Tag Archives: Pastor Mark Hopper

Tool Time

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

What did you get your father on Father’s Day?  Some dads receive clothes and others were given sweets.  Many fathers like to get something useful and practical on Fathers Day.

I enjoy doing yard work but my most of my tools are old and well used.  But, why buy a new tool if the old one still works?

However, my electric hedge trimmer was not working very well.  The hedge trimmer had belonged to my father-in-law.

I don’t know how long he had owned it but it was probably over 30 years old.  It took a lot of time to trim the hedges around my house.  The results were not very good.  The trimmer was on its last legs.

Recently, I saw an ad in the mail that a local hardware store had a sale on a Black & Decker hedge trimmer.  I told my wife about the ad and how this would make a perfect Father’s Day gift.

What a difference a new tool can make!  I was able to trim the hedges in half the time and they looked much better than they did with the old trimmer.

I was surprised at how much better things looked and how much easier it was to get the job done.  I’m sure my neighbor’s were impressed too.

When I saw how much better the new trimmer worked, I wondered why I had waited so long to replace the old one.

Are some old tools or worn out appliances around your house?  Is that computer or smart phone you are using is almost an antique?

Maybe it is time to upgrade or replace a something in your life?  Don’t put it off.  Do something about it this week.  You will be glad you did and others 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.

For The Birds (Part 2)

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

In my last article, I shared about our encounter with the small bird that flew into our car when we were leaving a cabin in Arrowhead.  Little did I know that there was another bird waiting for us when we got home later that day.

As we were unpacking our car in Diamond Bar, we heard some noise in our yard outside our kitchen window.  A small bird was on the ground calling for help.  The mother bird was nearby scolding and encouraging her little one to get up and get going.

But the little guy just couldn’t figure it out.  It would stretch its wings and try to fly but only got a few inches off the ground.  It may have fallen out of the nest or the mother may have pushed it out, but it could not get back up.

Our first impulse was to go out and rescue the baby bird.  We knew it was in danger stranded on the ground.  It was sad to see it struggle and unable to get back to safety in the tree.

But, when we checked on Google, we learned that it was not uncommon for a baby bird to be unable to fly and that it might take several days to get the strength to get off the ground.

The key was the mother.  The article said that if the mother continued to bring food, it was best to leave the baby bird alone and give it time to get going.

The mother bird got an “A+” in caring for her little one.  She kept coming back and bringing food for five days!  Yes – five days.  Now that is commitment!  We discovered the bird on the ground on Monday and it stayed on the ground all week.

At night it would huddle in the corner of our yard.  It looked so tiny and helpless.  But, every morning, the mother bird was back with fresh worms and other delicacies.  She never gave up.

I was surprised at how much the baby grew in those five days.  It looked stronger and healthier each day.  We hoped that it would be safe and survive in our yard until it could fly.

The mom kept bringing food and encouraging her little one.

Finally, on Friday evening I discovered the baby bird in the next door neighbor’s yard.  On Saturday, the baby bird and its mother were gone.  We think all of her hard work had paid off.

This adventure reminded me of a passage in the Bible in Matthew 6:25-27, where Jesus taught His followers to not worry about what they will eat or drink.  He said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not plant or harvest or store food in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than them?”

This is a helpful reminder that God promises to provide our needs.  We can rely on Him.  We are like the helpless baby bird and He is like the hard working mother bird caring for her little one.

This is not a license to be lazy.  We are expected to work and do what we can to provide for our needs and the needs of those around us.  But, ultimately we are dependent on God.  He cares for you.  He knows your needs.  And He will provide when you are “on the ground and can’t get up”!

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.

 

For The Birds

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

I forget that there are wild birds where we live.  They are active and busy this time of year, but I hardly notice their presence in the busyness of everyday life.

However, that changed recently.  Unexpectedly, I found several birds to be directly involved in my life.

My first bird encounter was up in the mountains of Arrowhead.  My wife and I had stayed at a cabin with some members of our family.  As some in our group were loading their car and getting ready to leave, a small bird flew inside their car.

Because their car windows were down, the small bird flew right in and couldn’t find his way out again.  After several minutes of fruitless effort, it huddled fearfully on the floor of the back seat.

We rushed over and opened all the car doors hoping it would escape.  But this frightened little bird would not move.  So I finally reached in and gently picked it up and set it on a ledge nearby.

I have heard that if you touch a baby bird, the mother will abandon it.  But, I researched on Google and learned that this is not true.  The article said that birds have a poor sense of smell and that it is okay to touch them if necessary.

