Tag Archives: Pastor Mark Hopper

Comeback or Collapse?

By Mark Hopper

I realize that some people did not watch the Super Bowl football game recently.  Some prefer basketball or soccer or some other sport.  But according to the TV ratings, millions of people did watch the Super Bowl again this year. If you missed it, you may have heard that the game this year was one of the best.  It was the first time in the history of the Super Bowl that the game was tied at the end of regulation.

The game went into overtime for the first time ever.  This was one of the most dramatic and exciting Super Bowl games in its fifty-one year history. In addition, this year’s Super Bowl included the greatest comeback in history.  The Atlanta Falcons led the game by over 20 points in the third quarter.  But, the New England Patriots came back and tied the game with only seconds left on the clock in regulation. And, the Patriots used a rare two-point play after their final touch down to tie the game and force overtime.  It doesn’t get much better than this if you are a football fan.

I have heard a lot of sports fans talking about the remarkable comeback by New England.  Few people thought that the Patriots could pull this off.  Every pass completion was critical.  Every penalty seemed to go their way.  It was amazing to watch. However, I have also heard other fans say it was the biggest collapse in Super Bowl history.  How could Atlanta let the game slip away?  They had a commanding lead in the third quarter.  Most people thought the Falcons had the game wrapped up. I wonder how the players and coaches feel?  The players on the winning team must be so excited.  The players on the losing team must be so disappointed.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

I suppose that life is a lot like the Super Bowl.  There are times that we a excited and delighted over a personal success or accomplishment.  And, they are times when we feel discouraged and disappointed over a missed opportunity. My suggestion is to focus on the positive.  Don’t dwell on your defeats.  Remember your successes.  Atlanta fans certainly have a reason to be disappointed.  They almost won the game.  They were so close. But, they had a remarkable season and won more games than most people expected.  Their quarterback had the best season of his career.  Football fans were surprised that the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl and almost won it! I hope you can learn to be thankful for the positive things in your life.  Focus on your family and your friends –  your health and your faith.  Every day is a gift from God. We know there will be difficulties and disappointments in life.  Lost jobs and poor health.  But, face those times with hope and faith.  You will be glad you did and others around you will too.

Comeback or Collapse?

By Mark Hopper

I realize that some people did not watch the Super Bowl football game recently.  Some prefer basketball or soccer or some other sport.  But according to the TV ratings, millions of people did watch the Super Bowl again this year. If you missed it, you may have heard that the game this year was one of the best.  It was the first time in the history of the Super Bowl that the game was tied at the end of regulation. The game went into overtime for the first time ever.  This was one of the most dramatic and exciting Super Bowl games in its fifty-one year history.

In addition, this year’s Super Bowl included the greatest comeback in history.  The Atlanta Falcons led the game by over 20 points in the third quarter.  But, the New England Patriots came back and tied the game with only seconds left on the clock in regulation. And, the Patriots used a rare two-point play after their final touch down to tie the game and force overtime.  It doesn’t get much better than this if you are a football fan. I have heard a lot of sports fans talking about the remarkable comeback by New England.  Few people thought that the Patriots could pull this off.  Every pass completion was critical.  Every penalty seemed to go their way.  It was amazing to watch.  However, I have also heard other fans say it was the biggest collapse in Super Bowl history.  How could Atlanta let the game slip away?  They had a commanding lead in the third quarter.  Most people thought the Falcons had the game wrapped up. I wonder how the players and coaches feel?  The players on the winning team must be so excited.  The players on the losing team must be so disappointed. I suppose that life is a lot like the Super Bowl.  There are times that we a excited and delighted over a personal success or accomplishment.  And, they are times when we feel discouraged and disappointed over a missed opportunity.

My suggestion is to focus on the positive.  Don’t dwell on your defeats.  Remember your successes.  Atlanta fans certainly have a reason to be disappointed.  They almost won the game.  They were so close. But, they had a remarkable season and won more games than most people expected.  Their quarterback had the best season of his career.  Football fans were surprised that the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl and almost won it!

I hope you can learn to be thankful for the positive things in your life.  Focus on your family and your friends –  your health and your faith.  Every day is a gift from God. We know there will be difficulties and disappointments in life.  Lost jobs and poor health.  But, face those times with hope and faith.  You will be glad you did and others around you will too.

 

My Favorite Float

By Mark Hopper jesus-float

My wife and I always enjoy the Rose Parade.  We have actually attended the parade a few times but most years we watch it on TV.

