Tag Archives: Pastor Mark Hopper

Grocery Shopping

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

When I was in college, I worked at a local grocery store.  My first job was bagging groceries, but later I was promoted to cashier.  In addition, I was assigned to restock the shelves in one section of the store.

It was exciting to be a cashier.  I had to learn how to cash checks and make change when people paid in cash.  There were no credit or debit cards back then.

I also had to learn to weigh the fruits and vegetables. One problem was that I was not familiar with a lot of them. At our house, I was raised on meat and potatoes.  The only vegetables we had were usually green beans or corn.  The only things I knew were the bananas, red apples, lettuce and tomatoes.

I was at a distinct disadvantage when it came to identifying a lot of fruit and vegetables.  Often I would have to ask a customer what kind they had in their cart.  I noticed worried looks on many faces.

I’m sure it is a lot easier to be a cashier in a grocery store today.  The registers are computerized.  The scales are electronic.  They have bar code scanners. The fruits and vegetables usually have stickers with codes on them,  Today we can even use the self-checkout line if we want.

There is a verse in the Bible that says that God has given us food to be enjoyed when it is received with thanksgiving (I Timothy 4:3-4).  I know there are more fruits and vegetables in most grocery stores than I can name.  The varieties seem endless.

We should be thankful for the farmers that grow them and the grocers that sell them.

The next time you go grocery shopping, I hope you will say thanks to the hard working people who work there.  And, the next time you are eating dinner with your friends or family, make sure you finish your vegetables!

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

The Fifty Dollar Date

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

By 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.

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 dinner and a movie.  My wife found a movie that I had not seen. 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 the card.  We were surprised to learn that the amount still 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!

We 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?

We have recently started a new sermon series at our church on today’s family.  We will be investigating what the Bible says to parents and children, married couples and single adults.  We will be including older adults and widows, young adults and teens, baby boomers and millennials.

I hope you will accept this invitation to join us for this series that will address the issues and concerns of families and individuals of all ages.  The price is right – admission is free!

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

Road Trip (Part Two)

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I shared about my memories of driving from Arizona to San Diego for family vacations when I was a kid.  It was a long, hot drive across the desert to get to Mission Bay in cool, beautiful San Diego.

My first article reminded me of another “Road Trip,” when I was in graduate school in Dallas, Texas.  Our first child was born in October, and we were hoping to drive home to Arizona to celebrate Christmas with our parents.

Since our car was not very reliable and we did not have a lot of money for gas, we asked my wife’s sister and her husband if we could carpool with them.  They lived at Fort Riley Kansas at that time, so they drove south and picked us up in Dallas.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I didn’t realize that they were bringing their large Irish Setter with them.  The result was that my wife and her sister sat in the front seat along with my brother-in-law, who was driving.  I rode in the back seat with the Irish Setter.

I know this sounds terrible, but we were not required to use car seats for infants and children in those days.  So my wife and her sister took turns holding our two-month old son on their laps in the front seat, while I shared the back seat with the dog.

The dog’s name was Shadrach, like one of the men found in the Bible, in the book of Daniel, Chapter 1.

Shadrach was a good dog.  He had a friendly temperament and was pretty obedient.  He was also a big dog, and he liked to lean on people.  He was a leaner.  He took up three-fourths of the back seat, and I was always squished against the door.

It is over 1,000 miles from Dallas to Phoenix.  It usually takes two days to drive that distance.  I rode in the back seat with that big dog leaning on me for two days.  It was a road trip that I have not been able to forget.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Be humble and gentle, patient and tolerant with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:2).  It took a lot of patience and tolerance to endure driving 1,000 miles to Arizona, and another 1,000 miles back to Texas,

You may find yourself in an unexpected or uncomfortable situation that you did not foresee.  You may have people leaning on you.  It may be that the only thing you can do is be humble and patient as you endure the situation.

Ask God to give you the strength to complete the journey.

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

The Jedi Master

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

We had a lot of winter visitors at the church I used to lead in Tucson, Arizona.  We called them “Snow Birds.”  These visitors were mostly retired people who came south to escape the cold winter weather in Michigan and Minnesota.