After our guests drove away, I kept looking out the cabin window to see if the bird was okay, but it had not moved.  I watched and looked many times worried that it was injured.

Finally after several hours, the bird was gone!  Maybe the mother came to the rescue and persuaded the little feathered friend that it was time to get going.  Or maybe it got hungry and decided to find some food!

I was relieved that the bird was gone and was apparently okay.

There is a verse in the Bible in Matthew 10:29-31 that says, “A sparrow does not fall to the ground without your Heavenly Father knowing it.”

In the context of this passage, Jesus is talking about fear.  He reminds us that God knows every detail of our lives and cares for us, just as He knows about even the smallest bird that falls to the ground.

If you are experiencing fear or anxiety, remember that God knows your situation and cares about your every need.  Talk to Him in prayer and rely on Him for the strength you need to face your fears and worries today.

 

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 Living Legacy

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

Gordon MacDonald started a new church in Tucson, Arizona in the early 1960’s. Although he worked full-time at the Hughes Aircraft Company, he also worked part-time as a pastor.  He and his family launched a new church in the garage of their home on the southwest side of Tucson.

Gordon had a shepherd’s heart and a love for Christ.  He had a warm smile and bubbled with enthusiasm.  He saw that this new community needed a church and he set out to meet that need.

Gordon and his wife and their children passed out invitations in their neighborhoods. They also mailed postcards to several hundred homes.  A handful of people came.  Gradually the group grew and a church blossomed into existence.  They called it Chapel In The Hills.

When they outgrew the garage, they began to meet at the local elementary school.  As the church grew, they purchased a piece of property and constructed a small church building.

Unfortunately, Hughes Aircraft lost a big government contract and a number of employees lost their jobs.  Gordon was able to find a new job with Texas Instruments and moved his family to Dallas.

Chapel in the Hills had several other pastors during the next few years.  Pastor Gail Bender served in a part-time role for several years hoping they would find a younger pastor to come and lead the church.

I graduated from Dallas Theolgical Seminary in 1975 and I was looking for a church to pastor.  About the same time, Chapel in the Hills in Tucson was looking for a new pastor!

Gordan contacted the Seminary placement office and was given the names of several prospective candidates including mine.

On a hot summer day in 1975, Gordan came to our little apartment in Dallas and asked if I would consider coming to Tucson to serve as the first full-time pastor of Chapel in the Hills.

After visiting the church and meeting the people, we agreed to come and serve there.  That began a 13 year journey for our family.  Three of our four children were born in Tucson.  We made many friends and loved serving at Chapel in the Hills.

The church that Gordan started continued to grow.  In the 1980’s we constructed two additional buildings and remodeled the original one.  Attendance increased and a preschool was launched at the church.

When the church celebrated its 40th anniversary, Gordan was invited to come back to see the church he started.  He expressed his thanks to God and to everyone who was attending the church.  He gave all of the credit to God and he was thankful to have been part of this amazing adventure.

Recently, we learned that Gordan had died.  He was in his 90’s.  His faith in Christ and love for people had never faded.  Although his earthly life was over, the church that he started is alive and well.

The Apostle Paul wrote about his own life in II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. These words could describe Gordan MacDonald as well.  Gordan’s faith and vision still impact people today through the church he started over 50 years ago.

Have you thought about the legacy that you will leave behind when you die?  What lives have you touched?  Where have you invested your time and energy?  Will generations express their thanks for the things you have done?

I am thankful for a man named Gordan MacDonald and what he started over 50 years ago.  His legacy lives on.

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.

Need A Plumber?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

 By Pastor Mark Hopper

I shared in my last article about discovering a major water leak at our house just before we left town for a week.  I was grumpy to have a water leak but grateful that we discovered it before we left on our trip.

I have built several room additions and helped on construction projects at our church.  I am willing to do repairs on our house, too.  The problem is that sometimes I don’t have the right tools or enough experience to finish the job.

Probably the smart thing to do is call a plumber who has the tools and experience to get the job done quickly and properly.  But, plumbers cost money.  So I thought I would try to fix the water leak myself.

As soon as we returned home from our trip, I changed clothes and got to work.  The leaky pipe was right next to the foundation.  It was the main supply line leading from the street to the pipe that enters our house.

I used my shovel and a hand tool to clear away the dirt and expose the pipe.  Thankfully, the water had dried up during the past week so I wasn’t working in a pile of mud.

I was able to cut the copper pipe below the leak and proceeded to solder a new coupling on to it.  Then I removed the valve leading to the sprinkler system and soldered a new valve on the line.  I also decided to put in a new valve on the main line to the house too.