It is amazing to see the floats close up.  Their size and the colors are amazing.  But, there are some advantages to watching them on TV.  You usually get to see the floats from a variety of angles and perspectives.   And the TV commentators provide the history and the story behind each float.

Each year several judges present different awards for outstanding floats.    There are a variety of categories and I’m sure it is a special honor to be recognized by the distinguished panel.

As we watched the Rose Parade at home this year,  one particular float caught my attention.  The title of the float was “Celebrate Jesus”.  It was a colorful float with an image of Jesus standing at the door of a church.

The float was decorated by volunteers who are called “Petal Pushers”.  This is an organization that sends volunteers from all over the country to help decorate a number of parade floats.

I actually met some of these energetic people near LAX as they were getting ready to leave and return home to Iowa.  They represent a broad age group from teens to senior adults.

The “Celebrate Jesus” float was sponsored by the “Lutheran Hour Ministries”.  It was the only religious float in the parade this year.  The Lutherans have sponsored a float in the Rose Parade since 1951 –  over sixty years!

The float commemorated the 500th anniversary when Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany.  This was the beginning of what became known as the Protestant Reformation.

There were three large bells on the float.  They were beautifully decorated with bright colored flowers.  On each bell was one of these phrases: “Faith Alone”, “Grace Alone”, and “Scripture Alone”.

These three statements summarize what Martin Luther believed and what he began to teach 500 years ago.  They remain the bedrock of the Christian faith today.

I am thankful that the Lutherans continue to sponsor a float in the Rose Parade each year.  I’m glad that the organizers of the Rose Parade include religious floats and that they never have the parade on Sunday.

And, I am thankful for the hundreds of “Petal Pusher” volunteers that help decorate many of the Rose Parade floats.

I don’t know if the Lutherans received an award for their float this year, but it was my favorite float!

 

A Simple Solution

By Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

My son owns a newer Honda Accord.  Over the past few years, the plastic shield that is under the radiator and the front of the car came loose and began to hang down from the car.

I noticed it was hanging down but didn’t know what to do about it.  I was sure it would be expensive to have it repaired at the car dealer.

As more time passed, the plastic guard hung further down from the car until it began to drag on the street.  Sometimes I would hear it scrap on the ground as he pulled in and out of the driveway at our house.

Finally he asked me if I could help him fix this problem. I got down on the pavement and slid under the car.  I noticed that some of the plastic fasteners that held up the shield were missing.

I drove his car to a local auto parts store and asked for their help.  They suggested that I remove one of the remaining fasteners so we would know what kind to purchase.

I was amazed to see how many different fasteners they had available, but we finally found some that matched the one I had removed from his car.

With the new fasteners in hand, I drove back to our house and used them to repair the plastic shield. They fastened it securely to the car frame.  The under-shield was properly restored and the problem was solved!

I was surprised that the solution was that simple.  I expected it would be difficult and expensive.  But it was relatively simple and inexpensive.

I wonder if you have put off dealing with a problem because you thought is would be too difficult or too expensive?  Maybe you have a dripping faucet or a broken sprinkler.  Maybe you have a strained or broken relationship that needs to be mended.

Let me encourage you to not put off dealing with a problem or difficult situation.  Don’t assume it will be to difficult or too expensive to fix.  Take the first step.  Give it a try.  It may be easier and cheaper than you think!

 

Meet Me at In N Out

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

One of my favorite lunch spots is In N Out Burger.  The prices are right and the food is great.  I love their burgers, fries and chocolate shakes too!

Recently I arranged to meet a guy for lunch to discuss a project he was working on.  He works down in Orange County so we decided to meet somewhere half way between his office and my office in Diamond Bar.

I suggested we meet at In N Out on Chapman Avenue.  He agreed.  It seemed like a simple and clear plan.

However, did you know there are actually two Chapman Avenues in Orange County?  One Chapman Avenue is in Fullerton near the campus of Cal State Fullerton just west of the 57 Freeway.

The other Chapman Avenue is in the city of Orange and extends from west of the 57 Freeway to east of the 55 Freeway.

And, to make matters worse, there are In N Out Burgers on both Chapman Avenues!

I’m sure that you already know what happened.  I drove from my office down the 57 Freeway to the In N Out by the Cal State Campus.  My friend drove from his office to the In N Out restaurant which is on the Chapman Avenue that is east of the 55 Freeway.

He was looking for me and I was waiting for him.  Both of us were on time and both of us were at In N Out Burger, but we were miles apart at different locations.

I was thankful that we both had our cell phones with us.  He called wondering where I was and I told him that I was looking for him too.