One of these couples was Doug and Jeri Blom.  They were from Flint, Michigan.  Doug had retired after a long career in management with General Motors Corporation.  He helped build cars in peace time and army tanks during World War II.

When I first met Doug, I did not realize that he was a gifted and successful golfer.  He did not look like your typical tall, thin golfer.  He was short and stout.  He did not hit the ball a mile, but his golf stroke was steady and solid.

Recently, I found an article on the Internet that included some remarkable information about my friend, Doug Blom.  The article reported that a man had won the Flint Michigan Invitational for a third time.  The article mentioned that only three other amateur golfers had won that city’s golf title three times.

But the article added a more astounding statistic.  It reported that Doug Blom was the only golfer to win the Flint title more than three times.  He hadn’t won five or ten or even 15 titles.  Doug Blom won the city title 19 times!  Unbelievable!

I did not know Doug in his prime.  He was in his 70s when he and his wife came to our church in Tucson. Little did I know that Doug had such a remarkable legacy as an amateur golfer.  I learned more about him as Doug’s wife showed me several scrap books filled with newspaper clippings of his golf career.

The article that I found recently said that Doug had played with some of the greatest names in golf, like Sam Sneed and Byron Nelson.  He had also competed in the U.S. Open as an amateur golfer.

When my son was in 5th Grade, Doug took the time to teach him how to golf.  He was so patient and always encouraging.  I managed to learn a few things, too.  When I had a problem with my golf game, I would ask Doug for help.  He was like the Jedi Master.

There is a verse in the Bible where the Apostle Paul encourages his young disciple, Timothy, to teach others the things he had learned from Paul (2 Timothy 2:2)   Doug certainly fulfilled this principle when it came to golf.  He loved teaching others how to enjoy the game as he did.

You may not be a successful golfer, but I am certain you have skills and experiences that you could share with others.  You may not think of yourself as a Jedi Master, but I believe you can make a difference in the life of others as you share what you love with them.

Let me encourage you to look around and see if there is a child or teen that would benefit from the skills and knowledge you have gained in your life.  They will enjoy it, and you will too.

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

Eyewitness News

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Some friends of mine recently returned from a trip to Israel.  They were on a tour that included many of the places mentioned in the Bible.  They saw the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized; the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus’ disciples fished; and the Mediterranean Sea, where the Apostle Paul sailed to Rome.  They also saw cities and towns like Bethlehem, where Jesus was born; Nazareth, where Jesus grew up; and Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified.  Although archeologists may not be able to identify some of the specific sites mentioned in the Bible, they can confirm that many of the cities and places mentioned in the Bible still exist today.

My friends shared that one of their favorite places to visit was the garden tomb where Jesus may have been buried after his crucifixion by the Roman authorities.  This beautiful garden is located just outside the walls of the old city of Jerusalem.

Historians and archeologists cannot say this is definitely the location where Jesus was buried, but it certainly could be.  The garden and the tomb are located close together.  There is a hill that looks like the one described in the Bible.  It could be the location referred to in the various Bible accounts.

Many people don’t understand why the burial place of Jesus is so important.  There are cemeteries in countries all over the world where loved ones and friends are buried.  Why is the place where Jesus was buried any different?

The Bible says that Jesus rose from the dead three days after he was executed on the Cross.  This makes his death different from any other in history.  The Bible says that many people saw him alive.  Eyewitnesses claimed that they saw him, talked with him, and actually touched him.

The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus’ death on the Cross and his physical resurrection are the foundations of the Christian faith.  If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is worthless and we are misleading others.  If Jesus did rise from the dead, then our faith is true and we have hope for the future and purpose in this life, (I Corinthians 15:1-20).

Let me encourage you to read it for yourself.  Dust off your Bible and read one of the accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection in Matthew, Chapters 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; and John 19-20.  Each of them provides the names of individuals who claim to have seen Jesus alive after his death on the Cross.  Each of these passages provides specific eyewitness details about Jesus death, burial and resurrection.

