Tag Archives: Pastor Mark Hopper

The Solar Eclipse: Part 2

By Mark Hopper

 

I shared in my previous article that my wife and I went to see the total Solar Eclipse in St. Joseph, Missouri, on August 21, 2017.  This was the first total solar eclipse to cross the entire USA in about 80 years.  It was exciting to be part of it.

 

As we sat down in our borrowed lawn chairs, clouds continued to linger overhead.  We knew that the one thing you don’t want on the day of a Solar Eclipse is a cloud filled sky.  We learned later that 90% of the path of the total eclipse across the United States was cloud free.  But, 10% of the path had significant cloud cover.  St. Joe, Missouri was part of the 10%!

The actual eclipse in our area of the country began around noon.  We could see the moon begin to cover part of the sun.  It looked like someone had taken a bite out of the top edge of the sun.  We were able to view this through the high clouds with our special sun glasses.  You could sense the excitement build among the 20,000 people at our location as the eclipse slowly increased.

However, we noticed a band of dark rain clouds heading our way.  The clouds quickly blocked our view of the progress of the eclipse.  The light drizzle turned into heavy rain.  People jumped into their cars hoping for the rain to pass through quickly.  The eclipse was progressing but our view was blocked by the dark clouds.

We had come half way across the country to witness this historic event, but at the very moment of the eclipse, we were in a rain storm!  Finally, when the rain storm passed our location, it was at the height of the eclipse.  We could see parts of the sun directly overhead through the remaining high clouds.  We could see the silvery edge of the sun’s light as the eclipse reached totality.

We really didn’t get to see the total eclipse clearly, but we did experience the black darkness as the shadow of the moon swept across the land.  It was an strange sensation as the day turned to night!  We could see day light on the horizon but we stood in black darkness.  I have read that you can see stars in the middle of the day when the eclipse reaches totality and the sun light is completely obscured.

We did not see any stars, but we did see and feel the darkness as it covered and surrounded us on the ground.  After about 2 minutes of darkness, the sun began to reappear.  A brilliant light graced the edge of the sun as the moon began to move away and more sun light was reappeared.  Even with the high clouds obscuring part of our view, it was a remarkable sight to see.

As quickly as it began, the eclipse quickly diminished.  Two minutes of totality.  Then it was over.  But it was well worth it.  I have heard people say that there is nothing comparable to witnessing a total solar eclipse.  I agree.  It was amazing to see and experience.  I’m glad that we flew across the country to see this unique event.  It was amazing even with our reduced visibility.

One of the things about an eclipse is that is predictable.  Astronomers have known for decades that this event would occur on this exact date, at the exact time in a precise path all the way across the country.  The rotation of the moon around the earth and the orbit of the earth around the sun are perfectly aligned to create a total solar eclipse.

Some would argue that all of this is the result of a Big Bang and billions of years of evolution.  Others would argue that this kind of precision could only be possible through the creative genius and power of our creator.  In the first book of the Bible, we have the account of creation.  It says in part, “Let there be lights in the sky to separate the day from the night…let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years…and God saw that is was good”(Genesis 1:14).

In Psalm 19 it says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands”.  Let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read these passages for yourself.  You can draw your own conclusions.  And, let me also encourage you to plan see the next total eclipse in Austin, Texas in 2024!  You will be glad you did!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Little Friends

By Mark Hopper

I was driving in Yorba Linda recently and saw a sign in front of a church.  It was Rose Drive Friends Church.  I have heard many good things about the church.  The sign in front of the church read, “Now Enrolling: Rose Drive Friends School & Little Friends Preschool”.  The phrase “Little Friends” caught my attention.  I like the way they said that their Preschool was for “Little Friends”.  It brought a smile to my face.  Yes – preschool children are like “little friends”.

I know this month is the start of another school year.  For most children, it is a familiar routine.  They are moving up from one grade to another.  Some of the older ones will graduate at the end of this school year.  But, for some of the “little ones” this will be their first time in school.  They will be leaving the familiar routine of their home life and launching into a new world of teachers and students in a classroom setting. The children will probably adapt well to this new world.  But, sometimes the parents have a harder time enrolling their children in school for the first time.  I remember a kindergarten teacher saying that the parents were more of a problem than the children.   The teacher drew a line on the side walk at the entrance of her classroom and instructed the parents to wait behind the line.  It was difficult for the parents to comply.

There is a passage in the Bible that reveals how much Jesus loved “little ones”.  In Matthew chapter 19, Jesus’ disciples tried to prevent the little children from bothering Jesus.  But, Jesus opened his arms and embraced them.  Verse 14 says, “Let the little ones come to me. Do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. In an earlier chapter Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you can not enter the Kingdon of Heaven”. He went on to say that we need to humble ourselves like a child in our relationship with God. (Matthew 18:3-4).

We can learn a lot about our relationship with God from these “Little Ones”.  Faith is not complicated.  It is simple.  Trusting, believing and coming to God with child like faith.  God is not looking for academic credentials and deep theological concepts.  He is inviting us to come to Him with child like faith.  Trust Him and come to Him just as a child does his or her earthly mother and father. You may have a child or grandchild who is starting school this year.  I hope that they will enjoy this new step in their life.  I hope you remember to say a prayer for your “little ones” and for their teachers.  They will be glad you did and you will too.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Back To School

By Mark Hopper

Everywhere you look these days, there are reminders that school will be starting again soon. My credit card company is encouraging me to use my credit card for back to school shopping. I guess they don’t know our children are actually out of college!

Retail stores are advertising back to school sales for clothes, school supplies, back packs and much more. I heard a news report that said this has become one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year as parents spend more money getting their kids ready for school.

I suspect that most children are excited to be going back to school. They will reconnect with their friends and get to meet their new teachers. School has a way of connecting the community like few other things.