When we realized what happened, I jumped back into my car and drove to the location where he was waiting.  We enjoyed our time together and the good food, too.

I wonder if this happens in other areas of life.  Married couples think they have reached an agreement on something only to find out that their spouse had a different plan in mind.

I’m sure this happens in business too.  A supplier may think he is correctly filling an order from a customer,  but the customer may have actually requested a different size or product.

There can be misunderstanding and miscommunication in many areas of our lives.  We need to be clear and specific when agreeing on a plan of action.

Let me encourage you to be clear in what you say and clarify what you think others have said.  Effective communication is vital in every area of our lives.

I wonder if there is an In N Out “app” that I can add to my phone so that the next time I make a important  lunch appointment I will know where I am going?

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 Pink Donut

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

Recently our granddaughter had a sleep over at our house.  We were glad she could come.

This cute three year old arrived at our house confidently pulling her small carry-on size suitcase.  She was excited to come to Grammy’s and Pop Pop’s house.

She enjoyed playing with some toys, some dolls and the small wooden train that we have.

Bath time went smoothly and we read several bed time stories.

Grammy noticed that our granddaughter’s pajamas had donuts printed on them.  The design included different sizes  and different colors.

The donuts became a topic of conversation as she got ready for bed.  Grammy asked if our granddaughter would like to have a donut as part of her breakfast in the morning.

That sounded like a good idea.  “What color donut would you like”, Grammy asked?  “Pink”, she replied.

I think our granddaughter had sweet dreams that night!  I bet there were pink donuts in her dreams.

Who do you think was going out to find a pink donut early in the morning?  Clearly that was my assignment.  Don’t come home without it!

Thankfully, we have a nice donut shop near our home.  The owner and I are on a first name basis.  I have many bought boxes of donuts from him for many early morning meetings at our church.

I was pleased to discover that he had several different types of pink donuts!  Some had sprinkles and others had pink frosting only.  Some were decorated for Halloween.

I took a chance and went for the pink with white sprinkles.  It was a winner!

Since we didn’t want our granddaughter to eat alone, I got a donut for my wife and me too.  My wife got chocolate covered and I got an old fashioned glazed.

I’m sure that we were violating all of the dietary guidelines published by the US government by serving our granddaughter a donut for breakfast.  I’m sure that her parents would prefer we provided a more balanced breakfast, too.

But, I’m also sure that this is a breakfast that two grandparents will remember for a long time!

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

 

Autumn Leaves

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

My wife and I have dreamed for many years of going to New England to see the autumn colors.  This year we finally did it!

We flew into Boston and drove to a small town in southern Vermont.   We stayed at a cozy Bed & Breakfast hosted by a delightful couple.

The next morning, we were excited to see the many colors of autumn leaves right outside our bedroom window.

After a homemade breakfast, we drove north along state highway 100 up into the Green Mountains.  We learned later the name Vermont is the French word for green mountains!

We enjoyed a casual drive along the country roads.  The colors were amazing!  We took picture after picture but they did not accurately.capture the fabulous scenery.

After two nights in Vermont we drove on to northern New Hampshire.  We chose the famous Kancamagus Highway which threads its way from the Vermont border to Conway, New Hampshire.

This is one of the most popular scenic highways in New England.  The small, two-lane highway was lined with trees in full color.  They were bright red, sparkling yellow, brilliant orange and autumn gold.

During our two days in New Hampshire, we drove further north into the White Mountains and were amazed to see complete hillsides filled with color beyond description.  It was amazing!

It was like a symphony of color as far as you could see.  Every turn in the road revealed more spectacular beauty.  The hills really were alive with color and beauty.

We were fortunate to have great fall weather, too.  The clear blue skies and bright sunlight added to the vibrancy of the colors.

My wife and I ran out of words to describe the beauty of what we saw during those few days in New England.  It is a time we will never forget.

As we reflected on the beauty of the fall leaves, we were reminded of the creativity of God.  The Bible says that God created the universe and the world we inhabit.  His infinite power created the changes of the seasons and the beauty of our world.

In Psalm 19, it says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth is His handiwork”.  I realize you may not have the opportunity to visit New England during the fall.

But, I hope you will watch for some autumn leaves in your neighborhood this year.  Take a moment to appreciate their beauty.  They remind us of His handiwork!

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.

Turn On Your Headlights

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Mark Hopper

I have noticed that more and more cars are on the road with their headlights off.  This is especially dangerous in the early evening and as it gets dark outside.

