Forgive the tongue-in-cheek response I have to this scene on the corner of Ynez Road and Rancho California in Temecula this past weekend. There is something to make one chuckle at seeing a “Occupy Temecula General Assembly” sign placed on an empty set of chairs. Really, there is.

So, it appears that the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread. After reading in the Los Angeles Times front page about how the lawn and grounds near city hall are in disrepair due to the inhabitants I went for a short drive through Temecula, California–an Inland Empire suburb of 100,000 people. Surely, I would not expect this “movement” to be here. But, I was wrong.

I would not call three empty camping chairs an occupation, but this IS the suburbs. And, any “general assembly” would seem to be populated beyond this, but I could not visibly see them. However, on the other corner Ron Paul demonstrators were not getting along with those holding “Corporate Greed” signs, even though these groups may have more in common than they know. But, alas I am confused. Is Ron Paul part of the occupation, too?

So, my question to my reader, both the 1% to 99%-ers, is this: what issue with the economy is going to influence your voting this political season? Is it corporate greed, stopping bailouts, balancing the budget, job creation or a new taxation code?

I had the privilege of writing my first article for a local magazine titled “Taste of Temecula” where I covered a local music venue. Being newer to this region, I’m excited about discovering and writing about local music.

Check out the article here: Jazz Thursdays at the Merc!

If you are interested in Temecula wine or dinning, how to serve the community or what’s new in town you should check out and bookmark Old Town Gazette.

Any other local sources for information I have not heard about? Please share.

On the front page of our local paper and in the national news, two seemingly parallel scenarios are taking place. In our local city of Temecula, California some fearful people are protesting the building of a 25,000 square foot mosque. In NYC a mosque is proposed just blocks away from the 9/11 Ground Zero.

I am a Christian–a follow of Jesus–and a pastor at a local church. Speaking for myself, I feel some of my brethren may have made a terrible mistake by protesting the building of a Muslim church. I know people are fearful of Islamic extremists and some feel that having a mosque in our area is a bad thing. And, with 9/11 we all have etched in our mind the terror so a mosque blocks from Ground Zero reminds us of Islamic extremism’s worst effect.

I disagree with the teachings of Islam. I follow Jesus. But, I think those of us as Christians need to examine how we think and look at the fact that our battle is not against people–ever. I am not saying let’s do a barn raising for the mosque. But, what should we do?

Here is how I feel some of our thinking should be challenged:

• Let’s work to model, speak and live out following Jesus rather than build walls that form a ghetto to keep us “safe” from other ideas, cultures and peoples.
• We are called to reach the world. Today the world is coming to us, so it means this is an opportunity to be salt and light not Crusaders who convert by sword of local politics, racism or contempt of people in any form.
• Let’s be careful to not lose our perspective that people matter to God, whether Muslim, atheist or followers of Jesus. God sent Jesus to die because he loves everyone, even those who choose not to follow him.
• Our battle is “not against flesh and blood” so lets pray for our city before we march with placards or sign petitions. We can protest the bad or we can praise God’s goodness.
• This is not our “final” home. We are citizens of heaven. So, that should change our view of investment and erase some of our fear. We live for eternity and it’s balance sheet, not the temporary world we inhabit.

I am sure I missed some. Please let me know what your thoughts are. Are we thinking critically enough about our actions here as Christians?

For a quick local trip, us newbies to the Temecula-Murrieta area enjoyed the following:

• The Temecula Berry Co. blueberry farm where (until July 11) you can pick your own berries right from the vine, enjoy a drink and soak in the incredible weather we have here.
• Try the Saturday Farmers Market in Old Town Temecula where lumpya, fresh fruit, veggies and unique items can be purchased. Kettle corn is a favorite but the strawberries and veggies we got today where tops. Matheson’s Food Co. has some amazing sauces that we picked up. Support your local farmers.
• Of course, you must stop if you are in Old Town at Cafe Bravo where one of the best locally roasted coffees I have ever had can be purchased in whole bean, or served by one of their gifted baristas. My son, not a coffee drinker, loves the Italian sodas they make. Also, their selection of teas–made hot or iced–are well stocked.

You have any local places to recommend here in SoCal (or from where ever you are)?

Click here to buy tickets!

Out of the Ground Tour featuring John Mark McMillan and Gungor is coming to Temecula at Sunridge Church, June 7 at 7:00 PM.

On Being Human In Concert

CD Release Party with bands Cassettes and Pilgrim
April 10 • 5:30 PM

My church, Sunridge Community Church, will be hosting this event. On Being Human are musicians who as Christians tell their story in a way that relates to people from all backgrounds. They formed in 2004 in Murrieta, CA, originally under the name Ocean Daybreak.  Their new CD on Luma Records “To Light the Coals of Hearts” will be released at this special event and include two opening bands, Cassettes and Pilgrim. Their “adventure rock” sound incorporates visual story telling.

There will be giveaways, a BBQ grill with the band and a chance to hear On Being Human perform their entire album.

For more info go to our Facebook Page.

Rules make something inside of us stir. This sign made me want to go out and buy a long board skateboard and skinny jeans and ride proudly down the streets of Temecula. I could see how silly someone of my age would be doing this and then standing before the judge explaining how I got the citation. The question of what rules do in us is raised in scripture.

Romans 7:8 says that sin “seized opportunity through the commandment” in us the desire to break rules–essentially a definition of “sin”. Rules when presented to us make us want to break rules. The Bible really knows us well! The issue is not that rules or law is bad, it is that we are and in need of a heart transplant only Jesus can give.

What are your thoughts about rules and what they stir in you?

Merry Christmas (or Bah Humbug if you feel grumpy)… I thought I would leak out the naughty list for those who attend Christmas Eve services this year. (Tongue in cheek guys).

• Suzie I-get-up-and-have-to-go-pee-three-times-during-the-service is getting 1 lbs. of coal
• Jimmy my-kid’s-screaming-is-not-heard-by-anyone-around-me is getting 1.7 lbs. of coal
• Bob I-can-save-seats-I-really-don’t-need-for-people-who-will-come-very-late gets 2.4 lbs. of coal
• Julie I-will-sing-as-loudly-out-of-tune-as-possible-to-get-noticed is getting 1 oz. of coal
• Julie’s Mom who smiles with pride and encourages the obnoxious singing gets .5 oz. of coal
• The kid who is thinking about burning the lady’s hair in the row in front of him with his candle–SANTA CAN SEE YOU KID!

Merry Christmas and hope to see you at our Christmas Eve worship tonight if you are in the Temecula-Murrieta Valley: Sunridge site OR Facebook Event link with info here!

If you are in the Temecula – Murrieta Valley area for Christmas, please consider attending our Christmas Eve services at Sunridge Church! All I can say is that our audio guy even wrote a blog post about it due to the production details being so huge.