Author: jeremiahtan963404

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

January 4th, 2023

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Happy New Year! I hope your 2023 is blessed, filled with joy & fulfillment for you & your loved ones. Though it’s been gray and soggy for the most part so far, we know it will lead to beautiful greenery on the hills, and hopefully a significant dent in our drought conditions!

I’d like to share with you a thought process I went through last evening: you may know that each Tuesday evening we need to get the church’s dumpsters pushed up to the front of our property, to be collected Wednesday mornings. It’s something I have on my schedule each week: sometimes there’s some help, sometimes there’s not, but it’s not a big deal. What I do mind, though, is when it’s cold & rainy when I have to do it (which fortunately only happens a few times a year, given our climate). Working hard, while shivering and getting soaked? Ugh!

But, last evening was one of those. So I was grumbly as I headed to the church, and I was grumbly as I walked over to the dumpsters on the far side of the parking lot. And, though I was somewhat happy to see that only 2 of the 3 needed pushing, I was grumbly again to see that it was the “hard” and “medium” dumpsters that were full, the “easy” one to push being empty (I’ve learned their temperaments!)

And so, I pushed in the drizzle, taking breaks every now and then, thinking about what lay ahead for my week and all. I struggled a bit to keep them out of the trough in the driveway where the water runs down (which was a little tough, as they were slippery).

But as I finished the 2nd dumpster, and started to go back to the church to wash my hands, I realized something: I wasn’t cold anymore! I was warm to the point that I took off my jacket and slung it over my shoulder. My inner furnace had “revved-up” at the work I was doing, and I was toasty warm! I actually felt I could’ve pushed that 3rd dumpster without too much trouble.

And I just thought what a life lesson that was: something you dislike doing, grumbling as you’re approaching it, pushing through it (in my case literally), but you find it actually strengthens you and makes you more accommodated to the hardship (in my case, the cold) afterward.

And I thought of how many times and ways through life that principle rings true. We may struggle greatly in a high-school or college class, but we trudge through it, and are better for it in the end. We may be intimidated by the discipline needed for a new stage of life (say, starting college life, or entering the military, or prepping for a marathon, what have you). And I of course remember how my toughest year of life, my student missionary year in Costa Rica (which I’ve mentioned before), really grew my faith and ‘toughened me up’ for further chapters of hard work & potential discouragement in my life.

So we find that development is accomplished through adversity & perseverance, rather than ease and lax discipline (which is what we much more want in the short-run!). I believe God knew this as numerous times he called his servants to work through a problem, rather than simply be carried through it. He increased the workload of Adam & Eve in getting their food from the earth after the fall. He called Noah and his family to construct a boat to survive the flood (rather than providing it for them). He called Moses & the Israelites to trudge through the wilderness, learning perseverance and dependence on him, rather than simply transporting them to the promised land. And he let the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” remain, rather teaching him that “My strength is made perfect through your weakness” (2nd Corinthians 12:9).

And Jesus, no less than any of the others, learned submission, obedience, and perseverance through incredible hardship, that he might become our Savior and worthy of the praise of the entire universe (see Philippians 2:6-11). Whereas I’m certain Jesus received praise and adulation before his incarnation, how much more once the angels & unfallen worlds saw how far he was willing to go to save the lost!

So, in light of that, I’m going to try to anticipate the benefits of challenges & hard work, rather than begrudgingly approach them. I pray you’ll be able to face difficulties similarly in 2023 and beyond.

May God be praised for giving us the strength and resources to overcome many an obstacle (See Jesus’ 7 promises to “overcomers” in Revelation 2 &3)!

May God bless your family this week and beyond, indeed for the whole of 2023.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Hello again,
Oops! I realized I failed to attach the graphic for Sabbath afternoon’s hike. Here it is:

Please be sure to read (or at least scroll) down to the latter part of this update to see important prayer requests and announcements, including church potluck this Sabbath, and a Sabbath afternoon hiking trip!

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 28th, 2022

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Hello dear brothers and sisters,

I hope your Christmas celebrations and gatherings with loved ones and family members this last weekend were a joy and a fulfillment to you!