I must say that it looked pretty good!  Progress was slow, but I was feeling confident that we would have the water on again by the end of the day.

When I got the last pieces in place, it was almost dark.  A neighbor came over to inspect my progress.  When I turned the water on again at the street, I still had a small leak!  After all of those hours digging, disassembling and repairing the water line, I still had a leak.  Bummer!

When we went to bed that night, we still had a leak in the line.  It was much smaller than the original problem, but we still had a leak.  We turned the water on briefly to shower and refill the toilets then turned it off again at the street for the night.

Early in the morning, I went back to the hardware store and got a new rubber gasket that I thought might solve the problem.  No luck – the leak was still there.  Finally, I came to my senses and called a plumber!

The plumber and his helper arrived in a few hours and they were able to fix the leak.  I didn’t feel too bad when I saw that it took him two tries to get it right!  Finally, no more leaks!

I don’t think we really appreciate having running water in our homes.  We turn the faucet and expect water in our sinks and showers.  It is very inconvenient to not have running water.  I am thankful for water that works!

I am also thankful for plumbers who come when we call and have the tools and experience to fix our problems.  Three cheers for plumbers!

I am also thankful that God comes to our aid when we call and that He is able to fix our problems.  A verse in the Bible says, “Let us draw near (in prayer) with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help (us) in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

If you have a water problem – call a plumber.  If you have a personal problem – call on God.  He is ready and willing to help you in your time of need.

 

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.

Water Worries

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

The night before we were scheduled to leave for an out of town trip, I discovered a major water leak at our house.

Previously, I had told my wife that I thought I heard water running.  We checked all the indoor faucets and the outdoor hoses, but did not see any water running.  But, I still thought I was hearing something.

Since we would be gone for a week or more, I decided to trim the hedge in our front yard.  The hedge was getting overgrown and I wanted the yard to look nice while we were away.

As I was trimming the hedge, I noticed a puddle of water in the courtyard that I had not seen before.  Where was that water coming from?  When I went to investigate, I discovered a major leak in the water main that supplies water to our house.

At first I was aggravated to have a major water problem just when we were getting ready to leave.  But, at the same time I was thankful that we discovered the leak before we left town.  Imagine how much water would have been wasted if the water leak continued for a week or more while we were away!  Imagine how much the water bill might be!

I immediately shut off the water at the meter near the street.  This would prevent wasting any additional water.  However, with no water, there were no showers, no dish washing, and no toilets in operation.

We decided to leave the water off until we returned from our trip.  I was thinking that I could fix the leak when we got back home.

But, how would we water the garden in our back yard?  We had arranged for a friend to water the garden each day, but now the water was off and I did not have time to fix it before we left.

In desperation, I asked a neighbor if we could hook up our hose to his house and run it to our backyard.  This would enable our friend to keep the garden watered until we returned.  Our neighbor was glad to help.

The week went by quickly and our friend kept the garden watered.  When we got home, the plants were alive and well.

As I look back on this situation, I realized that I could be grumpy about the fact that we had a water leak or I could be grateful that we discovered the leak before we left town.  Do you tend to get frustrated when unexpected problems arise or are you thankful that the problems are discovered before things get out of hand?

Everyone has problems in life.  The question is how we view them?  Is your glass half empty or is your glass half full?  Are you grateful or grumpy?  The way we view each situation has a big impact on how effectively we deal with them.

 

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

A Dinner To Remember

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Favorite Mother-in-Law

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently, my wife’s mother died in Arizona.  She was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on August 20, 1924.  She was 91-years-old.

I always called her my favorite mother-in-law.   Actually, she was my only mother-in-law.  My wife and I have been married for 45 years, so she has been my mother-in-law for all that time!

She was a remarkable woman.  She was born during the “Roaring 20’s” and lived through the Great Depression in the 1930’s.  After earning her nursing degree, she worked at a hospital in Washington, DC during World War II.

After the end of the war, she married my father-in-law and they settled down on Long Island, New York in the first modern subdivision called Levitown.  It was a futuristic master planned community filled with returning veterans and their brides.

This young couple was also part of the post-war “Baby Boom”, having four kids in New York and a fifth child after they migrated to Scottsdale, Arizona.

My favorite mother-in-law was a stay-at-home mom who was actively involved in the lives of her five children.   When the kids got into high school and college, she became a school nurse and enjoyed helping young students at the local elementary school.