I saw another car this evening driving dangerously with its headlights off and the driver seemed totally unaware.

Apparently, newer cars have a feature that turns the dashboard lights on inside these new cars, but the outside lights do not come on automatically.

In the good old days, the inside dashboard lights only came on when the driver turned on the outside headlights.  If it was dark inside the car, the driver realized that his headlights were not on either.

This new technology has created some very dangerous driving conditions.  I have seen many people driving with their headlights off.  But, because their inside lights are on, they don’t realize their headlights are not!

There is a passage in the Bible that relates this problem to our own lives.  In Matthew chapter seven, Jesus says that before we try to take a speck out of someone else’s eye, we need to remove the log in our own eye (Matthew 7:1-5),

In other words, before we point out the faults in the lives of other people, we should take a careful look at our own life and examine the faults in our own life

It is easy for us to notice when another car does not have its headlights turned on.  But, often we are not aware that our own headlights are off!

Two things cause serious problems in marriage.  The number one problem is a selfish attitude.  When people are selfish, a marriage will suffer.

The second major problem in many marriages is a critical attitude.  When one spouse focuses on the faults of the other, their marriage will suffer.

Before you start criticizing your spouse, stop and look in the mirror and see if there are things that you need to change in your own life.  As Jesus said in Matthew chapter seven, take the log out of your own eye first!

Let me encourage you to pay closer attention when you are driving.  Make sure your headlights are on when you drive in the evening and night.  For your safety and the safety of others.

And, when you are experiencing conflict in your marriage or other relationships, check your headlights first.  Are your headlights on?  There may be  some changes that you first need to make in your life!

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.

 

The Worms Are Back

mark-hopper-color-2x2Mark Hopper

This has been a long, hot summer.  Recently, we have enjoyed cooler weather in Southern California, but the hot summer weather took a toll on my vegetable garden.

The tomato plants produced very few tomatoes during the hot summer months.  But, now the plants look better and there are more blossoms again.  I hope we are in for a second harvest in the weeks ahead.

But, there is a new adversary in the garden.  Along with new green leaves and tiny new blossoms are some big, ugly green worms.

These green tomato worms have a large horn on their head.  They blend in with the green leaves and are very hard to see.

I am not sure where they come from or how they get into my garden, but I suspect that some butterfly’s may be responsible.

Two ways I can tell that the worms are back are the black droppings that they leave behind and the twigs that they have consumed.

These ugly, green worms can devastate a healthy plant very quickly.  They must eat night and day.

I don’t like to use bug spray in my garden.  My best way to get rid of the worms is to pull off the branch they are eating and toss it and the worm in the trash.

I have been vigilant, keeping an eye out for these determined adversaries.  It is man against nature.  It seems like nature and the worms are winning.

If you have had any success against these green tomato worms, please let me know.  If you have a homemade or secret remedy, I would like to hear from you.

Raising healthy tomatoes is more difficult than you think.  The little seeds that I planted last spring have grown into big, healthy plants.  They have survived the heat of summer and seem to be ready to produce a new crop.  But, the worms are back – they seemed determined to prevail.

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.

Full Moon

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

I love the beautiful summer and fall evenings when the sky is clear and the full moon comes up over horizon.

Recently, the TV weather forecasters were alerting viewers to watch for the harvest moon.  In earlier times, farmers were able to work longer hours to harvest their crops with the aid of a bright, clear full moon illuminating the night sky.

In ancient times, people were apparently fearful of being “moon struck” by the light of a full moon.  In Psalm 121:5-6, the author writes, “The Lord watches over you, he is a shade on your right hand.  The sun will not hurt you by day and the moon will not harm you at night.”

I learned that the expression “Blue Moon” is when there are two full moons in the same month.  Apparently this does not happen very often.

When we hear the expression “once in a Blue Moon” it means that something is unlikely to happen or refers to something that does not happen very often.

I remember when the first men landed on the moon in July. 1969, there was a full moon filling the night sky.  It was amazing to look up at the moon and realize two men from our country were walking on the surface.

The moon influences our planet in a variety of ways.  The moon affects the changes of the ocean tides.

The orbit of the moon around the earth helps keep our planet’s rotation steady and prevents the earth from wobbling and becoming unstable.

In Psalm 19, King David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands”.  The beauty of the full moon and the vastness of the star filled sky provide evidence of God’s existence.

Let me encourage you to take time to stop and gaze at the next full moon or look up at a clear evening sky filled with stars.  Take a moment to consider the majesty and wonder of the God who created it!

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.

