Posted by an anonymous church member...

My coworkers are not always the most encouraging bunch of people. I do my best to engage in conversation, but most shifts include banter that leaves me discouraged.

Jokes often end with offhanded statements about me not understanding their humor. I’m "too innocent” they say. And until recently, this felt like one big insult.

But I am different.

Then it came to me. Any change in my heart can only be because of a work of the Holy Spirit. My coworkers are witnessing a work of God in me! 

I have trusted the innocent Christ. He died and with Him I too have died. He lives and with Him I too now live. His Spirit in me is transforming me. My heart melts at the reality of forgiveness and love. I have been made righteous and bear a resemblance to my Savior, the only truly innocent one.

I see Jesus.

I can’t say that I now enjoy ever joke my coworkers make at my expense. I still don’t enjoy being mocked or misunderstood. However, now I see that when they call me “too innocent” they are right in doing so. And it reminds me of Jesus. Every time.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)

Guess who just got their U.S. work permits?

Congrats to Ali and Mina! Our God is good and faithful and we have no reason to doubt that He will care for you. Now we can all start praying for jobs and residency... 

Check out Chris Benner (bass) and Jordan Gillstrom (violin) playing with Patrick Levis at a Children's Hunger Fund event.

"I painted this to communicate how I imagine my conversion must have looked like. My posture is that of an observer taken back. The glory of God  was revealed to me through the atonement and I was found desperate and hopeless. But of course, the reality is that my conversion was more amazing than I could ever paint or comprehend." - Joseph Camez

God is saving young men in Orange County.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17 ESV)

Joseph

 Carson

Look who just landed on the front cover of Sovereign Grace Ministries' blog!

Get to Know Sovereign Grace Church (Orange, CA)

Enjoy reading about you, because you are living proof that God is alive and active in Orange County.

Congratulations to Redeeming Grace Church and David Palmer. May this be the first of many Sundays in which you celebrate the liberating power of God's gospel!

Last Sunday Angel stood up and shared a brief testimony...which was followed by a long, unplanned, standing ovation. A blog post won't do the moment justice. You had to be there.

My mother was an addict. 

She went to prison. 

She OD'd.

Then I became an addict. 

Had a son. 

Trusted Christ.

And was saved. 

The enemy tormented me. Jesus forgave me.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)