I suspect that a lot of parents are also glad that school is starting again, too. Stay-home moms and dads have worked hard keeping the kids busy through the summer months. I’m sure that most parents are looking forward to having a little less time with their kids and a little more time to get things done without children in the house.

When I was in elementary school, I remember the excitement and anticipation of the new school year. Some friends and I would ride our bicycles to our local school to see if the class rosters were posted yet. We speculated on which teacher we would get and wondered if we would be in the same classes together. It was a special day when the names of the teachers and their students were posted on the windows of the school cafeteria.

My wife taught sixth grade in our local school district for many years. She enjoyed sixth graders. She said that they were still young enough to be respectful and well behaved. At the same time they were old enough to study, learn and discuss subjects in a responsible way.

My wife also shared her observation that most middle school students usually have one difficult year on their journey in 6th, 7th or 8th grade. During those “middle” years, boys and girls can feel awkward and uncomfortable what the changes they are experienceing. But, good teachers can usually nurture and encourage these students on their journey through middle school.

I believe that education is a team effort. School teachers, parents and churches share the privilege and responsibility of educating our children. I encourage parents to not expect school teachers and Sunday School teachers to do all the work for them. Parents play a critical role in their children’s academic, spiritual and moral training.

Let me encourage parents to get involved and stay involved in your children’s education. Don’t assume others will do the job for you. Help your kids with their home work. Get connected with their teachers – both at school and at church. Send a note or small gift to those who are teaching and training your children. Teachers work very hard. Thank their teachers – at school and at church – for the investment they are making in your child’s life.

You can see it on TV and at the mall. You can find the latest bargains on line. School is starting again soon. I hope that this will be a wonderful school year for you and your children.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Rescuing a Lizard

By Mark Hopper

I recently heard in the news that a woman called “911” because she was being strangled and bitten by her Boa Constrictor.  Fortunately, she was rescued by local law enforcement and survived this frightening event.

My story is on a much smaller scale and not as dramatic.  Actually, I was not attacked by a lizard.  I rescued a lizard!

When I went out to wash my car, I opened the front wrought iron gate to get the garden hose.  As I opened the gate, I noticed something unusual.  Something was caught on the bottom of the gate.  I thought is was a leaf or piece of paper.  But, when I looked closer, I realized it was a lizard.

I had attached some wire screen to the lower part of the front gate to keep rabbits from getting into my back yard.    The screen is made of wire with small squares about a quarter inch wide.

Unfortunately, the lizard got trapped in this wire screen and was unable to get free.  At first, I thought the lizard was dead.  He appeared lifeless and was not moving.  But he reacted quickly when I touched him.  Thankfully, he was still alive.

How do you free a lizard who has squeezed himself into a fix like this?  I decided that surgery was required.  I went into the garage and found a small pair of wire cutters.  I went back to the gate and began to cut the wire screen around the lizard being careful to not injure my small friend.

I felt a little like one of those technicians you see in the movies who defuse bombs.  They have to carefully cut each wire without detonating the device.  I finally cut the section of wire away from the gate.  Now I just needed to cut the last few pieces that were still holding the lizard.  With the precision of a brain surgeon, I cut each piece as carefully as possible.  Finally, the lizard broke free! Success!

Of course, after freeing my little friend, you would expect that he would stay behind to thank me.  But, that was not the case.  He quickly dashed off into the nearby bushes glad to be freed from this life threatening predicament.

I am glad that my rescue attempt and surgical strategy was a success.  I enjoy having lizards around the yard and I’m glad I was able to rescue this one.

I wonder how often God has rescued us from some unanticipated situations?  I wonder how often He has protected us from serious injury or an unforeseen problem that we are unaware of?

I do know that the Bible promises us that when we call on Him for help, He hears our prayers.  Psalm 145:18-20 says, “The Lord is near to those who call on Him…He will hear their cry and rescue them”.

But, don’t wait until a crisis comes into your life.  Call on God every day.  Begin and end each day with prayer.  He is near and He will hear every prayer!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 &10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

A Can Of Paint

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

 

I have discovered that after Spring cleaning comes Summer painting!  We recently hired some people to remodel our bathrooms.  The look great.  New fixtures, new tile and new paint!  It is amazing how nice they look. However, when you get new paint in one room, you notice how old the paint looks in the other rooms.  I guess it is like buying a new car.  You have no problem driving the older car with its scratches and dents until you see a new car parked next to yours.  The new car makes your car look older! Before the new painters worked on our two bathrooms, the old paint looked fine to me.  But, now, it is easy to notice how faded and old the existing paint looked and the new paint clearly looks better than the old.

So, we bought a can of new paint and started on other rooms in our house.  Actually, we purchased two cans.  One for the walls and the smaller can for the baseboards.  We also purchased new brushes, rollers and a new paint pan.  I forgot to buy some plastic gloves, but I was ready to take on the challenge! When my wife and I were newlyweds, we bought some inexpensive paint from a local store.  The color looked good and the price was low.  But, we quickly learned that the cheaper paint was not a good idea.  When we used a paint roller with the thin, cheap paint, we were soon covered with speckles of paint.  I think we got more paint on ourselves than on the wall!  I suspect this happens to all rookie painters. This time we bought some good quality paint.  It went on smoothly with very little mess.  This paint was much thicker and covered very well.  The new paint looked great and my wife was really pleased.

It is interesting how a coat of paint can change and transform the appearance of a room in your house.  Everything looks better.  The room looks bigger and cleaner.  The color looks more vivid and brighter.  New paint really does make a difference!  A can of paint can literally transform the appearance of a room.

