Learning
Growth
Unity
The Great Recycler
God does this thing that’s even more useful and beautiful than what Josh & Summer’s church did for them in anticipation of adding three more children to their family. He takes our sorrows and losses and transforms them into something beautiful and useful if we allow it.
We Win!
T.S. Elliot famously said, “April is the cruelest month.” What good could come out of it? I’ll tell you. The Resurrection!
What God Says About Jesus
I'm going to guess that most of you have never heard a message or Bible lesson on Psalm 110. But for first century Christians, many of whom were from Jewish backgrounds, Psalm 110 rose to the top in importance in prefiguring their newfound Messiah-Savior Jesus.
Easter Week
This week, I won't step into the flow of the week with any Al-commentary. For me, all the drama speaks for itself and leads steadfastly to Friday's horror, erased by Sunday's glory. Through the pain and loss to the newness of life.
Open My Eyes
It has been our custom to take our grandchildren to Foundry Church Family Camp in August the last several years. My husband, Steve, and I have always camped in tents resisting the bourgeoisie recreation trailers with cushy chairs and beds. The grandkids were invited to join us as soon as they were potty trained.
He Looked Up
Welcome to Passion Week, Palm Sunday to Easter, where nearly 2/3 of the four gospels are devoted to telling the story of that brief period in the life of our Savior.
Your Calling
I can't tell you how many times I have heard an earnest believer in vocational ministry talk of their "calling from God." And in just as many times, if I'm being transparent, I have felt a bit less-than.
We’re Better Together
Not too long ago, I wrote about the importance of community. But in light of attending Steve Toomey’s Sunday School class—based on Bonhoeffer’s book Life Together—I wanted to add a few thoughts about togetherness.
Into The Wilderness
Jan Richardson is an author, artist and ordained pastor. I have come across her stuff from time to time, and, like all writers, some of it I resonate with and others not so much. Recently, I saw a snippet of her stuff, this time a poem. It hit me in the gut with truth. Give it a try.
Lent and Me
A very long time ago, Lent was known as the time that separated Winter from Summer until the reliable English folks found a respectable name for the season and labeled it “Spring.” Lent, as I know it, is the observation that has been practiced in various forms for hundreds of years by all kinds of Jesus followers. The Lent season lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays, and marches the participant toward Resurrection Sunday.
Let Justice Roll Down
Justice has become a ruined word to many conservative Bible believing Christians. Preachers who speak on justice are often considered "woke" and risk termination.
But justice is a robust biblical word. Take Amos 5:24 in the ESV as an example…
Let’s Think About Communion
Communion is an interesting ordinance left to us by Jesus. It mimics a bit of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room the night before his betrayal, punishment and crucifixion. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, gives the most detail in the bible of this ordinance. He was writing to a messed up church who were mucking up most every part of church life. They had multiple problems and communion was one of them.
Mind Your Trace
My inner critic, never at a loss for words, says “leave the place better than you found it.” Where she gets her information, and when she chooses to spring it on me is a mystery, but I listen up because sometimes she is simply right.
Coke Machine or Slot Machine?
Post 3 in my series Metaphors That Matter: Insights into Life’s Challenges
The psychology behind a Coke machine is exactly the reverse of a slot machine. Should this matter to you? Yes, if you have to discipline or reward someone (I’m thinking especially of you, parents).
On Change
As of late, we have seen some changes around our church building. For those outside the area, Foundry church was the original church in Bend and when given options for a location, purposely chose to plant a Jesus flag at the "bottom of Bond" where one could find most of the bars, brothels and dance halls that entertained loggers and mill workers.
When You Discover Your Toilet in Your Bathtub
We couldn’t find our toilet. We noticed it had been removed, but it wasn’t in the garage. And then later I walked further into the bathroom and there, partially hidden behind the shower curtain, stood our toilet. In our bathtub.
Tales from the Basement
Some of you know intimately the joy of teaching children’s church, known quaintly as “Kidztown”. Yet many of you can only imagine what happens downstairs during the weekly sermon by the rumblings heard from below. Are the children learning to line dance? Are they acting out Matthew 8:32?
The Magpie and the Mole, Part 2
Post 2 in my series Metaphors That Matter: Insights into Life’s Challenges
This week we’ll look at the Mole’s challenges and some of the bumps in the road to making a difficult marriage flourish.
When Life Happens
Over the past weeks we have ridden the a big-boy rollercoaster of events for at least a few laps.
First, I danced with COVID in January...not fun at all. Then, at the end of January, Claudia, my sister and a good friend couple left for a 3X pandemic-delayed cruise in the Caribbean. What fine time in a warm place with good people on a smaller ship being treated special.
Stories to Tell, Not Stuff to Show
I believe the Father graces us with material possessions so we can look around and see who could use our love and encouragement and excess of resources.