For a very long time I’ve longed to be a mom, but it has not yet happened. Over the years, I’ve investigated many different options, most of which either didn’t feel right or the door didn’t open to them, until one day a new avenue was presented to me. Only after much...
I love our church family. So many of you have played a significant role in who God is shaping me to be. In the moment, often neither you nor I know that your words and actions have as much impact as they do, but I am trying to be more intentional in recognizing and reflecting on how God is using...
I recently rediscovered a spiritual mentor from my young adulthood. He and I didn’t meet regularly for discipleship, in fact, I don’t think we ever met at all. The only relationship I had with him was through his books and one seminar my wife and I attended where he was the speaker...
Who comes to mind when you read Mark 12:31 and Jesus tells us to love our neighbors? I’ve asked myself this question many times and I have found the answer is…anyone who is in my vicinity. My neighbors include my coworkers, parents sitting next to me at a football game, even the...
I really think I’m slowly, slowly being formed by reading the Bible. That may sound obvious or expected because when we decide to follow Jesus we are told that the Bible is God’s word and we should read it, so of course it’s going to form you. I don’t know about you but...
Psalm 133:1 says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell togetherin unity!" In Spanish: “¡Cuán bueno y cuán agradable es que los hermanos convivan en armonía!” I believe God takes delight when we come together and serve others in...
Is summer over? Heck no!! Sure, Labor Day weekend is here and some of you will have your kids back in school, and some of you will be back in school yourself, but that doesn’t mean your summer has to end. Remember, the sun is still out and there are weekends. Yes, this is the time of...
Hello Greater Portland family! Early this summer I had the privilege of taking two theology classes for work and I learned so much from them! So when I was asked if I could encourage our church family, I decided to share a bit from a paper I wrote about the role of the Holy Spirit specifically...
As the summer season begins to wind down and fall approaches, many of us start thinking and planning for fall, a new school year, and the holidays. September seems to be a launching of new things. The same is true for our church community at GPBC. VBS, the All Church Campout, the Spain mission...
Hey GPBC, thanks for letting me drop into your inbox and jump on the newsletter & blog. As some of you may know, Kelsey and I welcomed our daughter (and first kiddo) Hadley back in February. Most of our life now seems to be wrapped up in caring for and raising this little girl – so you...