I don’t know of many verses in the Bible that talk about paint.  Most houses were made of mud bricks with wooded logs, sticks and branches for a roof.  Most were not “painted”.  However, some buildings were covered with “whitewash” – similar to our paint. Jesus refers  to religious hypocrites as “whitewashed tombs”.  In Bible times, it was common to bury dead bodies in small caves – often several bodies in one tomb.  Over time, the bodies would decay and the bones would remain.   Sometimes people would “paint” the entrance of the cave with “whitewash”. Jesus accused the religious hypocrites of looking beautiful on the outside but he said they were spiritually dead on the inside. ( Matthew 23:27 / Acts 23:3).  Jesus said they were like “whitewashed” tombs. I wonder what Jesus would say about you and me today?  Do we look good on the outside, but is the inside of our heart, mind and soul pleasing to God?  Do we appear religious and kind on the outside, but are we unkind hypocrites on the inside?

At the same time, the Bible does remind us that God can take the worst sinner and transform him or her into a beautiful person.  In a small letter in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote, “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us – not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy.  God saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). God can transform the worst of us – inside and out – when we acknowledge our sins and we accept Jesus as our personal savior.  The Bible says that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and he rose again to purchase a place for us in heaven.

A can of paint can dramatically change the appearance of a room.  New paint can cover a multitude of smudges, scratches and hand prints.  However, spiritually speaking, we need a new “paint job” on the inside!  Paint is only an exterior cover.  Grace and faith in Jesus are what can change us on the inside! If you want to change the appearance of your home, buy a can of paint.  If you want to change the condition of your heart, start by confessing your sins to God and by placing your faith in Jesus today. You will be glad you did and He will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 &10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

A Manila Envelope

By Mark Hopper

 

Recently, I received a large Manila envelope in the mail from my brother.  He is my favorite brother. Actually, he is my only brother! He sends me a birthday card every year and signs it – “Your Favorite Brother”. I wasn’t sure what he was sending me .  My birthday is in August.  I knew it was too early and too big for a birthday card.  So I was curious.  What was in this large envelope? He must have been cleaning out some old files and boxes, because he sent me some old photos and newspaper clippings.  I suspect that these were things that my father and mother collected over the years.  My brother must have found them as he cleaned out some files after they died.

There were some real treasures among the things he sent.  There were pictures of our children when they were in elementary school.  There were a few pictures of some family gatherings.  And, there was a picture of my brother and me and our wives with my dad after our mother had died.  There were a few photos of my wife and I with my parents at my graduation from seminary in 1975.

The envelope also contained some old newspaper clippings of me when I was in high school and college.  One news article was about a good looking young man who had been named “Newspaper Boy of the Year” in Phoenix Arizona by the Arizona Republic in 1968.  That good looking guy was me!  There was a nice picture of me receiving this special award.  According to the article there were over 2,000 newspaper carriers in Phoenix at that time.  Somehow, the Arizona Republic selected me!

Another newspaper article reported that two young men had been selected to represent Arizona at the annual “Boys Nation” gathering in Washington, DC in July, 1968.  The American Legion sponsored “Boys State” in all fifty states each year.  In each state, young leaders gathered on a college campus to learn about leadership and government.  They  held elections and selected representatives for the various branches of state government.  I was one of over 300 young men who attended the Arizona Boys State convention in 1968.  I was one of the two young men selected to go to Boys Nation in Washington, DC.  That brought back many memories.  During that week in Washington, we met with President Johnson in the White House Rose Garden.  We also met with Vice President Hubert Humphrey later that week.  We had private tours of the nation’s Capitol, the White House, the  Pentagon and the State Department.  It was a week that I will always remember.

There were a few other items in that large Manila envelope.  There were a few cards written by our mother.  There was my second grade spelling book.  I don’t think my parents saved my report cards.  That is probably best! There are many passages in the Bible that urge us to remember our past and reflect on God’s blessings.  The Bible also instructs us to share these stories with our children and grandchildren.  In the book of Deuteronomy chapter six it says, “Teach your children and talk about these things when you are at home or out for a walk – at bed time or the first thing in the morning”. I am confident that you probably have some envelopes and files at your house that contain some family treasures.  Let me encourage you to get them out and take some time to share them with  your immediate and extended family.   They will be glad you did and you will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 &10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Where’s My Bag?

By Mark Hopper

Recently, my son and I took a father son golf trip.  My wife came along to cook for us and to clean our golf clubs each day (just kidding).

My son and I enjoy playing golf and sharing time together.  He is a good golfer and can really hit the ball a mile.  His tee shots can be amazing and he hits his iron shots high and long onto the green.

Since we were traveling by plane, we both checked in our golf clubs at the ticket counter. We both use a “travel bag” to transport our golf clubs.  Some golfers use a “hard shell” travel case, but both my son and I use a soft, canvas case.  Both of ours are black.

When we arrived at our destination, we headed for baggage claim to pick up our clubs.  We always hold our breath hoping that our bags made it to our destination.  I suppose everyone who travels by plane has “lost” a suitcase or other luggage.  But, this time there was no problem.  We grabbed our golf bags and headed for the car rental center.

However, as I was signing papers for our rental car, my phone rang.  I handed my phone to my son so I would not be discourteous to the car rental employee.  The call was from a number that he didn’t recognize but he answered it any way.

I didn’t hear the conversation, but it did sound like something was wrong.  I hoped it wasn’t an emergency.  After getting the keys to our rental car, I asked my son what the phone call was all about.  He said that it was from someone at baggage claim at the airport.  They said they had my golf bag and wondered if we had picked up their bag by mistake!

We called them back and asked them to wait for us on the curb by baggage claim. We drove our rental car right back to the airport.

We didn’t know what the people looked like and they didn’t know us, but we found each other pretty quickly.  They were the people with the black, canvas golf travel bag.

