Around the Bend

I meet a man for the second time today. I and Tricia were coming to church this morning and around one of the turns was a truck on its side. The man was going to fast and hit a patch of ice. The rest is history. You could see the tracks of his truck in the ice. He battled to keep the truck on the road. As we came up to him, he was walking around and ok. He looked like a sweet, kind guy in his early 60’s. His right arm was banged up a little. Another driver was already helping him and things were in control. I asked if we could call anyone for him and he said there was no one to call. We called 911 and other help was on its way, mainly for his truck.
We had met this guy about a month ago. He was driving up the hill and slid off the road and into a snow bank. He was going to fast again. He was not hurt but just had to wait for a tow truck to pull him out. Tricia prayed for Him.
Can’t wait to meet the guy for a third time! But I will ask for his phone number this next time and I and Tricia will take him out to dinner, something is calling us together. It just might be life, but you never know. He really just might not have any one to call. Maybe God has been calling us to help him.
Watch your driving today and watch out for the others around you. They might need your help today!
Pastor Ken

Today Cake, Tomorrow a Toy

We are going down to Siempre tomorrow to share in their Christmas celebrations. Here are some of the kids that will be unwrapping presents instead of eating cake.
Come with us, just call us
Pastor Ken

This Side of Heaven

I had a friend die the other day.
She was just a few years older than me and we grew up in the Arlington Church of God in Riverside, CA. I have known her for 41 years. Wow I am old! For most of the world she will never be remembered for her name or for what she had done, but for some of us, she was a friend, a helper, a prayer partner, a football player, a good person.

I was the leader of the youth group many years ago and we were in the process of raising money to send youth to camp. One of the projects was to collect newspapers to recycle. This friend and my sister played a joke on another friend of mine with those newspapers. I had stopped off at his house after school to pick something up; as we came to his bedroom door he could not get it open. We pushed it open just a few inches and there all the way to the ceiling was all those newspapers wadded up in his room.

It was funny! It was a good joke! We all set down and laughed together. Later it was time to go home. I laughed all the way home. BUT when I could not get my door open to my bedroom at my house. I stopped laughing! My room was also filled to the ceiling with all those newspapers. It wasn’t funny anymore! I called and complained! I told them they were in trouble with stealing all those newspapers from the youth group. But there told me they had bought all the papers from the church gave the pastor the money and now were giving me a present. Wow what a gift! Given with love, a laugh and a smile.

My sister died many years ago. Now Rhonda is with her in heaven. One day I will meet them again in heaven. I just hope I will not have to push the gates of heaven open because there is a pile of newspaper waiting for me on the other side.
Pastor Ken

Merry Christmas!

Wishing the best for each and everyone of you this Christmas and in the year to come. God bless you! Have a great day!
Ken

Said and Done

This weekend we had our Granddaughter at our house and in those moments of time spent together—Life gets very simple. Scramble eggs and Avocados, hugs, hide and seek, a walk in the trees to see the birds and squirrels, changing clothes and diapers, a day spent on the floor. At times a run to you, a hug and the words “Love you” and then going back to her play. Expecting nothing, but getting a "I love you" as its mealts my heart. Life at its simplest! Life at its deepest! A Life worth live for!
There is a song that comes to me in those simplest times in life. It’s called “When It’s All Been Said and Done”.
It goes like this--
When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?

When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord Your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For you’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone.

Lord I’ll live my life for You!
For me it’s not all been said or done and I am looking forward to what this simple day has in store for me and the others around me. Pastor Ken

“The Lord protects the simple and the childlike; I was facing death, and then he saved me. Now I can relax. For the Lord has done this wonderful miracle for me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall live!” Psalms 116:6-9

The National Cathedral

In 1791, when Congress selected the site to be the capital of the United States, President George Washington commissioned Major Pierre l’Enfant to design an overall plan for the city. It included a plan for a church. The National Cathedral.
In 1907 the first cornerstone was laid and it was completed in 1990, after 83 years of construction. Today it’s the biggest church in America. We went there on our trip to Virginia. What a CHURCH!
On the side of the Cathedral are hundreds of Gargoyles. The Word gargoyle is derived from the old French 'gargouille' meaning throat. Gargoyles came into gothic architecture in the early 13th century to keep corrosive rain water off the cathedrals in France and Western Europe. During that time, the Catholic Church was attempting to bring lots of pagan folks into the church. Since pagan themes and deities had a powerful history with the people, the Church deemed it necessary to use the often coarse imagery to help make the transition into a new religion more palatable. Also, many people were illiterate, so images were a great way to convey Church doctrines. One of surprising things we saw on the Cathedral was a familiar face.
What a Church! Pastor Ken

Back to Regular life !

