Climbing the Mountain: Guest Blog by Denisse Cherry

Seven San Diego Church is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for the errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation or staff.


Since the beginning of time, God's desire was to have a family. In fact, he expressed it when he created Adam and Eve. The book of Genesis also declares that "it was not good for man to be alone" (2:18). These opening passages should remind us that we were created to be communing with God and other people. But many of us have chosen NOT to be a part of God’s family for several different reasons; personality, past experiences, fear and so on.


Imagine this... You are getting ready to climb the highest mountain on Earth. You do not have a map, a plan or a partner. You know you must climb it, but you have no idea where to begin. And so you start your journey. On you way up, you fall, break your bones, cut yourself and even slip back all the way to square one. You are proud and you will not give up so you try again, not realizing that on top of having to climb the mountain you may have to deal with the weather. So now you are either freezing or overheating...

After so many tries and failed attempts you begin to get discouraged and your spirit begins to break. Though your spirit might be broken you still get up again and give it another shot. When you finally get to the top, you realize that you are there alone, with permanent damage caused to your body and your spirit. Many of us have been there…including me.

Ask yourself this, "Did I have to endure all that pain alone? And how much less pain would I have gone through if I had someone pulling me along, encouraging me, praying for me, and sometimes even preparing me for my journey? God gives us the experiences in our lives to be able to help each other along the way (Galatians 6:2). God uses every experience for his glory. I can personally account for that. Did you know that one of the worst forms of punishment for a criminal is solitary confinement? Why do you think that is? BEACAUSE WE ARE NOT MEANT TO BE ALONE!

Being a part of God’s family is one of God’s purposes for your life. That was his plan for you before you were born. The entire bible is a story of God building a family who will love him, honor him and reign with him forever. So, how do we accomplish that? The invitation to be a part of God’s family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus. Jesus helps us learn how to help each other, love each other, and be there for each other (John 13:34, Rom 12:10, Eph 4:2). We are born again into God’s family through faith. Once we become part of God’s family we are blessed to inherit everything that our Father has to offer.

I know what is like to internalize everything. I know what it is like to be proud and put up a front as if everything is okay. But I, like many other people, have gone through a lot of pain and unnecessary heartache. Don’t get me wrong, I have learned a lot about myself through those experiences and God has taught me a lot about the kind of person he wants me to be. But now that I have decided to be a part of God’s family, that mountain looks like a small hill. So if you are facing a mountain or a small hill, know that there are people out there that want to climb with you, help you along and pray with you. God strategically placed people in you life to help you grow, to help you conquer and reach the top so that TOGETHER we can bring him glory.

A Race Worth Running: Guest Blog by Jules Sneddon

Seven San Diego Church is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for the errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation or staff.


What is the purpose of mankind's existence? To put it simply, we were created to bring God pleasure (Revelation 4:11b KJV). And is it possible to please God without faith? (Hebrews 11:6a NIV). No, it is not possible. In fact, faith and understanding are fundamental to fulfilling our true purpose in life. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that, "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". The writer adds on that, "Because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6b NIV). So in other words, God not only wants us to believe in Him in the same way a demon would (James 2:19 NIV), but he wants us to believe in His Word, love, and countless promises.


When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even when we don’t see those promises materializing, we demonstrate true faith (John 20:29 NIV). This is what the ancients were honored for-– those few listed as heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Much like a runner, those heroes had crossed the finish line at the end of a very long race. And yet those heroes who lived by faith never received everything that they had hoped for on Earth; they only saw it and accepted it from a distance (Hebrews 11:13 NIV).

But why? Because God had planned something better for [them] so that only together with [them] would they be made perfect (Hebrews 11:40 NIV). Just as we need them, for they are our roots, so they need us, for we are their fruit. It is one tree, one story, one awesome chronicle of salvation and we get to be a part of it! God has included a plaque for our names in His hall of faith “so that only together with [them]” would all those listed in Hebrews 11 find their hope complete. Through our faith in Christ, we are intimately connected with them. Their faith and our faith make us co-believers.

Picture a sports arena with a great race track. A marathon race is in progress. The heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 have already run their race and they are now seated in the stands cheering you on as you begin to run the lap set out for you (Hebrews 12:1 NIV). We are finishing the race they began thousands of years ago. The baton that has been passed to you is the same baton they ran with. It is not just you crossing the finishing line. They are “with you” as you run. It is together that we win the race!

Jesus is there too, but He is running right beside you. He is there to encourage you and to help you to run the race set before you. He tells you to fix your eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2a NIV), for He is the one who built this great race track. He has already run this race and won. He has already received His victor’s crown. He is right beside you every step of the way. He is encouraging you to keep your eyes on Him because if you will have faith in Him, he will show you the way to victory!

Our Purpose Today: Guest Blog by Jeff Block

Seven San Diego Church is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for the errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation or staff.


I've been reading Paul's letters in the Bible lately and have found the first chapter of Ephesians to be one of the most intense chapters he's ever written. I still can't get over this chapter; I've read it over and over and over again. I try to figure it out. I try to figure out what Paul is saying. And so after wrestling with it, I can only come to one conclusion: it's about PURPOSE.

There are many definitions of "purpose." Most people try to find their "purpose" in life. Ask your coworkers what their purpose is in life and you'll be surprised to hear all types of answers. I'm sure. But we are not most people. We are not the same. We have a true purpose.

The dictionary definition is: "the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists." I believe, using that definition, that Paul answers our reason for existing in the first chapter of Ephesians. As we dig into the text, we should desire to discover or rediscover our daily purpose. That is our goal, is it not; to be daily renewed, daily engaged "in Christ"?