Apparently, one of their travel bags was exactly like mine!  We had picked up their bag thinking that it was one of ours.  When they saw my bag, they thought it was theirs.  When they opened the travel bag, they quickly realized that the golf clubs inside were not theirs.  Thankfully, I had my name and phone number in one of the pockets of my golf bag.  That is how they knew how to call me.

Our travel bags were exactly the same.  The same brand and same color.  Identical.!  I am very thankful that they discovered our mistake and were able to contact us before we left the airport.  We might not have discovered our mistake until we got to a golf course a day or two later.  A potential disaster was averted!

I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover or a travel bag by its color.  It is wise to look inside and see what is there.  The same is true in dealing with people.  We should not judge them by their exterior.  The color of their skin or the clothes that they wear.  We need to look beyond the surface and get to know the real person on the inside.

In the Old Testament book of First Samuel, God warns his prophet Samuel that men look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart (I Sam 16:9).  In the New Testament, Peter says that we should not just focus on our outward appearance (clothes, jewelry, hair) but focus on the hidden person of the heart (I Peter 3:1-6).

I know that most suitcases look alike and so do golf travel bags.  But, we need to remember that it is what is on the inside that counts. The same is true when we look at our neighbors, co-workers and classmates.

Pastor Mark Hopper
Efree Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM
Efreedb.org 

 

A Bird In The Hand

By Mark Hopper

 

There is a familiar saying that says, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.  Basically it means that it is better to hold on to something you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get something more. I have come up with a better slogan, “A bird in the house is worse than two in the bush”.  During the past few months several birds have built nests in the rafters of our patio.  We enjoy watching the progress of nest building and the birth of new baby birds.  However, we don’t enjoy the mess that they make and leave behind.

One day we were surprised to see a new nest on top to the porch light next to our patio sliding door.  How did that happen?  The mother bird has been faithfully sitting on the nest.  But every time someone opens the patio door, she is frightened and quickly flies away. Recently, someone went out to the patio for a moment and forgot to close the door.  As usual the mother bird was started and quickly took flight.  But, instead of flying away, she flew into our house!  Suddenly we had an unexpected visitor.  The bird was frightened and confused.  We were also frightened and concerned.  What are we going to do with a wild bird in our house?  How do you get an uninvited guest to leave? Family members quickly sprang into action.  The grandkids opened the front door and the other two sliding doors in the house hoping the bird would use one of these safe exits.  One of the adults starting waving their hands trying to persuade the bird out of the house. Another adult grabbed a small blanket and held it up to try to block the bird from going further into the house.  To our surprise, the bird landed on the blanket and seemed to calm down.  Then the adult slowly walked toward an open door and gave the blanket a gentle shake and the bird flew away. Success!

I suspect most of you have had an unexpected guest in your house, too.  One time we had a skunk in our house.  You may have had a mouse, lizard, snake or other non-domesticated creature, too. I think most of these critters prefer the outdoors instead of indoor your house.  It can be a challenge keeping them out and it can be exciting getting them out when they find their way into your home. Jesus told his followers that our Heavenly Father knows how many hairs each of us has on our head and He knows when every Sparrow falls.  Since He knows every detail of our lives, I’m sure He knows when a bird finds its way into our house, too!   I’m not sure which is better –  the bird in the hand verses two birds in the bush.  But, I am certain that a bird in the house is worse than two birds in the bush.

Pastor Mark Hopper
Efree Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM
Efreedb.org 

Early In The Morning

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I were in Arizona visiting some family members. As usual, I found myself helping with another home improvement project.

Every project seems to start at a local Home Improvement center like Home Depot. The closest one to us opened at 5:30 in the morning. I was surprised at how many people were already there that early in the day.

The parking lot was filled with pick-up trucks. Many were pulling trailers filled with tools, equipment and materials for another day’s work. Home Depot was a busy place.

I was impressed by the people that I saw. These were hard working people. Most were wearing jeans and work shirts that had paint and stains on them. Their hands and arms looked strong and sturdy.

I was also impressed by the spirit of these working people, too. There was laughter in their conversation. People greeted one another. Many seemed to know one another. There were smiles as people acknowledged fellow workers.

At the same time, there was a sense of urgency. They were there to pick up materials that were needed for the day’s work ahead. People were not loitering around. They were ready to get what the needed and get to the job site. No time for a long conversation. It was time to get to work.

I envy the skills and abilities for these hard working people. There were painters and carpenters. I saw men loading cement blocks and sheets of plywood with their bare hands. Others had filled their truck or trailer with bags of garden soil, bushes and trees ready for planting. There were a couple of plumbers, too. These were experienced, skilled working people.

As I finished shopping for the items I needed for my home improvement project, I couldn’t help but smile. I was ready to set out on a project, too. It was an honor to be among these gifted workers.

There is a verse in the Bible that is a helpful reminder for all of us who work with our hands and our minds. “Do your work with all your heart, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not just men” (Ephesians 6:7). Whatever our profession, we should strive to do our jobs well – not just to please others, but to please God.

Let me encourage you to do your work well. Be a good employee. Do all you can to encourage your co-workers, too. And, if you employ workers at your home or business, I hope you will express your appreciation to them too. Say “thanks” to the hard working people around you this week.
You will be glad you did and they will too!

Let’s Go To The Movies

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have noticed that many communities in the area sponsor Movie Nights during the summer.  Most of these are out doors in a park or other public area on Wednesday evening.  It is a great way to enjoy a relaxing evening with your neighbors, family and friends.

Our church has also porovided free movie nights during the summer season.  It has been a nice way for us to get to know our neighbors and to provide a positive event for our community.

In the past, we showed a family friendly film once-a-month in June, July and August.  Children, teens and adults watched together in our worship center.