My in laws enjoyed their retirement years and traveled to Europe and the British Isles several times.  One of their favorite trips was to Ireland because she had Irish roots.  Her maiden name was Gallagher!

My wife and I enjoyed some memorable times with her parents.  We traveled with them to San Diego on several occasions.  And, we will always remember a special trip with them to Hawaii.

I was surprised at how many people attended her memorial service.  There were many former neighbors and friends in attendance, plus many family members.  Almost all of her grandchildren came, too.  She had five children, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.

There were also a number of our high school friends and former classmates at the service.  They considered her to be their adopted mom, too.

Let me encourage you to take time this week to express your love and appreciation to an older adult in your life.  Why not put a note in the mail or pick up the phone and make a call?

Tell them how much they have meant in your life.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

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 Fifty Dollar Date

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife and I have been trying to schedule a “Date Night” once a week.  Our days are busy, so we know we need to set aside a time to get out and enjoy some time together.  But, a dinner and a movie can put a strain on the budget.  Two movie tickets can easily cost $20 to $25.  Dinner for two can easily exceed the cost of the movie tickets. Therefore, a date night can cost at least $50.

Fifty dollar bills don’t come easy.  I try to carry a little cash, but I don’t like to break a fifty if I manage to have one in my wallet.  Most couples use their debit or credit card, but I like paying cash when I can.

Recently, we planned a date night.  The plan was to go to dinner and a movie.  My wife found a movie that I had not seen and it was playing at a theater in Brea that features movies that have been out for a while.

When we arrived for the 4:40 p.m. movie, we were both surprised to hear the employee tell us the cost for our tickets was $6.50.  We both thought she meant $6.50 for each ticket, but the total for two tickets really was $6.50…nice!

After the movie, we went to a small restaurant nearby because we had found a gift card in my car’s glove compartment.  We had used the card several months ago, and didn’t know how much credit was still on it.  We were surprised to learn that the amount that was on the card almost paid for our dinner!   I think we only had to pay about $5.00 and a tip…nice!

This was the kind of Fifty Dollar Date that I like.  My wife enjoyed dinner and a movie, and I enjoyed having most of that fifty dollar bill still in my wallet!

My wife and I have been married for almost 44 years.  We have learned that we need to invest time, energy and money to keep our marriage healthy.  How much are you investing in your marriage? When was the last time you went out on a “date” with your spouse?

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

 

Teacher Appreciation Dinner

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May I Have Your Attention Please?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

We have all been watching and waiting for El Niño.  The weather man has been predicting heavy rain all winter, but we have not seen much in Southern California.

Our drought has been the topic of conversation for months.  The Governor of California and our state legislature has mandated 25% reduction in water consumption.

Everyone is looking for ways to conserve water.  We see signs posted in the medians of our roads and grass has been replaced by wood chips.   Even my local gym is asking members to reduce water usage.  I guess that means less exercise and fewer showers!

I was reading a passage in the Bible recently that specifically mentioned a drought.  The Prophet Jeremiah told the people of Israel 2500 years ago that God had withheld rain because they had turned away from following Him. (Jeremiah 14:1-10)

Jeremiah said that water wells were empty, farmers were dismayed, the soil was cracked and the wild animals could not find water for their young.  It was a grim scene in a land that was dependent on rain to survive.

At another time, an Old Testament Prophet named Elijah predicted that it would not rain in Israel for three years.  It got the attention of the people.  Even the King’s servants had trouble finding water (I Kings 17 & 18).

Why does a drought get our attention? I suppose it reminds us how dependent we are on the weather.  We are just as dependent on rain and snow today as people were in ancient times.

A drought also reminds us that this planet we live on is fragile and delicate.  It has a remarkable system where rain falls from the sky, drains back to the oceans and is recycled back into rain and snow again.  Rain enables crops to grow, fruit to flourish, and provides water for us to use and drink.

The Apostle Paul said, “God has shown His kindness by giving us rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides us with plenty of food and fills our hearts with joy”(Acts 14:17).  In Acts 17:27, Paul said, “He did this so that men would seek Him and find Him.”

In spite of all of our scientific knowledge and technological advances, we are still dependent on rain, snow and water.  Without these basic things that God provides, life as we know it would cease to exist.

I wonder if God is trying to get our attention.  I wonder if we are so busy and distracted that we have failed to acknowledge the existence of God and our need of Him.  I wonder if He is saying, “May I have your attention please?”

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.

 

Feed The Kids First

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Several years ago, we had our whole family together during the Christmas holidays.  My wife and I have four adult kids, three son-in-laws and seven grandkids.  That is a lot of people!