Its great to be back at home with family and friends! Back to Church and to Work. To the 60 freeway and the 91. When will they ever get that freeway overpass done?
In a few words--Vacation was great! We spent some time working at home, laying around the house doing nothing but feed the birds with my granddaughter. We traveled to Washington, Pennsylvania, Virgina, Maryland, Delaware. A great trip with many great stops along the way. I will post some of the pictures in the days ahead.
One of the first things I did was to remodel our upstairs bathroom. Here is a picture of our new shower. Just add one show door and it will be done!

Hope you have a great day!
Pastor Ken

Walter

Walter Crager is a funny man! If you don't know him ask me to introduce you to him on sunday. Ask him for a joke but tell him you only want one. If you dont say anything he will give you 30 minutes of them. He sent me some site this week and here you go walter! Thanks!
Pastor Ken

As we drove to church this morning around one of the curves in the road was the littlest, cutest, deer I have ever seen, right in the middle of the road. Tricia’s first words were “OOOOOOOO How cute. “ “Can we take him home?” It’s a woman’s thing!
As we drove closer to the deer, he stood his ground. It must have been a male deer; ladies don’t stand in the middle of the road. I guess it’s a man’s thing to stand in the middle of the road and show the world that you are a man. We stopped for a few seconds and I then did what is said to do at these times in life, “Honk the horn and save a life.” The little guy just stood there and with a few more taps on the horn he took off.
I just knew he would go to the right of the road but he proved me wrong. To the left he climbed the side of the rock face that was almost straight up. I was amazed. This little guy, just a few weeks old was already a skilled climber. I wanted to take him home. Just think of him in a few years and what he will be able to do.
Today I hope I can do the same in my life with the people around me. To say something, to do something, to climb an obstacle, to share Jesus, to honk the horn, to save a life. God has blessed me with this day—now let me share the joy and love that he has placed in my life. From Isaiah we read these words:
“And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf.
The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing! Springs will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground will become a pool, with springs of water in the thirsty land. Where desert jackals lived, there will be reeds and rushes!
And a main road will go through that once-deserted land; it will be named "The Holy Highway." No evil-hearted men may walk upon it. God will walk there with you; even the most stupid cannot miss the way. No lion will lurk along its course, nor will there be any other dangers; only the redeemed will travel there. These, the ransomed of the Lord, will go home along that road to Zion, singing the songs of everlasting joy. For them all sorrow and all sighing will be gone forever; only joy and gladness will be there.
Isaiah 35:5-10 (Living Bible)
Pastor Ken

A word of Thanks

Just wanted to say thank you for:
Your Prayers
Your hard work
Your time
Your Friendships
Your loving support
Your money
Your jokes
Your smiles
Because of YOU
We built a Medical Clinic
Because of You
We built a Dental Office
Because of You
We built Kitchen
Because of You
We built a 900 sq ft dinning hall
Because of You
We built a house for Pastor Israel and his family
You did a great job!
We did it for him!
Thanks
Pastor Ken

Siempre Golf

Thanks everyone for a great day of golfing!

Memorial Day weekend 2003

Look at what Central Community did in 2003. What a great weekend! Come on out for this Memorial Day weeendend so you can show people what you did in 2007.

