Last Sunday we looked together at the story in Acts 3 about the lame beggar at the Temple gate, how Jesus made him whole and strong through the hands of Peter. Immediately, the formerly lame man began to jump and run and dance around the apostles as they made their way through the crowded Temple...
This election season was a crazy one! Just get on Facebook you can see the level of fear people have for the future of our country. It breaks my heart to see our country so divided and I find myself asking how we got here? People are expressing anger towards anyone who has a different opinion...
This past Sunday, not only did we wrap up our “I AM” series, but a group of about twenty-five of us finished our fourth and final week of CORE 2. This was my and my wife, Ruth's, first CORE experience. If you’ve never taken CORE 1 or 2, it is “an intensive discipleship...
Oh fall, you just can’t beat this time of year! There is so much about it that is just great. The leaves are changing, the temperature is finally bearable, the rain and clouds are back, and the hunting seasons are starting. Yes, fall is the best time of the year. At least I think so...
If you’ve been in church with us in the last few weeks, you’ve witnessed the implementation of a new advance in our philosophy of ministry, the preaching guild. While there are several capable preachers and teachers in our church, this is the first time we have formed a team to...
Several times in the Bible our everyday life in Christ is described as running the race. Our whole life is described like a marathon. This past weekend was the 2016 Portland Marathon and I can’t believe it was 10 years ago on October 6, 2006 that Doug and I walked the Portland Marathon...
This week in both our Sunday gathering and our Women’s Conference, we are introducing a new song called Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship. This song is based off the well-known hymn, The Solid Rock (My Hope Is Built). The verses are very similar to the hymn, but there is a new chorus added...
Have you seen the HomeFront monthly magazine at church? My family loves going through these magazines to find creative ways to bring God into our everyday lives. There is something for everyone from crafts, storytelling, family memory verses, recipes, and so much more! October’s...
The book of John was the first book that I studied as a seeker and new believer. I can remember being so excited to read the story of Jesus at his birth. I told my husband, “The story of Christmas is in the Bible!” This was in 1970. Burl and Bernita Shoemake, a pastor and his...
Over Labor Day weekend, Lana and I had the chance to get away and go up to Alaska. It was a fantastic trip. We had a couple of days of just the two of us traveling from Anchorage, through the Keni Peninsula, and back to Anchorage. We saw and experienced so much. Hikes in the Alaskan woods using...