The Lanes of Loneliness

Even in a small community small ours, the isolation of our city can sometimes be felt emotionally as well as physically.  Although we can see our neighbors' lights across the hillside, it is easy to still feel a thousand miles away from a real conversation.

There is a beauty to our "High Valley"—the way the morning light hits the San Gabriel mountains or the peace of the sunset across the trails at Stetson Ranch, but honestly, there is a side of foothill living that doesn’t always make it into the Instagram feed.

It’s the silence. Not the "peaceful" kind of silence, but the kind that feels heavy. It’s the feeling of being surrounded by thousands of neighbors in Sylmar, yet wondering if anyone would notice if you didn't step outside today.

Loneliness isn’t just about being alone; it’s about feeling invisible in your own neighborhood.

Whether you are a new resident trying to find your footing, a senior whose social circle has shifted, or a busy professional who only sees neighbors through the windshield of your car, isolation is a real pain point in our community. We live in a world that is more "connected" than ever, yet many of us are wary of a simple, face-to-face "How are you doing?"

Why We Hide (and Why We Shouldn't)
Often, we keep our loneliness quiet because we think we’re the only ones feeling it. We look at the hikers on the trail or the families at the park and assume everyone else has "their people."

But here is the truth: You are not the only one looking for connection – or wondering who is safe to connect with in these difficult, divisive and fear-filled times we live in.

Even as a completely digital congregation, at The House of His Glory, we believe that no one was meant to navigate life in total isolation. Community isn't just a byproduct of living in the same neighborhood; it’s a choice we make to see and be seen; to love; be loved and belong.

Breaking the Silence
If feeling isolated is a heavy burden in your life, here are three small ways to start rebuilding the connections that can ease the weight of loneliness:

• The "Rider’s" Rule: Have you ever seen two riders on horseback riding towards one another? Whether they know each other or not, they always acknowledge one another.  They are automatically connected by proximity and similar interest. So, next time you’re out, make eye contact and offer a simple "Good morning." It sounds small, but it’s the first step in feeling a part of a community and connected to the people in it.
• From Digital to Physical: Our digital congregation can be your connection point. Join us and chat during online service; comment on this post, submit a prayer request or call in to our teleconference bible study. Let “digital” be the doorway to a new direction in your life.
• Adopt the "Morningside" Spirit: Remember, when our community was known as "Morningside," it started as the "backyard" of the San Fernando Mission and was a place for connection and sanctuary. Take another look around – Sylmar is still growing and changing.  And, as you see our city with a fresh new perspective, don’t focus on all the old things that have kept you feeling separated, but instead, recognize all the reasons why you are a part of Sylmar – and why you belong here.

You are a valued part of the Sylmar story, and you don’t have to travel the lanes of life by yourself. And, by choosing Jesus, you are assured of never being alone.  In Hebrews 13:6 the Lord promises that He "...will never leave you, nor forsake you."  The Lord can and will lead you through your loneliness and maybe, if you follow Him, He will also lead you right into the connections that will fill your life with too much to feel alone.

~Pastor Deidre Jones

Love, Loss & Tragedy: Finding a Foothill of Hope ❤️‍?

This week, as we walked the sun-drenched paths of El Cariso Regional Park, it was hard to imagine the wall of flame that once roared through these canyons. But for those of us who have called the foothills home for a long time—from the peaks of Sylmar to the ridges of Altadena and Pasadena—the mountain ranges always carry the weight of the memories of loss.

Whether it is the legacy of the 1966 Loop Fire that gave this park its name, or the more recent scars left by the Station Fire and other blazes that have swept through the San Gabriel Mountains, our community understands a specific kind of "Heart on Fire." We understand that love and tragedy are often neighbors.

There is always the weight of the "Why" in the midst of our grief.  When we lose someone we love—whether to a sudden tragedy like a wildfire, the tragic, unexplainable horror of harm or threat, or the quiet, slow transition of illness—that pain can feel as consuming as a brush fire. It leaves a landscape in our souls that feels charred and unrecognizable. We ask "why," and often, the wind is the only thing that answers.