To save money, we decided to eat most of our meals at home.  Each family was assigned to prepare a dinner for the whole group.  This included purchasing the food, preparing the meal, and cleaning up afterward.

It sounded like a good idea and each family member accepted their assignment enthusiastically.  As they planned their meal, they tried to select different foods that would also be kid friendly.  Pizza, tacos and spaghetti were at the top of the list.

The shopping went well and the food preparation too.  But, when it came to serving dinner, things were not as easy.  We learned quickly that is was difficult for the adults to eat dinner and feed the children at the same time.

We adopted a new plan.  Feed the kids first!  The adults could wait, but feed the kids first.  After the kids were fed, we put on a movie so they would be entertained while the adults enjoyed dinner and conversation.

It made dinner so much more relaxed and enjoyable.  The kids were fed and happy to watch a movie.  The adults were happy to enjoy warm food and good conversation.

I have heard that leaders in the military always make sure that the troops are fed first, before the officers eat.  An important responsibility of a leader is to serve and help others.  Good leaders put the needs of others first.

In the Bible, Jesus emphasized the importance of serving others.  He said that He did not come expecting others to serve Him, but He came to serve and help others (Mark 10:45).  The Apostle Peter wrote, “Use whatever gifts that God has given you to serve others” (I Peter 4:10).

Let me encourage you to watch for an opportunity this week to put the needs of others ahead of your own needs.  Remember – “feed the kids first”.  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.

Winning The Trophy

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper
Recently a group of men from our church participated in the Walnut – Diamond Bar Sherriff Booster Club Golf Tournament.
Over 100 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day at the Western Hills Golf Club in Chino Hills. The goal of the tournament was to raise funds to provide shirts, uniforms and other equipment for the Sherriff’s junior cadet program.
The golf tournament featured a “Scramble” format where the golfers in each foursome help each other.
Each member in the foursome takes their first shot at the tee box. Then, they take their next shot from the location of the best hit in their group. They repeat this format until they reach the green. Then, each golfer putts from the same place on the green until one member of the group hits a ball into the cup.
It sounds pretty simple. Each golfer gets to play from the best shot each time. Usually at least one member of the group will hit the ball on the fairway and eventually one of them will hit their ball on to the green.
However, golf is never as easy as it looks. There were times when no one in our group hit the fairway. There were many times that we failed to reach the green in regulation. And, we had a hard time sinking our putts.
There was an award ceremony at dinner after the tournament. Scores were announced and prizes and trophies were awarded. The winning foursome had a score of 15 under par! That was amazing! They deserved their First Prize trophies.
Another foursome was given special recognition, too. They were given smaller trophies. The engraving on the trophy said, “Best Effort”. When the MC announced the winners of the “Best Effort” trophy, he called our names! We won!
However, what that “Best Effort” trophy actually meant was that our foursome actually had the worst score of the tournament! We really didn’t want that trophy. It was embarrassing.
In a few weeks, the Rotary Club of Walnut Valley and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation are also having their Golf Tournament at Western Hills Country Club. The date is Monday, May 9th.
The purpose of the tournament is to raise funds to benefit children and teens in our area. Money that is raised will be used for leadership camps, sports programs and local fine arts programs.
Both golfers and sponsors are invited to participate in this important annual event. For more information and registration details, please contact me at markh@efreedb.org or co-chairman, Lew Herndon at lewherndon@hotmail.com.
We will be using the same “Scramble” format, but we will not be giving out any “Best Effort” trophies. My golfing buddies don’t have any room in their trophy cases for any more of those!

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

An Old Friend

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

We got a phone call today that a dear friend had died.  It was not unexpected; Margaret was over 90 years old.  But this wonderful woman and her husband made a lasting impact on our family.

We met Ray and Margaret while I was the pastor of a small church in Tucson, Arizona, in the 1980’s. They were “snow birds” who came to Tucson each year to get away from the long, cold winters in Minnesota.  They were hard working farmers with grown children and several grandchildren.  They were able to soak up some sunshine in Arizona during the winter months.  Later, they bought a home in Tucson and became full-time residents.

Ray and Margaret quietly helped others.  They had servant hearts.  When my wife and I needed to get away for a few days, they would stay with our kids in our house.  Not only did they feed and care for our kids, but they would clean our house too!

Our children still remember the “clean plate club” when Ray and Margaret came to stay with them.  If our kids ate all the food on their plates, they were rewarded by Ray and Margaret with a visit to Dairy Queen and a Peanut Buster Sundae!