Right Click

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have often said and I believe that you can find the answers to life’s problems in the Bible.  I believe that it records real events in history and demonstrates God’s involvement in human lives.  It offers hope, forgiveness and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I have also said that the answers to many problems we face at home and at work can be found on YouTube!  I have repaired home appliances and solved gardening problems using YouTube.  I have repaired electric windows and replaced door handles on my cars using YouTube.  The answers are there if you can find them.

Now, I have discovered another great tool in this age of computers and technology.  It is the “right click”!  Let me explain.

Our daughter had downloaded some photos onto our lap top computer.  She wanted my wife to look through the pictures that our daughter had take of our recent family reunion with her camera.  The plan was for my wife and I to select a few photos and download them onto a flash drive so we could order some prints and enlargements.  That sounds easy, but my wife and I are technologically challenged.  Actually, my wife is better at using our computer than I am.  She does pretty well.

We bought a “Flash Drive” at a local electronics store so we could download a few of these Family Reunion photos on to it.  However, we did not exactly know how to actually do that.  It sounded so simple.  Just insert the flash drive, click on the pictures we wanted and press download on the computer.  It sounded easy, but we had no success.

Someone has said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  We kept doing the same things over and over again, but we had no success downloading the pictures we wanted.  Bummer!

Finally, I asked a friend for help.  He said, “Right Click”.  That was all I needed to do.  Instead of using the left click button on the mouse, I needed to “right click”.

I followed his advice when I got home and it worked!!  Problem solved.  Photos transferred!  I looked like a computer genius!

So, from now on when I have a computer problem, I am going to use “right click”.  I’m sure it will change my life!

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.

 

How About The Angels

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

When we want to change the subject in a conversation in our family, we often use the phrase, “How do you think the Angels are going to do this year”?  This is a little “code” to help us steer the conversation in a new direction when things get a little testy or out of hand.

However, in this case, I really am talking about the Angels.  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  The baseball team that plays down at the “Big A” off the 57 freeway.

I suppose every competitive sports team starts off the season with high hopes and great expectations.  I’m sure that is true of the owner, the manager, the coaches and the players.

A few years ago, the Angels made the playoffs almost every year.  They were expected to win and usually did.  But, recently, the team has not done as well and many fans are disappointed and discouraged.

There will be no playoffs for the Angels this year.  They are about 20 games out of first place.  There are not enough games left to catch up.  Even if the first place team lost all of the rest of their games and even if the Angels won all the rest of their games, I don’t think the Angels could make the playoffs this year.

However, the other baseball team in Los Angeles is doing pretty well.  In fact, they are currently in first place in their division with San Francisco right behind them.  Go Dodgers!  So how do Angel’s fans deal with this situation?  How should we react to another losing season?

First, we should avoid conversations with Dodger fans.  Fans of winning teams love to ask the fans of other local teams, “How are the Angels doing this year?”   They already know the answer, but they love to rub it in a little.

Second, think about Spring Training.  Baseball will begin again next February.  There is a good chance the Angels will do better next year and they may even make the playoffs in 2017.  Don’t focus on the past, look toward the future!

Third, you may want to buy tickets for next season now.  Since ticket sales have been down this year and since attendance has fallen, you may be able to pick up some season tickets at a deep discount.  It is kind of like the stock market – buy low and sell high!

Finally, never give up hope.  Be loyal to your team – rain or shine, win or lose.  That is what true fans do.  They will be glad you did and you 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.

Life Lessons From A Losing Season

By Mark Hopper

In my last article, I shared some suggestions for frustrated baseball fans who are enduring a losing season.  After I wrote that article, I realized that many of these principles could apply not only to frustrated sports fans but to married couples, too.  Maybe these can help your marriage.

First, avoid negative conversations.  Fans of winning teams enjoy talking about the failures of the losing teams.  The result is discouragement and division.  If you are married, you already know your spouse’s faults and short-comings.  Don’t dwell on these.  Your spouse knows them as well as you do.  Don’t dwell on the negative.  Focus on the positive.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t let unkind words come out of your mouth, but only words that are good and that build up others” (Ephesians 4:29).

Second, don’t dwell on the past, but focus on the future.  Baseball teams with losing records can’t go back and re-write the record book.  The past is the past.  Look ahead to the next season and hope it will be better.

Every married couple has wounded their spouse and made mistakes.  The key is to be willing to forgive and put the offense behind you.  And, if you have hurt your spouse, you need to admit your mistake and ask for their forgiveness.  In First Corinthians chapter 13:5 it says,  “Love does not keep score of the sins of others”.   Don’t keep adding to the old score book in your marriage.  Start over with a clean slate.  Be willing to forgive others as you hope they would be willing to forgive you, too.