Memorial Day weekend

Wow! They say that you have to tear down, to change, to grow. That's Pastor Israel house or better yet what is left of it. Bridges Christian Fellowship from Riverside went down this last weekend and demo the house, so we can build the new building on Memorial Day weekend. Way to go Bridges! You did a great job! Thanks!
Come on down, your invited on May 25-28th to build it back up. The kids of Mexico, the community of Granjas La Esperanza, and Pastor Israel needs "You". Pastor and is family are homeless right now, they need you and your family. Go to central community.com and click Memorial day weekend and fill out the recreation form (Ha!) sign-up form and send it in. It will change your life and the life of others. God bless you!
Pastor Ken

PC Or Mac

I love the commercials that are running on TV about the PC vs Mac computers. After watching them I have the urge to go shopping to replace my PC computers with all new Mac. But that would cost a great deal of money. It also would mean a lot of time to learn something new, so I stick with the same computer and software. Humans, including myself don't like change even "If" it would be better for us.
I came along the video below and its a parody of those commercials. After seeing them I want to be a Christ-follower more and more, no matter the cost or time. How about you?
Pastor Ken

Easter Baptism

Its great when people make a commitment to the Lord! Be praying for all these people as they begin to share the Lord by living as examples of Jesus. They look wet and cold!

John & Matt

John and Matt are the young guys on staff that one day will be running Central Community as Pastor Eric gets older and grayer.They will need more energy, more talent and just time on the clock to be able to do the job Pastor Eric does today. Right now I believe that Pastor can run circles around them.
In the Video below they are working on their talents. They are starting to take over the place. Look out Pastor! Have a great day
Pastor Ken

Pastor Israel

The Cross

We have a cross maker at Central Community and on Saturday we put up the new crosses on our buildings.
John, our official cross maker called me on Friday(Good Friday) and shared with me that his brother had just died. The family was on their way to make arrangements for his burial.
I have learned over the years that there is a better day in store for his family and everyone because of the death of a person called Jesus. On a Good Friday many years ago, a Cross was placed on a hill call Golgotha and it made a way for me and for John's brother to have life in the events of our death. A win--win situations. Be praying for John and his family! You might not be a cross builder but if you have some time we can find a job, a mission, a ministry for you at Central Community and the world.
Watch John working around Central Community in the video below.

Two Hands

Easter is here and the celebration begins!

With two hands we can change our world!
Jesus took his hands, stretched them out on a cross and become Lord. Because of that fact he change my life and my world.
We can open up are hands and feed a hungry child, hold a person that is crying out, build a home for a family, travel across the world to shake a brothers hands, gather our family into the safety of our hearts--- all because we used our own two hands.
With two hands change the world! Jesus did it for you. Do it for someone else! The video below is Central Community using their own two hands.
Pastor Ken

Brother George

I received an email from a man named George Nyandwaro. I have never met him and he tells me he is from a Village in Kenya, Africa called Bokimonge. I went to map quest to see what area of Kenya it is in, but its so little that it off the map.
He request we come to his village "to teach, train us so that we may be able to teach others also". A fitting email at this Easter time! Jesus came into your little world, our home that was way off the map to help us, to teach us, to share his life, so that at this Easter time we could help "Teach" as George says the others around us. Invite some one to our services this weekend. Check out the times at Centralcommunity.com
Would you like to help George? Email me at Ken@Centralcommunity.com and it will change your world and a village somewhere in the world called Bokimonge. I bet Jesus know the way to Bokimonge.
Here is a video of Central Community helping the other George's of Kenya.
Pastor Ken

My Day Off

Hey all! My day off on Friday was spent at the lake fishing with my daughter and son-in-law. We had a great time. I have learned over the years that time spent with family is one of the greatest things I can do in my life even when the fish don't bite. Watch my day below.
Remember that Memorial day weekend is coming up and we need you to go to Mexico with us and build the last building for Siempre. Check our Centralcommunity.com for more information.
God Bless and go fishing!
Pastor Ken

Pictures

Our lives paint pictures on our hearts that will never go away! Here are some of those pictures from Africa that are in my mind for the rest of my life and beyond.
I hope life paints some great pictures in your life today!
Pastor Ken

You have one life!

Going to work today I heard about a new web site called Godtube.com. I went to it and watched a video from World Vision. A great video and at the end it made a statement that said "You have one life" and a pause and then "Do Something"
Here is the video and remember that you have a life today go do something with it.
Pastor Ken

When you come into the doors of the church on Sunday mornings. Mark is one of the greeters that will meet you, say something nice to you, ask you about your week and place in your hand a program of our weekly activities around the campus and around the world. He is the person on the left in the picture.
He would love to have his picture on the program. So I took the picture and I have placed it here on the world wide web so more than just the people coming in our doors would experience his great smile. The reason he would like his picture on the program is this: to hand it out to his friend, family and people he talks to about His Church, Central Community. He is proud of it and proud to serve each Sunday morning.
His job is simple--be nice---Smile---and don't drop the programs! He does it with so much joy and love. Don't think he has dropped any programs yet! He is a great guy, doing a great job for the Lord. He found a home and a place to worship and now he would like to share that with you.
Would you like a job? Would you like to find a place you can call home? Email me a ken@centralcommunity.com We can help!
Pastor Ken