Now we are in the somewhat strange “limbo week” between Christmas and New Years, in which society’s kind of on vacation, but plenty of us still have work to do. I think that, rather than reflecting on Christmas (which the past couple devotionals have been focused on), or on the new year (which the next one will be), I will take a ‘pause’ this week to focus on our concept of God.

God is of course the God of Christmas: the one who sent his only Son to earth in love for the purpose of salvation (John 3:16), and He’s also the God of new opportunities, new creation, making all things new! (2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:5)

But, for the in-between times, just what kind of God is it that we love and serve?

Is it the ‘entirely fluffy’ god, the god of only certain selected Bible verses? An edited god, made after our preferences?

Or, for some of a different mindset, is it the mainly stern and demanding god, who’s also edited, crafted, formed under a different set of preferences?

I hope you can see where I’m going with this: we want neither of those above-mentioned partial gods, we want the Actual God: the Living God! The real, active God who intervened so many times in Israel’s history, in Jesus and the Apostles’ ministry, in the early church as recorded in the book of Acts, and countless other times through history, including the Reformation, the 1st & 2nd Great Awakenings here in America, in the founding of our church, and continues to do so in innumerable and unrecordable times & places around the world!

I mention this, because, in our mid-week prayer & book discussion group, we are currently in the portion of Patriarchs and Prophets that reflects on the stories & lessons from the book of Numbers, one of the toughest portions of the Bible; which contains numerous stories that many of us just wish were not there! There seems to be a lot of harshness, without a lot of redemptive stuff there. (I, for one, am finding myself thankful that we have a recent commentator in Ellen White who helps us understand the intended lessons and purposes of God in those accounts there).

Whether through subtly avoiding parts of our Bible, or outright ignoring them, we can find ourselves attempting to ‘edit’, or ‘modify’ who it is that we worship. We chalk-up certain attributes to God, but not other ones that are clearly stated! (See Exodus 34:6-7 for a stark example of this).

I once heard summarized by a kind of humorously cynical person: “God creates man in His image. Man rebels and falls into sin. Man then turns around and makes God in his image.” This is of course overtly true in idolatry (how many Buddhist and Hindu (not to mention Catholic) statues have the human form as the basis for their designs?). But I think many Protestants and Adventists do this as well, only on a more subtle level!

So: I want to be resolved in the New Year to take my concept of God from the Word: receiving it from the Bible, not generating it in my mind and then attempting to conform portions of scripture to it. Because this is where the power and vitality will be: when we are tapped into the real God, the real author and creator, perfecter and finisher of our faith! As intimately as a grape branch is attached into its vine. (see John 15 for Jesus’ illustration of the vineyard).

Though some parts of God’s Word to us may be tough to receive, we will find that they are just as vital as the ‘favored’ spots of ours. And over time, I believe we will find that the Living God is not merely the god we wanted; but rather, so much more than that: the God we really need!

For, undoubtedly, it will be this God who saves us: the one who gloriously and climactically invades earth from the heavens, who exists in external reality, not the one we conjure up in our minds to agree with our own opinions and conclusions.

I started with quoting the Isaiah verse above to emphasize how different, how much more categorically outside our best ideas is the greatness of God. I see him saying in that verse ‘Don’t just magnify your best thoughts and concepts upward, and consider that to be me: I am of a whole different type and scope and definition than your categorizations!’

So: I hope you’ll join me in loving and affirming and following the One True Eternal & Living God! Who by definition cannot be contained, defined, adequately summarized or conceived of, and who certainly cannot be represented by any earthly forms. He is truly high and exalted, unapproachable (except by his gracious invitation), and fundamentally different, operating on a whole nother level than we!

Alright: I’ve probably gone overboard in my effusiveness. But I pray that some of it is enlightening and inspiring to you. I pray you’ll be resolved to affirm the God who lives outside our heads & best concepts, who dwells in unapproachable light (1st Timothy 6:16).

