Learning
Growth
Unity
Worship Locally, Impact Globally
It seems like you can’t turn around anywhere in central Oregon these days without bumping into a farmer’s market. And what’s not to like? Fresh fruit and vegetables grown without pesticides or herbicides, and meat that’s grass fed without growth hormones and antibiotics. And to boot, you get to know the grower personally.
Chasing Unity...One More Time
Two weeks ago in this space I wrote about unity in the church and the steep climb that often presents, both back for the early church and now. I like what I wrote but it felt incomplete, lacking any specifics needed to flesh out what it looks like to press for this in any congregation. And the need is great.
Are You Stitched Together in Wholeness?
Dan and I recently returned after a week of wandering through Olympic National Park and down Washington’s ruggedly gorgeous coastline.
Foundry’s Last Ten Years
Ten years ago, Foundry Church was without a lead teaching pastor after Syd Brestel retired from 25 years of service, the longest in the church’s 110-year history. A small committee, including this author, had been meeting weekly since January of 2014 to find someone who could fill Syd’s shoes.
Through Hikers
So, the other Monday morning I woke up and thought about the day in front of me. A blank canvas. Nada. An empty calendar sheet. I had a thought and said to God that I was open for business and that I would keep my eyes a bit sharper for chances to step into his story during the day, not sure if I really expected anything to happen out of the ordinary.
What If We Removed Our Superhero Capes?
A few years back, my mom blacked out and hit the floor in her small-town pharmacy. Her physician couldn’t find anything wrong. “Mom,” I implored, “come stay with us until the doctors can figure this out.” She balked.
Unity? Get Real!
Reading the letters from Paul to various churches, it’s easy to paint a rosy picture of new believers following the Way, who lived out a first-century version of an idyllic commune: No conflicts or quarrels, no personality clashes or favoritism, no worries or hassles.
What Am I Good for?
Ever feel like you’re not making a difference in people’s lives? Have you asked yourself the question “What am I good for?”
You’re not alone.
When You’ve Been Married for Years and Years
This week on the lake and around the campfire, I’ve been reflecting on how Dan and I met and married—a miraculous, seemingly random turn of events: if this one little thing hadn’t happened, then this other big thing wouldn’t have happened.
What a Mess
I sit here watching believers bickering and grumbling about non-believers acting like non-believers. (And while bickering, believers begin to act like nonbelievers!). So, I'm going to share my view of interacting with sinners—otherwise known as sharing the gospel.
Truncated Domes and the Church
A few years ago, the city of Bend underwent a massive project which included replacing sidewalk curb ramps with sidewalk curb ramps. The arguably wasteful project was the outcome of a settlement between the US Dept. of Justice and the city of Bend in 2004, which resulted from a 2001 lawsuit introduced by four disabled Bend residents, claiming our city had failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Three Quick Takeaways from John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way
Recently, a group of us finished reading John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way. Comer was a pastor in Portland and now lives in California. He’s a prolific author and this book is his latest. It reminds me of the writings of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster with its emphasis on spiritual disciplines.
An Evening in Chitral with God
In the far Northwestern corner of Pakistan is the picturesque valley of Chitral, bordered on the north by the Hindu Cush mountains, and by Afghanistan on the west. During our years in Pakistan, we made several trips to Chitral and developed some close friendships among the Kalash tribes. The following account is the result of one of those visits.
Coming Alongside
My daughter Summer was with us as her dad was dying of cancer in the hospital bed in our living room. Her cell phone chirped. It was the international adoption agency. “We have a referral for three brothers who would do well in a family with children. Are you interested?”
Résumé Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues
David Brooks, NY Times columnist and author, wrote an opinion piece on April 11, 2015, entitled, “The Moral Bucket List”. In it, he contrasts those virtues we would put on a resume like education and work experience versus what people would say about us at our funeral.
How to Listen to a Sermon
Biblical Christians value biblical preaching. And rightly so. Beginning with OT precedent (e.g. Ezra in Nehemiah 8:5-9), Jesus (Mark 1:39, Luke 24:27), Peter and Paul in Acts (2:14-41 and 13:13-41 respectively) and an exhortation to young pastor Timothy (II Tim.4:2), preaching the Bible figures prominently if not preeminently in Christian worship.
Words – Can’t Live With Them, Can’t Live Without Them
I am exploring the art of writing. I imagine myself sequestered in a shed overlooking a wild river and gushing thousands of words into my laptop crafting essays, memoirs, and journals. Writing is difficult and takes discipline and tenacity.
Memories of Pakistan
Looking back at our years in Pakistan, I am filled with memories—mostly pleasant memories. Pakistan is a friendly place, a relaxed place. Oh, yes, it may be hot, dusty, and lack many conveniences that we are so used to here. But the people are very friendly and the atmosphere is peaceful...
Most of the time.
When Your Friends Show Up
The world is much smaller than I thought. I recently met new members of my family I hadn’t known previously—brothers and sisters in Latvia, this tiny country that was once part of the Soviet Union and has only been independent since 1991.
On a beautiful 740-acre piece of rolling hills with patches of forest, stands a children’s camp and a working sheep ranch. Eagle’s Wings.
A Deep Dive into Disabilities
To begin a deep dive into a conversation about disabilities, we should start with a definition of terms. What do we mean when we say “disability?”
Let’s start with a medical definition…