This summer we are expanding our movie event by showing three different films in three different locations on our campus.  We are calling it a “Movie Festival” and we want to invite you and your family and friends to come!

On Friday, June 9th at 5:00 PM, we will be showing three different movies in three different venues.  We will be showing – “Finding Nemo”, “Soul Suffer” and “Swiss Family Robinson”.

On Friday, July 21st, at 5:00 PM, we will be showing “Lego Batman”, “Ant Man”, and “Hidden Figures”.

In addition to the Movies, there will be free hot dogs, chips and beverages for everyone.  There will also be crafts and face painting for children.  All of the films and food are free.

Please mark your calendar now and plan to enjoy a relaxing and fun filled evening with us this summer.  We hope you will find a film that you can enjoy and time to relax with your neighbors and friends.

For more information about our “Movie Festival”, please go to our website or call the church office at (909) 594-7604.

By the way, another favorite summer event at our church is Vacation Bible School.  The dates this year are July 24-28th.  Children from kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome to enjoy this busy week.  You can register online at our website or call the church office for more information.

This summer, I hope you will say to your neighbors, family and friends, “Let’s go to the movies”!

Pastor Mark Hopper, Efree Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd., Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM, Efreedb.org

 

Memorial Day

By Pastor Mark  Hopper

My wife and I visited Arlington Cemetery with our children many years ago.  It is a vast area outside of Washington, D.C., where thousands of military veterans are buried.   It is one of the best known cemeteries in our country.  Both Privates and Presidents are buried there.

Our family has also visited the military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  A bloody military battle was fought at Gettysburg during our nation’s Civil War in 1863.  The headstones list the names of each soldier and the states where these fallen veterans were from.

About ten years ago, my son and I had the opportunity to visit the beaches of Normandy, France.  This was the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history.  Troops from Canada, England, America, Australia, New Zealand and other allied nations came ashore to begin the liberation of occupied Western Europe.

Above the wide sandy beach is the American military cemetery.  My son and I walked through the endless rows of Crosses and Stars of David that mark each burial plot.  It is a stark reminder of the high price that was paid by American soldiers and sailors to secure a beachhead in France in 1944.  The war in Europe ended a year later.

Did you know that there are also military veteran cemeteries here in Southern California?  There is a National Cemetery in West Los Angeles and another in Riverside.  There are also military cemeteries in San Diego.

All of these cemeteries are dedicated to honoring the men and women who have served in our nation’s military.  Some of these people died in battle.   Many more survived their military service and have been buried in a veteran’s cemetery at the end of their lives.

On the last Monday in May, our nation celebrates Memorial Day to honor and remember the men and women who lost their lives serving in our nation’s military.  It is a day to reflect on the lives that have been lost and the price that has been paid to defend our nation’s freedom.

Someone said that “freedom is not free.” The freedoms that we enjoy everyday are a result of the sacrifice of men and women who have served in our nation’s military.

During the last few days in May, you will see American flags in many local cemeteries.  Thousands of volunteers from various service organizations give their time to place American flags on the graves of military veterans.

I hope that you will pause and reflect on what these flags represent.  Take a moment to remember those who have served in our nation’s military.  Take a moment to appreciate the sacrifice of those who died in military service.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

A Cow Bell

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Many years ago my wife and I and a group of adults from our church traveled to Romania.  We worked in partnership with a young pastor and growing church in the middle of the country.

In addition to visiting their church in the city of Cluj, we spent a week together in a rural village near the Transylvania mountains.

A number of young couples participated in a week-long marriage retreat.

In addition to daily discussions on marriage, there was also time for recreation and relaxation.  The Romanians were just as competivte as Americans.  Coed volleyball games were enjoyed by all of us.

One day during the week, I saw a line of cows walking down a dirt road near the field where we were playing volleyball.

The lead cow had a small brass bell hanging from a strap around his neck.  He was leading the other cows back into the village at the end of the day from the grassy fields nearby.

I told the members of our team that we were going to continue to play volleyball until the “cows come home”.  They didn’t know how accurate my prediction was.  We ended the game a few minutes later after the cows passed by us on the dirt road.

Recently while I was playing with our granddaughter at our house,  she had discovered a small cow bell on a self in our bedroom.  She was intrigued by its size and sound.  She didn’t know that this small bell was a gift from our friends in Romania.

I had not noticed that bell for years, but it immediately brought back fond memories of our trip to Romania and the wonderful friends we met there many years ago.

You probably have some keepsakes and souvenirs that remind you of people and events in your life.  You may have a picture or a plaque that brings back special memories of places you have been.

In one example in the Bible,  the people of Israel piled up twelve large boulders along the bank of the Jordan River.  These large stones were to serve as a reminder that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground (Joshua chapter 4).These large stones were to remind future generations of this remarkable event in their nation’s history.

I think we all need visual, tangible objects to help us remember special events and special people in our lives.  You probably have some things around your house – pictures, trophies, and souveniours.  Let me encourage you to take some time this week to look around your house or office and reflect on the memories you find there.

Take time to tell your children and grandchildren the meaning and significance of some of the things that are hanging on your walls or sitting on the shelves in your house.  Maybe it is time to add a few new ones while you have the time.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

A Small Box

By Mark Hopper

I think most husbands have difficulty finding gifts for their wife.  After many years of marriage, it is hard to think of something new and creative to give her. From a husband’s perspective,  most wives who have been married for 25 or 30 years have everything they need.  We have been married 45 years!  What else could she possibly need?

Since I wasn’t sure what to do,  I called one of our daughters and asked for some suggestions.  One idea she thought of was to give my wife theater tickets to a Musical that was coming to southern California in the spring. The nice thing about theater tickets is that my wife enjoys receiving them and she looks forward to the date we will actually use them!  The anticipation adds to the enjoyment.

