A Tribute to Kobe:

At the end of our 1/26/2020, worship service, we were preparing to dedicate baby Ratliff, to the Lord, then we received news that Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
We later learned, that Kobe and his 13 year old daughter, Gianna, along with the baseball coach at Orange Coast College, John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and daughter Alyssa, and Gianna’ teammate, Payton, and her mother Sara Chester, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan, and the girls’ assistant coach, Christina Mauser, died in that crash (9 people).
All five families, and endless members of the community connected to them, are devastated and feeling the huge void from this tragedy.  From this tragedy we all stand in the need of prayer.
In regards to Kobe, his wife and other children, the entire nation, and supporters in other countries, are mourning the loss of this quiet, yet gigantic national leader.
Kobe, taught us how to let our work ethic in our preparation, and our performance speak louder than our words.
Today, as we leave our family members, and friends, let’s leave loving impressions in their hearts (a kiss, a hug, a kind note, a good deed, words that express our care for them, etc.) just in case today is our last day with them here on earth.

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Our Dirt in the Church

Ministry is not always a bed of roses.  We are people, and people happen to people wherever people are, because we are people.  We come to God broken and in need, and He does not give us an holy beat down, but gives us His unconditional mercy and grace (Eph. 2:1-9).  Then God expects us to do good (Eph. 2:10; Matt. 28:18-20).  God knows we are people and gives us Jesus as our Constant Cleansing Agent (I John 1:8-2:2).  God also gives us great examples and principles regarding dealing with our dirt in the church.  Yes, some Christians bring heathen practices into church.  When that happens we use God’s redemptive methods designed to restore them.  Let’s talk about it over the next two weeks during our weekend worship services.  You can also catch us on YouTube.  Mt Zion Church of Ontario.

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy Sr.

The Kingdom People

The Beatitudes in Matt. 5:5-12, are clear practices that mark us as “the kingdom people,” irrespective of our skin color, birthplace, economic status, or the people we know, or don’t know.
This powerful eternal status, starts with the right heart before God.  God, my heart condition cast me into utter spiritual poverty before You. I am “poor in spirit,” I am starving for You, and I need Your divine supply (v 5). God, I feel bad about what my heart led me to do.  I am “mourning,” I am crying about it (v. 6).
It is this feeling of remorse, this contrite heart, that gets God’s attention and moves Him to turn our sorrow into joy and happiness.
Each beatitude is prefaced by:  Oh how happy! Oh how fulfilling!  Oh how well off.  Oh how excited are you: then you read the verse and practice what Jesus said.

Christians, Jesus is really telling us to enjoy our lives as “The Kingdom People.”

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Just Do Right!

God said: “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out” (Prov. 10:9).
At the annual World Vision Pastor’s Gathering, I heard an insightful panel discussion about justice and racial reconciliation in the church.  Chi Chi Okwu, Jenny Potter, and Austin Brown, powerfully articulated how we don’t need more of the “let’s be friend’s” approach to racial reconciliation, but we need to acknowledge our systemic racist practices, and do things that reflect anti-racism in the church by pursuing justice.  Help the underfunded school, show mercy and loving acts in communities living with fear, poverty, and under-representation.  We need to practice what Jesus said in Matt. 25:34-40, regarding the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and prisoners.
May I add, this type of ministry naturally opens the door for the gospel to go forth with power.
Christians, this is a matter of integrity; it is just doing what is right before God.

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.

Replace the Old with the New!

Replace the Old with the New!

Once you become a Christian you get to experience new things.  The old things are past away (the old bad habits, negative beliefs, leaving God out and doing your own thing, etc), and new things have come (II Corinthians. 5:17).
Are you “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of the same old stuff dragging you down, depressing you, and leaving a trail of disappointment?
This is a new year, replace your “old life“ practices with “new life” practices, one at a time.
For instance: ask God to remove the taste of drugs and or alcohol out of your mouth, and every time you get an urge, drink water and pray.
Ask God to clean up your language, and before you cuss, quote your favorite bible verse and pray.
Instead of making excuses for not attending church, start worshipping God and praying at home, and then get ready for church, and bring worship and prayer with you.
You will have to fight for your “new life” practices, but if you eliminate one “old life” practice at a time, by the end of this year, you will rejoice over numerous victories vs. being depressed again over the agony of defeat.
Christians, replace the old with the new!

God Bless,
Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.