The First 10

The first few minutes of my day as i walk out my door is grand! Watch the video below and you can see how i start my day.
You have a great day! I already have!
Pastor Ken

God's Game Plan

Its called Pro Right X-Zoom 999 H-FLY. What a name! What a play!. When we as kids playing football on the streets would call out this play "Pro Right X-Zoom 999 H-FLY" we had a different name. "GO LONG" was the official title on Crest Ave, the football field at La Granada Grade School, Wells Intermediate,Norte Vista High School or some kids backyard.
We will be talking about God's Game Plan for your life on Sunday. Come on out, go long and it will change your life!
If you answer the question tommorow, What is the name of this play "Pro Right X-Zoom 999 H-FLY", would will win a prize.
See you are Central Community.
Pastor Ken

Being sick is no fun!

My granddaughter has been sick for the past few days and my wife Tricia has been in the “Mother mode” for all of this time. It’s that caring that makes the world a better place. She is a lady and since I am a guy I am not in the same league.
When you get sick there is that person that will
• rock with you,
• set with you,
• hold your hand,
• share the pain,
• be there,
• clean you up then you up-chuck,
• tell you how special you are,
• tell you that they love you,
• make your bed,
• bring that special food, ice cream, chicken soup, ding-dongs, pickle-pigs feet,
• Will hold you so tight and close that the pain and the sickness will go away.
We need people that! Good thing we have mothers and grandmothers or we would be up the creek!
Pastor Ken, half way up the creek.

Pastor Eric and Marty in Africa

I missed the plane! The Plane! The Plane!
Eric and Marty will be on the plane to Kenya in just a few day from now. I am feeling I missed it! But sometimes we have to do other things and for this trip I will stay and preach while Pastor is gone. The message is Called the "Game Plan". Come on out and we will talk about God's plan in your life and we will tell the stories from Kenya We all will be in Africa with our prayer and hearts as they travel to people in heed. I hope that one day each and everyone of you will go to Kenya. You would be so blessed by a people that have nothing but they do have all they need. With smiles on their faces they sing from their hearts of love. Here is our team from last year being sung to by the kids of Kenya.

Cake

John wanted to go to Dairy Queen from work today. It took me back to my childhood days—many moons ago. I remembered those days with family and friends eating cake for a birthday party. Eating watermelon in the back yard and spitting the seeds at each other. Setting on the ice cream maker,waiting for that Homemade Banana Ice Cream to be frozen. Wow!
Pastor Ken

Febuary 14, 2007

Today all across the country, candy, flower, gift, and kisses will be exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. I never have met the man, but I know this, if I forget today I will be in deep water. So I remember the day like the day of my wedding , my wife’s birthday, my kid’s birthday, tax day and Groundhogs day, which was last week if you forgot about it.
The story of Valentine goes like this--he was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius 2 decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men, which were his potential soldiers. Valentine realizing the injustice of the decree defied Claudius and continues to perform marriages for young people in secret. Claudius discovered what he was doing and ordered that he be put to death. So on February 14th, the day of his death we thank a man called Valentine for getting us into our marriages. So remember that day and don’t forget it like you did groundhogs day or on February 15th you will be sent to war.
I love my wife Tricia with all of my heart. She is a great, beautiful, wonderful lady! I have gotten the card, signed it and sealed it with love. I will give it to her as we have dinner tonight at Tony Roma’s, while she is eating those ribs that she loves so much. Hope she loves me more than ribs.
Pastor Ken

