I FIRST ENCOUNTERED F.O.B. while attending the Camper in Leadership Training (C.I.L.T.) program at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center’s Redwood Camp. The acronym F.O.B. stood for Flat on Back or Flat on Bunk. It described the time, right after lunch, when all campers were required to take a period of rest. In retrospect I came to see that it was a time more for the counselors, than for the campers. But whatever the underlying motive, its direct purpose was to get everybody to stop, rest, and get ready for the fun-filled (and often exhausting) afternoon events at Redwood Camp. Whoever designed F.O.B. should get a medal!
God, in His divine wisdom, created a F.O.B. for His children. In the Scriptures, it’s called Sabbath. The Heavenly Father knew that we, His children, would need regular “time-outs” lest we live lives that would lead us to a God-imposed time-out in the corner. God’s creation of Sabbath, as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out (Mark 2:27) was for our own good. It was something that we all need on a very regular basis. Sabbath is not a curse, it is a celebration of God’s provision, peace and presence.
This week begins a month-long Sacred F.O.B. for me, but this very graciously offered sabbatical is more than just a month of hammock swinging F.O.B. It is designed to be a time for consciously, consistently sitting at the feet of the Master. (Luke 10:38-42) It is a time for long periods of prayer and study. A time, like the F.O.B.’s of Redwood Camp, will hopefully prepare me for the exciting and exhausting days of ministry which lay ahead. Thank you for allowing me this very important time with the Lord.
Speaking of rest, you can rest assured that in my absence the work of the Kingdom will continue on here at FBC. God has provided some great brothers and sisters to carry on the work, to preach His Word, and to minister to your need. Rest in His provision and enjoy both His peace and presence.
And as we said in the 70’s, “I’ll see ya, Here! There! Or in the Air!”

Sunday Mornings 6th-12th Grade in the Hut
at Felton Bible Church 11-12pm

Sunday Night 12th grade-30 ish for R.A.W. (real authentic worship) at the small Mt. Hermon Chapel on Conference Drive in Mt. Hermon. 7-8pm

Monday Nights for Young Life 7:31-8:30pm
174 Nelson Rd. Scotts Valley

Tuesday Nights 6th-8th grade in the Hut
at Felton Bible Church 6:30-8pm

Wednesday Nights 9th-12th grade in the Hut
at Felton Bible Church 6:30-8:30pm

Monday Afternoons 6th-8th grade Girls Small Group at Felton Bible Church 3-4pm

Felton Bible Church is located at
5999 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA

For more information
call
831.335.3418
email
trinity@feltonbiblechurch.org

Come join us as we seek out the great Supernatural Treasure and search for Truth this summer at Felton Bible Church!

Vacation Bible School is a FREE program for children ages 4 years to 6th grade. We’ll be doing all sorts of cool crafts, groovy games, super-duper songs, sensational stories, scrumptious snacks, and more!
This summer VBS will run from 9:00 am to Noon, June 16th through the 20th.
All activities will take place at Felton Bible Church, 5999 Graham Hill Road (at the Zayante, Graham Hill intersection), Felton, CA 95018.

TO REGISTER: www.feltonbiblechurch.org (Forms will be available soon!)
or feel free to call us at 831.335.3418.

HONESTLY, who wouldn’t want to be known as a “man, or woman, of their word?” It is one of the highest forms of honor to be known as a person of your word.
This past week a dear brother, Bruce Rinkert, passed away. Bruce was a man of his word. Or maybe it is better written, Bruce was a man of His Word. From the time I met Bruce, more than 30 years ago, I have only known him to be a man who loved the Lord, and loved the Lord’s Word. Bruce was the first “real live Gideon” I ever met. I had heard about those faithful men who passed out Bibles and who made sure hotel bed stands contained a copy of the Holy Word, but Bruce was the first I had the pleasure to met face-to-face.
Bruce loved to not only make sure the Word of God got “placed,” but that the Word of God got shared as well. You could not have been in Bruce’s presence long before he was lovingly sharing of the love of God. Whether it was to the youth at the detention facility on Graham Hill Road, or at a restaurant, or in his own hospital room, he lived to tell the old, old story, in the newness of every moment.
Bruce’s life, as of late, was not an easy one. But to spend time with him was not to hear of his troubles, but to hear him ask about your life, and the members of your family. Bruce cared, and Bruce prayed. Like Moses, if you took time to notice, you could see that he had been to the Mountain of the Lord. Even in the aged brokenness of his body, the radiance of God shown.
I shall miss Bruce. His stories, his concern, his love for God, his prayers. I am thankful to have known Bruce, a man of His Word. Oh, that we would all continue his legacy.

