Archive for 2010

Right now, between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, is my favorite week of the year. It starts with the high celebration of our Savior’s birth, it ends with the much lower celebration of mine. This week gives me an opportunity to reflect on my previous year (both the calendar […]

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“Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?” He didn’t say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for […]

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The other day when I was at California Adventure with my family, the boys went on a ride that my 3 year old daughter couldn’t do. While she and I were seeking some shelter from the pouring rain, I was surprised to see a door opened into an unmarked building […]

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Recently, I heard a person describe 2 types of leaders: 1. The Octopus is a leader who has his or her hands in everything. They don’t move very fast because they are always involved in some kind of detail. Every time they pass something that looks interesting or important, they […]

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The other day I had a conversation with a man who, as a part of his job description, regularly has to place—and sometimes remove—pastors. It was interesting to talk to this leader of shepherds and realize the challenge involved in helping to discern a ministry fit or misfit. Most of […]

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When Deborah and I were pastors in Newberg Oregon, we hit a real growth spurt a couple of years into the assignment. I was humbled as we approached 300, and I was really excited about what was to come. One day I was dreaming about how to reach our small […]

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I’ve had a bittersweet relationship with Christmas. I don’t know anybody who loves the Christmas season more than I do. Songs, smells, lights, gifts, decorations, parties, along with special food and drink is a highlight of my year. Even better is the meaningful reality found in our church as we […]

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My life has been lived up and down the West Coast. If you blindfold me and leave me anywhere in western Washington, Oregon, or California, I’ll probably know where I am and how to get to where I want to be in less than 60 seconds. The Willamette valley in […]

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As a teenager I played in a few bands and wanted to “grow up” to be a rock star. I heard interesting stories about out of control behavior by the big boys. These performers would make ridiculous demands and then throw an expensive, destructive, expletive-laden fit if they didn’t get […]

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“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:4-5) We consider pride sin, and we know that pride can lead to a fall, so how is it that […]

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I really didn’t mean to, but I just realized that I took an inadvertent week off of writing my blog (after taking an intentional week off a couple of weeks ago). Last Thursday and Friday was our denomination’s district conference, and I was pretty involved, so I didn’t write. Monday […]

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Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. (Matthew 22:29) it’s pretty simple: Both the Scriptures and the power of God are necessary to understand the ways of the Lord. I know some folks who seek the power but who play […]

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Don’t be cynical and say your vote doesn’t matter. Even if it’s true, and the place where you live is overrun with people who think and vote differently than you do, study and speak up by participation. Become aware of the issues facing your city, your county, your state and […]

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In Exodus 33, we find that Moses set up a tent outside of the Hebrew camp where anyone who wanted to could go inquire of the Lord. It was outside of the camp—away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life. A place to quiet down and sit down […]

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Jesus. Period. That was the heart-cry of a youth movement started over a decade ago by Andy Gilbert, youth pastor at Faith Center in Eugene Oregon. I like it. No, actually, I love it. I long to stop complicating everything and return to simple obedience and simple devotion to Jesus. […]

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