Another suggestion was to give my wife a gift card to one of her favorite clothing stores so she could pick out a dress or an outfit herself.  That does eliminate the surprise factor but it does allow her to find something she likes. Finally in desperation, I decided to go to the Mall myself on the Saturday before Christmas and see what I could find.  I had a budget in mind and thought I would start in the jewelry department.  The Mall was crowded and parking was scarce, but I was determined to not leave without a Christmas gift for my wife.  After I finally found a parking space, I set out on my quest.

Since I had not been to the jewelry department in years, it took me a while to find it.  Several helpful clerks were waiting for me. I’m sure they know what a desperate husband looks like on Christmas Eve. I decided to lay my cards on the table and simply asked the clerk what could I buy within my budget?  I was surprised at how willing they were to help me.  They even had some items on sale within my price range. When I picked out the item I liked,  they informed me that the special reduced sale price wasn’t available until after Christmas. Bummer!  But, they assured me that they could check with their manager and see if they could sell me the item at the special after Christmas reduced price now.  Was this a scam?  Was I their next victim?  I held my breath.

Finally, the clerk returned with good news.  They were glad to sell me the item now at the after Christmas price.  It was within my budget and they even offered to wrap it.  Success!

Before they wrapped the little velvet box, they removed the price tag and gave it to me.  According to the tag, the original price was several times higher than what I paid.  I was impressed with my bargaining skills! I left the Mall with a gift in hand.  Like Julius Caesar said,  “Venti, vidi, vici” – “I came, I saw and I conquered”.

My wife was thrilled with her Christmas gift.  It was a winner.  She couldn’t believe that I would buy something this nice.  She was very pleased and very surprised.  Who was I?  Where was her real husband?? I managed to leave the price tag in an obscure place knowing that she would eventually find it.  When she saw it a few days after Christmas, she called me immediately and asked if I had really spent that much on her gift. I reassured her that she was worth every cent, but I tried to avoid telling her I that I had actually paid the after Christmas super discount price.  I hope you won’t tell her either. I hope your holidays were as much fun as ours.  Gift giving is a risky business.  It is hard to find the right gift for the woman who already has everything!  This Christmas was a winner!

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

Looks Can Be Deceiving

By Mark Hopper

 

My wife and I have been to a number of different countries around the world.  Recently, we were in Central Europe.  It is beautiful.  The mountains are snow capped and the hillsides are lush and green.

Many of the buildings are hundreds of years old, especially in the older established parts of major cities.  Many of these buildings have been repaired and restored.  They look impressive and distinguished.

But, when you get up close, it is surprising to see that some paint or plaster has deteriorated.  It is surprising to find red clay bricks beneath the exterior facade. It is amazing to discover that many beautiful buildings, palaces and cathedrals are built with small, red, clay bricks! The craftsmen and engineers certainly did wonderful work.  But, hidden beneath the exterior beauty of these buildings are thousands of clay bricks cemented together. Looks can be deceiving!

There are passages in the Bible that instruct us to not base our opinion of other people simply on their exterior characteristics.  James warns us to not treat a person differently because of the new or older clothing they wear.  The Prophet Samuel was also warned to not draw conclusions based on a person’s size, strength or physical ability.

The Bible says that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart.  I wonder how often you and I are guilty of doing the opposite?  Do we form an opinion of a person by the clothes they wear or the color of their skin or by the kind of car they drive? I wonder if we disregard an older person because of the color of their gray hair or the number of wrinkles on their face? I wonder if we overlook a teen or young adult because of the clothes they wear and the way they talk?

Let me encourage you to not draw conclusions or form opinions of others because of their external characteristics.  We call this “prejudice”.  It means to pre-judge someone before you really get to know them. Let me encourage you to really get to know people.  Learn what is on the inside.  Listen to their words and opinions.  Observe their actions and see how they treat other people.  Look for the hidden qualities of their heart.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

Changing Times

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My grandmother was born in Boone, Iowa in 1896.  She died in 1978. She taught in a one-roomed country school house. Life sounded pretty simple in those days.

During her life time, she witnessed many changes.  She remembered seeing her first automobile.  She remembered electricity coming to her small farming community.

She remembered seeing her first airplane.  She remembered the invention of the radio and television.  There were so many advances in technology and science in her lifetime.

I’m sure she remembered the news of the first atomic bomb.  She lived through the days of the First and Second World Wars.  She would have known about the wars in Korea and Vietnam Nam.  All of these occurred in her lifetime.

And, I know she witnessed the space program from the launching of the first satellites to the landing of men on the moon in 1969.  Who could have imagined the changes during her life from the horse and buggie to a man on the moon?

The same could be said of our lifetime.  Who could have imagined all of the changes and advances in communication, travel and technology in our life time?

I remember my family getting our first TV in the 1950’s.  It was a small “black & white” TV with large “rabbit ears” for an antenna and a very limited number of channels to choose from.  Today, we have a flat screen TV with an unlimited number of cable channels to watch.  And, now you can live stream TV shows on your computer too.

Transportation has changed as well.  I wish I still had my first car.  I bought a used, two-door 1957 Chevy when I was sixteen years old…It was a gas guzzler with a four barrel carburetor.  Today, fuel injection has replaced the carburetor and many people are driving electric automobiles that can self-park!

I remember going to the airport to see propeller-driven planes.  The first jet passenger planes arrived in the 1960’s.  Now, modern jet airplanes can carry over 500 passengers from one continent to another.

The most amazing advances have been in communication.  When I was young, we had a telephone “party line” where four different homes shared one phone line.  It was a big deal when we could finally get our own private phone line.  Today, many people have abandoned a landline and simply use their cell phones.