In these moments, it is easy to feel that God has abandoned abandoned us. And many times people will cry out questioning, "God, I don't understand what are you doing!" But the history of our mountains tells a different story. Our God is a good and just God and is never the cause of the fire, the tragedy, the pain or even death. But just as the scorched earth eventually gives way to the "fire poppy" and new growth, the Creator specializes in bringing beauty out of ashes; comfort in the midst of pain and even joy in the wake of loss.

If you are walking through a season of loss right now, please know that you are not walking alone. The House of His Glory stands with you, and more importantly, the Word of God offers a cooling rain for your grief:

• Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." He doesn't watch from a distance; He is in the "heart" of that canyon of grief right along with you.
• Matthew 5:4: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This is a promise of a divine presence that meets us in our tears and gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Rising from the Ashes The El Cariso Hotshots lost their lives in 1966, but their sacrifice birthed new safety protocols that have saved thousands of lives since. Their loss was not the end of the story; it became a foundation for protection.

Your loss, as painful as it is, does not have the final word. Love is stronger than tragedy. The memories of those we have lost in our lives, and even from the fires in Sylmar, Altadena, and beyond are like the roots of the ancient trees—they go deep, and they hold the soil together even when the fire and the pain has passed.

A Digital Sanctuary for You:  If this month’s Touchpoint Topic feels more familiar than you’d like, then we invite you to reach out. Our digital doors are always open:

• Join us this Sunday for our Digital Blessing as we often pray specifically for those carrying the weight of grief. 10:30 am (pst) – https://thehouseofhisglory.com/live
• Tune in any time you’re able by watching the services On-Demand at – https://thehouseofhiglory.com/messages
• Listen to our Audio Prayer for Comfort by clicking the link below.
• Sign up for our Daily Meditation Texts to receive a morning word of peace, truth and encouragement in your inbox. Text the word: "MEDITATION" to 818.873.3370

You don't have to navigate the recovery alone. Let’s watch for the new growth together. ❤️‍?
~Pastor Deidre Jones

Are you asking Google the kinds of questions only God can answer?

One of the top five search categories online has always been regarding "PURPOSE."  People are asking Google:

• “How to find my purpose in life?”
• “What is the purpose of life?”
• “How do I discover what I’m meant to do?”
• “Questions to ask to find life direction”
• “Finding meaning in everyday life”
• “What should I do with my life?”
• “How do I know if I’m on the right path?”

I don't know if folks are satisfied with the answers they get from Google or not, but here's the God answer that should bring peace, hope and direction and maybe satisfaction too.

Believe it or not, God wants nothing more than for us each to prosper; to be in good health and to accomplish that prosperity, health and well-being through a soul that is healthy, prosperous and successful in all that we put our mind, desires and emotions to.

3 John 1:2 - "Beloved, I wish above all things that you might prosper, and be in health, even as your soul prospers."

So what does that mean when it comes to your purpose in life and how to find it?

Well, it goes beyond simply what kind of job or career you have.  God has plans for you to fulfil your purpose no matter what job you have; what career you pursue; who your family is; where you grew up; what you got your education in or even if you didn't get an education at all.

Your purpose is tied into who you are and who God created you to be.  Psalm 139:13-14 say that we were knit together by God in our mother's wombs and that God made us fearfully and wondrously - no matter who our mother was or whether she raised us well or not at all.

God made you on purpose; for a purpose and that purpose is intricately linked with who He made you to be, because He created each of us with a unique combination of characteristics that come directly from His nature.  Genesis 1:26 says we are created in His image and in His likeness: God creates us from the creative fabric and nature of Himself.

So...

• What do you love deep down?
• What are you drawn to?
• What gets you riled up?
• What do you have a passion for?
• What is a burden or weighs heavily on your heart?
• What do you have a great and natural skill in or desire to do?

You don't have to have an answer for all of these questions - just one might reveal your purpose - even if that thing doesn't necessarily lend itself to prosperity, wealth or even a clear career path or a job that pays your bills.

It could be gardening or accounting; owning a business or teaching kindergarten; making crafts or even cleaning a house.  It could be trading stocks or drawing comics; insurance or ministry; counseling in therapy; coaching sports or trying cases in a courtroom - your purpose and passion will be a place where God's nature and love can be revealed through you!

