In Joy and Sorrow
I first wrote this blog post in 2008, but I thought it related to a lot of what the church family is experiencing this week. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15 NIV) There’s a great line in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After Hermione has explained all the conflicted emotions of another character to Harry, their friend Ron says, “One person can’t feel all that at once, they’d explode.” Hermione retorts with a snarky comment, but I rather sympathize with Ron. What are we supposed to do when...
read morePopper Weeds
“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And when the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop...
read moreA Year of Pruning
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be ever more fruitful. (John 15:2 NIV) As a person with a selective green thumb—I cannot seem to kill succulents but can kill everything else—pruning is not high on my priority list. My overgrown succulents could use some help. For us non-plant people, the Wikipedia definition of and reasons for pruning are as follows: “…selective removal of certain parts of a plant; practice entails targeted removal of diseased,...
read moreA Letter of Love
Dear Creekside Family, Matthew, Jacob and I have moved to North Bend to be closer to our family. It is with heavy and light hearts all at the same time that we share this news with you all. Creekside has been our home for six years, from the first Sunday we visited. We’re not that far away, but it’s realistic to acknowledge that we will want to join a church community out in North Bend, whether at Cascade or elsewhere. We’ve done life with you all for quite a while now. We’ve watched your teenagers grow and blossom as we led Youth Group for a...
read moreThe Power of Positive Thinking
I’ve heard that mention of “the Universe” is becoming more common in fiction and non-fiction books alike—as in, asking “the Universe” for something or “the Universe” giving you what you need. People who don’t like to believe in God still feel the need God put in us for a guiding presence, and if they can’t name it God, they will name it something else. Similarly, you’ve probably heard of the book or movie The Secret, which is based on the so-called “law of attraction”: the idea that thinking positive thoughts will bring positive things into a...
read moreLike the Mind of a Child
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15 NIV) As a kid, I often enjoyed watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I have gotten a chance to revisit it now that my son is beginning to develop the simplest understanding of some basic things (and most likely spending more time watching a screen than he should). Just as I was, Isaac is fascinated by the speedy deliveries, field trips and movies on Picture Picture that look at plants and animals more closely or show how...
read more9/11 and ‘The Other’
“You may have heard the law that says, ‘love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?” (Matthew 5:43-46). Twenty years ago, America had an enemy. The terrible events of September 11, 2001 did more than take down two landmark buildings in New...
read moreAwake
Last week, Mark continued the sermon series on “the blazing center” with a specific focus on “a conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit.” He started off his message by sharing a vulnerable moment when he was preparing the sermon. He hit a writer’s block like he had never experienced. After some time in prayer, the Lord gently led him to the realization that he had not in fact been consciously depending on the Holy Spirit. He continued by sharing that once he confessed this to the Lord, he immediately felt his message come out like a flood. At...
read moreGroupthink, Meaning, and Unity
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22-23 NIV) One of the most intriguing and distressing phenomena of the last four years has been the disunity of the church when it comes to secular political power. I don’t mean voting for different candidates; sincere Christians have always cast votes across the political spectrum. What I’ve...
read moreTo Hear His Voice… Again
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NIV Three years ago, I wrote an article titled “To Hear His Voice”. I remembered I had written it, but had forgotten it was in January. How times have changed! What apparently has not is that, come January, my mind and I guess my heart turn to the discipline of recognizing or discerning God’s voice. After all, it is the season of creating goals and seeking direction for the year. Have I “heard” His voice since I last wrote? I would like to think so. Have I gotten any...
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