When our young family was growing and we needed a room addition, Ray and Margaret loaned us the money to finish the job.  Although we did repay that loan over several years, they insisted on providing the floor covering so that our young kids would not be walking or crawling on a cement floor!

One summer we drove across the country and visited their farm in northern Minnesota.  We were thrilled to see their family farm, their home and their garden.  It sure looked different than the Arizona desert where our family lived.

Ray and Margaret had a firm, unshakable faith in Jesus Christ.  In his later years, Ray used to say goodbye like this, “If I don’t see you again, I’ll see you in heaven”.

They were generous and faithful members of our church.  I will never forget the time when our church was beginning a new building project.  We were committed to pay cash for each phase of construction.  At one point, the lumber was scheduled to be delivered on a Monday but we didn’t have all the funds to pay at delivery.  The church leaders met after the Sunday evening service to pray and discuss what we should do.

During that meeting, there was a knock at the door.  A man handed a check to our chairman to cover the remaining amount that was due the next day.  That check came from Ray and Margaret!  I have never forgotten that moment.  It was a wonderful reminder of how God provides through faithful people like this remarkable couple.

I wonder if there have been some people like Ray and Margaret who have impacted your family and your life.    They were like an extra set of grandparents to our kids.

When was the last time you expressed your thanks to someone who impacted your life as a child, teen, young adult or young couple?  Don’t wait until it is too late.  Write a note, send a card or make a call this week and tell them again how much you appreciate how God used them to enrich 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 visithttp://www.efreedb.org

Taking The Bus

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

I was traveling out of town recently, and I decided to take the bus and metro train back to the airport.  Several people had offered to help me get to the airport, but I thought I could make it on my own.

I went online and checked the bus and metro routes in my area.  The bus ran every 30 minutes and would connect me to the metro train that went to the airport. I walked with my small red suitcase to the bus stop and got there in plenty of time.  Another bus rider assured me that this was the right stop for my bus and that it came every 30 minutes.

When the bus did not come on schedule, my fellow rider was concerned.  This never happened.  The bus was very reliable.  I called the “800” number posted at the bus stop to see what was wrong and was reassured by an impersonal computer voice that my bus would be on time.

Remember, I had a plane to catch and the clock was ticking.  I called the bus line’s “800” number again and finally talked with a real person.  They informed me that there had been mechanical trouble and the next bus would arrive in half an hour.

My previous relaxed composure was gradually changing to anxiety.  Why did I take the bus?  Why didn’t I accept the offers from others to drive me to the airport?  Now I was too embarrassed to call someone for a ride.  I had already declined their offers.  Now, the clock was ticking.  This seemed like a good time to pray and ask for God’s help!

Did I mention that while I was walking to the bus stop, earlier in the morning, that an airport shuttle van had actually pulled into the neighborhood?  What are the odds that a van taking people to the airport was driving through my neighborhood while I was walking to the bus stop to get to the airport?  Was this God sending me help because He knew I was going to need it and yet I refused to recognize it?

I actually walked over to the shuttle van to ask if there was room in his van for me and how much it would cost. Yes, there was room for me, but when I heard the price I knew I could save a lot of money taking the bus and then the metro train.  Little did I know that the price (and peace of mind) of the shuttle van would be a lot less than the price and stress of possibly having to buy a new plane ticket!

While I was waiting for over an hour, the same blue airport shuttle van, with the same driver that I talked to earlier, actually drove right by my bus stop.  I am sure that the shuttle driver smiled as he recognized the stingy guy with the red suitcase.  If I had seen him coming, I would have probably waved for him to stop and rescue me.

My bus did finally arrive.  It was over an hour late.  When I tried to purchase a bus pass that would include the metro to the airport, the driver told me that the machine was broken. Not the best day to choose to ride the bus.

I did finally make it to airport and I did catch my plane, but it was close.

One thing that I learned is that there are nice people on the bus. Every person said “thank you” to the driver as they got off of the bus.  The people on the bus were grateful for the ride.  People in their cars are often grumpy, not grateful.  I also learned to be thankful for my own car and how I so often take for granted the convenience of car ownership.

I was reminded that maybe I need to be more willing to let others help me.  Why did I say “no” when people offered to take me to the airport?  Maybe I need to learn to say “yes” and “thanks” when help is available.

And, maybe I need to learn how to use Uber!

Decorating For Easter

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

 

One of my least favorite assignments is to “get the boxes down from the attic.”  I hear these words several times a year, when my wife wants to decorate our house for a new season.