Computers have changed our world.  In the 1940’s only the military had computers.  Later, large businesses began to use them.  By the 1980’s people could own a personal computer.  Today, we carry computers around with us and call them “smart phones”!

I wonder what changes are ahead for our children and grandchildren?  What advances will they see in travel and technology?  What new devices will improve their ability to communicate?  Only time will tell.

In the midst of all these changes, it is helpful to remember that God does not change.  The Bible speaks of His unchanging nature and attributes.  The Bible reveals God’s limitless power and knowledge.  He remains our firm foundation in a rapidly changing world.

Let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read about God’s steadfast love and endless power.  Psalm 145 reflects on God’s power and majesty.  Take time to read and remember the One who made this amazing world we live in.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

 

Playing Catch

By Pastor Mark Hopper

On a recent trip, my wife and I were able to visit some of our out-of-town grandchildren.  They have grown up so much since we saw them last summer.  It was delightful to spend time with them.

One grandson specifically requested that I bring a baseball and a glove so that we could play catch together.  He has a glove and a ball, but you need two to play catch.  I was glad to oblige.

One day we grabbed our gloves and a well worn baseball and walked to a nearby field.  It wasn’t a traditional baseball field.  It didn’t have a back stop, pitcher’s mound or bases.  But, it was covered with green grass and bright colored yellow wild flowers.   It looked more like a mountain meadow that a baseball diamond.

We started to play catch.  While we tossed the baseball back and forth, and we talked.  We talked about the weather and if it was likely to rain today.  We talked about how beautiful it was with the fresh green grass and beautiful flowers covering the field.

We talked about some of the unusual rules that there are in baseball.  For example, when you are batting and the catcher drops the ball on a third strike, you can still run to first base.  There is a rule that says if you bunt the third strike into foul territory you are automatically out.

There is a rule that says if the pitcher hits the batter with the ball, the batter automatically gets to go to first base.  And, there is another rule that says if a batter hits the ball over the outfield fence it is a home run, but if the ball bounces over the fence it is only a double.

We also talked about life.  We talked about what it was like to be nine years old.  We talked about his school and what he was learning. We also talked about his friends and what they are like.

I’m sure we talked about a lot more things.  We played catch for quite a while.  It was relaxing and casual.  He dropped a few throws but he caught most of them.  My grandson is a pretty good ball player.  Who knows, maybe he will be in the majors one day.

But, regardless of what the future holds, I will remember playing catch with my grandson for a long time.

Let me encourage you to make a plan and take some time to spend with someone special in your life.  It is not the activity that matters but spending time together.

Is there someone who has been asking you to do something with them recently?  Have you put it off because you are too busy to do it right now?  Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.  Make a plan and set aside some time to do something soon.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

 

Golfing Fore The Kids

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

I enjoy playing golf.  It requires skill, luck, and perseverance.  Many life lessons are found in golf:   how to overcome adversity; how to build character; how to help and encourage your fellow players.

Another nice thing about golf is that you can play the game throughout your life.  I enjoy seeing a mom or dad spending time on the putting green with their young children.  My son and I started playing golf together when he was in middle school and we still enjoy playing golf together today.

It is also nice to see golf teams from local high schools on the golf course.  Although each player keeps his or her own score, they compete as a team against other schools.  In fact, my own son is the boys’ golf coach at his high school.  This is his third year.

This year I am the co-chairman of our annual Walnut Valley Rotary Club – Diamond Bar Community Foundation golf tournament.  These two service organizations put this annual golf tournament together to raise funds that benefit children and youth in our local community.

The DBCF contributes funds for youth sports fields, academic scholarships, fine arts programs and much more.  The Rotary Club of Walnut Valley supports youth speech and music competitions, youth leadership camps and holiday food and toy distributions.  Both organizations make contributions to our local schools and both give away thousands of dollars each year to benefit children and youth in Diamond Bar, Walnut, and Rowland Heights.

Our annual “Golfing Fore The Kids” tournament will be on Monday, May 8th at the beautiful Western Hills Golf Course.  We are looking for more golfers to participate in this event.  The cost is $150 per player.  This includes 18 holes of golf plus Subway breakfast sandwiches, Chick- Fil-A chicken sandwiches, and a mid-afternoon dinner in the Western Hills dining room.

Participants will have the opportunity to win a new Car at the Hole in One par three.  Numerous raffle items will be given away at the end of the tournament.  It will be a great day to enjoy with your fellow golfers on this luxurious private golf course.

In addition, we are looking for more sponsors to support this community event.  Over the years, many local businesses and corporations have given financial support to this event.  Individual sponsors have also contributed to Golfing Fore the Kids.

You can learn more about “Golfing Fore The Kids” at the Diamond Bar Community Foundation web site.  Golfers can register online, too.

Please mark your calendar now and register this week to enjoy a wonderful day of golf on May 8th at the Western Hills Country Club. Check out our web site for all the information.  Invite some fellow golfers to join you for a memorable golf experience.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

The Clock On The Kitchen Wall

By Mark Hopper

We have clocks all over our house.  There are clocks in the bedrooms and in the living room.  There are also digital displays that show the time on our cable box and kitchen applicances.  Everyone who has a smart phone not only has a clock but also a calendar!

In our house, there is a clock on the kitchen wall.  It is simple and helpful.  It is round with a white trim and black numbers.  It even has a “second hand” if you remember what that is.

I can’t tell you haw many times a day I look at that kitchen clock.  When I am walking in from the garage, I usually look at the clock.  When I am eating my lunch or grabbing a snack, I look at that clock.  When I am rushing out the door to a meeting or appointment, I glance at that clock to see how late I am.

I love that clock.  I know it is old fashion and that there are many other places in our house where I can find out what time it is, but I find myself frequently looking across the room at that old, plastic clock in the kitchen.