If you're a janitor and cleaning is your passion and purpose - God will be seen through the excellence of your work; your soul will prosper and therefore the rest of your life will too. This is true if you're a doctor; jewelry maker; teacher; community leader; stay at home mom; inventor; world traveler or a circuit court judge.

Your purpose comes from God in you - and pursuing that purpose means following the thoughts and plans God has for you.  

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." And in the NIV: "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

God will reveal His thoughts and plans for your purpose to you - all you have to do is seek Him for it. You'll find the answer showing up in the deepest parts of who you really are.

~Pastor D, PhD
"Soul Practitioner" 

Faith Fueled by Love:
Overcoming the World Through God's Unconditional Acceptance

In a world that often feels overwhelming, where challenges seem insurmountable and condemnation lurks around every corner, there's a powerful truth that can transform our lives: faith works by love. This isn't just any love, but the unfailing, perfect, and all-encompassing love of God.

Imagine for a moment what it would feel like to be completely accepted, faults and all? To know that no matter what mistakes you've made or what limitations you perceive in yourself, there is a love so great that it sees beyond all of that. This is the love God has for each of us, and it's this love that fuels our faith to overcome any obstacle.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reminds us that "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6). This profound statement cuts through religious rituals and outward appearances, getting to the heart of what truly matters in our spiritual lives – a faith that is activated and empowered by love.

But how do we tap into this transformative power? It starts with recognizing and rejecting condemnation, both from others and from within ourselves. As 1 John 3:20-22 tells us, "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask."

This passage reveals a crucial truth: when we stop condemning ourselves and instead embrace God's love and acceptance, we gain a confidence that allows our faith to flourish. It's in this state of non-condemnation that we can truly believe God's promises for us and walk in the fullness of His blessings.

Consider the things in your life that you're trying to overcome. Perhaps it's poor health, a struggling relationship, financial difficulties, or emotional battles like loneliness or depression. Now, imagine writing down each of these challenges and next to them affirming: "God is greater than this because He loves me." This simple exercise can be a powerful reminder of the truth that should fuel our faith.

The reality is, God's love for us is not dependent on our performance or perfection. He loves us in our messiness, in our struggles, and even in our failures. This unconditional love is the foundation upon which we can build a faith that truly overcomes the world.

As we read in 1 John 5:4, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." Our faith, rooted in God's love, is what gives us the power to rise above the challenges and limitations of this world.

But how does this play out in our daily lives? It means approaching every situation with the confidence that God's love for us is greater than any obstacle we face. It means believing that because God loves us, we can indeed pay our bills, heal from that illness, mend that broken relationship, or achieve that seemingly impossible goal.

This isn't about ignoring reality or pretending problems don't exist. Rather, it's about viewing our circumstances through the lens of God's love and allowing that perspective to fuel our faith. When we truly grasp how much God loves us, it becomes easier to believe His promises and to trust that He is working all things for our good.

Moreover, this love-fueled faith isn't just for our personal benefit. As we experience and embrace God's love, we become conduits of that love to others. We're called to love others as God loves us, extending grace, forgiveness, and acceptance even when it's challenging.

Practically speaking, how can we cultivate this faith that works by love? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Meditate on God's love daily. Spend time reflecting on scriptures that speak of God's love for you.

2. Practice self-acceptance. Reject self-condemnation and embrace God's view of you.

3. Surround yourself with truth-speakers. Find people who will remind you of God's love and encourage your faith.

4. Act on your faith. Take steps of faith, believing that God's love will sustain you.

5. Extend love to others. As you receive God's love, let it overflow to those around you.

Remember, faith working through love isn't just a nice concept – it's a transformative power that can change your life. It's the key to overcoming the world and living in the fullness of what God has for you.

In every challenge you face, in every dream you pursue, in every relationship you navigate, let this truth resonate in your heart: God loves you. He loves you completely, unconditionally, and eternally. And it's this love that will fuel your faith to overcome any obstacle and live the abundant life He has promised.

As you go about your week, challenge yourself to view every situation through the lens of God's love. When faced with a difficulty, affirm to yourself: "God is greater than this because He loves me." Watch how this simple shift in perspective begins to transform your faith and, consequently, your life.

