Why Join a Church?

Its a fair question and one that our independent western minds quickly conjures up – “Why join a church?” “What is the need anyway?” “How is it going to benefit me?” “Isn’t it good enough that I am attending?” “Aren’t we all just one body in Christ anyway?” Well, what do you think? What are [...]

Wives & Daughters

O.K. they say that confession is good for the soul…so here is something that I must confess, understanding that some of my male counterparts will reel back in horror, sickened that one of their own has capitulated to the dark side… So, what is my confession… Well, although I do enjoy a good action packed [...]

A Modern Day Night

My son Gavin attends Redwood Christian Schools and just finished the 8th grade. We are all very proud of his accomplishments, just like any parents would be. He was honored to be a part of the leadership of the 8th grade class and was asked to close the graduation ceremonies in prayer. It was humbling [...]

Thank you D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones…

There are some preachers from more recent church history that have had a great impact on my life. One of them, whom I will quote often, is D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, once a leading British physician turned preacher during the late 1920′s. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, and his family attended a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist [...]

Would You Like to Visit the Gates of Hell?

I enjoy living in the California Bay area for a number of reasons. The weather, the beauty of the scenery, the changing ecosystems within miles of each other and the variety of ethnic food that is slowly adding to my fleshly burden. So, when I have friends visit I enjoy giving them a view of [...]

Heading To Russia

Let me tell you about a young lady whom God is using to encourage our Russian Brothers and Sisters. Last year, she, along with a collective camp team from our Northern California Antioch Initiative (notice blog link to side) served faithfully and established a deep-rooted trust between the churches in Bashkortostan and California. Well, she [...]

A Godly Jealousy

Our pastoral staff has been meeting regularly on Monday mornings from 9:30-11:00 and is at present reading and discussing Paul Tripp’s excellent book, “Instruments In The Redeemer’s Hands”. This past week he highlighted 2 Corinthians 11:1-3. My first response to this passage was, “Is that really in the Bible?” Wow, it is, and am completely [...]

“Hands In”

Here is an article written to prepare and encourage our church family regarding the “Hands In” series which challenged them to consider what it means for us to be a team putting their “Hand In” together… ________________ It always amazes me, yet, I realize that I should never be amazed by God’s hand at work, [...]

A Tribute to Dad

On May 17th in La Habra, CA, I, along with my brother Jeff, had the privilege of watching my father, Aubrey Thomas Balmforth Phillips, graduate from California Graduate School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry degree. We had arrived on the Friday and made our way to the Art Gallery at the Crystal Cathedral [...]

My First Official Post

Today I embark on a new journey, and I hope that you will come and join me every once in a while. I have spent some time interacting in the blogosphere, mainly for missions trips and for keeping people posted on the continuing news of ministry in Ufa, Bashkortostan. But today, I begin my own [...]