Recently the unthinkable happened.  The clock in the kitchen stopped working.  The hands on the clock were not moving.  The “second hand” was not moving.  It was like time stood still.

The obvious solution was to replace the AA battery.  I used several old batteries that I found in a kitchen drawer, but they did not help.  I assumed that they were too old and probably had no battery life in them.

So, I went to the store and bought a new pack of AA batteries.  I knew this would fix the problem.  When I put in a fresh AA battery I was surprised to see that it was still not working.  Bummer!  Could it be that the new batteries that I just bought were not good?  I realized that was unlikely.  The logical conclusion was that our faithful kitchen clock was dead.

Our faithful friend was gone.  Every time I looked at the kitchen wall, I was reminded that the clock was gone.  I laughed at myself for how many times a day I looked in that direction wondering what time it was.  I didn’t think to look at the kitchen appliances.  I just kept glancing over looking for that old clock.

Today, we purchased a new clock for our kitchen.  The blank space on the wall is filled with a new clock.  It looks just like the old one and it cost less than five dollars (battery non included)!

Now I can look over my shoulder and find out what time it is.  There is something comforting having a clock on the wall.  I don’t need to buy a watch.  I don’t need to look at my smart phone.  My faithful friend on the wall always has the correct time.  And, if the power goes out at our house, that kitchen clock will keep on ticking.

March is daylight savings month. It is time to “spring ahead” one hour. This would be a perfect time to buy a clock for your kitchen, too.

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 

A Beautiful Drive

By Pastor Mark Hopper

The recent rains in Southern California have promoted a lot of interesting conversations.  People who enjoy winter sports have loved the record amount of snow fall.  Recently, I heard someone say that ski resorts may remain open until the 4th of July!

The rains have produced lush green hillsides in our communities.  Since we live in an arid environment, we expect to see hillsides that are brown and barren.  But not this year.  The hills are covered with lush, dark green grass and other vegetation.

One of the unexpected results of our recent rain are the beautiful wild flowers that are covering the desert landscape.  I have heard in the news that places Palm Spings and Borego Springs are covered with wild flowers.

Last week my son and I drove to Arizona during his spring break.  We wanted to see a Major League Baseball spring training game.  As we drove across the California and Arizona desert we were amazed to see beautiful wild flowers.

The highways were lined with bright yellow flowers and many hillsides were also covered, too.  The hillsides that faced South seemed to have an abundance of flowers of every color.

Who would expect to see this kind of beauty in the middle of the dessert?  How can you explain that a desert could produce this kind of abundant beauty?

A familiar phrase says, “April showers bring May flowers.”  But this year I think we could say that “Winter showers bring indescribable color to unexpected places.”  Not only are the hills alive with color, but so is the barren desert too!

Let me encourage you to take a ride and see this remarkable beauty before it is too late.  Why not visit a desert near you this week and see the beauty that is the product of our abundant rainfall this year.

You will be glad you did!

Efree Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd. (909) 594-7604. Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM. Efreedb.org 

A Rabbit or A Rat?

Wkly - Hopper.jpgBy Pastor Mark Hopper

Our grandchildren love to have a Tea party at Grammie’s house.  They have a special set of Tea cups that depict the story of Peter Rabbit.  These young grandkids know the story by heart but they love to hear it again and again.

The story of Peter Rabbit is probably familiar to many of you.  When Peter’s mother goes in to town, she tells Peter and his brothers and sisters to not get into mischief.  She specifically warns them to not go into Mr. McGregor’s garden.

But, Peter does not obey his mother.  He goes to Mr. McGregor’s garden and can’t find his way out.  Mr. McGregor chases Peter with a shovel and a rake around the garden.  Peter tries to hide as Mr. McGregor searches to find him.  What will happen toPeter?

Recently, we had a similar story at our house.  One evening while my wife and I were watching TV we heard noises in our garage.

A plastic container was knocked over and a rake in the corner had fallen down.

We knew there was something alive in the garage, but we were not sure what it was.  The next morning we saw droppings on the garage floor and a puddle of urine, too.  We began to wonder – was it a rabbit or a rat?  Who was making all that noise and leaving all that mess in our garage?

We continued to hear noises again the next night, but we could not see anything.  When I arrived home after work the next day,   I finally found the answer.  As I pulled into the driveway and the garage door rolled up, I saw a large bunny rabbit in our garage starring at me!  I looked at him and he looked right back at me!

But, instead of running out the open door, he ran back behind some boxes and storage tubs in the back of our garage.  Bummer!  What should we do with this unwanted guest?

At first I thought I would just go into the house and leave the garage door open hoping he would make his escape.  But, then I realized I wouldn’t know if he really left or if he was still hiding in the garage.

I decided to take action.  I opened both the garage door and the side door that led out into the back yard.  I wanted to provide as many escape routes as possible.  Then I began removing the boxes and storage containers from the back of the garage.  I could hear the rabbit trying to hide and conceal himself.

Then I used a broom handle to gently coax this furry critter out of the corner and out one of the doors.  It was more difficult than I expected.  He dashed from one hiding place to another.  Either he didn’t want to leave or he couldn’t figure out which way to go.  He was a lot like Peter Rabbit!

Finally, the rabbit made a dash for the side door.  He was gone in a flash!  My efforts had succeeded.  The invader had been defeated!  My wife was impressed with my courage and skill as I dealt with this furry adversary.  I guess I was a lot like Mr. McGregor!

My wife and I were both relieved that it was a rabbit and not a rat.  We were thankful that we were able to get him out of our garage and thankful that he was not hurt.  Now we need to figure out a way to get him out of our back yard and back to where he belongs.  His mother is probably worried about him!

Efree Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd. (909) 594-7604. Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM. Efreedb.org