Evergreen Connection
Mine to Give
She was a joyous surprise from the first day we met her. We were grateful as could be for Tyler and Justin, but we openly hoped baby number three would be a girl. That hope grew and grew as delivery day approached, and many well-wishers cheered for the same. (Yes, there were ultrasounds in those […]
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The Art of Catechism
One of the beautiful things about the church is that we have 2000 years of history to call back on. That’s 2000 years of saints gathering together in the name of Jesus, taking communion together, and baptizing those that have professed faith. As 21st century Christians, we can easily miss the fact that church history […]
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2022 – What a Year!
2022 – What a Year! Or something like that. We’re near the end and it’s not a bad idea to take stock of the year. What happened? What situations or circumstances dominated the year? Is it a year you’ll look back on with fondness? Or a year you’ll be happy to move on from? My year has […]
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Church on Christmas?!
I was talking with someone last week who knows I am a pastor and they asked me what our service schedule was for Christmas. I explained we will have two worship services at 3pm and 5pm on Christmas Eve, like usual, and then one service at 11am on Christmas Day. Their response took me by […]
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Dustin: Gung Ho Joy and Hard Won Wisdom
Fifty years ago today, my brother Dustin took his first breath in this world. I was almost six at the time and I have been blessed with a front row seat to his life. Today I’d like to share a scoop of my immediate family blessing with you, my church family. There are two major […]
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Saved By Grace
Imagine living in a country where good works is what breaks you of the vicious cycle of reincarnation. You are hoping each and every day that you’re doing good enough. Alicea and I just took a trip to Thailand where more than 90% of the country are Buddhist. Buddhism has the belief in reincarnation. In […]
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The Importance of Not Assuming the Outcome
Exciting News: Last weekend Evan Chalker, our Treasurer, gave a very encouraging update on the Phase II project. The major highlight was that the total amount of Phase II pledges is now just over $1 million. That is so exciting! In addition, over 10% of that amount has already been given. Evan also reported we […]
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This is Not Normal
Hebrews 13:3 “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (NIV) According to Nik Ripken, a leading research expert on the persecuted church and a veteran missionary of over 30 years in the countries of North Africa and the […]
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The Parable of the Fence Fire
The east winds were roaring down the Columbia Gorge yesterday with startling intensity. This phenomenon happens with some frequency in our area and I always find myself eager for it to settle down. Here in the late fall, it chills you to the bone and blows leaves and trash everywhere. But in the summer, it […]
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Dangerous Questions
This week I am up in Monroe, Washington, along with Matt Arnett (and also with a dear friend to many of us, Matt Daniells), attending a week-long intensive class called Perspectives. Normally the Perspectives class happens a couple hours at a time, over the course of 15 weeks, but for us lucky folks here at […]
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