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, let the unchanging, unfailing love of God be your anchor. Let it be the foundation of your faith, the source of your confidence, and the power that enables you to overcome. For truly, faith works by love – a love so vast, so deep, and so personal that it has the power to change everything.

The Power of Self-Love: A Divine Perspective

In a world that often emphasizes loving others and loving God, we sometimes overlook a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey - loving ourselves. This oversight isn't just a matter of self-help; it's deeply rooted in biblical teaching and essential for our overall well-being and ability to love others effectively.

The Foundation of Self-Love

Luke 10:27 provides a profound insight into the importance of self-love: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." This verse doesn't just command us to love God and others; it assumes a baseline of self-love as the standard for how we should love our neighbors.

But why is self-love so rarely discussed in spiritual contexts? Perhaps it's because we struggle to understand what genuine self-love looks like from a godly perspective. The key to unlocking this understanding lies in recognizing how God loves us and striving to love ourselves in the same way.

God's Love: The Perfect Model

1 John 4:8-11 reveals the true nature of love: "God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

This passage highlights a crucial truth - true love originates from God's love for us, not our love for Him. God's love is perfect, unconditional, and based on who He created us to be, not on our actions or shortcomings.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139:14 declares, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This verse reminds us that we are God's masterpiece, intricately designed and deeply valued by our Creator.

Often, we judge ourselves harshly, focusing on our flaws and mistakes. We convince ourselves that God loves us despite these imperfections, but struggle to fully accept His love. However, God sees beyond our current state to the core of who He created us to be. Our challenge is to align our self-perception with God's view of us.

Stripping Away the Lies

Many of us have built our self-image on false beliefs and negative self-talk. These are not part of God's design but are lies that have accumulated over time. The path to true self-love involves recognizing these falsehoods and stripping them away to reveal the beautiful creation God intended us to be.

Our Divine Identity

Scripture provides a powerful glimpse into our true identity in Christ:

1. We are just a little lower than God Himself (Psalm 8:5)
2. We are children of God (Galatians 3:26)
3. We are friends of Jesus (John 15:15)
4. We are chosen, unique, holy, and royal (1 Peter 2:9)
5. We are the apple of God's eye (Psalm 17:8)

Embracing these truths about ourselves isn't arrogance; it's accepting the reality of who God says we are. It's about recognizing the immense potential and power that lies dormant within us as children of the Most High.

The Impact of Self-Love

When we truly love ourselves as God loves us, it transforms our entire perspective. We become our own cheerleaders and supporters, no longer relying solely on external validation. This self-love empowers us to reject the lies of the enemy and embrace the truth of our divine identity.

Moreover, loving ourselves properly enhances our ability to love God and others. It's challenging to truly love God if we don't appreciate His handiwork in creating us. Similarly, it's difficult to love others unconditionally if we can't extend that same grace to ourselves.

Overcoming Obstacles to Self-Love

One of the biggest hurdles in embracing self-love is the fear of becoming conceited or self-centered. However, true biblical self-love is rooted in humility and gratitude towards God. It's about recognizing our worth as God's creation while acknowledging that all our gifts and abilities come from Him.

Another obstacle is the "impostor syndrome" - the persistent feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of our competence and success. This mindset often stems from believing the enemy's lies about our identity and worth. Combating these thoughts requires a conscious effort to align our thinking with God's truth about us.

Practical Steps Towards Self-Love

1. Study and meditate on scriptures that speak about your identity in Christ.
2. Practice positive self-talk that aligns with God's view of you.
3. Regularly express gratitude for your unique qualities and abilities.
4. Surround yourself with people who affirm your worth and potential in Christ.
5. Engage in activities that nurture your God-given talents and passions.

A Call to Embrace Your True Self

As we journey through life, let's challenge ourselves to see through God's eyes - not just when looking at others, but also when looking at ourselves. Let's strive to love ourselves not out of vanity, but out of reverence for the Creator who fashioned us with purpose and love.

Remember, you are royalty in God's kingdom, a friend of Jesus, and a bearer of divine potential. Embrace this truth, let it sink deep into your soul, and watch as it transforms not only how you see yourself but how you interact with God and the world around you.