As always, I pray a blessed week for you and your families, a good end to your 2022, and a prosperous and fulfilling 2023.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 21st, 2022

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed… And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.” Luke 2:1,3

Well, we are getting to the core of the Christmas season, when (hopefully) our weeks- or months-long preparations can wind down to some quality togetherness times with family and loved ones.

“No way!” You might say “I’m as hectic as ever!” “I’m hosting people at my house this weekend”, or “I’m flying out tomorrow, and connecting through Denver!” Certainly lots of Christmas songs and movies accentuate (or, conversely, poke fun at) the hectic times that surround Christmas more than the core of it.

I guess you could say even the Biblical Nativity story has that pattern of hectic movement and stress before settling in to enjoy God’s provision. Mary & Joseph got late news that they would have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (a journey of about 90 miles as the crow flies – and don’t forget: there were no highways, gas stations, and drive-thru food along the way! Would’ve been a trip of a couple of weeks one-way at donkey-walking speed), when they got there, there was no lodging available, and, on top of it all, Mary began to go into labor!

I can’t think of one example of Christmas travel/logistics in which I’ve been nearly so stressed as they must have been. But to then contrastedly pause; to look at the babe in arms which was direct evidence of a miracle of God; to receive surprise worshippers of shepherds and magi, must have filled Mary and Joseph with awe and reverent wonder.

I pray that we will similarly get some time to pause and reflect, and drink in the reason for which we’ve gone through all the bustle and hassle and hurrying, navigating crowds, putting up decorations and the like.

It’s that God has drawn near to us. And that we, in emulating God’s desire to draw near, similarly seek intimate times with our families and loved ones.

Reflecting on the reasons for Christmas makes me also consider why we do all we do: do we live to work, or work to live? The line of delineation can certainly become blurry in our modern society.

But let’s remember: all the travel and inconvenience were worth it for Mary and Joseph, only because of what resulted: The Son of God coming to dwell with us. And similarly, our work and stress and frantic preparations are only worth it if we stop and reflect and love and cherish those whom we’re working for, and are glad to God for having in our lives.

I pray that you will get a chance to drink deeply of family time, and God’s love in this Christmas season. If we lose that, we’re no better than big city Jerusalem missing the blessing (or even actively attacking it, once discovered) that God intended.

May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas and beyond.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 14th, 2022

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The other day, as I was driving the food bank van for pickups, I heard something on the radio that made me tear-up with love! I was listening to a secular radio station which was playing Christmas music, and between songs the DJ played a clip that has apparently gone viral of a 5-year-old kid who heard his dad and grandfather discussing their concerns about the family business. Then this little kids’ voice came over the radio saying “Daddy, grandpa, don’t worry about tomorrow, just think about today, that’s what God says. Every day has enough trouble for it’s own. God will take care of it.”

And I just thought: how sweet! Out of the mouths of babes come pearls of wisdom that adults really need to hear. And for Jesus’ sermon on the mount to be quoted on a secular radio station (a very popular one, that lots of people listen to around the holidays) was just such a surprising blessing! I praised the Lord for that family that has brought up that child with a knowledge of the scriptures, and was thankful that, apparently the ‘virality’ of this clip justified it’s being played on the airwaves. In the hustle and bustle and clutter of messages, God’s word got a little moment there through the mouth of a child.

Obviously, in sermon preparations and the like, I’ve been thinking of the Nativity story a lot lately. Things went so crazy for Mary and Joseph, several times over! Yet the word “worry” or “anxious” isn’t found in those passages (not to say they didn’t experience them – can you imagine not being able to find even a hotel room for your wife while the press of labor is intensifying on her? And the son of God, no less!). But it’s just perfect example of God providing every step of the way. Scripture identifies a half-dozen times how this apparently crazy story, on the surface level, was actually making prophecies from hundreds of years prior click into place (see Matthew’s account for the bulk of these).

And Ellen White elaborates on the idea in the Desire of Ages how the three gifts of the wise men were God’s provision for the necessary flight (fleeing) to Egypt. Mary and Joseph had no idea that gifts were on their way, nor that fleeing would be necessary. But God knew, and handed them the gift (which had begun its journey months before) right on time, likely mere days before it was needed.