 

The largest number of storage boxes contain Christmas decorations.  Most of these are stored on shelves in the garage.  There are fewer Fall decorations and these are stored in the attic space above the garage.  

 

Each of these seasonal decorations contribute to the festive atmosphere in our house for a few weeks.   My job is to get them down and put them away again.

 

Now that Spring is coming, I heard those familiar words again recently.  My wife asked me if I would “get the Easter boxes down from the attic”.  There was a sense of urgency in her voice because two of our granddaughters were coming to our house and she wanted to let them help decorate.

 

 I’m not sure who had more fun, the grandchildren or my wife.  These two young girls had a wonderful time discovering the variety of decorations in those boxes.  They couldn’t believe all the neat stuff that Grammy had collected.  They loved finding places to put the decorations all over our house.

 

I noticed the sparkle in my wife’s eye and the smile on her face as she watched the enthusiasm of her young assistants.  It was enjoyable to watch Grammy and her girls decorate our house for Easter.

 

I don’t know how the seasonal decorating goes on in your house, but I know it is important at our house.   My wife enjoyed it very much and so did her young helpers!

 

This year Easter will be on Sunday, March 27th.  Our church will be having three Easter Sunday services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.  We will also have one service on Good Friday, March 25th, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Easter is the day when Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  The Bible says that Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead to pay for our sins and to purchase a place for us in heaven.  I hope you will take time to celebrate Easter this year.  Get out those decorations.  Get up and go to church to celebrate that Jesus is alive!

 

If you don’t have a church home, we would be delighted to have you worship with us on Easter Sunday.   You will be glad you did and we will be 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 visithttp://www.efreedb.org

Two Tea Cups

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

 

Having a cup of tea is one of my wife’s favorite things. She enjoys a warm cup of tea on a cold winter’s night at home. She enjoys going out with friends to a local tea shop.  She also enjoys taking our daughters and our grandchildren out to a special Tea Party.  The grandkids get special sandwiches and desserts along with a variety of flavored tea, and they love having Tea Parties with Grammy at our house, too.

Enjoying a cup of tea and collecting tea cups are a big deal in our family.

Recently, one of our daughters, who lives out of the area, sent my wife a package.  In the box was a beautiful tea cup and a note.

Her note explained that while she was out shopping, she saw this tea cup and thought of her mother. Our daughter knew that my wife already had plenty of tea cups, but she bought this one to let her mother know she was thinking of her.

Our daughter went on to explain that she had actually purchased two tea cups.  One was for herself and one was for her mother.   Even though they don’t live nearby, my wife and our daughter would have matching tea cups to share.

In her note she wrote, “I got a matching tea cup for me – just like yours, so when I drink out of it, I will be praying for you and you can be praying for me.”

These matching tea cups are a tangible reminder of the bond that is shared by a mother and her daughter.

You may share something similar with a friend or loved one.  Some people have matching bracelets.  Others have one-half of a charm or necklace, with their friend or loved one having the other half.

In the Bible, there are many examples of visual, tangible reminders that God provided to remind his people of his love.  In the Christian Faith, we share a piece of bread and a small cup of juice to remind us of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples.  The bread is a reminder of His body that was nailed to the Cross and the cup is a reminder of His blood that was shed at His crucifixion.

In the Jewish faith, they share several items of food including unleavened bread and cups of wine as they remember the Passover recorded in Exodus.  These are tangible and visible reminders of God’s love and care.

I wonder if you have something on your shelf or in your cupboard that is a helpful reminder of someone’s love or concern for you?  Is there someone in your family or at your place of work that would be encouraged by a thoughtful gift from you?

Two tea cups can be a timely reminder that you are thinking of others and they are thinking of you!

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

Outstanding Service

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a day with some of our grandchildren and their parents at Disneyland.  It was a warm, sunny day at the Happiest Place on Earth.

This was the first time that some of the grand kids had been to Disneyland.  They were very excited to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure.  They enjoyed a number of the rides and attractions in both parks.
One of their favorites was the new “Cars” ride in California Adventure.  This attraction is based on the Disney movie “Cars” and has two cars racing side-by-side down a curving road course.
I waited at the finish line with the youngest grandchild while my wife and the other adults and kids went on the “Cars” ride.  I did not see what happened on the race course, but as the cars raced along, my wife lost the baseball cap she was wearing.  It just flew off as her car rounded a sharp curve.
The reason she was wearing a baseball cap is that she doesn’t have any hair right now.  She has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and has lost all of her hair.
There was nothing she could do.  The hat was gone and her bald head was exposed to the world.  They operators could not stop the ride.  Her hat was gone.
But then, something unexpected happened.  As soon as the ride came to a complete stop, one of the Disney employees saw my wife’s predicament and stepped in to help.
The female employee quickly ushered my wife off the ride and led her into a souvenir shop nearby.  She instructed my wife to select a new hat at no cost.  It was a timely and thoughtful gift.
The employee said that she did not want my wife to have to spend the rest of the day at Disneyland without a hat to cover her head.  We were surprised and impressed with the Disney employee’s quick and compassionate action.
Our trip to Disneyland with our grandchildren is a day that we will remember for a long time.  We had such a nice time together.  And, it is a day we will remember the outstanding customer service of a thoughtful Disney employee, 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 visithttp://www.efreedb.org