Papa

I have been a grandparent for over a year now and it’s a great pleasure to have a little child in our household without the chore of being a responsible adult. That’s my kid’s job and all I have to do is be “Papa”, my other name if you didn’t know it! (HA!)
Leta and her responsible adults came to our house to stay for a couple of days this weekend. It was great to have them. At one point Leta was told with a firm voice by my kids “NO”. The world had come to its end in my household. They ruined the plans of my granddaughter! She had a smile on her face all day long, till this happened.
Now all the hurt, all the crying, and the feeling of being alone. She knew that she was in trouble. I felt so sorry for her. She is only a year old and didn't know any better. Almost said as a non-responsible adult “Go ahead its OK.” BUT………
Ever notice there is always a but in life! You must do the right thing! No matter how responsible or none, how involved or how old you are, you must do the right thing!
“Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you. Honor your father and mother. This is the first of God's Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessing.” Eph 6:1-3

So kids do the right thing and listen to your parents. Leta listen, I want you to live a long life with the blessing of the Lord on your shoulders. To the Papa’s of the world “GROW UP!”
To the patents of this world read the scripture right after the above passage.
“And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice. Eph 6:4

I will no longer be a non-responsible adult, but as the years come along I will be “Papa, the Advisory Adult” in the family.
Pastor Ken

Albert

I received a phone call the other day about a good friend that was hospitalized. He was not doing well and the step-daughter called for prayer, words of encouragement, and to share her pain and frustration.
I have known Albert for 40 years, since the age of 11. I am old and so is Albert! Looking back at his life which most people have never seen, is a simple man with a great heart. He has been different from most people at times, some would say weird. I and he would say weird!

Here is a list of things that he has done.
A Christian for over 80 years, a husband, a father, a master carpenter, an eagle scout, a boy scout leader, a leader in the Church, which included being a member of the Board of Directors, a treasure, a janitor, ground keeper, usher, Sunday school teacher for adults, a 5th grade teacher for an all boys class, a prayer warrior, a promise keeper before the moment was around. An owner of a car which he never drove, a biker before spandex (100’s and 100’s of mile on that old Schwinn bicycle), a helper for the elderly, a great worker, a slow worker that always got the job done (worked on his own time), a reader of the Bible (hours each day), a gardener what could grow anything, a lover of food, hard-headed, a friend.

Wow what a life! And yes he is going to make it! He will add a few years to that great number on earth and a few things to what he has done, but for the most of his work he has run his race and he has won!

“In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears.
So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around.
Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside”1 Cor 9:25-27

Today Albert had 3 meals. He opened up the word of God and read to his hearts content. He is a happy man!
What have you done today to make your life matter and to be happy? Albert would tell you to listen to Paul and ----- “RUN TO WIN”.

Pastor Ken (in the race of and for my life)

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."Psalms 1:2-3
Have a great day!
Pastor Ken

Friends and blogs!

Wow that John Denton (our youth Pastor) is smart! I ask him today how to place a video on the blog site. He worked with it "for a time, times, and an half", and then it was on his page. He took my video!!! What a guy! So go to his blog and see my video of a great place in Africa. I was there! I took the video!

Pray for Pastor Eric as he leaves for Africa in just a couple of weeks. If you would like more information about our trips to Africa, go to here4jc.com or email me at Ken@centralcommunity.com and we will let you make the movie! We also will let John post your video to his blog! What a guy!

Have a great day watching the super bowl! The Bear's will WIN!

Pastor Ken

It all started with a "YES, I WILL GO!", 8 years ago. We went to Mexico and created a story to share. Over and over and year after year we have heard of the life-changing experiences that people have had building a home, a church, an orphanage for a community in Tijuana, Mexico.
It has changed my life! The picture on the side was the home of the family we first built a home for. The side walls were made out of pallets, and mini-blinds. The floor was dirt and the roof was made up of anything that could be placed on top.
Like the blind man in John 9:25 that said "One thing I know, I was blind and now I see." I have experienced that feeling! You can experience that same feeling also! Jesus touched a man's life and changed him forever. You can do the same!
Say "Yes" and you will create a story to tell the others around you that will change a heart, a life and a world.
THE GAME PLAN
We have built 17 homes, 2 Church buildings, 2 buildings for Siempre Para Los Ninos (Our Orphanage) This Memorial Day weekend 2007, May 25-28, we are working on the last building in our master plan for the church and for Siempre. It will include

• A new home for Pastor Israel and his family
• A full kitchen and dinner room for Siempre and the Church
• A wing for a medical clinic and storage
• A living area for Siempre to expand.

Join us!

Check our site at CentralCommunity.com and at Siemprekids.org for more information.

Have a great day

Ken