Third, invest in the future.  I suggested buying your tickets for next season now while the team is not doing well.  Ticket prices might be lower after a losing season and you might find some bargains!

The same is true in marriage.  You need to keep investing in your future.  Work together on a home improvement project.  Make some plans for a trip or weekend getaway.  Dream together about what you will do after the kids are grown and you two are alone again.  Don’t dwell on the past. Dream about your future together.

Finally, never give up hope.  Some baseball fans quickly abandon their team after a losing and frustrating season.  They are ready to switch their loyalty to the other team in town.  This can happen to married couples, too.  After years of frustration and disappointment, some spouses are ready to give up on their spouse and look for a new one.

Let me urge you to not do that.  Marriage is a lifetime commitment.  Don’t be mislead into thinking that someone else will make your life better.  The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.  The last verse in First Corinthians 13 says, “Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.  And, the best of these is love.”

If you are going through a difficult “season” in your life or marriage, don’t give up.  Find a good counselor.  Find a good church.  Get help and never give up hope.

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.

The Ice Maker

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Mark Hopper

My wife and I have been married for over 45 years.  We have four adult children and seven grandchildren and another grandchild on the way in November.We have shared many exciting adventures raising four kids and we certainly enjoy making special memories with our grandchildren.

Over the years, we have lived in many different  places including several  apartments and two different houses.  Some had small kitchens and some were a little larger.  But, in all these years, we never owned a refrigerator that had an ice maker.  We made Ice the old fashion way – we used ice trays!

Most of our friends and neighbor’s had refrigerators with ice makers.  We would notice with a touch of envy that our friends always had plenty of ice.  Most of them probably never knew what an ice tray even looked like.

I guess we were a little behind the times!  However, when we remodeled our kitchen last year, we purchased new, matching appliances.  This was a radical step in our married life.  And, the new refrigerator included an ice maker!

I felt like we had finally entered the 21st century.  It only took us 45 year of marriage to have an ice maker of our own!

My wife and I are now empty nesters.  The adult kids are gone and the grandkids visit from time to time.  Our last dog died about a year ago.  So our house is pretty quiet, especially in the evenings.

But, now there is a new sound at our house.  It is the ice maker doing its job.  The sound of the ice maker dumping a fresh batch of ice in the refrigerator is pretty exciting.  When we hear the tumbling sound of fresh ice cubes filling the bucket,  one of us usually makes a comment like “Nice kitchen” or “Nice appliances”!

However, I learned that progress comes with a price.  I discovered that the refrigerator and ice maker has a water filter that has to be replaced from time to time.  The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter every six months.  When I purchased a new filter at Lowe’s recently, I was shocked that it cost over $50!  Ouch!  We never needed water filters when we used trays to make ice.

I wonder how many bags of ice we could purchase for the cost of a new filter? I wonder what we could do with all of the money we would save if we didn’t have an ice maker?  Progress does have a price!

I suppose that I should be grateful and not grumble that we have our own ice maker. There are probably a lot of other people still using ice trays who would gladly replace the filter if they had an ice maker of their own!

 

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.

Where Are You From?

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

A few months ago, my wife’s sister and her husband invited us to go with them on a cruise to southern Alaska.  Although our 45th wedding anniversary was in June, we delayed our celebration until our cruise in August.

We enjoyed our Alaska adventure and saw many wonderful sights.  The Inland Passage is lined with beautiful forests that come right down to the water’s edge.  We saw whales, dolphins and Bald Eagles.  We also saw a glacier that flowed out of the mountains right down to the sea.  It was a remarkable sight!

In addition to all of the sightseeing and shopping, we also met passengers from all over the world.  Most of the people we met were from the United States but there were also a few from Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Every time we got on an elevator or stood in a line, I would ask people “Where are you from”?  Most people were quick to reply.  I was surprised at how many were from Florida.  I thought they already had a lot of cruise ships in Florida but people reminded me that they don’t have glaciers and icebergs there!

We also met a lot of passengers who were from California, including one couple who lived just down the road in Yorba Linda.

The biggest surprise was when we met a woman and her family who used to attend our church in Diamond Bar!  I didn’t recognize her at first but when she told us her name I knew exactly who she was.

What are the odds of meeting someone you know in an elevator on a cruise ship that was sailing to Alaska? What is the likelihood of meeting someone who knows you on a ship filled with 2,500 passengers?