In loving yourself as God loves you, you open the door to a more profound experience of God's love and a greater capacity to share that love with others. This is not just self-improvement; it's aligning yourself with the divine purpose for which you were created.

So today, take a moment to look in the mirror and see yourself through God's eyes. Embrace the wonderful, powerful, and loved individual staring back at you. For in doing so, you're not just practicing self-love – you're honoring the masterpiece that God has created in you.

Jesus is the example of who God created us to be!

And so, before I can get to who Jesus is, I need to start in the beginning - with God, Adam and Eve.

In the beginning, God created mankind through Adam and Eve. In creating them, God gave them an identity, a blessing and a future of dominion and authority in the Earth - Genesis 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

Being created in the "image" of God means that since God is a Spirit - we are spirit and our spirit is identical to God.  And being created in His "likeness" means that spiritually we were intended to have all the same abilities as God, through our eternal connection to God. 

God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of His presence - His Glory.  But also in that Garden was the serpent - the devil, the enemy of our souls, satan.  And satan, being jealous of God hated mankind because of the image, likeness, dominion and authority given to us by God.

Because satan wanted everything God gave to mankind, he lied to Adam and Eve and they forfeited (gave up and handed over) their dominion and their blessing to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 3).  In that blessing, God intended for us to be fruitful, to multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it and have dominion over it.  Then, God told Adam and Eve they could freely eat from all the trees in the garden, including the Tree of Life in the middle of the Garden, but not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil also in the midst of the Garden.  If they ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would die. (Genesis 2:16) If they ate of the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever. (Genesis 3:22)  

So, what does all of this have to with Jesus? I haven't forgotten - hang on!

When the serpent came along, he deceived Eve and she convinced Adam (who was there with her!) to disobey God's instructions NOT to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  In that deception, satan convinced them that they were not created in the image of God, deceived them about their ability to be able to subdue him and stole their authority and dominion in the earth.  He got them to drink the Kool Aid and eat the fruit of his lies! Genesis 3:6 - "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."  And when they ate - their spirits instantly died - even though their bodies did not immediately die!

Believing satan's lie was like eating a poisonous fruit that tainted the blood of Adam and Eve with a deadly disease. It's the kind of blood-tainted, death-causing disease that is hereditary and was passed down to their children and throughout all the generations of the human race.  Now, all human beings are born with this spiritual blood disorder called "sin." [See the blod posts "Why the Blood" and "Myth Busting Truths" for more information about the blood of Jesus and the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.]  This sin however, is not the sin of doing something wrong or disobeying God - it is "sin" with a definition that means eternal separation from God!  

There is a verse in Leviticus chapter 17 that says, "The LIFE of a thing is in the blood."  We know this is true because any time a doctor wants to determine if someone has a disease or sickness, the first thing they do is take a blood test.  And if that disease is hereditary, the proof shows up in the blood!  And in many cases, without a blood transfusion, that disease will end up in one result: death! But Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Wow!  That's the sin in our blood that causes death, and death is what... separation from life, right? 

But because God loves us SO much, He came to earth as a man, free of sin and full of power - Jesus - the only man with a blood pure enough to cure mankind of our sin of separation from God.  When Jesus shed His blood for us, it was the blood transfusion all mankind needed to be connected back to life - eternal, everlasting and abundant life! 

Jesus came to give us our life back; to cleanse us from sin; to connect us back to God and to get back for us EVERYTHING the serpent stole from Adam and Even in the Garden!  Jesus is the example who we were meant to be before Adam and Eve believed satan's lies and ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil!

And since believing satan's lies was what caused mankind to die, now, the only thing we have to do to receive life once again is to BELIEVE in the truth of Jesus. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not die, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. (Romans 10:9) It's easy to speak those verses into a prayer of belief. 

And, if you prayed that prayer - you ARE saved! 

If you have received Jesus, your spirit is reborn and you have passed from death to life! You have been cleansed of ALL sin and Jesus has restored back to you everything God has for you! If you would like to know more about what that means (and how to get what God has for you), text the word "SAVED" to 818-873-3370". I will send you a special congratulations gift and the free eBook: "You're Saved! What's Next?"