God to overcome your fears.  Friends can help remind you of the personal strengths and abilities that they see in your life.  They can say to you, “You can do it!”

Your faith in God can also help you overcome your fears.  Throughout the Bible you will see phrases like, “Be strong, I am with you,” and “Fear not, for I am with you.”  With His help, you can face your fears.  Let me encourage you to examine your life and see if there are some things you are afraid of that are holding you back.  Ask God to give you the strength to face your fears this week.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd. (909) 594-7604 .Sunday Services:  9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Website: http://www.efreedb.org.

First Light

By Mark Hopper

We have a tradition at our house that we pull out all the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. The next Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bartwo days are busy setting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house for the holidays.
My wife does most of the work. She loves this time of year. She loves putting out all of her decorations that have been stored away for the past 12 months.
In addition to all the work inside the house, it is my job to put the Christmas lights up on the outside of the house.
I am pleased to report that we were the first house on our block to have our outdoor Christmas lights up this year. However, I am not pleased to report that so far, we are the only house with Christmas lights on our house.
It seems to me that there are fewer and fewer houses with outdoor Christmas decorations these days. Maybe it is due to the economy. Maybe people are just trying to save electricity. Maybe it is just an old fashioned idea that people don’t care about any more.
Some people complain that they have to decorate their house. It is a lot of work and take a lot of time. But, don’t grumble that you have to decorate your house, be thankful you have a house to decorate!
Personally, I love the Christmas season. After all, we are celebrating the birth of Christ. In addition, Christmas gives us the opportunity to share gifts with loved one and friends.
Don’t wait any longer. Pull down those boxes in the garage and get out those Christmas decorations. Help brighten your neighborhood with some Christmas decorations this year.
You will be glad you did and your neighbors will be glad too!
Pastor Mark Hopper
Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd (909) 594-7604 Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 & 6:00 PM website: http://www.efreedb.org.

Mark Hopper