On Easter Sunday, I hope you will attend a church near you.  Easter is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  Easter reminds us that we do not remember a fallen hero, but a living savior.  Easter reminds us that the tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive!

Join us for Good Friday Service at 7 p.m., and Easter Sunday Services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

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

Road Trip

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

When my brother and I were growing up in Arizona, our parents would usually go on vacation in August and drive to San Diego to get out of the hot summer weather in Phoenix.

When my wife and I were raising our own young family in Tucson, we did the same thing.  We would take our kids to San Diego to get away from the hot weather in Arizona.

When my wife’s parents retired, they followed the same pattern.  They would drive from Phoenix to San Diego to get away from the hot summer weather in Arizona.

Maybe this is why I think that San Diego is one of the most beautiful places in the country. We loved going to the beach and Balboa Park.  Sometimes we were able to afford a trip to Sea World or even drive up to Disneyland for a day.

We have so many fond memories of our road trips to San Diego and all the fun we had there with our families.  However, my memories of getting to San Diego are another story.

When my brother and I were young, my parents drove a 1950s Nash Rambler – with no air conditioning – across the desert to San Diego.  It was a long, hot, sweaty drive!

When our own kids were young, they would complain about how hot and long the drive to San Diego was.  There is not much to see along the way.  They would get tired and bored and complain.  The familiar questions were, “How much longer” and “Are we there yet”?

Recently I read a verse in the Bible that reminded me of those road trips from Arizona to San Diego.  In Genesis 45:24, when Joseph sent his brothers back from Egypt to their father in Canaan, he told them, “Do not quarrel on your way.”

Remember, Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery.  Years later they were amazed to discover that not only was Joseph alive, but he was a high ranking official in the land of Egypt. He forgave them and provided them with food and supplies for their families back in Canaan.

I know there are times when we all find ourselves quarreling or complaining about our circumstances.  We lose sight of the goal of getting to beautiful “San Diego.”  We quarrel with others who are taking up too much space in the car.

As you begin to make plans for your summer vacation, remember to be grateful and not grumble.  Be thankful that you can enjoy time together and don’t complain and quarrel.  Make some lasting memories and cherish your time with family and loved ones!

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

Just In Case

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Once a year I try to sit down and type a letter that provides my wife and children with information and instructions about our family’s finances and other important matters.

I call it the “Just in Case” letter, because it is written just in case I don’t make it home from a business trip or a day at the office.

None of us like to think about the possibility that we might die suddenly in a car accident or due to a heart attack.  All of us think that we will return home safely and live another day.

I just want to make sure that my wife and family know where to find important records and documents in case I’m not there to help them.

Recently I found one of my “Just in Case” letters in the back of a drawer in my office desk.  It was written in 1997.  It was interesting to read some of the things that I included in the letter that was almost 20 years old.  Some of the information on our family’s finances was interesting, like how much we had in savings and how much we owed on our house at that time.

It was interesting to read the instructions I gave them about finishing school and caring for one another.  Now, they are all out of school and gainfully employed.  None of our kids were married in 1997.  Today three of them are married and several have kids of their own.

Many other things in the letter were outdated.  Our bank accounts had changed and my life insurance, too.  Thankfully, I had updated most of the information in “Just in Case” letters that I have written more recently.

There is a story in the Bible, in 1 Kings 20, where the prophet Isaiah tells King Hezekiah that the he is about to die.  Isaiah tells the King to “set your house in order.”

Do you have your “house in order?”  Do you have a will or living trust?  Do you have instructions written down to help your family in case you die suddenly? Let me encourage you to stop and write a letter to your family and loved ones, “Just In Case.”

Easter Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

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

March Madness

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

The highlight of the college basketball season is “March Madness.”  This is when 64 college teams are selected to participate in the annual NCAA basketball tournament.

During the month of March, these 64 teams will be reduced to the Final Four and only one will be crowned the champion.  It is an exciting month.