We certainly enjoyed our cruise to Alaska and we enjoyed seeing so many amazing things.  But, we also enjoyed meeting so many interesting people from all over the world!

Let me encourage you to take time to greet people you meet on your next trip or vacation.  You may be surprised at who you meet.  They will be glad you did.

 

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 Penny For Your Thoughts

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

In my last article, I shared my story of finding a penny at a local Hardware store.

It was a “Wheat Penny”.  It was dated 1914.  It was over 100 years old!

I smile when I think about where that penny has been over the past 100 years.  I wonder who has held it in their hand.  I wonder how many purchases it has made?  I wonder in what stores and in what states that penny has been?

No one can know for sure the answers to these questions, but here are some of my thoughts.  I’m sure you can add more.

That penny probably went as a shiny new coin from the US Mint to a large bank on the east coast.  I think there were three US Mints in the early 1900’s in San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia.  I think this coin was made in Philly.

The First World War started in 1914 although our nation was not drawn into the war until 1917.  In those days, a few pennies could purchase a gallon of gas.  Maybe the penny ended up in the cash register of a local gas station?

That penny survived through the “Roaring Twenties”.  It may have traveled to Chicago during the days of prohibition.  It probably changed hands many times to pay for many things.

In the 1930’s, that penny was probably kept in a small tin box as people struggled to survive during the Great Depression.  A penny was probably worth a lot more than we can imagine today.

I wonder where the penny was during World War Two?  During the war, pennies were not made of copper because the copper was needed to make bombs and bullets.

I suspect that in the 1960’s that old penny may have ended up in an old cigar box of a young newspaper delivery boy in Arizona.

Or, maybe that middle aged penny stayed in circulation during the second half of the twentieth century.  It may have found its way to In N Out Burger, a local movie theater or a snack bar at the beach.  That penny probably helped purchase groceries and prescriptions at the local market.

I wonder how that coin got to California?   Did it get lost between the cushions of a couch or under the floor mat of a car?

With the use of debit cards and credit cards, that penny was probably used less and less. Who needs coins when you can buy things with a plastic card?

I wonder how that 1914 penny ended up at a local hardware store in Diamond Bar, California?  Did someone use it by accident or was a family member cashing in the coin collection of a relative that died?

It is fun to dream and imagine where a coin has been over the past 100 years.  We will never know the answer.

Let me encourage you to take a look in your purse or pocket.  See what coins have found their way into your life.  They may have a lot of stories to tell!

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.

 

 

 

One Hundred Years Old

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I was at the local hardware store picking up some metal brackets for a project we were doing at our church.

A group of men were constructing a new back drop for the stage in our Worship Center and they needed more brackets to finish the job.

Since I am not the handiest guy in the group and since they had plenty of help, they sent me to the hardware store.

As I was waiting to pay for my materials, I noticed a small box by the cash register that had some pennies in it.  The sign on the small box said something like, “Need a penny & leave a penny”.

I have seen these in other stores.  Customers are allowed to take a penny or two to complete their purchase and avoid getting a pocket full of change.

And, people who end up with a couple of pennies after their purchase are encouraged to leave the pennies for another customer who might need some.

I noticed that one of the pennies looked a little different than the others.  Sure enough, it was a “Wheat Penny”.

I am not an avid coin collector, but I know that the US Penny has changed over the years.  The penny has an image of Lincoln on one side, but the back side has changed over the years.

In the early 1900’s, the penny had Lincoln on the front and two grains of “Wheat” on the back.  In the 1950’s, the US Mint changed the back of the penny to the image of the Lincoln Memorial.

In the early 2000’s, the Mint changed the penny again with the image of Lincoln still on the front, but an image of a “Shield” with the words “one cent” on the back.

I asked the attendant if I could swap a penny for the one in the box.  Yes, she was glad to let me do that.  She was curious why I wanted the penny.  I briefly explained my interest in “Wheat Pennies”.

When I got home later that day, I looked for the date on the penny.  To my surprise, it read 1914!  That penny was over 100 years old!  Amazing!

I don’t think the penny has any significant collector value.  Millions of them were made in 1914.  But, it is remarkable that something over 100 years old is still circulating around in our pockets, purses, banks and stores.

I wonder where this penny has been and who it has belonged to over the past century.  It probably has many stories to tell!

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.

Making New Friends (Part II)

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

We recently concluded a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School at our church. Over 200 children attended and over 100 volunteers served on the leadership team.

The kids really enjoy VBS.  There was a lot of great music with the children singing songs and learning hand motions that go with each song.

