Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! WOW, I don't know where to start. This mid-week message is going to look a little different. I am actually writing this in Melanie's room at Mission Hospital. Let me get you caught up on the craziest 48 hours of our lives! Yesterday when I came home from work Melanie let me know she was having abdominal pain. She had just had a doctor’s appointment and the doctor said everything was just fine. So we just kept an eye on it and went to bed. At about 11:40 Melanie said, "James, my water just broke!" To which I frantically replied,” What do you need?" She looked at me calmly and said, "Well, a ride to the hospital would be nice!" :-) I did what any sane husband would do, I said yes of course, put my glasses on, and put my shirt on backwards! Dudes are so cool under pressure. ;-)...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! We had such a special Celebrate Recovery weekend! I would again like to thank Kevin and Tracey Abbott for sharing their powerful story of what God can do. It took so much courage to stand in front of so many people and talk about the darkest parts of their lives. The reason they could is because God used Celebrate Recovery to show them that running toward your problems rather than away from them can free you from the paralyzing grips of your hurts, habits, and hang ups. It's amazing to think that God uses the very things we are afraid of Him knowing for His glory! By the way, He knows everything already and still LOVES US!! Kevin and Tracey used their darkest secrets to help others who are going through the same struggles! So, if you are struggling with something and you think you have gone too far, God can use that for His glory! Just think about that for a second. Don't allow your problems to control you. Allow God to use those hurts, habits, or hang ups to help others! Our God truly is an AWESOME God! If you would like a transcript of the Abbott's testimony please let me know and I will get that to you. Celebrate Recovery meets every Monday night at 6:30 in the Rancho Worship Center. ...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I would like to again start by thanking all of you who are filling out our "Talk Back To Us" cards! It has helped me so much in knowing how I can best serve and pray for you! As I mentioned, a big reoccurring theme is a lot of you are tired. Life is pulling you in so many directions. That's why I was so excited to have Pastor Jamin come talk about the retreats that are available to you. If you would like to register please go to saddleback.com/retreat. These retreats are available to everyone at Saddleback Church which includes 9 different campuses. So it may fill up quickly. That's why I asked Jamin to reserve a few days just for those at our campus, and he did! So May 18th and 19th is blocked out just for you! I also checked and there are still some open spots on May 12th! Go and reserve your spot now! Take some time and get refreshed! ...

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Class Weekend at Rancho Capistrano If you have yet to take CLASS 101, 201, 301, or 401 THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! Sunday, April 29 - 1:00 to 4:30 pm. Lunch will be provided! Also for the first time we will offer childcare. ...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I would like to start by thanking all the women who came out to Melanie's baby shower! MELANIE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I couldn't believe how nice it all turned out. I mean, there was beautiful china on the tables, and all of the women did such a wonderful job making this just a cool event! Now, to be clear, dudes, since your wife may have attended and you were wondering...we have china? Just so you know, china is the stuff that looks like fancy plates but your wife won't let you touch. :-) In fact the tea was such a cool idea, it looks like we are going to have them more often for the women of our church! I met Charlotte, one of the ladies who came to the shower, and she was saying that she had a great time getting to know and meet other women from our church. Others shared phone numbers and are planning on hanging out this week! I LOVE IT!! Guys, we need to do something like this, like a male shower. I'm thinking ours would look a little different--we would have paper plates and buffalo wings!...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I would like to start by saying welcome to those of you getting this mid-week message for the first time! These mid-week messages are simply a way to keep everyone in the loop and updated on what's happening here at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano! It's a cool little way to stay connected not just on the weekend but during the week as well. If you are just checking us out, I am SO excited you are! I would LOVE to meet you! Our service days and times are every Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. We now offer a Spanish service on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. We do offer full children's classes (infants - 6th grade) at our Saturday night service and both of our Sunday morning services. If you have teenagers, our 7th – 12th graders meet at our 11:00 a.m. service and our college kids meet at 7:30 on Sunday nights! I can't wait to get to hear your story! ...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know I'm thinking of you and praying with you as we all get ready for a BIG day tomorrow! I am REALLY excited to see lives changed! We are already seeing hundreds of people (from our Lake Forest campus) letting us know they have accepted Jesus! That is what it's all about! Let's continue to pray together in anticipation for what God will do here as well at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano at our Easter services! Please pray for Pastor Rick and Pastor Tommy as they give our Easter messages. Let's join together and pray for lives to be changed, and then let's celebrate and come along side those folks so they know they are NOT alone on this journey. That's why our cards are SO important--so they can be known and we can celebrate with them by coming along side them after they’ve made the biggest decision anyone will ever make! Please, even if you have already accepted Jesus in your heart, fill out a card as well so you can encourage someone sitting next to you who may be a little hesitant. Also there are some questions we would love your input on, and I NEED your prayer requests too! We are all in this together!...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I am SO excited because in just a few days Easter will be here! I have been challenging you to pray about who you will invite this Easter to church. Who will you take the time to invest in? Everyone was given Easter invites in the bulletins last weekend. All you need to do is give them away. It's that simple. Get daring, and get involved by simply giving those invites out. By the end of this week, no one including me should have an invite left! I am right there with you, praying about who I will give them to. Some will be easy, but honestly some invites are going to be a little more tricky. The bottom line is I love the people I am inviting to church, and even if it's a little awkward it is my way of letting them know I care and I love them. It’s not to judge, not to tell them how to live their life, not to tell them I disagree with them on certain issues, but just simply because I love them, and I care enough for it to be a little uncomfortable. Join me as we make a difference by inviting someone to church this Easter. It may be the only time they will say yes. Let's not waste this chance! ...

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Hey, Saddleback Rancho Family! I am SO excited because in just a few days Easter will be here! I have been challenging you to pray about who you will invite this Easter to church. Who will you take the time to invest in? Everyone was given Easter invites in the bulletins last weekend. All you need to do is give them away. It's that simple. Get daring, and get involved by simply giving those invites out. By the end of this week, no one including me should have an invite left! I am right there with you, praying about who I will give them to. Some will be easy, but honestly some invites are going to be a little more tricky. The bottom line is I love the people I am inviting to church, and even if it's a little awkward it is my way of letting them know I care and I love them. It’s not to judge, not to tell them how to live their life, not to tell them I disagree with them on certain issues, but just simply because I love them, and I care enough for it to be a little uncomfortable. Join me as we make a difference by inviting someone to church this Easter. It may be the only time they will say yes. Let's not waste this chance! ...

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