I was asked by a friend “how long have you wanted to go into politics?”

I surprised them a bit, when I said, “Its public service, not politics”! And its true. A man of God’s first ministry (service) is within his family, then within his church, and then within his community.

At this season of life (my kids are in their teen years), I have the availability and the blessing from my employer to serve publicly. That’s why I am excited about running for Corona-Norco School Board.

What’s the picture have to do with any of this? My son Kaenan fell asleep reading a wonderful Biblical treatment about how people of faith can serve the public good… its the book written by pastor John MacArthur: Why Government Can’t Save Us. All that to say, for me it really is Public Service, not Politics.

Last friday I had the opportunity to spend some time with our Superintendent, Dr. Kent Bechler.

Dr. Bechler’s passion for education, commitment to what he calls “rigorous standards”, and insight made our conversation fascinating. The time flew by… we looked at the time on our iPhones and realized how much fun it is to talk about the amazing students, great faculty and staff of our District.

It was clear to me that Dr. Bechler continues to foster an environment of excellence, cooperation, and joy… even in the midst of very challenging economic times. And the student testing scores recently published reflect that our young people are thriving! I feel more inspired than even before about my role in serving alongside Dr. Bechler and the executive leadership.

I look forward to the opportunity to “Share NEW ideas to make good schools… great!”.

In a few weeks, I will be together with Dr. Bechler (along with the other candidates) to receive a briefing on policy and budgeting. Will keep you posted.

Doug

A popular advertising campaign features “The most interesting man in the world”. His tagline at the end of every commericial is “stay thirsty my friend”.

1 Peter 2:2 says “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”. A genuine follower of Jesus Christ will thirst for God’s word (The Bible). While he may read pop psychology, scientific journals, positive thinking and motivational material, nothing satisfies him like the Word of God.

Why? Because God reveals Himself in His Word to the seeking saint.

How is your appetite for the Bible right now? Is there anything that is causing you to have a diminished desire for reading or hearing the Word?

It is a true saying: “This book (The Bible) will keep you from sin, like nothing else. And sin, like nothing else, will keep you from this book.”

May each of us confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and dig into the Word of God wholeheartedly, expecting to encounter the living God.

Stay thirsty my friend!

Have you ever built a ship in a basement?

There is the funny story of a man who started building a boat in his basement during the winter with the grand hope of sailing it when the weather turned sunny. To his dismay, though all the pieces easily fit by themselves through the doorway and staircase, when all assembled… the boat could not be moved up and out to the lake.

The moral of the story… be careful not to build a ship in a basement. It may be warm, comfortable and inexpensive to do it that way. But, you will never be able to sail it!

“When God arose to judgment to save all the humble of the earth” Psalm 76:9

God did it! He protected the people of Judah from the Assyrian invaders in 701 b.c. That’s not surprising, because God saves. Its in His nature to save. The response in song (Psalm) is threefold: 1) God’s people recognized His majesty 2) they displayed a holy reverence 3) they made vows and commitments to Him.

This is still the process of salvation today for those who would become Christians. I recognize God’s majesty and that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I respond with reverence saying “You are my Lord”. And I make a commitment to follow Jesus’ teaching, commands and example.

Where am I in this process of God’s salvation? Jesus said “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believies in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Lord Jesus, you did it!