So, I realized, I need to trust more, too. I mean: he’s caused the sun to shine, the air to come into my fully formed lungs, my brain to keep my conscious mind awake, and here I am worrying if I’ll be taken care of? Surely, the angels must shake their heads at we fickle humans.

The verse quoted above from Philippians 4 discusses a great exchange: we can give our anxieties to God, and in return receive his perfect peace. What a great thing to receive during the holidays! It makes me realize that trust is, yes, an intentional decision that requires effort, but it’s also a great relief and benefit to all who invest in it.

So I just invite you to put your lives, your needs, into the hands of the One who made all and is over all today. I close sharing some lyrics from a favorite hymn of mine. It’s not a Christmas hymn per se, but read/sing it slowly to yourself and pray it to God just now, asking Him to come into your heart and give you that gift of peace.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

just to take Him at His word

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know “Thus saith the Lord”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

O for grace to trust Him more!

I pray that God’s love, God’s peace, and God’s comfort can fill your heart today and for the remainder of the week and beyond. And let’s be sources of peace and encouragement to others at every opportunity.

May God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 7th, 2022

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" John 8:36

I had a pretty interesting phenomenon happen to me a couple weeks back, and you’ve likely had it happen to you too.

On the same Friday, there were 2 potlucks going on: one at my wife’s work for lunch, and one in the evening for an Agape feast at the Orange SDA church. So my wife decided to make a big pot of corn chowder (my mom’s recipe, which I grew-up with, and love!). She started early in the morning, so I awoke to the savory aroma of spices wafting through the house. I commented to her how good it smelled!

Then, in the usual processes of getting the kids’ breakfasts ready, and getting them off to school, I didn’t think of the smell anymore, it went out of my mind. However, when I re-entered the house some hours later, I was hit by the strong (wonderful) odor again – and I marveled: how is it that I stopped smelling it earlier, as I was getting the kids ready for school? And the same occurrence kept happening over the next day as well: staying in the house, we didn’t particularly notice it. But to go out and return? Wham! There it is again!

I looked up this phenomenon, and it is called “nose blindness”*, and it happens for both good and bad smells. It is basically the brain’s ‘filtering out’ of a constant stimulus, and it’s the reason farmers don’t constantly smell the manure they’re surrounded by, or why cultures that don’t use deodorant don’t smell their own body odor. It’s not that there’s anything physiologically wrong with the nose, it’s just that the subconscious receptors that are constantly receiving the smell (good or bad), stop bothering to send the signal to the conscious brain.

In John 8, when Jesus shocked and offended the people by telling them that they were prisoners steeped in sin, and that only He could provide freedom (vv. 34-36), they were certainly experiencing the Spiritual aspect of what I’ve been describing above. They were indignant! “We’re not slaves of anybody!” they exclaimed. And, truly, many secular people in the modern day make the same claim when we try to tell them they need a Savior.

Such is the seductive nature of sin: one can become so steeped in it, that it ceases to be perceived as a problem at all. This is why God’s law is truly such a gift to us: it lets us know what pure spiritual life (atmosphere) is like, and makes our contrast to it immediately evident. Maybe this is why some are so vehemently opposed to the Ten Commandments! Why else would something pure be argued against? Because they are an affront to people who are otherwise blind to their own sinful condition.

Conviction is not a pleasant feeling, but it is a primary job of the Holy Spirit. (See John 16:8, for example). Similarly we, who are the aroma of God (2nd Corinthians 2:14-16) are to some a delight, but to others a displeasure. We should not be ashamed of this: it was so of Jesus, and all of God’s faithful people who’ve gone in generations before.

I pray that we can be an antidote to our community’s “sin-blindness”; not in that we’re intentionally ‘stinky’, but certainly noticeable, in a distinct and unquestionable way.

Let’s let love be infused in all we do: not the world’s corrupted, superficial definition, but rather God’s thorough and complete version.

May God bless you and your families the remainder of the week and beyond.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

* To read an article on the phenomenon of nose blindness, click here. https://www.healthline.com/health/nose-blindness