Death of a Scholar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

Many people were surprised to learn of the sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia.  He was a brilliant legal scholar who served for many years on the highest court in our land.
But, most people were not aware of the recent death of another brilliant scholar.  His name was Dr. Charles Ryrie.  He was one of my favorite professors at Dallas Theological Seminary.
I never met Justice Anthony Scalia, but I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Ryrie.  He was a slim, soft spoken man who taught Theology for more than five decades.  Some people might recognize his name because he wrote the footnotes notes for the “Ryrie Study Bible”.  Anyone can learn a lot from just reading the Bible.  But you can learn even more when you read a “Study Bible” that includes maps and footnotes that provide additional background information as you read passages in the Bible.
When I studied at Dallas Seminary in the 1970’s, Dr. Ryrie provided us with helpful insights and clear explanations in both Theology (the study of God) and study of the Bible.  I still remember some of his clear, crisp summaries of deep theological subjects.  In addition to the Ryrie Study Bible, Dr. Ryrie also authored a number of other books.  His writings were clear and uncomplicated.  His teaching style was thoughtful and easy to understand.
I’m convinced that the Bible was written so that people could easily read and understand it.  Although the Bible was written over a period of 1500 years by more than 40 different authors, it provides us with a remarkable understanding of the nature of God and records many of His wonderful works.
It was a special privilege to study under Dr. Charles Ryrie.  I continue to appreciate and use the lessons and insights that I learned from this remarkable scholar.  I also appreciate that he was approachable and available to his students.  When I was in my final year at the seminary, two of my classmates and I invited Dr. Ryrie to lunch.  He gladly accepted our invitation and we enjoyed a memorable time with this humble man.  I don’t know if it improved our grades in his class, but it was a time that I still remember to this day.
Maybe there has been a teacher, coach, professor or mentor that has impacted your life.  Why not take a moment and send them a note and thank them for their impact in your life?  I regret that I don’t have the opportunity to thank Dr. Ryrie in this life, but I believe that I will have that opportunity when I see him again in heaven.

A Box of Cookies

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper
We are always thankful when new people visit our church.  We usually have a variety of guests and visitors of all ages.
Many have come because they have driven by our church on Diamond Bar Blvd. on their way to work or school.  Many other new visitors come because a friend or family member has invited them.  We make a special effort to meet these new guests when they come.  We try to introduce them to other people at our church, especially people who are around the same age or at the same life stage.
Twice a month, we go out into the community and visit the people who have visited us.  We call this program “Home Visits.”  We typically go out two evenings a month.  We bring information with us about our church.  And we always bring a box of cookies.
Some people might think this is old-fashioned, but we have found it to be an effective way to get to know new guests and thank them for coming to our church.  There are some occasions when people are reluctant to open their door when we knock, but most of the time, people seem very appreciative that we would take the time to come to their home.
I think the main reason they are willing to welcome us into their home is because we bring cookies!  Sometimes we bring Snickerdoodles, and sometimes we bring cookies with sprinkles, but I think everyone’s favorite cookies are chocolate chip- at least they are my favorite!
This simple effort has helped us to get to know many people in our community.  We enjoy telling these guests about our church and we enjoy getting to know them.  I wonder how well you know your neighbors?  Do you know their names?  Do you know their children by name?
Many people in our community do not know who their neighbors are.  We have become isolated and indifferent.  We have lost the art of being a good neighbor.
Maybe it is time for you to buy some cookies or bake some cookies and go knock on your neighbor’s door.  Maybe it is time for you to take the initiative and get out and get to know the people who live on your street or in the condo next door.  Get up and get out and get to know some of your neighbors.  You will be glad you did and they will too.  And don’t forget the cookies!
PS:  Let us know if you would like us to bring you a box of cookies.
We would be glad to!
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 http://www.efreedb.org