There are a few things we should pull out of this chapter. The first, is to see what God's purpose is, or will is... Verse 5 and 6 says, "he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." Paul used the words purpose and will together, but why? What does "to the praise of his glorious grace" mean?

In verse 12 and 14, Paul adds, "so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory... the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." Do we realize that we are to be that? We are to be the PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. I'm quite humbled thinking about that. I'm severely convicted at the thought of that. But with that conviction comes one thing--HOPE. We have to hold onto hope, which is Christ Jesus.

What is our purpose today? Let's refresh our memories. Let us be one thing--the PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. But how? You ask. You can start by knowing your hope, remembering your purpose, and by allowing God to manifest himself in your life. You can spend all your energy, all your capable power in bringing Christ to life in your "mortal flesh." And as I'm writing these words, I am thinking of my own day, it's not easy; it never is. Our hope, our PURPOSE, our Life is all because of Jesus Christ...

It's time to manifest him today.

Hookers & Robbers: Guest Blog by Aurora Mckeehan

Seven San Diego Church is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for the errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation or staff.


We often find ourselves questioning our very own existence. We ask ourselves questions like, “What on earth am I here for? Who am I? What am I made to do? Who was I made to be?” Are you guilty of grunting any of those questions on your way to work, school, etc? If so, you’re not the only one.

When it comes to trials, we all face them. Some problems are astronomical, while others are not. Some problems are unclear, yet others have answers that give us more reason to follow an all-knowing God. To some, these problems just don’t make sense. They're “illogical”. The truth is, we serve an All-Mighty God; a God who knows in each and every one of our hearts. He knows WHO we are, WHAT we are and WHO we will become. He meets you wherever you are, no matter what state, no matter what life style, and regardless of the challenges you are facing. He meets you in the deepest of lows and the darkest of places. He is a God who loves us too much to leave us that way.

You are not alone in your sin. Whether it is an addiction, depression, rage, low self-esteem, etc. Jesus has a real plan to grow, move and change you. So often we get caught up in what this world has to give us; more clothes, fancy dinners or a new car. But all of the riches in the world will leave a man feeling empty. Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:25-27).

So if you are a hooker, a robber, a drug dealer, an addict or an everyday sinner like the rest of us, you can still be something greater. You can still pull away from the life you are leading right now and turn to something bigger than what this world has to offer. You are worth so much more than you will ever know. But in order to understand your greater purpose, you'll need to find your confidence and strength in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What I Hope They Won't Say At My Funeral, Pt. 2: Guest Blog by Roberto Comparan

Seven San Diego Church is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for the errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation or staff.


Imagine your funeral. Do you picture a sea of mourning faces? Do you picture a group of musicians chanting songs? Do you imagine a priest or pastor speaking words of comfort? While all of those scenarios are likely to be seen or heard at your funeral, have you ever considered what someone might say on your behalf?

The Bible is clear in reminding us that we should be spending more time at funerals than festivals. "For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time" (Ecclesiastes 7:2).

Would your eulogy be packed with praise regarding your great party life? Would people shout to the rooftops regarding your excellent career choices? Would they express great admiration for your academic accolades? Although there is nothing wrong in pursuit of hosting a good party, having great work ethic, or doing well in school, it is important that we always keep the main thing, the main thing. Christ should be at the center of our influence.

Concerning human understanding, King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7: 15-18, "In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time? So try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way."

In this passage we find King Solomon pressing our faces into the depths of where we should find meaning to our existence. In his reflections and confessions, Solomon points us back to the God of the Universe. After testing science, philosophy, materialism, and even political power for meaning, he points us back to the God who breathes meaning into our lives. He reminds us that finding purpose in ourselves, rules, or causing people pain only brings pleasure, and not success. In other words he says, "Live a balanced life. Don't be stupid. And seek something bigger and more powerful than yourself--God."

When I die, I hope that people would simply say two things about me at my funeral. I would hope that they would say that my life was 1) in pursuit of loving God and 2) loving other people. Day in and day out, we should reorient our entire lives to making those two things our most important pursuits. In this way, God will help you bring meaning to the meaningless.

I.D. (New Teaching Series)

I.D. is here! In this new six-part teaching series, we hope to help you discover your purpose in life. Did you know God equipped you with spiritual gifts? Did you know that there's a reason God has you right where you are right now? Did you forget you were a part of God's family? Let is help you identify your God given mission. Message titles for each date are as follows:


I.D.: Who Am I Supposed to Be?

pt. 1, Apr. 19 .....What on Earth Am I Here For?
pt. 2, Apr. 26 .....How Can I Please God?
pt. 3, May 03 .....You Were Made For God's Family
pt. 4, May 10 .....How to Become Like Christ
pt. 5, May 17 .....How to Get in S.H.A.P.E.
pt. 6, May 24 .....Your Life Mission-ID'd

Please stop by and visit us. We meet every Sunday at 10 AM at Olympian High School, located off of 1925 Magdalena Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Holy Week & The Never-Ending Bailout

In case you didn't get to follow our Holy Week Action Steps each day this week via Facebook or Twitter, we have posted them here for review.

Monday: (Compassion) Pray for God to show you a need and then act on it.
Tuesday: (Celebrate) List 10 things you want to thank the Lord for.
Wednesday: (Evaluate) List 5 things you really value that are important in your life.
Thursday: (Connect Spiritually) Spend more time uninterrupted with God. Don't forget to pray for your non-believing friends.
Friday: (Reconcile) Call or write someone you need to forgive or need forgiveness from.


This Easter, make sure to visit a church near you. Our message this week is titled, The Never-Ending Bailout. Join us for worship and celebration of the Cross this Sunday at 10 AM. We are currently meeting at Olympian High School located at 1925 Magdalena Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91913.