I have told you that when I was in high school, I played baseball and ran cross country; but, my favorite sport in school was playing basketball.

I am not very tall and I wasn’t very fast, but I loved to play basketball.  Unlike baseball and cross country, there were usually a lot of people at a high school basketball game.

There were cheerleaders, lots of fans, and usually a small “pep band” that filled our school gym with noise and energy.  It was loud and crazy and lots of fun.

I played point guard on the team.  My job was to set up plays and pass the ball to my teammates near the basket.  I was also expected to play defense and prevent the other team from getting a fast break and easy bucket at our end of the court.

Basketball is fluid; it keeps moving.  Plays and opportunities develop quickly and it was fun to work with other members of our team to score a basket.

Baseball is different.  It is a slow paced game where you wait for the pitcher to pitch and the hitter to hit.  A baseball game can last for hours.  A basket ball game is a lot faster and a lot shorter.

One of my favorite movies is, “Hoosiers.”  It is about a basketball team from a small town in Indiana that makes it to the state finals.  In one scene, the coach tells a player, “Don’t shoot the ball unless you are right under our basket and no one else is around!”

I think that is what my high school coach said to me.  I think he preferred that I pass the ball and shoot as little as possible.  I think I usually scored about 4 points a game.  I do remember scoring 13 points one time, but most of them were on free throws!

March Madness is almost here.  College teams from around the country will be competing for the national title.  For a few short weeks, basketball will capture the attention of the sports world and fill our TV screens with many memorable moments.

I hope you can enjoy it.  I know I will.

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

Spring Training

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Baseball was a big deal when I was growing up in Arizona.  Since we did not have a major league baseball team in Phoenix at that time, it was exciting when several major league teams came to town in March for Spring Training.

I enjoyed playing baseball.  When I was very young, we actually played “sand lot” games in a vacant lot near our home.  I also played on organized Little League teams as I grew up, and I made the All-Star team a couple of times.

When I got into high school I enjoyed playing baseball, too.  My position was short stop.  That was where all the action was.  It was my job to stop those hard hit ground balls and throw runners out at first base.  As short stop, I also assisted with double plays and tagging runners out as they tried to steal second base.  I also helped relay throws from the outfield and tried to stop base runners at home plate.

The other part of playing baseball was hitting.  I don’t remember what my batting average was, but I know I didn’t set any records.

Years later, I had the opportunity to coach some Little League teams that my son played on.  Coaching is an important part of every team sport.

I do know that I enjoyed playing baseball.  It is a team sport where everyone has an important role to play.  You learn to work together and value each person’s contribution to the team.

Each team has a coach who helps players to develop their skills both on the field and in the batter’s box.

I have heard that some parents get a little crazy watching their kids participate in team sports.  I hope you will exercise restraint and encourage your kids to participate in a team sport.  They will enjoy it, and you will too!

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

Don’t Stop Running

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

When I was in high school, I enjoyed playing several different sports.  My parents discouraged me from playing football, so I opted for cross-country in the fall.  I was not the top runner at our high school, but I did manage to earn a varsity letter my sophomore year.

Distance running is a lot more popular today, and it is common to see people jogging through neighborhoods and along the main streets in our community.

Many people now participate in 26-mile marathon races.  In fact, the Los Angeles Marathon is coming again in a few weeks.  Thousands of runners will fill the city streets and thousands of fans will line the sidewalks to watch them.

When I ran cross-country many years ago, it was one of the loneliest sports in school.  Five runners from each school would participate in the race and there were usually fewer spectators than actual runners!

I grew up in Arizona, so it was common for the race course to wander along desert paths lined with cactus instead of people.  There might be a few people at the starting line and a few at the finish line, but there were no cheerleaders or marching bands to urge us on.

The basic principle in long distance running is, “don’t stop.”  You have to keep on moving, keep on trying and keep on running.

There were times when you just felt like stopping and giving up.  Your muscles would get tired and your feet would get sore.  It was tempting to just stop and not run anymore.