They love making different crafts that they get to take home.  They cut and paste, color and decorate a variety of projects during the week.

Recreation is a lot of fun too.  The favorite day of the week is “Wet & Wild Wednesday”.  We were careful to conserve water this year, but the students still managed to get pretty wet in the relays and other water games.

Another important part of VBS is the snacks.  A whole team of volunteers work hard all week to provide healthy, tasty treats to feed these active young people.

The children also hear stories from the Bible and memorize Bible verses.  The kids love learning lessons from the Bible that relate to their daily lives.

The purpose of Vacation Bible School is to help children learn more about God and help them grow in their spiritual lives.

But, there is an unexpected benefit from VBS.  Not only do the children learn and grow, but the volunteers who lead the program do too!

And, many of the volunteers make new friends as they serve together.  Every year, I see new friendships formed, especially among the women who serve on the leadership team.

Our church is not large by California standards.  We have a several hundred people who come each week.  But, because we have two services each Sunday, many people never meet.

But, when you serve as a volunteer every day for a week at VBS, you meet people that you never see on Sunday morning.  And, as you serve together, you get to know others better. This is true at work and school, too.

I know people at our church who met as volunteers at Vacation Bible School and who have become long time friends.

Let me encourage you to find a place to serve.  It could be at your church, local school, or the YMCA.  If you invest your time in serving others, I’m sure you will find some new friends along the way!

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.

 

Making Friends At The Gym

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

A new gym opened near our house a couple of years ago.  It is close enough to where we live that we could walk to it.

However, we don’t want to wear ourselves out before we get to the gym, so we usually drive there!

One of the things that you notice at the gym is the diversity of people.  There are both men and women, younger and older.  Everyone is welcome.

I know that most of us go to the gym to get some exercise, work up a sweat and improve our health.  They offer a variety of equipment and they even have personal trainers available to help you if you need it.

But, I have noticed that there is more going on than just exercise.  I notice that people greet one another when they arrive.  I noticed that people talk with one another as they exercise.

Of course, this is not true of everyone.  Some people do keep to themselves.  They wear head phones or ear buds, and they listen to music or do other things on their electronic devices.

The people with big muscles seem to take these work outs pretty seriously and they may not want to be distracted by casual conversation.

But, I have noticed that most people go out of their way to say hello to others.  They seem genuinely glad to see people and talk with others as they exercise.

Although some people come with a friend, it appears that many people have made new friends at the gym.  Recently, I met someone who had lived in my neighborhood for over 20 years.  We had never met until we went to the gym!

I suppose the social aspect of the gym is probably just as important as the physical.  As we improve our physical health, we are also improving our personal and social health, too.

I believe that God did not intend for us to live life in isolation.  He created us to be social creatures that need others to help us grow and enjoy life.

There is a phrase that is found many times in the New Testament.  It is the term “one another”.  We are told to love one another, encourage one another and serve one another. We are also told to forgive one another and carry one another’s burdens.

When we go to the gym, we not only help improve our physical health, but we may be improving the health of others.  When we speak to others and listen to others, we may be improving their health, too.

Let me encourage you to join a gym near you and find some new friends.  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.

An Unforgettable Week

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

One of the highlights of summer at our church is Vacation Bible School.  Many others churches in the community also offer VBS in June, July or August.

Vacation Bible School is a huge undertaking.  We will have over 100 volunteers serving in a variety of capacities to make this week possible.

The planning and preparations have been going on for months.  In fact, the theme and many ideas began last summer.

Vacation Bible School includes Bible lessons, crafts, recreation, and music.  The children love it and often remember it for many years to come.

One of the unforgettable benefits of VBS are the friendships that develop between the volunteers.  When you spend a week serving together, you get to know people on a much deeper level.  New friendships are formed that last a long time.

VBS touches multiple generations.  And, many of the current teen and adult volunteers attended VBS as children in the past.

This year one of my adult daughters and her four children will attend Vacation Bible School at our church.   Almost 30 years ago my daughter was an attendee and 20 years ago she was a volunteer!  Now she is bringing her own children to VBS.

Please accept this invitation to bring your children to Vacation Bible School this month. The dates are July 25-29th from 9 a.m. to noon.  VBS is open to children from Kindergarten through the fifth grade. There is a nominal registration fee.  You can find out all of the details and register online at our web site – efreedb.org.  Or you can call the church office at (909) 549-7604.

I hope you will enroll your in Vacation Bible School.  It really is an unforgettable week. 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.