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE COOLS to a balmy 95 degrees in the late evening, it’s time to move your sleeping gear outside. This is what my daughter, Krista does on those hot April nights in Burkina Faso. During the day the thermometer stretches to 110 in the shade, and then “cools” to the 90’s in the evening. When this happens Krista grabs her screen tent, sleeping pad and headlamp and settles down under her “hanger.” (think of a thatch-covered porch) It is a more comfortable way to sleep, but it’s not without its problems. Such was the case this past week.
In the middle of the night, while her head was filled with dreams of a pool-side retreat and an In-N-Out burger, she was awakened by a munching sound (and it was not her eating the burger). Peering into the darkness she made out the form of a huge bull. (Think Texas Long-Horn) It was enjoying her hanger as a midnight snack. (In-N-Out Burger Drive-thru, Bilam Perga style) Desirous of not frightening the evening intruder and becoming a dance floor for some crazed Burkinabe bull she made some rustling noises in hopes of discoursing her new roommate from any more evening consumption of her home. All turned out well.
So, what’s the lesson for us? (I haven’t the foggiest idea, but it’s a great story.) Truthfully, Krista’s midnight encounter reminds me of 1 Peter 5:8. “Your enemy, the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” Since this is true, Peter implores us to keep alert…to sleep with one eye open, as it were. And if we hear him munching away at our home we are called to resist him, by standing firm in our faith.
Remember this truth; often just when we are finally resting, the danger comes. So stay alert!

WALKING WITH LINDA is one of the things I love most. It doesn’t matter too much where the walk takes place, though we both prefer traipsing through countryside that is less dominated by man-made structures. We can walk underneath the Redwoods, along West Cliff, or alongside a coastal meadow, it really doesn’t matter, it’s just the joy of walking together.

Sometimes we talk about work or family, sometimes we chat about life in general, and sometimes we just stroll together in quietness, soaking in both the silence and the scenery. Of course there are the moments of, “Hey, did you see that?” or “Take a look at this,” or “Why must people drop their trash!” Walking together allows us to see and learn in ways that would not be possible if we were to walk alone.

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are also on a walk, a journey if you like. A journey on which we do not travel alone. It is a journey in which we walk with the Spirit of God. Sometime the walk takes us through very mundane places, while at other times we meander through gorgeous countryside, and every once in awhile we traverse some dangerous places, but we never travel alone.

When we walk with the Holy Spirit we may travel in silence, or we may have a rip-roaring conversation. We may talk about life, or He might just point out the life that surrounds you.

Whatever it is, as we walk with the Spirit, our journey will become one God-sighting after another. As we travel the road before us, with the Spirit within us, we will often hear Him declare, “Hey, did you see that? That was God!”

Anyone care to take a walk?

UNLESS YOU KNEW TO LOOK you would have missed it. Even knowing to look was no guarantee that you would see it. But, there it was, floating across the night sky, a small pinkish light, quite unassuming really, the International Space Station, in all its glory.
Wednesday evening, after our men’s Bible Study, we were conversing in church parking lot when someone said, “Hey, there it is.” Looking upward we all focused upon that tiny illuminated dot hurling across our portion of the night sky at a approximant speed of 17,500 miles per hour. Had we not been alerted to its potential arrival over our area (thanks, Duane) and had we not been gazing heavenward at the correct time, we would have missed it. Sure there wasn’t much to see, but the “cool factor” was still pretty high.
Jesus was once having a discussion about the final days, the days which would usher in God’s kingdom in its fullest measure. He told His followers to be alert, to be watching, for the “signs of the times,” and when they saw these “signs” to lift up their heads and look toward the heavens for their redemption would be drawing near. (Luke 21)
Jesus has made it clear to us, His followers, that He is returning, and that there would be evidences that would point to His return. He said there would be time for Bible study, and time for chatting in the parking lot, but we should also be keeping an eye to the sky, anticipating His promised return, and unlike the International Space Station, His return will not be just some momentary passing across a star-lit sky.
As we study and chat, wait and wonder, we are given the task of telling of Christ’s promised return. We have been given the charge to help direct eyes heavenward, in eager expectancy of the coming King of kings.
Are you looking up?