I was not the fastest member of our team. I actually only won one race when I was in high school, and that was on the JV team.  But it was thrilling to win the race and be the first to cross the finish line!

In many ways, life is like a long distance race.  You have to keep on running and never give up.  You may be exhausted and feel like stopping, but you have to keep on going.  You may be involved in a difficult project at work or school and feel like you are ready to give up.  Don’t!  Keep your eye on the finish line and keep on going!

There is a verse in the Bible, in Hebrews 12:1, which says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  The author is using the image of the ancient Greek games where thousands of spectators cheered the athletes in the sports arena.  But, the author is applying the analogy to our everyday life and faith.  Keep on running. Don’t give up.

Whatever you are facing in life, keep on going, and don’t give up.  And, encourage those around you that may be weary and discouraged to keep on going, too!

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

Home Sweet Home

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Run Forrest Run

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fan or Follower?

By Pastor Mark Lee

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

More than 100 million Americans recently gathered around their television sets in celebration of what many consider to be an unofficial national holiday.  Whether these viewers were rooting for the Seattle Seahawks, wearing New England Patriot jerseys, or simply wanted to watch the commercials,  they were – if only for Super Bowl Sunday – football fans.

Although the level of devotion varies by individual, a fan is nothing more than an enthusiastic admirer.  From the teenage girls who display boy band posters on their bedroom walls to the men who memorize team statistics, the beauty of fandom is that we receive joy from the objects of our affection and are not required to provide anything in return.

Many of us tend to approach our faith in a similar fashion.  We embrace our religion because it makes us feel good.    We attend worship services, know the songs, and even place bumper stickers on our cars.   We definitely want what God can give us, but rarely consider what we can do for Him.  Instead of becoming the true followers that He desires, we find ourselves more comfortable resting among the fan base.

Luke 9:23 quotes Jesus as saying, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”  But, how do you know if you are a follower or a fan?  Ask yourself two questions.  First, if none of my life’s dreams come true, would Jesus be enough for me?  And second, if I lost everyone and everything I loved, could I still find my purpose in Christ?

Your answers to these questions may help you define your relationship with God or, if necessary, point you in the right direction.

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 a.m.

Water Damage

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Color Is Your Car?

By Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

The Annual Survey

By Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Day At The Zoo

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Christmas In A Foreign Country

By Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Boys And Big Toys

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently we had a Car & Cycle Meet at our church.  Men were encouraged to bring their fancy cars and motorcycles to display on a Saturday morning.A few men signed up ahead of time, but I was surprised by how many cars and motorcycles came. In addition, a lot of other men came to view these beautiful and unique vehicles. I did not realize how many men in our church own and ride motorcycles.   I think we have enough to form our own church motorcycle gang!

There were some expensive cars, too.  A number of the cars were “classics” like the 1968 Chevy Camaro, and a 1965 Ford Mustang.  There were some older cars, too, like the 1956 Cadillac. There were at least five Corvettes, as well.  Most were newer models and they looked like they had rarely been driven.  The guys really enjoyed viewing them.

As I reflected on our Saturday gathering, several thoughts came to mind.  First, I wonder if the wives know what their husbands are hiding in the garage.  Men often complain about how many clothes their wives have in their closet.  Do the wives know what is in their husband’s “closet”?

Second, I realized that it may be true that the bigger the boys, the more expensive their toys.  I don’t know what a 1965 Mustang or a 2014 Corvette is worth, but I’m sure those cars are not cheap. These are expensive toys.

And finally, it was fun to see how much the men enjoyed this event.  Several times I overheard guys talking about cars that they used to own.  My first car was a 1957 Chevy.  I wish I still had it today!

Men in my generation seem to find it easy to talk about their cars.  Maybe younger guys are more likely to be talking about their newest computer.  This Car & Cycle Meet seemed to provide an opportunity for men to get to know more about each other.  It was a fun day.

I suspect that we will do this type of event at our church again.  Let me know if you have a car or motorcycle to show, and I will let you know when we will be doing another Car & Cycle Meet in the future.

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

An Old Friend – Part II

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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